UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_____________________

FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

Commission File No. 0-11676

_____________________

BEL FUSE INC.
206 Van Vorst Street
Jersey City, NJ  07302
(201) 432-0463

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The terms the "Company," "Bel," "we," "us," and "our" as used in this report refer to Bel Fuse Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise specified.

The Company's consolidated operating results are affected by a wide variety of factors that could materially and adversely affect revenues and profitability, including the risk factors described in Item 1A of our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. As a result of these and other factors, the Company may experience material fluctuations in future operating results on a quarterly or annual basis, which could materially and adversely affect its business, consolidated financial condition, operating results, and common stock prices.  Furthermore, this document and other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") contain certain forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("Forward-Looking Statements") with respect to the business of the Company.  Forward-Looking Statements are necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Forward-Looking Statements can be identified by such words as "anticipates," "believes," "plans to," "assumes," "could," "should," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "potential," "seek," "predict," "may," "will" and similar expressions.  These Forward-Looking Statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in Item 1A of our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which could cause actual results to differ materially from these Forward-Looking Statements.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these Forward-Looking Statements which may be necessary to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  Any Forward-Looking Statement made by the Company is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made.

 

PART I.  Financial Information

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)

BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2016, and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss and cash flows for the periods presented herein have been prepared by the Company and are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented have been made.  The results for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Bel Fuse Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Certain information and footnote disclosures required under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") have been condensed or omitted from the following condensed consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.  The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and the disclosure of contingent amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

On June 19, 2014, we completed our acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Power-One Power Solutions business ("Power Solutions") from ABB Ltd.  On July 25, 2014, we completed our acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the U.S. and U.K. Connectivity Solutions businesses from Emerson Electric Co. ("Emerson").  On August 29, 2014, we completed our acquisition of the Connectivity Solutions business in China from Emerson (collectively with the U.S. and U.K. portion of the transaction, "Connectivity Solutions").  The acquisitions of Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions may hereafter be referred to collectively as either the "2014 Acquisitions" or the "2014 Acquired Companies".

The accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations, comprehensive loss and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 reflect measurement period adjustments related to the 2014 Acquisitions.  The measurement period adjustments in the aggregate were not considered material to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company's significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.  There were no significant changes to these accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

All amounts included in the tables to these notes to condensed consolidated financial statements, except per share amounts, are in thousands.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance on stock compensation.  The amendment requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition.  A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in Topic 718 as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards.  Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered.  This guidance was adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2016 and it did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In January 2015, the FASB issued guidance on simplifying the income statement presentation by eliminating the concept of extraordinary items.  Extraordinary items are events and transactions that are distinguished by their unusual nature and by the infrequency of their occurrence.  Eliminating the extraordinary classification simplifies income statement presentation by altogether removing the concept of extraordinary items from consideration.  This guidance was adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2016 and it did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance on simplifying the balance sheet presentation of debt issuance costs. The update requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of being presented as an asset. Debt disclosures will include the face amount of the debt liability and the effective interest rate. In August 2015, the FASB amended this guidance for debt issuance costs associated with line-of-credit arrangements to reflect that the SEC would not object to the deferral and presentation of debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequent amortization of debt issuance costs over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, whether or not there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement.  The update requires retrospective application and represents a change in accounting principle. This guidance was adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2016 and it was applied retrospectively for all prior periods.  At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, deferred financing costs totaling $3.7 million and $3.6 million, respectively, which were previously included in other assets, are reflected as a reduction in the carrying value of the Company's long-term debt on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance which simplifies the accounting for measurement period adjustments related to business combinations, which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement period adjustments retrospectively.  Under this guidance, acquirers must recognize measurement period adjustments in the period in which they determine the amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amount they would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date.  This guidance was adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2016.  Measurement period adjustments of any future acquisitions will be accounted for under this new guidance.

