RELL Richardson Electronics Ltd

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY       

Richardson Electronics, Ltd. is a leading global provider of engineered solutions, power grid and microwave tubes and related consumables; power conversion and RF and microwave components; high value flat panel detector solutions, replacement parts, tubes and service training for diagnostic imaging equipment; and customized display solutions. We serve customers in the alternative energy, healthcare, aviation, broadcast, communications, industrial, marine, medical, military, scientific and semiconductor markets. The Company’s strategy is to provide specialized technical expertise and “engineered solutions” based on our core engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The Company provides solutions and adds value through design-in support, systems integration, prototype design and manufacturing, testing, logistics, and aftermarket technical service and repair through its global infrastructure.

Our products include electron tubes and related components, microwave generators, subsystems used in semiconductor manufacturing, and visual technology solutions. These products are used to control, switch or amplify electrical power signals, or are used as display devices in a variety of industrial, commercial, medical, and communication applications.

We have three operating and reportable segments, which we define as follows:

Power and Microwave Technologies Group (“PMT”) combines our core engineered solutions, power grid and microwave tube business with new RF and power technologies. As a manufacturer and authorized distributor, PMT’s strategy is to provide specialized technical expertise and engineered solutions based on our core engineering and manufacturing capabilities. We provide solutions and add value through design-in support, systems integration, prototype design and manufacturing, testing, logistics, and aftermarket technical service and repair—all through our existing global infrastructure. PMT’s focus is on products for power, RF and microwave applications for customers in alternative energy, aviation, broadcast, communications, industrial, marine, medical, military, scientific, and semiconductor markets. PMT focuses on various applications including broadcast transmission, CO2 laser cutting, diagnostic imaging, dielectric and induction heating, high energy transfer, high voltage switching, plasma, power conversion, radar, and radiation oncology. PMT also offers its customers technical services for both microwave and industrial equipment.

Canvys provides customized display solutions serving the corporate enterprise, financial, healthcare, industrial, and medical original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”) markets.

Healthcare manufactures, refurbishes and distributes high value replacement parts for the healthcare market including hospitals, medical centers, asset management companies, independent service organizations, and multi-vendor service providers. Products include Diagnostic Imaging replacement parts for CT and MRI systems; replacement CT and MRI tubes; CT service training; MRI coils, cold heads, and RF amplifiers; hydrogen thyratrons, klystrons, magnetrons; flat panel detector upgrades; and additional replacement solutions currently under development for the diagnostic imaging service market. Through a combination of newly developed products and partnerships, service offerings, and training programs, we believe we can help our customers improve efficiency and deliver better clinical outcomes while lowering the cost of healthcare delivery.

We currently have operations in the following major geographic regions: North America, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Latin America.

2.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

Our fiscal quarter ends on the Saturday nearest the end of the quarter-ending month. The third quarter of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 both contained 13 weeks. The first nine months of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 contained 40 and 39 weeks, respectively.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of interim periods have been made. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated. The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented herein include the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The results of our operations for the three and nine months ended March 3, 2018, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending June 2, 2018.

The financial information contained in this report should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 27, 2017, that we filed on July 31, 2017.

  3.  CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Inventories, net:  Our consolidated inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value, generally using a weighted-average cost method. Our net inventories include approximately $40.9 million of finished goods, $5.7 million of raw materials and $2.5 million of work-in-progress as of March 3, 2018, as compared to approximately $36.0 million of finished goods, $5.3 million of raw materials and $1.4 million of work-in-progress as of May 27, 2017.

At this time, we do not anticipate any material risks or uncertainties related to possible future inventory write-downs. Provisions for obsolete or slow moving inventories are recorded based upon regular analysis of stock rotation privileges, obsolescence, the exiting of certain markets and assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If future demand changes in the industry, or market conditions differ from management’s estimates, additional provisions may be necessary. Inventory reserves were approximately $3.7 million as of March 3, 2018 and $3.5 million as of May 27, 2017.

Revenue Recognition:  Our product sales are recognized as revenue upon shipment, when title passes to the customer, when delivery has occurred or services have been rendered and when collectability is reasonably assured. We also record estimated discounts and returns based on our historical experience. Our products are often manufactured to meet the specific design needs of our customers’ applications. Our engineers work closely with customers to ensure that our products will meet their needs. Our customers are under no obligation to compensate us for designing the products we sell.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which amends guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 is principles based guidance that can be applied to all contracts with customers, enhancing comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. The core principle of the guidance is that entities should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. The guidance details the steps entities should apply to achieve the core principle. In August 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to defer the effective date for all entities by one year. For public entities, ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Companies have the option of using either a full or modified retrospective approach in applying this standard. During fiscal 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued four additional updates which further clarify the guidance provided in ASU 2014-09.

