UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended April 27, 2019
Commission File Number 0-2816
METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
36-2090085
(State or other jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1000
 
Chicago, Illinois
60631-3518
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number (including area code):   (708) 867-6777  
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 
 
 
Name of each exchange
Title of each Class
Trading Symbol(s)
on which registered
Common Stock, $0.50 Par Value
MEI
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class) 
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  x   No  o
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  o   No  x  
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes x     No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes x     No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, an emerging growth company, or a smaller reporting company.
Large Accelerated filer  x
 
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company  o
Emerging Growth Company o
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).   Yes   o     No   x
The aggregate market value of common stock, $0.50 par value, held by non-affiliates of the Registrant on October 27, 2018 , based upon the average of the closing bid and asked prices on that date as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, was $0.9 billion .
Registrant had 37,059,425 shares of common stock, $0.50 par value, outstanding as of June 18, 2019 .
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE



Portions of the proxy statement for the annual shareholders' meeting to be held September 12, 2019 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.
FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
  11
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



PART I
 
Item 1.  Business
 
Methode Electronics, Inc. was incorporated in 1946 as an Illinois corporation and reincorporated in Delaware in 1966.  As used herein, “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “Methode” means Methode Electronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
 
We are a global manufacturer of component and subsystem devices with manufacturing, design and testing facilities in Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, Germany, India, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Our primary manufacturing facilities are located in Dongguan and Shanghai, China; Cairo, Egypt; Mriehel, Malta; and Fresnillo and Monterrey, Mexico. Our corporate headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois. We design, manufacture and market devices employing electrical, radio remote control, electronic, light-emitting diode ("LED") based lighting, wireless and sensing technologies.  Our components are found in the primary end-markets of the aerospace, appliance, automotive, commercial vehicles, communications (including information processing and storage, networking equipment and wireless and terrestrial voice/data systems), construction, consumer and industrial equipment, medical, rail and other transportation industries.
 
We maintain our financial records on the basis of a 52 or 53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to April 30. Fiscal 2019 ended on April 27, 2019 , fiscal 2018 ended on April 28, 2018 and fiscal 2017 ended on April 29, 2017 , and all represented 52 weeks of results.
 
Segments.  Effective October 27, 2018, we reorganized our reportable segments resulting from the acquisition of Grakon Parent, Inc. ("Grakon"). Prior to the acquisition of Grakon, our reportable segments were Automotive, Power, Interface and Other. As a result of this change, our reportable segments are now Automotive, Industrial, Interface and Medical. Historical information has been revised to reflect the new reportable segments. Refer to Note 11, "Segment Information and Geographic Area Information," in our consolidated financial statements for further information.
 
The Automotive segment supplies electronic and electro-mechanical devices and related products to automobile original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"), either directly or through their tiered suppliers. Our products include integrated center consoles, hidden switches, ergonomic switches, transmission lead-frames, LED based lighting and sensors, which incorporate magneto-elastic sensing and other technologies that monitor the operation or status of a component or system.
 
The Industrial segment manufactures external lighting solutions, industrial safety radio remote controls, braided flexible cables, current-carrying laminated busbars and devices, custom power-product assemblies, such as our PowerRail® solution, high-current low-voltage flexible power cabling systems and powder-coated busbars that are used in various markets and applications, including aerospace, commercial vehicles, computers, industrial, power conversion, military, telecommunications and transportation.
    
The Interface segment provides a variety of copper and fiber-optic interface and interface solutions for the appliance, commercial food service, construction, consumer, material handling, point-of-sale and telecommunications markets.  Solutions include copper transceivers and solid-state field-effect consumer touch panels.

The Medical segment is made up of our medical device business, Dabir Surfaces, Inc., our surface support technology aimed at pressure injury prevention. Dabir has developed the technology for use by patients who are immobilized or otherwise at risk for pressure injuries, including patients undergoing long-duration surgical procedures.

Sales.   The following table reflects the percentage of net sales by segment for the last three fiscal years.
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
Automotive
 
73.4
%
 
80.3
%
 
77.5
%
Industrial
 
20.7
%
 
11.6
%
 
11.3
%
Interface
 
5.8
%
 
8.1
%
 
11.2
%
Medical
 
0.1
%
 
%
 
%
 
The majority of our sales activities are directed by sales managers who are supported by field application engineers and other technical personnel who work with customers to design our products into their systems.  Our field application

1


engineers also help us identify emerging markets and new products.  Our products are primarily sold through our in-house sales staff. We also utilize independent manufacturers’ representatives with offices throughout the world.  Information about our sales and operations in different geographic regions is summarized in Note 11, "Segment Information and Geographic Area Information," in our consolidated financial statements.  Sales are made primarily to OEMs, either directly or through their tiered suppliers, as well as to selling partners and distributors.
 
Sources and Availability of Materials .  The principal materials that we purchase include application-specific integrated circuits, coil and bar stock, ferrous and copper alloy sheets, glass, LED displays, plastic molding resins, precious metals, and silicon die castings.  All of these items are available from several suppliers and we generally rely on more than one supplier for each item.
 
Patents .  We have been granted a number of patents in the U.S., Europe and Asia and have additional domestic and international patent applications pending related to our products and manufacturing processes. Our existing patents expire on various dates from 2019 to 2036 . We seek patents in order to protect our interest in certain products and technologies, including our TouchSensor field-effect touch technology, magneto-elastic torque sensing, medical devices and high-power distribution products. We do not believe any single patent is material to our business, nor would the expiration or invalidity of any patent have a material adverse effect on our business or our ability to compete.
 
Seasonality .  A significant portion of our business is dependent upon automotive and commercial vehicle sales and the production schedules of our customers.  The automotive and commercial vehicle markets are cyclical and depend on general economic conditions, interest rates, fuel prices and consumer spending patterns.
 
Material Customers .  During fiscal 2019 , shipments to General Motors Corporation (“GM”) and Ford Motor Company (“Ford”), or their tiered suppliers, represented 35.5% and 11.6% , respectively, of consolidated net sales.  In general, these sales were for component parts used in particular vehicle models of the OEMs. Typically, our GM and Ford supply arrangements for each component part include a blanket purchase order and production releases. In general, a blanket purchase order is issued for each GM or Ford part as identified by the customer part number. Each such GM or Ford blanket purchase order accounted for less than 10.0% of our fiscal 2019 consolidated net sales. Each blanket purchase order includes standard terms and conditions, including price. In certain circumstances, we supply GM or Ford the requirements for a particular customer vehicle model for the life of the model, which can vary from three to seven years. Both GM and Ford order parts using production releases approved under the relevant blanket purchase order. The production releases are submitted by the various GM or Ford plants and include information regarding part quantities and delivery specifications.

Backlog . Our backlog of orders was approximately $275.1 million at April 27, 2019 , and $249.2 million at April 28, 2018 .  We expect that most of the backlog at April 27, 2019 will be shipped within fiscal 2020 .
 
Competitive Conditions .  The markets in which we operate are highly competitive and characterized by rapid changes due to technological improvements and developments.  We compete with a large number of other manufacturers in each of our product areas; many of these competitors have greater resources and sales.  Price, service and product performance are significant elements of competition in the sale of our products.
 
Research and Development .  We maintain a research and development program involving a number of professional employees who devote a majority of their time to the enhancement of existing products and to the development of new products and processes.  Research and development costs primarily relate to product engineering and design and development expenses and are classified as a component of costs of products sold on our consolidated statements of income. Expenditures for such activities amounted to $41.2 million for fiscal 2019 , $37.9 million for fiscal 2018 and $27.8 million for fiscal 2017 .
 
Environmental Matters .  Compliance with foreign, federal, state and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment has not materially affected our capital expenditures, earnings or our competitive position.  Currently, we do not have any material environmental-related lawsuits or material administrative proceedings pending against us.  Further information as to environmental matters affecting us is presented in Note 9, "Commitments and Contingencies," in our consolidated financial statements.
 
Employees.   At April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018 , we had 6,187 and 5,056 employees, respectively.  We also, from time to time, employ part-time employees and hire independent contractors.  Our employees from our Malta and Mexico facilities, which account for approximately 54% of our total number of employees, are represented by collective bargaining agreements.  We have never experienced a work stoppage and we believe that our employee relations are good.
     
Available Information .  We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange

2


Commission ("SEC"). Such reports may be obtained by visiting the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, or by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains periodic reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding Methode.
 
Our website address is www.methode.com. We use our website as a channel of distribution for important company information. Important information, including our press releases, investor presentations and financial information, is routinely posted and accessible on the Investor Relations subpage of our website. We make available, free of charge, copies of our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material electronically or otherwise furnishing it to the SEC.   Also posted on our website are our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct, Anti-Corruption Policy and the charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Technology Committee. Copies of these documents are also available free of charge by sending a request to Methode Electronics, Inc., 8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1000, Chicago, Illinois 60631, Attention: Investor Relations Department.  Information on our website is not incorporated into this Form 10-K or our other securities filings and is not a part of them.
 
Certifications.   As required by the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), we delivered to the NYSE a certification signed by our Chief Executive Officer, Donald W. Duda, certifying that Mr. Duda was not aware of any violation by the Company of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards as of September 24, 2018.
 
As required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 302 certifications regarding the quality of our public disclosures are filed as exhibits to this annual report on Form 10-K.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors
 
Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties.  We undertake no duty to update any such forward-looking statements to conform to actual results or changes in our expectations.  Our business is dependent upon two large automotive customers and specific makes and models of automobiles.  Our results will be subject to many of the same risks that apply to the automotive, appliance, commercial vehicle, computer and communications industries, such as general economic conditions, interest rate fluctuations, consumer spending patterns and technological changes.  Other factors which may result in materially different results for future periods include the following risk factors. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known or that our management currently believe to be insignificant may also adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.  These risk factors should be considered in connection with evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this report because these factors could cause our actual results and condition to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements.  The forward-looking statements in this report are subject to the safe harbor protection provided under the securities laws and are made as of the date of this report.
 

3


Our business is dependent on two large automotive customers.  If we were to lose either of these customers or experienced a significant decline in the volume or price of products purchased by these customers, or if either of the customers declared bankruptcy, our future results could be adversely affected.
 
During fiscal 2019 , shipments to GM and Ford, or their tiered suppliers, represented 35.5% and 11.6% , respectively, of our consolidated net sales. The sales to GM primarily consisted of integrated center consoles for use in light trucks and SUV's, and a shift in consumer preference for smaller or more fuel efficient vehicles could adversely affect our results of operations. The arrangements with these customers generally provide for supplying the customers’ requirements for particular models, rather than for manufacturing a specific quantity of products. Such supply arrangements cover a period from one year to the life of the model, which is generally three to seven years. Therefore, the loss of a GM or Ford supply arrangement for a model or a significant decrease in demand for one or more of these models could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition. We also compete to supply products for successor models and are subject to the risk that GM or Ford will not select us to produce products on any such model, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Because we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from customers in the automotive, commercial vehicle, appliance, computer and communications industries, we are susceptible to trends and factors affecting those industries.
 
Our components are found in the primary end-markets of the automotive, commercial vehicle, communications (including information processing and storage, networking equipment, wireless and terrestrial voice/data systems), aerospace, rail and other transportation industries, appliances, consumer and industrial equipment markets, and medical device markets.  Key economic and market conditions which could impact the automotive industry include availability of affordable financing, fuel costs, consumer confidence and unemployment levels. Factors negatively affecting these industries also negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any adverse occurrence, including industry slowdown, recession, rising interest rates, political instability, costly or constraining regulations, armed hostilities, terrorism, excessive inflation, prolonged disruptions in one or more of our customers’ production schedules or labor disturbances, that results in significant decline in the volume of sales in these industries, or in an overall downturn in the business and operations of our customers in these industries, could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
International trade disputes could result in tariffs and other protectionist measures that could adversely affect our business.
    
Tariffs could increase the cost of our products and the components and raw materials that go into making them. These increased costs could adversely impact the gross profit margin that we earn on sales of our products. Tariffs could also make our products more expensive for customers, which could make our products less competitive and reduce consumer demand. Countries may also adopt other protectionist measures that could limit our ability to offer our products and services. Political uncertainty surrounding international trade disputes and protectionist measures could also have a negative effect on consumer confidence and spending, which could adversely affect our business.

Any changes in U.S. trade policy could trigger retaliatory actions by affected countries, resulting in "trade wars."
    
Any changes in U.S. trade policy could trigger retaliatory actions by affected countries, resulting in "trade wars," which could increase costs for goods imported into the United States. This increase in costs may reduce customer demand for these products if the parties having to pay those tariffs increase their prices, or if trading partners limit their trade with the United States. If these consequences are realized, the volume of economic activity in the U.S., including demand for our products, may be materially reduced. Such a reduction may materially and adversely affect our sales and our business.

We cannot guarantee that the recently acquired Grakon, Pacific Insight Electronics Corp. ("Pacific Insight") or Procoplast S.A. ("Procoplast") businesses will be successful or that we can implement and profit from any new applications of the acquired technology.
We acquired Grakon on September 12, 2018, Pacific Insight on October 3, 2017 and Procoplast on July 27, 2017.  As a result of these acquisitions, we now manufacture LED-based lighting in North America and Asia and automotive assemblies on mainland Europe, which are expected to aid in our expansion in the automotive and commercial vehicle sectors. The markets for the products these companies produce are competitive and rapidly changing.  If we do not keep pace with technological innovations in the industry, our products may not be competitive and our revenue and operating results may suffer.  Furthermore, while we intend to expand these businesses by integrating the acquired technologies into additional automotive and other applications, we can make no guarantee that such ventures will be successful or profitable.

4


Our inability to capitalize on prior or future acquisitions or any decision to strategically divest one or more current businesses may adversely affect our business.

We have completed acquisitions and divestitures in the past and we may continue to seek acquisitions to grow our businesses or divest operations to focus on our core businesses. We may fail to derive significant benefits from such transactions. Also, if we fail to achieve sufficient financial performance from an acquisition, certain long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, could become impaired and result in the recognition of an impairment loss.

The success of our acquisitions depends on our ability to:

successfully execute the integration or consolidation of the acquired operations into our existing businesses;
develop or modify the financial reporting and information systems of the acquired entity to ensure overall financial integrity and adequacy of internal control procedures;
finance the acquisition;
identify and take advantage of cost reduction opportunities; and
further penetrate new and existing markets with the product capabilities we may acquire.
    
Integration of acquisitions may take longer than we expect and may never be achieved to the extent originally anticipated. Acquisitions may also increase our debt levels. This could result in lower than expected business growth or higher than anticipated costs. In addition, acquisitions or strategic divestitures may:

cause a disruption in our ongoing business;
cause dilution of our stock;
distract our managers; or
unduly burden other resources in our company.

A significant portion of our business activities are conducted in foreign countries, exposing us to additional risks that may not exist in the United States.

International operations represent a significant portion of our business. Sales outside the U.S. represent a material amount of our net sales, and we expect net sales outside the U.S. to continue to represent a significant portion of our total net sales. Outside of the U.S., we operate manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Our international operations subject us to extensive domestic and foreign regulations and expose us to a variety of domestic and foreign political, economic and other risks, including:

changes in international trade and investment policies, including restrictions or taxes on the repatriation of dividends or other funds, new or higher tariffs, duties or customs (for example, on products imported from Mexico or China), new barriers to entry or domestic preference procurement requirements and changes to, or withdrawals from, free trade agreements;
changes in foreign or domestic government leadership;
changes in foreign or domestic laws or regulations impacting our overall business model or restricting our ability to manufacture, purchase or sell our products;
changes in domestic or foreign tax laws;
changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates;
economic downturns in foreign countries or geographic regions where we have significant operations, such as China, Egypt, Malta and Mexico;
significant changes in conditions in the countries in which we operate with the effect of competition from new market entrants and, in the United Kingdom, with passage of a referendum to discontinue membership in the European Union (“Brexit”);
impact of compliance with U.S. and other foreign countries’ export controls and economic sanctions;
liabilities resulting from U.S. and foreign laws and regulations, including those related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and certain other anti-corruption laws;
differing labor regulations and union relationships;
logistical and communications challenges; and
differing protections for our intellectual property.


5


Any of these factors may have an adverse effect on our international operations which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Our long-term incentive plan could require significant adjustments to compensation expense in our consolidated statements of income if management changes its determinations on the probability of meeting certain performance levels. The adjustments could be material to the financial statements.
    
In the third quarter of fiscal 2018, management determined that it was not probable that we would meet the target level of performance for fiscal 2020 under our long-term incentive plan. As a result, in fiscal 2018, we recorded a reversal of stock-based compensation expense relating to prior periods of $6.0 million.
    
In the second quarter of fiscal 2019, management determined that it was probable that we would meet the target level of performance for fiscal 2020 under our long-term incentive plan. As a result of changing the estimated level of performance from threshold to target levels, we recorded additional stock-based compensation expense relating to prior periods of $7.4 million.
    
In fiscal 2020, if management makes a determination that exceeding the target level is probable for fiscal 2020, an appropriate adjustment to stock-based compensation expense will be recorded in that period. In addition, if management makes a determination that it is not probable we will meet the target level for fiscal 2020, a reversal of stock-based compensation expense will be recorded in that period. The adjustments could be material to the financial statements.

Impairment charges relating to our goodwill and long-lived assets could adversely affect our financial statements.

We regularly monitor our goodwill and long-lived assets for impairment indicators. In conducting our goodwill impairment testing, we may first perform a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. If not, no further goodwill impairment testing is required. If it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount, or if we elect not to perform a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit, we then compare the fair value of the reporting unit to the related net book value. If the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is measured and recognized. In conducting our impairment analysis of long-lived assets, we compare the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the long-lived assets to the related net book values. Changes in economic or operating conditions impacting our estimates and assumptions could result in the impairment of our goodwill or long-lived assets. In the event that we determine that our goodwill or long-lived assets are impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We may be unable to keep pace with rapid technological changes, which could adversely affect our business.
 
The technologies relating to some of our products have undergone, and are continuing to undergo, rapid and significant changes. Specifically, end-markets for electronic components and assemblies are characterized by technological change, frequent new product introductions and enhancements, changes in customer requirements and emerging industry standards.  These changes could render our existing products unmarketable before we can recover any or all of our research, development and other expenses. Furthermore, the life cycles of our products vary, may change and are difficult to estimate. If we are unable, for technological or other reasons, to develop and market new products or product enhancements in a timely and cost-effective manner, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Should a catastrophic event or other significant business interruption occur at any of our facilities, we could face significant reconstruction or remediation costs, penalties, third party liability and loss of production capacity, which could adversely affect our business.
    
Weather conditions, natural disasters or other catastrophic events could cause significant disruptions in operations, including, specifically, disruptions at our manufacturing facilities or those of our major suppliers or customers. In turn, the quality, cost and volumes of the products we produce and sell could be unexpectedly, negatively affected, which would impact our results of operations and financial condition.
    
War, terrorism, geopolitical uncertainties, public health issues, and other business interruptions have caused and could cause damage or disruption to international commerce and the global economy, and thus could have a strong negative effect on us, our suppliers, logistics providers, manufacturing partners and customers. Our business operations could be subject to interruption by power shortages, terrorist attacks and other hostile acts, labor disputes, public health issues, and other events beyond our control. Such events could decrease demand for our products or make it difficult or impossible for us to produce

6


and deliver products to our customers, or to receive components from our suppliers, thereby creating delays and inefficiencies in our supply chain. Should major public health issues, including pandemics, arise, we could be negatively affected by more stringent employee travel restrictions, additional limitations in freight services, governmental actions limiting the movement of products between regions, and disruptions in the operations of our manufacturing partners and component suppliers. The majority of our research and development activities, our corporate headquarters, information technology systems, and other critical business operations, including certain component suppliers and manufacturing partners, are in locations that could be affected by natural disasters. In the event of a natural disaster, losses could be incurred and significant recovery time could be required to resume operations and our financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected. While we may purchase insurance policies to cover the direct economic impact experienced following a natural disaster occurring at one of our own facilities, there can be no assurance that such insurance policies will cover the full extent of our financial loss nor will they cover losses which are not economic in nature such as, for example, our reputation as a reliable supplier.

Our ability to market our automotive and commercial vehicle products is subject to a lengthy sales cycle, which requires significant investment prior to significant sales revenues, and there is no assurance that our products will be implemented in any particular vehicle.
The sales cycles for our automotive and commercial vehicle products are lengthy because the manufacturers must develop high degrees of assurance that the products they buy will meet customer needs, interface as easily as possible with the other parts of a vehicle and with the manufacturer’s production and assembly process, and have minimal warranty, safety and service problems. As a result, from the time that a manufacturer develops a strong interest in our products, it normally will take several years before our products are available to consumers in that manufacturer’s vehicles.
In the automotive components industry, products typically proceed through five stages of research and development. Initial research on the product concept comes first, to assess its technical feasibility and economic costs and benefits. This stage often includes development of an internal prototype for the component supplier’s own evaluation. If the product appears feasible, the component supplier manufactures a functioning prototype to demonstrate and test the product’s features. These prototypes are then marketed and sold to automotive companies for testing and evaluation. If an automobile manufacturer shows interest in the product, it typically works with the component supplier to refine the product, then purchases second and subsequent generation engineering prototypes for further evaluation. Finally, the automobile manufacturer either decides to purchase the component for a production vehicle or terminates the program.
The time required to progress through these five stages to commercialization varies widely. Generally, the more a component must be integrated with other vehicle systems, the longer the process takes. Further, products that are installed by the factory usually require extra time for evaluation because other vehicle systems are affected, and a decision to introduce the product into the vehicle is not easily reversed. Because our automotive products affect other vehicle systems and are a factory-installed item, the process usually takes several years from conception to commercialization.
While we currently have active development programs with various OEMs for a variety of our products, no assurance can be given that our products will be implemented in any particular vehicles. During this development process, we derive minimal funding from prototype sales but generally obtain no significant revenue until mass production begins, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity. If our products are not selected after a lengthy development process, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Other automotive and commercial vehicle products that we develop are also likely to have a lengthy sales cycle. Because such technology is new and evolving, and because customers will likely require that any new product we develop pass certain feasibility and economic viability tests before committing to purchase, it is expected that any new products we develop will take some years before they are sold to customers, if at all.