In November 2015, the FASB issued guidance which requires entities to present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as noncurrent on the consolidated balance sheet.  The guidance simplifies the current guidance, which requires entities to separately present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as current and noncurrent on the consolidated balance sheet.  This guidance may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted.  The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2016 and it was applied retrospectively for all prior periods.  The following table summarizes the adjustments made to conform prior period classifications to the new guidance:

Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statements of cash flows.  Under the new guidance, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit on the statements of operations. Under current GAAP, excess tax benefits are recognized in additional paid-in capital while tax deficiencies are recognized either as an offset to accumulated excess tax benefits, if any, or on the statements of operations.  The new accounting guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. Certain provisions require retrospective/modified retrospective transition while others are to be applied prospectively. Management is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance to provide a new comprehensive model for lease accounting.  Under this guidance, lessees and lessors should apply a "right-of-use" model in accounting for all leases (including subleases) and eliminate the concept of operating leases and off-balance sheet leases.  This guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018.  Early adoption is permitted.  Management is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued guidance which requires entities to measure most inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, thereby simplifying the current guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market.  The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein.  Early application is permitted.  Management is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements, if any.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of financial statements when there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The amendment requires that an entity's management evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. If conditions or events raise substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern, additional disclosure is required to enable users of the financial statements to understand the conditions or events, management's evaluation of the significance of those conditions and events and management's plans that are intended to alleviate or management's plans that have alleviated substantial doubt. The amendment is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. Management does not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have any material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for revenue from contracts with customers that will supersede most existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. In April 2016, the FASB amended the previously issued guidance. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity's contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017 (early adoption is permitted as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within those annual periods). The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method.  Management is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements, if any, including which transition method it will adopt.

2.	(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net (loss) earnings per common share under the two-class method for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants based upon the best use of the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Entities are required to use a fair value hierarchy which maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets;

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs about which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company held certain financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  These consisted of securities that are among the Company's investments in a rabbi trust which are intended to fund the Company's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP") obligations.  The securities that are held in the rabbi trust are categorized as available-for-sale securities and are included as other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.  The gross unrealized gains associated with the investment securities held in the rabbi trust were $0.7 million at both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.  Such unrealized gains are included, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our available-for-sale securities, which primarily consist of investments held in a rabbi trust of $3.7 million and $3.6 million, respectively, are measured at fair value using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) inputs.  The Company does not have any financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis categorized as Level 3, and there were no transfers in or out of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2016 or March 31, 2015.  There were no changes to the Company's valuation techniques used to measure asset fair values on a recurring or nonrecurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

There were no financial assets accounted for at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

The Company has other financial instruments, such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, accrued expenses and notes payable, which are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis but are recorded at amounts that approximate fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature.  The fair value of the Company's long-term debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow method based on interest rates that are currently available for debt issuances with similar terms and maturities (Level 2 inputs).  At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the estimated fair value of long-term debt was $166.2 million and $188.1 million, respectively, compared to a carrying amount of $161.9 million and $183.5 million, respectively. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the carrying value of the debt on the condensed consolidated balance sheet is reflected net of $3.7 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of deferred financing costs as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance effective January 1, 2016 (see Note 1).  The Company did not have any other financial liabilities within the scope of the fair value disclosure requirements as of March 31, 2016.

Nonfinancial assets and liabilities, such as goodwill and long-lived assets, are accounted for at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.   These items are tested for impairment upon the occurrence of a triggering event or in the case of goodwill, on at least an annual basis.  While there were signs of potential improvement at year-end, the Company's actual revenue stream for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was significantly lower than the financial projections utilized in the annual goodwill impairment analysis (performed as of October 1, 2015), and is not projected to rebound to those levels in 2016.  The Company determined that current business conditions, and the resulting decrease in the Company's projected cash flows, constituted a triggering event which required the Company to perform interim impairment tests related to its long-lived assets and goodwill during the first quarter of 2016.  The Company's interim test on its long-lived assets indicated that the carrying value of its long-lived assets was recoverable and that no impairment existed as of the March 31, 2016 testing date.

The Company's Level 3 fair value analysis related to the interim test for goodwill impairment was supported by a weighting of two generally accepted valuation approaches, the income approach and the market approach, as further described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.  These approaches include numerous assumptions with respect to future circumstances, such as industry and/or local market conditions, which might directly impact each of the reporting units' operations in the future, and are therefore uncertain.  These approaches are utilized to develop a range of fair values and a weighted average of these approaches is utilized to determine the best fair value estimate within that range.

