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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

☒

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021                

or

 

☐

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from              to              

Commission File No. 001-06706

 

BADGER METER, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Wisconsin

 

39-0143280

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

 

4545 W. Brown Deer Road

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

 

53233

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

(414) 355-0400

 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Common Stock

 

BMI

 

New York Stock Exchange

(Title of each class)

 

(Trading Symbol)

 

(Name of each exchange on which registered)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).   Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

☒

 

Smaller reporting company

☐

Accelerated filer

☐

 

Emerging growth company

☐

Non‑accelerated filer

☐

 

 

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit   report. ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐        No  ☒

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter:  As of June 30, 2021, the aggregate market value of the shares of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $2.85 billion.  For purposes of this calculation only, (i) shares of Common Stock are deemed to have a market value of $98.12 per share, the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2021, and (ii) each of the Company's executive officers and directors is deemed to be an affiliate of the Company.

As of February 2, 2022, there were 29,249,448 shares of Common Stock outstanding with a par value of $1 per share.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the registrant's fiscal year, are incorporated by reference from the definitive Proxy Statement into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page

PART I

 

3

Item 1.

Business

3

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

9

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

13

Item 2.

Properties

13

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

13

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

13

 

 

 

PART II

 

14

Item 5.

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

14

Item 6.

Reserved

16

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

16

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

21

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplemental Data

21

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

48

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

48

Item 9B.

Other Information

48

Item 9C.

Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

48

 

 

 

PART III

 

49

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

49

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

49

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

49

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

49

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

49

 

 

 

PART IV

 

50

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

50

Item 16

Form 10-K Summary

50

 

 

Exhibit Index

51

Signatures

53

2

 

 

 

Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other information provided from time to time by Badger Meter, Inc. (the “Company”) or its employees, may contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements.  The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “think,” “should,” “could” and “objective” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements.  All such forward looking statements are based on the Company’s then current views and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties.  Some risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward looking statements include those described in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

PART I

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

Badger Meter, Inc. (the “Company”) is a leading innovator, manufacturer and marketer of products incorporating flow measurement, quality, control and other system solutions serving markets worldwide.  The Company was incorporated in 1905.

Throughout this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the words “we,” “us” and “our” refer to the Company.

Available Information

The Company's internet address is http://www.badgermeter.com.  The Company makes available free of charge through its website its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, on the same day they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company is not including the information contained on or available through its website as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Market Overview, Products, Systems and Solutions

With more than a century of water technology innovation, Badger Meter is a global provider of industry leading water solutions encompassing flow measurement, quality and other system parameters.  These offerings provide customers with the data and analytics essential to optimize their operations and contribute to the sustainable use and protection of the world’s most precious resource.  The Company’s flow measurement products measure water and other fluids and are known for accuracy, long-lasting durability and for providing valuable and timely measurement data through various methods.  The Company’s water quality monitoring solutions include optical sensing and electrochemical instruments that provide real-time, on-demand data parameters. The Company’s product lines fall into two categories: sales of water meters, radios, software and related technologies, and water quality monitoring solutions to water utilities (utility water) and sales of meters and other sensing instruments, valves, software and other solutions for industrial applications in water, wastewater, and other industries (flow instrumentation).  The Company estimates that over 90% of its products are used in water related applications.

Utility water, the largest sales category, is comprised of either mechanical or static (ultrasonic) water meters along with the related radio and software technologies and services used by water utilities as the basis for generating their water and wastewater revenues, enabling operating efficiencies and engaging with their end consumers.  It further comprises other sensor technology used in the water distribution system to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of clean water.  These sensors are used to detect leaks in the distribution piping system and to monitor various water quality parameters throughout the distribution system.  The largest geographic market for the Company’s utility water products is North America, primarily the United States, because most of the Company's meters are designed and manufactured to conform to standards promulgated by the American Water Works Association.  The majority of water meters sold by the Company continue to be mechanical in nature; however, static meters are an increasing percentage of the water meters sold by the Company and in the industry, due to a variety of factors, including their ability to maintain measurement accuracy over their useful life.  Providing ultrasonic water meter technology, combined with advanced radio technology, provides the Company with the opportunity to sell into other geographical markets, for example the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia.  

The flow instrumentation product line primarily serves water applications throughout the broader industrial markets. This product line includes meters, valves and other sensing instruments sold worldwide to measure and control the quantity of fluids going through a pipe or pipeline including water, air, steam, and other liquids and gases.  These products are used in a variety of industries and applications, with the Company’s primary market focus being water/wastewater, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) and corporate sustainability.  Flow instrumentation products are generally sold to original equipment manufacturers as the primary flow measurement device within a product or system, as well as through manufacturers’ representatives.

Utility water meters (both residential and commercial) are generally classified as either manually read meters or remotely read meters via radio technology.  A manually read meter consists of a water meter and a register that provides a visual totalized meter

3

 

reading.  Meters equipped with radio technology (endpoints) receive flow measurement data from battery-powered encoder registers attached to the water meter, which is encrypted and transmitted via radio frequency to a receiver that collects and formats the data appropriately for water utility usage and billing systems.  These remotely read systems are classified as either automatic meter reading (AMR) systems, where a vehicle equipped for meter reading purposes, including a radio receiver, computer and reading software, collects the data from the utilities’ meters; or advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems, where data is gathered utilizing a network (either fixed or cellular) of data collectors or gateway receivers that are able to receive radio data transmission from the utilities’ meters. AMI systems eliminate the need for utility personnel to drive through service territories to collect data from the meters.  These systems provide utilities with more frequent and diverse data from their meters at specified intervals.

The ORION® branded family of radio endpoints provides water utilities with a range of industry-leading options for meter reading.  These include ORION (ME) for migratable AMR meter reading, ORION (SE) for traditional fixed network applications, and ORION Cellular for an infrastructure-free meter reading solution.  ORION migratable makes the migration to fixed network easier for utilities that prefer to start with mobile reading and later adopt fixed network communications, allowing utilities to choose a solution for their current needs and be positioned for their future operational changes.  ORION Cellular eliminates the need for utility-owned fixed network infrastructure, allows for gradual or full deployment, and decreases ongoing maintenance.

Information and analytics are critical to the water metering ecosystem.  The Company’s BEACON® software suite improves utility visibility to their water and water usage.  BEACON is a secure, cloud-hosted software suite that includes a customizable dashboard, and has the ability to establish alerts for specific conditions.  It also allows for consumer engagement tools that permit end water users (such as homeowners) to view and manage their water usage activity.  Benefits to the utility include improved customer service, increased visibility through faster leak detection, the ability to promote and quantify the effects of its water conservation efforts, and easier compliance reporting.

Water meter replacement and the adoption and deployment of new technology comprise the majority of water meter product sales, including radio products.  To a much lesser extent, housing starts also contribute to the new product sales base.  There continues to be a growing trend in the conversion from manually read water meters to meters with radio technology, and for AMR systems to be upgraded to AMI.  The Company estimates that approximately 70% of water meters installed in the United States have been converted to some form of radio solution technology.

In addition to our water utility flow measurement solutions, the Company provides various water quality monitoring solutions utilizing optical sensors and electrochemical instruments that measure a variety of parameters including turbidity, pH, chlorine, nitrates and approximately 40 others.   Utilizing these solutions, water quality can be monitored continually or periodically throughout the network from its original source to the point in which it is recycled and returned.  Real-time water quality parameters enhance the scope of actionable data for water utilities to improve operational security, awareness and efficiency.

The Company’s net sales and corresponding net earnings depend on unit volume and product mix, with the Company generally earning higher average selling prices and margins on meters equipped with radio technology, and higher margins on ultrasonic compared to mechanical meters.  The Company also sells registers and endpoints separately to customers who wish to upgrade their existing meters in the field.  

Flow instrumentation products are used in flow measurement and control applications across a broad industrial spectrum, occasionally leveraging the same technologies used in the municipal water category.  Specialized communication protocols that control the entire flow measurement process and mandatory certifications drive these markets.  The Company provides both standard and customized flow instrumentation solutions.

The industries served by the Company’s flow instrumentation products face accelerating demands to contain costs, reduce product variability, and meet ever-changing safety, regulatory and sustainability requirements.  To address these challenges, customers must reap more value from every component in their systems.  This system-wide scrutiny has heightened the focus on flow instrumentation in industrial process, manufacturing, commercial fluid, building automation and precision engineering applications where flow measurement and control are critical.

A leader in both mechanical and static flow metering technologies for industrial markets, the Company offers one of the broadest flow measurement, control and communication portfolios in the market.  This portfolio carries respected brand names including Recordall®, Hedland®, Dynasonics®, Blancett®, ModMag®, and Research Control®, and includes eight of the ten major flow meter technologies.  Customers rely on the Company for application-specific solutions that deliver accurate, timely and dependable flow data and control essential for product quality, cost control, safer operations, regulatory compliance and more sustainable operations.

In addition, the Company provides various water quality monitoring solutions utilizing optical sensors and electrochemical instruments that measure a variety of parameters providing industrial customers with both process and discharge water quality monitoring capabilities.

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The Company's products are sold throughout the world through employees, resellers and representatives.  Depending on the customer mix, there can be a moderate seasonal impact on sales, primarily relating to higher sales of certain utility water products during the spring and summer months.  No single customer accounts for more than 10% of the Company's sales.

Competition

The Company faces competition for both its utility water and flow instrumentation product lines.  The competition varies from moderate to strong depending upon the products involved and the markets served.  Major competitors for utility water meters include Xylem, Inc. (“Sensus”) and Roper Technologies, Inc. (“Neptune”).  Together with Badger Meter, it is estimated that these companies sell in excess of 85% of the water meters in the North American market. The remaining market share is comprised of competitors such as Master Meter, Inc., Mueller Water Products, Inc., Kamstrup A/S and Diehl Metering GmbH depending on the metering technology.

The Company's primary competitors for utility water radio products in North America are Itron, Inc., Hubbel, Inc. (Aclara Technologies), Neptune and Sensus.  

The Company’s primary competitors for water quality monitoring solutions vary depending on the products and offerings.   Traditional water quality monitoring relies on reagents or test kits, along with lab samples with waiting time for results.  The number and scale of competition can be extensive.  The Company’s online, real-time water quality monitoring capabilities generally compete with smaller, specialized firms.

A number of the Company's competitors in certain markets have greater financial resources than the Company.  The Company, however, believes it currently provides the leading technologies in water meters and water-dedicated radio solutions and analytics.  As a result of significant research and development activities, the Company enjoys favorable patent positions and trade secret protections for several of its technologies, products and processes.

There are many competitors in the flow instrumentation markets due to the various end markets and applications served.  They include, among others, Emerson Electric Company, Krohne Messtechnik GmbH, Endress+Hauser AG, Yokogawa Electric Corporation and Cameron International.  With a broad portfolio consisting of products utilizing eight of the ten major flow meter technologies, the Company is well positioned to compete in niche, specialized applications within these markets, primarily focused on the water/wastewater and HVAC.

Raw Materials and Components

Raw materials used in the manufacture of the Company's products include purchased castings made of metal or alloys (such as brass, which uses copper as its main component, aluminum, stainless steel and cast iron), plastic resins, glass, microprocessors and other electronic subassemblies, and components.  There are multiple sources for these raw materials and components, but the Company relies on single suppliers for certain brass castings, resins and electronic subassemblies.  The Company believes these items would be available from other sources, but that the loss of certain suppliers may result in a higher cost of materials, delivery delays, short-term increases in inventory and higher quality control costs in the short term.  The Company carries business interruption insurance on key suppliers.  The Company's purchases of raw materials are based on production schedules, and as a result, inventory on hand is generally not exposed to price fluctuations.  World commodity markets and currency exchange rates may also affect the prices of material purchased in the future.  The Company does not hold significant amounts of precious metals.