Our inability, or our customers' inability, to effectively manage the timing, quality and cost of new program launches could adversely affect our financial performance.

In connection with the awarding of new business, we obligate ourselves to deliver new products and services that are subject to our customers' timing, performance and quality demands. Additionally, we must effectively coordinate the activities of numerous suppliers in order for the program launches of certain of our products to be successful. Given the complexity of new program launches, we may experience difficulties managing product quality, timeliness and associated costs. In addition, new program launches require a significant ramp up of costs; however, our sales related to these new programs generally are dependent upon the timing and success of our customers' introduction of new products. Our inability, or our customers' inability, to effectively manage the timing, quality and costs of these new program launches could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

7


We are subject to continuing pressure to lower our prices.
 
Over the past several years we have experienced, and we expect to continue to experience, pressure to lower our prices. We, from time to time, provide price concessions in connection with the awarding of new business.
In order to maintain our profitability, we must strive to increase volumes and reduce our costs. Continuing pressures to reduce our prices could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. 

A significant fluctuation between the U.S. dollar and other currencies could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
 
We have currency exposures related to buying, selling and financing in currencies other than the local currencies of the countries in which we operate.  While we seek to manage our foreign exchange risk through operational means by matching revenue with same-currency costs, this may not always be effective. We currently do not use third-party derivative financial instruments to mitigate the risk of currency fluctuations. As a result, significant fluctuations in relative currency values, in particular against the value of the U.S. dollar, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our Dabir Surfaces medical device products are emerging technologies. Our ability to successfully market and sell these products will depend on acceptance by the medical community.
We continue to develop our Dabir Surfaces medical device products, which are included in several ongoing clinical research and product evaluation studies. We will not be successful in marketing and selling these products to the medical community if we are unable to demonstrate the clinical efficacy, cost effectiveness and distinctive benefits of the products or if our customers prefer competitive products.
Disruption of our supply chain could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability, and that of our suppliers, business partners and contract manufacturers, to make, move and sell products is critical to our success. Damage or disruption to our or their manufacturing or distribution capabilities due to weather, including any potential effects of climate change, natural disaster, fire or explosion, terrorism, pandemics, strikes, repairs or enhancements at our facilities, or other reasons, could impair our ability to manufacture or sell our products. Failure to take adequate steps to mitigate the likelihood or potential impact of such events, or to effectively manage such events if they occur, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as require additional resources to restore our supply chain.

We are dependent on the availability and price of materials.
 
We require substantial amounts of materials, including application-specific integrated circuits, coil and bar stock, ferrous and copper alloy sheets, glass, LED displays, plastic molding materials, precious metals, and silicon die castings. The availability and prices of materials may be subject to curtailment or change due to, among other things, new laws or regulations, suppliers’ allocations to other purchasers, interruptions in production by suppliers, changes in exchange rates and worldwide price levels. Any change in the availability of, or price for, these materials could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Changes in our effective tax rate may harm our results of operations.

A number of factors may increase our effective tax rate, which could reduce our net income, including:

the jurisdictions in which profits are determined to be earned and taxed;
the resolution of issues arising from tax audits;
changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and in deferred tax valuation allowances;
adjustments to income taxes upon finalization of tax returns;
increases in expenses not deductible for tax purposes, including write-offs of acquired in-process research and development and impairments of goodwill and long-lived assets;
changes in available tax credits;
changes in tax laws or interpretation, including changes in the U.S. to the taxation of non-U.S. income and expenses; and
changes in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP").


8


Our gross profit margins are subject to fluctuations due to many factors.

A number of factors may impact our gross profit margins, including the following:

tariffs;
geographical and vertical market pricing mix;
changes in the mix of our prototyping and production-based business;
competitive pricing dynamics and customer mix;
pricing concessions; and
various manufacturing cost variables including product yields, package and assembly costs, provisions for excess and obsolete inventory and the absorption of manufacturing overhead.

Any significant decrease in our gross profit margins could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our information technology (“IT”) systems could be breached.

We face certain security threats relating to the confidentiality and integrity of our IT systems. Despite implementation of security measures, our IT systems may be vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, cyber attacks and other unauthorized access, and these security breaches could result in a disruption to our operations. A material network breach of our IT systems could involve the theft of our and our customers' intellectual property or trade secrets which may be used by competitors to develop competing products. To the extent that any security breach results in a loss or damage to data, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, it could cause significant damage to our reputation, affect our customer relations, lead to claims against us, increase our costs to protect against future damage and could result in a material adverse effect on our business and financial position.
Any such disruption or security breach, as well as any action by us or our employees or contractors that might be inconsistent with the rapidly evolving data privacy and security laws and regulations applicable within the U.S. and elsewhere where we conduct business, could result in enforcement actions by U.S. states, the U.S. Federal government or foreign governments, liability or sanctions under data privacy laws that protect personally identifiable information, regulatory penalties, other legal proceedings such as but not limited to private litigation, the incurrence of significant remediation costs, disruptions to our development programs, business operations and collaborations, diversion of management efforts and damage to our reputation, which could harm our business and operations. Because of the rapidly changing nature of technology and the increasing sophistication of cybersecurity threats, our measures to prevent, respond to and minimize such risks may be unsuccessful. While we have secured cyber insurance to potentially cover certain risks associated with cyber incidents, there can be no assurance the insurance will be sufficient to cover any such liability.
In addition, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted a comprehensive general data privacy regulation (“GDPR”) in 2016 to replace the current European Union Data Protection Directive and related country-specific legislation. The GDPR took effect in May 2018 and governs the collection and use of personal data in the European Union. The GDPR, which is wide-ranging in scope, imposes several requirements relating to the consent of the individuals to whom the personal data relates, the information provided to the individuals, the security and confidentiality of the personal data, data breach notification and the use of third-party processors in connection with the processing of the personal data. The GDPR also imposes strict rules on the transfer of personal data out of the European Union to the U.S., enhances enforcement authority and imposes large penalties for noncompliance.

Products we manufacture may contain design or manufacturing defects that could result in reduced demand for our products or services and liability claims against us.
 
Despite our quality control and quality assurance efforts, defects may occur in the products we manufacture due to a variety of factors, including design or manufacturing errors, component failure or counterfeit parts. Product defects may result in delayed shipments and reduced demand for our products. We may be subject to increased costs due to warranty claims on defective products. Product defects may result in product liability claims against us where defects cause, or are alleged to cause, property damage, bodily injury or death. We may be required to participate in a recall involving products that are, or are alleged to be, defective. We carry insurance for certain legal matters involving product liability, however, we do not have coverage for all costs related to product defects or recalls and the costs of such claims, including costs of defense and settlement, may exceed our available coverage.


9


Our technology-based businesses and the markets in which we operate are highly competitive.  If we are unable to compete effectively, our sales could decline.
 
The markets in which we operate are highly competitive and characterized by rapid changes due to technological improvements and developments.  We compete with a large number of other manufacturers in each of our product areas; many of these competitors have greater resources and sales.  Price, service and product performance are significant elements of competition in the sale of our products.  Competition may intensify further if more companies enter the markets in which we operate. Our failure to compete effectively could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property or we infringe, or are alleged to infringe, on another person’s intellectual property, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.
 
We have numerous U.S. and foreign patents and license agreements covering certain of our products and manufacturing processes.  Our ability to compete effectively with other companies depends, in part, on our ability to maintain the proprietary nature of our technology. Although we have been awarded, have filed applications for, or have been licensed under numerous patents in the U.S. and other countries, there can be no assurance concerning the degree of protection afforded by these patents or the likelihood that pending patents will be issued.  The loss of certain patents and trade secrets could adversely affect our sales, margins or profitability.
 
We have and may become involved in litigation in the future to protect our intellectual property or because others may allege that we infringe on their intellectual property. These claims and any resulting lawsuit could subject us to liability for damages and invalidate our intellectual property rights. If an infringement claim is successfully asserted by a holder of intellectual property rights, we may be required to cease marketing or selling certain products, pay a penalty for past infringement and spend significant time and money to develop a non-infringing product or process or to obtain licenses for the technology, process or information from the holder. We may not be successful in the development of a non-infringing alternative, or licenses may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, if at all, in which case we may lose sales and profits. In addition, any litigation could be lengthy and costly and could materially adversely affect us even if we are successful in the litigation.

We have incurred a significant amount of indebtedness, and our level of indebtedness and restrictions under our indebtedness could adversely affect our operations and liquidity.

On September 12, 2018, we entered into a senior unsecured credit agreement that provided a $200.0 million revolving credit facility and a $250.0 million term loan. As of April 27, 2019 , $278.7 million in principal was outstanding under these financing arrangements.  The term loan matures in September 2023 and requires quarterly principal payments of $3.1 million over the five-year term, with the remaining balance due upon maturity. The credit agreement provides for variable rates of interest based on the type of borrowing and our debt to EBITDA financial ratio and contains customary representations and warranties, financial covenants, restrictive covenants and events of default.

The credit agreement imposes various restrictions and covenants regarding the operation of our business, including covenants that require us to obtain the lender’s consent before we can, among other things and subject to certain limited exceptions: (i) incur additional indebtedness or additional liens on our property; (ii) consummate acquisitions, dispositions, mergers or consolidations; (iii) make any change in the nature of our business; (iv) enter into transactions with our affiliates; or (v) repurchase or redeem any outstanding shares of our common stock or pay dividends or other distributions, other than stock dividends, to our stockholders.

The amount of our outstanding indebtedness could have an adverse effect on our operations and liquidity, including by, among other things: (i) making it more difficult for us to pay or refinance our debts as they become due during adverse economic and industry conditions, because we may not have sufficient cash flows to make our scheduled debt payments; (ii) causing us to use a larger portion of our cash flows to fund interest and principal payments, thereby reducing the availability of cash to fund working capital, product development, capital expenditures and other business activities; (iii) making it more difficult for us to take advantage of significant business opportunities, such as acquisition opportunities or other strategic transactions, and to react to changes in market or industry conditions; and (iv) limiting our ability to borrow additional monies in the future to fund the activities and expenditures described above and for other general corporate purposes as and when needed, which could force us to suspend, delay or curtail business prospects, strategies or operations.

10


Regulations related to the use of conflict-free minerals may increase our costs and expenses, and an inability to certify that our products are conflict-free may adversely affect customer relationships.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act contains provisions to improve the transparency and accountability of the use by public companies in their products of minerals mined in certain countries and to prevent the sourcing of such “conflict” minerals. As a result, the SEC enacted annual disclosure and reporting requirements for public companies that use these minerals in their products, which apply to us. Under the rules, we are required to conduct due diligence to determine the source of any conflict minerals used in our products and to make annual disclosures which began in May 2014. Because our supply chain is broad-based and complex, we may not be able to easily verify the origins for all minerals used in our products. In addition, the rules may reduce the number of suppliers who provide components and products containing conflict-free minerals and thus may increase the cost of the components used in manufacturing our products and the costs of our products to us. Any increased costs and expenses may have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Further, if we are unable to certify that our products are conflict free, we may face challenges with our customers, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage, and our reputation may be harmed.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None

Item 2.  Properties
 
Our corporate headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois. As of April 27, 2019, we leased or owned 36 operating facilities. We believe our space is in good condition and adequate to meet our current and reasonably anticipated future needs.  
    
The following table provides details regarding our significant properties as of April 27, 2019:    
Location
 
Use
 
Owned/
Leased
 
Approximate
Square Footage
Lontzen, Belgium
 
Manufacturing and Warehousing
 
Owned
 
153,385

Shanghai, China
 
Manufacturing
 
Leased
 
194,333

Dongguan, China
 
Manufacturing
 
Leased
 
197,000

Cairo, Egypt
 
Manufacturing
 
Leased
 
120,954

Mriehel, Malta
 
Manufacturing
 
Leased
 
299,290

Monterrey, Mexico
 
Manufacturing
 
Leased
 
286,657

Fresnillo, Mexico
 
Manufacturing
 
Leased
 
120,000

Santa Catarina Nuevo Léon, Mexico
 
Manufacturing
 
Leased
 
128,038

Chicago, Illinois
 
Manufacturing
 
Owned
 
118,000

Carthage, Illinois
 
Manufacturing
 
Owned
 
134,889

Rolling Meadows, Illinois
 
Manufacturing
 
Owned
 
52,000

Southfield, Michigan
 
Sales and Engineering Design Center
 
Owned
 
64,000

McAllen, Texas
 
Warehousing
 
Leased
 
99,360


Item 3.  Legal Proceedings
 
From time to time, we may become involved in various litigation matters, including administrative proceedings, regulatory proceedings, environmental matters, and commercial disputes. The impact and outcome of litigation, if any, is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that could harm our business.  We are not currently aware of any such legal proceedings or claims to which we are a party or to which our property is subject that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable


11


Supplementary Item: Information about our Executive Officers
 
Name
 
Age
 
Offices and Positions Held and Length of Service as Officer
Donald W. Duda
 
63
 
Chief Executive Officer since 2004 and President and Director since 2001.
Ronald L.G. Tsoumas
 
58
 
Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 2018; prior thereto, served as Controller of the Company since 2007.
Andrea J. Barry
 
56
 
Chief Human Resources Officer of the Company since 2017; prior thereto, served as CHRO for Wirtz Beverage Group from 2013 to 2016.
Michael S. Brotherton
 
42
 
President, Grakon since 2018; prior thereto, served as Vice President and General Manager, North American Automotive, from 2010.
Timothy R. Glandon
 
55
 
Vice President since 2006; General Manager, North American Automotive, from 2006 to 2015.
Joseph E. Khoury
 
55
 
Chief Operating Officer of the Company since 2018; prior thereto, served as Senior Vice President since 2015, and as Vice President and General Manager of European Operations from 2004 to 2015.
Anil V. Shetty
 
53
 
President, Dabir since 2018; prior thereto, Vice President and General Manager, Asia, from 2015, and Executive Managing Director, Asia from 2011 to 2015.

All executive officers are elected by the Board of Directors and serve a term of one year or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.


12


PART II  

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MEI." The following is a tabulation of high and low sales prices for the periods presented and cash dividends declared per share. 
 
 
High
 
Low
 
Dividends Declared Per Share
Fiscal Year Ended April 27, 2019
 
 

 
 

 
 

First Quarter
 
$
45.45

 
$
37.70

 
$
0.11

Second Quarter
 
41.30

 
27.65

 
0.11

Third Quarter
 
33.98

 
20.99

 
0.11

Fourth Quarter
 
32.22

 
25.11

 
0.11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended April 28, 2018
 
 

 
 

 
 

First Quarter
 
$
44.95

 
$
36.05

 
$
0.09

Second Quarter
 
46.75

 
36.75

 
0.09

Third Quarter
 
48.44

 
39.00

 
0.11

Fourth Quarter
 
42.10

 
36.95

 
0.11

 
On June 13, 2019 , the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock, payable on July 26, 2019 , to holders of record on July 12, 2019 . As of June 18, 2019 , the number of record holders of our common stock was 397 .


13


Item 6.  Selected Financial Data
 
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.  The Consolidated Statements of Income data for fiscal 2019 , fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 , and the Consolidated Balance Sheets data as of April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018 , are derived from, and are qualified by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.  The Consolidated Statements of Income data for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 , and the Consolidated Balance Sheets data as of April 29, 2017 , April 30, 2016 and May 2, 2015 are derived from audited consolidated financial statements not included in this report.
 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
(In Millions, Except Percentages and Per Share Amounts)
 
April 27, 2019 (1)
 
April 28, 2018 (2)
 
April 29, 2017 (3)
 
April 30, 2016 (4)
 
May 2, 2015 (5)
Income Statement Data:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net Sales
 
$
1,000.3

 
$
908.3

 
$
816.5

 
$
809.1

 
$
881.1

Income before Income Taxes
 
103.6

 
123.8

 
115.9

 
110.9

 
120.8

Income Tax Expense
 
12.0

 
66.6

 
23.0

 
26.3

 
19.8

Net Income
 
91.6

 
57.2

 
92.9

 
84.6

 
101.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per Common Share Data:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic Net Income
 
2.45

 
1.54

 
2.49

 
2.21

 
2.61

Diluted Net Income
 
2.43

 
1.52

 
2.48

 
2.20

 
2.58

Dividends
 
0.44

 
0.40

 
0.36

 
0.36

 
0.36

Book Value
 
18.43

 
16.82

 
14.53

 
12.61

 
11.82

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Debt
 
292.6

 
57.8

 
27.0

 
57.0

 
5.0

Retained Earnings
 
545.2

 
472.0

 
427.0

 
358.6

 
356.5

Fixed Assets, Net
 
191.9

 
162.2

 
90.6

 
93.0

 
93.3

Total Equity
 
689.7

 
630.0

 
541.1

 
470.1

 
459.0

Total Assets
 
1,231.7

 
915.9

 
704.0

 
655.9

 
605.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Financial Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on Average Equity
 
13.9
%
 
9.8
%
 
18.6
%
 
18.2
%
 
23.5
%
Pre-tax Income as a Percentage of Sales
 
10.4
%
 
13.6
%
 
14.2
%
 
13.7
%
 
13.7
%
Net Income as a Percentage of Sales
 
9.2
%
 
6.3
%
 
11.4
%
 
10.5
%
 
11.5
%

(1) Fiscal 2019 includes $3.5 million of pre-tax legal expense relating to the Hetronic litigation. See Note 9, "Commitments and Contingencies," in our consolidated financial statements for more information. During Fiscal 2019, we engaged in initiatives to reduce overall costs and improve operational profitability, which increased costs during the period by $6.9 million. Fiscal 2019 also includes pre-tax acquisition expenses of $15.4 million related to the acquisition of Grakon, income of $5.8 million for an international government grant for maintaining certain employment levels during the period and $7.4 million of stock-based compensation expense related to the re-estimation of RSA compensation expense based upon target levels of performance. The results for fiscal 2019 also include a discrete tax benefit from the re-measurement of the deemed repatriated foreign earnings associated with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("U.S. Tax Reform") of $4.8 million and a tax benefit of $2.0 million for foreign investment tax credits. In addition, fiscal 2019 includes net tariff expense on imported Chinese goods of $2.3 million.
(2) Fiscal 2018 includes $8.1 million of pre-tax legal expense relating to the Hetronic litigation. Fiscal 2018 also includes pre-tax acquisition expenses of $6.8 million related to the acquisitions of Procoplast and Pacific Insight, income of $7.3 million for an international government grant for maintaining certain employment levels during the period and a $6.0 million stock-based compensation expense reversal related to the re-estimation of RSA compensation expense based upon threshold levels of performance. The results for fiscal 2018 also includes a provisional estimated tax charge of $53.7 million as a result of U.S. Tax Reform and a tax benefit of $9.8 million for foreign investment tax credits.

14


(3) Fiscal 2017 includes $11.0 million of pre-tax legal expense relating to the Hetronic litigation. Fiscal 2017 also includes pre-tax exit costs for two reporting units of $2.3 million, pre-tax acquisition expenses of $1.5 million, primarily related to a potential acquisition we elected not to undertake, and income of $4.5 million for an international government grant for maintaining certain employment levels during the period. The results for fiscal 2017 include a tax benefit of $4.0 million for foreign investment tax credits, partially offset by a tax expense of $1.7 million on a dividend between foreign entities.
(4) Fiscal 2016 includes $9.9 million of pre-tax legal expense relating to the Hetronic litigation.
(5) Fiscal 2015 includes a goodwill pre-tax impairment charge of $11.1 million, a pre-tax gain on the sale of a business of $7.7 million and $3.1 million of pre-tax legal expense relating to the Hetronic litigation. Fiscal 2015 also includes a $5.0 million tax benefit related to the release of a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets in Malta.


15


Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with Item 6, “Selected Financial Data” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements because of a variety of factors, including those set forth under Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”

Overview
 
We are a global manufacturer of component and subsystem devices with manufacturing, design and testing facilities in Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, Germany, India, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Our primary manufacturing facilities are located in Dongguan and Shanghai, China; Cairo, Egypt; Mriehel, Malta; and Fresnillo and Monterrey, Mexico. We design, manufacture and market devices employing electrical, radio remote control, electronic, LED lighting, wireless and sensing technologies.

Effective October 27, 2018, we reorganized our reportable segments resulting from the acquisition of Grakon. Prior to the Grakon acquisition, our reportable segments were Automotive, Power, Interface and Other. As a result of this change, our reportable segments are now Automotive, Industrial, Interface and Medical. Historical information has been revised to reflect the new reportable segments. For more information regarding the business and products of these segments, see “Item 1. Business.”

