EASTERN CO 10-Q

ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Net sales $ 71,274,757 $ 62,001,347 $ 206,068,490 $ 195,062,061 Cost of products sold ( 53,085,087 ) ( 46,556,952 ) ( 154,161,980 ) ( 150,371,589 ) Gross margin 18,189,670 15,444,395 51,906,510 44,690,472 Product development expense ( 1,077,930 ) ( 1,425,159 ) ( 3,739,214 ) ( 4,257,468 ) Selling and administrative expenses ( 10,316,788 ) ( 8,452,163 ) ( 31,014,022 ) ( 29,051,436 ) Operating profit 6,794,952 5,567,073 17,153,274 11,381,568 Interest expense ( 709,680 ) ( 854,223 ) ( 2,049,655 ) ( 2,059,912 ) Other (expense) income ( 82,703 ) ( 135,839 ) ( 92,415 ) 1,025,582 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 6,002,569 4,577,011 15,011,204 10,347,238 Income tax expense ( 1,333,771 ) ( 1,113,587 ) ( 3,335,489 ) ( 2,574,393 ) Net income from continuing operations $ 4,668,798 $ 3,463,424 $ 11,675,715 $ 7,772,845 Discontinued Operations (see note B) Loss from operations of discontinued unit $ ( 766,990 ) $ ( 530,764 ) $ ( 2,750,844 ) $ ( 3,600,060 ) Loss on classification as held for sale ( 23,087,775 ) - ( 23,087,775 ) - Income tax benefit 3,888,522 129,298 4,320,904 895,695 Loss on discontinued operations $ ( 19,966,243 ) $ ( 401,466 ) $ ( 21,517,715 ) $ ( 2,704,365 ) Net (loss) income $ ( 15,297,445 ) $ 3,061,958 $ ( 9,842,000 ) $ 5,068,480 Earnings per share from continuing operations: Basic $ 0.75 $ 0.55 $ 1.88 $ 1.25 Diluted $ 0.75 $ 0.55 $ 1.87 $ 1.24 Loss per share from discontinued operations: Basic $ ( 3.22 ) $ ( 0.06 ) $ ( 3.46 ) $ ( 0.43 ) Diluted $ ( 3.21 ) $ ( 0.06 ) $ ( 3.45 ) $ ( 0.43 ) Total (loss) earnings per share: Basic $ ( 2.47 ) $ 0.49 $ ( 1.58 ) $ 0.82 Diluted $ ( 2.46 ) $ 0.49 $ ( 1.58 ) $ 0.81 Cash dividends per share $ 0.11 $ 0.11 $ 0.33 $ 0.33 See accompanying notes. 3 Table of Contents THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Net (loss) income $ ( 15,297,445 ) $ 3,061,958 $ ( 9,842,000 ) $ 5,068,480 Other comprehensive (loss) income: Change in foreign currency translation ( 120,191 ) ( 87,572 ) ( 527,862 ) ( 182,029 ) Change in fair value of foreign currency swap, net of tax benefit of: 2024 - $(106,076) and $(123,179) respectively ( 355,123 ) - ( 412,382 ) - Change in fair value of interest rate swap, net of tax benefit of: 2023 - $0 and $(274,957) respectively - - - ( 1,449,754 ) Change in pension and postretirement benefit costs, net of taxes of: 2024 - $71,355 and $214,065 respectively; 2023 - $74,360 and $223,079 respectively 237,501 252,668 718,338 758,006 Total other comprehensive (loss) income ( 237,813 ) 165,096 ( 221,906 ) ( 873,777 ) Comprehensive (loss) income $ ( 15,535,258 ) $ 3,227,054 $ ( 10,063,906 ) $ 4,194,703 See accompanying notes. 4 Table of Contents THE EASTERN COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS September 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 (unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,670,541 $ 8,048,127 Marketable securities 2,034,602 986,477 Accounts receivable, less allowances: 2024 - $ 470,870 ; 2023 - $ 534,476 45,999,803 34,204,581 Inventories 58,125,362 58,396,679 Current portion of notes receivable 239,261 573,269 Prepaid expenses and other assets 2,356,524 5,443,778 Current assets held for sale 9,643,534 4,583,797 Total Current Assets 126,069,627 112,236,708 Property, Plant and Equipment 59,890,704 52,684,476 Accumulated depreciation ( 31,095,676 ) ( 29,162,438 ) Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 28,795,028 23,522,038 Goodwill 58,576,197 58,576,198 Trademarks 3,946,651 3,914,409 Patents and other intangibles net of accumulated amortization 9,373,296 11,182,167 Long-term notes receivable, less current portion 238,002 374,932 Deferred Income Taxes 2,536,357 2,283,571 Right of Use Assets 14,645,336 17,064,137 Other Long-Term Assets 42,510 - Long-term assets held for sale - 22,885,041 Total Other Assets 89,358,349 116,280,455 TOTAL ASSETS $ 244,223,004 $ 252,039,201 See accompanying notes. 5 Table of Contents THE EASTERN COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS September 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 (unaudited) LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current Liabilities Accounts payable $ 23,988,401 $ 24,554,117 Accrued compensation 5,142,966 5,194,830 Other accrued expenses 8,252,803 3,965,335 Current portion of operating lease liability 3,373,500 4,336,794 Current portion of finance lease liability 721,178 175,231 Current portion of long-term debt 3,228,935 2,871,870 Other current liabilities 578,071 - Current liabilities held for sale 2,541,189 1,635,549 Total Current Liabilities 47,827,043 42,733,726 Other long-term liabilities 640,724 730,970 Operating lease liability, less current portion 11,271,835 12,727,344 Finance lease liability, less current portion 3,050,529 715,669 Long-term debt, less current portion 41,487,366 41,063,865 Accrued postretirement benefits 594,167 554,758 Accrued pension cost 20,111,130 21,025,365 