Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have concluded, based on their evaluation as of December 31, 2022, that the Company’s controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for performing an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company’s Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
• Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and acquisitions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
• Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. 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
• 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.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Because of the inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future
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periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Accordingly, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Management performed an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 using the criteria set forth in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 was effective.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Lifetime Brands, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Lifetime Brands, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, 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, Lifetime Brands, Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2022 consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated March 9, 2023 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
Jericho, New York
March 9, 2023
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Item 9B. Other Information
The information set forth below is included herein, by our option, for the purpose of providing disclosure under “Item 5.02 – Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers” of Form 8-K.
On March 8, 2023, the Company entered into amendments (each, an “Employment Agreement Amendment”) to the existing effective employment agreements between the Company and each of Robert B. Kay, Laurence Winoker, and Daniel Siegel.
The Employment Agreement Amendment for Robert B. Kay increases his base salary from $900,000 to $1,000,000, effective March 2, 2023.
The Employment Agreement Amendment for Daniel Siegel, increases his base salary from $650,000 to $663,000, effective January 1, 2023.
The Employment Agreement Amendment for Laurence Winoker, increases his base salary from $425,000 to $446,250, effective January 1, 2023.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
PART III
Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14
The information required under these items is contained in the Company’s 2023 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the close of the Company’s fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) See Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule on page F-1.
(b) Exhibits:
Exhibit Index
No. Description
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 22, 2017, by and among the Company, TPP Acquisition I Corp., TPP Acquisition II LLC, Taylor Parent, LLC, Taylor Holdco, LLC, and CP Taylor GP, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 29, 2017) Holdco, LLC, and CP Taylor GP, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 29, 2017)
3.1 Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005)
3.2 Certificate of Amendment of Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 10, 2016)
3.3 Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 8, 2016)
4.1 Description of the Company’s securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019)
10.1 License Agreement dated December 14, 1989 between the Company and Farberware, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s registration statement No. 33-40154 on Form S-1)(P)
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10.2 Fourth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2019, between the Company and Jeffrey Siegel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 28, 2019)*
10.3 First Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of October 11, 2019, between the Company and Jeffrey Siegel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 15, 2019) *
10.4 Transition Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2022, by and among the Company and Jeffrey Siegel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's quarter report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022).
10.5 Letter Agreement Amending and Supplementing Employment Agreement between Lifetime Brands, Inc. and Daniel Siegel, effective April 13, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020)
10.6 Lease Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2006, between AG Metropolitan Endo, L.L.C and the Company for the property located at 1000 Stewart Avenue in Garden City, New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 15, 2006)
10.7 First Amendment to the Lease Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2006, between AG Metropolitan Endo, L.L.C and the Company for the property located at 1000 Stewart Avenue in Garden City, New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006)
10.8 Amended and Restated 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan, dated June 28, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 29, 2018)*
10.9 Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated 2000 Long-term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 10, 2015)*
10.10 Form of Deferred Stock (Performance-Vesting) Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated 2000 Long-term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 10, 2015)*
10.11 Amended and Restated 2000 Incentive Bonus Compensation Plan, effective as of June 22, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 23, 2017)*
10.12 Amended and Restated 2000 Incentive Bonus Compensation Plan, effective as of June 25, 2020 (filed as Appendix B to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 29, 2020 and incorporated by reference herein)
10.13 Amended and Restated 2000 Incentive Bonus Compensation Plan, effective as of June 2 3 , 202 2 (filed as Appendix B to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 2 8 , 202 2 and incorporated by reference herein)
10.14 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated September 10, 2015, between the Company and Laurence Winoker (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2015)*
10.15 Amendment to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated November 8, 2017, between the Company and Laurence Winoker (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017)*
10.16 Letter Agreement Amending and Supplementing Employment Agreement between Lifetime Brands, Inc. and Laurence Winoker, effective April 13, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020)
10.17 Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2022, between the Company and Laurence Winoker (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022)
10.18 Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement , dated as of March 8, 2023, by and between the Company . and Laurence Winoker.
10.19 Shares Subscription Agreement by and among the Company, Ekco, S.A.B. and Mr. José Ramón Elizondo Anaya and Mr. Miguel Ángel Huerta Pando, dated as of June 8, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 11, 2007)
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10.20 Amendment No. 1 dated September 5, 2007 to the Shares Subscription Agreement by and among the Company, Ekco, S.A.B. and Mr. José Ramón Elizondo Anaya and Mr. Miguel Ángel Huerta Pando (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008)
10.21 Amendment No. 2 dated September 25, 2008 to the Shares Subscription Agreement by and among the Company, Ekco, S.A.B. and Mr. José Ramón Elizondo Anaya and Mr. Miguel Ángel Huerta Pando (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008)
10.22 Employment Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2017, between the Company and Daniel Siegel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017)*
10.23 Amendment to the Employment Agreement, dated as of October 11, 2019, between the Company and Daniel Siegel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 15, 2019)*
10.24 Letter Agreement Amending and Supplementing Employment Agreement between Lifetime Brands, Inc. and Daniel Siegel, effective April 13, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020)
10.25 Second Amendment, dated February 1, 2021, to the Employment Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2017, by and between Lifetime Brands, Inc. and Daniel Siegel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 1, 2021)
10.26 Third Amendment, dated March 8, 2023, to the Employment Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2017, by and between Lifetime Brands, Inc. and Daniel Siegel.
10.27 Form of Amended and Restated Director’s and Officer’s Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 28, 2016)
10.28 Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2016 by and among the Company, as a Seller and as a Seller Agent and initial Servicer, for itself and each of its subsidiaries thereto as a Seller, and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Purchaser (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 4, 2016)
10.29 Lease Agreement (Single Tenant Facility), dated as of February 14, 2017 between Baseline Opportunity LLC and Lifetime Brands Inc. for property located at 1221 North Alder Avenue, Rialto, California (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017)
10.30 Voting Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2017, by and among Taylor Parent, LLC, and Jeffrey Siegel, Ronald Shiftan, Daniel Siegel and Clifford Siegel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 29, 2017)
10.31 Employment Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2017, between the Company and Robert B. Kay (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 29, 2017)*
10.32 Amendment to the Employment Agreement, dated as of October 11, 2019, between the Company and Robert B. Kay (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 15, 2019)*
10.33 Letter Agreement Amending and Supplementing Employment Agreement between Lifetime Brands, Inc. and Robert B. Kay, effective April 13, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020)
10.34 Second Amendment, dated February 1, 2021, to the Employment Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2017, by and between Lifetime Brands, Inc. and Robert Kay (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 1, 2021)
10.35 Third Amendment, dated March 8, 2023, to the Employment Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2017, by and between Lifetime Brands, Inc. and Robert Kay.
10.36 Stockholders Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2018, between the Company and Taylor Parent, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 6, 2018)
10.37 Amendment to Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 11, 2019, between the Company and Taylor Parent, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 15, 2019)
10.38 Letter Agreement and Joinder, dated as of November 9, 2018, by and among the Company, Taylor Parent, LLC and Centre Capital Investors V, LP. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 15, 2018)
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10.39 Credit Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2018, by and among the Company, the other Borrowers from time to time party thereto, the other Loan Parties from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 6, 2018)
10.40 Amendment No. 1, dated as of December 28, 2021, by and among the Company, the other Loan Parties party thereto (as defined therein), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 29, 2021)
10.41 Amendment No. 2, dated as of August 26, 2022, by and among the Company, the other Loan Parties party thereto (as defined therein), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10. 0 1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 29, 2022)
10.42 Loan Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2018, by and among the Company, the other Loan Parties from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Golub Capital LLC, as Syndication Agent. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.03 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 6, 2018)
10.43 Amendment No. 1 , dated as of December 29, 2022 , by and among the Company, the other Loan Parties from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Golub Capital LLC, as Syndication Agent. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.0 1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 3 , 20 23 )
10.44 Amendment No.1 to the Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 9, 2020 by and among the Company, as a Seller and as a Seller Agent and initial Servicer, for itself and each of its subsidiaries thereto as a Seller, and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Purchaser (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020)
10.45 Amendment No.2 to the Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2023 by and among the Company, as a Seller and as a Seller Agent and initial Servicer, for itself and each of its subsidiaries thereto as a Seller, and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Purchaser
10.46 Amendment to Option Grant Certificates, dated as of March 8, 2023 by and among the Company and Jeffrey Siegel
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Company
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2 Consent of Castillo Miranda Y Compania, S.C.
31.1 Certification by Robert B. Kay, Chief Executive Officer and Director, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2 Certification by Laurence Winoker, Senior Vice President – Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1 Certification by Robert B. Kay, Chief Executive Officer and Director, and Laurence Winoker, Senior Vice President – Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (**)
99.1 Report of Independent Registered Accounting Firm on the consolidated financial statements of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. (formerly Ekco, S.A.B.)
101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104 The cover page from this Annual Report on Form 10-K, formatted in Inline XBRL
Notes to exhibits:
(*) Compensatory plans in which the directors and executive officers of the Company participate.
(**) Furnished, not filed.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Lifetime Brands, Inc.
/s/ Robert B. Kay
Robert B. Kay
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Date: March 9, 2023
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report 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/ Robert B. Kay Chief Executive Officer and Director March 9, 2023
Robert B. Kay (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Laurence Winoker Executive Vice President March 9, 2023
Laurence Winoker Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Jeffrey Siegel Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors March 9, 2023
Jeffrey Siegel
/s/ Rachael Jarosh Director March 9, 2023
Rachael Jarosh
/s/ John Koegel Director March 9, 2023
John Koegel
/s/ Cherrie Nanninga Director March 9, 2023
Cherrie Nanninga
/s/ Veronique Gabai-Pinsky Director March 9, 2023
Veronique Gabai-Pinsky
/s/ Bruce Pollack Director March 9, 2023
Bruce Pollack
/s/ Michael J. Regan Director March 9, 2023
Michael J. Regan
/s/ Michael Schnabel Director March 9, 2023
Michael Schnabel
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Item 15
LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
The following consolidated financial statements of Lifetime Brands, Inc. are filed as part of this Annual Report under Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42 )
F- 2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 202 2 and 202 1
F- 5
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years ended December 31, 202 2 , 202 1 , and 20 20
F- 6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the Years ended December 31, 202 2 , 202 1 and 20 20
F- 7
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years ended December 31, 202 2 , 202 1 , and 20 20
F- 8
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended December 31, 202 2 , 202 1 , and 20 20
F- 9
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F- 10
The following consolidated financial statement schedule of Lifetime Brands, Inc. required pursuant to Item 15(a) is submitted herewith:
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
S- 1
All other financial schedules are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Lifetime Brands, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lifetime Brands, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income , stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We did not audit the financial statements of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries, a corporation in which the Company has a 24.7% interest. In the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s investment in Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries is stated at $12.5 million and $22.3 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and the Company’s equity in the net (loss) income of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries is stated at $( 3.3 ) million in 2022, $ 1.8 million in 2021 and $ 1.5 million in 2020. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries, is based solely on the report of the other auditors.
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 December 31, 2022, 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 March 9, 2023 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 and the report of other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Estimation of Variable Consideration
Description of the Matter
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company reported net sales of $727.7 million. As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company offers various sales incentives and promotional programs to its customers in the normal course of business. These sales incentives and promotions represent variable consideration and are reflected as reductions in net sales in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. While many of the sales incentives and promotions are contractually agreed upon with the Company’s customers, certain of the sales incentives and promotions are non-contractual and require the Company to estimate the amount of variable consideration based on historical experience and other known factors or as the most likely amount in a range of possible outcomes.
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Auditing the Company’s measurement of the variable consideration associated with the non-contractual sales incentives and promotions is challenging because the method of calculation involves subjective management assumptions about estimates of the expected discounts. For example, in addition to historical experience, the Company considers specific known events and industry trends to estimate the expected discounts. Changes in these assumptions can have a material effect on the amount of net sales recognized.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of the Company’s controls over the estimation of variable consideration. Among others, we tested management’s review controls over the determination of significant assumptions used in estimating the variable consideration. We also tested controls over management’s review of the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used in the analysis.
To test the Company’s measurement of variable consideration related to the non-contractual sales incentives and promotions, our audit procedures included, among others, evaluating the Company’s methodologies, evaluating the significant assumptions described above and testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used in management's analyses. We inspected a selection of communications between the sales and finance departments that were used to support the estimation of the variable consideration. For a sample of transactions, we performed detailed transactional testing of customer deductions to validate the timing and amount of the sales allowances recorded. We performed corroborative inquiries of sales division executives to evaluate the ongoing sales promotions and spending needs at year end. Additionally, we performed retrospective analyses over management’s historical estimates in order to assess the reasonableness of how the Company measures certain variable consideration discounts.
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Valuation of Goodwill and Trade Names
Description of the Matter
At December 31, 2022, the Company’s intangible assets include goodwill in the U.S. reporting unit with a carrying value of $33.2 million and two indefinite-lived trade names in the U.S. reportable segment with an aggregated carrying value of $49.6 million. As discussed in Note 7 of the audited consolidated financial statements, the Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived trade names for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the fair value of goodwill or the indefinite-lived trade names is less than its carrying amount.