Our components are found in the primary end-markets of the aerospace, appliance, automotive, commercial vehicle, construction, consumer and industrial equipment, communications (including information processing and storage, networking equipment and wireless and terrestrial voice/data systems), medical, rail and other transportation industries.
 
Recent Transactions

On September 12, 2018, we acquired 100% of the stock of Grakon for $422.1 million in cash, net of cash acquired. The business, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is a manufacturer of custom designed exterior lighting solutions and highly styled engineered components, with locations in Canada, China, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Grakon’s manufacturing capabilities and products help diversify our product offerings and expand the Industrial segment, which is a key component of our strategic direction. The accounts and transactions of Grakon have been included in the Automotive and Industrial segments in the consolidated financial statements for seven a half months in fiscal 2019.

In connection with the agreement to purchase Grakon, on September 12, 2018, we amended our credit agreement. The credit agreement now has a maturity date of September 12, 2023. The credit agreement includes a senior unsecured revolving credit facility and a senior unsecured term loan, which are guaranteed by our wholly owned U.S. subsidiaries. See “Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for more information.

On July 27, 2017, we acquired 100% of the stock of Procoplast for $22.2 million in cash, net of cash acquired. The business, located near the Belgian-German border, is an independent manufacturer of automotive assemblies. The accounts and transactions of Procoplast have been included in the Automotive segment in the consolidated financial statements for all of fiscal 2019 and nine months of fiscal 2018.

On October 3, 2017, we acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Pacific Insight for $108.7 million in cash, net of cash acquired.  The business, located in Canada, is a global solutions provider offering design, development, manufacturing and delivery of interior lighting and electronic products and full-service solutions to the automotive and commercial vehicle markets. The accounts and transactions of Pacific Insight have been included in the Automotive segment in the consolidated financial statements for all of fiscal 2019 and seven months of fiscal 2018.



16


Results of Operations
 
Results of Operations for the Fiscal Year Ended April 27, 2019 , Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended April 28, 2018 .
 
Consolidated Results
 
Below is a table summarizing results for the fiscal years ended:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
Net Change ($)
 
Net Change (%)
 
Net Sales
 
$
1,000.3

 
$
908.3

 
$
92.0

 
10.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Products Sold
 
734.5

 
668.7

 
65.8

 
9.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
 
265.8

 
239.6

 
26.2

 
10.9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling and Administrative Expenses
 
142.9

 
115.7

 
27.2

 
23.5
 %
 
Amortization of Intangibles
 
16.1

 
5.6

 
10.5

 
187.5
 %
 
Interest Expense, Net
 
8.3

 
0.9

 
7.4

 
N/M

*
Other Income, Net
 
(5.1
)
 
(6.4
)
 
(1.3
)
 
(20.3
)%
 
Income Tax Expense
 
12.0

 
66.6

 
(54.6
)
 
(82.0
)%
 
Net Income
 
$
91.6

 
$
57.2

 
$
34.4

 
60.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of sales:
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Products Sold
 
73.4
 %
 
73.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
 
26.6
 %
 
26.4
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Selling and Administrative Expenses
 
14.3
 %
 
12.7
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of Intangibles
 
1.6
 %
 
0.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense, Net
 
0.8
 %
 
0.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income, Net
 
(0.5
)%
 
(0.7
)%
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense
 
1.2
 %
 
7.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
9.2
 %
 
6.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*N/M equals non-meaningful
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Sales .  Consolidated net sales increased by $92.0 million , or 10.1% , to $1,000.3 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $908.3 million in fiscal 2018 .  Acquisitions accounted for $163.0 million of the increase, while the impact of foreign currency translation decreased net sales by $9.9 million. The weaker euro and Chinese renminbi impacted foreign currency translation. Net sales were also impacted by the adoption of ASC 606 whereby pre-production reimbursements are now being excluded from net sales and included in cost of products sold beginning in fiscal 2019. Pre-production reimbursements were $12.8 million in fiscal 2018. Excluding acquisitions, foreign currency translation and pre-production reimbursements, net sales decreased by $48.3 million, primarily due to lower pricing and sales volumes of existing products in the Automotive segment and lower appliance and data solution product sales volumes in the Interface segment.
Cost of Products Sold .  Consolidated cost of products sold increased $65.8 million , or 9.8% , to $734.5 million ( 73.4% of sales) in fiscal 2019 , compared to $668.7 million ( 73.6% of sales) in fiscal 2018 .  Acquisitions accounted for $113.7 million of the increase, while the impact of foreign currency translation decreased cost of products sold by $5.8 million. Foreign currency translation benefitted from the weaker Mexican peso. Excluding acquisitions and foreign currency translation, cost of products sold decreased by $42.1 million primarily due to lower sales volumes. Consolidated cost of products sold in fiscal 2019 included purchase accounting adjustments related to Grakon inventory of $5.6 million and $2.8 million of costs related to initiatives to reduce overall costs and improve operational profitability.


17


Gross Profit.  Gross profit increased $26.2 million , or 10.9% , to $265.8 million ( 26.6% of sales) in fiscal 2019 , compared to $239.6 million ( 26.4% of sales) in fiscal 2018 . Acquisitions accounted for $49.3 million of the increase (inclusive of net tariff expense of $2.3 million), while foreign currency translation decreased gross profit by $4.1 million. Excluding acquisitions and foreign currency translation, gross profit decreased by $19.0 million, primarily due to lower sales volumes and unfavorable sales mix in the Automotive and Interface segments.
Selling and Administrative Expenses .  Selling and administrative expenses increased $27.2 million , or 23.5% , to $142.9 million ( 14.3% of sales) in fiscal 2019 , compared to $115.7 million ( 12.7% of sales) in fiscal 2018 .  Acquisitions accounted for $17.3 million of the increase, while the impact of foreign currency translation decreased selling and administrative expenses by $1.4 million. Excluding acquisitions and foreign currency translation, selling and administrative expenses increased by $11.3 million in fiscal 2019 compared to fiscal 2018. The increase was primarily due to a $10.0 million increase in stock-based compensation expense, higher acquisition-related costs of $3.8 million and expenses for initiatives to reduce overall costs and improve operational profitability of $4.1 million, partially offset by lower legal fees of $5.1 million. Legal fees were lower mostly due to the decrease in Hetronic-related legal fees. The increase in stock-based compensation expense includes expense of $7.4 million relating to prior periods. See Note 5, "Shareholders Equity,” in the consolidated financial statements for further information.
Amortization of Intangibles .  Amortization of intangibles increased $10.5 million , or 187.5% , to $16.1 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $5.6 million in fiscal 2018 . The increase was due to amortization expense related to recent acquisitions.
Interest Expense, Net.   Interest expense, net was $8.3 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $0.9 million in fiscal 2018 . The increase was due to borrowings made in fiscal 2019 to fund the acquisition of Grakon.
Other Income, Net. Other income, net decreased $1.3 million to $5.1 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $6.4 million in fiscal 2018 . The decrease was primarily due to lower international grant income recognized in fiscal 2019 of $5.8 million compared to $7.3 million in fiscal 2018. During fiscal 2018, we recorded a gain of $1.6 million related to the sale of exclusive rights for a licensing agreement. Net foreign exchange losses were $1.3 million in fiscal 2019, compared to a loss of $2.4 million in fiscal 2018.
Income Tax Expense.   Income tax expense decreased $54.6 million , or 82.0% , to $12.0 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $66.6 million in fiscal 2018 .  Our effective tax rate decreased to 11.6% in fiscal 2019 , compared to 53.8% in fiscal 2018 . The change in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the enactment of U.S. Tax Reform. This resulted in a provisional tax expense estimate of $53.7 million related to the deemed repatriated earnings and the revaluation of deferred taxes in fiscal 2018, while fiscal 2019 includes a $4.8 million tax benefit related to U.S. Tax Reform. For further details regarding the impacts of U.S. Tax Reform, refer to Note 7, “Income Taxes,” in the consolidated financial statements. Our income tax expense is impacted by the level and mix of earnings among tax jurisdictions, as well as the changes in the amounts of foreign investment tax credits realized.
Net Income.  Net income increased $34.4 million , or 60.1% , to $91.6 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $57.2 million in fiscal 2018 . Lower income tax expense accounted for $54.6 million of the increase, acquisitions accounted for $14.5 million of the increase, while foreign currency translation reduced net income by $1.7 million. Excluding income tax expense, acquisitions and foreign currency translation, net income was negatively impacted by lower sales volumes, higher selling and administrative expense and higher interest expense.

18


Operating Segments
Automotive Segment Results
Below is a table summarizing results for the fiscal years ended:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
Net Change ($)
 
Net Change (%)
Net Sales
 
$
734.7

 
$
728.7

 
$
6.0

 
0.8
 %
Gross Profit
 
$
188.3

 
$
201.6

 
$
(13.3
)
 
(6.6
)%
Income from Operations
 
$
126.3

 
$
156.3

 
$
(30.0
)
 
(19.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of sales:
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
 
25.6
%
 
27.7
%
 
 
 
 
Income from Operations
 
17.2
%
 
21.4
%
 
 
 
 

Net Sales .  Automotive segment net sales increased $6.0 million , or 0.8% , to $734.7 million in fiscal 2019 , from $728.7 million in fiscal 2018 .  Net sales increased in North America by $43.4 million , or 10.4% , to $460.8 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $417.4 million in fiscal 2018 . Acquisitions in North America accounted for $65.9 million of the increase. North American sales in fiscal 2019 included $32.5 million from Grakon, which represents approximately seven and a half months of results. North American sales in fiscal 2019 also included $87.9 million from Pacific Insight, which represents a full year of results, compared to fiscal 2018, which included sales of $54.4 million from seven months of Pacific Insight's results. Excluding acquisitions, sales declined for our integrated center stack products and transmission lead-frame assemblies primarily due to sales mix and pricing reductions, partially offset by higher sales for our human machine interface assembly products due to new program launches. Net sales decreased in Europe by $17.6 million , or 8.3% , to $195.7 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $213.3 million in fiscal 2018 . The decrease in European sales was primarily due to lower sales volumes of hidden switches, offset by higher sales volumes of sensor products. European sales were also impacted by the adoption of ASC 606 whereby pre-production reimbursements are now being excluded from net sales and included in cost of products sold beginning in fiscal 2019. European pre-production reimbursements were $9.9 million in fiscal 2018. In addition, the impact of the weaker euro decreased net sales in Europe by $5.3 million. European sales in fiscal 2019 included $33.1 million from Procoplast, which represented a full year of results, compared to $26.4 million in fiscal 2018, which represented nine months of results. Net sales in Asia decreased $19.8 million , or 20.2% , to $78.2 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $98.0 million in fiscal 2018 . The decrease was primarily due to lower sales of our transmission lead-frame assemblies due to a combination of pricing reductions and lower sales volumes. We also experienced lower sales volumes for hidden switches, linear pressure sensors and our steering angle sensor products, the latter of which is approaching end of production. The weaker Chinese renminbi decreased net sales in Asia by $1.9 million.
Gross Profit.  Automotive segment gross profit decreased $13.3 million , or 6.6% , to $188.3 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $201.6 million in fiscal 2018 .  The Automotive segment gross profit margin decreased to 25.6% in fiscal 2019 , from 27.7% in fiscal 2018 .  The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily due to lower sales volume and unfavorable sales mix in Asia and North America, which includes the impact of the sales increase of our Pacific Insight business, which currently has a higher cost of products sold as a percentage of sales compared to other business units within the Automotive segment. Gross profit margin was also negatively impacted during fiscal 2019 by expenses incurred for initiatives to reduce overall costs and improve operational profitability of $2.7 million and net tariff expense of $0.7 million. Foreign currency translation positively impacted North America as purchases from Mexico benefitted from the weaker Mexican peso, while the weaker euro and Chinese renminbi negatively impacted gross profit recognized by our operations in Europe and Asia.
Income from Operations.  Automotive segment income from operations decreased $30.0 million , or 19.2% , to $126.3 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $156.3 million in fiscal 2018 . The decrease was primarily due to lower gross profit and higher selling and administrative expenses, primarily due to an increase in stock-based compensation expense. Selling and administrative expenses also decreased income from operations due to expenses incurred for initiatives to reduce overall costs and improve operational profitability of $2.0 million.

19


Industrial Segment Results
 
Below is a table summarizing results for the fiscal years ended:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
Net Change ($)
 
Net Change (%)
Net Sales
 
$
206.8

 
$
105.8

 
$
101.0

 
95.5
%
Gross Profit
 
$
68.6

 
$
28.2

 
$
40.4

 
143.3
%
Income from Operations
 
$
37.4

 
$
13.0

 
$
24.4

 
187.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of sales:
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
 
33.2
%
 
26.7
%
 
 
 
 
Income from Operations
 
18.1
%
 
12.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
Net Sales .  Industrial segment net sales increased $101.0 million , or 95.5% , to $206.8 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $105.8 million in fiscal 2018 .  Net sales increased in North America by $85.3 million , or 219.8% , to $124.1 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $38.8 million in fiscal 2018 . Net sales in North America in fiscal 2019 includes $84.4 million from seven and a half months of results of Grakon. Other North American sales were relatively flat as higher sales volumes of radio remote control products were offset by lower sales volumes of busbar products. Net sales in Europe increased $8.5 million , or 21.9% , to $47.4 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $38.9 million in fiscal 2018 . Net sales in Europe in fiscal 2019 includes $4.8 million from seven and a half months of results of Grakon. Other European sales increased primarily due to higher sales volumes of radio remote control and busbar products, partially offset with lower sales volumes of bypass switches and the weaker euro. Net sales in Asia increased $7.2 million , or 25.6% , to $35.3 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $28.1 million in fiscal 2018 . The increase was primarily due to higher sales volumes of busbar products, offset by the weaker Chinese renminbi.
Gross Profit.  Industrial segment gross profit increased $40.4 million , or 143.3% , to $68.6 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $28.2 million in fiscal 2018 .  Gross profit margin increased to 33.2% in fiscal 2019 , from 26.7% in fiscal 2018 .  Gross profit margins are generally higher at our Grakon industrial business. However, purchase accounting related adjustments to inventory of $5.6 million and net tariff expense on imported Chinese goods of $1.6 million negatively impacted Grakon’s gross profit. Gross profit margin also benefitted from increased sales volumes of radio remote control and busbar products.
Income from Operations.  Industrial segment income from operations was $37.4 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $13.0 million in fiscal 2018 . The increase was primarily due to income from operations from Grakon, lower Hetronic legal fees and higher sales volumes of radio remote control and busbar products, partially offset by higher stock-based compensation expense.
Interface Segment Results
 
Below is a table summarizing results for the fiscal years ended:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
Net Change ($)
 
Net Change (%)
Net Sales
 
$
57.7

 
$
73.2

 
$
(15.5
)
 
(21.2
)%
Gross Profit
 
$
7.8

 
$
14.3

 
$
(6.5
)
 
(45.5
)%
Income (Loss) from Operations
 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
6.0

 
$
(6.3
)
 
(105.0
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of sales:
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
 
13.5
 %
 
19.5
%
 
 
 
 
Income (Loss) from Operations
 
(0.5
)%
 
8.2
%
 
 
 
 

Net Sales .  Interface segment net sales decreased $15.5 million , or 21.2% , to $57.7 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $73.2 million in fiscal 2018 .  Net sales decreased primarily due to the timing of a major appliance program and reduced sales volumes of legacy data-solution products.

20


Gross Profit.  Interface segment gross profit decreased $6.5 million , or 45.5% , to $7.8 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $14.3 million in fiscal 2018 .  Gross profit margin decreased to 13.5% in fiscal 2019 from 19.5% in fiscal 2018 . The decrease primarily relates to lower sales volumes of our appliance products and lower sales volumes and unfavorable sales mix of our data solutions products, partially offset by lower cost of products purchased from Mexico as a result of the weakening of the Mexican peso.
Income (Loss) From Operations.  Interface segment income from operations decreased $6.3 million , or 105.0% , to a loss of $0.3 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to income of $6.0 million in fiscal 2018 . The decrease was due to lower gross profit.
Medical Segment Results
 
Below is a table summarizing results for the fiscal years ended:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
Net Change ($)
 
Net Change (%)
Net Sales
 
$
1.1

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.8

 
266.7
%
Gross Profit
 
$
(2.8
)
 
$
(3.5
)
 
$
0.7

 
20.0
%
Loss from Operations
 
$
(8.6
)
 
$
(11.4
)
 
$
2.8

 
24.6
%

Net Sales .  The Medical segment had $1.1 million of net sales in fiscal 2019 , compared to $0.3 million of net sales in fiscal 2018 . The increase was due to new business gained in fiscal 2019.
Gross Profit.  Medical segment gross profit was a loss of $2.8 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to a loss of $3.5 million in fiscal 2018 . The improvement primarily relates to an increase in sales volumes during fiscal 2019.
Loss from Operations.  Medical segment loss from operations decreased $2.8 million to $8.6 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $11.4 million in fiscal 2018 .  The decrease was due to an improvement in gross profit and lower selling and administrative expenses. Selling and administrative expenses were reduced by lower marketing and professional fee expenses, partially offset by initiatives to reduce overall costs and improve operational profitability of $0.9 million.

21


Results of Operations for the Fiscal Year Ended April 28, 2018 , Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended April 29, 2017 .
Consolidated Results
Below is a table summarizing results for the fiscal years ended:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
 
Net Change ($)
 
Net Change (%)
 
Net Sales
 
$
908.3

 
$
816.5

 
$
91.8

 
11.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Products Sold
 
668.7

 
598.2

 
70.5

 
11.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
 
239.6

 
218.3

 
21.3

 
9.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling and Administrative Expenses
 
115.7

 
105.2

 
10.5

 
10.0
 %
 
Amortization of Intangibles
 
5.6

 
2.3

 
3.3

 
143.5
 %
 
Interest Expense (Income), Net
 
0.9

 
(0.4
)
 
1.3

 
N/M

*
Other Income, Net
 
(6.4
)
 
(4.7
)
 
(1.7
)
 
36.2
 %
 
Income Tax Expense
 
66.6

 
23.0

 
43.6

 
189.6
 %
 
Net Income
 
$
57.2

 
$
92.9

 
$
(35.7
)
 
(38.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of sales:
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
 
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Products Sold
 
73.6
 %
 
73.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
 
26.4
 %
 
26.7
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Selling and Administrative Expenses
 
12.7
 %
 
12.9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of Intangibles
 
0.6
 %
 
0.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense (Income), Net
 
0.1
 %
 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income, Net
 
(0.7
)%
 
(0.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense
 
7.3
 %
 
2.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
6.3
 %
 
11.4
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*N/M equals non meaningful
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Net Sales .  Consolidated net sales increased by $91.8 million, or 11.2%, to $908.3 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $816.5 million in fiscal 2017.  Acquisitions in the Automotive segment accounted for $80.8 million of the increase, while foreign currency translation accounted for $13.1 million of the increase. Foreign currency translation benefitted from the stronger euro and Chinese renminbi. Net sales were higher by $13.5 million in the Industrial segment which partially offset lower net sales of $18.3 million in the Interface segment. 

Cost of Products Sold .  Consolidated cost of products sold increased $70.5 million, or 11.8%, to $668.7 million (73.6% of sales) in fiscal 2018, compared to $598.2 million (73.3% of sales) in fiscal 2017.  Acquisitions in the Automotive segment accounted for $63.0 million of the increase. Cost of products sold as a percentage of sales was negatively impacted by unfavorable sales mix related to our newly acquired businesses, partially offset by higher sales volumes in the Industrial segment.

Gross Profit.   Consolidated gross profit increased $21.3 million, or 9.8%, to $239.6 million (26.4% of sales) in fiscal 2018, compared to $218.3 million (26.7% of sales) in fiscal 2017.  Acquisitions in the Automotive segment accounted for $17.8 million of the increase. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, the Automotive segment gross profit improved due to favorable commodity purchase adjustments and resolved customer commercial issues. Gross profit in the Industrial segment was higher in fiscal 2018 due to higher sales volumes, which partially offset lower gross profit in the Interface segment which was impacted by lower sales volumes. 

22


Selling and Administrative Expenses .  Selling and administrative expenses increased $10.5 million, or 10.0%, to $115.7 million (12.7% of sales) in fiscal 2018, compared to $105.2 million (12.9% of sales) in fiscal 2017.  Acquisitions in the Automotive segment accounted for $9.3 million of the increase. Selling and administrative expenses for fiscal 2018 also increased due to higher wages of $8.0 million, acquisition related costs of $6.0 million, and higher travel expense of $1.5 million, offset by lower legal fees and stock-based compensation expense.  Legal fees decreased by $2.8 million, mostly due to the decrease in Hetronic-related legal fees in fiscal 2018.  Stock-based compensation expense decreased by $8.4 million primarily due to the reversal of expense of $6.0 million relating to prior periods. See Note 5, "Shareholders Equity" in the consolidated financial statements for further information.

Amortization of Intangibles .  Amortization of intangibles increased $3.3 million, or 143.5%, to $5.6 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $2.3 million in fiscal 2017. The increase was due to the amortization expense related to the acquisitions of Pacific Insight and Procoplast.
    
Interest (Income) Expense, Net.   Interest expense was $0.9 million in fiscal 2018, compared to interest income of $0.4 million in fiscal 2017. The change was primarily due to the increased debt levels during the period.
    