Detailed below is a table of key underlying assumptions utilized in the fair value estimate calculation for the interim test performed as of March 31, 2016 as compared to those assumptions utilized during the annual valuation performed as of October 1, 2015.  Assumptions may vary by reporting unit.  The table below shows the range of assumptions utilized across the various reporting units.

The interim impairment test related to the Company's goodwill was performed by reporting unit.  The valuation test, which heavily weights future cash flow projections, indicated impairment of the goodwill associated with all three of the Company's reporting units.  As a result, the Company recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges totaling $104.3 million during the first quarter of 2016.  The Company's goodwill associated with its reporting units originated from several of Bel's prior acquisitions, primarily Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions (which represented $55.5 million and $55.0 million, respectively, of the carrying value of goodwill at the testing date).  The carrying value of the Company's goodwill was $121.6 million at December 31, 2015.  The remaining goodwill as of March 31, 2016 has a carrying value of $17.5 million.  See Note 4, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

As further discussed in Note 4, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, the Company also performed an interim impairment analysis of its indefinite-lived intangible assets as of March 31, 2016.  Detailed below is a table of key underlying assumptions utilized in the Level 3 fair value estimate calculation of the Company's trademarks for the interim test performed as of March 31, 2016 as compared to those assumptions utilized during the annual valuation performed as of October 1, 2015.  Assumptions may vary by individual trademark.  The table below shows the range of assumptions utilized across the Company's various trademarks.

4.	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill classified by reportable operating segment for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are as follows:

		Total				North America				Asia				Europe
Balance at January 1, 2016
Goodwill, gross		$	148,575			$	63,364			$	54,532			$	30,679
Accumulated impairment charges			(26,941	)			(14,066	)			(12,875	)			-
Goodwill, net			121,634				49,298				41,657				30,679
Impairment charge			(104,263	)			(41,495	)			(41,633	)			(21,135	)
Foreign currency translation			108				-				(24	)			132
Balance at March 31, 2016:
Goodwill, gross			148,683				63,364				54,508				30,811
Accumulated impairment charges			(131,204	)			(55,561	)			(54,508	)			(21,135	)
Goodwill, net		$	17,479			$	7,803			$	-			$	9,676

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price and related acquisition costs over the fair value assigned to the net tangible and other intangible assets acquired in a business acquisition.  As discussed in Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, goodwill is reviewed for impairment on a reporting unit basis annually during the fourth quarter of each year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable.  The goodwill impairment test involved a two-step process.  In the first step, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying value.  If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required.  If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, the second step of the impairment test must be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss.  In the second step, the reporting unit's fair value is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including any unrecognized intangible assets, in a hypothetical analysis that calculates the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination.  If the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is less than the carrying value, the difference is recorded as an impairment loss.

During the first quarter of 2016, management determined that sufficient indicators of potential impairment existed to require an interim goodwill impairment analysis for all of the Company's reporting units.  These indicators included the recent business performance of those reporting units, combined with the long-term market conditions and business trends within those regions.

The methods and assumptions utilized in determining the preliminary fair value of the three reporting units at the interim testing date are detailed in Note 3, Fair Value Measurements.  Due to the complexity and the effort required to estimate the fair value of the reporting units in step one of the impairment test and to estimate the fair value of all assets and liabilities of the reporting units in the second step of the test, the fair value estimates were derived based on preliminary assumptions and analyses that are subject to change.  Based on our preliminary analyses, the implied fair value of goodwill was substantially lower than the carrying value of goodwill for the three reporting units.  As a result, the Company recorded its best estimate of $104.3 million for the goodwill impairment charge in the three months ended March 31, 2016, which is included in impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.  Any adjustments to the estimated impairment loss following the completion of the measurement of the impairment will be recorded in the second quarter of 2016.

Other intangible assets include patents, technology, license agreements, non-compete agreements and trademarks.  Trademarks have indefinite lives and are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis.  Other intangible assets, excluding trademarks, are being amortized over 2 to 24 years.