Research and Development

Expenditures for research and development activities related to the development of new products, the improvement of existing products and manufacturing process improvements were $14.7 million in 2021, $11.6 million in 2020 and $11.9 million in 2019.  Research and development activities are primarily sponsored by the Company.  The Company also engages from time to time in joint research and development with other companies and organizations.

Intangible Assets

The Company owns or controls several trade secrets and many patents, trademarks and trade names in the United States and other countries that relate to its products and technologies.  No single patent, trademark, trade name or trade secret is material to the Company's business as a whole.

Environmental Protection

The Company is subject to contingencies related to environmental laws and regulations.  A future change in circumstances with respect to these specific matters or with respect to sites formerly or currently owned or operated by the Company, off-site disposal locations used by the Company, and property owned by third parties that is near such sites, could result in future costs to the

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Company and such amounts could be material.  Expenditures for compliance control provisions and regulations during 2021, 2020 and 2019 were not material.

 

Government Regulations

 

The Company’s operations worldwide are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations. Whether at the federal, state, or local level, the intent of these laws and regulations is to protect product safety, public health and the environment. Similar laws and regulations have been adopted by government authorities in other countries in which we manufacture, distribute, and sell our products.  

The Company believes that its operations, including its manufacturing locations, are in substantial compliance with all applicable government laws and regulations, including those related to environmental, consumer protection, international trade, labor and employment, human rights, tax, anti-bribery and competition matters. Any additional measures to maintain compliance are not expected to materially affect the Company's capital expenditures, competitive position, financial position or results of operations.

There are currently no legislative or administrative regulations pending which we anticipate will have a substantial adverse impact on the Company's revenues, earnings or cash flows. However, if new or amended laws or regulations impose significant operational restrictions and compliance requirements upon the Company or its products, the Company's business, capital expenditures, results of operations, financial condition and competitive position could be negatively impacted. Refer to Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.

Human Capital Resources

 

Our employees are our greatest strength and are critical to the achievement of our vision and successful execution of our strategies. We are committed to recruiting, developing and retaining top talent, in addition to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.

The Company and its subsidiaries employed 1,837 persons at December 31, 2021.  Approximately 100 of those employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with District 10 of the International Association of Machinists.  The Company is currently operating under a three-year contract with the union, which expires on October 31, 2022.  The Company believes it has good relations with the union and all of its employees.

 

The below information strives to provide further details on our core values, key programs and initiatives that we utilize to attract develop and retain a diverse and engaged workforce:

 

Core Values.  Living our core values is at the heart of Badger Meter’s culture. Our culture prioritizes trust, responsibility, collaboration, excellence and a customer focus. The first of these, trust, calls for us to act honestly, ethically and with integrity.  We maintain a formal ethics and compliance program that encourages doing the right thing.  As part of this program, all ethical and legal concerns brought forth by employees are fully investigated and resolved. Employee training is used to reinforce our values companywide, with participation in trainings related to ethics at nearly 100%.  In addition to trust, our values include a focus on diversity, continuous improvement and environmental responsibility.  

 

Recruitment, Development and Retention. In addition to market competitive compensation and benefits, we focus on open, two-way communication, training and development and early talent programs, among other activities to attract and retain key talent:

 

 

•

We offer employee assistance and work life benefits to all global employees. Our comprehensive benefits include healthcare, disability and life insurance, paid time off, and leave programs, as well as retirement savings plans.

 

•

We offer flexible, remote work and part-time arrangements, as business roles permit.

 

•

Consistent with the broader labor market, our regrettable turnover increased to 9.6% in 2021, compared to 4.3% in 2020, and 7.6% in 2019.  Increased labor competition in the US was the primary driver of the increase.

 

•

We implemented a baseline global engagement survey in 2021 as part of our continuous improvement process to enable positive change and increase employee engagement. We will utilize feedback received from the survey to identify meaningful actions targeted at fostering improvement in employee engagement, including pulse surveys to monitor effectiveness of action plans.  

 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.  We believe that developing a diverse and inclusive business makes us and society stronger, energizes our growth through customer engagement and helps us attract and retain talent:

 

 

•

We maintain a Human Rights policy, Equal Employment Opportunity policy and partner with a variety of recruiting and hiring agencies focused on diverse candidates.

 

•

In 2021, 36% of our executive officer group was diverse (three women, one Latino).

 

•

We monitor pay equity on an ongoing basis, taking action to make adjustments where warranted.

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•

Badger Meter is a signatory to the Equality Act, supporting LGBTQ rights.

 

•

We actively participate as part of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) Diversity Pledge, a commitment to increasing diversity representation in the workforce.

 

The following provides certain employee demographic details aligned with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting frameworks:

 

 

•

Employee Rights, Health and Safety.  The safety and health of our employees is a top priority. In addition to on-the-job safety, we take a holistic view of employee health and well-being, including our multifaceted wellness program, B|Well, which aims to provide information, activities and support for smart and healthy choices.

 

•

Safety, as measured by our global Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR), was 0.75 in 2021, compared to 0.65 in 2020, and 0.98 in 2019. Our goal is zero. Lost time incidents declined in 2021, with an increase in ergonomic events, which will be a focus area for education and improvement going forward.

 

•

We maintain robust COVID-19 health and safety measures including flexible/hybrid work schedules, robust on-site safety protocols, manufacturing modifications to accommodate social distancing.

 

•

Badger Meter’s Human Rights Policy outlines our commitment to respecting and supporting internationally recognized human rights and freedoms.

 

•

We provide an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and mental health coverage.

 

Community and Social Activities. Through both financial contributions and volunteer efforts of our employees, Badger Meter supports programs and organizations that address water conservation and quality, education and community concerns which are all vital to community sustainability. 

Information about the Company’s Executive Officers

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Executive Officers of the Registrant.

 

Name

 

Position

 

Age at

2/28/2022

Kenneth C. Bockhorst

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

49

Robert A. Wrocklage

 

Senior Vice President — Chief Financial Officer

 

43

Karen M. Bauer

 

Vice President — Investor Relations, Corporate Strategy and Treasurer

 

54

Fred J. Begale

 

Vice President — Engineering

 

57

William R. A. Bergum

 

Vice President — General Counsel and Secretary

 

57

Gregory M. Gomez

 

Vice President — Global Flow Instrumentation and International Utility

 

57

Sheryl L. Hopkins

 

Vice President — Human Resources

 

54

William J. Parisen

 

Vice President — Global Operations

 

55

Kimberly K. Stoll

 

Vice President — Sales and Marketing

 

55

Matthew L. Stuyvenberg

  

Vice President — Water Quality

 

39

Daniel R. Weltzien

 

Vice President — Controller

 

43

 

There are no family relationships between any of the executive officers.  Officers are elected annually at the first meeting of the Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of the shareholders.  Each officer holds office until his or her successor has been elected or until his or her death, resignation or removal.  There is no arrangement or understanding between any executive officer and any other person pursuant to which he or she was elected as an officer.

Mr. Bockhorst was elected President in April 2018, Chief Executive Officer in January 2019 and Chairman in January 2020 after serving as Senior Vice President - Chief Operating Officer for the Company from October 2017 to April 2018.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Bockhorst was Executive Vice President of the Energy segment, preceded by President of Hydratight and Global Vice President Operations of Enerpac, all within Actuant Corporation (now Enerpac Tool Group) from March 2011 to October 2017.

Mr. Wrocklage was elected Vice President – Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in 2019 and Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer in January 2020 after serving as Vice President - Finance for the Company from August 2018 to December 2018.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Wrocklage spent ten years with Actuant Corporation (now Enerpac Tool Group), holding various corporate and business unit financial leadership roles, most recently as Vice President - Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. 

Ms. Bauer was elected Vice President - Investor Relations, Corporate Strategy and Treasurer effective June 2019.  She joined Badger Meter in July 2018 as Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy.  In her role she also oversees the Company’s ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) initiatives. Prior to joining Badger Meter, she served at Actuant Corporation (now Enerpac Tool Group), most recently as Director, Investor Relations & Communications.

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Mr. Begale has served as Vice President - Engineering for more than five years.

Mr. Bergum has served as Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary for more than five years.

Mr. Gomez was elected Vice President – Flow Instrumentation and International Utility in March 2019. Mr. Gomez served as Vice President - Business Development and Flow Instrumentation from April 2017 to March 2019, Vice President - Flow Instrumentation from September 2014 to April 2017. Mr. Gomez has given notice of his plans to retire effective September 30, 2022.

Ms. Hopkins was elected Vice President - Human Resources in October 2020.  Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Hopkins served as Vice President of Human Resources for ADVENT from April 2019 to October 2020 and Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Runzheimer International from July 2010 to March 2018.  Previously, she held roles of increasing responsibility at Eaton Corporation and other multinational public companies.

Mr. Parisen was elected Vice President - Global Operations in June 2019.  He joined Badger Meter in August 2018 as Senior Director, Global Supply Chain.  Prior to joining Badger Meter, he was employed at Actuant Corporation (now Enerpac Tool Group) where he most recently held the position of Vice President - Global Operations for the Industrial and Energy segments.  

Ms. Stoll has served as Vice President - Sales and Marketing for more than five years.

Mr. Stuyvenberg was elected Vice President – Water Quality in January 2022. Mr. Stuyvenberg joined Badger Meter in April 2007 as Mechanical Engineer of Applied Research and has since held roles of increasing responsibility, including Manager of Mechanical Engineering and Director of Utility Engineering. 

Mr. Weltzien was elected Vice President – Controller in March 2019.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Weltzien spent eight years with Actuant Corporation (now Enerpac Tool Group), holding various corporate and business unit financial leadership roles, most recently as Senior Director of Finance for its Hydratight business unit. 

Foreign Operations and Export Sales

The Company sells its products through employees, resellers and representatives throughout the world. Additionally, the Company has sales, distribution and manufacturing facilities in Neuffen, Germany and Vienna, Austria; sales and customer service offices in Mexico, United Kingdom, Singapore, China, United Arab Emirates and other similar locations throughout the world; manufacturing facilities in Nogales, Mexico, Brno, Czech Republic and Bern, Switzerland; and a development facility in Luleå, Sweden.  The Company exports products from the United States that are manufactured in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Racine, Wisconsin, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Collegeville, Pennsylvania.

Information about the Company's foreign operations and export sales is included in Note 9 “Industry Segment and Geographic Areas” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Financial Information about Industry Segments

The Company operates in one industry segment as an innovator, manufacturer and marketer of products incorporating flow measurement, control and communication solutions.  Information about the Company's sales, operating earnings and assets is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and in Note 9 “Industry Segment and Geographic Areas” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Risk Management

 

The Company’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) process aims to identify and address significant and material risks. The ERM process assesses, manages, and monitors risks consistent with the integrated risk framework in the Enterprise Risk Management-Integrated Framework (2017) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). We believe that risk-taking is an inherent aspect of the execution of our strategy. Our goal is to manage risks pragmatically as opposed to avoiding risks altogether. We can mitigate risks and their impact on our Company only to a limited extent.

 

A group of executives prioritizes identified risks and assigns an executive to address each major identified risk area and lead action plans to manage each risk. Our Board of Directors provides oversight of the ERM process and reviews the significant identified risks. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors also reviews significant financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor, manage and mitigate them wherever possible. Our other Board committees also play a role in risk management, as detailed in their respective charters.