Auditing management’s annual goodwill and indefinite-lived trade names impairment tests was complex as valuation of the reporting unit and indefinite-lived trade names involves considerable management judgment and estimation. For goodwill, the Company estimated the fair value of the reporting unit using a combination of the discounted cash flow method, a form of the income approach, and the guideline public company method, a form of the market approach. The discounted cash flow method is largely dependent upon estimates made by management with respect to significant assumptions, including projected net sales, projected earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), terminal growth rates, and the cost of capital. For the guideline public company method, the significant assumptions related to the selection of the appropriate guideline companies and related valuation multiples used in the analysis. For indefinite-lived trade names, significant assumptions used in management’s fair value analysis included future net sales for the related brands, royalty rates, and the cost of capital. These assumptions are forward-looking. Changes in market, industry and company-specific conditions could materially impact the determination of the fair value of these assets and the measurement of the impairments.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s valuation of goodwill and indefinite-lived trade names. This included testing management’s review controls relating to the Company’s valuation models and significant assumptions, described above.
As part of our audit, we assessed the methodologies and significant assumptions used for the purposes of performing the impairment tests, among other procedures. We evaluated our historical experience with management’s effort in producing accurate projections of revenue growth and profitability by comparing its historical projections to the Company’s actual performance. We tested the significant assumptions discussed above, as well as the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used in the valuations. We assessed the appropriateness of the Company’s projections by comparing them to general and sector-specific market expectations. We engaged our valuation specialists to assess the reasonableness of the cost of capital, the valuation models and significant assumptions used in the valuation of the U.S. reporting unit as well as the indefinite-lived trade names. In order to reflect the uncertainty inherent in the projections, we inspected the sensitivity analyses performed by the Company and performed our own sensitivity analyses by increasing or decreasing the significant assumptions and evaluated the potential outcome for the U.S. reporting unit and the indefinite-lived trade names in the U.S. reportable segment. For the guideline public company method, we evaluated the reasonableness of the selected guideline public companies and the resulting market multiples calculation. In addition, we tested the reconciliation of the fair value of the reporting units developed by management to the stock market capitalization of the Company as of the valuation date and evaluated the implied control premium for reasonableness.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1984.
Jericho, New York
March 9, 2023
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands - except share data)
December 31,
2022 2021
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 23,598 $ 27,982
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $ 14,606 at December 31, 2022 and $ 16,544 at December 31, 2021
141,195 175,076
Inventory 222,209 270,516
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 13,254 11,499
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 400,256 485,073
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net 18,022 20,748
OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS 74,869 86,487
INVESTMENTS 12,516 22,295
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net 213,887 212,678
OTHER ASSETS 6,338 1,793
TOTAL ASSETS $ 725,888 $ 829,074
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturity of term loan $ — $ 5,771
Accounts payable 38,052 82,573
Accrued expenses 77,602 112,741
Income taxes payable 224 604
Current portion of operating lease liabilities 14,028 12,612
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 129,906 214,301
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES 14,995 12,116
INCOME TAXES PAYABLE, LONG-TERM 1,591 1,472
OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES 76,420 90,824
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 9,607 12,842
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY 10,424 —
TERM LOAN 242,857 241,873
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, $ 1.00 par value, shares authorized: 100 shares of Series A and 2,000,000 shares of Series B; none issued and outstanding
— —
Common stock, $ 0.01 par value, shares authorized: 50,000,000 at December 31, 2022 and 2021; shares issued and outstanding: 21,779,799 at December 31, 2022 and 22,018,016 at December 31, 2021
218 220
Paid-in capital 274,579 271,556
Retained earnings
1,145 17,419
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
( 35,854 ) ( 33,549 )
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 240,088 255,646
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 725,888 $ 829,074
See Notes to consolidated financial statements.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands – except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
Net sales $ 727,662 $ 862,924 $ 769,169
Cost of sales 467,346 559,605 495,171
Gross margin 260,316 303,319 273,998
Distribution expenses 74,948 80,772 72,845
Selling, general and administrative expenses 154,545 156,445 155,872
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments — 14,760 20,100
Wallace facility remediation expense 5,140 500 —
Restructuring expenses 1,420 — 211
Income from operations
24,263 50,842 24,970
Interest expense ( 17,205 ) ( 15,524 ) ( 17,277 )
Mark to market gain (loss) on interest rate derivatives
1,971 1,062 ( 2,144 )
Income before income taxes and equity in (losses) earnings
9,029 36,380 5,549
Income tax provision
( 5,728 ) ( 16,541 ) ( 9,866 )
Equity in (losses) earnings, net of taxes
( 9,467 ) 962 1,310
NET (LOSS) INCOME
$ ( 6,166 ) $ 20,801 $ ( 3,007 )
BASIC (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
$ ( 0.29 ) $ 0.97 $ ( 0.14 )
DILUTED (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
$ ( 0.29 ) $ 0.94 $ ( 0.14 )
See Notes to consolidated financial statements.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(in thousands)
Year ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
Net (loss) income
$ ( 6,166 ) $ 20,801 $ ( 3,007 )
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Translation adjustment ( 4,320 ) 4,094 ( 1,827 )
Net change in cash flow hedges 845 1,203 ( 2,289 )
Effect of retirement benefit obligations 1,170 326 ( 601 )
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes
( 2,305 ) 5,623 ( 4,717 )
Comprehensive (loss) income
$ ( 8,471 ) $ 26,424 $ ( 7,724 )
See Notes to consolidated financial statements.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands)
Common stock Paid-in
capital Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Shares Amount Total
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2019
21,256 $ 213 $ 263,386 $ 7,173 $ ( 34,455 ) $ 236,317
Net loss
— — — ( 3,007 ) — ( 3,007 )
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
— — — — ( 4,717 ) ( 4,717 )
Performance shares issued to employees 62 1 ( 1 ) — — —
Net issuance of restricted shares granted to employees and directors 525 5 ( 5 ) — — —
Stock compensation expense — — 5,916 — — 5,916
Net exercise of stock options 3 0 27 — — 27
Shares effectively repurchased for required employee withholding taxes ( 91 ) ( 1 ) ( 657 ) — — ( 658 )
Dividends (1)
— — — ( 3,742 ) — ( 3,742 )
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2020
21,755 $ 218 $ 268,666 $ 424 $ ( 39,172 ) $ 230,136
Net income
— — — 20,801 — 20,801
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
— — — — 5,623 5,623
Performance shares issued to employees 150 1 ( 1 ) — — —
Net issuance of restricted shares granted to employees and directors 221 2 ( 2 ) — — —
Stock compensation expense — — 5,204 — — 5,204
Net exercise of stock options 106 1 876 — — 877
Shares effectively repurchased for required employee withholding taxes
( 214 ) ( 2 ) ( 3,187 ) — — ( 3,189 )
Dividends (1)
— — — ( 3,806 ) — ( 3,806 )
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2021
22,018 $ 220 $ 271,556 $ 17,419 $ ( 33,549 ) $ 255,646
Net loss
— — — ( 6,166 ) — ( 6,166 )
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
— — — — ( 2,305 ) ( 2,305 )
Performance shares issued to employees 167 2 ( 2 ) — — —
Net issuance of restricted shares granted to employees and directors 260 3 ( 3 ) — — —
Stock compensation expense — — 3,861 — — 3,861
Net exercise of stock options 25 — 233 — — 233
Shares effectively repurchased for required employee withholding taxes
( 93 ) ( 1 ) ( 1,066 ) — — ( 1,067 )
Stock repurchase ( 597 ) ( 6 ) — ( 6,314 ) — ( 6,320 )
Dividends (1)
— — — ( 3,794 ) — ( 3,794 )
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2022
21,780 $ 218 $ 274,579 $ 1,145 $ ( 35,854 ) $ 240,088
(1) Cash dividend declared per share of common stock, were $ 0.17 , $ 0.17 and $ 0.17 in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively.
See Notes to consolidated financial statements.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Year ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income
$ ( 6,166 ) $ 20,801 $ ( 3,007 )
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 19,536 22,520 24,664
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments — 14,760 20,100
Amortization of financing costs 1,809 1,739 1,774
Mark to market (gain) loss on interest rate derivatives
( 1,971 ) ( 1,062 ) 2,144
Non-cash lease expense ( 1,483 ) ( 1,294 ) 2,379
Provision (recovery) for doubtful accounts 662 ( 5 ) 3,291
Deferred income taxes ( 3,825 ) 1,799 ( 1,861 )
Stock compensation expense 3,846 5,217 5,951
Undistributed losses (earnings) from equity investment, net of taxes
9,467 ( 807 ) ( 1,258 )
Wallace facility remediation expense 5,140 500 —
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable 33,889 ( 5,531 ) ( 43,760 )
Inventory 47,443 ( 67,501 ) ( 28,979 )
Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets ( 2,447 ) 2,043 1,088
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities ( 81,365 ) 48,079 55,721
Income taxes receivable — — 1,577
Income taxes payable ( 216 ) ( 4,270 ) 4,989
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
24,319 36,988 44,813
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment ( 2,975 ) ( 3,986 ) ( 2,082 )
Proceeds from sale of shares of equity method investment — 3,061 —
Acquisitions ( 17,956 ) ( 178 ) —
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
( 20,931 ) ( 1,103 ) ( 2,082 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from revolving credit facility 276,288 103,385 129,244
Repayments of revolving credit facility ( 265,662 ) ( 130,662 ) ( 135,463 )
Repayments of Term Loan ( 6,216 ) ( 10,478 ) ( 7,583 )
Payment of financing costs ( 1,021 ) — —
Payments for finance lease obligations ( 32 ) ( 117 ) ( 152 )
Payments of tax withholding for stock based compensation ( 1,067 ) ( 3,189 ) ( 658 )
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 233 877 27
Payments for stock repurchase ( 6,320 ) — —
Cash dividends paid ( 3,820 ) ( 3,843 ) ( 3,651 )
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
( 7,617 ) ( 44,027 ) ( 18,236 )
Effect of foreign exchange on cash ( 155 ) 161 98
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
( 4,384 ) ( 7,981 ) 24,593
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 27,982 35,963 11,370
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR $ 23,598 $ 27,982 $ 35,963
See Notes to consolidated financial statements.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
NOTE 1 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization and business
The Company designs, sources and sells branded kitchenware, tableware and other products used in the home and markets its products under a number of widely-recognized brand names and trademarks, which are either owned or licensed by the Company or through retailers’ private labels and their licensed brands. The Company’s products, which are targeted primarily towards consumers purchasing moderately priced kitchenware, tableware and housewares, are sold through virtually every major level of trade. The Company generally markets several lines within each of its product categories under more than one brand. The Company sells its products directly to retailers (who may resell the Company’s products through their websites) and, to a lesser extent, to distributors. The Company also sells a limited selection of its products directly to consumers through its own websites.
Basis of presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-K.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The most significant of these estimates and assumptions relate to revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts, reserves for sales returns and allowances and customer chargebacks, inventory mark-down provisions, impairment of goodwill, tangible and intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, estimates for unpaid healthcare claims, derivative valuations, accruals related to the Company’s tax positions and tax valuation allowances. Although these and other estimates and assumptions are based on the best available information, actual results could be materially different from these estimates.
Principles of consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Risk and uncertainties
The Company’s current estimates contemplate current and expected future conditions, as applicable, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could differ from expectations, which could materially affect the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
Foreign currency
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet dates. Revenues, costs and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at average exchange rates for the relevant period. Income and losses resulting from translation are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
The Company may enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts to hedge the volatility of exchange rates related to a portion of its international inventory purchases. Realized gains and losses from designated foreign currency derivative contracts are recognized in cost of sales as the hedged inventory purchases are sold. Unrealized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions on the fair value of foreign exchange contracts designated as hedges are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Realized and unrealized gains and losses from non-designated foreign currency hedges are recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Foreign currency gains and losses included within selling, general and administrative expenses were a $ 1.5 million loss in 2022, a $ 1.3 million loss in 2021, and a $ 0.5 million gain in 2020.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
Revenue recognition
The Company sells products wholesale, to retailers and distributors, and retail, directly to the consumer. Wholesale sales and retail sales are primarily recognized at the point in time the customer obtains control of the products, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those products.
The Company offers various sales incentives and promotional programs to its customers in the normal course of business. These incentives and promotions typically include arrangements such as cooperative advertising, buydowns, volume rebates and discounts. These arrangements and an estimate for products expected to be returned are reflected as reductions of revenue at the time of sale. See NOTE 2 — REVENUE for additional information.
Cost of sales
Cost of sales consist primarily of costs associated with the production and procurement of product, inbound freight costs, purchasing costs, royalties and other product procurement related charges.
Distribution expenses
Distribution expenses consist primarily of warehousing expenses and freight-out expenses. Freight-out expenses were $ 17.4 million, $ 19.2 million and $ 15.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Handling costs of products sold are included in cost of sales.