We are evaluating the impact of the new standard on our financial statements using a three-phase approach (assessment, conversion and implementation). We continue to work through our assessment phase and further evaluation is needed in order to determine whether or not the new revenue recognition standard will have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures upon adoption. We have undertaken a detailed analysis of our various contracts with customers and revenue streams. The Company has engaged a third party to assist in evaluating the impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We will complete the conversion and implementation phases by the end of fiscal year 2018 in conjunction with future interpretative guidance.

Loss Contingencies: We accrue a liability for loss contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When only a range of possible loss can be established, the most probable amount in the range is accrued. If no amount within this range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range, the minimum amount in the range is accrued. If we determine that there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss may have been incurred, we will include a disclosure describing the contingency.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets: We test goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate, loss of key personnel or a decision to sell or dispose of a reporting unit.

During the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, our goodwill balances are reviewed for impairment using the first day of our fourth quarter as the measurement date. If after reviewing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is not likely that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, then we test for impairment through the application of a fair value based test. We estimate the fair value of each of our reporting units based on projected future operating results, market approach, and discounted cash flows.

Intangible assets are initially recorded at their fair market values determined on quoted market prices in active markets, if available, or recognized valuation models. Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives either on a straight-line basis or over their projected future cash flows and are tested for impairment when events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate possible impairment.

Income Taxes: We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability and determine the need for a valuation allowance based on a number of factors, including both positive and negative evidence. These factors include historical taxable income or loss, projected future taxable income or loss, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences and the implementation of tax planning strategies. In circumstances where we, or any of our affiliates, have incurred three years of cumulative losses which constitute significant negative evidence, positive evidence of equal or greater significance is needed to overcome the negative evidence before a tax benefit is recognized for deductible temporary differences and loss carryforwards.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “ Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, a new accounting standard update intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions including: income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. Specifically, the update requires that excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (the difference between the deduction for tax purposes and the compensation cost recognized for financial reporting purposes) be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), introducing a new element of volatility to the provision for income taxes. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the ASU on May 28, 2017.  Effective with the adoption of the ASU all share-based awards continue to be accounted for as equity awards, excess tax benefits recognized on stock-based compensation expense are reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) as a component of the provision for income taxes on a prospective basis, excess tax benefits recognized on stock-based compensation expense are classified as an operating activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows on a prospective basis and the Company has elected to continue to estimate expected forfeitures over the course of a vesting period.  The adoption of the ASU had no impact on the retained earnings, other components of equity or net assets as of the beginning of the period of adoption.

Accrued Liabilities: Accrued liabilities consist of the following ( in thousands ):

(1) In the second quarter of fiscal year 2017, the Company executed a reduction in headcount to streamline operations and reduce costs and recorded $1.3 million of expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses for employee termination costs payable to terminated employees with employment and/or separation agreements with the Company. The changes in the severance accrual for the first nine months of fiscal year 2018 included payments of $0.3 million.

  4.  GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The carrying value of goodwill was $6.3 million as of March 3, 2018 and May 27, 2017.

Goodwill is initially recorded based on the premium paid for acquisitions and is subsequently tested for impairment, using the first day of our fourth quarter as the measurement date. We test goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances indicates an impairment may have occurred, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate, loss of key personnel or a decision to sell or dispose of a reporting unit. The goodwill balance in its entirety relates to our IMES reporting unit which is included in our Healthcare segment.

Our intangible assets represent the fair value for trade name, customer relationships, non-compete agreements and technology acquired in connection with our acquisitions. Intangible assets subject to amortization are as follows (in thousands) :

(1)           Change from prior periods reflect impact of foreign currency translation.

The amortization expense associated with the intangible assets subject to amortization for the next five years is presented in the following table (in thousands) :

The weighted average number of years of amortization expense remaining is 15.9 years.

5.  INVESTMENTS

As of March 3, 2018, we had approximately $0.2 million invested in time deposits and certificates of deposit (“CD”) which mature in less than twelve months. The fair value of these investments is equal to the face value of each time deposit and CD.

As of May 27, 2017, we had invested in time deposits and certificates of deposit in the amount of $8.2 million. Of this, $6.4 million mature in less than twelve months and $1.8 million mature in greater than twelve months. The fair value of these investments is the face value of each time deposit and CD.