 

Our goal is to proactively manage risks using a structured approach in combination with strategic planning, with the intent to preserve and enhance shareholder value. However, the risks set forth Item 1A. Risk Factors and elsewhere in this Annual Report on

8

 

Form 10-K and other risks and uncertainties could unfavorably affect us and cause our results to vary materially from recent results or from our anticipated future results.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider the significant business risks described below in addition to the other information set forth or incorporated by reference in this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the “Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” at the front of this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  If any of the events contemplated by the following risks actually occur, our financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.  The following list of risk factors may not be exhaustive.  We operate in a continually changing business, economic and geopolitical environment, and new risk factors may emerge from time to time.  We can neither predict these new risk factors with certainty nor assess the precise impact, if any, on our business, or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may adversely impact our results of operations.  While there is much uncertainty, we do analyze the risks we face, perform a probability assessment of their impacts and attempt to soften their potential impact when and if possible.

PRODUCTS, TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES

The inability to develop technologically advanced products could harm our future success.

We believe our future success depends, in part, on our ability to develop technologically advanced products that meet or exceed appropriate industry standards.  Although we believe that we currently have a competitive advantage in this area, maintaining such advantage will require continued investment in research and development, sales, marketing and manufacturing capabilities.  There can be no assurance that we will have sufficient resources to make such investments or that we will be able to make the technological advances necessary to maintain such competitive advantage.  If we are unable to maintain our competitive advantage, our future financial performance may be adversely affected.  We are not currently aware of any emerging standards, technologies or new products that could render our existing products obsolete in the near term.  Our radios operate on networks which are changing as part of the natural evolution of technology. The pace of that change is largely outside of the Company’s control and the sun-setting of a network may have an adverse impact on the Company.  The municipal water industry is continuing to see the adoption of static water meters.  Static water metering has lower barriers to entry that could affect the competitive landscape in North America.  We believe we have a competitive product. If the adoption rate for static meters were to accelerate, we believe competitors lack brand recognition and product breadth and do not have extensive water utility channel distribution to effectively reach the more than 50,000 water utilities in the United States.

Failure to manufacture quality products could have a material adverse effect on our business.

If we fail to maintain and enforce quality control and testing procedures, our products will not meet required performance standards.  Our products have an extended expected life and we offer long warranty coverages.  Product quality and performance are a priority for us since our products are used in various applications where precise control of fluids is essential.  Although we believe our products are perceived as high quality, any future production and/or sale of substandard products could seriously harm our reputation, resulting in both a loss of current customers to competitors and damage to our ability to attract new customers.  In addition, if any of our products prove to be defective, we may be required to participate in a recall involving such products or incur warranty related expenses.  A successful claim brought against us with respect to a defective product in excess of available insurance coverage, if any, or a requirement to participate in a major product recall, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

If our software products do not operate as intended, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

We sell software products, including some that are provided in “the cloud,” that may contain unexpected design defects or may encounter unexpected complications when used with other technologies utilized by the customer.  A failure of our software products to operate as intended and in a seamless fashion with other products or a failure or breach of a cloud network could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Our expanded role as a prime contractor brings certain risks that could have a material adverse effect to our business.

The Company periodically assumes the role of prime contractor for providing complete technology systems, installation and other services and project management to governmental entities, which brings with it added risks, including but not limited to, our responsibility for managing subcontractor performance and project timelines and the potential for expanded warranty and performance obligations.  While we routinely manage these types of arrangements, it is possible to encounter a situation where we may not be able to perform to the expectations of the governmental entity, and thus incur additional costs that could affect our profitability or harm our reputation.

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If we are not able to protect our proprietary rights to our software and related products, our ability to market our software products could be hindered and our results of operations, financial position and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

We rely on our agreements with customers, confidentiality agreements with employees, and our trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and patents to protect our proprietary rights.  These legal protections and precautions may not prevent misappropriation of our proprietary information.  In addition, substantial litigation regarding intellectual property rights exists in the software industry, and software products and other components may increasingly be subject to third-party infringement claims.  Such litigation and misappropriation of our proprietary information could hinder our ability to market and sell products and services and our results of operations, financial position and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

BUSINESS CONDITIONS

The inability to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials and component parts at favorable prices could decrease our profit margins and negatively impact timely delivery to customers and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are affected by the availability and prices for raw materials and component parts, including purchased castings made of metal or alloys (such as brass, which uses copper as its main component, aluminum, stainless steel and cast iron), plastic resins, microprocessors and other electronic subassemblies, and components that are used in the manufacturing process, and we are experiencing supply chain disruptions and related challenges throughout the supply chain.  

The inability to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials and component parts for our products at favorable prices could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations by decreasing profit margins and by negatively impacting timely deliveries to customers.  In the past, we have been able to offset price increases in raw materials and component parts by increased sales prices, active materials management, product engineering programs and the diversity of materials used in the production processes.  However, we cannot be certain that we will be able to accomplish this in the future.  Since we do not control the actual production of these raw materials and component parts, there may be continued delays in the production or transportation of these materials for reasons that are beyond our control.  World commodity markets and the ongoing inflationary environment are affecting, and may continue to affect, raw material and component part prices. In addition, we rely on single suppliers for microprocessors, castings and components in several of our product lines and the loss of such suppliers could temporarily disrupt operations in the short term.  

 

The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, or other global public health pandemics, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic, or other global health pandemics, and virus containment measures taken by federal and state governments have resulted in, and could in the future, result in, business slowdowns or shutdowns, weakened economic conditions, economic uncertainty, and volatility in the financial markets and could interfere with the ability of our employees, suppliers, and customers to perform our and their respective responsibilities and obligations relative to the conduct of our business and operations.

The extent to which the COVID-19 or any future pandemic impacts our business operations in future periods will depend on multiple factors that cannot be accurately predicated at this time, such as the duration and scope of any pandemic, future spikes of infections (including the spread of variants or mutant strains, and the degree of transmissibility and severity thereof), the extent and effectiveness of containment actions, the disruption caused by such actions, and the impact of these and other factors on our employees, suppliers and customers. If we are not able to respond to and manage the impact of such events effectively, we could experience a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and overall financial performance.  

Economic conditions could cause a material adverse impact on our sales and operating results.

As a supplier of products and software, the majority of which are to water utilities, we may be adversely affected by global economic conditions, delays in governmental programs created to stimulate the economy, and the impact of government budget cuts or partial shutdowns of governmental operations that affect our customers, including independent distributors, large city utilities, public and private water companies and numerous smaller water utilities.  These customers may delay capital projects, including non-critical maintenance and upgrades, or may not have the ability to authorize and finance purchases during economic downturns or instability in world markets.  We also sell products for other applications to reduce our dependency on the municipal water market.  A significant downturn in this market could cause a material adverse impact on sales and operating results.  Therefore, a downturn in general economic conditions, as well as in the municipal water market, and delays in the timing or amounts of possible annual federal funding and periodic stimulus fund programs, government budget cuts or partial shutdowns of governmental operations, or the availability of funds to municipalities could result in a reduction in demand for our products and services and could harm the business.

10

 

Geopolitical crisis, including terrorism or pandemics, could adversely affect our business.

Our operations are susceptible to global events, including acts or threats of war or terrorism, international conflicts, political instability, and widespread outbreak of an illness or other health issue. The occurrence of any of these events could have an adverse effect on our business results and financial condition.  See the separate risk factor specific to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Risks related to foreign markets could decrease our profitability.

Since we sell products worldwide as well as manufacture products in several countries, we are subject to risks associated with doing business internationally.  These risks include such things as changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in political or economic conditions of specific countries or regions, potentially negative consequences from changes in tax laws or regulatory requirements, differing labor regulations, and the difficulty of managing widespread operations.

An inability to attract and retain skilled employees could negatively impact our growth and decrease our profitability.

Our success depends on our continued ability to identify, attract, develop and retain skilled personnel throughout our organization.  Current and future compensation arrangements, including benefits, may not be sufficient to attract new employees or retain existing employees, which may hinder our growth. Increased labor competition from accelerated retirements, wage inflation and scarcity of labor may negatively impact costs and negatively impact employee engagement, productivity and efficiency.

Competitive pressures in the marketplace could decrease our revenues and profits.

Competitive pressures in the marketplace for our products could adversely affect our competitive position, leading to a possible loss of market share or a decrease in prices, either of which could result in decreased revenues and profits.  We operate in an environment where competition varies from moderate to strong and a number of our competitors have greater financial resources.  Our competitors also include alliance partners that sell products that do or may compete with our products.  The principal elements of competition for our most significant product applications, residential and commercial water meters for the municipal water utility market (with various radio technology systems), are price, product technology, quality and service.  The competitive environment is also affected by the movement toward radio technologies and away from manually read meters, the demand for replacement units and, to some extent, such things as global economic conditions, the timing and size of governmental programs such as stimulus programs, the ability of municipal water utility customers to authorize and finance purchases of our products, our ability to obtain financing, housing starts in the United States, and overall economic activity.  For our flow instrumentation products, the competitive environment is affected by the general economic health of various industrial sectors particularly in the United States and Europe.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

Violations or alleged violations of laws that impose requirements for the conduct of the Company’s overseas operations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) or other anti-corruption laws, trade sanctions and sanctioned parties restrictions could adversely affect our business.

In foreign countries where we operate, a risk exists that our employees, third party partners or agents could engage in business practices prohibited by applicable laws and regulations, such as the FCPA.  Such anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies from making improper payments to foreign officials, require companies to keep accurate books and records, and maintain appropriate internal controls.  Our policies mandate strict compliance with such laws and we devote resources to ensure compliance.  However, we operate in some parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption, and, in certain circumstances, local customs and practice might not be consistent with the requirements of anti-corruption laws.  We remain subject to the risk that our employees, third party partners or agents will engage in business practices that are prohibited by our policies and violate such laws and regulations.  Violations by us or a third party acting on our behalf could result in significant internal investigation costs and legal fees, civil and criminal penalties, including prohibitions on the conduct of our business and reputational harm.

We may also be subject to legal liability and reputational damage if we violate U.S. trade sanctions administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the European Union, the United Nations and trade sanction laws, such as the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012.  Our policies mandate strict compliance with such laws and we devote resources to ensure compliance.

Changes in environmental or regulatory requirements could entail additional expenses that could decrease our profitability.

We are subject to a variety of laws in various countries and markets, such as those regulating lead or other material content in certain of our products, the handling, recycling and disposal of certain electronic and other materials, the use and/or licensing of radio frequencies necessary for radio products, data privacy and protection, as well as customs and trade practices.  We cannot predict the nature, scope or effect of future environmental or regulatory requirements to which our operations might be subject or the manner in which existing or future laws will be administered or interpreted.  Currently, the cost of complying with existing laws is included as

11

 

part of our on-going expenses and does not have a material effect on our business or financial position, but a change in the future could adversely affect our profitability.

GENERAL

Economic impacts due to leadership or policy changes in the countries where we do business could negatively affect our profitability.

We may be affected by adjustments to economic and trade policies, such as taxation, changes to or withdrawal from international trade agreements, or the like, when countries where we produce or sell our products change leadership or economic policies.  These types of changes, as well as any related regulatory changes, could significantly increase our costs and adversely affect our profitability and financial condition.

Climate change, unusual weather and other natural phenomena could adversely affect our business.

Climate changes and weather conditions may affect, or cause volatility in, our financial results.  Drought conditions could drive higher demand for smart water solutions that advance conservation efforts in residential and commercial applications.  Our sales also may be adversely affected by unusual weather, weather patterns or other natural phenomena that could have an impact on the timing of orders in given periods, depending on the particular mix of customers being served by us at the time. The unpredictable nature of weather conditions and climate change therefore may result in volatility for certain portions of our business, as well as the operations of certain of our customers and suppliers.

Litigation against us could be costly, time consuming to defend and could adversely affect our profitability.

From time to time, we are subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business.  For example, we may be subject to workers' compensation claims, employment/labor disputes, customer and supplier disputes, product liability claims, intellectual property disputes and contractual disputes related to warranties arising out of the conduct of our business.  Litigation may result in substantial costs and may divert management's attention and resources, which could adversely affect our profitability or financial condition.