Advertising expenses
Advertising expenses are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses were $ 6.8 million, $ 4.4 million and $ 3.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Accounts receivable
The Company periodically reviews the collectability of its accounts receivable and establishes allowances for estimated losses that could result from the inability of its customers to make required payments, taking into consideration customer credit history and financial condition, industry and market segment information, credit reports, and economic trends and conditions such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A considerable amount of judgment is required to assess the ultimate realization of these receivables including assessing the initial and on-going creditworthiness of the Company’s customers.
The Company also maintains an allowance for anticipated customer deductions. The allowances for deductions are primarily based on contracts with customers. However, in certain cases the Company does not have a formal contract and, therefore, customer deductions are non-contractual. To evaluate the reasonableness of non-contractual customer deductions, the Company analyzes currently available information and historical trends of deductions.
The sales of accounts receivable, under the Company’s Receivable Purchase Agreement with HSBC, are reflected as a reduction of accounts receivable in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at the time of sale and any related expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Inventory
Inventory consists principally of finished goods sourced from third-party suppliers. Inventory also includes finished goods, work in process and raw materials related to the Company’s manufacture of sterling silver products. Inventory is priced using the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or net realizable value. The Company estimates the selling price of its inventory on a product by product basis based on the current selling environment. If the estimated selling price is lower than the inventory’s cost, the Company reduces the value of the inventory to its net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable cost of completion, disposal and transportation.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost. Equipment under finance leases is recorded at the present value of the total minimum lease payments. Property and equipment, other than leasehold improvements and equipment under finance leases, are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings are depreciated over 30 years, machinery and equipment and computer hardware and software are depreciated over periods ranging from 3 years to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Equipment under finance
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
leases are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the assets' useful lives. Advances paid towards the acquisition of property and equipment and the cost of property and equipment not ready for use before the end of the period are classified as construction in progress.
Cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Concentration of credit risk
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are potentially subject to concentration of credit risk. The Company maintains cash with several financial institutions that, in some cases, is in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of entities comprising the Company’s customer base.
During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., including Sam’s Club and, in the U.K., Asda Superstore, (“Walmart”), accounted for 19 %, 18 % and 20 % of consolidated net sales, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, sales to Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco”) accounted for 13 %, 12 %, and 11 % of consolidated net sales. During the year ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, Amazon.com Inc., (“Amazon”), accounted for 11 %, 12 % and 10 % of consolidated net sales. Sales to Walmart, Costco and Amazon are included in the Company's U.S. and International segments. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s sales during these periods.
Fair value measurements
Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and establishes a common definition of fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. Fair value measurements included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements relate to the Company’s annual goodwill and other intangible asset impairment tests and derivatives, described in NOTE 7 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS and NOTE 9 — DERIVATIVES, respectively.
Fair value of financial instruments
The Company determined that the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of their short-term nature. The Company determined that the carrying amounts of borrowings outstanding under its ABL Agreement and Term Loan approximate fair value since such borrowings bear interest at variable market rates.
Derivatives
The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. ASC 815 requires that all derivative instruments be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value as either an asset or liability. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that qualify as hedges and have been designated as part of a hedging relationship for accounting purposes have no net impact on earnings until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The change in the fair value of hedges is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss and is subsequently recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations to mirror the location of the hedged items impacting earnings. Changes in fair value of derivatives that do not qualify as hedging instruments for accounting purposes are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill, intangible assets and long-lived assets
Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but, instead, are subject to an annual impairment assessment. Additionally, if events or conditions were to indicate the carrying value of a reporting unit may not be recoverable, the Company would evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment at that time.
As it relates to the goodwill assessment, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment testing described in the FASB's ASU Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. If, after assessing qualitative factors, the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the quantitative test is unnecessary and the Company’s goodwill is not considered to be
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
impaired. However, if based on the Company’s qualitative assessment it concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if the Company elects to bypass the qualitative assessment, the Company will proceed with performing the quantitative impairment test. See NOTE 7 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS for further discussion regarding goodwill impairment.
The Company also evaluates qualitative factors to determine whether impairment indicators exist for its indefinite lived intangibles and performs quantitative tests if required. These tests can include the relief from royalty model or other valuation models. See NOTE 7 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS for further discussion regarding impairment of indefinite lived intangibles.
Long-lived assets, including intangible assets deemed to have finite lives, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Impairment indicators include, among other conditions, cash flow deficits, historic or anticipated declines in revenue or operating profit or material adverse changes in the business climate that indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may be impaired. When impairment indicators are present, the recoverability of the asset is measured by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of each long-lived asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. See NOTE 7 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS for further discussion regarding impairment of long-lived assets.
Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company accounts for foreign income taxes based upon anticipated reinvestment of profits into respective foreign tax jurisdictions.
The Company applies the authoritative guidance for the financial statement recognition, measurement and disclosure of uncertain tax positions recognized in the Company’s financial statements . In accordance with this guidance, tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position. A valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when it is “more likely than not” that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Share-based compensation
The Company accounts for its share-based compensation arrangements in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation: Stock-based Compensation, which requires the measurement of compensation expense for all share-based compensation granted to employees and non-employee directors at fair value on the date of grant and recognition of compensation expense over the related service period. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the fair value of its stock options. The Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility of the Company’s common stock and the risk-free interest rate. Changes in these subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate of the Company’s stock options on the date of the option grant.
Performance share awards are initially valued at the Company’s closing stock price on the date of grant. Each performance award represents the right to receive up to 150 % of the target number of shares of common stock. The number of shares of common stock earned will be determined based on the attainment of specified performance goals, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, by the end of the performance period. Compensation expense for performance awards is recognized over the vesting period and will vary based on remeasurement during the performance period. If achievement of the performance metrics is not probable of achievement during the performance period, compensation expense is reversed. The awards are forfeited if the performance metrics are not achieved as of the end of the performance period. The performance share awards vest at the end of a three year period, as determined by the Compensation Committee.
The Company bases the estimated fair value of restricted stock awards on the date of grant. The estimated fair value is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant multiplied by the number of shares awarded. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
Cash-settled performance-based award represents the right to receive up to 150 % of the target number of deferred stock units with payment in cash equivalent to the value of one share of the Company's common stock. The number of deferred stock units earned will
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
be determined based on the attainment of specified performance goals at the end of the performance period, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The cash-settled performance-based awards are subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s Plan. Compensation expense for cash-settled performance-based awards is recognized over the vesting period and will vary based on remeasurement during the performance period. If achievement of the performance metrics is not probable of achievement during the performance period, compensation expense is reversed. The awards are forfeited if the performance metrics are not achieved as of the end of the performance period. The cash - settled performance-based awards are liability-classified awards and are recorded within accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. These awards are remeasured to fair value at the end of each reporting period until settlement. The cash-settled performance-based awards vest at the end of a three year period, as determined by the Compensation Committee.
Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at the inception of a contract. Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets are included in operating lease right-of-use assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The current and long-term components of operating lease liabilities are included in the current portion of operating lease liability and operating lease liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property and equipment, net, accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities. The Company's finance leases are not material to the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset may also include any lease payments made, adjusted for any prepaid or accrued rent payments, lease incentives, and initial direct costs incurred. Certain leases may include options to extend or terminate the lease. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
For certain equipment leases, the Company applies a portfolio approach to effectively account for any ROU assets and lease liabilities. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet.
The Company has elected the practical expedient to account for each separate lease component of a contract and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component, thus causing all fixed payments to be capitalized.
Employee healthcare
The Company self-insures certain portions of its health insurance plan. The Company maintains an accrual for estimated unpaid claims and claims incurred but not yet reported (“IBNR”). Although management believes that it uses the best information available to estimate IBNR claims, actual claims may vary significantly from estimated claims.
Restructuring expenses
Costs associated with restructuring activities are recorded at fair value when a liability has been incurred. A liability has been incurred at the communication date for severance. Charges associated with lease terminations, related to restructuring activities, are recognized at the effective date of the lease modification.
In 2022, the Company's international segment incurred $ 0.4 million of restructuring expenses related to severance associated with the reorganization of the International segment's workforce. The reorganization was the result of the Company’s efforts to realign the management and operating structure of the European business in response to changing market conditions. The Company expects annual savings of $ 2.3 million associated with the reorganization.
In 2022, the Company’s U.S. segment accrued $ 0.4 million related to severance associated with the reorganization of the U.S. segment’s sales management structure. The Company accrued $ 0.6 million of unallocated expense related to the termination payment with its Executive Chairman, Jeffrey Siegel. On November 1, 2022, the Company entered into a transition agreement with Jeffrey Siegel, which provides for termination of his employment with the Company, effective March 31, 2023. The transition agreement amends Mr. Siegel’s employment agreement which was to expire on December 31, 2022. The employment agreement provides for a one-time payment which will be paid upon the expiration of the transition agreement. The Company estimates the one-time payment to be approximately $ 1.4 million, of which $ 0.6 million was accrued as a restructuring expense in 2022. The remaining $ 0.8 million is expected to be recorded over the remaining employment period. The Company expects annual savings of $ 1.3 million due to these actions.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company's International segment incurred $ 0.2 million of restructuring expenses related to severance associated with the strategic reorganization of the International segment’s product development and sales workforce. The strategic reorganization was the result of the Company's efforts for product development efficiencies and an international sales approach tailored to countries.
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is subject to various claims and contingencies related to lawsuits, certain taxes and environmental matters, as well as commitments under contractual and other commercial obligations. The Company recognizes liabilities for contingencies and commitments when a loss is probable and estimable.
Adopted accounting pronouncements
Effective January 1, 2022, the Company adopted ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2021-08), which clarifies that an acquirer of a business should recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In connection with the Amendment No.1 of the Term Loan, effective December 29, 2022, the Company adopted ASU 2020-04 and 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions to account for contract modifications, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate that is expected to be discontinued as a result of reference rate reform. The guidance may be applied to contract modifications and hedging relationships as of any date from March 12, 2020 but no later than December 31, 2024 and should be applied on a prospective basis. The Company applied available practical expedients under Topic 848 to account for modifications, changes in critical terms, and updates to the designated hedged risks as qualifying changes have been made to applicable debt modifications as if they were not substantial. Application of these practical expedients allowed us to maintain hedge accounting for our interest rate swap contracts. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
New accounting pronouncements
Updates not listed below were assessed and either determined to not be applicable or are expected to have a minimal effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and disclosures.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This guidance introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. ASU 2016-13 also provides updated guidance regarding the impairment of available-for-sale debt securities and includes additional disclosure requirements. The new guidance is effective for public business entities that meet the definition of a Smaller Reporting Company as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company met the definition of a Smaller Reporting Company as of the one-time determination date of November 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management expects the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 2 — REVENUE
The Company sells products wholesale, to retailers and distributors, and sells products retail, directly to consumers. Wholesale sales and retail sales are recognized at the point in time the customer obtains control of the products in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those products. To indicate the transfer of control, the Company must have a present right to payment, legal title must have passed to the customer, the customer must have the significant risks and rewards of ownership, and where acceptance is not a formality, the customer must have accepted the product or service. The Company’s principal terms of sale are Free on Board ("FOB") Shipping Point, or equivalent, and, as such, the Company primarily transfers control and records revenue for product sales upon shipment. Sales arrangements with delivery terms that are not FOB Shipping Point are not recognized upon shipment and the transfer of control for revenue recognition is evaluated based on the associated shipping terms and customer obligations. Shipping and handling fees that are billed to customers in sales transactions are included in net sales and amounted to $ 4.6 million, $ 3.9 million and $ 3.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net sales exclude taxes that are collected from customers and remitted to the taxing authorities.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
The Company offers various sales incentives and promotional programs to its wholesale customers from time to time in the normal course of business. These incentives and promotions typically include arrangements such as cooperative advertising, buydowns, volume rebates and discounts. These arrangements represent forms of variable consideration, and an estimate of sales returns are reflected as reductions in net sales in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. These estimates are based on historical experience and other known factors or as the most likely amount in a range of possible outcomes. On a quarterly basis, variable consideration is assessed on a portfolio approach in estimating the extent to which the components of variable consideration are constrained.
Payment terms vary by customer, but generally range from 30 to 90 days or at the point of sale for the Company’s retail direct sales.
The Company incurs certain direct incremental costs to obtain contracts with customers, such as sales-related commissions, where the recognition period for the related revenue is less than one year. These costs are expensed as incurred and recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are expensed as incurred.
The following tables present the Company’s net sales disaggregated by segment, product category and geographic region for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
(in thousands)
U.S. segment
Kitchenware $ 402,869 $ 487,797 $ 426,883
Tableware 148,775 167,181 141,113
Home Solutions 117,535 115,655 115,543
Total U.S. segment 669,179 770,633 683,539
International segment 58,483 92,291 85,630
Total net sales $ 727,662 $ 862,924 $ 769,169
Year ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
(in thousands)
United States $ 640,021 $ 743,319 $ 658,285
United Kingdom 38,210 54,150 54,364
Rest of World 49,431 65,455 56,520
Total net sales $ 727,662 $ 862,924 $ 769,169
NOTE 3 — ACQUISITION
S'well
On March 2, 2022, the Company acquired certain assets of Can't Live Without It, LLC. (dba S'well Bottle and which the Company refers to as “S'well”). The Company paid cash consideration of $ 18.0 million. The transaction also includes up to $ 5.0 million in contingent consideration, subject to the acquired brand reaching certain milestones.