Other Income, Net. Other income, net was $6.4 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $4.7 million in fiscal 2017.  During fiscal 2018, we recognized a gain of $1.6 million related to the sale of exclusive rights for a licensing agreement.   In addition, we had income of $7.3 million in fiscal 2018 from an international government grant compared to $4.5 million in fiscal 2017. Net foreign exchange losses were $2.4 million in fiscal 2018, compared to a gain of $0.3 million in fiscal 2017.

Income Tax Expense.   Income tax expense was $66.6 million in fiscal 2018, representing an effective tax rate of 53.8%. In fiscal 2017, income tax expense was $23.0 million representing an effective tax rate of 19.9%.  In fiscal 2018, we recognized $53.7 million of expense related to U.S. Tax Reform. Excluding the impact of U.S. Tax Reform, our income tax expense was impacted by the level and mix of earnings among tax jurisdictions. For further details, regarding the impacts of U.S. Tax Reform refer to Note 7, “Income Taxes,” in the consolidated financial statements. 

Net Income.  Net income decreased $35.7 million, or 38.4%, to $57.2 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $92.9 million in fiscal 2017. Higher income tax expense accounted for $43.6 million of the decrease, offset by acquisitions which contributed $4.0 million of net income in fiscal 2018. Net income was negatively impacted by lower sales volumes, higher selling and administrative expense and higher interest expense.

Operating Segments
 
Automotive Segment Results
 
Below is a table summarizing results for the fiscal years ended:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
 
Net Change ($)
 
Net Change (%)
Net Sales
 
$
728.7

 
$
632.2

 
$
96.5

 
15.3
%
Gross Profit
 
$
201.6

 
$
182.8

 
$
18.8

 
10.3
%
Income from Operations
 
$
156.3

 
$
148.3

 
$
8.0

 
5.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of sales:
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
 
27.7
%
 
28.9
%
 
 
 
 
Income from Operations
 
21.4
%
 
23.5
%
 
 
 
 

Net Sales: Automotive segment net sales increased $96.5 million, or 15.3%, to $728.7 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $632.2 million in fiscal 2017.  Net sales in North America increased by $48.0 million to $417.4 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $369.4 million in fiscal 2017.  The increase was primarily due to the Pacific Insight acquisition, which contributed $54.4 million of net sales, and increased sales for our user interface assemblies, offset by pricing reductions for our integrated center stack products and a combination of lower sales volumes and pricing reductions for our transmission lead-frame products.  Net sales increased in Europe by $61.4 million, or 40.4%, to $213.3 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $151.9 million in fiscal 2017. The increase in the European sales was due to the Procoplast acquisition which contributed $26.4 million of net sales. In addition, Europe sales were higher due to higher sales volumes of hidden switches and sensor products

23


and increased customer funded tooling and design fees.  Net sales in Asia decreased $12.9 million, or 11.6%, to $98.0 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $110.9 million in fiscal 2017. The decrease was primarily due to lower sales of transmission lead-frame assemblies due to a combination of lower sales volumes and pricing reductions and lower sales volumes for our steering angle sensor products, as the products approach end of production.  The impact of currency translation increased net sales by $13.1 million in fiscal 2018 in the Automotive segment.  

Gross Profit.   Automotive segment gross profit increased $18.8 million, or 10.3%, to $201.6 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $182.8 million in fiscal 2017. Gross profit margin decreased primarily due to unfavorable sales mix related to acquisitions, the inclusion of $0.8 million of purchase accounting adjustments related to acquisitions and pricing reductions on certain products. Gross profit in fiscal 2017 benefitted from favorable commodity pricing adjustments of $1.0 million and the reversal of accruals of $1.0 million related to resolved customer commercial issues.

Income from Operations.  Automotive segment income from operations increased $8.0 million, or 5.4%, to $156.3 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $148.3 million in fiscal 2017. The increase was due to sales and income from operations from Procoplast and Pacific Insight and lower stock based compensation expense, partially offset with pricing reductions, the strengthening of the Mexican peso as compared to the U.S. dollar, higher intangible asset amortization expense and higher severance and travel expenses. Income in fiscal 2017 was favorably impacted due to adjustments for commodity pricing and the reversal of accruals related to resolved customer commercial issues.

Industrial Segment Results
 
Below is a table summarizing results for the fiscal years ended:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
 
Net Change ($)
 
Net Change (%)
Net Sales
 
$
105.8

 
$
92.3

 
$
13.5

 
14.6
%
Gross Profit
 
$
28.2

 
$
20.8

 
$
7.4

 
35.6
%
Income from Operations
 
$
13.0

 
$
2.7

 
$
10.3

 
381.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of sales:
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
 
26.7
%
 
22.5
%
 
 
 
 
Income from Operations
 
12.3
%
 
2.9
%
 
 
 
 

Net Sales .  Industrial segment net sales increased $13.5 million, or 14.6%, to $105.8 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $92.3 million in fiscal 2017.  Net sales increased in North America by $2.3 million to $38.8 million in fiscal 2018, primarily due to higher sales volumes of radio remote control and busbar products.  Net sales in Europe increased $8.7 million to $38.9 million in fiscal 2018 primarily due to higher sales volumes of radio remote control and power connector products.  Net sales in Asia increased $2.5 million, to $28.1 million in fiscal 2018, primarily due to higher sales volumes of busbar products. 

Gross Profit.   Industrial segment gross profit increased $7.4 million, or 35.6%, to $28.2 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $20.8 million in fiscal 2017.  The increase primarily relates to higher sales volumes of busbar and radio remote control products, partially offset by the higher cost of copper. 

Income from Operations.   Industrial segment income from operations increased $10.3 million, or 381.5%, to $13.0 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $2.7 million in fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher gross profit and lower Hetronic legal fees and lower stock-based compensation expense. 


24


Interface Segment Results
 
Below is a table summarizing results for the fiscal years ended:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
 
Net Change ($)
 
Net Change (%)
Net Sales
 
$
73.2

 
$
91.5

 
$
(18.3
)
 
(20.0
)%
Gross Profit
 
$
14.3

 
$
17.8

 
$
(3.5
)
 
(19.7
)%
Income from Operations
 
$
6.0

 
$
4.0

 
$
2.0

 
50.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent of sales:
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
 
19.5
%
 
19.5
%
 
 
 
 
Income from Operations
 
8.2
%
 
4.4
%
 
 
 
 

Net Sales .  Interface segment net sales decreased $18.3 million, or 20.0%, to $73.2 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $91.5 million in fiscal 2017.  Net sales decreased in North America by $15.1 million to $70.9 million in fiscal 2018, primarily due to the exit of our Connectivity business in fiscal 2017.  Net sales in Europe decreased $1.7 million to $0.3 million in fiscal 2018 due to lower sales volumes and price reductions on certain of our data solutions products.  Net sales in Asia decreased $1.5 million to $2.0 million in fiscal 2018 primarily due to lower sales volumes of legacy products. 

Gross Profit.   Interface segment gross profit decreased $3.5 million, or 19.7%, to $14.3 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $17.8 million in fiscal 2017. The decrease was due to lower sales volumes as a result of the exit of our Connectivity business in fiscal 2017 and price reductions on certain products.   

Income from Operations.   Interface segment income from operations was $6.0 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $4.0 million in fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily due to a favorable sales mix, lower expenses related to the Connectivity business, lower legal expenses and lower stock-based compensation expense, partially offset with lower sales volumes and pricing reductions on certain products.

Medical Segment Results
 
Below is a table summarizing results for the fiscal years ended:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
 
Net Change ($)
 
Net Change (%)
Net Sales
 
$
0.3

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.1

 
50.0
 %
Gross Profit
 
$
(3.5
)
 
$
(3.1
)
 
$
(0.4
)
 
(12.9
)%
Loss from Operations
 
$
(11.4
)
 
$
(8.5
)
 
$
(2.9
)
 
(34.1
)%

Net Sales .  The Medical segment had minimal net sales in both periods from newly launched products.

Gross Profit.  Medical segment gross profit was a loss of $3.5 million in fiscal 2018 compared to a loss of $3.1 million in fiscal 2017.  The increased loss primarily relates to the vertical manufacturing integration of some key components and research efforts to expand the product offerings.

Loss from Operations.  Medical segment loss from operations increased $2.9 million to $11.4 million in fiscal 2018 compared to $8.5 million in fiscal 2017.  The increased loss relates to higher outside professional fees, research and development and marketing expenses in fiscal 2018.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We believe our current world-wide cash balances together with expected future cash flows to be generated from operations and our committed credit facility will be sufficient to support current operations. A significant amount of cash and expected future cash flows are located outside of the U.S. Of the $83.2 million of cash and cash equivalents as of April 27, 2019 , $69.9 million was held in subsidiaries outside the U.S. and can be repatriated, primarily through the repayment of intercompany loans and the payment of dividends, without creating material additional income tax expense.

25


Cash flow is summarized below:
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
Operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
91.6

 
$
57.2

 
$
92.9

Non-cash Items
 
52.6

 
17.0

 
32.1

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities
 
(42.2
)
 
43.6

 
20.2

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
102.0

 
117.8

 
145.2

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
 
(470.8
)
 
(179.0
)
 
(21.7
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Financing Activities
 
217.4

 
(12.7
)
 
(47.0
)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
(11.5
)
 
26.0

 
(10.3
)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
(162.9
)
 
(47.9
)
 
66.2

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of the Year
 
246.1

 
294.0

 
227.8

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of the Year
 
$
83.2

 
$
246.1

 
$
294.0

 
Operating Activities — Fiscal 2019 Compared to Fiscal 2018
 
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $15.8 million to $102.0 million for fiscal 2019 , compared to $117.8 million for fiscal 2018 . The decrease was due to lower cash generated from changes in operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by higher net income adjusted for non-cash items. The $42.2 million of cash outflows for operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to higher prepaid expenses and other assets and lower accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Operating Activities — Fiscal 2018 Compared to Fiscal 2017
 
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $27.4 million to $117.8 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $145.2 million in fiscal 2017. The decrease was primarily due to lower net income adjusted for non-cash items, partially offset by cash generated from changes in operating assets and liabilities. The $43.6 million of cash inflows for operating assets and liabilities was due to higher accounts payable and accrued expenses and lower prepaid expenses and other assets, offset by higher inventory levels.

Investing Activities — Fiscal 2019 Compared to Fiscal 2018
 
Net cash used in investing activities increased by $291.8 million to $470.8 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to $179.0 million in fiscal 2018 , primarily due to acquisitions. In fiscal 2019, we paid $422.1 million for the acquisition of Grakon. In fiscal 2018, we paid $130.9 million for the acquisitions of Pacific Insight and Procoplast.
 
Investing Activities — Fiscal 2018 Compared to Fiscal 2017
 
Net cash used in investing activities increased by $157.3 million to $179.0 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $21.7 million in fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily due to $130.9 million paid for the acquisitions of Pacific Insight and Procoplast. In addition, purchases of property, plant and equipment for our operations were higher in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017.

Financing Activities — Fiscal 2019 Compared to Fiscal 2018

Net cash provided by financing activities was $217.4 million in fiscal 2019 , compared to net cash used in financing activities of $12.7 million in fiscal 2018 .  During fiscal 2019, we had net borrowings of $238.5 million which was partially used to fund the acquisition of Grakon. We paid dividends of $16.3 million in fiscal 2019, compared to $14.7 million in fiscal 2018.


26


Financing Activities — Fiscal 2018 Compared to Fiscal 2017
 
Net cash used in financing activities decreased $34.3 million to $12.7 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $47.0 million in fiscal 2017.  During fiscal 2018, we had net borrowings of $2.0 million, compared to repayments on borrowings of $30.0 million in fiscal 2017. We paid dividends of $14.7 million and $13.7 million in fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively. We did not repurchase any common stock in fiscal 2018. In fiscal 2017, we paid $9.8 million for the repurchase of common stock.

Credit Agreement
On September 12, 2018, we entered into a senior unsecured credit agreement that provided a $200.0 million revolving credit facility and a $250.0 million term loan. As of April 27, 2019 , $278.7 million in principal was outstanding under the credit agreement.  The term loan matures in September 2023 and requires quarterly principal payments of $3.1 million over the five-year term, with the remaining balance due upon maturity. We were in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement as of April 27, 2019 . See Note 10, "Debt," in the consolidated financial statements for further information.

Contractual Obligations
 
The following table summarizes contractual obligations and commitments, as of April 27, 2019 :
 
 
Payments Due By Period
(Dollars in Millions)
 
Total
 
Less than
 1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
More than
 5 years
Capital Leases
 
$
1.7

 
$
0.6

 
$
0.9

 
$
0.2

 
$

Operating Leases
 
34.2

 
7.8

 
10.5

 
7.5

 
8.4

Debt (1)
 
295.5

 
15.7

 
28.8

 
247.7

 
3.3

Estimated Interest on Debt (2)
 
46.8

 
11.7

 
20.7

 
14.2

 
0.2

Deferred Compensation
 
8.5

 
1.2

 
3.2

 
1.6

 
2.5

Total
 
$
386.7

 
$
37.0

 
$
64.1

 
$
271.2

 
$
14.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Assumes the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility will be repaid upon maturity of the credit agreement in September 2023.
(2)  Amounts represent estimated contractual interest payments on outstanding debt. Interest rates in effect as of April 27, 2019 are used for floating-rate debt.

We enter into agreements with suppliers to assist us in meeting our customers' production needs. These agreements vary as to duration and quantity commitments. Historically, most have been short-term agreements, which do not provide for minimum purchases, or are requirements-based contracts.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, other than the operating leases and purchase obligations noted in the preceding table.

Legal Matters

For several years, Hetronic Germany-GmbH and Hydronic-Steuersysteme-GmbH (the “Fuchs companies”) served as our distributors for Germany, Austria and other central and eastern European countries pursuant to their respective intellectual property licenses and distribution and assembly agreements. We became aware that the Fuchs companies and their managing director, Albert Fuchs, had materially violated those agreements. As a result, we terminated all of our agreements with the Fuchs companies. On June 20, 2014, we filed a lawsuit against the Fuchs companies in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma alleging material breaches of the distribution and assembly agreements and seeking damages, as well as various forms of injunctive relief. The defendants have filed counterclaims alleging breach of contract, interference with business relations and business slander. On April 2, 2015, we amended our complaint against the Fuchs companies to add additional unfair competition and Lanham Act claims and to add additional affiliated parties. As of April 27, 2019 , this matter has been set for trial in February 2020.


27


We incurred legal fees of $3.5 million , $8.1 million and $11.0 million in fiscal 2019 , fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 , respectively, related to the lawsuits. These amounts are included in the selling and administrative expenses in the Interface segment.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1, “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the consolidated financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires that we make estimates and assumptions. In certain circumstances, those estimates and assumptions can affect amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes. In preparing our financial statements, we have made our best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the consolidated financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. The following is a brief discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition.   We adopted ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” on April 29, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. The majority of our revenue is recognized at a point in time.  We have determined that the most definitive demonstration that control has transferred to a customer is physical shipment or delivery, depending on the contractual shipping terms, with the exception of consignment transactions. Consignment transactions are arrangements where we transfer products to a customer location but retain ownership and control of such product until it is used by the customer. Revenue for consignment arrangements is recognized upon the customer’s usage.

Revenues associated with products which we believe have no alternative use, and where we have an enforceable right to payment, are recognized on an over time basis.  In transition to ASC 606, we noted some customers ordered highly customized parts in which we were entitled to payment throughout the manufacturing process. In accordance with ASC 606, we are now recognizing revenue over time for these customers as the performance obligation is satisfied. We believe the most faithful depiction of the transfer of goods to the customer is based on progress to date, which is typically smooth throughout the production process. As such, we recognize revenue evenly over the production process through transfer of control to the customer.

In addition, customers typically negotiate annual price downs. Management has evaluated these price downs and determined that in some instances, these price downs give rise to a material right. In instances that a material right exists, a portion of the transaction price is allocated to the material right and recognized over the life of the contract.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.   We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. The amount of the allowance is based on the age of unpaid amounts, information about the creditworthiness of customers, and other relevant information. Estimates of uncollectible amounts are revised each reporting period, and changes are recorded in the period they become known. We generally do not require collateral for our accounts receivable. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Allowance for Excess and Obsolete Inventory.   Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value and have been reduced by allowances for excess and obsolete inventories. The estimated allowances are based on our review of inventories on hand compared to estimated future usage and sales, using assumptions about future product life cycles, product demand and market conditions.  If actual product life cycles, product demand and market conditions are less favorable than those projected by us, inventory write-downs may be required.

Business Combinations. Accounting for business combinations requires us to recognize separately from goodwill the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While we use our best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, our estimates are inherently uncertain and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates.

Accounting for business combinations requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially at the acquisition date including our estimates for intangible assets, contractual obligations assumed and pre-acquisition contingencies. Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made in the past have been reasonable and appropriate, they are based in part on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain.

28


In addition, uncertain tax positions and tax related valuation allowances assumed in connection with a business combination are initially estimated as of the acquisition date. We reevaluate these items based upon facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date with any adjustments to our preliminary estimates being recorded to goodwill if identified within the measurement period. Subsequent to the measurement period or our final determination of the tax allowance’s or contingency’s estimated value, whichever comes first, changes to these uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances will affect our provision for income taxes in our consolidated statement of operations and could have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position.

Impairment of Goodwill.   Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment on at least an annual basis. In conducting our goodwill impairment testing, we may first perform a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. If not, no further goodwill impairment testing is required. If it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount, or if we elect not to perform a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit, we then compare the fair value of the reporting unit to the related net book value. If the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is measured and recognized. We conduct our annual impairment testing as of the first day of our fourth quarter.

Our qualitative screen includes an assessment of certain factors including, but not limited to, the results of prior year fair value calculations, the movement of our share price and market capitalization, the reporting unit and overall financial performance, and macroeconomic and industry conditions. We consider the qualitative factors and weight of the evidence obtained to determine if it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than the carrying amount. Although we believe the factors considered in the impairment analysis are reasonable, significant changes in any one of the assumptions used could produce a different result. If, after assessing the qualitative factors, we were to determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then we would perform a quantitative impairment test. We may also elect to proceed directly to the quantitative impairment analysis without considering such qualitative factors.

For the quantitative analysis, fair values are primarily established using a discounted cash flow methodology (specifically, the income and market approach). The determination of discounted cash flows is based on our long-range forecasts and requires assumptions related to revenue and operating income growth, asset-related expenditures, working capital levels, and other market participant assumptions. The revenue growth rates included in the forecasts are our best estimates based on current and anticipated market conditions, and the profitability assumptions are projected based on current and anticipated cost structures. Long-range forecasting involves uncertainty which increases with each successive period. Key assumptions, such as revenue growth rates and profitability, especially in the outer years, involve a greater degree of uncertainty.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets.  We continually evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred which indicate that the remaining estimated useful lives of our intangible assets, excluding goodwill, and other long-lived assets, may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of such assets may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators exist, we perform an impairment analysis by comparing the undiscounted cash flows resulting from the use of the asset group to the carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized based on the excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its fair value.
    
Income Taxes.   As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to calculate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. The process involves determining actual current tax expense, along with assessing temporary differences resulting from the differing treatment of items for book and tax purposes. These temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our consolidated balance sheets.

We provide for taxes that may be payable if undistributed earnings of overseas subsidiaries were to be remitted to the U.S., except for those earnings that   we consider to be permanently reinvested. However, we continue to monitor the impacts of U.S. Tax Reform, including yet to be issued regulations and interpretations, on the tax consequences of future repatriations. Future sales of foreign subsidiaries are not exempt from capital gains tax in the U.S. under U.S. Tax Reform. We have no plans to dispose of any of our foreign subsidiaries and are not recording deferred taxes on outside basis differences in foreign subsidiaries for the sale of a foreign subsidiary.

We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. We evaluate our ability to realize the tax benefits associated with deferred tax assets by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income, including the reversal of existing temporary differences, historical and projected operating results, and the availability of prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. The realization of tax benefits is evaluated by jurisdiction and the realizability of these assets can vary based on the character of the tax attribute and the carryforward periods

29


specific to each jurisdiction. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would decrease income tax expense in the period a determination was made. Likewise, should we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be recorded to income tax expense in the period such determination was made.

Contingencies.   We are subject to various investigations, claims and legal and administrative proceedings covering a wide range of matters that arise in the ordinary course of business activities.  A significant amount of judgment and use of estimates is required to quantify our ultimate exposure in these matters. For those matters that we can estimate a range of loss, we have established reserves at levels within that range to provide for the most likely scenario based upon available information.  The valuation of reserves for contingencies is reviewed on a quarterly basis to ensure that we are properly reserved. Reserve balances are adjusted to account for changes in circumstances for ongoing issues and the establishment of additional reserves for emerging issues. While we believe that the current level of reserves is adequate, changes in the future could impact these determinations.
 
Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
We are exposed to market risks from foreign currency exchange, interest rates, and commodity prices, which could affect our operating results, financial position and cash flows. We do not use any derivative financial instruments to manage these risks.

Foreign Currency Risk

We are exposed to foreign currency risk on sales, costs and assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We seek to manage our foreign exchange risk largely through operational means, including matching revenue with same-currency costs and assets with same-currency liabilities. We currently transact business in eight primary currencies worldwide, of which the most significant were the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Mexican peso, and the Chinese renminbi. A hypothetical 10% adverse change in foreign currency exchange rates could have impacted our income before income taxes by $8.5 million and $1.9 million at April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018 , respectively.  These estimates assume no changes other than the exchange rate itself. However, this quantitative measure has inherent limitations. The sensitivity analysis disregards the possibility that rates can move in opposite directions and that gains from one currency may or may not be offset by losses from another currency.