Disruptions and other damages to our information technology and other networks and operations, and breaches in data security or cybersecurity attacks could have a negative financial impact and damage our reputation.

Our ability to serve customers, as well as increase revenues and control costs, depends in part on the reliability of our sophisticated technologies, system networks and cloud-based software.  We use information technology and other systems to manage our business in order to maximize our revenue, effectiveness and efficiency.  Unauthorized parties gaining access to digital systems and networks for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive financial, personal or business information, corrupting data, causing operational disruptions and other cyber-related risks could adversely impact our customer relationships, business plans and our reputation.  In some cases, we are dependent on third-party technologies and service providers for which there is no certainty of uninterrupted availability or through which hackers could gain access to sensitive and/or personal information.  These potential disruptions and cyber-attacks could negatively affect revenues, costs, customer demand, system availability and our reputation.

Further, as the Company pursues its strategy to grow through acquisitions and to pursue newer technologies that improve our operations and cost structure, the Company is also expanding and improving its information technologies, resulting in a larger technological presence and corresponding exposure to cybersecurity risk.  Certain new technologies present new and significant cybersecurity safety risks that must be analyzed and addressed before implementation.  If we fail to assess and identify cybersecurity risks associated with acquisitions and new initiatives, we may become increasingly vulnerable to such risks.

Failure to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquired businesses or products could adversely affect our operations.

As part of our business strategy, we continue to evaluate and may pursue selected business or product acquisition opportunities that we believe may provide us with certain operating and financial benefits.  There can be no assurance that we will identify or complete transactions with suitable acquisition candidates in the future.  If we complete any such acquisitions, they may require integration into our existing business with respect to administrative, financial, legal, sales, marketing, manufacturing and other functions to realize these anticipated benefits.  If we are unable to successfully integrate a business or product acquisition, we may not realize the benefits identified in our due diligence process, and our financial results may be negatively impacted.  Additionally, significant unexpected liabilities may arise during or after completion of an acquisition.

12

 

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

The Company has sales, development, distribution and manufacturing facilities and customer service offices as noted in Part I, Item 1 of this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Foreign Operations and Export Sales.”  The principal facilities utilized by the Company at December 31, 2021 are listed below.  The Company owns all such facilities except as noted.  The Company believes that its facilities are generally well maintained and have sufficient capacity for its current needs.

 

 

 

 

 

Approximate

area

 

 

Location

 

Principal use

 

(square feet)

 

 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

 

Manufacturing and offices

 

 

324,200

 

 

Racine, Wisconsin, USA

 

Manufacturing and offices

 

 

134,300

 

(1)

Nogales, Mexico

 

Manufacturing

 

 

181,300

 

 

 

(1)

Leased facility.  Lease term expires December 31, 2025.

ITEM 3.

In the normal course of business, the Company is named in legal proceedings from time to time.  There are currently no material legal proceedings pending with respect to the Company.

The Company is subject to contingencies related to environmental laws and regulations.  Information about the Company's compliance with environmental regulations is included in Part I, Item 1 of this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Environmental Protection.”

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 

13

 

 

PART II

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

The Company’s Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE Trading Symbol: BMI).  At February 2, 2022, there were approximately 553 holders of the Company’s Common Stock. Other information required by this Item is set forth in Note 2 “Common Stock” and Note 10 “Unaudited: Quarterly Results of Operations, Common Stock Price and Dividends” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The following information in Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such a filing.

 

The following graph compares on a cumulative basis the yearly percentage change since January 1, 2017 in (a) the total shareholder return on the Company’s Common Stock with (b) the total return on the Russell 2000® Index, and (c) the total return of the peer group made up of 19 companies, including the Company, in similar industries, employment markets and with similar market capitalization.  The Russell 2000® Index is a trademark of the Frank Russell Company, and is used herein for comparative purposes in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.

 

The graph assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2016.  It further assumes the reinvestment of dividends.  The returns of each component company in the peer groups have been weighted based on such company's relative market capitalization.

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

Badger Meter, Inc.

 

Return %

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.94

%

 

 

4.10

%

 

 

33.45

%

 

 

46.39

%

 

 

14.12

%

 

 

 

Cumulative $

 

$

100.00

 

 

$

130.94

 

 

$

136.31

 

 

$

181.90

 

 

$

266.28

 

 

$

303.90

 

 

Russell 2000 Index

 

Return %

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.65

%

 

 

-11.01

%

 

 

25.52

%

 

 

19.96

%

 

 

14.82

%

 

 

 

Cumulative $

 

$

100.00

 

 

$

114.65

 

 

$

102.02

 

 

$

128.06

 

 

$

153.63

 

 

$

176.39

 

 

Peer Group

 

Return %

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.06

%

 

 

-19.75

%

 

 

43.65

%

 

 

14.76

%

 

 

27.05

%

 

 

 

Cumulative $

 

$

100.00

 

 

$

116.06

 

 

$

93.15

 

 

$

133.80

 

 

$

153.55

 

 

$

195.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

 

The peer group consists of Evoqua Water Technologies Corp. (AQUA), Badger Meter, Inc. (BMI), Brady Corporation (BRC), CIRCOR International, Inc. (CIR), CTS Corporation (CTS), Enerpac Tool Group Corp. (EPAC), ESCO Technologies Inc. (ESE),  The Gorman-Rupp Company (GRC), Helios Technologies, Inc. (HLIO), Itron, Inc. (ITRI), Kadant Inc. (KAI), Lindsay Corporation (LNN), Mueller Water Products, Inc. (MWA), Douglas Dynamics, Inc. (PLOW), Strattec Security Corporation (STRT), SPX Flow, Inc. (FLOW), Standex International Corporation (SXI), Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (WTS) and Zurn Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS).

 

In February 2020, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 400,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock through February 2023.  The following table provides information about the Company's purchases under this repurchase program during the quarter ended December 31, 2021 of equity securities that are registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

Total number

of shares

purchased

 

 

Average price

paid per share

 

 

Total number

of shares

purchased as

part of a

publicly

announced

program

 

 

Maximum

number of

shares that

may yet be

purchased

under the

program

 

October 1, 2021 - October 31, 2021

 

 

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

 

54,953

 

 

 

345,047

 

November 1, 2021 - November 30, 2021

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

54,953

 

 

 

345,047

 

December 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

54,953

 

 

 

345,047

 

Total as of December 31, 2021

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54,953

 

 

 

345,047

 

 

15

 

 

ITEM 6. RESERVED

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Current Business Trends – COVID-19

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) was reported and in January 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On March 11, 2020, the WHO characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic.

Beginning in the second quarter of 2020, the Company implemented remote work arrangements for non-production personnel, adopted robust safety, social distancing and temperature screening protocols throughout its manufacturing sites and enacted other measures to be able to deliver products to meet customer orders on a timely basis.  While the pandemic has had varying levels of impact to demand trends since its inception, to date it has not materially affected our ability to maintain business operations, including the operation of financial reporting systems, internal control over financial reporting, and disclosure controls and procedures.

 

Throughout 2021, the Company continued to operate under various return-to-work protocols for non-production personnel and our manufacturing operations continued to follow safety and COVID-19 protocols. The introduction of vaccines in the Company’s primary geographic markets have aided its utility water and flow instrumentation customers in returning to more normal operations. On July 6, 2021, all US based non-production employees returned to the office on a hybrid basis following vaccination rollouts across the United States. Customer order rates have improved; however, global electronics and other component shortages, along with logistics constraints, have resulted in manufacturing interruptions which limited the Company’s output throughout 2021.  These varied and wide-spread component availability and supply chain issues continue to inhibit the Company’s ability to fully satisfy the increase in demand for certain products. In addition, cost inflation of materials and other expenses has become more pervasive.  The Company continues to pursue pricing initiatives to offset inflationary cost pressures where possible.  The Company’s primary competitors are also experiencing lead time extensions, inflation, and pricing dynamics, and therefore the Company does not believe its competitive position has been negatively impacted.  While the Company is navigating this dynamic and fluid environment through operational agility to support customers, these disruptions increased the Company’s backlog to record levels in 2021 and are likely to increase the unevenness of sales patterns in 2022.

It remains difficult to estimate the severity and duration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business, financial position or results of operations. The magnitude of the impact will be determined by the duration and span of the pandemic, subsequent COVID-19 variants and their severity along with operational disruptions including those resulting from government actions, delivery interruptions due to component supply availability or global logistics constraints and the overall impact on the economy.  The Company is monitoring the ongoing situation and keeps the Board of Directors informed of developments.

Long Term Business Trends

Across the globe, increasing regulations and a focus on sustainability are driving companies and utilities to better manage critical resources like water.  Some customers measure fluids to identify leaks and/or misappropriation for cost control or add measurement points to help automate manufacturing.  Other customers employ measurement to comply with government mandates and laws including those associated with process and discharge water quality monitoring.  The Company provides flow measurement technology to primarily measure water, but also other fluids, gases and steams.  This technology is critical to provide baseline usage data and to quantify reductions as customers attempt to reduce consumption.  For example, once water usage metrics are better understood, a strategy for water-use reduction can be developed with specific water-reduction initiatives targeted to those areas where it is most viable.  With the Company’s technology, customers have found costly leaks, pinpointed equipment in need of repair, and identified areas for process improvements.

Increasingly, customers in the utility water market are interested in more frequent and diverse data collection and the use of water metering and quality analytics to evaluate water distribution activity.  Specifically, AMI technology enables water utilities to capture readings from each meter at more frequent and variable intervals.  There are more than 50,000 water utilities in the United States and the Company estimates that approximately 70% of their respective connections have converted to a radio solution.  The Company believes it is well positioned to meet this continuing conversion trend with its comprehensive radio and software solutions.

In addition, certain water utilities are converting from mechanical to static meters.  Ultrasonic water metering maintains a high level of measurement accuracy over the life of the meter, reducing a utility’s non-revenue water.  The Company has over a decade of proven reliability in the market with its ultrasonic meters and has recently launched its next generation of ultrasonic metering with its D-Flow technology, which the Company believes increases its competitive differentiation.

For over 117 years, the Company has offered innovative flow metering and control solutions for smart water management, smart buildings and smart industrial processes. The acquisitions of s::can and ATi, leading providers of water quality monitoring

16

 

solutions, add real-time water quality parameters to the Company’s capabilities and enhances the scope of actionable data for its customers to help measure, conserve and protect water. The combined solutions from Badger Meter, s::can and ATi offer technology that measures both the quantity and quality of water.

Finally, the concept of “Smart Cities” is one avenue to affect efficient city operations, conserve resources and improve service and delivery.  Smart water solutions (“Smart Water”) are those that provide actionable information through data analytics from an interconnected and interoperable network of sensors and devices that help people and organizations efficiently use and conserve water.  Badger Meter is well positioned to benefit from the advancement of Smart Water applications.  With its strong relationship with AT&T, among others, Badger Meter stays abreast of emerging cellular technology changes which the Company believes is the premier infrastructure-free AMI solution.

Revenue and Product Mix

As the industry continues to evolve, the Company has been at the forefront of innovation across metering, radio and software technologies in order to meet its customers’ increasing expectations for accurate and actionable data.  As technologies such as ORION Cellular and BEACON AMA managed solutions have become more readily adopted, the Company’s revenue from Software as a Service (SaaS) has increased significantly, albeit from a small base, and is margin accretive.

In addition, the Company has expanded its smart water offering with the addition of online water quality monitoring solutions, adding real-time water quality parameters to augment the scope of actionable data for water utility and industrial customers to optimize their operations.

The Company also seeks opportunities for additional revenue enhancement.  For instance, the Company has made inroads into the Middle East market with its ultrasonic meter technology and is pursuing other geographic expansion opportunities.  Additionally, the Company is periodically asked to oversee and perform field installation of its products for certain customers.  In these cases, the Company assumes the role of general contractor and either performs the installation or hires installation subcontractors and supervises their work.    