We liquidated our investments in equity securities in the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Proceeds from the liquidation were $0.9 million with gross realized gains of $0.2 million for the nine months ended March 3, 2018. Prior to the liquidation of our investment in equity securities, our investments in equity securities were classified as available-for-sale and were carried at their fair value based on quoted market prices. Our investments, which were included in non-current assets, had a carrying amount of $0.6 million as of May 27, 2017. Proceeds from the sale of securities were $0.1 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Prior to liquidating the equity securities, we reinvested proceeds from the sale of securities, and the cost of the equity securities sold was based on a specific identification method. Gross realized gains on those sales were less than $0.1 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Net unrealized holding gains of less than $0.1 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2017 were included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

  6.  WARRANTIES

We offer warranties for the limited number of specific products we manufacture. We also provide extended warranties for some products we sell that lengthen the period of coverage specified in the manufacturer’s original warranty. Our warranty terms generally range from one to three years.

We estimate the cost to perform under the warranty obligation and recognize this estimated cost at the time of the related product sale. We record expense related to our warranty obligations as cost of sales in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Each quarter, we assess actual warranty costs incurred on a product-by-product basis and compare the warranty costs to our estimated warranty obligation. With respect to new products, estimates are based generally on knowledge of the products, the extended warranty period and warranty experience.

Warranty reserves are established for costs that are expected to be incurred after the sale and delivery of products under warranty. Warranty reserves are included in accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. The warranty reserves are determined based on known product failures, historical experience and other available evidence. Warranty reserves were approximately $0.1 million as of March 3, 2018 and May 27, 2017.

7.  LEASE OBLIGATIONS, OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We lease certain warehouse and office facilities and office equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Rent expense was $1.3 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2018 and $1.5 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2017. Our future lease commitments for minimum rentals, including common area maintenance charges and property taxes during the next five years are as follows (in thousands) :

8.  INCOME TAXES

We recorded an income tax provision from continuing operations of $1.1 million and $0.8 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2018 and the first nine months of fiscal 2017, respectively. The effective income tax rate from continuing operations during the first nine months of fiscal 2018 was a tax provision of 65.0%, as compared to a tax provision of (13.7%) during the first nine months of fiscal 2017. The difference in rate during the first nine months of fiscal 2018, as compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2017, reflects the change in the overall loss realized through the third quarter in each respective period, changes in our geographical distribution of income (loss), the recording of provision to return true-ups of various foreign jurisdictions, the accrual of an uncertain tax position with respect to a German audit and our positions with respect to permanent reinvestment of foreign earnings under ASC 740-30, Income Taxes - Other Considerations or Special Areas (“ASC 740-30”). The 65.0% effective income tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 29.2% as a result of our geographical distribution of income (loss), the recording of a valuation allowance against the increase in our U.S. state and federal net deferred tax assets, recognition of an uncertain tax position and preliminary tax assessments with respect to the income tax audit in Germany.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted new tax legislation, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”). The primary provisions of the Act expected to impact the Company in fiscal 2018 are a reduction to the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and a transition from a worldwide corporate tax system to a territorial tax system. The reduction in the corporate income tax rate requires the Company to remeasure its net deferred tax assets to the new corporate tax rate and the transition to a territorial tax system requires payment of a one-time tax on deemed repatriation of undistributed and previously untaxed non-U.S. earnings. Primarily as a result of those provisions of the Act, the Company recorded a deferred remeasurement impact of approximately $1.6 million, which was fully offset by the valuation allowance movement. Additionally, the estimated deemed earnings repatriation tax, net of available foreign tax credits brought back as part of the deemed repatriation, was $3.5 million. The Company does not anticipate any cash tax payments due to the foreign tax credit carryforwards available to fully offset the provisional deemed repatriation tax.

The 21% corporate income tax rate was effective January 1, 2018. Based on the Company’s June 2, 2018 fiscal year end, the U.S. statutory income tax rate for fiscal 2018 will be approximately 29.2%.

The tax impact recorded for the Act during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was provisional as outlined below and may change. The Company completed a preliminary assessment of earnings that could be repatriated based on reinvestment needs of non-U.S. operations and earnings available for repatriation. The estimated withholding tax that would be incurred from the repatriation of those earnings is included in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 provisional income tax expense. The Company continues to analyze the provisions of the Act addressing the net deferred tax asset remeasurement and its calculations, the deemed earnings repatriation, including the determination of undistributed non-U.S. earnings, and evaluate potential Company actions, including repatriating additional non-U.S. earnings and actions that could affect the Company’s fiscal year ended 2018 U.S. taxable income. In addition, the Company continues to monitor potential legislative action and regulatory interpretations of the Act.