The Company tests indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment using a fair value approach, the relief-from-royalty method (a form of the income approach).  At December 31, 2015, the Company's indefinite-lived intangible assets related to the trademarks acquired in the Power Solutions, Connectivity Solutions, Cinch and Fibreco acquisitions.  During the first quarter of 2016, management determined that sufficient indicators of potential impairment also existed to require an interim impairment review of our trademarks.  Based on the Company's preliminary analysis, the fair values of all of the Company's trademarks were lower than the respective carrying values.  As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment of $4.3 million which is included in impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets on the condensed consolidated statements of operations in the three months ended March 31, 2016.

The components of intangible assets other than goodwill are as follows:

The components of inventories are as follows:

6.	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $3.7 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

A tabular presentation of the activity within the warranty accrual account for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is presented below:

8.

DEBT

The Company has a Credit and Security Agreement with KeyBank National Association (as amended, the "CSA").  The CSA consists of (i) a term loan, with outstanding borrowings of $165.6 million and $187.2 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively and (ii) a $50 million revolving credit facility ("Revolver"), with no outstanding borrowings at March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015.  At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the carrying value of the debt on the condensed consolidated balance sheet is reflected net of $3.7 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of deferred financing costs as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance effective January 1, 2016.  See Note 1, Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies.

The weighted-average interest rate in effect was 2.75% at March 31, 2016 and 3.19% at December 31, 2015 and consisted of LIBOR plus the Company's credit spread, as determined per the terms of the CSA.  The Company incurred $2.2 million of interest expense during each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

The CSA contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and events of default and financial covenants that measure (i) the ratio of the Company's total funded indebtedness, on a consolidated basis, to the amount of the Company's consolidated EBITDA, as defined, ("Leverage Ratio") and (ii) the ratio of the amount of the Company's consolidated EBITDA to the Company's consolidated fixed charges. If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the CSA would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due thereunder and all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor.  At March 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants, including its most restrictive covenant, the Leverage Ratio.

In March 2016, the Company amended the terms of the CSA to modify (i) the date by which the Company was obligated to make excess cash flow prepayments in 2016 on account of excess cash flow achieved for fiscal year 2015, (ii) the method of application of mandatory and voluntary prepayments related to the Company's loans, and (iii) the maximum Leverage Ratio of the Company allowed under the CSA for the period from the effective date of the amendment through September 2017.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and foreign jurisdictions.  The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations by tax authorities for years before 2012 and for state examinations before 2009.   Regarding foreign subsidiaries, the Company is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years before 2005 in Asia and generally 2008 in Europe.  At March 31, 2016, the Company was under examination by the taxing authorities in Germany for the tax years 2011-2013.  This audit concluded in April 2016 and resulted in an immaterial amount of incremental tax expense.

As a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations for specific jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that the related unrecognized benefits for tax positions taken regarding previously filed tax returns may change materially from those recorded as liabilities for uncertain tax positions in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements at March 31, 2016.  The Company's liabilities for uncertain tax positions totaled $40.4 million and $42.2 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, of which $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively, is included in other current liabilities.  These amounts, if recognized, would reduce the Company's effective tax rate.  As of March 31, 2016, approximately $5.1 million of the Company's liabilities for uncertain tax positions are expected to be resolved during 2016 by way of settlement or expiration of the related statute of limitations.

In connection with the acquisition of the Power Solutions business in 2014, the Company acquired a liability for additional uncertain tax positions related to various tax matters for the years 2007 through 2013.  During the three months ended March 31, 2016, a portion of these tax matters was resolved with the taxing authorities which resulted in a reduction of $2.6 million in the liability for uncertain tax positions, of which $1.3 million related to interest and penalties. Resolution of the remaining tax matters are being actively pursued with the applicable taxing authority.  From the date of acquisition through March 31, 2016, the Company has recorded $3.8 million of interest and penalties pertaining to this issue, of which $0.4 million was reversed during the three months ended March 31, 2016 in relation to the settlement of the exposure.  The Company will continue to accrue approximately $1.9 million annually until the issues are resolved.

The Company's policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits arising from uncertain tax positions as a component of the current provision for income taxes.  During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized $0.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in interest and penalties in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized a benefit of $1.3 million and an immaterial amount, respectively, for the reversal of such interest and penalties.  The Company has approximately $3.2 million and $4.0 million, accrued for the payment of such interest and penalties at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which is included in both other current liabilities and liability for uncertain tax positions in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company continues to monitor proposed legislation affecting the taxation of transfers of U.S. intangible property and other potential tax law changes.