The translation of the assets and liabilities of our international subsidiaries is made using the foreign currency exchange rates as of the end of the fiscal year. Translation adjustments are not included in determining net income but are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within shareholders’ equity on the consolidated balance sheets until a sale or substantially complete liquidation of the net investment in the international subsidiary takes place. As of April 27, 2019, the cumulative net currency translation adjustments reduced shareholders’ equity by $13.6 million and as of April 28, 2018, the cumulative net currency translation adjustments increased shareholders’ equity by $13.9 million.

Interest Rate Risk     

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. The interest rate risk for our credit agreement, under which we had $278.7 million of net borrowings at April 27, 2019 , is variable and is based on LIBOR. We estimate that a 1% increase in interest rates under our credit agreement would result in increased annual interest expense of $2.8 million.
Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to commodity price risk primarily on our raw material purchases. These raw materials are not rare or unique to our industry. The cost of copper, resins, and other commodities, such as fuel and energy, has fluctuated in recent years due to changes in global supply and demand. Our gross margins could be affected if these types of costs continue to fluctuate. We actively manage these raw material costs through global sourcing initiatives and price increases on our products. However, in the short-term, rapid increases in raw material costs can be very difficult to offset with price increases because of contractual agreements with our customers.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
See Item 15 for an Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule.  Such Financial Statements and Schedule are incorporated herein by reference. 

30


Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K, we performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act).  Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s applicable rules and forms.  As a result of this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of April 27, 2019 based on the guidelines established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013 Framework) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO").  Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Grakon, which are included in the fiscal 2019 consolidated financial statements of the Company and constituted 7.5% and 4.9% of total assets and net assets, respectively, as of April 27, 2019, and 12.3% and 17.0% of revenues and income before taxes, respectively, for the fiscal year then ended.
 
Based on the results of our evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of April 27, 2019 . Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit Committee.  Our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting.  This report is included on page F-2 of this annual report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that was conducted during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
 
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, do not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by a management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.


31


Item 9B. Other Information

None
 
PART III
 
Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
Information regarding our directors will be included under the captions “Proposal One:  Election of Directors” and “Corporate Governance” in the definitive proxy statement for our 2019 annual meeting to be held on September 12, 2019 , and is incorporated herein by reference.  Information regarding our executive officers is included under a separate caption in Part I hereof, and is incorporated herein by reference, in accordance with General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K and Instruction 1 to Item 401 of Regulation S-K.  Information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and information regarding our Audit Committee will be included under the captions “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” and “Audit Committee Matters,” respectively, in the definitive proxy statement for our 2019 annual meeting and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct (the “Code”) that applies to our directors, our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and persons performing similar functions, as well as other employees.  The Code is publicly available on our website at www.methode.com.  If we make any substantive amendments to the Code or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website or in a report on Form 8-K in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
 
Item 11.  Executive Compensation
 
Information regarding the above will be included under the caption “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” in the definitive proxy statement for our 2019 annual meeting to be held on September 12, 2019 , and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
Information regarding the above will be included under the caption “Security Ownership” in the definitive proxy statement for our 2019 annual meeting to be held on September 12, 2019 , and is incorporated herein by reference.

Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table provides information about our equity compensation plans as of April 27, 2019 .  All outstanding awards relate to our common stock. Shares issued under all of the following plans may be from our treasury, newly issued or both.
Plan category
 
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
 
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
 
Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in the first
column)
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders
 
1,325,920

(1)  
$
35.77

(2)  
1,344,034

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders
 

 

 

Total
 
1,325,920

 
$
35.77

 
1,344,034

 
(1) Includes shares issuable in connection with awards with performance conditions, which will be issued based on achievement of performance criteria associated with the awards, with the number of shares issuable dependent on our level of performance.
(2) The weighted-average exercise price set forth in this column is calculated excluding outstanding restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, since recipients are not required to pay an exercise price to receive the shares subject to these awards.

32


Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
Information regarding the above will be included under the caption “Corporate Governance” in the definitive proxy statement for our 2019 annual meeting to be held on September 12, 2019 , and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
Information regarding the above will be included under the caption “Audit Committee Matters” in the definitive proxy statement for our 2019 annual meeting to be held on September 12, 2019 , and is incorporated herein by reference.



PART IV
 
Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
(a)  The documents included in the following indexes are filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K.
 
(1) (2)  The response to this portion of Item 15 is included in this report under the captions  “Financial Statements” and “Financial Statement Schedule” below, which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(3)     See “Index to Exhibits” immediately following the financial statement schedule.
 
(b)                 See “Index to Exhibits” immediately following the financial statement schedule.
 
(c)                 See “Financial Statements” and “Financial Statement Schedule.”

Item 16.  Form 10-K Summary

None

33


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this annual report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
By:
/s/ RONALD L.G. TSOUMAS
 
Ronald L.G. Tsoumas
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
  
Dated:  June 20, 2019
 

34


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report annual report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
/s / WALTER J. ASPATORE
 
Chairman of the Board
 
June 20, 2019
Walter J. Aspatore
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s / CHRISTOPHER J. HORNUNG
 
Vice Chairman of the Board
 
June 20, 2019
Christopher J. Hornung
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ DONALD W. DUDA
 
Chief Executive Officer, President & Director
 
June 20, 2019
Donald W. Duda
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s / RONALD L.G. TSOUMAS
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
June 20, 2019
Ronald L.G. Tsoumas
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s / AMIT N. PATEL
 
Chief Accounting Officer
 
June 20, 2019
Amit N. Patel
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s / MARTHA GOLDBERG ARONSON
 
Director
 
June 20, 2019
Martha Goldberg Aronson
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ BRIAN J. CADWALLADER
 
Director
 
June 20, 2019
Brian J. Cadwallader
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s / BRUCE K. CROWTHER
 
Director
 
June 20, 2019
Bruce K. Crowther
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ DARREN M. DAWSON
 
Director
 
June 20, 2019
Darren M. Dawson
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s / ISABELLE C. GOOSSEN
 
Director
 
June 20, 2019
Isabelle C. Goossen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s / MARK D. SCHWABERO
 
Director
 
June 20, 2019
Mark D. Schwabero
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s / PAUL G. SHELTON
 
Director
 
June 20, 2019
Paul G. Shelton
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s / LAWRENCE B. SKATOFF
 
Director
 
June 20, 2019
Lawrence B. Skatoff
 
 
 
 

35


METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
FORM 10-K
 
ITEM 15 (a) (1) and (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are immaterial and, therefore, have been omitted.

F-1


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Methode Electronics, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Methode Electronics, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 27, 2019, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 27, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of April 27, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated June 20, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1966.

Chicago, Illinois
June 20, 2019

F-2


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Methode Electronics, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Methode Electronics, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of April 27, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control- Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Methode Electronics, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of April 27, 2019, based on the COSO criteria .
As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Grakon which is included in the 2019 consolidated financial statements of the Company and constituted 7.5% and 4.9% of total and net assets, respectively, as of April 27, 2019 and 12.3% and 17.0% of revenues and income before taxes, respectively, for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Grakon.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2019 consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated June 20, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois
June 20, 2019

F-3


METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share and per share data)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
ASSETS
 

 
 

CURRENT ASSETS
 

 
 

Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
83.2

 
$
246.1

Accounts Receivable, Less Allowance (2019 - $0.9 and 2018 - $0.5)
219.3

 
202.6

Inventories
116.7

 
84.1

Income Taxes Receivable
14.3

 
2.4

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
20.0

 
14.8

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
453.5

 
550.0

NON-CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
191.9

 
162.2

Goodwill
233.3

 
59.2

Intangibles, Net
264.9

 
61.0

Deferred Tax Assets
34.3

 
42.3

Pre-production Costs
32.8

 
20.5

Other Long-term Assets
21.0

 
20.7

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS
778.2

 
365.9

TOTAL ASSETS
$
1,231.7

 
$
915.9

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 

 
 

CURRENT LIABILITIES
 

 
 

Accounts Payable
$
91.9

 
$
89.5

Accrued Employee Liabilities
20.1

 
22.8

Other Accrued Expenses
33.9

 
21.6

Short-term Debt
15.7

 
4.4

Income Tax Payable
19.3

 
18.7

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
180.9

 
157.0

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Long-term Debt
276.9

 
53.4

Long-term Income Taxes Payable
33.0

 
42.6

Other Long-term Liabilities
14.8

 
14.6

Deferred Tax Liabilities
36.4

 
18.3

TOTAL LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
361.1

 
128.9

TOTAL LIABILITIES
542.0

 
285.9

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 

 
 

Common Stock, $0.50 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 38,333,576 shares and 38,198,353 shares issued as of April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018, respectively
19.2

 
19.1

Additional Paid-in Capital
150.4

 
136.5

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(13.6
)
 
13.9

Treasury Stock, 1,346,624 shares as of April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018
(11.5
)
 
(11.5
)
Retained Earnings
545.2

 
472.0

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
689.7

 
630.0

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
$
1,231.7

 
$
915.9

 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4


METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in millions, except per share data)
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
Net Sales
$
1,000.3

 
$
908.3

 
$
816.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Products Sold
734.5

 
668.7

 
598.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
265.8

 
239.6

 
218.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling and Administrative Expenses
142.9

 
115.7

 
105.2

Amortization of Intangibles
16.1

 
5.6

 
2.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from Operations
106.8

 
118.3

 
110.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest (Income) Expense, Net
8.3

 
0.9

 
(0.4
)
Other Income, Net
(5.1
)
 
(6.4
)
 
(4.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before Income Taxes
103.6

 
123.8

 
115.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense
12.0

 
66.6

 
23.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
91.6

 
$
57.2

 
$
92.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted Income per Share:
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
$
2.45

 
$
1.54

 
$
2.49

Diluted
$
2.43

 
$
1.52

 
$
2.48

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Dividends per Share:
 

 
 

 
 

Common Stock
$
0.44

 
$
0.40

 
$
0.36

 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5


METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions)


 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
Net Income
$
91.6

 
$
57.2

 
$
92.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
(27.5
)
 
39.6

 
(17.3
)
Total Comprehensive Income
$
64.1

 
$
96.8

 
$
75.6


See notes to consolidated financial statements.


F-6


METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in millions, except share data)  
 
Common
Stock
Shares
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Retained Earnings
 
Total Shareholders Equity
Balance as of April 30, 2016
38,181,985

 
$
19.1

 
$
112.3

 
$
(8.4
)
 
$
(11.5
)
 
$
358.6

 
$
470.1

Earned Portion of Restricted Stock, Net of Tax Withholding
146,192

 
0.1

 

 

 

 
(1.2
)
 
(1.1
)
Stock-based Compensation Expense

 

 
12.4

 

 

 

 
12.4

Exercise of Stock Options
147,829

 
0.1

 
2.6

 

 

 

 
2.7

Purchase of Common Stock
(342,081
)
 
(0.2
)
 

 

 

 
(9.6
)
 
(9.8
)
Tax Benefit from Stock Option Exercises

 

 
4.9

 

 

 

 
4.9

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

 

 

 
(17.3
)
 

 

 
(17.3
)
Net Income for Year

 

 

 

 

 
92.9

 
92.9

Dividends on Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 
(13.7
)
 
(13.7
)
Balance as of April 29, 2017
38,133,925

 
19.1

 
132.2

 
(25.7
)
 
(11.5
)
 
427.0

 
541.1

Earned Portion of Restricted Stock, Net of Tax Withholding
51,095

 

 

 

 

 
(0.2
)
 
(0.2
)
Stock-based Compensation Expense

 

 
4.0

 

 

 

 
4.0

Exercise of Stock Options
13,333

 

 
0.3

 

 

 

 
0.3

Adoption of ASU 2016-09

 

 

 

 

 
2.7

 
2.7

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

 

 

 
39.6

 

 

 
39.6

Net Income for Year

 

 

 

 

 
57.2

 
57.2

Dividends on Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 
(14.7
)
 
(14.7
)
Balance as of April 28, 2018
38,198,353

 
19.1

 
136.5

 
13.9

 
(11.5
)
 
472.0

 
630.0

Earned Portion of Restricted Stock, Net of Tax Withholding
135,223

 
0.1

 
(0.1
)
 

 

 
(1.7
)
 
(1.7
)
Stock-based Compensation Expense

 

 
14.0

 

 

 

 
14.0

Adoption of ASU 2014-09

 

 

 

 

 
0.1

 
0.1

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

 

 

 
(27.5
)
 

 

 
(27.5
)
Net Income for Year

 

 

 

 

 
91.6

 
91.6

Dividends on Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 
(16.8
)
 
(16.8
)
Balance as of April 27, 2019
38,333,576

 
$
19.2

 
$
150.4

 
$
(13.6
)
 
$
(11.5
)
 
$
545.2

 
$
689.7


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-7


METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

 
 

Net Income
$
91.6

 
$
57.2

 
$
92.9

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
 

 
 

 
 

Change in Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance
(0.6
)
 
(0.8
)
 
(0.9
)
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs
0.5

 

 

Gain on Sale of Fixed Assets
(0.4
)
 

 

Gain on Sale of Licensing Agreement

 
(1.6
)
 

Depreciation
27.2

 
22.5

 
22.0

Amortization of Intangible Assets
16.1

 
5.6

 
2.3

Stock-based Compensation Expense
14.0

 
4.0

 
12.4

Provision for Bad Debt
0.2

 

 
0.2

Change in Deferred Income Taxes
(4.4
)
 
(12.7
)
 
(3.9
)
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities, net of Acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts Receivable
1.5

 
2.8

 
5.6

Inventories
(3.9
)
 
(7.2
)
 
7.4

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
(16.7
)
 
8.2

 
(3.9
)
Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Expenses
(23.1
)
 
39.8

 
11.1

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
102.0

 
117.8

 
145.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

 
 

Purchases of Property, Plant and Equipment
(49.8
)
 
(47.7
)
 
(22.4
)
Acquisition of Businesses, Net of Cash Received
(422.1
)
 
(130.9
)
 

Acquisition of Technology Licenses

 
(0.7
)
 

Sale of Business/Investment/Property
1.1

 
0.3

 
0.7

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
(470.8
)
 
(179.0
)
 
(21.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

 
 

Taxes Paid Related to Net Share Settlement of Equity Awards
(1.7
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(1.1
)
Debt Issuance Costs
(3.1
)
 

 

Purchase of Common Stock

 

 
(9.8
)
Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options

 
0.3

 
2.7

Tax Benefit from Stock Option Exercises

 

 
4.9

Cash Dividends
(16.3
)
 
(14.7
)
 
(13.7
)
Proceeds from Borrowings
359.0

 
81.4

 

Repayment of Borrowings
(120.5
)
 
(79.4
)
 
(30.0
)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
217.4

 
(12.7
)
 
(47.0
)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents
(11.5
)
 
26.0

 
(10.3
)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(162.9
)
 
(47.9
)
 
66.2

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
246.1

 
294.0

 
227.8

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR
$
83.2

 
$
246.1

 
$
294.0

 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-8



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.   Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Methode Electronics, Inc. (the "Company" or "Methode") is a global manufacturer of component and subsystem devices with manufacturing, design and testing facilities in Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, Germany, India, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Company's primary manufacturing facilities are located in Dongguan and Shanghai, China; Cairo, Egypt; Mriehel, Malta; and Monterrey and Fresnillo, Mexico. The Company designs, manufactures and markets devices employing electrical, radio remote control, electronic, wireless and sensing technologies.

Basis of Presentation. The Company's financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP").

Principles of Consolidation.   The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
 
Financial Reporting Periods.  The Company maintains its financial records on the basis of a 52 or 53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to April 30. Fiscal 2019 ended on April 27, 2019, fiscal 2018 ended on April 28, 2018 and fiscal 2017 ended on April 29, 2017. Fiscal 2019 , fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 represent 52 weeks of results.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents.   Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less.
 
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.   Accounts receivable are customer obligations due under normal trade terms and are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon past transaction history with customers, customer payment practices and economic conditions. A change to the allowance for doubtful accounts may be required if a future event or other change in circumstances results in a change in the estimate of the ultimate collectability of a specific account balance.  The Company does not require collateral for its accounts receivable.  When a receivable balance is determined to be no longer collectible, it is written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable are generally due within 30 days to 45 days .  Credit losses relating to all customers have not been material.

Sales to General Motors Company ("GM") and Ford Motor Company ("Ford") in the Automotive segment, either directly or through their tiered suppliers, represented a significant portion of the Company's business. As of April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018 , combined accounts receivable from GM and Ford (including tiered suppliers) were approximately $65.2 million and $83.8 million , respectively. 

Inventories.   Inventories are stated at the lower-of-cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Finished products and work-in-process inventories include direct material costs and direct and indirect manufacturing costs. The Company records reserves for inventory that may be obsolete or in excess of current and future market demand. A summary of inventories is shown below:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
Finished Products
 
$
40.2

 
$
15.4

Work in Process
 
9.4

 
14.6

Materials
 
67.1

 
54.1

Total Inventories
 
$
116.7

 
$
84.1



F-9



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Property, Plant and Equipment.   Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost.  Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method using estimated useful lives of 5 to 40 years for buildings and building improvements and 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment. A summary of property, plant and equipment is shown below:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
Land
 
$
3.7

 
$
0.8

Buildings and Building Improvements
 
81.2

 
69.2

Machinery and Equipment
 
390.7

 
364.7

Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
 
475.6

 
434.7

Less: Accumulated Depreciation
 
283.7

 
272.5

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
 
$
191.9

 
$
162.2

 
Depreciation expense was $27.2 million , $22.5 million and $22.0 million in fiscal 2019 , fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 , respectively. As of April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018 , capital expenditures recorded in accounts payable totaled $6.4 million and $9.0 million , respectively.

Income Taxes.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“U.S. Tax Reform”) includes a new global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) provision which requires the Company to include foreign subsidiary earnings in its U.S. tax return starting in fiscal 2019. The FASB Staff Q&A, Topic 740 No. 5, "Accounting for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income," states that an entity can make an accounting policy election to either recognize deferred taxes for temporary differences expected to reverse in future years or provide for the tax expense in the year the tax is incurred. The Company has elected to recognize the tax on GILTI as a period expense in the period the tax is incurred and therefore has not included any deferred tax impacts of GILTI in its consolidated financial statements for its fiscal year ended April 27, 2019.
 
Revenue Recognition.   On April 29, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” using the modified retrospective transition method. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard was recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings.  In accordance with the modified retrospective transition method, the historical information within the financial statements has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standard in effect for those periods. As a result, the Company has disclosed the accounting policies in effect prior to April 29, 2018, as well as the policies it has applied starting April 29, 2018. See Note 2, "Revenue," for further details.

Periods prior to April 29, 2018
    
Revenue was recognized in accordance with ASC 605, "Revenue Recognition."  Revenue was recognized upon either shipment or delivery (depending on shipping terms) of product to customers and is recorded net of returns, allowances, customer discounts, and incentives.  Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities were accounted for on a net (excluded from revenues) basis.

Periods commencing on or after April 29, 2018
        
The majority of the Company's revenue is recognized at a point in time.  The Company has determined that the most definitive demonstration that control has transferred to a customer is physical shipment or delivery, depending on the contractual shipping terms, with the exception of consignment transactions. Consignment transactions are arrangements where the Company transfers product to a customer location but retains ownership and control of such product until it is used by the customer. Revenue for consignment arrangements is recognized upon the customer’s usage.


F-10



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Revenues associated with products which the Company believes have no alternative use, and where the Company has an enforceable right to payment, are recognized on an over time basis.  In transition to ASC 606, the Company noted some customers ordered highly customized parts in which the Company was entitled to payment throughout the manufacturing process. In accordance with ASC 606, the Company has begun recognizing revenue over time for these customers as the performance obligation is satisfied. The Company believes the most faithful depiction of the transfer of goods to the customer is based on progress to date, which is typically smooth throughout the production process. As such, the Company recognizes revenue evenly over the production process through transfer of control to the customer.

In addition, customers typically negotiate annual price downs. Management has evaluated these price downs and determined that in some instances, these price downs give rise to a material right. In instances that a material right exists, a portion of the transaction price is allocated to the material right and recognized over the life of the contract.

The Company has elected to treat shipping and handling costs as an activity necessary to fulfill the performance obligation to transfer product to the customer and not as a separate performance obligation. Shipping and handling costs are estimated at quarter end in proportion to revenue recognized for transactions where actual costs are not yet known.

Across all products, the amount of revenue recognized corresponds to the related purchase order and is adjusted for variable consideration (such as discounts). Sales and other taxes collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.

The Company’s performance obligations are typically short-term in nature. As a result, the Company has elected the practical expedient that provides an exemption from the disclosure requirements regarding information about remaining performance obligations on contracts that have original expected durations of one year or less.
 
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs .  Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are included in net sales, and the related costs are included in cost of products sold.
 
Foreign Currency Translation.   The functional currencies of the majority of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are their local currencies.  The results of operations of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates during the year, while the assets and liabilities are translated using period-end exchange rates.  Adjustments from the translation process are classified as a component of shareholders’ equity.  Exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the foreign subsidiary are included in the consolidated statements of income in other income.  The amount of foreign currency gain or loss recognized was a loss of $1.3 million in fiscal 2019, a loss of $2.6 million in fiscal 2018, and a gain of $0.4 million in fiscal 2017.
 