The purchase price was comprised of the following (in thousands):
Cash paid $ 17,956
Value of contingent consideration 650
Total purchase price $ 18,606
The value of contingent consideration represents the present value of estimated contingent payments of $ 0.7 million, related to the attainment of certain net sales contribution targets for the year 2024. Acquisition related costs of $ 0.9 million were recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
The purchase price was allocated based on the Company’s final estimate of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, as follows (in thousands):
Purchase Price Allocation
Accounts receivable $ 2,280
Inventory 4,005
Fixed assets 40
Intangible assets 13,000
Goodwill 2,966
Accounts payable and accrued expenses ( 3,685 )
Total allocated value $ 18,606
The acquisition is being accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations (“ASC Topic 805”), which established a new basis of accounting for all identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value.
The goodwill and intangible assets are included in the U.S. segment. The trade name intangible asset is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of 12 years (see NOTE 7 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS). The goodwill recognized results from such factors as assembled workforce and the value of other synergies expected from combining operations with the Company. The associated goodwill is deductible for tax purposes over 15 years.
The consolidated statement of operations includes $ 16.9 million of net sales attributable to the S'well brand for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.
On February 26, 2021, the Company acquired the business and certain assets of Year & Day, a designer and distributor of ceramic dinnerware, stainless steel flatware and Italian glassware, for cash in the amount of $ 0.2 million. The assets and operating results of the Year & Day brand are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC Topic No. 805, Business Combinations, commencing from the acquisition date. The purchase price was allocated based on the fair values of the assets acquired which consistent of inventory $ 0.3 million and liabilities assumed of $ 0.1 million. The Year & Day acquisition did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021.
NOTE 4 — LEASES
The Company has operating leases for corporate offices, distribution facilities, manufacturing plants, and certain vehicles. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company has elected the practical expedient to account for each separate lease component of a contract and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component, thus causing all fixed payments to be capitalized. Variable lease payment amounts that cannot be determined at the commencement of the lease, such as increases in lease payments that do not depend on changes in index rates or payments based on usage, are not included in the ROU assets or liabilities. These are expensed as incurred and recorded as variable lease expense.
ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset during the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the net present value of fixed lease payments over the lease term. The Company’s lease term includes options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. ROU assets also include any advance lease payments. As most of the Company’s operating leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
The components of lease costs for the year ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
Operating lease costs (1) :
Fixed lease expense $ 17,855 $ 17,860 $ 18,181
Variable lease expense 4,698 $ 5,833 $ 3,798
Total $ 22,553 $ 23,693 $ 21,979
(1) Expenses are recorded within distribution expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses.
Supplemental cash flow information for the year ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 19,338 $ 19,154 $ 15,802
Total $ 19,338 $ 19,154 $ 15,802
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases $ 2,540 $ 1,299 $ —
Total $ 2,540 $ 1,299 $ —
Included in machinery, furniture and equipment as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 is $ 0.3 million, related to assets recorded under finance leases. Included in accumulated depreciation and amortization at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 is $ 0.2 million related to assets recorded under finance leases.
On January 20, 2023, the Company entered into the third amendment to the existing Medford operating lease. The amendment modified certain terms and conditions of the existing lease agreement, including, but not limited to, reduction in leased square footage, reduction in rent payment, and an extension of the lease term of 7 lease years.
During the period ended December 31, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company negotiated COVID-19-related rent concessions for several of its leased properties. The majority of these rent concessions were in the form of deferred rent payments for one or more months. The Company applied the guidance issued in the FASB staff Q&A - Topic 842 and Topic 840: Accounting For Lease Concessions Related to the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and elected to account for these rent concessions as if no changes to the lease were made and continued to recognize the straight-line lease expense. The COVID-19 related deferred rent payments as of December 31, 2020 were $ 1.0 million were deferred into fiscal year 2021. As of December 31, 2021, all deferred payments have been paid.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
The aggregate future lease payments for operating leases as of December 31, 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
Operating
2023 $ 19,094
2024 18,571
2025 17,975
2026 17,265
2027 13,146
Thereafter 23,657
Total lease payments 109,708
Less: Interest ( 19,260 )
Present value of lease payments $ 90,448
Average lease terms and discount rates were as follows:
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases 6.3 7.3
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases 6.1 % 6.2 %
NOTE 5 — SALE OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
To improve its liquidity during seasonally high working capital periods, the Company has an uncommitted Receivables Purchase Agreement with HSBC Bank USA, as Purchaser (the “Receivables Purchase Agreement”). Under the Receivables Purchase Agreement, the Company may offer to sell certain eligible accounts receivables (the “Receivables”) to HSBC Bank USA, which may accept such offer, and purchase the offered Receivables. Under the Receivables Purchase Agreement, following each purchase of Receivables, the outstanding aggregate purchased Receivables shall not exceed $ 30.0 million. HSBC Bank USA will assume the credit risk of the Receivables purchased; and, the Company will continue to be responsible for all non-credit risk matters. The Company will service the Receivables, and as such servicer, collect and otherwise enforce the Receivables on behalf of HSBC Bank USA. The term of the agreement is for 364 days and automatically extends for annual successive terms unless terminated. Either party may terminate the agreement at any time upon 60 days prior written notice to the other party. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company sold $ 141.3 million and $ 150.7 million of Receivables during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, $ 20.2 million and $ 28.8 million, respectively, of receivables sold are outstanding and are due to HSBC Bank USA from customers. A charge of $ 0.8 million and $ 0.4 million, respectively, related to the sale of the Receivables is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
NOTE 6 — EQUITY INVESTMENTS
The Company owns 24.7 % of the outstanding capital stock of Vasconia, an integrated manufacturer of aluminum products and one of Mexico’s largest housewares companies. Shares of Vasconia’s capital stock are traded on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, the Mexican Stock Exchange. The Quotation Key is VASCONI. The Company accounts for its investment in Vasconia using the equity method of accounting and records its proportionate share of Vasconia’s net income in the Company’s statement of operations. Accordingly, the Company has recorded its proportionate share of Vasconia’s net income (reduced for amortization expense related to the customer relationships acquired) for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
On June 30, 2021, Vasconia issued additional shares of its stock, which diluted the Company’s investment ownership from approximately 30 % to approximately 27 %. The Company recorded a non-cash gain of $ 1.7 million, increasing the Company’s investment balance. Additionally, a loss of $ 2.0 million was recognized for the proportionate share of the diluted ownership for amounts previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The net loss of $ 0.3 million was included in equity in earnings, net of taxes, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
On July 29, 2021, the Company sold 2.2 million shares further reducing its ownership from approximately 27 % to 24.7 % in Vasconia for net cash proceeds of approximately $ 3.1 million, as a result the Company recorded a gain of $ 1.0 million, after decreasing the Company’s investment balance. The gain on the sale resulted in a tax expense of $ 0.1 million. Additionally, a loss of $ 1.4 million was recognized for the proportionate share of the reduced ownership for amounts previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The net loss, including taxes, of $ 0.5 million was included in equity in earnings, net of taxes, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company continues to apply the equity method of accounting.
The value of the Company’s investment balance has been translated from Mexican pesos (“MXN”) to U.S. dollars (“USD”) using the spot rate of M XN 19.47 an d MXN 20.46 at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The Company's proportionate share of Vasconia's net income (loss) has been translated from MXN to USD using the following exchange rates:
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
Average exchange rate (MXN to USD) 19.67 - 20.50
20.01 - 20.74
19.91 - 23.31
The effect of the translation of the Company’s investment, as well as the translation of Vasconia’s balance sheet, resulted in a decrease of the investment of $ 0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 and an increase of the investment of $ 1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. These translation effects are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company received cash dividends of $ 0.2 million and $ 0.1 million, from Vasconia during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. There was no cash dividend received during the year ended December 31, 2022.
The amounts due to and due from Vasconia as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows (in thousands):
Vasconia due to and due from balances Balance Sheet Location December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021
Amounts due from Vasconia Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 48 $ 80
Amounts due to Vasconia Accrued expenses and Accounts payable ( 16 ) ( 146 )
Summarized income statement information for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, as well as summarized balance sheet information as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, for Vasconia, calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, in USD and MXN is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
(in thousands)
USD MXN USD MXN USD MXN
Income Statement
Net sales $ 240,910 $ 4,846,328 $ 240,186 $ 4,871,845 $ 156,391 $ 3,330,855
Gross profit 39,874 802,496 52,574 1,064,557 24,947 540,244
Loss (income) from operations
( 1,596 ) ( 30,323 ) 15,536 313,156 ( 102 ) 6,674
Net income ( 13,207 ) ( 262,251 ) 7,017 141,972 5,566 108,678
December 31,
2022 2021
(in thousands)
USD MXN USD MXN
Balance Sheet
Current assets $ 129,449 $ 2,519,905 $ 127,544 $ 2,609,038
Non-current assets 144,356 2,810,082 123,938 2,535,273
Current liabilities 93,112 1,812,546 93,365 1,909,870
Non-current liabilities 95,065 1,850,568 57,753 1,181,398
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
The Company recorded equity in (losses) earnings of Vasconia, net of taxes, of $( 3.3 ) million, $ 1.8 million and $ 1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The fair value (based on Level 1 inputs using the quoted stock price) of the Company’s investment in Vasconia declined during the third quarter of 2022. As a result of the decline in the quoted stock price and the quarterly decline in the operating results of Vasconia, the Company determined the decline in fair value was other than temporary. The Company reduced its investment by $ 6.2 million as of September 30, 2022 to its fair value, and recognized the non-cash impairment charge within Equity in (losses) earnings, net of taxes, in the consolidated statement of operations. As of December 31, 2022, the fair value of the Company's investment in Vasconia was $ 15.0 million. The carrying value of the Company’s investment in Vasconia, after the recorded impairment, was $ 12.5 million.
Lifetime Brands Do Brasil Participacoes Ltda., a 100 % owned subsidiary of Lifetime Brands, Inc., was dissolved on May 5, 2020. The subsidiary held a note receivable relating to the 2016 sale of its 40 % equity interest in GS International S/A (“GSI”), a wholesale distributor of branded housewares products in Brazil, which was accounted for as an equity method investment. The final installment due on the note receivable was received prior to dissolution of the subsidiary. Foreign currency translation losses of $ 0.2 million, which were previously recorded as a component of stockholder’s equity within accumulated other comprehensive loss, were recognized in earnings upon dissolution of this subsidiary during the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company included this loss within equity in earnings, net of taxes.
NOTE 7 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The Company’s intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021
Gross Accumulated
Amortization Net Gross Impairment Accumulated
Amortization Net
Goodwill (1)
$ 33,237 $ — $ 33,237 $ 30,271 $ — $ — $ 30,271
Indefinite -lived intangible assets:
Trade names (1)
49,600 — 49,600 49,600 — — 49,600
Finite -lived intangible assets:
Licenses 15,847 ( 11,654 ) 4,193 15,847 — ( 11,198 ) 4,649
Trade names (2)
54,785 ( 20,030 ) 34,755 51,856 ( 2,546 ) ( 23,829 ) 25,481
Customer relationships (2)
143,157 ( 53,586 ) 89,571 177,245 ( 11,766 ) ( 65,863 ) 99,616
Other (2)
5,856 ( 3,325 ) 2,531 6,566 ( 448 ) ( 3,057 ) 3,061
Total $ 302,482 $ ( 88,595 ) $ 213,887 $ 331,385 $ ( 14,760 ) $ ( 103,947 ) $ 212,678
(1) The gross and net value at December 31, 2022 and 2021 reflect a reduction of $ 91.7 million impairment charges on goodwill and $ 1.0 million charges on indefinite-lived intangible assets.
(2) The gross value and accumulated amortization at December 31, 2022 reflect a reduction of $ 44.1 million and $( 29.3 ) million, respectively, for the net $ 14.8 million impairment charge on finite-lived intangible assets within the international segment during the period ended December 31, 2021 and a $ 6.5 million reduction in gross value for previous impairment charges on finite-lived intangible assets within the U.S. segment.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
A summary of the activities related to the Company’s intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 consists of the following (in thousands):
Intangible
Assets Goodwill Total Intangible
Assets and
Goodwill
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, December 31, 2019 $ 231,100 $ 49,371 $ 280,471
Foreign currency translation adjustment 607 — 607
Amortization ( 16,953 ) — ( 16,953 )
Impairment of indefinite - lived intangible assets ( 1,000 ) — ( 1,000 )
Impairment of goodwill — ( 19,100 ) ( 19,100 )
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, December 31, 2020 213,754 30,271 244,025
Foreign currency translation adjustment ( 364 ) — ( 364 )
Amortization ( 16,223 ) — ( 16,223 )
Impairment of finite - lived intangible assets ( 14,760 ) — ( 14,760 )
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, December 31, 2021 182,407 30,271 212,678
Acquisition of goodwill — 2,966 2,966
Acquisition of trade name 13,000 — 13,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment ( 227 ) — ( 227 )
Amortization ( 14,530 ) — ( 14,530 )
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, December 31, 2022 $ 180,650 $ 33,237 $ 213,887
The weighted-average amortization periods for the Company’s finite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2022 are as follows:
Years
Trade names 14
Licenses 33
Customer relationships 14
Other 10
Estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows (in thousands):
Year ending December 31,
2023 $ 14,701
2024 14,367
2025 14,116
2026 13,767
2027 13,057
Goodwill impairment test
The Company reviews goodwill and other intangibles that have indefinite lives for impairment annually as of October 1st or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets might exceed their current fair values. For goodwill, impairment testing is based upon the best information available using a combination of the discounted cash flow method, a form of the income approach, and the guideline public company method, a form of the market approach.