The Company maintains the Bel Fuse Inc. Employees' Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan that is intended to meet the applicable requirements for tax-qualification under sections 401(a) and (k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 amounted to $0.3 million in both periods. As of March 31, 2016, the plan owned 13,928 and 168,647 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.

The Company's subsidiaries in Asia have a retirement fund covering substantially all of their Hong Kong based full-time employees.  The expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 amounted to approximately $0.1 million in both periods. As of March 31, 2016, the plan owned 3,323 and 17,342 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.

The Company maintains a SERP, which is designed to provide a limited group of key management and highly compensated employees of the Company with supplemental retirement and death benefits.  As discussed in Note 4 above, the Company has investments in a rabbi trust which are intended to fund the obligations of the SERP.

The components of SERP expense are as follows:

The following amounts are recognized net of tax in accumulated other comprehensive loss:

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized below:

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component during the three months ended March 31, 2016 are as follows.  All amounts are net of tax.

 

The Company is party to a number of legal actions and claims, none of which individually or in the aggregate, in the opinion of management, are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In connection with the acquisition of Power Solutions, there is an ongoing claim by the Arezzo Revenue Agency in Italy concerning certain tax matters related to what was then Power-One Asia Pacific Electronics Shenzhen Co. Ltd. (now Bel Power Solutions Asia Pacific Electronics Shenzhen Co. Ltd, or "BPS China") for the years 2004 to 2006.  In September 2012, the Tax Court of Arezzo ruled in favor of BPS China and cancelled the claim.  In February 2013, the Arezzo Revenue Agency filed an appeal of the Tax Court's ruling. The hearing of the appeal was held on October 2, 2014.  On October 13, 2014, BPS China was informed of the Regional Tax Commission of Florence ruling which was in favor of the Arezzo Revenue Agency and against BPS China.  The estimated liability related to this matter is approximately $12.0 million and has been included as a liability for uncertain tax positions on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  As Bel is fully indemnified in this matter per the terms of the stock purchase agreement with ABB, a corresponding other asset for indemnification is also included in other assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

In 2015, the Company was provided notice of a potential patent infringement claim by Setec Netzwerke AG ("Setec"), a German company for the alleged infringement of their patent EP 306 934 B1.  Setec subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Company and three of its subsidiaries in Dusseldorf, Germany on January 29, 2016 for patent infringement.  The Company is in the process of preparing an Answer and defense to Setec's Complaint and does not have enough information at this time in order to make any further conclusions or assessments as to infringement or potential damages.

The Company is not a party to any other legal proceeding, the adverse outcome of which is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

The Company operates in one industry with three reportable operating segments, which are geographic in nature.  The segments consist of North America, Asia and Europe.  The primary criteria by which financial performance is evaluated and resources are allocated are net sales and income from operations.  The following is a summary of key financial data:

Net Sales – Segment net sales are attributed to individual segments based on the geographic source of the billing for such customer sales.  Intercompany sales include finished products manufactured in foreign countries which are then transferred to the United States and Europe for sale; finished goods manufactured in the United States which are transferred to Europe and Asia for sale; and semi-finished components manufactured in the United States which are sold to Asia for further processing.

 

Income from operations represents net sales less operating costs and expenses and does not include any amounts related to intercompany transactions.

The following items are included in the segment data presented above:

Impairment Charges – As further discussed in Note 4, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, the Company recorded a $108.6 million non-cash impairment charge related to its goodwill and trademarks during the first quarter of 2016.  Of this charge, $45.1 million was recorded in the Company's North America operating segment, $41.6 million was recorded in its Asia operating segment and $21.9 million was recorded in its Europe operating segment.

In connection with its acquisition of Power Solutions, the Company acquired a 49% interest in a joint venture in the People's Republic of China ("PRC").  The joint venture may purchase raw components and other goods from the Company and may sell finished goods to the Company as well as to other third parties.  The Company purchased $1.2 million of inventory from the joint venture during the three months ended March 31, 2015.  The Company did not purchase any inventory from the joint venture during the three months ended March 31, 2016.  At March 31, 2016, the Company owed the joint venture approximately $0.5 million, which is included in accounts payable on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

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