Acquisitions

Effective January 1, 2021, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of ATi, headquartered in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, a provider of water quality monitoring systems.  

The total purchase consideration for ATi, net of cash acquired, was $44.0 million. The Company's allocation of the purchase price at December 31, 2021 included $3.9 million of receivables, $3.9 million of inventory, $2.5 million of other assets, $21.0 million of intangibles and $16.4 million of goodwill that is deductible for tax purposes. The intangible assets acquired are primarily customer relationships, developed technology and trademarks with estimated average useful lives of 12 to 15 years.  The Company also assumed $1.4 million of accounts payable, $0.6 million of deferred tax liabilities and $1.7 million of other liabilities as part of the acquisition.  The allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired was based upon the estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had completed its analysis for estimating the fair value of the assets acquired with no additional adjustments.  This acquisition is further described in Note 3 “Acquisitions” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Effective November 2, 2020, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of s::can headquartered in Vienna, Austria.  s::can specializes in optical water quality sensing solutions that provide real-time measurement of a variety of parameters in water and wastewater utilizing in-line monitoring systems and other applications.

The total purchase consideration for s::can, net of cash acquired, was $30.5 million, inclusive of $1.3 million of working capital adjustments. The Company's allocation of the purchase price at December 31, 2021 included $2.6 million of receivables, $4.3 million of inventory, $1.2 million of other assets, $12.7 million of intangibles and $17.7 million of goodwill that is not deductible for tax purposes. The intangible assets acquired are primarily customer relationships and developed technology with an estimated average useful life of 12 years. The Company also assumed $3.5 million of accounts payable, $3.2 million of deferred tax liabilities and $1.3 million of other liabilities as part of the acquisition.  The allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired was based upon the estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had completed its analysis for estimating the fair value of the assets acquired with no additional adjustments.  This acquisition is further described in Note 3 “Acquisitions” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

17

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Sales

Net sales in 2021 increased $79.7 million, or 18.7%, to $505.2 million from $425.5 million in 2020.  Sales into the utility water market were $415.3 million, an increase of 20.6% over the prior year’s $344.3 million. The acquisitions of s::can and ATi increased sales $40.7 million compared to 2020. The remaining increase of $39.0 million was attributable to higher sales of the Company’s water meter, radio and software products including ORION Cellular endpoints as well as increased BEACON SaaS revenue associated with data collection and software analytics.  These favorable trends more than offset the supply chain shortages of certain components which limited sales of certain products throughout 2021 and contributed to the record backlog level throughout 2021.  Sales of products into the global flow instrumentation end markets were $89.9 million, 10.7% higher than the prior year’s $81.2 million due to the stabilization of industrial demand globally and across the array of end markets served.

Net sales in 2020 increased $0.9 million, or less than 1%, to $425.5 million from $424.6 million in 2019.  Sales into the utility water market were $344.3 million, an increase of 4% over the prior year’s $330.7 million. The increase was attributable to higher sales of advanced technology products including ORION Cellular endpoints, E-Series Ultrasonic water meters as well as increased BEACON SaaS revenue associated with data collection and software analytics.  It also included approximately $2.5 million of sales related to s::can, acquired on November 2, 2020.  These favorable trends more than offset the short term decline in orders that occurred in April and May 2020 from the stay-at-home orders throughout much of the United States in response to COVID-19.  Sales of products into the global flow instrumentation end markets were $81.2 million, 13.6% lower than the prior year’s $94.0 million due to significantly reduced activity across the array of industrial end markets served and also the result of widespread COVID-19 shelter-in-place and lockdown restrictions.

Operating Earnings

Operating earnings in 2021 were $78.7 million, or 15.6% of sales, compared to $65.2 million, or 15.3% of sales, in 2020.  Gross margin increased $37.2 million, and as a percent of sales increased from 39.5% in 2020 to 40.7% in 2021.  The gross margin improvement was due to higher volumes, improved sales mix as noted above, acquisition mix and strategic pricing actions that offset inflationary cost pressures from material input costs.  Selling, engineering and administration (“SEA”) expenses were $126.8 million or 25.1% of sales compared to $103.1 million or 24.2% of sales in the prior year.  The acquired businesses added $16.9 million of SEA expenses. The remaining $6.8 million increase was primarily due to higher personnel costs including increased headcount and higher incentive compensation and benefits.

Operating earnings in 2020 were $65.2 million, or 15.3% of sales, compared to $62.1 million, or 14.6% of sales, in 2019.  Gross margin increased $4.7 million, and as a percent of sales increased from 38.5% in 2019 to 39.5% in 2020.  The improvement was due to higher volumes and improved sales mix as noted above, along with favorable pricing actions.  These benefits were modestly offset by a net increase in warranty provisions year-over-year, including a $3.5 million cellular network sunset provision recorded in the fourth quarter of 2020.  Selling, engineering and administration (“SEA”) expenses were $103.1 million or 24.2% of sales compared to $101.4 million or 23.9% of sales in the comparable prior year period.  The increase was primarily due to higher personnel, research and development and business optimization investments, as well as the inclusion of s::can.  These increases were partially offset by the net benefit of COVID-19 cost reduction actions and lower pandemic-impacted expenses such as travel and convention costs.

Interest (Income) Expense, Net

Net interest income was less than $0.1 million in 2021, net interest expense was less than $0.1 million in 2020 and was $0.3 million in 2019. Changes in net interest (income) expense over these periods were due to the repayment of borrowings using cash from operations.  

Income Taxes

There were no significant variations in income taxes as a percentage of earnings before income taxes which were 22.6%, 24.1% and 23.4% for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  

Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Share

For 2021, the increase in operating earnings resulted in net earnings of $60.9 million compared to $49.3 million in 2020.  On a diluted basis, earnings per share were $2.08 in 2021 compared to $1.69 in 2020.

For 2020, the increase in operating earnings and lower interest expense, resulted in net earnings of $49.3 million compared to $47.2 million in 2019.  On a diluted basis, earnings per share were $1.69 in 2020 compared to $1.61 in 2019.  

18

 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The main sources of liquidity for the Company are cash from operations and borrowing capacity.  In addition, depending on market conditions, the Company may access the capital markets to strengthen its capital position and to provide additional liquidity for general corporate purposes.  

Primary Working Capital

We use primary working capital (PWC) as a percentage of sales as a key metric for working capital efficiency. We define this metric as the sum of receivables and inventories less payables, divided by annual net sales. The following table shows the components of our PWC (in thousands):

 

 

 

12/31/2021

 

 

12/31/2020

 

 

 

$

 

 

PWC%

 

 

$

 

 

PWC%

 

Receivables

 

$

65,866

 

 

13.1%

 

 

$

61,689

 

 

14.5%

 

Inventories

 

 

99,611

 

 

19.7%

 

 

 

81,586

 

 

19.2%

 

Payables

 

 

(41,859

)

 

-8.3%

 

 

 

(34,923

)

 

-8.2%

 

Primary Working Capital

 

$

123,618

 

 

24.5%

 

 

$

108,352

 

 

25.5%

 

 

Overall, PWC increased $15.3 million compared to the previous year-end and includes the PWC acquired in connection with the ATi acquisition.  Receivables at December 31, 2021 were $65.9 million compared to $61.7 million at the end of 2020.  Excluding $3.9 million of ATi receivables, an increase of $0.3 million was due to robust collection efforts while growing sales.  The Company believes its receivables balance is fully collectible.  Inventories at December 31, 2021 were $99.6 million compared to $81.6 million at the end of 2020. Excluding $3.9 million of ATi inventory, inventory increased $14.1 million, due to component cost inflation and higher safety stock levels associated with varied component shortages. Payables at December 31, 2021 were $41.9 million compared to $34.9 million at the end of 2020. Excluding the impact of ATi payables, the remaining increase is attributed to payments timing and the increased inventory levels at year end.

Cash Provided by Operations

Cash provided by operations in 2021 was $87.5 million compared to $89.6 million in 2020.  The decrease from 2020 was driven primarily by increased operating earnings offset by increased working capital requirements as described above.  Operating cash flow was more than adequate to fund acquisitions ($45.3 million, net of cash acquired), capital expenditures of $6.7 million and dividends of $22.2 million.  

Cash provided by operations in 2020 was $89.6 million compared to $80.7 million in 2019.  The increase from 2019 was driven primarily by improved working capital management as well as higher operating earnings.  Operating cash flow was more than adequate to fund the acquisition of s::can ($29.1 million, net of cash acquired), capital expenditures of $9.1 million and dividends of $20.3 million and $3.1 million in share repurchases to partially offset equity compensation dilution.  The remaining cash flow was used to reduce short term borrowings and add to cash balances.

Capital expenditures were $6.7 million, $9.1 million and $7.5 million in fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Capital expenditures for fiscal 2022 are expected to be in the $9.0-11.0 million range, but could vary depending on timing of R&D projects, growth opportunities and the amount of assets purchased.

The Company had no short-term borrowings as of the end of 2021 or 2020. At the end of 2021, the Company was in a net cash position of $87.2 million.

The Company’s financial condition remains strong.  On July 8, 2021, the Company entered into a new credit agreement, replacing its prior facility which was set to expire in September 2021. The credit agreement includes a $150.0 million multi-currency line of credit that supports commercial paper (up to $100.0 million).  The facility includes several features that enhance the Company’s financial flexibility including an increase feature, acquisition holiday and favorable financial covenants.  The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of December 31, 2021. The Company believes that its operating cash flows, available borrowing capacity, and its ability to raise capital provide adequate resources to fund ongoing operating requirements, future capital expenditures and the development of new products.  The Company had $157.1 million of unused credit lines available at December 31, 2021.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The Company's significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2021 are discussed in Note 12 “Leases” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  There are no material undisclosed guarantees.  As of December 31, 2021 the Company had no additional material purchase obligations other than those created in the

19

 

ordinary course of business related to inventory and property, plant and equipment, which generally have terms of less than 90 days.  The Company also has long-term obligations related to its postretirement plans which are discussed in detail in Note 7 “Employee Benefit Plans” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Postretirement medical claims are paid by the Company as they are submitted, and they are anticipated to be $0.3 million in 2022 based on actuarial estimates; however, these amounts can vary significantly from year to year because the Company is self-insured.

 

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

We believe the following accounting estimates are the most critical to the understanding of our financial statements as they could have the most significant effect on our reported results and require subjective or complex judgments by management. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. These estimates are based on our best judgment about current and future conditions, but actual results could differ from those estimates. Refer to Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding our significant accounting policies.

 

Acquisition – Analytical Technology, Inc. (“ATi”)

 

The accounting for a business combination requires the purchase price for the acquisition to be allocated to the identifiable assets of the acquired entity at fair value. Any unallocated portion is recognized as goodwill. We engaged an independent third-party valuation specialist to assist with the fair value calculation of the intangible assets acquired, including trade names, customer relationships and technologies. This required the use of several assumptions and estimates including the projected financial and cash flow results of ATi, customer attrition rate, forecasted cash flows attributable to existing customers and the discount rate for intangible assets. Although we believe the assumptions and estimates made were reasonable and appropriate, these estimates require judgment and are based in part on historical experience and information obtained from management.  More information regarding this business combination is contained in Note 3 in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Warranty and After-Sale Costs

 

Our products carry warranties that generally range from one to twenty years and are based on terms that are generally accepted in the market. We provide for the estimated cost of product warranty at the time of sale. The product warranty provision is estimated based upon warranty loss experience using actual historical failure rates and estimated costs of product replacement. The variables used in the calculation of the provision are reviewed at least annually. At times, warranty issues may arise which are beyond the scope of our historical experience. We provide for any such warranty issues as they become known and estimable. The introduction of additional technology, such as our ORION cellular radios, electronic meters and registration, have generally caused our annual warranty claims rates to increase over time.  While our warranty costs have historically been within calculated estimates, it is possible that future warranty costs could differ significantly from those estimates. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, our reserve for product warranties was $12.9 million and $11.6 million, respectively.