The significant assumptions used under the income approach, or discounted cash flow method, are projected net sales, projected earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), terminal growth rates, and the cost of capital. Projected net sales, projected EBITDA and terminal growth rates were determined to be significant assumptions because they are three primary drivers of the projected cash flows in the discounted cash flow fair value model. Cost of capital was also determined to be a significant assumption as it is the discount rate used to calculate the current fair value of those projected cash flows. For the guideline public company method, significant assumptions relate to the selection of appropriate guideline companies and related valuation multiples used in the market analysis.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
Although the Company believes the assumptions and estimates made are reasonable and appropriate, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact its reported financial results. In addition, sustained declines in the Company's stock price and related market capitalization could impact key assumptions in the overall estimated fair values of its reporting units and could result in non-cash impairment charges that could be material to the Company's consolidated balance sheet or results of operations. Should the carrying value of a reporting unit be in excess of the estimated fair value of that reporting unit, an impairment charge will be recorded to reduce the reporting unit to fair value. The Company also evaluates qualitative factors to determine whether or not its indefinite lived intangibles have been impaired and then performs quantitative tests if required. These tests can include the relief from royalty model or other valuation models. The significant assumptions used in the relief from royalty model are future net sales for the related brands, royalty rates and the cost of capital to determine the fair value of the indefinite lived intangibles.
International Reporting Unit
The carrying value of the goodwill for the International reporting unit was zero as of December 31, 2022 and 2021.
U.S. Reporting Unit
The Company performed its annual impairment assessment of its U.S. reporting unit as of October 1, 2022 by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. The Company performed the analysis using a discounted cash flow and market multiple method. As of October 1, 2022, the fair value of the U.S. reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of goodwill by 10 %.
Management’s projections used to estimate the cash flows included organic net sales growth and net sales growth through new customer channels as well as continued operating efficiencies in future periods. Changes in any of the significant assumptions used in the valuation of the reporting unit could materially affect the expected cash flows, and such impacts could potentially result in a material non-cash impairment charge.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company assessed the carrying value of goodwill and determined, based on qualitative factors, that no impairment indicators existed for goodwill.
In the first quarter of 2020, as a result of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company performed an interim assessment of the goodwill for the U.S. reporting unit as of March 31, 2020, by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. The Company performed the analysis using a discounted cash flow and market multiple method. Based upon the analysis performed, the Company recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $ 19.1 million during the first quarter of 2020. The goodwill impairment charge resulted from, among other factors, the uncertain market conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted the Company's market capitalization, as well as a reduction of forecasted future cash flows associated with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fair value of the U.S. reporting unit was approximately 3.9 % below its carrying value as of March 31, 2020.
Annual indefinite-lived trade name impairment test
The Company values its indefinite-lived trade names using a relief-from-royalty approach, which assumes the value of the trade name is the discounted cash flows of the amount that would be paid by a hypothetical market participant had they not owned the trade name and instead licensed the trade name from another company.
The Company bypassed the optional qualitative impairment analysis for its indefinite-lived trade name assets annual October 1, 2022 impairment test. The Company completed the quantitative impairment analysis by comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived trade names to their respective carrying value using a relief from royalty method. As of October 1, 2022, the fair value of the Company’s indefinite-lived trade names exceeded their respective carrying values by 12%. While the indefinite-lived trade names were not determined to be impaired, the indefinite-lived trade names are at risk of future impairment in the event the trade names do not perform as projected or if market factors utilized in the impairment analysis deteriorate, including an unfavorable change in long-term growth rates or the weighted average cost of capital.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company assessed the carrying value of its indefinite-lived trade names and determined based on qualitative factors that no impairment existed.
In the first quarter of 2020, as a result of the economic decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company determined its indefinite-lived trade names had indicators for impairment. As a result, the Company bypassed the optional qualitative impairment analysis for its indefinite-lived trade names and performed an interim quantitative impairment analysis as of March 31, 2020, by comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived trade names to their respective carrying values. As a result of the impairment testing
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
performed in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic triggering event, the Company determined that certain of its indefinite-lived intangible assets in the U.S. segment were impaired. As a result, the Company recorded a $ 1.0 million non-cash impairment charge during the first quarter of 2020.
Long-lived assets impairment test
Due to the current operating results for the International segment as a result of low consumer confidence in the region, impairment indicators were identified for the International asset group. The Company tested the recoverability of the asset group, concluding it was not recoverable and performed an analysis of the fair value of the international long-lived assets. The Company tested the International segment's long-lived assets for impairment and concluded that the fair value exceeded the carrying value of the long-lived assets, concluding no impairment as of December 31, 2022.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, due to lower than expected operating results for the International segment caused by continuing impacts of COVID-19 and the exit of the U.K. from the European Union, impairment indicators were identified for the International asset group. The Company tested the recoverability of the asset group, concluding it was not recoverable and performed an analysis of the fair value of the international long-lived assets. For the finite-lived intangible assets, the Company performed discounted cash flow analysis and recorded an impairment of $ 14.8 million within the International segment.
NOTE 8 — DEBT
On August 26, 2022, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 (the “Amendment”) to the ABL Agreement among the Company, as a Borrower, certain subsidiaries of the Company, as Borrowers and/or Loan Parties, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and a Lender, HSBC Bank USA, National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Co-Documentation Agents and Lenders, and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company. The ABL Agreement provides for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $ 200.0 million, which facility will mature on August 26, 2027 (subject to an earlier springing maturity date that is 90 days prior to the Term Loan maturity date of February 28, 2025 if the Company’s Term Loan has not been repaid or refinanced by such date).
The Term Loan provides for a senior secured term loan credit facility in the original principal amount of $ 275.0 million, which matures on February 28, 2025. On December 29, 2022, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Term Loan, which replaces the LIBOR-based interest rates with SOFR-based interest rates and modifies the provisions for determining the alternative rate of interest upon the occurrence of certain events relating to the availability of interest rate benchmarks. The Term Loan requires the Company to make an annual prepayment of principal based upon a percentage of the Company's excess cash flow (“Excess Cash Flow”), if any. The percentage applied to the Company’s excess cash flow is based on the Company’s Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Debt Agreements). When an Excess Cash Flow payment is required, each lender has the option to decline a portion or all of the prepayment amount payable to it. An estimate of the amount of the Excess Cash Flow payment is recorded in current maturity of term loan on the consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, the Term Loan requires quarterly payments, which commenced on June 30, 2018, of principal equal to 0.25 %, of the original aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan facility, which payments are to be adjusted from time to time to account for prepayments made. Per the Term Loan, when the Company makes an Excess Cash Flow payment, the payment is first applied to satisfy the next eight scheduled future quarterly required payments of the Term Loan in order of maturity and then to the remaining scheduled installments on a pro rata basis. The quarterly principal payments have been satisfied through maturity of the Term Loan by the annual Excess Cash Flow payments made to date.
The maximum borrowing amount under the ABL Agreement may be increased to up to $ 250.0 million if certain conditions are met but limited to $ 220.0 million pursuant to the Term Loan. One or more tranches of additional term loans (the “Incremental Term Facilities”) may be added under the Term Loan if certain conditions are met. The Incremental Facilities may not exceed the sum of (i) $ 50.0 million plus (ii) an unlimited amount so long as, in the case of (ii) only, the Company’s secured net leverage ratio, as defined in and computed on a pro forma basis pursuant to the Term Loan, after giving effect to such increase, is no greater than 3.75 to 1.00, subject to certain limitations and for the period defined pursuant to the Term Loan but not to mature earlier than the maturity date of the then existing term loans.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the total availability under the ABL Agreement were as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Maximum aggregate principal allowed $ 189,411 $ 150,000
Outstanding borrowings under the ABL Agreement ( 10,424 ) —
Standby letters of credit ( 2,765 ) ( 3,659 )
Total availability under the ABL Agreement $ 176,222 $ 146,341
Availability under the ABL Agreement is limited to the lesser of the $ 200.0 million commitment thereunder and the borrowing base and therefore depends on the valuation of certain current assets comprising the borrowing base. The borrowing capacity under the ABL Agreement will depend, in part, on eligible levels of accounts receivable and inventory that fluctuate regularly. Due to the seasonality of the Company’s business, this mean that the Company may have greater borrowing availability during the third and fourth quarters of each year. Consequently, the $ 200.0 million commitment thereunder may not represent actual borrowing capacity.
The current and non-current portions of the Company’s Term Loan facility included in the consolidated balance sheets are presented as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021
Current portion of Term Loan facility:
Estimated Excess Cash Flow principal payment $ — $ 7,200
Estimated unamortized debt issuance costs — ( 1,429 )
Total Current portion of Term Loan facility — $ 5,771
Non-current portion of Term Loan facility:
Term Loan facility, net of current portion $ 245,911 $ 244,927
Estimated unamortized debt issuance costs ( 3,054 ) ( 3,054 )
Total Non-current portion of Term Loan facility $ 242,857 $ 241,873
As of December 31, 2022, there is no Excess Cash Flow Payment due for 2023. The 2022 Excess Cash Flow payment, paid on March 30, 2022, totaled $ 6.2 million. The Excess Cash Flow payment differs from the estimated amount at December 31, 2021 of $ 7.2 million as certain lenders opted to decline their payments per the terms of the Term Loan.
The Company’s payment obligations under its Debt Agreements are unconditionally guaranteed by its existing and future U.S. subsidiaries, with certain minor exceptions. Certain payment obligations under the ABL Agreement are also direct obligations of its foreign subsidiary borrowers designated as such under the ABL Agreement and, subject to limitations on such guaranty, are guaranteed by the foreign subsidiary borrowers, as well as by the Company. The obligations of the foreign subsidiary borrowers under the ABL Agreement are secured by security interests in substantially all of the assets of, and stock in, such foreign subsidiary borrowers, subject to certain limitations. The obligations of the Company under the Debt Agreements and any hedging arrangements and cash management services and the guarantees by its domestic subsidiaries in respect of those obligations are secured by security interests in substantially all of the assets and stock (but in the case of foreign subsidiaries, limited to 65 % of the capital stock in first-tier foreign subsidiaries and not including the stock of subsidiaries of such first-tier foreign subsidiaries) owned by the Company and the U.S. subsidiary guarantors, subject to certain exceptions. Such security interests consists of (1) a first-priority lien, subject to certain permitted liens, with respect to certain assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (the “ABL Collateral”) pledged as collateral in favor of lenders under the ABL Agreement and a second-priority lien in the ABL Collateral in favor of the lenders under the Term Loan and (2) a first-priority lien, subject to certain permitted liens, with respect to certain assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (the “Term Loan Collateral”) pledged as collateral in favor of lenders under the Term Loan and a second-priority lien in the Term Loan Collateral in favor of the lenders under the ABL Agreement.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, at one of the following rates: (i) an alternate base rate, defined, for any day, as the greater of the prime rate, a federal funds and overnight bank funding based rate plus 0.5 % or one-month Adjusted Term SOFR plus 1.0 % as of a specified date in advance of the determination, but in each case not less than 1.0 %, plus a margin of 0.25 % to 0.5 %, or (ii) Adjusted Term SOFR, which is the Term SOFR Rate for the selected 1, 3 or 6 month interest period plus 0.10 % (or Euro Interbank Offered Rate “EURIBOR” for borrowings denominated in Euro; or Sterling Overnight Index Average “SONIA” for borrowings denominated in Pounds Sterling), but in each case not less than zero, plus a margin of 1.25 % to 1.5 %. The respective margins are based upon average quarterly availability, as defined in and computed pursuant to the ABL
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
Agreement. In addition, the Company pays a commitment fee of 0.20 % to 0.25 % per annum based on the average daily unused portion of the aggregate commitment under the ABL Agreement. The interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the ABL Agreement at December 31, 2022 was 3.43 %. In addition, the Company paid a commitment fee of 0.25 % to 0.375 % on the unused portion of the ABL Agreement during the year ended December 31, 2022.