Business Combinations. The purchase price of an acquired business is allocated to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded as goodwill. Determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management’s judgment, the utilization of independent appraisal firms and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the timing and amount of future cash flows, market rate assumptions, actuarial assumptions, and appropriate discount rates, among other items.

Impairment of Goodwill.   Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment on at least an annual basis. In conducting its goodwill impairment testing, the Company may first perform a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. If not, no further goodwill impairment testing is required. If it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount, or if the Company elects not to perform a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit, the Company then compares the fair value of the reporting unit to the related net book value. If the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is measured and recognized.

Long-Lived Assets.  The Company continually evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred which indicate that the remaining estimated useful lives of its intangible assets, excluding goodwill, and other long-lived assets, may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of such assets may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators exist, the Company performs an impairment analysis by comparing the undiscounted cash flows resulting from the use of the asset group to the carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized based on the excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its fair value.

F-11



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Research and Development Costs .  Costs associated with the enhancement of existing products and the development of new products are charged to expense when incurred.  Research and development expenses primarily relate to product engineering and design and development expenses and are classified as a component of cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of income. Research and development costs were $41.2 million , $37.9 million and $27.8 million for fiscal 2019 , fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 , respectively.
 
Stock-Based Compensation.   The Company recognizes compensation expense for the cost of awards of equity compensation using a fair value method in accordance with ASC 718, "Stock-based Compensation." See Note 5, "Shareholders’ Equity," for additional information on stock-based compensation.
 
Product Warranty. The Company’s warranties are standard, assurance-type warranties only. The Company does not offer any additional service or extended term warranties to its customers. As such, warranty obligations are accrued when its probable that a liability has been incurred and the related amounts are reasonably estimable.

Use of Estimates.   The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Fair Value Measurements: Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company determines the fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities using the fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurement," which defines three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable;
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs in which little or no market activity exists, requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions that market participants would use to value the asset or liability.

Assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The Company reviews the fair value hierarchy classification on a quarterly basis. Changes to the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value hierarchy.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments.   The carrying values of the Company's short-term financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2018-02, "Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income." The amendments in this update are intended to address a specific consequence of U.S. Tax Reform by allowing a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from U.S. Tax Reform’s reduction of the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate. The ASU is effective for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, and is to be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate is recognized. ASU 2018-02 will be effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Management does not expect this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which amended authoritative guidance on leases and is codified in ASC 842. The amended guidance requires lessees to recognize substantially all leases on their balance sheets as right-of-use (“ROU”) assets along with corresponding lease liabilities. The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification determines whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The new standard also requires increased disclosures to help financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The

F-12



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Company will adopt the standard on April 28, 2019 and will recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Prior periods will not be restated.

The Company expects to elect the transition package of practical expedients, which permits it not to reassess under the new standard its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company will also elect not to separate lease from non-lease components within the contract. To date, the Company has assessed its portfolio of leases and compiled a central repository of all active leases. The majority of the Company's global lease portfolio represents leases of real estate, such as manufacturing facilities, warehouses and buildings. The Company has been implementing new leasing software and is in the process of assessing the design of the future lease process and drafting a policy to address the new standard requirements.

While the Company continues to assess all the impacts of adoption, the Company estimates that it will recognize a ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of approximately $24 million to $29 million on its consolidated balance sheet. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on its consolidated statements of income or cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The new standard requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. It replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. The standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Management is currently assessing the impact of the new standard, but does not anticipate that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the manner in which it estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts on its trade accounts receivable.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, "Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." The new standard requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. The standard was adopted on April 29, 2018 and did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” The amendments in this update provide guidance on eight specific cash flow presentation issues that have developed due to diversity in practice. The issues include, but are not limited to, debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, and proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims. The standard was adopted on April 29, 2018 and did not result in any changes in the reporting of cash receipts and cash payments in the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, "Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting." The amendments in this update provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The standard was adopted on April 29, 2018 and did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

2.   Revenue

The Company is a global manufacturer of component and subsystem devices whose components are found in the primary end-markets of the aerospace, appliance, automotive, commercial vehicle, construction, consumer and industrial equipment, communications (including information processing and storage, networking equipment and wireless and terrestrial voice/data systems), medical, rail and other transportation industries. On April 29, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606 along with the related amendments using a modified retrospective approach to all contracts open as of that date. Upon adoption, the Company recognized a $0.1 million increase to opening retained earnings. This adjustment was a result of modifying the

F-13



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Company's revenue recognition pattern for highly customized goods with no alternative use to over time recognition instead of point in time and for deferring revenue related to material rights that we provide to our customers. The overall impact to the Company's financial statements was immaterial. The Company has modified its controls to address the risks present under ASC 606.

As the Company has adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective approach, prior periods have not been restated, and as such they are presented under ASC 605. The impact of the changes in accounting policy on fiscal 2019 is provided below.
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended April 27, 2019
(Dollars in Millions)
 
As Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Balance Under ASC 605
Net Sales
 
$
1,000.3

 
$
(24.2
)
 
$
1,024.5

Cost of Products Sold
 
$
734.5

 
$
(24.2
)
 
$
758.7

Total Inventories
 
$
116.7

 
$
(0.5
)
 
$
117.2

Contract Assets
 
$
0.8

 
$
0.8

 
$

Contract Liabilities
 
$
0.3

 
$
0.3

 
$

Retained Earnings
 
$
545.2

 
$
0.1

 
$
545.1

 
Costs to Fulfill/Obtain a Contract

The Company incurs pre-production tooling costs related to products produced for customers under long-term supply agreements. The Company had $32.8 million and $20.5 million as of April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018 , respectively, of pre-production tooling costs related to customer-owned tools for which reimbursement is contractually guaranteed by the customer or for which the customer has provided a non-cancelable right to use the tooling. These costs are capitalized and recognized into income upon acceptance. The Company concluded that pre-production tooling and engineering costs do not represent a promised good or service under ASC 606, and as such, reimbursements received are accounted for as a reimbursement of the expense, not revenue. This change resulted in tooling reimbursements of $24.2 million being recorded into cost of products sold in fiscal 2019 .

The Company has not historically incurred material costs to obtain a contract. In the instances that costs to obtain contracts are incurred, the Company will capitalize and amortize those over the life of the contract.

Contract Estimates
    
Due to the nature of the work performed in completing certain performance obligations, the estimation of both total revenue and cost at completion includes a number of variables and requires significant judgment.

Estimating total contract revenue may require judgment as certain contracts contain pricing discount structures, early payment discounts or other provisions that can impact the transaction price. The Company generally estimates variable consideration utilizing the most likely amount to which we expect to be entitled. When the contract provides the customer with the right to return eligible products, the Company reduces revenue at the point of sale using current facts and historical experience by using an estimate for expected product returns. The Company adjusts these estimates at the earlier of when the most likely amount of consideration that is expected to be received changes or when the consideration becomes fixed. Accordingly, an increase or decrease to revenue is recognized at that time. The Company has elected the practical expedient for significant financing components, allowing the Company to not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a financing component when payment terms are within one year from the time a performance obligation is satisfied. The Company's customers' payment terms are typically 30 - 45 days from the time control transfers.

Certain of the Company's contracts contain annual contractually-guaranteed price reductions that grant the customer the right to purchase products at decreased prices throughout the life of the contract. Most of these contractual price reductions are merely the result of efficiencies in the production process being passed down to our customers. For certain of these price reductions, however, the amount of the reduction cannot be attributed entirely to production efficiencies gained. In these cases, the annual price-downs are considered to be material rights as the customer, as part of their current contract, is purchasing an option that they would not have received without the contract to purchase future product. When a contract contains a material

F-14



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

right, a portion of the transaction price is allocated to the material right for which revenue recognition is deferred until the customer exercises its option. The standalone selling price for a material right used to allocate the transaction price is determined at contract inception by calculating the portion of the option purchased relative to the estimated total amount of incremental value the customer will likely earn, based on historical data, customer forecast communications, current economic information and industry trends. The standalone selling price of a material right is not adjusted prior to customer exercise or option expiration.

Estimating the total expected costs related to contracts also requires significant judgment. In cases where the Company is recognizing revenue over time, the requirement is to record a proportionate amount of the costs of production as well. As part of this process, management considers the progress towards completion of the performance obligation, the length of time necessary to complete the performance obligation and the historical costs incurred in the manufacture of similar products, among other variables.
    
The Company has elected the portfolio approach practical expedient to estimate the amount of revenue to recognize for certain contracts which require over time revenue recognition. Such contracts are grouped together either by revenue stream, customer or product. Each portfolio of contracts is grouped together based on having similar characteristics. The portfolio approach is utilized only when the result of the accounting is not expected to be materially different than if applied to individual contracts. For each portfolio of contracts, the respective work in process and/or finished goods inventory balances are identified and the portfolio-specific margin is applied to estimate the pro-rata portion of revenue earned in relation to the costs incurred.

Adjustments due to any of the factors above to net sales, cost of sales and the related impact to operating income are recognized as necessary in the period they become known. The resultant impacts from these changes in estimates are recognized on a cumulative catch-up basis, which recognizes in the current period the cumulative effect of the changes on both current and prior periods.
 
Contract Balances
    
The Company receives payment from customers based on the contractual billing schedule and specific performance requirements established in the contract. Billings are recorded as accounts receivable when an unconditional right to the contractual consideration exists. A contract asset is an entity’s right to consideration in exchange for goods or services that the entity has transferred to a customer. A contract liability exists when the Company has received consideration or the amount is due from the customer in advance of revenue recognition. Contract assets and contract liabilities are recognized in other current assets and other liabilities, respectively, in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
    
Unbilled Receivables (Contract Assets) - Pursuant to the over time revenue recognition model, revenue may be recognized prior to the customer being invoiced. An unbilled receivable is recorded to reflect revenue that is recognized over time. Unbilled receivables were $0.8 million as of both April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018. During fiscal 2019 , $0.8 million of previously unbilled receivables were recorded into accounts receivable. There were no impairments of contract assets as of April 27, 2019 .

Deferred Revenue (Contract Liabilities) - For certain of the price reductions offered by the Company, the amount of the reduction cannot be attributed entirely to production efficiencies gained. In these cases, the annual price-downs are considered to be material rights as the customer, as part of their current contract, are purchasing an option that they would not have received without the contract to purchase future product. When a contract contains a material right, a portion of the transaction price is allocated to the material right for which revenue recognition is deferred until the customer exercises its option. Deferred revenue was $0.3 million and $0.2 million as of April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018, respectively. No previously deferred revenue was recorded into revenue during fiscal 2019 .

F-15



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Disaggregated Revenue Information

The Company views the following disaggregated disclosures as useful to understanding the composition of revenue recognized during the respective reporting period. Geographic net sales are determined based on sales from its various operational locations.  Though revenue recognition patterns and contracts are generally consistent, the amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows may vary in each reportable segment due to geographic and economic factors.

 
 
Fiscal Year Ended April 27, 2019
(Dollars in Millions)
 
Auto
 
Industrial
 
Interface
 
Medical
 
Total
Geographic Net Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
 
$
373.0

 
$
110.3

 
$
56.1

 
$
1.1

 
$
540.5

Malta
 
116.4

 
31.8

 
0.3

 

 
148.5

China
 
78.2

 
35.3

 
0.2

 

 
113.7

Canada
 
87.8

 
13.8

 

 

 
101.6

Other
 
79.3

 
15.6

 
1.1

 

 
96.0

Total Net Sales
 
$
734.7

 
$
206.8

 
$
57.7

 
$
1.1

 
$
1,000.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Timing of Revenue Recognition:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goods Transferred at a Point in Time
 
$
704.4

 
$
206.8

 
$
57.7

 
$
1.1

 
$
970.0

Goods Transferred Over Time
 
30.3

 

 

 

 
30.3

Total Net Sales
 
$
734.7

 
$
206.8

 
$
57.7

 
$
1.1

 
$
1,000.3


Material Customers

Sales to GM and Ford in the Automotive segment, either directly or through their tiered suppliers, represented a significant portion of the Company's business.  Net sales to GM and Ford approximated 35.5% and 11.6% of consolidated net sales, respectively, in fiscal 2019 , 43.3% and 12.3% of consolidated net sales, respectively, in fiscal 2018 and 49.6% and 9.3% of consolidated net sales, respectively, in fiscal 2017 .

3.   Acquisitions

Fiscal 2019 Acquisition

Grakon Parent, Inc. ("Grakon")

On September 12, 2018 , the Company acquired 100% of the stock of Grakon for $422.1 million in cash, net of cash acquired. The business, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is a manufacturer of custom designed lighting solutions and highly styled engineered components. Grakon’s manufacturing capabilities and products help diversify the Company's product offerings and expand the Industrial segment, which is a key component of the Company's strategic direction. The accounts and transactions of Grakon have been included in the Automotive and Industrial segments in the consolidated financial statements from the effective date of the acquisition. For goodwill impairment testing purposes, Grakon has been included in the Company's North American Automotive and Grakon Industrial reporting units.


F-16



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company has not yet completed the process of estimating the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Accordingly, the Company's preliminary estimates and the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed may change as the Company completes the process, which would likely impact the Company's allocation of the purchase price to goodwill. The primary fair value estimates considered preliminary are contingencies and income tax-related items. Based on the Company's preliminary allocation of the purchase price, revised as of April 27, 2019 , goodwill decreased $2.8 million from the preliminary amount reported in the Company's consolidated financial statements as of January 26, 2019 . The revised preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
 
Cash
 
$
6.9

Accounts Receivable
 
36.1

Inventory
 
30.8

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
 
1.6

Intangible Assets
 
221.9

Goodwill
 
175.3

Pre-production Costs
 
1.5

Property, Plant and Equipment
 
16.2

Accounts Payable
 
(19.4
)
Accrued Employee Liabilities
 
(4.4
)
Other Accrued Expenses
 
(7.5
)
Income Tax Payable
 
(0.7
)
Deferred Income Tax Liability
 
(29.3
)
Total Purchase Price
 
$
429.0


The following table presents details of the intangible assets acquired:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
Fair Value at Date of Acquisition
 
Amortization Period
Customer Relationships and Agreements - Significant Customer
 
$
57.0

 
19.5 years
Customer Relationships and Agreements - All Other Customers
 
125.0

 
19.5 years
Technology Licenses
 
17.7

 
11.7 years
Trade Names
 
22.2

 
8.5 years
Total
 
$
221.9

 
 

The Company's consolidated statement of income for fiscal 2019 included approximately seven and a half months of the operating results of Grakon, which was comprised of net sales of $122.8 million and income before income taxes of $17.7 million .

Acquisition-related costs of $15.4 million were incurred in relation to the acquisition of Grakon for fiscal 2019, of which $9.8 million was reported in selling and administrative expenses and $5.6 million was reported in costs of products sold on the consolidated statements of income.

As part of the acquisition of Grakon in fiscal 2019, the Company recorded goodwill of $175.3 million , of which $36.9 million is deductible for income taxes.

Fiscal 2018 Acquisitions

Procoplast S.A. ("Procoplast")

On July 27, 2017 , the Company acquired 100% of the stock of Procoplast for $22.2 million in cash, net of cash acquired. The business, located near the Belgian-German border, is an independent manufacturer of automotive assemblies. The

F-17



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

accounts and transactions of Procoplast have been included in the Automotive segment in the consolidated financial statements from the effective date of the acquisition. For goodwill impairment testing purposes, Procoplast is included in the Company's European Automotive reporting unit.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company completed the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The final allocation of the purchase price to the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
 
Cash
 
$
1.3

Accounts Receivable
 
7.4

Inventory
 
3.5

Intangible Assets
 
19.2

Goodwill
 
6.8

Pre-production Costs
 
2.3

Property, Plant and Equipment
 
23.8

Accounts Payable
 
(4.9
)
Accrued Employee Liabilities
 
(0.8
)
Other Accrued Expenses
 
(0.7
)
Income Taxes Payable
 
(0.6
)
Short-term Debt
 
(3.2
)
Other Long-term Liabilities
 
(2.1
)
Long-term Debt
 
(20.6
)
Deferred Income Tax Liability
 
(7.9
)
Total Purchase Price
 
$
23.5


As part of the acquisition of Procoplast in fiscal 2018, the Company recorded goodwill of $6.8 million , none of which is deductible for income taxes.

The following table presents details of the intangible assets acquired:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
Fair Value at Date of Acquisition
 
Amortization Period
Customer Relationships and Agreements - Significant Customer
 
$
12.3

 
17.0 years
Customer Relationships and Agreements - All Other Customers
 
2.8

 
11.5 years
Technology Licenses
 
2.1

 
8.5 years
Trade Names
 
2.0

 
8.5 years
Total
 
$
19.2

 
 

Acquisition-related costs of $1.3 million were incurred in relation to the acquisition of Procoplast in fiscal 2018, of which $1.1 million was reported in selling and administrative expenses and $0.2 million was reported in costs of products sold on the consolidated statements of income.

F-18



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Pacific Insight Electronics Corp. ("Pacific Insight")
    
On October 3, 2017 , the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Pacific Insight for $108.7 million in cash, net of cash acquired. Pacific Insight, headquartered in Canada, is a global solutions provider offering design, development, manufacturing and delivery of lighting and electronic products and full-service solutions to the automotive and commercial vehicle markets. Its technology in LED-based ambient and direct lighting expands the Company's presence within the automotive interior, as well as augments the Company's efforts in overhead console and other areas. The accounts and transactions of Pacific Insight have been included in the Automotive segment in the consolidated financial statements from the effective date of the acquisition. For goodwill impairment testing purposes, Pacific Insight is included in the Company's North American Automotive reporting unit.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company completed the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The final allocation of the purchase price to the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
 
Cash
 
$
4.9

Accounts Receivable
 
18.3

Inventory
 
13.0

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
 
0.3

Income Taxes Receivable
 
1.2

Intangible Assets
 
40.1

Goodwill
 
50.4

Pre-production Costs
 
0.8

Property, Plant and Equipment
 
13.2

Accounts Payable
 
(7.9
)
Accrued Employee Liabilities
 
(0.8
)
Other Accrued Expenses
 
(2.9
)
Short-term Debt
 
(0.8
)
Long-term Debt
 
(3.4
)
Deferred Income Tax Liability
 
(12.8
)
Total Purchase Price
 
$
113.6


As part of the acquisition of Pacific Insight in fiscal 2018, the Company recorded goodwill of $50.4 million , none of which is deductible for income taxes.

The following table presents details of the intangible assets acquired:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
Fair Value at Date of Acquisition
 
Amortization Period
Customer Relationships and Agreements - Automotive
 
$
22.6

 
11.0 years
Customer Relationships and Agreements - Commercial
 
9.6

 
13.0 years
Trade Names
 
6.2

 
7.5 years
Technology Licenses
 
1.7

 
5.5 years
Total
 
$
40.1

 
 

Acquisition-related costs of $5.5 million were incurred in relation to the acquisition of Pacific Insight for fiscal 2018, of which $4.9 million was reported in selling and administrative expenses and $0.6 million was reported in costs of products sold on the consolidated statements of income.


F-19



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table presents unaudited supplemental pro forma results for fiscal 2019 and 2018 as if both the Grakon acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of fiscal 2018 and the Pacific Insight acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of fiscal 2017. The unaudited pro forma information is presented for information purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisitions had taken place at such times. The unaudited pro forma results presented below primarily include amortization charges for acquired intangible assets, depreciation adjustments for property, plant and equipment that has been revalued, interest expense adjustments due to an increased debt level, adjustments for certain acquisition-related charges and related tax effects.
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
Revenues
 
$
1,073.3

 
$
1,095.0

Net Income
 
$
106.4

 
$
70.5


4.  Goodwill and Intangible Assets  

Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis as of the beginning of the fourth quarter each year and at an interim date, if indicators of potential impairment exist. Goodwill impairment testing is conducted at the reporting unit level, which is generally defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (also known as a component), for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that reporting unit.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company performed a quantitative goodwill impairment test on its reporting units. The Company utilizes a combination of an income and market value approach to estimate the fair value of each of its reporting units. Cash flow projections are based on management’s estimates of revenue growth rates and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") margins, taking into consideration business and market conditions for the countries and markets in which the reporting unit operates. The Company calculates the discount rate based on a market-participant, risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital, which considers industry specific rates of return on debt and equity capital for a target industry capital structure, adjusted for risks associated with business size, geography and other factors specific to the reporting unit. The market value approach is based on appropriate valuation multiples observed for the reporting unit’s guideline public companies.
 
The goodwill impairment assessment indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each of the reporting units exceeded its respective carrying value. The Company does not believe that any of its reporting units are at risk for impairment.