OTHER MATTERS

The Company is subject to contingencies related to environmental laws and regulations.  A future change in circumstances with respect to these specific matters or with respect to sites formerly or currently owned or operated by the Company, off-site disposal locations used by the Company, and property owned by third parties that is near such sites, could result in future costs to the Company and such amounts could be material.  Expenditures for compliance with environmental control provisions and regulations during 2021, 2020 and 2019 were not material.

See the “Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” at the front of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could impact the Company's financial performance and results of operations.

MARKET RISKS

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is exposed to various market risks.  The Company operates in an environment where competition varies from moderate to strong.  The Company believes it currently provides the leading technology in water meters and radio systems for water utilities.  A number of the Company's competitors in certain markets have greater financial resources.  Competitors also include alliance partners that sell products that do or may compete with our products.  As the global water metering market begins to shift to adopt static metering technology, the number of competitors may increase.  We believe new static metering market entrants lack brand recognition and product breadth and do not have the appropriate utility sales channels to meaningfully compete in the North American market.  In addition, the market's level of acceptance of the Company's newer product offerings, including the BEACON AMA system, may have a significant effect on the Company's results of operations.  As a result of significant research and development activities, the Company enjoys favorable patent positions for several of its products.

20

 

The Company's ability to generate operating income and to increase profitability depends somewhat on the general conditions of the United States and foreign economies, including to some extent such things as the length and severity of global economic downturns; the timing and size of governmental programs such as annual federal funding and periodic stimulus fund programs, as well as the impact of government budget cuts or partial shutdowns of governmental operations; international or civil conflicts that affect international trade; the ability of municipal water utility customers to authorize and finance purchases of the Company's products; the Company's ability to obtain financing; housing starts in the United States; and overall industrial activity.  In addition, changes in governmental laws and regulations, particularly laws dealing with the content or handling of materials, customs or trade practices, may impact the results of operations.  These factors are largely beyond the Company's control and depend on the economic condition and regulatory environment of the geographic region of the Company's operations.

The Company relies on single suppliers for certain castings and components in several of its product lines.  Although alternate sources of supply exist for these items, the loss of certain suppliers could temporarily disrupt operations in the short term.  The Company attempts to mitigate these risks by working closely with key suppliers, purchasing minimal amounts from alternative suppliers and by purchasing business interruption insurance where appropriate.

Raw materials used in the manufacture of the Company's products include purchased castings made of metal or alloys (such as brass, which uses copper as its main component, aluminum, stainless steel and cast iron), plastic resins, glass, microprocessors and other electronic subassemblies, and components.  The Company does not hold significant amounts of precious metals.  The price and availability of raw materials is influenced by economic and industry conditions, including supply and demand factors that are difficult to anticipate and cannot be controlled by the Company.  Commodity risk is managed by keeping abreast of economic conditions and locking in purchase prices for quantities that correspond to the Company's forecasted usage.

The Company's foreign currency risk relates to the sales of products to foreign customers and purchases of material from foreign vendors.  The Company uses lines of credit with U.S. and European banks to offset currency exposure related to European receivables and other monetary assets.  The Company believes the effect of a change in foreign currency rates will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations, either from a cash flow perspective or on the financial statements as a whole.

The Company typically does not hold or issue derivative instruments and has a policy specifically prohibiting the use of such instruments for trading purposes.

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Information required by this Item is set forth in Part II, Item 7 “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the heading “Market Risks” in this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

BADGER METER, INC.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed 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.

Due to 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 risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The Company's management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 using the criteria set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework).  Based on this assessment, the Company's management believes that, as of December 31, 2021, the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and, as part of its audit, has issued an attestation report, included herein, on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

21

 

BADGER METER, INC.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42)

23

Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

26

Consolidated Statements of Operations

27

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

28

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

29

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

30

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

31

 

22

 

 

BADGER METER, INC.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Badger Meter, Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Badger Meter, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, 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, Badger Meter, Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, 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 consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes and our report dated February 23, 2022, 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 Annual 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

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

February 23, 2022

23

 

BADGER METER, INC.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Badger Meter, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Badger Meter, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”).  In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, 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 February 23, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

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

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

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 the critical audit matters do 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 a separate opinion on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

 

 

 

Warranty and After-Sale Costs Reserve

Description of the Matter

 

As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company estimates and records provisions for warranties and other after-sale costs.  Warranty provisions are recorded in the period of sale, using historical claims data revised for recent trending and expectations to estimate future warranty costs.  After-sale costs represent costs expected to be incurred related to specifically identified product issues as well as activities outside the written warranty policy and are estimated by the Company based on the individual facts and circumstances. The Company’s accrued liability was $12.9 million as of December 31, 2021, representing its best estimate of the expected warranty and after-sale costs.  

Auditing management's estimates for warranty and after-sale costs involved significant auditor judgment because the reserve for warranty and after-sale costs requires the Company to estimate future claims. The calculation to estimate future claims includes a number of inputs and assumptions, the most significant of which include the number and type of claims, an evaluation of warranty trends, consideration of product developments, and estimates of future costs to replace or repair specifically identified items.

 

24

 

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

 

We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of internal controls over the Company's warranty and after-sale costs reserve process, including management's assessment of the assumptions and data underlying the projection of future warranty and after-sale costs.

Our substantive audit procedures included, among others, evaluating the significant assumptions discussed above and the accuracy and completeness of the underlying data used in management's warranty and after-sales costs reserve calculation. We evaluated the historical activity used to develop the lag calculation, including reviewing the data for any developing trends in the claims data, considered the impact of product developments on the calculation, and evaluated the cost build up for any specific reserve items, including procedures to support the completeness of the number and type of products impacted and the estimated future cost to repair or replace the products.  We assessed the historical accuracy of management's estimates by comparing the warranty and after-sale costs reserve in prior years to the actual claims paid in the subsequent years. We assessed management’s methodology and tested the valuation of the warranty and after-sale costs reserve by developing an independent expectation for the reserve based on the historical amounts recorded as a percentage of sales and compared our expectation to the amount recorded by management. We evaluated the completeness of the reserve estimate for known warranty claims or product issues based on our review of after-sales costs and through inquiries of operational and executive management and evaluated whether specific product issues were appropriately considered in the determination of the warranty and after-sale costs reserve.  

 

Accounting for Acquisitions – Valuation of Analytical Technology, Inc. Intangible Assets

 

Description of the Matter

 

As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, during 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Analytical Technology, Inc. (“ATi”) for consideration of $44 million, net of cash acquired. The transaction was accounted for using the guidance under ASC 805, Business Combinations.

 

Auditing the Company's accounting for its acquisition of ATi was complex due to the significant estimation uncertainty in the Company’s determination of the fair value of identified intangible assets of $21.0 million, which principally consisted of developed technology, customer relationships, and trademarks. The significant estimation uncertainty was primarily due to the sensitivity of the respective fair values to underlying assumptions about the future performance of the acquired business. The significant assumptions used to estimate the value of the intangible assets included discount rates and certain assumptions that form the basis of the forecasted results (including revenue growth rates, attrition rates and royalty rates). These assumptions are forward looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions.

 

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 its accounting for acquisitions. For example, we tested controls over the estimation process supporting the measurement of developed technology, customer relationships, and trademark intangible assets, including management’s review of the significant assumptions used in the valuation models.  

 

To test the estimated fair value of the developed technology, customer relationships, and trademark intangible assets, our audit procedures included, among others, evaluating the Company's valuation methodology, and testing the significant assumptions discussed above including the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data supporting the significant assumptions and estimates. We compared the revenue growth rates to third-party industry projections and to the historical performance of the acquired business. We involved our valuation specialists to assist with our evaluation of the methodology used by the Company and significant assumptions included in the fair value estimates. For example, we evaluated the discount rates by comparing them to discount rate ranges that were independently developed using publicly available market data for comparable peers. We also compared the customer attrition rates to historical customer retention rates and the royalty rate to relevant comparable licensing agreements.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as Badger Meter, Inc.’s auditor since 1927.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

February 23, 2022

25

 

BADGER METER, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets  

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

87,174

 

 

$

72,273

 

Receivables

 

 

65,866

 

 

 

61,689

 

Inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finished goods

 

 

25,991

 

 

 

24,881

 

Work in process

 

 

24,747

 

 

 

16,841

 

Raw materials

 

 

48,873

 

 

 

39,864

 

Total inventories

 

 

99,611

 

 

 

81,586

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

8,709

 

 

 

8,140

 

Total current assets

 

 

261,360

 

 

 

223,688

 

Property, plant and equipment, at cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and improvements

 

 

9,183

 

 

 

9,156

 

Buildings and improvements

 

 

71,103

 

 

 

69,700

 

Machinery and equipment

 

 

136,510

 

 

 

138,548

 

 

 

 

216,796

 

 

 

217,404

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

 

(138,746

)

 

 

(134,699

)

Net property, plant and equipment

 

 

78,050

 

 

 

82,705

 

Intangible assets, at cost less accumulated amortization

 

 

64,176

 

 

 

53,598

 

Other assets

 

 

15,390

 

 

 

17,428

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

7,529

 

 

 

5,090

 

Goodwill

 

 

104,313

 

 

 

88,708

 

Total assets

 

$

530,818

 

 

$

471,217

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payables

 

$

41,859

 

 

$

34,923

 

Accrued compensation and employee benefits

 

 

20,644

 

 

 

14,617

 

Warranty and after-sale costs

 

 

12,868

 

 

 

11,617

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

6,775

 

 

 

6,879

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

82,146

 

 

 

68,036

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

29,804

 

 

 

26,381

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

5,385

 

 

 

5,696

 

Accrued non-pension postretirement benefits

 

 

5,214

 

 

 

5,789

 

Other accrued employee benefits

 

 

5,199

 

 

 

4,056

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock, $1 par; authorized 40,000,000 shares; issued

   37,221,098 shares in 2021 and 2020

 

 

37,221

 

 

 

37,221

 

Capital in excess of par value

 

 

49,224

 

 

 

44,964

 

Reinvested earnings

 

 

353,535

 

 

 

314,850

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

136

 

 

 

1,313

 

Less: Treasury stock, at cost; 7,971,367 shares in 2021 and

   8,075,280 shares in 2020

 

 

(37,046

)

 

 

(37,089

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

403,070

 

 

 

361,259

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

530,818

 

 

$

471,217

 

 

See accompanying notes.

26

 

BADGER METER, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In thousands except per share amounts)

 

Net sales

 

$

505,198

 

 

$

425,544

 

 

$

424,625

 

Cost of sales

 

 

299,714

 

 

 

257,295

 

 

 

261,097

 

Gross margin

 

 

205,484

 

 

 

168,249

 

 

 

163,528

 

Selling, engineering and administration

 

 

126,761

 

 

 

103,093

 

 

 

101,380

 

Operating earnings

 

 

78,723

 

 

 

65,156

 

 

 

62,148

 

Interest (income) expense, net

 

 

(20

)

 

 

30

 

 

 

253

 

Other pension and postretirement costs

 

 

120

 

 

 

145

 

 

 

288

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

 

78,623

 

 

 

64,981

 

 

 

61,607

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

17,739

 

 

 

15,638

 

 

 

14,430

 

Net earnings

 

$

60,884

 

 

$

49,343

 

 

$

47,177

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

2.09

 

 

$

1.70

 

 

$

1.63

 

Diluted

 

$

2.08

 

 

$

1.69

 

 

$

1.61

 

Shares used in computation of earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

29,144

 

 

 

29,052

 

 

 

29,028

 

Impact of dilutive securities

 

 

194

 

 

 

178

 

 

 

192

 

Diluted

 

 

29,338

 

 

 

29,230

 

 

 

29,220

 

 

See accompanying notes.