The Term Loan facility bears interest, at the Company’s option, at one of the following rates: (i) alternate base rate, defined, for any day, as the greater of (x) the prime rate, (y) a federal funds and overnight bank funding based rate plus 0.50 % or (z) one-month Adjusted Term SOFR, but not less than 1.0 %, plus 1.0 %, plus a margin of 2.5 % or (ii) SOFR for the applicable interest period, multiplied by any statutory reserve rate, but not less than 1.0 %, plus a margin of 3.5 %. The interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan at December 31, 2022 was 7.9 %.
The Debt Agreements provide for customary restrictions and events of default. Restrictions include limitations on additional indebtedness, liens, acquisitions, investments and payment of dividends, among other things. Further, the ABL Agreement provides that during any period (a) commencing on the last day of the most recently ended four consecutive fiscal quarters on or prior to the date availability under the ABL Agreement is less than the greater of $ 20.0 million and 10 % of the aggregate commitment under the ABL Agreement at any time and (b) ending on the day after such availability has exceeded the greater of $ 20.0 million and 10 % of the aggregate commitment under the ABL Agreement for 45 consecutive days, the Company is required to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00 as of the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters.
The Company was in compliance with the covenants of the Debt Agreements at December 31, 2022.
Prior to the amendment of the credit agreement, the Company’s ABL provided for an aggregate principal amount of $ 150.0 million. Upon entering into the Amendment to the ABL Agreement the Company repaid its outstanding ABL borrowing in the amount of $ 32.0 million and re-borrowed such amounts under the ABL Agreement, as amended. Unamortized debt issuance costs that were written off were immaterial.
The Company expects that it will continue to borrow, subject to availability, and repay funds under the ABL Agreement based on working capital and other corporate needs.
Other Credit Agreements
A subsidiary of the Company holds a credit facility (“HSBC Facility”) with HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited, Shanghai Branch (“HSBC”) for up to $ 10.0 million Chinese renminbi ($ 1.5 million). The HSBC Facility is subject to annual renewal and may be used to fund general working capital needs of the Company’s subsidiary, which is a trading company in China. Borrowings under the HSBC Facility were guaranteed by the Company and were granted at the sole discretion of HSBC. No borrowings were outstanding under the HSBC Facility at December 31, 2022 and 2021.
NOTE 9 — DERIVATIVES
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
The Company's net total outstanding notional value of interest rate swaps was $ 50 million at December 31, 2022.
The Company designated a portion of these interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of the Company’s exposure to the variability of the payment of interest on a portion of its Term Loan borrowings. The hedge periods of these agreements commenced in April 2018 and expire in March 2023. The original notional values are reduced over these periods. The aggregate notional value was $ 25.0 million at December 31, 2022.
In June 2019, the Company entered into additional interest rate swap agreements, with an aggregate notional value of $ 25.0 million at December 31, 2022. These non-designated interest rate swaps serve as cash flow hedges of the Company’s exposure to the variability of the payment of interest on a portion of its Term Loan borrowings and expire in February 2025.
Foreign Exchange Contracts
The Company is a party from time to time to certain foreign exchange contracts, primarily to offset the earnings impact related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates associated with inventory purchases denominated in foreign currencies. Fluctuations in the value of certain foreign currencies as compared to the USD may positively or negatively affect the Company’s revenues, gross margins, operating expenses, and retained earnings, all of which are expressed in USD. Where the Company deems it prudent, the
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
Company engages in hedging programs using foreign currency forward contracts aimed at limiting the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on earnings. The Company purchases foreign currency forward contracts with terms less than 18 months to protect against currency exchange risks associated with the payment of merchandise purchases to foreign suppliers. The Company does not hedge the translation of foreign currency profits into USD, as the Company regards this as an accounting exposure rather than an economic exposure. The aggregate gross notional values of foreign exchange contracts at December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $ 6.3 million and $ 22.6 million, respectively.
The Company is exposed to market risks, as well as changes in foreign currency exchange rates, as measured against the USD and each other, and changes to credit risk of derivative counterparties. The Company attempts to minimize these risks by primarily using foreign currency forward contracts and by maintaining counterparty credit limits. These hedging activities provide only limited protection against currency exchange and credit risk. Factors that could influence the effectiveness of the Company’s hedging programs include currency markets and availability of hedging instruments and liquidity of the credit markets. All foreign currency forward contracts that the Company enters into are components of hedging programs and are entered into for the sole purpose of hedging an existing or anticipated currency exposure. The Company does not enter into such contracts for speculative purposes and, as of December 31, 2022, the Company does not have any foreign currency forward contract derivatives that are not designated as hedges. These foreign exchange contracts have been designated as hedges in to order to apply hedge accounting.
The fair values of the Company’s derivative financial instruments included in the consolidated balance sheets are presented as follows (in thousands):
December 31,
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments Balance Sheet Location 2022 2021
Interest rate swaps Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 122 $ —
Interest rate swaps Accrued expenses — 288
Other long-term liabilities — 292
Foreign exchange contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 461
Accrued expenses 260 —
December 31,
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Balance Sheet Location 2022 2021
Interest rate swaps Other assets $ 1,292 $ —
Interest rate swaps Other long-term liabilities — 680
The fair value of the interest rate swaps have been obtained from the counterparties to the agreements and were based on Level 2 observable inputs using proprietary models and estimates about relevant future market conditions. The fair value of the foreign exchange contracts were based on Level 2 observable inputs using quoted market prices for similar assets in an active market.
The counterparties to the derivative financial instruments are major international financial institutions. The Company is exposed to credit risk for the net exchanges under these agreements, but not for the notional amounts. The Company does not anticipate non-performance by any of its counterparties.
The amounts of the gains and (losses), realized and unrealized, net of taxes, related to the Company’s derivative financial instruments designated as hedging instruments are recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income as follows (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments 2022 2021 2020
Interest rate swaps $ 523 $ 718 $ ( 2,406 )
Foreign exchange contracts 322 485 117
Total $ 845 $ 1,203 $ ( 2,289 )
Realized gains and losses on the interest rate swaps that are reported in other comprehensive (loss) income are reclassified into earnings as the interest expense on the debt is recognized. The Company had no terminated or matured interest rate swaps during the year ended December 31, 2022.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
Realized gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts that are reported in other comprehensive (loss) income are reclassified into cost of sales as the underlying inventory purchased is sold.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company reclassified $ 1.3 million of cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive losses to earnings. This comprised of a charge of $ 0.3 million related to interest rate swaps recognized in interest expense and a gain of $ 1.6 million related to foreign exchange contracts recognized in cost of sales. At December 31, 2022, the estimated amount of existing net gains expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months was $ 0.8 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company reclassified $ 1.5 million of cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive losses to earnings. This comprised of a charge of $ 0.9 million related to interest rate swaps recognized in interest expense and a loss of $ 0.6 million related to foreign exchange contracts recognized in cost of sales.
The amounts of the gains and losses related to the Company’s derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments are recognized in earnings as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Location of Gain or (Loss) 2022 2021 2020
Interest rate swaps Mark to market gain (loss) on interest rate derivatives $ 1,971 $ 1,062 $ ( 2,144 )
Interest expense ( 55 ) ( 458 ) ( 327 )
$ 1,916 $ 604 $ ( 2,471 )
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
NOTE 10 — CAPITAL STOCK
Cash dividends
Dividends were declared in 2022 and 2021 as follows:
Dividend per share Date declared Date of record Payment date
$ 0.0425 March 9, 2021 May 3, 2021 May 17, 2021
$ 0.0425 June 24, 2021 August 2, 2021 August 16, 2021
$ 0.0425 August 3, 2021 November 1, 2021 November 15, 2021
$ 0.0425 November 2, 2021 January 31, 2022 February 14, 2022
$ 0.0425 March 8, 2022 May 2, 2022 May 16, 2022
$ 0.0425 June 23, 2022 August 1, 2022 August 15, 2022
$ 0.0425 August 2, 2022 November 1, 2022 November 15, 2022
$ 0.0425 November 1, 2022 February 1, 2023 February 15, 2023
On March 8, 2023, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $ 0.0425 per share payable on May 15, 2023 to shareholders of record on May 1, 2023.
Stock repurchase program
On March 14, 2022, the Company announced that its Board of Directors of the Company authorized the repurchase of up to $ 20.0 million of the Company's common stock, replacing the Company's previously-authorized $ 10.0 million share repurchase program. The repurchase authorization permits the Company to effect repurchases from time to time through open market purchases and privately negotiated transactions. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 597,195 shares for a total costs of $ 6.3 million, and thereafter retired the shares. No shares were repurchased during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Preferred stock
The Company is authorized to issue 100 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and 2,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, none of which has been issued or is outstanding at December 31, 2022.
Long-term incentive plan
The Company’s Amended and Restated 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) provides for the granting of awards of up to 8,217,500 shares of common stock. These shares of the Company’s common stock are available for grants to directors, officers, employees, consultants and service providers and affiliates in the form of stock options or other equity-based awards. The Plan authorizes the Board of Directors of the Company, or a duly appointed committee thereof, to issue incentive stock options, non-qualified options, restricted stock, performance-based awards and other stock-based awards. Options that have been granted under the Plan expire over a range of 5 years to 10 years from the date of grant and vest over a range of up to 4 years from the date of grant. Shares of restricted stock that have been granted under the Plan vest over a range of up to 4 years from the date of grant. Performance-based awards that have been granted under the Plan vest after 3 years based upon the attainment of specified performance goals. On June 23, 2022, the shareholders of the Company approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2000 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The amendment and restatement of the Plan revised the terms and conditions of the Plan to, among other things, increase the shares available for grant under the Plan by 1,180,000 shares. As of December 31, 2022, there were 1,133,958 shares available for the grant of awards under the Plan.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
Stock options
A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for the three years ended December 31, 2022, is as follows:
Options Weighted-
average
exercise
price Weighted-
average
remaining
contractual
life (years) Aggregate
intrinsic
value
(in thousands)
Options outstanding at December 31, 2019 1,508,325 $ 13.43
Grants 37,500 6.36
Exercises ( 2,500 ) 10.79
Cancellations ( 14,313 ) 11.09
Expirations ( 242,112 ) 13.27
Options outstanding at December 31, 2020 1,286,900 13.28
Grants 48,000 14.18
Exercises (1)
( 236,325 ) 11.71
Expirations ( 4,000 ) 19.10
Options outstanding at December 31, 2021 1,094,575 13.64
Grants 56,000 11.45
Exercises ( 60,000 ) 11.64
Cancellations ( 11,375 ) 11.16
Expirations ( 13,450 ) 13.99
Options outstanding at December 31, 2022 1,065,750 13.66 4.4 $ 38
Options exercisable at December 31, 2022 957,125 $ 13.92 3.9 $ 19
(1) Includes the exercise of 2,000 options settled in cash in accordance with the Company’s Amended and Restated 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("the Plan").
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their exercisable in-the-money stock options on December 31, 2022. The intrinsic value is calculated for each in-the-money stock option as the difference between the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2022 and the exercise price.
The total intrinsic value of those stock options that were exercised in the year ended December 31, 2022 was $ 0.1 million. The total intrinsic values of those stock options that were exercised in the year ended December 31, 2021 was $ 0.8 million and in the year ended December 31, 2020 was less than $ 0.1 million. The intrinsic value of a stock option that is exercised is calculated at the date of exercise.
Total unrecognized stock option compensation expense at December 31, 2022, before the effect of income taxes, was $ 0.5 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years.
The Company values stock options using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Black-Scholes option valuation model, as well as other available models, was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. The Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility and risk-free interest rate. Because the Company’s stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates of the Company’s stock options. The weighted-average per share grant date fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, was $ 5.44 , $ 6.31 and $ 2.26 , respectively.
The fair values for these stock options were estimated at the dates of grant using the following weighted-average assumptions:
2022 2021 2020
Historical volatility 53 % 52 % 49 %
Expected term (years) 6.3 6.3 6.3
Risk-free interest rate 3.15 % 1.08 % 0.45 %
Expected dividend yield 1.48 % 1.20 % 2.67 %
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
Restricted Stock
A summary of the Company’s restricted stock activity and related information for the three years ended December 31, 2022 is as follows:
Restricted
Shares Weighted-
average
grant
date
fair value
Non-vested restricted shares, December 31, 2019 593,341 $ 10.70
Grants 534,940 5.94
Vested ( 322,398 ) 10.64
Cancellations ( 10,296 ) 9.06
Non-vested restricted shares, December 31, 2020 795,587 7.54
Grants 220,658 14.27
Vested ( 586,244 ) 7.19
Cancellations ( 400 ) 11.42
Non-vested restricted shares, December 31, 2021 429,601 11.47
Grants 266,713 12.03
Vested ( 205,290 ) 11.46
Cancellations ( 6,881 ) 10.92
Non-vested restricted shares, December 31, 2022 484,143 $ 11.79
Total unrecognized compensation expense remaining (in thousands) $ 4,089
Weighted-average years expected to be recognized over 1.7
The total fair value of restricted stock that vested during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $ 2.4 million.