A summary of the changes in goodwill by reportable segment is as follows:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
Automotive
 
Industrial
 
Total
Balance as of April 30, 2016
 
$

 
$
1.7

 
$
1.7

Foreign Currency Translation
 

 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
Balance as of April 29, 2017
 

 
1.6

 
1.6

Acquisitions
 
57.2

 

 
57.2

Foreign Currency Translation
 
0.3

 
0.1

 
0.4

Balance as of April 28, 2018
 
57.5

 
1.7

 
59.2

Acquisitions
 
49.4

 
125.9

 
175.3

Foreign Currency Translation
 
(0.6
)
 
(0.6
)
 
(1.2
)
Balance as of April 27, 2019
 
$
106.3

 
$
127.0

 
$
233.3



F-20



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Intangible Assets
 
The following tables present details of the Company's identifiable intangible assets:
 
As of April 27, 2019
(Dollars in Millions)
Gross
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
 
Wtd. Avg. Remaining
Amortization
Periods (Years)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer Relationships and Agreements
$
244.5

 
$
27.7

 
$
216.8

 
17.4
Trade Names, Patents and Technology Licenses
75.5

 
29.2

 
46.3

 
8.4
Total Definite-lived Intangible Assets
320.0

 
56.9

 
263.1

 
 
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade Names, Patents and Technology Licenses
1.8

 

 
1.8

 
 
Total Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
1.8

 

 
1.8

 
 
Total Intangible Assets
$
321.8

 
$
56.9

 
$
264.9

 
 
 
 
As of April 28, 2018
(Dollars in Millions)
Gross
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
 
Wtd. Avg. Remaining
Amortization
Periods (Years)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer Relationships and Agreements
$
64.4

 
$
18.1

 
$
46.3

 
12.3
Trade Names, Patents and Technology Licenses
35.9

 
23.0

 
12.9

 
5.3
Total Definite-lived Intangible Assets
100.3

 
41.1

 
59.2

 
 
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade Names, Patents and Technology Licenses
1.8

 

 
1.8

 
 
Total Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
1.8

 

 
1.8

 
 
Total Intangible Assets
$
102.1

 
$
41.1

 
$
61.0

 
 
 
The Company performed an impairment test for its indefinite-lived intangible asset and determined that no impairment existed at April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018 . Based on the current amount of intangible assets subject to amortization, the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years and thereafter is as follows:
 
(Dollars in Millions)
 
Fiscal Year:
 
2020
$
19.1

2021
19.0

2022
19.0

2023
18.9

2024
18.6

Thereafter
168.5

Total
$
263.1


5.  Shareholders’ Equity
  
Common Stock Repurchases

In September 2015, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock through September 1, 2017. The Company purchased and retired 280,168 shares for $9.8 million in fiscal 2017 , for a total under the repurchase plan of 2,277,466 shares for $71.9 million .

F-21



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Dividends
 
The Company paid dividends totaling $16.3 million , $14.7 million and $13.7 million during fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively.
 
Stock-based Compensation

All stock-based payments to employees and directors are recognized in selling and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income. Awards subject to graded vesting are recognized using the accelerated recognition method over the requisite service period.

The table below summarizes the stock-based compensation expense related to the equity awards for fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 .
(Dollars in Millions)
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
Unrecognized Compensation Expense at
 
 
April 27, 2019
 
April 28, 2018
 
April 29, 2017
 
April 27, 2019
2014 Incentive Plan:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RSAs
 
$
10.9

 
$
(2.0
)
 
$
5.7

 
$
5.0

RSUs
 
2.2

 
5.0

 
5.5

 
1.6

Director Awards
 
0.9

 
1.0

 
0.9

 

Total 2014 Incentive Plan
 
14.0

 
4.0

 
12.1

 
6.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010 Stock Plan:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RSUs
 

 

 
0.1

 

Stock Options
 

 

 
0.1

 

Total 2010 Stock Plan
 

 

 
0.2

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007 Stock Plan:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock Options
 

 

 
0.1

 

Total 2007 Stock Plan
 

 

 
0.1

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Stock-based Compensation Expense
 
$
14.0

 
$
4.0

 
$
12.4

 
$
6.6


2014 Incentive Plan
In September 2014, the Methode Electronics, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2014 Incentive Plan”) was approved by the Company’s stockholders. The 2014 Incentive Plan provides for discretionary grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance units to key employees and directors. The 2014 Incentive Plan is intended to promote the success of the Company and to increase stockholder value by providing an additional means to attract, motivate, retain and reward selected employees and eligible directors through the grant of equity awards. 
The number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2014 Incentive Plan is 3,000,000 , less one share for every one share of common stock issued or issuable pursuant to awards made after May 3, 2014 under the 2007 Stock Plan or 2010 Stock Plan. Awards that may be settled only in cash will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the 2014 Incentive Plan.
Shares issuable under the 2014 Incentive Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. If any award granted under the 2014 Incentive Plan (or, after May 3, 2014, an award under the 2007 Stock Plan or 2010 Stock Plan) expires, terminates, is forfeited or canceled, is settled in cash in lieu of shares of common stock, or is exchanged for a non-stock award

F-22



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

under certain circumstances, the shares subject to the award will again be available for issuance under the 2014 Incentive Plan. As of April 27, 2019 , there were 1,344,034 shares available for award under the 2014 Incentive Plan.
In fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee established a long-term incentive program (the “LTIP”) for key employees consisting of performance-based restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) and time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”).
Restricted Stock Awards ("RSAs")
The grant of RSAs under the 2014 Incentive Plan are performance-based awards that are scheduled to vest at the end of fiscal 2020 based on the achievement of an EBITDA hurdle. The number of shares ultimately earned could range from 0% to 150% of the target award based on the achievement of the EBITDA performance condition. The fair value of the RSAs granted was based on the closing stock price on the date of grant. All non-vested RSAs accrue dividend equivalents, which are subject to vesting and paid in cash upon release. Accrued dividends are forfeitable to the extent that the underlying awards do not vest.
Per ASC 718, stock-based compensation expense is recognized for these awards over the vesting period based on the projected probability ( 70% confidence) of achievement of the EBITDA hurdle in fiscal 2020. In each period, the stock-based compensation expense may be adjusted, as necessary, in response to any changes in the Company’s forecast with respect to achieving the fiscal 2020 EBITDA hurdle.
In fiscal 2018, the Company determined that only a threshold performance level would be achieved and adjusted its stock-based compensation expense for these awards. The result was a reversal of previously recognized stock-based compensation expense of $6.0 million . Stock-based compensation expense for these awards in fiscal 2018 was a credit of $2.0 million .
In fiscal 2019, the Company determined that the target hurdle would be achieved based on the recent acquisition of Grakon and adjusted its stock-based compensation expense for these awards. The result was an additional expense of $7.4 million . Stock-based compensation expense for these awards in fiscal 2019 was $10.9 million .
The following table summarizes the RSA activity under the 2014 Incentive Plan:
 
RSA Shares
 
Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested and Unissued at April 30, 2016
1,161,000

 
$
33.35

Awarded
72,000

 
$
34.90

Vested

 
$

Forfeited
(64,500
)
 
$
33.78

Non-vested and Unissued at April 29, 2017
1,168,500

 
$
33.42

Awarded
128,738

 
$
40.92

Vested

 
$

Forfeited
(126,000
)
 
$
34.42

Non-vested and Unissued at April 28, 2018
1,171,238

 
$
34.13

Awarded
11,625

 
$
38.75

Vested

 
$

Forfeited
(151,455
)
 
$
34.79

Non-vested and Unissued at April 27, 2019
1,031,408

 
$
34.09



F-23



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Restricted Stock Units
RSUs granted under the 2014 Incentive Plan vest over a pre-determined period of time, generally between three to five years from the date of grant. The fair value of the RSUs granted was based on the closing stock price on the date of grant.
The following table summarizes RSU activity granted under the 2014 Incentive Plan:
 
 
RSU Shares
 
Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at April 30, 2016
 
576,000

 
$
33.39

Awarded
 
32,000

 
$
34.90

Vested
 
(11,333
)
 
$
33.78

Forfeited
 
(28,667
)
 
$
33.78

Non-vested at April 29, 2017
 
568,000

 
$
33.45

Awarded
 
30,925

 
$
41.82

Vested
 
(160,553
)
 
$
33.72

Forfeited
 
(56,000
)
 
$
34.42

Non-vested at April 28, 2018
 
382,372

 
$
33.87

Awarded
 
7,750

 
$
38.75

Vested
 
(152,328
)
 
$
33.75

Forfeited
 
(49,950
)
 
$
32.42

Non-vested at April 27, 2019
 
187,844

 
$
34.55

Director Awards
During fiscal 2019 , fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 , the Company issued 24,000 shares, 24,000 shares and 27,000 shares, respectively, of common stock to our independent directors, all of which vested immediately upon grant.

2010 Stock Plan
The 2010 Stock Plan permitted a total of 2,000,000 shares of common stock to be awarded to participants in the form of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, and performance share units. With the approval of the 2014 Incentive Plan, no further awards are being granted under the 2010 Stock Plan.
The following table summarizes stock option activity under the 2010 Stock Plan:
 
 
Shares
 
Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price
 
Weighted-Average Life (years)
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Outstanding and Exercisable at April 30, 2016
 
197,332

 
$
24.55

 
 
 
 
Awarded
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Exercised
 
(125,332
)
 
$
17.40

 
 
 
 
Forfeited
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Outstanding and Exercisable at April 29, 2017
 
72,000

 
$
37.01

 
7.3
 
$

Awarded
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Exercised
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Forfeited
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Outstanding and Exercisable at April 28, 2018
 
72,000

 
$
37.01

 
6.3
 
$
0.3

Awarded
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Exercised
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Forfeited
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Outstanding and Exercisable at April 27, 2019
 
72,000

 
$
37.01

 
5.2
 
$

 

F-24



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company's closing stock price on the last trading day of the fiscal year and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on that date.
2007 Stock Plan
  
The 2007 Stock Plan permitted a total of 1,250,000 shares of common stock to be awarded to participants.  With the approval of the 2014 Incentive Plan, no further awards are being granted under the 2007 Stock Plan.
The following table summarizes stock option activity under the 2007 Stock Plan:
 
 
Shares
 
Wtd. Avg.
Exercise Price
 
Weighted-Average Life (years)
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Outstanding and Exercisable at April 30, 2016
 
79,666

 
$
28.91

 
 
 
 
Awarded
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Exercised
 
(22,497
)
 
$
21.52

 
 
 
 
Forfeited
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Outstanding and Exercisable at April 29, 2017
 
57,169

 
$
31.82

 
6.8
 
$
0.7

Awarded
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Exercised
 
(13,333
)
 
$
24.67

 
 
 
 
Forfeited
 
(1,668
)
 
$
37.01

 
 
 
 
Outstanding and Exercisable at April 28, 2018
 
42,168

 
$
33.87

 
5.8
 
$
0.3

Awarded
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Exercised
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Forfeited
 
(7,500
)
 
$
37.01

 
 
 
 
Outstanding and Exercisable at April 27, 2019
 
34,668

 
$
33.20

 
4.6
 
$
0.1

Options Outstanding and Exercisable
at April 27, 2019
Shares
 
Exercise Price
 
Avg.
Remaining
Life (Years)
5,000

 
$
10.55

 
1.2
29,668

 
$
37.01

 
5.2
34,668

 
 
 
 

Deferred RSUs
Under the 2014 Incentive Plan and 2010 Stock Plan, RSUs that have vested for certain executives, including the Company’s CEO, will not be delivered in common stock until after the executive terminates employment from the Company or upon a change of control. As of April 27, 2019, shares to be delivered to these executives were 60,600 shares under the 2014 Incentive Plan and 180,000 shares under the 2010 Stock Plan.
Under the 2007 Stock Plan, 225,000 shares of common stock subject to performance-based RSAs granted to our CEO in fiscal 2006 and 2007 were converted to RSUs. The shares of stock underlying the RSUs will not be issued and delivered until the earlier of: (1) thirty days after the CEO’s date of termination of employment with the Company and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates; or (2) the last day of the Company’s fiscal year in which the payment of common stock in satisfaction of the RSUs becomes deductible to the Company under Section 162(m) of the Code. As of April 27, 2019, 29,945 shares have been delivered in connection with these RSUs with a remaining balance to be delivered of 195,055 shares.
The RSUs are not entitled to voting rights or dividends, however a bonus in lieu of dividends are paid. The vested deferred RSUs are considered outstanding for earnings per share calculations. 

F-25



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6.  Employee 401(k) Savings and Deferred Compensation Plans
 
401(k) Savings Plan

The Company has an employee 401(k) Savings Plan covering substantially all U.S. employees to which it makes contributions equal to 3% of eligible compensation.  Contributions to the employee 401(k) Savings Plan was $1.5 million in fiscal 2019 and $1.4 million in both fiscal 2018 and 2017 .

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (“the Plan”) for certain eligible participants. Under the Plan, participants may elect to defer up to 75% of their annual base salary and 100% of their annual cash incentive compensation, with an aggregate minimum deferral of $3,000 . The minimum period of deferral is 3 years . Participants are immediately 100% vested. No company contributions were made to the Plan in fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 .

The deferred compensation liability for the Plan was $6.1 million and $6.7 million as of April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018, respectively. In addition, the Company has purchased life insurance policies, which are held in a Rabbi trust, on certain employees to potentially offset these unsecured obligations. These life insurance policies are recoded at their cash surrender value of $6.9 million and $6.7 million as of April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018, respectively, and are included in other long-term assets.

The Company also owns and is the beneficiary of a number of life insurance policies on the lives of former key executives that are unrestricted as to use. These life insurance policies are recorded at their cash surrender value of $8.6 million and $8.2 million as of April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018, respectively, and are included in other long-term assets. The cash surrender value of the life insurance policies approximates its fair value and was based on Level 2 inputs on a recurring basis.

7.  Income Taxes
 
Income Tax Provision
Details of the Company’s income tax provision are as follows:
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic Source
 
$
(0.6
)
 
$
11.4

 
$
21.6

Foreign Source
 
104.2

 
112.4

 
94.3

Income before Income Taxes
 
$
103.6

 
$
123.8

 
$
115.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Tax Provision (Benefit):
 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. (Federal and State)
 
$
(5.7
)
 
$
46.8

 
$
9.9

Foreign
 
21.5

 
18.8

 
17.0

Subtotal
 
15.8

 
65.6

 
26.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred Tax Provision (Benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. (Federal and State)
 
2.5

 
11.6

 
(1.2
)
Foreign
 
(6.3
)
 
(10.6
)
 
(2.7
)
Subtotal
 
(3.8
)
 
1.0

 
(3.9
)
Total Income Tax Expense
 
$
12.0

 
$
66.6

 
$
23.0



F-26



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A reconciliation of the income tax expense to the prevailing statutory federal income tax rate ( 21.0% for 2019, 30.5% for 2018 and 35.0% for 2017) to pre-tax earnings is as follows: 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
Income Tax at Statutory Rate
 
$
21.8

 
$
37.7

 
$
40.5

Effect of:
 
 

 
 

 
 

State Income Taxes, Net of Federal Benefit
 
(0.8
)
 
0.1

 
0.9

Dividends
 
1.8

 

 

U.S. Tax Reform Transition Tax
 
(4.8
)
 
48.5

 

Foreign Operations with Lower Statutory Rates
 
(9.6
)
 
(15.3
)
 
(14.5
)
Current Taxation of Foreign Income
 
3.4

 

 

Foreign Investment Tax Credit
 
(2.0
)
 
(9.8
)
 
(4.7
)
Change in Tax Reserve
 
(0.1
)
 
0.1

 
0.1

Change in Valuation Allowance
 

 
0.4

 
0.3

Tax Rate Change, Foreign
 

 
(1.5
)
 

U.S. Tax Reform Re-measurements
 

 
5.2

 

Other, Net
 
2.3

 
1.2

 
0.4

Income Tax Expense
 
$
12.0

 
$
66.6

 
$
23.0

Effective Income Tax Rate
 
11.6
%
 
53.8
%
 
19.9
%

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted U.S. Tax Reform making significant changes to U.S. corporate income tax laws. This included a reduction in the statutory federal corporate income tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0% , an exemption for dividends received from certain foreign subsidiaries, a one-time repatriation tax on deemed repatriated earnings from foreign subsidiaries, immediate expensing of certain depreciable tangible assets, and limiting the deductibility of certain executive compensation.

The Company’s effective tax rate is primarily affected by the amount of income earned in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, the amount of tax credits earned, and the impact of U.S. Tax Reform. The Company had a favorable impact from operations in foreign countries with tax rates lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate. The Company earned $2.0 million in investment tax credits primarily related to qualified expenditures in Malta. This was offset by U.S. tax of $3.4 million incurred on its foreign subsidiaries’ earnings under the new Global Intangible Low Tax Income regime.

In addition, in fiscal 2019, the accounting for U.S. Tax Reform was finalized and the Company recorded a tax benefit of $4.8 million as an adjustment to the provisional amount recorded in fiscal 2018. This adjustment under SAB 118 primarily consists of changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company made, additional regulatory guidance that was issued, and actions the Company took as a result of U.S. Tax Reform.

In fiscal 2018, the Company had a favorable impact from earnings in lower taxes jurisdictions. In addition, the Company recorded an unfavorable provisional estimate on the effects of tax law changes in the U.S. due to U.S. Tax Reform of $53.7 million . This was partially offset by a tax law change and recognition of additional foreign investment tax credits.
    
In fiscal 2017, the Company had a favorable impact from earnings in lower taxes jurisdictions. In addition, the Company had a favorable adjustment from the recognition of foreign investment tax credits.



F-27



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Deferred Income Taxes and Valuation Allowances

Significant components of the Company's deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows: 
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Depreciation
 
$
9.0

 
$
6.3

Amortization
 
43.9

 
11.4

Foreign Tax Withheld
 
2.0

 
4.8

Deferred Income
 
0.1

 
0.2

Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross
 
55.0

 
22.7

Deferred Tax Assets:
 
 

 
 

Deferred Compensation and Stock Award Amortization
 
8.6

 
7.5

Inventory Valuation Differences
 
1.9

 
1.8

Property Valuation Differences
 
1.6

 
2.0

Environmental Reserves
 
0.3

 
0.2

Bad Debt Reserves
 
0.1

 
0.1

Vacation Accruals
 
0.4

 
1.0

Foreign Investment Tax Credit
 
28.2

 
29.3

Net Operating Loss Carryovers
 
13.8

 
5.8

Foreign Tax Credits
 
1.1

 

Other Accruals
 
3.2

 
1.5

Deferred Tax Assets, Gross
 
59.2

 
49.2

Less Valuation Allowance
 
6.3

 
2.5

Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance
 
52.9

 
46.7

Net Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities)
 
$
(2.1
)
 
$
24.0

Balance Sheet Classification:
 
 

 
 

Non-current Asset
 
34.3

 
42.3

Non-current Liability
 
(36.4
)
 
(18.3
)
Net Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities)
 
$
(2.1
)
 
$
24.0


The Company recorded a net deferred tax liability for U.S. and foreign income taxes of $2.1 million as of April 27, 2019 and a deferred tax asset of $24.0 million as of April 28, 2018. In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will be realized. Ultimately, the realization of the deferred tax asset is dependent upon the generation of sufficient earnings in future periods in which these temporary items can be utilized. In that regard, the Company has a valuation allowance of $6.3 million as of April 27, 2019, related to certain state, federal, and foreign net operating loss carryovers and other credits until determined that these deferred tax assets are more likely than not realizable.

In fiscal 2019, the Company completed a stock acquisition of Grakon, a U.S. multinational, which increased the overall amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities. This included an increase in the deferred tax liabilities of intangible assets, net operating losses and foreign tax credits. This was offset with an additional valuation allowance associated with a limited utilization of U.S. net operating losses in future periods.

At April 27, 2019, the Company had available $9.0 million of federal and $4.8 million of state net operating loss carryforwards with a valuation allowance of $5.3 million and $0.9 million , respectively. If unused, the U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards will expire by the year 2033. If unused, the state net operating loss carryforwards will expire by the year 2038.
    

F-28



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The tax laws of Malta provide for investment tax credits of 30.0% for certain qualified expenditures.  Total unused credits are $28.2 million at April 27, 2019, of which $27.4 million can be carried forward indefinitely and $0.8 million expire in 2020.

Income Taxes Paid

The Company paid income taxes of $27.8 million in fiscal 2019 , $20.2 million in fiscal 2018 and $19.0 million in fiscal 2017

Indefinite Reinvestment

The Company has not provided for deferred income taxes on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries except for certain identified amounts. The amount the Company expects to repatriate is based on a variety of factors including current year earnings of the foreign subsidiaries, foreign investment needs, and U.S. cash flow considerations. The Company considers undistributed foreign earnings to be indefinitely reinvested. It is not practicable to determine the amount of deferred tax liability on such foreign earnings as the actual tax liability is dependent on circumstances that exist when the remittance occurs.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

The Company operates in multiple jurisdictions throughout the world and the income tax returns of its subsidiaries in various jurisdictions are subject to periodic examination by the tax authorities. The Company regularly assesses the status of these examinations and the various outcomes to determine the adequacy of its provision for income taxes. The amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits totaled $3.1 million and $1.4 million at April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018, respectively. These amounts represent the amount of unrecognized benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate if resolved in the Company’s favor.
 
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits: 
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
Balance at Beginning of Fiscal Year
 
$
1.4

 
$
1.3

Increases for Positions Related to the Prior Years
 
1.8

 

Increases for Positions Related to the Current Year
 
0.9

 
0.1

Decreases for Positions Related to the Prior Years
 

 

Lapsing of Statutes of Limitations
 
(1.0
)
 

Balance at End of Fiscal Year
 
$
3.1

 
$
1.4


At April 27, 2019, it is not possible to reasonably estimate the expected change to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.    

The U.S. federal statute of limitations remains open for fiscal years ended on or after 2016 and for state tax purposes on or after fiscal year 2013.  Tax authorities may have the ability to review and adjust net operating losses or tax credits that were generated prior to these fiscal years.  In the major foreign jurisdictions, fiscal 2012 and subsequent periods remain open and subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The continuing practice of the Company is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in the provision for income taxes.  The Company had $0.1 million accrued for interest and no accrual for penalties at April 27, 2019.
 