Long-term liabilities held for sale - 6,920 Total Liabilities 124,982,794 119,558,617 Shareholders’ Equity Voting Preferred Stock, no par value: Authorized and unissued: 1,000,000 shares Nonvoting Preferred Stock, no par value: Authorized and unissued: 1,000,000 shares Common Stock, no par value, Authorized: 50,000,000 shares 34,864,634 33,950,859 Issued: 9,127,700 shares as of 2024 and 9,091,815 shares as of 2023 Outstanding: 6,183,179 shares as of 2024 and 6,217,370 shares as of 2023 Treasury Stock: 2,894,521 shares as of 2024 and 2,874,445 shares as of 2023 ( 25,196,598 ) ( 23,280,467 ) Retained earnings 132,912,235 144,805,168 Accumulated other comprehensive loss: Foreign currency translation ( 1,394,461 ) ( 866,599 ) Unrealized loss on foreign currency swap, net of tax ( 535,561 ) - Unrecognized net pension and postretirement benefit costs, net of tax ( 21,410,039 ) ( 22,128,377 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss ( 23,340,061 ) ( 22,994,976 ) Total Shareholders’ Equity 119,240,210 132,480,584 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 244,223,004 $ 252,039,201 See accompanying notes. 6 Table of Contents THE EASTERN COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) Nine Months Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Operating Activities Net (loss) income $ ( 9,842,000 ) $ 5,068,480 Less: Loss from discontinued operations ( 21,517,715 ) ( 2,704,365 ) Income from continuing operations $ 11,675,715 $ 7,772,845 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 4,266,038 3,914,160 Reduction in carrying amount of ROU assets 2,418,801 3,579,223 Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefits ( 353,257 ) 635,677 Loss on sale of equipment and other assets 53,311 331,474 Provision for doubtful accounts ( 24,570 ) ( 88,353 ) Stock compensation expense 913,775 151,300 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable ( 11,739,823 ) 1,069,630 Inventories 300,720 4,501,969 Prepaid expenses and other 2,874,825 1,108,094 Other assets ( 236,934 ) ( 262,212 ) Accounts payable 693,653 1,821,223 Accrued compensation ( 190,904 ) 353,773 Change in operating lease liability ( 2,418,801 ) ( 3,579,223 ) Other accrued expenses 115,403 ( 3,152,809 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 8,347,952 18,156,771 Investing Activities Marketable securities ( 999,960 ) - Business acquisition - ( 547,638 ) Payments received from notes receivable 470,937 2,265,730 Proceeds from sale of equipment 18,925 - Purchases of property, plant, and equipment ( 7,634,265 ) ( 4,089,705 ) Net cash used in investing activities ( 8,144,363 ) ( 2,371,613 ) Financing Activities Proceeds from new long-term debt financing - 60,000,000 Principal payments on long-term debt ( 2,365,500 ) ( 74,919,004 ) Proceeds (payments) on short term borrowings (revolver) 3,000,000 ( 300,029 ) Financing leases, net 2,819,262 674,558 Purchase common stock for treasury ( 1,916,130 ) ( 245,546 ) Dividends paid ( 2,050,933 ) ( 2,069,043 ) Net cash used in financing activities ( 513,301 ) ( 16,859,064 ) Discontinued Operations Cash provided by operating activities 411,778 1,092,876 Cash used in investing activities ( 217,101 ) ( 628,968 ) Cash provided by discontinued operations 194,677 463,908 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash ( 67,874 ) ( 36,737 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents ( 182,909 ) ( 646,735 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 8,299,453 10,187,521 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ¹ $ 8,116,544 $ 9,540,786 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Interest $ 2,443,448 $ 2,574,890 Income taxes 3,945,295 1,321,170 Non-cash investing and financing activities Right of use asset 2,418,801 3,579,222 Lease liability ( 462,004 ) ( 4,484,838 ) ¹ includes cash from assets held for sale of $0.4 million as of September 28, 2024 and $0.7 million as of September 30, 2023 See accompanying notes 7 Table of Contents THE EASTERN COMPANY NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) September 28, 2024 Note A – Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X and do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. Refer to the consolidated financial statements of The Eastern Company (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2024 (the “2023 Form 10-K”), for additional information. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for interim periods have been reflected therein. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 30, 2023 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet at that date. The Company’s fiscal year is a 52-53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest to December 31. References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 28, 2024 (this “Form 10-Q”) to 2023, the 2023 fiscal year or fiscal 2023 mean the 52-week period ended on December 30, 2023, and references to 2024, the 2024 fiscal year or fiscal 2024 mean the 52-week period ending on December 28, 2024. In a 52-week fiscal year, each quarter has 13 weeks. References to the third quarter of 2023, the third fiscal quarter of 2023 or the three months ended September 30, 2023 mean the 13-week period from July 2, 2023 to September 30, 2023. References to the third quarter of 2024, the third fiscal quarter of 2024 or the three months ended September 28, 2024, mean the 13-week period from June 30, 2024 to September 28, 2024. References to the first nine months of 2023 or the nine months ended September 30, 2023 mean the period from January 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023. References to the first nine months of 2024 or the nine months ended September 28, 2024 mean the period from December 31, 2023 to September 28, 2024. Certain amounts in the 2023 financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2024 presentation with no impact or change to previously reported net income or shareholders’ equity. See Note B, Discontinued Operations , for additional information. Note B – Discontinued Operations In the third quarter of 2024 we determined that the Big 3 Mold business no longer fits with our long-term strategy, and we have initiated the process of selling the business. The Mold business is cyclical in nature, requires significant capital investment to remain competitive, and serves different markets than our core businesses. Selling the Big 3 Mold business will allow management to focus on our core capabilities, offerings, and markets served. In the third quarter of 2024, we determined that the Big 3 Mold business meets the criteria to be held for sale and that the assets held for sale qualify for discontinued operations. As such, the financial results of the Big 3 Mold business are reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Additionally, current and non-current assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets for both periods presented. 8 Table of Contents Summarized Financial Information of Discontinued Operations The following table represents income from discontinued operations, net of tax: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Net sales $ 3,360,405 $ 3,634,333 $ 9,647,649 $ 11,406,778 Cost of products sold ( 2,804,743 ) ( 2,703,362 ) ( 8,402,175 ) ( 9,076,341 ) Gross margin 555,662 930,971 1,245,474 2,330,437 Selling and administrative expenses ( 1,145,232 ) ( 1,248,179 ) ( 3,483,904 ) ( 3,875,579 ) Restructuring costs ( 23,087,775 ) - ( 23,087,775 ) - Operating loss ( 23,677,345 ) ( 317,208 ) ( 25,326,205 ) ( 1,545,142 ) Other expense - - - ( 1,539,940 ) Interest expense ( 177,420 ) ( 213,556 ) ( 512,414 ) ( 514,978 ) Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes ( 23,854,765 ) ( 530,764 ) ( 25,838,619 ) ( 3,600,060 ) Income tax benefit 3,888,522 129,298 4,320,904 895,695 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax $ ( 19,966,243 ) $ ( 401,466 ) $ ( 21,517,715 ) $ ( 2,704,365 ) The following table represents the assets and liabilities from discontinued operations: September 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 (unaudited) Cash $ 446,003 $ 251,326 Accounts receivable 2,480,148 2,852,907 Inventories 1,211,011 875,528 Prepaid expenses 828,471 604,036 Property, plant and equipment, net 4,432,723 4,767,723 Patents and other intangibles net of accumulated amortization - 5,744,312 Goodwill 73,528 12,200,695 Right of use assets 171,650 172,311 Total assets of discontinued operations $ 9,643,534 $ 27,468,838 Current assets of discontinued operations¹ $ 9,643,534 $ 4,583,797 Non-current assets of discontinued operations - 22,885,041 Total assets of discontinued operations $ 9,643,534 $ 27,468,838 Accounts payable $ 1,564,105 $ 765,356 Accrued compensation and other accrued expenses 789,875 775,838 Current portion of lease liability 138,642 94,355 Other long-term liabilities 48,567 6,920 Total liabilities of discontinued operations $ 2,541,189 $ 1,642,469 Current liabilities of discontinued operations¹ $ 2,541,189 $ 1,635,549 Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations - 6,920 Total liabilities of discontinued operations $ 2,541,189 $ 1,642,469 ¹ the total assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are presented as current in the September 28, 2024 consolidated balance sheet as we expect to sell the discontinued operations and collect proceeds within one year. 9 Table of Contents Note C – Earnings Per Share The denominators used to calculate earnings per share are as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Basic: Weighted average shares outstanding 6,203,753 6,241,796 6,217,342 6,233,493 Diluted: Weighted average shares outstanding 6,203,753 6,241,796 6,217,342 6,233,493 Dilutive stock appreciation rights 25,374 32,462 25,374 32,462 Denominator for diluted earnings per share 6,229,127 6,274,258 6,242,716 6,265,955 Note D – Fair Value of Instruments Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company utilizes a fair