Based on the effective date of certain provisions, the Company will be subject to additional requirements of the Act beginning in fiscal 2019. Those provisions include a tax on global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI), a tax determined by base erosion tax benefits (BEAT) from certain payments between a U.S. corporation and foreign subsidiaries, a limitation of certain executive compensation, a deduction for foreign derived intangible income (FDII) and interest expense limitations. The Company has not completed its analysis of those provisions and the estimated impact. The Company also has not determined its accounting policy to treat the taxes due on GILTI as a period cost or include in the determination of deferred taxes.

In December 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 that allows for a measurement period up to one year after the enactment date of the Act to complete the accounting requirements. The Company will complete the adjustments related to the Act within the allowed period.

We have historically determined that undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, to the extent of cash available, will be repatriated to the U.S. Due to the deemed earnings repatriation tax, the outside basis difference for which the historic balance has primarily related has been reduced. The deferred tax liability on the outside basis difference is now primarily withholding tax. Accordingly, we have reduced the deferred tax liability from $5.7 million as of the second quarter of fiscal 2018 to $0.2 million as of the third quarter of fiscal 2018 on foreign earnings of $47.2 million.

In the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world. Generally, years prior to fiscal 2007 are closed for examination under the statute of limitation for U.S. federal, U.S. state and local or non-U.S. tax jurisdictions. We are currently under examination in Thailand (fiscal 2008 through 2011). We are also under examination in the state of Illinois for fiscal years 2014 and 2015. Our primary foreign tax jurisdictions are Germany and the Netherlands. We have tax years open in Germany beginning in fiscal 2015 and the Netherlands beginning in fiscal 2011.

On September 12, 2017, the Company received an income tax refund from the State of Illinois of approximately $2.0 million, which was inclusive of interest earned. The refund was a result of the conclusion of the Illinois amended return related to the sale of the RF, Wireless and Power Division in 2011. A net benefit of $1.5 million, which includes $0.5 million of professional fee costs incurred to pursue the refund, was recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 in discontinued operations.

As of March 3, 2018, our worldwide liability for uncertain tax positions related to continuing operations was $0.1 million, excluding interest and penalties, as compared to no liability as of May 27, 2017. The change to the uncertain tax positions for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was as a result of the preliminary German audit assessments and the related exposure for the open years, which was reserved in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. We record penalties and interest relating to uncertain tax positions in the income tax expense line item within the unaudited consolidated statements of income (loss). It is not expected that there will be a change to unrecognized tax provision within the next 12 months.

The valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets increased to $10.0 million as of March 3, 2018. Changes during the first nine months relating to the Act include the impact from the deferred remeasurement, deemed earnings repatriation tax and changes to the permanent reinvestment assertion outside basis difference as a result of the Act. Additional impacts to the valuation allowance include an Illinois income tax rate increase and additional domestic federal and state net deferred tax assets generated during the first three quarters of fiscal year 2018 due to additional losses in the U.S. jurisdiction. The valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets was $8.5 million as of May 27, 2017. A full valuation allowance on the U.S. and state deferred tax assets will be maintained until sufficient positive evidence related to sources of future taxable income exists to support a reversal of the valuation allowance. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are increased, or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight may be given to subjective evidence such as our projections for growth.

  9.  CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE

We have authorized 17,000,000 shares of common stock, and 3,000,000 shares of Class B common stock. The Class B common stock has 10 votes per share and has transferability restrictions; however, Class B common stock may be converted into common stock on a share-for-share basis at any time. With respect to dividends and distributions, shares of common stock and Class B common stock rank equally and have the same rights, except that Class B common stock cash dividends are limited to 90% of the amount of Class A common stock cash dividends.

In accordance with ASC 260-10, Earnings Per Share (“ASC 260”), our Class B common stock is considered a participating security requiring the use of the two-class method for the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share. The two-class computation method for each period reflects the cash dividends paid per share for each class of stock, plus the amount of allocated undistributed earnings per share computed using the participation percentage which reflects the dividend rights of each class of stock. Basic and diluted earnings per share were computed using the two-class method as prescribed in ASC 260. The shares of Class B common stock are considered to be participating convertible securities since the shares of Class B common stock are convertible on a share-for-share basis into shares of common stock and may participate in dividends with common stock according to a predetermined formula which is 90% of the amount of Class A common stock cash dividends. 