Performance shares
Each performance award represents the right to receive up to 150 % of the target number of shares of common stock. The number of shares of common stock earned will be determined based on the attainment of specified performance goals at the end of the performance period, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The shares are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
A summary of the Company’s performance-based award activity and related information for the three years ended December 31, 2022 is as follows:
Performance -
based
awards (1)
Weighted-
average
grant
date
fair value
Non-vested performance-based awards, December 31, 2019 405,059 $ 12.43
Grants 106,275 6.36
Vested ( 62,215 ) 18.45
Cancellations ( 18,073 ) 15.49
Non-vested performance-based awards, December 31, 2020 431,046 9.94
Grants 176,915 14.18
Vested ( 150,273 ) 12.79
Cancellations ( 21,358 ) 12.76
Non-vested performance-based awards, December 31, 2021 436,330 10.54
Grants (2)
123,000 12.19
Achieved performance over target (3)
12,035 9.20
Vested ( 166,935 ) 9.20
Cancellations ( 4,128 ) 10.64
Non-vested performance-based awards, December 31, 2022 400,302 $ 11.56
Total unrecognized compensation expense remaining (in thousands) $ 798
Weighted-average years expected to be recognized over 1.0
(1) Represents the target number of shares to be issued for each performance-based award.
(2) The performance metric for the performance-based awards granted in 2022 is not probable of achievement. No compensation expense was recorded in 2022.
(3) Represents the number of shares earned over target for performance-based awards granted in 2019 based on performance goals attained. These awards vested in the three months ended March 31, 2022.
The total fair value of performance-based awards that vested during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $ 2.0 million.
On March 8, 2023, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors determined the performance goals set forth in the performance-based awards granted in 2020 were attained and 119,739 shares vested.
Cash-settled performance-based awards
Each cash-settled performance-based award represents the right to receive up to 150 % of the target number of deferred stock units with payment in cash equivalent to the value of one share of the Company's common stock. The number of deferred stock units earned will be determined based on the attainment of specified performance goals at the end of the performance period, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The cash-settled performance-based awards are subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s Plan.
A summary of the Company’s cash-settled performance-based awards activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2022 is as follows:
Cash-settled performance-based awards (1)
Weighted-
average fair
value
Non-vested cash-settled performance-based awards, January 1, 2022
— $ —
Grants (2)
87,825 7.66
Cancellations ( 2,049 ) 10.61
Non-vested cash-settled performance-based awards, December 31, 2022
85,776 $ 7.59
Total unrecognized compensation expense remaining (in thousands) $ —
Weighted-average years expected to be recognized over 0.0
(1) Represents the target number of units to be settled in cash.
(2) The performance metric for the cash-settled performance-based awards granted in 2022 is not probable of achievement. No compensation expense was recorded in 2022.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
The Company recorded stock compensation expense as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Stock Compensation Expense Components 2022 2021 2020
Equity based stock option expense $ 275 $ 417 $ 570
Restricted and performance-based stock awards expense 3,586 4,787 5,346
Stock compensation expense for equity based awards $ 3,861 $ 5,204 $ 5,916
Liability based stock option expense ( 15 ) 13 35
Total Stock Compensation Expense $ 3,846 $ 5,217 $ 5,951
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
NOTE 11 — (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Basic (loss) income per common share has been computed by dividing net (loss) income by the weighted-average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding. Diluted (loss) income per common share adjusts net (loss) income and basic (loss) income per common share for the effect of all potentially dilutive shares of the Company’s common stock. Anti-dilutive securities are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share under the treasury stock method.
The calculations of basic and diluted (loss) income per common share for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, are as follows:
2022 2021 2020
(in thousands - except per share amounts)
Net (loss) income – Basic and Diluted
$ ( 6,166 ) $ 20,801 $ ( 3,007 )
Weighted-average shares outstanding – Basic 21,558 21,397 20,860
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and other stock awards — 640 —
Weighted-average shares outstanding – Diluted 21,558 22,037 20,860
Basic (loss) income per common share
$ ( 0.29 ) $ 0.97 $ ( 0.14 )
Diluted (loss) income per common share
$ ( 0.29 ) $ 0.94 $ ( 0.14 )
Antidilutive shares (1)
1,681 380 2,167
(1) Stock options and other stock awards that have been excluded from the denominator as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
NOTE 12 — INCOME TAXES
The components of income before income taxes and equity in (losses) earnings are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
(in thousands)
Domestic $ 20,796 $ 61,045 $ 18,012
Foreign ( 11,767 ) ( 24,665 ) ( 12,463 )
Total income before income taxes and equity in earnings
$ 9,029 $ 36,380 $ 5,549
The provision for income taxes (before equity in (losses) earnings) consists of:
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
(in thousands)
Current:
Federal $ 6,890 $ 10,361 $ 8,522
State and local 1,888 3,558 2,540
Foreign 775 823 665
Deferred ( 3,825 ) 1,799 ( 1,861 )
Income tax provision
$ 5,728 $ 16,541 $ 9,866
On March 27, 2020, H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into legislation which includes business tax provisions that impact taxes related to 2018, 2019 and 2020. Some of the significant tax law changes in accordance with the CARES Act are to increase the limitation on deductible business interest expense for 2019 and 2020, allow for the five-year carryback of net operating losses for 2018-2020, suspend the 80% limitation of taxable income for net operating loss carryforwards for 2018-2020, and accelerate the ability to claim refunds of Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credit carryforwards.
The CARES Act remedied certain aspects of the Tax Act such as accelerated depreciation recovery for assets defined as qualified improvement property and carryback of operating losses to fiscal tax years. The latter required carryback of Filament losses to pre-acquisition fiscal years ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, which resulted in a tax expense that exceeded the benefit received
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
from the various CARES Act provisions claimed by the Company. The Company received a tax refund of $ 2.3 million in the third quarter of 2020.
Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, research and development costs are no longer fully deductible and are required to be capitalized and amortized for U.S. tax purposes effective January 1, 2022. The mandatory capitalization requirement increases our deferred tax assets and income tax payable.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets and (liabilities) are as follows:
December 31,
2022 2021
(in thousands)
Deferred income tax assets:
Operating lease liabilities $ 22,814 $ 26,158
Stock options 1,679 1,825
Inventory 3,134 2,612
Operating loss carryforwards 17,450 15,684
Accounts receivable allowances 1,906 1,696
Accrued compensation 1,137 1,310
Deferred compensation 721 1,167
Environmental remediation accrual 1,432 127
Capitalized research and experimental expenditures 2,525 —
Other 755 1,409
Total deferred income tax assets $ 53,553 $ 51,988
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Operating lease right-of-use assets $ ( 18,872 ) $ ( 21,857 )
Fixed assets ( 1,735 ) ( 1,784 )
Intangibles ( 26,230 ) ( 26,117 )
Total deferred income tax liabilities ( 46,837 ) ( 49,758 )
Net deferred income tax asset
6,716 2,230
Valuation allowance ( 16,323 ) ( 15,072 )
Net deferred income tax liability
$ ( 9,607 ) $ ( 12,842 )
The Company has capital loss carryforwards of $ 6.8 million in foreign jurisdictions and $ 0.9 million in the U.S. federal jurisdiction at December 31, 2022 that are offset entirely by a valuation allowance.
The Company has net operating losses in foreign jurisdictions of $ 61.3 million and $ 12.1 million in state jurisdictions at December 31, 2022 that are offset entirely by a valuation allowance. The foreign net operating losses can be carried forward indefinitely. The state net operating losses begin to expire in 2026.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
The provision for income taxes (before equity in (losses) earnings) differs from the amounts computed by applying the applicable federal statutory rates as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
Federal income taxes at the statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
Increases (decreases):
State and local income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit 13.9 8.8 38.9
Foreign rate differences 6.9 ( 9.2 ) ( 49.8 )
Foreign withholding tax 6.1 1.2 5.9
Impairment of goodwill — — 65.5
Non-deductible expenses 7.1 3.3 16.4
Uncertain tax positions 1.2 0.1 4.0
Research and development credit ( 5.4 ) ( 1.1 ) ( 7.2 )
Federal return to provision ( 3.4 ) ( 0.4 ) 6.8
Loss of Filament pre-acquisition attributes due to CARES Act — — 8.6
Equity-based compensation 0.1 ( 0.6 ) 19.4
Valuation Allowance 15.9 22.4 48.3
Provision for income taxes 63.4 % 45.5 % 177.8 %
The estimated values of the Company’s gross uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 consist of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
(in thousands)
Balance at January 1 $ ( 1,071 ) $ ( 1,648 ) $ ( 1,508 )
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year ( 79 ) ( 49 ) ( 149 )
Reductions for tax position of prior years 20 626 9
Balance at December 31 $ ( 1,130 ) $ ( 1,071 ) $ ( 1,648 )
The Company had approximately $ 0.4 million, net of federal and state tax benefit, accrued at December 31, 2022 and 2021, for the payment of interest and penalties. The Company’s policy for recording interest and penalties is to record such items as a component of the provision for income taxes.
If the Company’s tax positions are ultimately sustained, the Company’s liability, including interest, would be reduced by $ 1.6 million, all of which would impact the Company’s tax provision. On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates its tax positions and revises its estimates accordingly. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that an immaterial amount of its tax positions will be resolved within the next 12 months.
The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal income tax examinations for the years prior to 2019, except for examination in tax year 2017 related to Transition Tax. The Company has identified the following jurisdictions as “major” tax jurisdictions: U.S. Federal, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and the United Kingdom. At December 31, 2022, the periods subject to examination by the Company’s major state jurisdictions, except for New York State, are generally for the years ended 2018 through 2021. In certain jurisdictions, Filament may have additional periods subject to examination. The Company's New York State tax returns for years 2015-2019 closed during the first quarter of 2022, with an immaterial adjustment. As of December 31, 2022, there are no material assessments in any given year.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
NOTE 13 — BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Segment information
The Company has two reportable segments, U.S. and International. The Company has segmented its operations to reflect the manner in which management reviews and evaluates the results of its operations. The U.S. segment includes the Company’s primary domestic business that designs, markets and distributes its products to retailers, distributors and directly to consumers through its own websites. The International segment consists of certain business operations conducted outside the U.S. Management evaluates the performance of the U.S. and International segments based on net sales and income from operations. Such measures give recognition to specifically identifiable operating costs such as cost of sales, distribution expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses. Certain general and administrative expenses, such as senior executive salaries and benefits, stock compensation, director fees and accounting, legal fees and consulting fees, are not allocated to the specific segments and are reflected as unallocated corporate expenses.
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
(in thousands)
Net sales:
U.S. $ 669,179 $ 770,633 $ 683,539
International 58,483 92,291 85,630
Total net sales $ 727,662 $ 862,924 $ 769,169
Income from operations:
U.S. (1)(2)
$ 61,479 $ 100,336 $ 60,378
International (2)(3)
( 12,153 ) ( 25,051 ) ( 12,835 )
Unallocated corporate expenses (4)
( 25,063 ) ( 24,443 ) ( 22,573 )
Total income from operations
$ 24,263 $ 50,842 $ 24,970
Depreciation and amortization:
U.S. $ 18,279 $ 18,504 $ 20,018
International 1,257 4,016 4,646
Total depreciation and amortization $ 19,536 $ 22,520 $ 24,664
Capital expenditures:
U.S. $ 2,088 $ 3,838 $ 1,467
International 887 148 615
Total capital expenditures $ 2,975 $ 3,986 $ 2,082
(1) In 2020, the Company recognized non-cash impairment charges of $ 20.1 million related to the U.S. segment as described in NOTE 7 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS.
(2) In 2022, income from operations includes restructuring expenses of $ 0.4 million for the U.S. segment and $ 0.4 million for the International segment. In 2020, income from operations for the International segment includes $ 0.2 million of restructuring expenses, as described in NOTE 1 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES.
(3) In 2021, the Company recognized non-cash impairment charges of $ 14.8 million related to the international segment as described in NOTE 7 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS.
(4) The Company recognized expenses of $ 5.1 million and $ 0.5 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, for estimated remediation costs related to the Wallace EPA Matter, as described in NOTE 14 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES. In 2022, the Company recognized $ 0.6 million of restructuring expenses within unallocated corporate expenses, as described in NOTE 1 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES.
December 31,
2022 2021
(in thousands)
Assets:
U.S. $ 608,496 $ 706,000
International 93,794 95,092
Unallocated corporate 23,598 27,982
Total assets $ 725,888 $ 829,074
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021
(in thousands)
Goodwill:
U.S.
Beginning balance $ 30,271 $ 30,271
Acquisition activity 2,966 —
Total goodwill $ 33,237 $ 30,271
Geographical information
The following table sets forth long-lived assets by the major geographic locations:
December,
2022 2021
(in thousands)
Long-lived assets, excluding intangible assets, at period-end:
United States $ 75,308 $ 81,659
Mexico 12,516 22,295
United Kingdom 22,845 26,429
Rest of World 1,076 940
Total $ 111,745 $ 131,323
NOTE 14 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Royalties
The Company has license agreements that require the payment of royalties on sales of licensed products which expire through 2048. The estimated f uture minimum royalties payable under these agreements are as follows (in thousands):
Year ending December 31,
2023 $ 8,069
2024 8,000
2025 7,963
2026 8,211
2027 89
Thereafter 2,806
Total $ 35,138
Legal proceedings
Wallace EPA Matter
Wallace Silversmiths de Puerto Rico, Ltd. (“WSPR”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, operates a manufacturing facility in San Germán, Puerto Rico that is leased from the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (“PRIDCO”). In March 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) announced that the San Germán Ground Water Contamination site in Puerto Rico (the “Site”) had been added to the Superfund National Priorities List due to contamination present in the local drinking water supply.