value hierarchy, which maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy has three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. Level 2 Quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 3 Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. The Company’s financial instruments are primarily investments in marketable securities (Level 1), designated foreign currency hedge contracts – see Note P, Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements , and pension assets, see Note M, Retirement Benefit Plans . The carrying amounts of other financial instruments (cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt) as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, approximate fair value because of their short-term nature and market-based interest rates. 10 Table of Contents Note E – Inventories Inventories consist of the following components: September 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Raw material and component parts $ 24,526,610 $ 24,500,087 Work in process 9,967,847 9,957,068 Finished goods 24,841,916 24,815,052 Total inventories¹ $ 59,336,373 $ 59,272,207 ¹ Includes inventory of discontinued operations of $ 1.2 million and $ 0.9 million as of September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively. Note F - Goodwill The aggregate carrying amount of goodwill from continuing operations is approximately $ 58.6 million as of September 28, 2024. A goodwill write-off of approximately $ 12.1 million was recognized in discontinued operations when classifying the disposal group as held for sale. See Note B – Discontinued Operations for further discussion. The Company evaluates its reporting units for impairment annually in December, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Such events and circumstances could include, among other things, increased competition or unexpected loss of market share, significant adverse changes in the markets in which the Company operates, or unexpected business disruptions. The Company tests reporting units for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, the Company records an impairment loss based on the difference between fair value and carrying amount not to exceed the associated carrying amount of goodwill. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The values assigned to the key assumptions represent management’s assessment of future trends in the relevant industry and have been based on historical data from both external and internal sources. Note G – Leases The Company presents right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months, in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases. The Company accounts for non-lease components as part of the lease component to which they relate. Lease accounting involves significant judgements, including making estimates related to the lease term, lease payments, and discount rate. The Company has operating leases for buildings, warehouses, and office equipment. The Company determines whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease at contract inception. An arrangement contains a lease if the Company has the right to direct the use of and obtain substantially all the economic benefits of an identified asset. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at lease commencement based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Most leases include one or more options to renew. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. All options to extend, when it is reasonably certain the option will be exercised, have been included in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability. Currently, the Company has 17 operating leases with a lease liability of $ 14.8 million and five finance leases with a lease liability of $ 3.8 million as of September 28, 2024. The terms and conditions of the leases are determined by the individual agreements. The leases do not contain residual value guarantees, restrictions, or covenants that could cause the Company to incur additional financial obligations. There are no related party lease transactions. There are no leases that have not yet commenced that could create significant rights and obligations for the Company. 11 Table of Contents The future payments (in millions) due under non-cancelable operating and finance leases as of September 28, 2024 are as follows: Operating Finance 2024 $ 1.1 $ 0.2 2025 3.1 0.7 2026 2.5 0.7 2027 2.1 0.7 2028 1.9 0.7 thereafter 6.4 1.6 17.1 4.7 Less effects of discounting ( 2.3 ) ( 0.9 ) Lease liabilities recognized $ 14.8 $ 3.8 As of September 28, 2024, the weighted average lease term for all operating and finance leases was 6.9 and 6.5 years, respectively. The weighted average discount rate associated with operating and finance leases was 6.3 % and 6.8 %, respectively, as of such date. Note H - Debt On June 16, 2023, the Company entered into a credit agreement with TD Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, Bank