27

 

BADGER METER, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Net earnings

 

$

60,884

 

 

$

49,343

 

 

$

47,177

 

Other comprehensive income :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

(1,516

)

 

 

1,096

 

 

 

(58

)

Pension and postretirement benefits, net of tax

 

 

339

 

 

 

(208

)

 

 

(97

)

Comprehensive income

 

$

59,707

 

 

$

50,231

 

 

$

47,022

 

 

See accompanying notes.

28

 

BADGER METER, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

60,884

 

 

$

49,343

 

 

$

47,177

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash

   provided by operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

11,291

 

 

 

12,253

 

 

 

11,569

 

Amortization

 

 

16,571

 

 

 

12,963

 

 

 

12,577

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

(3,055

)

 

 

(3,082

)

 

 

(1,524

)

Noncurrent employee benefits

 

 

(234

)

 

 

206

 

 

 

(40

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

2,330

 

 

 

1,415

 

 

 

1,214

 

Changes in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

 

(1,240

)

 

 

3,036

 

 

 

5,451

 

Inventories

 

 

(13,633

)

 

 

5,129

 

 

 

(1,220

)

Payables

 

 

7,005

 

 

 

(391

)

 

 

11,642

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(8,281

)

 

 

(3,522

)

 

 

(7,732

)

Other liabilities

 

 

15,872

 

 

 

12,228

 

 

 

1,600

 

Total adjustments

 

 

26,626

 

 

 

40,235

 

 

 

33,537

 

Net cash provided by operations

 

 

87,510

 

 

 

89,578

 

 

 

80,714

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment additions

 

 

(6,746

)

 

 

(9,059

)

 

 

(7,496

)

Proceeds from company owned life insurance plans

 

 

596

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

(45,273

)

 

 

(29,134

)

 

 

—

 

Net cash used for investing activities

 

 

(51,423

)

 

 

(38,193

)

 

 

(7,496

)

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in short-term debt

 

 

—

 

 

 

(4,600

)

 

 

(13,500

)

Payment of contingent acquisition consideration

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1,001

)

 

 

(2,555

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(22,155

)

 

 

(20,340

)

 

 

(18,595

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

2,036

 

 

 

1,058

 

 

 

1,961

 

Purchase of common stock for treasury stock

 

 

(460

)

 

 

(3,116

)

 

 

(5,207

)

Issuance of treasury stock

 

 

72

 

 

 

180

 

 

 

187

 

Net cash used for financing activities

 

 

(20,507

)

 

 

(27,819

)

 

 

(37,709

)

Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash

 

 

(679

)

 

 

(164

)

 

 

276

 

Increase in cash

 

 

14,901

 

 

 

23,402

 

 

 

35,785

 

Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of year

 

 

72,273

 

 

 

48,871

 

 

 

13,086

 

Cash and cash equivalents — end of year

 

$

87,174

 

 

$

72,273

 

 

$

48,871

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

$

19,981

 

 

$

17,995

 

 

$

13,066

 

Interest

 

$

118

 

 

$

91

 

 

$

268

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

29

 

BADGER METER, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

Common

Stock at $1

par value*

 

 

Capital in

excess of

par value

 

 

Reinvested

earnings

 

 

Accumulated

other

comprehensive

income

(loss)

 

 

Employee

benefit

stock

 

 

Treasury

stock

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands except per share amounts)

 

Balance, December 31, 2018

 

$

37,198

 

 

$

38,082

 

 

$

257,313

 

 

$

580

 

 

$

(306

)

 

$

(29,364

)

 

$

303,503

 

Net earnings

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

47,177

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

47,177

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

   (net of $16 tax effect)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(97

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(97

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(58

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(58

)

Cash dividends of $0.64 per share

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(18,611

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(18,611

)

Stock options exercised

 

 

2

 

 

 

1,708

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

251

 

 

 

1,961

 

ESSOP transactions

 

 

—

 

 

 

401

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

553

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,214

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,214

 

Purchase of common stock for treasury stock

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(5,207

)

 

 

(5,207

)

Issuance of treasury stock (72 shares)

 

 

—

 

 

 

551

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

633

 

Balance, December 31, 2019

 

 

37,200

 

 

 

41,956

 

 

 

285,879

 

 

 

425

 

 

 

(154

)

 

 

(34,238

)

 

 

331,068

 

Net earnings

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

49,343

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

49,343

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

   (net of $69 tax effect)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(208

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(208

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,096

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,096

 

Cash dividends of $0.70 per share

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(20,372

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(20,372

)

Stock options exercised

 

 

21

 

 

 

877

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

160

 

 

 

1,058

 

ESSOP transactions

 

 

—

 

 

 

280

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

154

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

434

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,415

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,415

 

Purchase of common stock for treasury stock

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(3,116

)

 

 

(3,116

)

Issuance of treasury stock (22 shares)

 

 

—

 

 

 

436

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

541

 

Balance, December 31, 2020

 

 

37,221

 

 

 

44,964

 

 

 

314,850

 

 

 

1,313

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(37,089

)

 

 

361,259

 

Net earnings

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

60,884

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

60,884

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

   (net of ($112) tax effect)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

339

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

339

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1,516

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1,516

)

Cash dividends of $0.76 per share

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(22,199

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(22,199

)

Stock options exercised

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,622

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

414

 

 

 

2,036

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

—

 

 

 

2,330

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

2,330

 

Purchase of common stock for treasury stock

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(460

)

 

 

(460

)

Issuance of treasury stock (19 shares)

 

 

—

 

 

 

308

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

89

 

 

 

397

 

Balance, December 31, 2021

 

$

37,221

 

 

$

49,224

 

 

$

353,535

 

 

$

136

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

(37,046

)

 

$

403,070

 

 

*

Each common share of stock equals $1 par value; therefore, the number of common shares is the same as the dollar value.

See accompanying notes.

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

BADGER METER, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1    Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies

Profile    

With more than a century of water technology innovation, Badger Meter is a global provider of industry leading water solutions encompassing flow measurement, quality and other system parameters.  These offerings provide customers with the data and analytics essential to optimize their operations and contribute to the sustainable use and protection of the world’s most precious resource.  The Company’s flow measurement products measure water and other fluids and are known for accuracy, long-lasting durability and for providing valuable and timely measurement data through various methods.  The Company’s water quality monitoring solutions include optical sensing and electrochemical instruments that provide real-time, on-demand data parameters. The Company’s product lines fall into two categories: sales of water meters, radios, software and related technologies, and water quality monitoring solutions to water utilities (utility water) and sales of meters and other sensing instruments, valves, software and other solutions for industrial applications in water, wastewater, and other industries (flow instrumentation).  The Company estimates that over 90% of its products are used in water related applications.

Utility water, the largest sales category, is comprised of either mechanical or static (ultrasonic) water meters along with the related radio and software technologies and services used by water utilities as the basis for generating their water and wastewater revenues, enabling operating efficiencies and engaging with their end consumers.  It further comprises other sensor technology used in the water distribution system to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of clean water.  These sensors are used to detect leaks in the distribution piping system and to monitor various water quality parameters throughout the distribution system.  The largest geographic market for the Company’s utility water products is North America, primarily the United States, because most of the Company's meters are designed and manufactured to conform to standards promulgated by the American Water Works Association.  The majority of water meters sold by the Company continue to be mechanical in nature; however, static meters are an increasing percentage of the water meters sold by the Company and in the industry, due to a variety of factors, including their ability to maintain measurement accuracy over their useful life.  Providing ultrasonic water meter technology, combined with advanced radio technology, provides the Company with the opportunity to sell into other geographical markets, for example the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia.  

The flow instrumentation product line primarily serves water applications throughout the broader industrial markets. This product line includes meters, valves and other sensing instruments sold worldwide to measure and control the quantity of fluids going through a pipe or pipeline including water, air, steam, and other liquids and gases.  These products are used in a variety of industries and applications, with the Company’s primary market focus being water/wastewater, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) and corporate sustainability.  Flow instrumentation products are generally sold to original equipment manufacturers as the primary flow measurement device within a product or system, as well as through manufacturers’ representatives.

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.  All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

Receivables

Receivables consist primarily of trade receivables.  The Company does not require collateral or other security and evaluates the collectability of its receivables based on a number of factors.  An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded for significant past due receivable balances based on a review of the past due items and the customer's ability and likelihood to pay, as well as applying a historical write-off ratio to the remaining balances.  Changes in the Company's allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:

 

 

 

Balance at

beginning

of year

 

 

Provision and

reserve

adjustments

 

 

Write-offs less

recoveries

 

 

Balance at end

of year

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2021

 

$

552

 

 

$

191

 

 

$

(46

)

 

$

697

 

2020

 

 

224

 

 

 

356

 

 

 

(28

)

 

 

552

 

2019

 

 

360

 

 

 

(132

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

224

 

 

31

 

 

 

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value.  Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.  The Company estimates and records provisions for obsolete and excess inventories.  Changes to the Company's obsolete and excess inventories reserve are as follows:

 

 

 

Balance at

beginning

of year

 

 

Net additions

charged to

earnings

 

 

Disposals

 

 

Balance at end

of year

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2021

 

$

6,400

 

 

$

1,329

 

 

$

(1,651

)

 

$

6,078

 

2020

 

 

5,440

 

 

 

2,964

 

 

 

(2,004

)

 

 

6,400

 

2019

 

 

4,131

 

 

 

2,663

 

 

 

(1,354

)

 

 

5,440

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost.  Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets by the straight-line method.  The estimated useful lives of assets are: for land improvements, 15 years; for buildings and improvements, 10 to 39 years; and for machinery and equipment, 3 to 20 years.

Capitalized Software and Hardware

Capitalized internal use software and hardware included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were $5.6 million and $6.0 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  These amounts are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the software and/or hardware, ranging from 1 to 5 years.  Amortization expense recognized for the years ending December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $4.5 million, $3.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

Long-Lived Assets

Property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the related asset or group of assets, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset or group of assets.  

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 5 to 20 years.  The Company does not have any intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives.  Amortization expense was $10.0 million in 2021 and $7.2 million in 2020 and 2019.  Amortization expense expected to be recognized is $8.7 million in 2022 and $8.1 in 2023, $8.0 million in 2024, $7.7 million in 2025, $6.6 million in 2026 and $25.1 million thereafter.  The carrying value and accumulated amortization by major class of intangible assets are as follows:

 

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

 

Gross carrying

amount

 

 

Accumulated

amortization

 

 

Gross carrying

amount

 

 

Accumulated

amortization

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Technologies

 

$

58,789

 

 

$

34,254

 

 

$

52,536

 

 

$

30,598

 

Intellectual property

 

 

10,169

 

 

 

2,744

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

1,833

 

Non-compete agreements

 

 

748

 

 

 

506

 

 

 

931

 

 

 

413

 

Licenses

 

 

650

 

 

 

543

 

 

 

650

 

 

 

526

 

Customer lists

 

 

8,083

 

 

 

4,501

 

 

 

8,023

 

 

 

3,846

 

Customer relationships

 

 

39,202

 

 

 

19,663

 

 

 

28,630

 

 

 

16,146

 

Trade names

 

 

16,050

 

 

 

7,304

 

 

 

12,136

 

 

 

5,946

 

Total intangibles

 

$

133,691

 

 

$

69,515

 

 

$

112,906

 

 

$

59,308

 

 

32

 

 

 

Goodwill

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually during the fourth quarter or more frequently if an event indicates that the goodwill might be impaired.  Potential impairment is identified by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value.  No adjustments were recorded to goodwill as a result of these tests during 2021, 2020 and 2019. Goodwill was $104.3 million at December 31, 2021, $88.7 million in 2020 and $71.3 million in 2019.  The increase from 2020 to 2021 resulted from the acquisition of ATi, headquartered in Collegeville, Pennsylvania in 2021.  The increase from 2019 to 2020 resulted from the acquisition of s::can, headquartered in Vienna, Austria in 2020. These acquisitions are further described in Note 3 “Acquisitions”.