 The earnings per share (“EPS”) presented in our unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) are based on the following amounts ( in thousands, except per share amounts ):

Note: Common stock options that were anti-dilutive and not included in diluted earnings per common share for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 was 853.

Note: Common stock options that were anti-dilutive and not included in diluted earnings per common share for the first nine months of fiscal 2017 was 853.

10. SEGMENT REPORTING

In accordance with ASC 280-10, Segment Reporting, we have identified three operating and reportable segments as follows:

Power and Microwave Technologies Group (“PMT”) combines our core engineered solutions, power grid and microwave tube business with new RF and power technologies. As a manufacturer and authorized distributor, PMT’s strategy is to provide specialized technical expertise and engineered solutions based on our core engineering and manufacturing capabilities. We provide solutions and add value through design-in support, systems integration, prototype design and manufacturing, testing, logistics, and aftermarket technical service and repair—all through our existing global infrastructure. PMT’s focus is on products for power, RF and microwave applications for customers in alternative energy, aviation, broadcast, communications, industrial, marine, medical, military, scientific, and semiconductor markets. PMT focuses on various applications including broadcast transmission, CO2 laser cutting, diagnostic imaging, dielectric and induction heating, high energy transfer, high voltage switching, plasma, power conversion, radar, and radiation oncology. PMT also offers its customers technical services for both microwave and industrial equipment.

Canvys provides customized display solutions serving the corporate enterprise, financial, healthcare, industrial, and medical original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”) markets.

Healthcare manufactures, refurbishes and distributes high value replacement parts for the healthcare market including hospitals, medical centers, asset management companies, independent service organizations, and multi-vendor service providers. Products include Diagnostic Imaging replacement parts for CT and MRI systems; replacement CT and MRI tubes; CT service training; MRI coils, cold heads, and RF amplifiers; hydrogen thyratrons, klystrons, magnetrons; flat panel detector upgrades; and additional replacement solutions currently under development for the diagnostic imaging service market. Through a combination of newly developed products and partnerships, service offerings, and training programs, we believe we can help our customers improve efficiency and deliver better clinical outcomes while lowering the cost of healthcare delivery.

The CEO evaluates performance and allocates resources primarily based on the gross profit of each segment.

Operating results by segment are summarized in the following table ( in thousands ):                  

 Geographic net sales information is primarily grouped by customer destination into five areas: North America; Asia/Pacific; Europe; Latin America; and Other.

Net sales and gross profit by geographic region are summarized in the following table ( in thousands ):

We sell our products to customers in diversified industries and perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition. Terms are generally on open account, payable net 30 days in North America, and vary throughout Asia/Pacific, Europe and Latin America. Estimates of credit losses are recorded in the financial statements based on monthly reviews of outstanding accounts.

11. LITIGATION

On December 5, 2017, Steven H. Busch filed a Verified Stockholder Derivative Complaint against Edward J. Richardson, Paul Plante, Jacques Belin, James Benham, Kenneth Halverson, and the Company in the Delaware Court of Chancery, captioned Steven H. Busch v. Edward J. Richardson, et al. , C.A. No. 2017-0868-AGB.  The lawsuit alleges claims for breach of fiduciary duty by the Company’s directors and challenges the decision of a special committee of the Company’s Board to refuse Mr. Busch’s demand that the Company’s Board, among other things, rescind the Company’s May 2013 repurchase of stock from Mr. Richardson and May 2013 and October 2014 repurchases of Company stock from the Richardson Wildlife Foundation. The Company believes the lawsuit to be without merit and that a loss is not probable or estimable based on the information available at the time the financial statements were issued.

12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists; therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

As of March 3, 2018 and May 27, 2017, we held investments that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Our investments currently consist of time deposits and CDs, where face value is equal to fair value, and as of May 27, 2017, equity securities of publicly traded companies for which market prices are readily available.

Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis subject to the disclosure requirements of ASC 820 as of March 3, 2018 and May 27, 2017, were as follows ( in thousands ):

13. Related Party Transaction

On June 15, 2015, the Company entered into a lease agreement for the IMES facility with LDL, LLC. The Executive Vice President of IMES, Lee A. McIntyre III (former owner of IMES), has an ownership interest in LDL, LLC. The lease agreement provides for monthly payments over five years with total future minimum lease payments of $0.3 million. Rental expense related to this lease amounted to $0.1 million for the nine months ended March 3, 2018 and for the nine months ended February 25, 2017. The Company shall be entitled to extend the term of the lease for a period of an additional five years by notifying the landlord in writing of its intention to do so within nine months of the expiration of the initial term.