of America, and M&T Bank as lenders (the “Credit Agreement”), that included a $ 60 million term portion and a $30 million revolving commitment portion. The proceeds of the term loan were used to repay the Company’s remaining outstanding term loan and to terminate its existing credit facility with Santander Bank, N.A. (approximately $59 million). The term loan portion of the credit facility requires quarterly principal payments of (i) $ 750,000 beginning on September 30, 2023 through June 30, 2025, (ii) $ 1,125,000 beginning on September 30, 2025 through June 30, 2027, and (iii) $ 1,500,000 beginning on September 30, 2027 through March 31, 2028, with the balance of the term loan payable on the maturity date of June 16, 2028. Amounts outstanding under the revolving portion of the credit facility are generally due and payable on the expiration date of the Credit Agreement (June 16, 2028). The Company can elect to prepay some or all of the outstanding balance from time to time without penalty. A commitment fee is payable on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility based on the Company’s consolidated ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA from time to time. Currently, the commitment fee is 0.25%. The Company has $ 3.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the revolving commitment portion of the credit facility as of September 28, 2024. The term loan bears interest at a variable rate based on the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), plus an adjustment of ten basis points, plus an applicable margin of 1.875 % to 2.625 %, depending on the Company’s senior net leverage ratio. Borrowings under the revolving portion bear interest at a variable rate based on, at the Company’s election, a base rate plus an applicable margin of 0.875 % to 1.625 % or SOFR, plus an adjustment of ten basis points, plus an applicable margin of 1.875% to 2.625%, with such margins determined based on the Company’s senior net leverage ratio. The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by a lien on certain of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ assets pursuant to a Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2023, with TD Bank N.A., as administrative agent. The Company’s loan covenants under the Credit Agreement require the Company to maintain a senior net leverage ratio not to exceed 3.5 to 1. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio to be not less than 1.25 to 1. The Company was in compliance with all its covenants under the Credit Agreement on September 28, 2024, and through the date of filing this Form 10-Q. Note I - Stock Options and Awards On February 19, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) adopted The Eastern Company 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”). On April 29, 2020, at the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholders of the Company approved and adopted the 2020 Plan. The Company has no other existing plan pursuant to which equity awards may be granted. Incentive stock options granted under the 2020 Plan must have exercise prices that are not less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the dates the stock options are granted. Restricted stock awards may also be granted to participants under the 2020 Plan with restrictions determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board. Under the 2020 Plan, non-qualified stock options granted to participants will have exercise prices determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board. During the first nine months of fiscal 2024 and 2023, the Company granted stock awards with respect to 92,016 and 79,500 shares of Company common stock, respectively, that were subject to the meeting of performance measurements or time based. For the first nine months of fiscal years 2024 and 2023, the Company used fair market value to determine the associated expense with stock awards. 12 Table of Contents The 2020 Plan also permits the issuance of Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”). The SARs are in the form of an option with a cashless exercise price equal to the difference between the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant and the fair value as of the exercise date resulting in the issuance of the Company’s common stock. The Company did not issue any SARs during the first nine months of fiscal 2024 and 2023. Stock-based compensation (income) expense, including forfeitures, in connection with SARs and stock awards previously granted to employees was approximately $ 168,000 and $ 5,000 in the third quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2023, respectively, and was approximately $ 582,000 and $( 158,000 ) in the first nine months of fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of September 28, 2024, there were 792,300 shares of Company common stock reserved and available for future grant under the 2020 Plan. The following tables set forth