In May 2008, WSPR received from the EPA a Notice of Potential Liability and Request for Information pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sections 9607(a) and 9604(e) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”). In July 2011, WSPR received a letter from the EPA requesting access to the property that it leases from PRIDCO to conduct an environmental investigation, and the Company granted such access. In February 2013, the EPA requested access to conduct a further environmental investigation at the property. PRIDCO agreed to such access and the Company consented. The EPA conducted a further investigation
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
during 2013 and, in April 2015, notified the Company and PRIDCO that the results from vapor intrusion sampling may warrant the implementation of measures to mitigate potential exposure to sub-slab soil gas. The Company reviewed the information provided by the EPA and requested that PRIDCO, as the property owner, find and implement a solution acceptable to the EPA. While WSPR did not cause the sub-surface condition that resulted in the potential for vapor intrusion, in order to protect the health of its employees and continue its business operations, it has nevertheless implemented corrective action measures to prevent vapor intrusion, such as sealing the floors of the building and conducting periodic air monitoring to address potential exposure.
On August 13, 2015, the EPA released its remedial investigation and feasibility study (“RI/FS”) for the Site. On December 11, 2015, the EPA issued the Record of Decision (“ROD”) for an initial operable unit, electing to implement its preferred remedy which consists of soil vapor extraction and dual-phase extraction/in-situ treatment. This selected remedy includes soil vapor extraction (“SVE”) to address soil (vadose zone) source areas at the Site, impermeable cover as necessary for the implementation of SVE, dual phase extraction in the shallow saprolite zone, and in-situ treatment as needed to address residual sources. The EPA’s total net present worth estimated cost for its selected remedy is $ 7.3 million In February 2017, the EPA indicated that it planned to expand its field investigation for the RI/FS to a second operable unit to further determine the nature and extent of the groundwater contamination at and from the Site and to determine the nature of the remedial action needed to address the contamination. The EPA requested access to the property occupied by WSPR to install monitoring wells and to undertake groundwater sampling as part of this expanded investigation. WSPR has consented to the EPA’s access request, provided that the EPA receives PRIDCO’s consent, as the property owner. WSPR never used the primary contaminant of concern and did not take up its tenancy at the Site until after the EPA had discovered the contamination in the local water supply. The EPA has also issued notices of potential liability to a number of other entities affiliated with the Site, which used the contaminants of concern.
In December 2018, the Company, WSPR, and other identified potentially responsible parties affiliated with the Site entered into tolling agreements to extend the statute of limitations for potential claims for the recovery of response costs for the initial operable unit under Section 107 of CERCLA. In February 2020, the tolling agreements were extended to November 2020. In November 2020, the tolling agreements were extended to November 2021. In October 2021, the tolling agreements were extended to November 2022. In October 2022, the tolling agreements were extended to November 2023. The tolling agreements do not constitute in any way an admission or acknowledgment of any fact, conclusion of law or liability by the parties to the agreements.
The EPA released its proposed plan for a second operable unit in July 2019. On September 30, 2019, the EPA issued the ROD for operable unit 2 (“OU-2”), electing to implement its preferred remedy which consists of in-situ treatment of groundwater and a monitored natural attenuation program including monitoring of the plume fringe at the Site. The EPA’s estimated total net present worth cost for its selected remedy is $ 17.3 million.
In August 2021, WSPR received a Notice of Liability from the Department of Justice on behalf of the EPA, and in September 2021, WSPR responded with a good faith offer to conduct additional testing and remedial design work for OU1. Since that time, WSPR has been actively participating in negotiations among the United States Government (the Department of Justice and the EPA) and other potentially responsible parties with respect to the remedial work at OU1. WSPR anticipates finalizing a Consent Decree for Remedial Design and Remedial Action at OU1 in the near term.
The Company has reserved $ 5.6 million to cover probable and estimable liabilities with respect to the above remedial design and remedial action for the initial operable unit. However, it is not possible at this time for the Company to estimate its share of liability related to this matter. In the event of one or more adverse determinations, it is possible that the ultimate liability resulting from this matter and the impact on the Company’s results of operations could be material.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Matter
By letter dated August 26, 2019, the Company was advised that U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") had commenced an investigation, pursuant to 19 U.S.C. §1592, regarding the Company’s tariff classification of certain tableware and kitchenware. The issue centers on whether such merchandise meets the criteria for reduced duty rates as specified sets as those terms are defined in Chapter 69, Note 6(b), Harmonized Tariff System of the United States. The period of investigation is stated to be from August 26, 2014 to the present. Since being notified of the investigation, the Company has obtained a significant amount of evidence that, the Company believes, supports that the imported products were properly classified as specified sets. The Company's counsel filed a Lead Protest and Application for Further Review with CBP on February 5, 2020 (the "Lead Protest") relating to a single shipment made during the investigation period.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
CBP approved the Company’s Lead Protest on June 8, 2020 stating that the specified set requirement was fulfilled with respect to the protested shipment based on information provided by the Company. Based on this decision, no additional duties will be owed for the seven tableware collections imported in this shipment.
The Company also compiled and submitted to CBP a complete set of supporting documents for three additional protests (for the remaining 29 tableware collections that were imported by the Company under the protested shipments). One of the additional protest was approved on October 15, 2020; the other two remain pending. If the CBP approves these additional claims and accepts the evidence presented, then no additional duties will be owed for the remaining protested shipments.
Because the period of investigation covers a five-year period, the Company is compiling supporting documentation packages for all tableware collections imported during this period.
In the event CBP accepts the evidence presented, then no additional duties or penalties will be owed. If CBP rejects the Company’s
position, then the estimated amount of duties that could be owed is $ 1.1 million. In such event, it is reasonably possible that additional
penalties could be assessed, depending upon the level of culpability found, of up to $ 2.2 million for negligence and up to $ 4.4 million for gross negligence. In the event penalties are assessed, the Company will have the opportunity to further contest CBP’s findings and
seek cancellation or mitigation of such assessments.
Accordingly, based on the above uncertainties and variables, the Company considers the potential losses related to this matter to be reasonably possible, but not probable. However, in the event of one or more adverse determinations related to this matter, it is possible that the ultimate liability resulting from this matter and the impact on the Company’s results of operations could be material.
Other
The Company is, from time to time, involved in other legal proceedings. The Company believes that other current litigation is routine in nature and incidental to the conduct of the Company’s business and that none of this litigation, individually or collectively, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
NOTE 15 — RETIREMENT PLANS
401(k) plan and other defined contribution plans
The Company maintains a defined contribution retirement plan for eligible employees under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participants can make voluntary contributions up to the Internal Revenue Service limit of $20,500 ($27,000 for employees 50 years old or over) for 2022. The Company suspended its matching contribution in 2009 as an expense savings measure. The Company’s United Kingdom-based subsidiary, Lifetime Brands Europe Limited, maintains a defined contribution pension plan.
Retirement benefit obligations
The Company assumed retirement benefit obligations, which are paid to certain former executives of a business acquired in 2006. The obligations under the agreements with these former executives are unfunded and amounted to $ 5.7 million at December 31, 2022 and $ 7.4 million at December 31, 2021.
The discount rate used to calculate the retirement benefit obligations was 4.89 % at December 31, 2022 and 2.46 % at December 31, 2021. The retirement benefit obligations are included in accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities.
The Company expects to recognize $ 0.1 million of actuarial losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in net periodic benefit cost in 2023.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
Expected benefit payments for each of the next five fiscal years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
Year ending December 31,
2023 $ 493
2024 469
2025 447
2026 426
2027 406
2027 through 2031 1,785
NOTE 16 — OTHER
Inventory
The components of inventory are as follows:
December 31,
2022 2021
(in thousands)
Finished goods $ 213,450 $ 259,916
Work in process 70 159
Raw materials 8,689 10,441
Total $ 222,209 $ 270,516
Property and equipment
Property and equipment (including finance leases) consist of:
December 31,
2022 2021
(in thousands)
Machinery, furniture and equipment $ 77,948 $ 77,005
Leasehold improvements 37,834 38,433
Computer hardware and software 38,120 37,544
Building and improvements 764 787
Construction in progress 1,249 715
Land 100 100
Total 156,015 154,584
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization ( 137,993 ) ( 133,836 )
Total $ 18,022 $ 20,748
Depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $ 5.0 million, $ 6.0 million and $ 7.4 million, respectively.
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
Accrued expenses
Accrued expenses consist of:
December 31,
2022 2021
(in thousands)
Customer allowances and rebates $ 31,281 $ 36,290
Other non-income tax liabilities 10,054 7,496
Compensation and benefits 9,789 21,258
Vendor invoices 6,930 16,082
Freight 6,869 16,110
Professional fees 2,743 2,954
Royalties 2,408 4,406
Commissions 656 813
Restructuring 986 —
Wallace facility remediation 500 —
Interest 136 402
Other 5,250 6,930
Total $ 77,602 $ 112,741
Other long-term liabilities
Other l ong-term liabilities consist of:
December 31,
2022 2021
(in thousands)
Retirement benefit obligations $ 5,178 $ 6,918
Wallace facility remediation 5,140 —
Other non-income tax liabilities 3,037 2,927
Unearned revenue 890 1,159
Contingent consideration 650 —
Derivative financial instruments — 972
Other long-term obligations 100 140
Total $ 14,995 $ 12,116
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
(in thousands)
Cash paid for interest $ 15,421 $ 13,702 $ 15,476
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds 9,757 19,012 5,161
Non-cash investing activities:
Translation loss recognized on change in Vasconia ownership — 3,404 —
Non-cash gain on dilution of Vasconia ownership — ( 1,732 ) —
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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2022
Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021 2020
(in thousands)
Accumulated translation adjustment:
Balance at beginning of year $ ( 31,752 ) $ ( 35,846 ) $ ( 34,019 )
Translation adjustment during period ( 4,320 ) 690 ( 2,062 )
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)
— 3,404 235
Translation Adjustment $ ( 4,320 ) $ 4,094 $ ( 1,827 )
Balance at end of year $ ( 36,072 ) $ ( 31,752 ) $ ( 35,846 )
Accumulated deferred gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Balance at beginning of year $ 78 $ ( 1,125 ) $ 1,164
Change in unrealized gains (losses) 2,126 ( 311 ) ( 3,273 )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss: (2)
Settlement of cash flow hedges ( 1,281 ) 1,514 984
Net change in cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $( 190 ), $( 246 ) and $ 803
$ 845 $ 1,203 $ ( 2,289 )
Balance at end of year $ 923 $ 78 $ ( 1,125 )
Accumulated effect of retirement benefit obligations:
Balance at beginning of year $ ( 1,875 ) $ ( 2,201 ) $ ( 1,600 )
Net income (loss) arising from retirement benefit obligations, net of tax of $( 359 ), $( 64 ) and $ 259
1,054 191 ( 680 )
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss: (3)
Amortization of loss, net of tax of $( 39 ), $( 45 ) and $( 52 )
116 135 79
Net effects of retirement benefit obligations $ 1,170 $ 326 $ ( 601 )
Balance at end of year $ ( 705 ) $ ( 1,875 ) $ ( 2,201 )
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period
$ ( 35,854 ) $ ( 33,549 ) $ ( 39,172 )
(1) Amount is recorded in equity in (losses) earnings on the consolidated statements of operations.
(2) Amounts are recorded in interest expense and cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of operations.
(3) Amount is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
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Item 15(a)
LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(in thousands)
COL. A COL. B COL. C COL. D COL. E
Description Balance at
beginning
of period Charged to
costs and
expenses Deductions Balance at
end of
period
Year ended December 31, 2022
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 4,656 $ 662 $ ( 123 ) (a)
$ 5,195
Reserve for sales returns and allowances 11,888 5,961 (c)
( 8,438 ) (b)
9,411
$ 16,544 $ 6,623 $ ( 8,561 ) $ 14,606
Year ended December 31, 2021
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 4,624 $ 367 $ ( 335 ) (a)
$ 4,656
Reserve for sales returns and allowances 12,389 8,716 (c)
( 9,217 ) (b)
11,888
$ 17,013 $ 9,083 $ ( 9,552 ) $ 16,544
Year ended December 31, 2020
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 1,333 $ 4,512 $ ( 1,221 ) (a)
$ 4,624
Reserve for sales returns and allowances 8,348 11,280 (c)
( 7,239 ) (b)
12,389
$ 9,681 $ 15,792 $ ( 8,460 ) $ 17,013
(a) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.
(b) Allowances granted.
(c) Charged to net sales.
S-1