8.  Income Per Share
 
Basic income per share is calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable period.  Diluted income per share is calculated after adjusting the denominator of the basic income per share calculation for the effect of all potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.
 

F-29



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income per share: 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income (in millions)
 
$
91.6

 
$
57.2

 
$
92.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 

 
 
 
 

Denominator for Basic Earnings Per Share-Weighted Average Shares Outstanding and Vested/Unissued Restricted Stock Units
 
37,405,298

 
37,281,630

 
37,283,096

Dilutive Potential Common Shares-Employee Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units
 
264,262

 
260,269

 
202,605

Denominator for Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
37,669,560

 
37,541,899

 
37,485,701

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted Income Per Share:
 
 

 
 
 
 

Basic Income Per Share
 
$
2.45

 
$
1.54

 
$
2.49

Diluted Income Per Share
 
$
2.43

 
$
1.52

 
$
2.48

 
For fiscal 2019, options and RSUs of 83,939 were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share as their effect would have been anti-dilutive. For fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, the Company had no options or RSUs that were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per shares. RSAs for 594,382 shares in fiscal 2019, 363,413 shares in fiscal 2018 and 779,000 shares in fiscal 2017 were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share as these awards contain performance conditions that would not have been achieved as of the end of each reporting period had the measurement period ended as of that date.

9.  Commitments and Contingencies
 
Environmental Matters

The Company is not aware of any potential unasserted environmental claims that may be brought against us.   The Company is involved in environmental investigations and/or remediation at two of our plant sites no longer used for operations.  The Company uses environmental consultants to assist us in evaluating our environmental liabilities in order to establish appropriate accruals in our financial statements.  Accruals are recorded when environmental remediation is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.  A number of factors affect the cost of environmental remediation, including the determination of the extent of contamination, the length of time remediation may require, the complexity of environmental regulations and the advancement of remediation technology.  Considering these factors, the Company has estimated (without discounting) the costs of remediation, which will be incurred over a period of several years.  Recovery from insurance or other third parties is not anticipated.  The Company is not yet able to determine when such remediation activity will be complete, but estimates for certain remediation efforts are projected through fiscal 2020.
 
At both April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018 , the Company had accruals, primarily based upon independent engineering studies, for environmental matters of $1.1 million , of which $0.8 million was classified in other accrued expenses and the remainder was included in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.  The Company believes the provisions made for environmental matters are adequate to satisfy liabilities relating to such matters, however it is reasonably possible that costs could exceed accrued amounts if the selected methods of remediation do not reduce the contaminates at the sites to levels acceptable to federal and state regulatory agencies.
 
In fiscal 2019 , the Company spent $0.1 million on remediation cleanups and related studies, compared with $0.3 million in fiscal 2018 and $1.2 million in fiscal 2017 .  The costs associated with environmental matters as they relate to day-to-day activities were not material in fiscal 2019 , fiscal 2018 or fiscal 2017 .


F-30



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Pending Litigation

The Company, from time to time, is subject to various legal actions and claims incidental to our business, including those arising out of alleged defects, breach of contracts, patent infringement claims, employment-related matters and environmental matters.  The Company considers insurance coverage and third party indemnification when determining required accruals for pending litigation and claims.  Although the outcome of potential legal actions and claims cannot be determined, it is the opinion of the Company's management, based on the information available, that the Company has adequate reserves for these liabilities and that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Hetronic Germany-GmbH Matters    
For several years, Hetronic Germany-GmbH and Hydronic-Steuersysteme-GmbH (the “Fuchs companies”) served as our distributors for Germany, Austria and other central and eastern European countries pursuant to their respective intellectual property licenses and distribution and assembly agreements. The Company became aware that the Fuchs companies and their managing director, Albert Fuchs, had materially violated those agreements. As a result, the Company terminated all of its agreements with the Fuchs companies. On June 20, 2014, the Company filed a lawsuit against the Fuchs companies in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma alleging material breaches of the distribution and assembly agreements and seeking damages, as well as various forms of injunctive relief. The defendants have filed counterclaims alleging breach of contract, interference with business relations and business slander. On April 2, 2015, the Company amended its complaint against the Fuchs companies to add additional unfair competition and Lanham Act claims and to add additional affiliated parties. As of April 27, 2019 , this matter has been set for trial in February 2020.
Lease Commitments
The Company has lease commitments expiring at various dates, principally for manufacturing equipment and warehouse and office space.

Rental expense under non-cancelable operating leases amounted to $7.6 million , $5.9 million and $4.9 million in fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

In fiscal 2018, the Company assumed capital leases as part of the acquisition of Procoplast. The net book value of the capital lease assets as of April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018 was $1.0 million and $1.4 million , respectively. The amortization of the capital lease assets is included in depreciation expense. The weighted average interest rate was 1.5% as of April 27, 2019.

As of April 27, 2019 , future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable capitalized and operating leases are as follows:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
Capitalized Leases
 
Operating Leases
Fiscal Years:
 
 
 
 
2020
 
$
0.6

 
$
7.8

2021
 
0.5

 
5.6

2022
 
0.4

 
4.9

2023
 
0.2

 
4.2

2024
 

 
3.3

Thereafter
 

 
8.4

Net Minimum Lease Payments
 
1.7

 
$
34.2

Less Amount Representing Interest
 

 
 
Present Value of Net Minimum Lease Payments
 
1.7

 
 
Less Current Portion
 
(0.6
)
 
 
Long-term Obligations as of April 27, 2019
 
$
1.1

 
 


F-31



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

10.  Debt
 
A summary of debt is shown below:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
Revolving Credit Facility
 
$
35.0

 
$
30.0

Term Loan
 
243.7

 

Subsidiary Credit Facility
 

 
3.6

Other Debt
 
16.8

 
24.2

Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs
 
(2.9
)
 

Total Debt
 
292.6

 
57.8

Less: Current Maturities
 
(15.7
)
 
(4.4
)
Total Long-term Debt
 
$
276.9

 
$
53.4

Revolving Credit Facility/Term Loan

On September 12, 2018, the Company entered into five-year Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The Credit Agreement amends and restates the credit agreement, dated November 18, 2016, among the Company, Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The Credit Agreement consists of a senior unsecured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) of $200.0 million and a senior unsecured term loan (“Term Loan”) of $250.0 million . In addition, the Company has an option to increase the size of the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan by up to an additional $200.0 million . The Credit Agreement is guaranteed by the Company’s wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries. For the Term Loan, the Company is required to make quarterly principal payments of 1.25% of the original Term Loan ( $3.1 million ) through maturity, with the remaining balance due on September 12, 2023.
    
Outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at variable rates based on the type of borrowing and the Company’s debt to EBITDA financial ratio, as defined. The interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement was 3.98% at April 27, 2019. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, financial covenants, restrictive covenants and events of default. As of April 27, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all the covenants in the Credit Agreement. The fair value of borrowings under the Credit Agreement approximates book value because the interest rate is variable.

Subsidiary Credit Facility
    
The Company’s subsidiary, Pacific Insight, is a party to a credit agreement with the Bank of Montreal which provides a credit facility in the maximum principal amount of C$10.0 million , with an option to increase the principal amount by up to an additional C$5.0 million . Availability under the facility is based on a percentage of eligible accounts receivable and finished goods inventory balances. Interest is calculated at a base rate plus margin, as defined. In addition, Pacific Insight was a party to a credit agreement with Roynat which was terminated during the second quarter of fiscal 2019. Total repayments under the credit agreement with Roynat were $3.8 million in fiscal 2019, including a prepayment fee of $0.1 million .

Other Debt

The Company’s subsidiary, Procoplast, has debt that consists of eighteen notes with maturities ranging from 2019 to 2031. The weighted-average interest rate was approximately 1.5% at April 27, 2019 and $3.2 million of the debt was classified as short-term. The fair value of other debt was $16.3 million at April 27, 2019 and was based on Level 2 inputs on a non-recurring basis.

Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs
    
The Company paid debt issuance costs of $3.1 million on September 12, 2018 in connection with the Credit Agreement. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the five-year term of the Credit Agreement.

F-32



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Scheduled Maturities
    
As of April 27, 2019, scheduled principal payments of debt are as follows:
 
 
 
(Dollars in Millions)
 
Amount
Fiscal Years:
 
 
2020
 
$
15.7

2021
 
14.9

2022
 
13.9

2023
 
13.7

2024
 
234.0

Thereafter
 
3.3

Total
 
$
295.5


Interest Paid
    
The Company paid interest of $8.8 million , $2.4 million and $1.1 million in fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively.

11.  Segment Information and Geographic Area Information
 
An operating segment is defined as a component of an enterprise that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, and about which separate financial information is regularly evaluated by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources.  The CODM is the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).

Effective October 27, 2018, the Company reorganized its reportable segments upon the acquisition of Grakon. Prior to the acquisition, the Company's reportable segments were Automotive, Power, Interface and Other. As a result of this change, the Company's reportable segments are now Automotive, Industrial, Interface and Medical. Historical information has been revised to reflect the new reportable segments.
A summary of the significant reportable segment changes is as follows:
Grakon's automotive business has been included in the Automotive segment, while Grakon's non-automotive business has been included in the Industrial segment.
The busbar business, previously included in the Power segment, is now part of the Industrial segment.
The radio-remote control business, previously included in the Interface segment, is now part of the Industrial segment.
The medical devices business, previously included in the Other segment, now makes up the Medical segment.

The Automotive segment supplies electronic and electro-mechanical devices and related products to automobile OEMs, either directly or through their tiered suppliers. Products include integrated center consoles, hidden switches, ergonomic switches, transmission lead-frames, LED-based lighting and sensors, which incorporate magneto-elastic sensing and other technologies that monitor the operation or status of a component or system.
    
The Industrial segment manufactures external lighting solutions, industrial safety radio remote controls, braided flexible cables, current-carrying laminated busbars and devices, custom power-product assemblies, such as our PowerRail® solution, high-current low-voltage flexible power cabling systems and powder-coated busbars that are used in various markets and applications, including aerospace, computers, industrial, power conversion, military, telecommunications and transportation.
    

F-33



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Interface segment provides a variety of copper and fiber-optic interface and interface solutions for the appliance, commercial food service, construction, consumer, material handling, point-of-sale and telecommunications markets.  Solutions include copper transceivers and solid-state field-effect consumer touch panels.

The Medical segment is made up of the Company's medical device business, Dabir Surfaces, its surface support technology aimed at pressure injury prevention. Methode is developing the technology for use by patients who are immobilized or otherwise at risk for pressure injuries, including patients undergoing long-duration surgical procedures.

     The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1, "Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," above.  The CODM allocates resources to and evaluates the performance of each operating segments based on operating income. Transfers between segments are recorded using internal transfer prices set by the Company.
 
The tables below present information about our reportable segments.
 
Fiscal Year Ended April 27, 2019
(Dollars in Millions)
Automotive
 
Industrial
 
Interface
 
Medical
 
Eliminations/Corporate
 
Consolidated
Net Sales
$
741.6

 
$
210.0

 
$
57.9

 
$
1.1

 
$
(10.3
)
 
$
1,000.3

Transfers between Segments
(6.9
)
 
(3.2
)
 
(0.2
)
 

 
10.3

 

Net Sales to Unaffiliated Customers
$
734.7

 
$
206.8

 
$
57.7

 
$
1.1

 
$

 
$
1,000.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income/(Loss) from Operations
$
126.3

 
$
37.4

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
(8.6
)
 
$
(48.0
)
 
$
106.8

Interest Expense, Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.3

Other Income, Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5.1
)
Income before Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
103.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization
$
25.2

 
$
11.7

 
$
3.2

 
$
1.0

 
$
2.2

 
$
43.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Identifiable Assets
$
677.4

 
$
404.3

 
$
88.6

 
$
9.4

 
$
52.0

 
$
1,231.7


 
Fiscal Year Ended April 28, 2018
(Dollars in Millions)
Automotive
 
Industrial
 
Interface
 
Medical
 
Eliminations/Corporate
 
Consolidated
Net Sales
$
738.4

 
$
105.6

 
$
73.9

 
$
0.3

 
$
(9.9
)
 
$
908.3

Transfers between Segments
(9.7
)
 
0.2

 
(0.7
)
 

 
10.2

 

Net Sales to Unaffiliated Customers
$
728.7

 
$
105.8

 
$
73.2

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.3

 
$
908.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income/(Loss) from Operations
$
156.3

 
$
13.0

 
$
6.0

 
$
(11.4
)
 
$
(45.6
)
 
$
118.3

Interest Expense, Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.9

Other Income, Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(6.4
)
Income before Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
123.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization
$
21.3

 
$
2.0

 
$
3.1

 
$
0.8

 
$
0.9

 
$
28.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Identifiable Assets
$
632.7

 
$
93.1

 
$
206.8

 
$
8.1

 
$
(24.8
)
 
$
915.9

 

F-34



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
Fiscal Year Ended April 29, 2017
(Dollars in Millions)
Automotive
 
Industrial
 
Interface
 
Medical
 
Eliminations/Corporate
 
Consolidated
Net Sales
$
641.0

 
$
92.4

 
$
94.3

 
$
0.2

 
$
(11.4
)
 
$
816.5

Transfers between Segments
(8.8
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(2.8
)
 

 
11.7

 

Net Sales to Unaffiliated Customers
$
632.2

 
$
92.3

 
$
91.5

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.3

 
$
816.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income/(Loss) from Operations
$
148.3

 
$
2.7

 
$
4.0

 
$
(8.5
)
 
$
(35.7
)
 
$
110.8

Interest Income, Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(0.4
)
Other Income, Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4.7
)
Income before Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
115.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization
$
15.5

 
$
3.2

 
$
4.3

 
$
0.5

 
$
0.8

 
$
24.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Identifiable Assets
$
462.3

 
$
78.1

 
$
170.4

 
$
5.4

 
$
(12.2
)
 
$
704.0

  
The following table sets forth certain geographic financial information for fiscal 2019 , fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 .  Geographic net sales are determined based on our sales from our various operational locations. 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
(Dollars in Millions)
 
April 27,
2019
 
April 28,
2018
 
April 29,
2017
Net Sales:
 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S.
 
$
540.5

 
$
487.5

 
$
506.9

Malta
 
148.5

 
184.0

 
155.5

China
 
113.7

 
117.3

 
127.7

Canada
 
101.6

 
54.4

 

Other
 
96.0

 
65.1

 
26.4

Total Net Sales
 
$
1,000.3

 
$
908.3

 
$
816.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net:
 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S.
 
$
83.9

 
$
63.3

 
$
44.9

Malta
 
33.0

 
36.8

 
26.4

Belgium
 
22.1

 
25.0

 

China
 
18.6

 
7.2

 
5.9

Other
 
34.3

 
29.9

 
13.4

Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
 
$
191.9

 
$
162.2

 
$
90.6

 
12.  Pre-Production Costs Related to Long-Term Supply Arrangements
 
The Company incurs pre-production tooling costs related to products produced for its customers under long-term supply agreements.  At April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018 , the Company had $32.8 million and $20.5 million , respectively, of pre-production tooling costs related to customer-owned tools for which reimbursement is contractually guaranteed by the customer or for which the customer has provided a non-cancelable right to use the tooling.  Engineering, testing and other costs incurred in the design and development of production parts are expensed as incurred, unless the costs are reimbursable, as specified in a customer contract. At April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018 , the Company had $15.0 million and $10.1 million , respectively, of Company owned pre-production tooling, which is capitalized within property, plant and equipment.

F-35



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

13.  Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
 
The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 :
 
 
Fiscal 2019
 
 
Quarter Ended
(Dollars in Millions, except per share data)
 
July 28, 2018
 
October 27, 2018
 
January 26, 2019
 
April 27, 2019
Net Sales
 
$
223.4

 
$
264.0

 
$
246.9

 
$
266.0

Gross Profit
 
$
60.1

 
$
70.8

 
$
64.3

 
$
70.6

Net Income
 
$
23.7

 
$
14.6

 
$
30.7

 
$
22.6

Net Income per Basic Common Share
 
$
0.63

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.82

 
$
0.61

Net Income per Diluted Common Share
 
$
0.63

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.82

 
$
0.60


 
 
Fiscal 2018
 
 
Quarter Ended
(Dollars in Millions, except per share data)
 
July 29, 2017
 
October 28, 2017
 
January 27, 2018
 
April 28, 2018
Net Sales
 
$
201.2

 
$
230.1

 
$
228.0

 
$
249.0

Gross Profit
 
$
55.6

 
$
62.0

 
$
60.1

 
$
61.9

Net Income (Loss)
 
$
20.5

 
$
24.2

 
$
(24.3
)
 
$
36.8

Net Income (Loss) per Basic Common Share
 
$
0.55

 
$
0.65

 
$
(0.65
)
 
$
0.99

Net Income (Loss) per Diluted Common Share
 
$
0.55

 
$
0.64

 
$
(0.65
)
 
$
0.98


Significant Items for Fiscal 2019
 
The table below contains items included in fiscal 2019 :
 
 
Fiscal 2019
 
 
Quarter Ended
(Dollars in Millions)
 
July 28, 2018
 
October 27, 2018
 
January 26, 2019
 
April 27, 2019
Legal Fees Related to the Hetronic lawsuit
 
$
0.9

 
$
1.0

 
$
0.8

 
$
0.8

Acquisition-related Expenses
 
$
0.6

 
$
10.9

 
$
3.8

 
$
0.1

Grant Income from Foreign Government for Maintaining Certain Employment Levels
 
$
(1.1
)
 
$
(1.4
)
 
$
(1.9
)
 
$
(1.4
)
Compensation Expense Reversal Related to the Re-estimation of RSA Performance Level
 
$

 
$
7.4

 
$

 
$

Discrete Estimated Net Tax Benefit with Respect to U.S. Tax Reform
 
$

 
$

 
$
(4.8
)
 
$

Foreign Investment Tax Credit
 
$
(0.4
)
 
$
(1.1
)
 
$
(0.7
)
 
$
0.2

Expense for Initiatives to Reduce Overall Costs and Improve Operational Profitability
 
$
0.8

 
$
2.5

 
$
2.6

 
$
1.0

Net Tariff Expense
 
$

 
$

 
$
2.0

 
$
0.3



F-36



METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Significant Items for Fiscal 2018
 
 
 
Fiscal 2018
 
 
Quarter Ended
(Dollars in Millions)
 
July 29, 2017
 
October 28, 2017
 
January 27, 2018
 
April 28, 2018
Legal Fees Related to the Hetronic lawsuit
 
$
2.9

 
$
1.6

 
$
1.5

 
$
2.1

Acquisition-related Expenses
 
$
2.6

 
$
4.2

 
$

 
$

Grant Income from Foreign Government for Maintaining Certain Employment Levels
 
$

 
$
(1.5
)
 
$
(3.6
)
 
$
(2.2
)
Compensation Expense Reversal Related to the Re-estimation of RSA Performance Level
 
$

 
$

 
$
(6.0
)
 
$

Discrete Estimated Net Tax Charge with Respect to U.S. Tax Reform
 
$

 
$

 
$
56.8

 
$
(3.1
)
Foreign Investment Tax Credit
 
$
(0.4
)
 
$
(0.4
)
 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
(8.7
)


F-37


SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
(in millions)
 
Description
Balance at 
Beginning of 
Period
Charged to  Costs 
and Expenses
 
Charged to Other 
Accounts—
Describe
 
Deductions—
Describe
 
Balance at End of 
Period
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
YEAR ENDED APRIL 27, 2019:
 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allowance for uncollectible accounts
$
0.5

$
0.2

 
$
0.2

(1)
$

(2)
$
0.9

Deferred tax valuation allowance
$
2.5

$

 
$
4.8

(1)
$
1.0

(3)
$
6.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
YEAR ENDED APRIL 28, 2018:
 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allowance for uncollectible accounts
$
0.6

$

 
$

 
$
0.1

(2)
$
0.5

Deferred tax valuation allowance
$
1.9

$

 
$

 
$
(0.6
)
(3)
$
2.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
YEAR ENDED APRIL 29, 2017:
 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allowance for uncollectible accounts
$
0.5

$
0.1

 
$

 
$

(2)
$
0.6

Deferred tax valuation allowance
$
1.3

$

 
$

 
$
(0.6
)
(3)
$
1.9

 ______________________________________
(1) Represents business acquisitions.
(2) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.
(3) Represents change in temporary items.

F-38


INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit 
Number
 
Description
3.1
 
3.2
 
4.1
 
4.2
 
10.1*
 
10.2*
 
10.3*
 
10.4*
 
10.5*
 
10.6*
 
10.7*
 
10.8*
 
10.9*
 
10.10*
 
10.11*
 
10.12*
 
10.13*
 
10.14*
 
10.15*
 
10.16*
 
10.17
 
10.18*
 
10.19*
 
10.20*
 
10.21*
 
21
 
23
 
31.1
 
31.2
 
32
 
101**
 
Interactive Data File

*   Management Compensatory Plan

** As provided in Rule 406 of Regulation S-T, this information is deemed not filed as part of a registration statement or
prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, and is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is otherwise not subject to liability under those sections.

Methode Electronics (NYSE:MEI)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more Methode Electronics Charts.
Methode Electronics (NYSE:MEI)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more Methode Electronics Charts.