the outstanding SARs for the period specified: Nine Months Ended Year Ended September 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Units Weighted Average Exercise Price Units Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at beginning of period 13,000 $ 24.19 146,166 $ 23.22 Expired ( 9,000 ) 26.30 ( 50,833 ) 24.24 Exercised ( 2,500 ) 20.20 ( 33,333 ) 21.10 Forfeited - - ( 49,000 ) 22.80 Outstanding at end of period 1,500 20.20 13,000 24.19 SARs Outstanding and Exercisable Range of Exercise Prices Outstanding as of September 28, 2024 Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercisable as of September 28, 2024 Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 20.20 1,500 0.6 $ 20.20 1,500 0.6 $ 20.20 The following tables set forth the outstanding stock awards for the period specified: Nine Months Ended Year Ended September 28, 2024 December 30, 2023 Shares Shares Outstanding at beginning of period 89,400 64,500 Issued 92,016 82,800 Exercised ( 23,734 ) ( 10,600 ) Forfeited ( 12,994 ) ( 47,300 ) Outstanding at end of period 144,688 89,400 As of September 28, 2024, outstanding SARs and stock awards had an intrinsic value of $ 3,254,000 . Note J – Share Repurchase Program On August 21, 2023, the Company announced that the Board had approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock through August 20, 2028. The Company’s share repurchase program does not obligate it to acquire the Company’s common stock at any specific cost per share. Under this program, shares may be repurchased in privately negotiated and/or open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 13 Table of Contents Below is a summary of the Company’s shares repurchased during the third quarter of 2024 under the new share repurchase program. Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Maximum Number of Shares that may yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs Balance as of June 29, 2024 60,076 $ 20.27 60,076 139,924 June 30, 2024 – September 28, 2024 50,000 28.68 50,000 89,924 Balance as of September 28, 2024 110,076 $ 24.09 110,076 89,924 Note K – Revenue Recognition The Company’s revenues result from the sale of goods and services and reflect the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled. The Company records revenues in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The Company has defined purchase orders as contracts in accordance with ASC Topic 606. For its customer contracts, the Company identifies its performance obligations, which are delivering goods or services, determines the transaction price, allocates the contract transaction price to the performance obligations (when applicable), and recognizes the revenue when (or as) the performance obligation is transferred to the customer. A good or service is transferred when the customer obtains control of that good or service. The Company’s revenues are recorded at a point in time from the sale of tangible products. Revenues are recognized when products are shipped. Customer volume rebates, product returns, discount and allowance are variable considerations and are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the same period that the related sales are recorded. The Company has reviewed the overall sales transactions for variable consideration and has determined that these costs are not material. The Company has no future performance obligations and does not capitalize costs to obtain or fulfill contracts. Note L - Income Taxes The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. at the federal and state levels, and in foreign jurisdictions. With limited exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2019 and is no longer subject to non-U.S. income tax examinations by foreign tax authorities for years prior to 2017. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could increase or decrease within the next 12 months for several reasons, including the closure of federal, state, and foreign tax years by expiration of the statute of limitations and the recognition and measurement considerations under FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” There have been no significant changes to the value of unrecognized tax benefits during the nine months ended September 28, 2024. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will not increase or decrease significantly over the next twelve months. 14 Table of Contents Note M - Retirement Benefit Plans The Company has four non-contributory defined benefit pension plans covering most U.S. employees. All of these pension plans are frozen and participants in these plans have not accrued benefits since the date on which these plans were frozen. Plan benefits are generally based upon age at retirement, years of service and, for the plan covering salaried employees, the level of compensation. The Company also sponsors unfunded non-qualified supplemental retirement plans that provide certain former officers with benefits in excess of limits imposed by federal tax law. The Company also provides health care and life insurance for retired salaried employees in the United States who meet specific eligibility requirements. Significant disclosures relating to these benefit plans for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal years 2024 and 2023 are as follows: Pension Benefits Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Service cost $ 178,003 $ 216,153 $ 534,010 $ 648,459 Interest cost 966,701 990,053 2,900,107 2,970,160 Expected return on plan assets ( 1,099,034 ) ( 1,049,016 ) ( 3,297,103 ) ( 3,147,046 ) Amortization of prior service cost - - - - Amortization of the net loss 327,363 342,866 982,091 1,028,596 Net periodic benefit cost $ 373,033 $ 500,056 $ 1,119,105 $ 1,500,169 Other Postretirement Benefits Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Service cost $ 3,574 $ 6,486 $ 10,722 $ 19,458 Interest cost 12,951 14,533 38,853 43,599 Expected return on plan assets ( 4,684 ) ( 4,849 ) ( 14,052 ) ( 14,547 ) Amortization of prior service cost 1,060 1,060 3,180 3,180 Amortization of the net loss ( 19,567 ) ( 16,895 ) ( 58,701 ) ( 50,685 ) Net periodic (benefit) cost $ ( 6,666 ) $ 335 $ ( 19,998 ) $ 1,005 The Company’s funding policy with respect to its qualified plans is to contribute at least the minimum amount required by applicable laws and regulations. In fiscal year 2024, the Company expects to make cash contributions to its qualified pension plans of approximately $ 2,100,000 and approximately $ 50,000 into its other postretirement plan. As of September 28, 2024, the Company has contributed $ 1,572,000 to its pension plans and $ 25,000 to its postretirement plan in fiscal year 2024 and expects to make the remaining contributions as required during the remainder of the fiscal year. The Company has a contributory savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “401(k) Plan”) covering substantially all U.S. non-union employees. The 401(k) Plan allows participants to make voluntary contributions from their annual compensation on a pre-tax basis, subject to limitations under the Internal Revenue Code. The 401(k) Plan provides for contributions by the Company at its discretion. 15 Table of Contents The Company made contributions to the 401(k) Plan as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Regular matching contribution $ 263,074 $ 241,487 $ 810,630 $ 747,913 Transitional credit contribution 20,688 23,271 71,558 83,935 Non-discretionary contribution 80,465 83,302 294,228 654,552 Total contributions for the period $ 364,227 $ 348,060 $ 1,176,416 $ 1,486,400 The non-discretionary contribution of $ 328,953 made in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was accrued for and expensed in the prior fiscal year. Effective January 1, 2023, the non-discretionary contributions are being contributed on a weekly basis. Note N - Recent Accounting Pronouncements In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which amends the reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. We do not expect this new standard to have a significant impact on our disclosures. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740), which modifies the rules on income tax disclosures to require entities to disclose (1) specific categories in the rate reconciliation, (2) the income or loss from continuing operations before income tax expense or benefit disaggregated between domestic and foreign and (3) income tax expense or benefit from continuing operations disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign. The update also requires entities to disclose their income tax payments to various jurisdictions. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. We do not expect this new standard to have a significant impact on our disclosures. The Company has implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect and that could impact its consolidated financial statements and does not believe that there are any other new accounting pronouncements that have been issued, but are not yet effective, that might have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Note O - Concentration of Risk Credit Risk Credit risk is the potential financial loss resulting from the failure of a customer or counterparty to settle its financial and contractual obligations to the Company, as and when they become due. The primary credit risk for the Company is its accounts receivable due from customers. The Company has established credit limits for customers and monitors their balances to mitigate the risk of loss. As of September 28, 2024, there were two significant concentrations of credit risk with customers, who had receivables representing 18 % and 11 % respectively, of our net accounts receivable. As of December 30, 2023, there was one customer that represented 12 % of the Company’s net accounts receivable. The maximum exposure to credit risk is primarily represented by the carrying amount of the Company’s accounts receivable. The Company has deposits that exceed amounts up to $ 250,000 that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), but the Company does not consider this a significant concentration of credit risk based on the strength of the financial institution. Interest Rate Risk The Company’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Company’s debt under the Credit Agreement, which bears interest at variable rates based on term SOFR, plus an adjustment of ten basis points, plus an applicable margin of 1.875 % to 2.625 %, depending on the Company’s senior net leverage ratio. 16 Table of Contents Note P – Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements The Company incurs certain manufacturing, marketing, and selling costs in international markets in local currency. Accordingly, earnings and cash flows are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar, the Company’s reporting currency. The Company has a program in place that is designed to mitigate the exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The program includes the use of derivative financial instruments to minimize, for a period of time, the impact on its financial results from changes in foreign exchange rates. The Company utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to hedge the anticipated cash flows from transactions denominated in foreign currencies, namely Mexican pesos. This does not eliminate the impact of the volatility of foreign exchange rates. However, because the Company generally enters into forward contracts twelve to eighteen months out, rates are fixed for a twelve-to-eighteen-month period, thereby facilitating financial planning and resource allocation. Designated Foreign Currency Hedge Contracts All of the Company’s designated foreign currency hedge contracts as of September 28, 2024 were cash flow hedges under ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). The Company records the effective portion of any change in the fair value of designated foreign currency hedge contracts in other comprehensive income until the related third-party transaction occurs. Once the related third-party transaction occurs, the Company reclassifies the effective portion of any related gain or loss on the designated foreign currency hedge contracts to earnings. In the event the hedged forecasted transaction does not occur, or it becomes probable that it will not occur, the Company will reclassify the amount of any gain or loss on the related cash flow hedge to earnings at that time. The Company had designated foreign currency hedge contracts outstanding in the contract amount of $ 12.6 million as of September 28, 2024 and $ 0.0 million as of December 30, 2023. As of September 28, 2024 a loss of $ 0.4 million, net of tax, will be reclassified to earnings within the next fifteen months. All currency cash flow hedges outstanding as of September 28, 2024 mature within fifteen months. Fair Value of Derivative Instruments The following table presents the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges under ASC 815 in its unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 28, 2024: Derivative Instruments Amount of Loss Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Amount of Loss Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Earnings Location in Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Designated foreign currency hedge contracts, net of tax $ ( 412,382 ) $ ( 148,657 ) Cost of products sold ASC 815 requires all derivative instruments to be recognized at their fair values as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company determines the fair value of its derivative instruments using the framework prescribed by ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” by considering the estimated amount it would receive or pay to sell or transfer these instruments at the reporting date. Generally, the Company uses inputs that include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; other observable inputs for the asset or liability; and inputs derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data by correlation or other means. As of September 28, 2024, the Company has classified its derivative assets and liabilities within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy prescribed by ASC 815, as discussed below, because these observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of its derivative instruments. The following tables present the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments as they appear in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023: Location in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets As of September 28, 2024 As of December 30, 2023 Derivative Assets: Designated foreign currency hedge contracts Other long-term assets $ 42,510 $ - Derivative Liabilities: Designated foreign currency hedge contracts Other current liabilities $ 578,071 $ - 17 Table of Contents