Warranty and After-Sale Costs

The Company estimates and records provisions for warranties and other after-sale costs in the period in which the sale is recorded, based on a lag factor and historical warranty claim experience.  After-sale costs represent a variety of activities outside of the written warranty policy, such as investigation of unanticipated issues after the customer has installed the product or analysis of water quality issues.  Changes in the Company's warranty and after-sale costs reserve are as follows:

 

 

 

Balance at

beginning

of year

 

 

Provision of acquired business

 

 

Net additions

charged to

earnings

 

 

Costs incurred

 

 

Balance at end

of year

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2021

 

$

11,617

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

5,856

 

 

$

(4,605

)

 

$

12,868

 

2020

 

 

5,583

 

 

 

500

 

 

 

7,855

 

 

 

(2,321

)

 

 

11,617

 

2019

 

 

4,206

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

6,616

 

 

 

(5,239

)

 

 

5,583

 

 

Research and Development

Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and amounted to $14.7 million in 2021, $11.6 million in 2020 and $11.9 million in 2019.

Healthcare

The Company estimates and records provisions for healthcare claims incurred but not reported, based on medical cost trend analysis, reviews of subsequent payments made and estimates of unbilled amounts.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Components of accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2021 are as follows:

 

 

 

Pension and

postretirement

benefits

 

 

Foreign currency

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

55

 

 

$

1,258

 

 

$

1,313

 

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1,516

)

 

 

(1,516

)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax of ($112)

 

 

339

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

339

 

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), net

 

 

339

 

 

 

(1,516

)

 

 

(1,177

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

$

394

 

 

$

(258

)

 

$

136

 

 

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income during 2021 are immaterial.

 

 

33

 

 

 

Components of accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2020 are as follows:

 

 

 

Pension and

postretirement

benefits

 

 

Foreign currency

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

263

 

 

$

162

 

 

$

425

 

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,096

 

 

 

1,096

 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax of $69

 

 

(208

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(208

)

Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income, net

 

 

(208

)

 

 

1,096

 

 

 

888

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

$

55

 

 

$

1,258

 

 

$

1,313

 

 

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income during 2020 were immaterial.                                                                                                                                                               

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash, receivables and payables in the financial statements approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.  Included in other assets are insurance policies on various individuals who were associated with the Company.  The carrying amounts of these insurance policies approximate their fair value.

Subsequent Events

The Company evaluates subsequent events at the date of the balance sheet as well as conditions that arise after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued.  The effects of conditions that existed at the balance sheet date are recognized in the financial statements.  Events and conditions arising after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued are evaluated to determine if disclosure is required to keep the financial statements from being misleading.  To the extent such events and conditions exist, if any, disclosures are made regarding the nature of events and the estimated financial effects for those events and conditions.  For purposes of preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes to these financial statements, the Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the accompanying financial statements were issued.  

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” under ASC 740, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and modifies the existing guidance to enable more consistent application. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within that fiscal year with early adoption being permitted. The Company adopted ASU No. 2019-12 on January 1, 2021, the impact of which was not significant to the Company.

Note 2    Common Stock

Common Stock

The authorized common stock of the Company as of December 31, 2021 consisted of 40,000,000 shares of common stock, $1 par value, of which 37,221,098 were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. 

Stock Options

There were no anti-dilutive options in 2021 and 2020.  Stock options to purchase 54,139 shares in 2019 were not included in the computation of dilutive securities because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

34

 

 

 

Note 3    Acquisitions

Acquisitions are accounted for under the purchase method, and accordingly, the results of operations were included in the Company's financial statements from the date of acquisition.  The acquisitions did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

Effective January 1, 2021, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of ATi, headquartered in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, a provider of water quality monitoring systems.  

The total purchase consideration for ATi, net of cash acquired, was $44.0 million. The Company's allocation of the purchase price at December 31, 2021 included $3.9 million of receivables, $3.9 million of inventory, $2.5 million of other assets, $21.0 million of intangibles and $16.4 million of goodwill that is deductible for tax purposes. The intangible assets acquired are primarily customer relationships, developed technology and trademarks with estimated average useful lives of 12 to 15 years.  The Company also assumed $1.4 million of accounts payable, $0.6 million of deferred tax liabilities and $1.7 million of other liabilities as part of the acquisition.  The allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired was based upon the estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.  As of December 31, 2021, the Company had completed its analysis for estimating the fair value of the assets acquired with no additional adjustments. 

 

Effective November 2, 2020, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of s::can headquartered in Vienna, Austria.  s::can specializes in optical water quality sensing solutions that provide real-time measurement of a variety of parameters in water and wastewater utilizing in-line monitoring systems and other applications.

 

The total purchase consideration for s::can, net of cash acquired, was $30.5 million, inclusive of $1.3 million of working capital adjustments.  The Company's allocation of the purchase price at December 31, 2021 included $2.6 million of receivables, $4.3 million of inventory, $1.2 million of other assets, $12.7 million of intangibles and $17.7 million of goodwill that is not deductible for tax purposes. The intangible assets acquired are primarily customer relationships and developed technology with an estimated average useful life of 12 years. The Company also assumed $3.5 million of accounts payable, $3.2 million of deferred tax liabilities and $1.3 million of other liabilities as part of the acquisition.  The allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired was based upon the estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.  As of December 31, 2021, the Company had completed its analysis for estimating the fair value of the assets acquired with no additional adjustments.

 

Note 4    Short-term Debt and Credit Lines

 

The Company did not have short-term debt at December 31, 2021 and 2020. On July 8, 2021, the Company entered into a new credit agreement, replacing its prior facility which was set to expire in September 2021. The credit agreement includes a $150.0 million multi-currency line of credit that supports commercial paper (up to $100.0 million).  The facility includes several features that enhance the Company’s financial flexibility including an increase feature, acquisition holiday and favorable financial covenants.  The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of December 31, 2021. The Company had $157.1 million of unused credit lines available at December 31, 2021.    

        

Note 5    Stock Compensation

As of December 31, 2021, the Company has an Omnibus Incentive Plan under which 1,000,000 shares are reserved for restricted stock, performance shares and stock options grants for employees, as well as stock grants for directors.  The plan was approved in 2021 and replaced all prior stock-based plans except for shares and options previously issued under those plans.  As of December 31, 2021 there were 994,119 shares of the Company’s Common Stock available for grant under the 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The Company recognizes the cost of stock-based awards in net earnings for all of its stock-based compensation plans on a straight-line basis over the service period of the awards. The following sections describe the four types of grants in more detail.

Stock Options

The Company estimates the fair value of its option awards using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula, and records compensation expense for stock options ratably over the stock option grant’s vesting period.  Stock option compensation expense recognized by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0.4 million and $0.3 million in 2019.  No new stock options were granted in 2021.

35

 

 

The following table summarizes the transactions of the Company’s stock option plans for the three-year period ended December 31, 2021:

 

 

 

Number of shares

 

 

Weighted-

average

exercise price

 

Options outstanding - December 31, 2018

 

 

376,900

 

 

$

28.95

 

Options granted

 

 

34,926

 

 

 

59.44

 

Options exercised

 

 

(66,969

)

 

 

29.29

 

Options forfeited

 

 

(7,525

)

 

 

38.81

 

Options outstanding - December 31, 2019

 

 

337,332

 

 

$

31.82

 

Options granted

 

 

41,807

 

 

$

62.76

 

Options exercised

 

 

(55,716

)

 

 

18.99

 

Options forfeited

 

 

(7,229

)

 

 

50.19

 

Options outstanding - December 31, 2020

 

 

316,194

 

 

$

37.75

 

Options exercised

 

 

(88,932

)

 

$

22.89

 

Options outstanding - December 31, 2021

 

 

227,262

 

 

$

43.56

 

Exercisable options —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

271,252

 

 

$

27.17

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

235,829

 

 

 

30.82

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

170,484

 

 

 

38.31

 

 

The following assumptions were used for valuing options granted in the year ended December 31, 2020:

 

Per share fair value of options granted during the period

 

$

17.49

 

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

0.64

%

 

Dividend yield

 

 

1.05

%

 

Volatility factor

 

 

30.0

%

 

Weighted-average expected life in years

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

The weighted-average contractual life remaining for options outstanding as of December 31, 2021 was 4.7 years. The expected life is based on historical exercise behavior and the projected exercise of unexercised stock options.  The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant for the respective expected life of the option.  The expected dividend yield is based on the expected annual dividends divided by the grant date market value of the Company’s Common Stock.  The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s Common Stock.

The following table summarizes the aggregate intrinsic value related to options exercised, outstanding and exercisable as of and for the years ended December 31:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Exercised

 

$

7,085

 

 

$

3,054

 

 

$

1,870

 

Outstanding

 

 

14,316

 

 

 

17,805

 

 

 

11,170

 

Exercisable

 

 

11,635

 

 

 

14,913

 

 

 

10,243

 

 

As of December 31, 2021, the unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options was approximately $0.7 million, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.6 years.

Director Stock Grant

Non-employee directors receive an annual award of $60,000 worth of restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock under the shareholder-approved 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan.  The Company values stock grants for directors at the closing price of the Company’s stock on the day the grant was awarded.  The Company records compensation expense for this plan ratably over the annual service period beginning May 1.  Director stock compensation expense recognized by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2021 was $0.3 million compared to $0.4 million in 2020 and $0.3 million in 2019.  As of December 31, 2021, the unrecognized compensation cost related to the director stock award that is expected to be recognized over the remaining four months is estimated to be approximately $0.1 million.

36

 

 

Restricted Stock

The Company periodically issues nonvested shares of the Company's Common Stock to certain eligible employees.  The Company values restricted stock on the closing price of the Company's stock on the day the grant was awarded.  The Company records compensation expense for this plan ratably over the vesting periods.  Restricted stock compensation expense recognized by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $1.4 million compared to $1.0 million in 2020 and $0.9 million in 2019.

The fair value of nonvested shares is determined based on the market price of the shares on the grant date.

 

 

Shares

 

 

Fair value

per share

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2018

 

72,802

 

 

$

42.58

 

Granted

 

16,034

 

 

 

59.42

 

Vested

 

(19,227

)

 

 

30.08

 

Forfeited

 

(5,129

)

 

 

41.31

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2019

 

64,480

 

 

$

48.21

 

Granted

 

20,758

 

 

 

64.19

 

Vested

 

(25,044

)

 

 

39.87

 

Forfeited

 

(2,645

)

 

 

54.35

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2020

 

57,549

 

 

$

57.33

 

Granted

 

17,430

 

 

 

99.90

 

Vested

 

(16,528

)

 

 

49.31

 

Forfeited

 

(1,384

)

 

 

58.68

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2021

 

57,067

 

 

$

72.62

 

 

As of December 31, 2021, there was $2.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.

Performance Share Units

 

Beginning in 2021, the Company periodically issues performance share units to certain eligible employees. Recipients of performance share grants are eligible to receive shares of our common stock depending upon the level of our total adjusted free cash flow conversion and adjusted return on invested capital (ROIC) as measured over a three-year performance period. The number of shares earned for awards granted in fiscal 2021 will range from 50% to 200% of the targeted number of performance shares for the three-year performance period ending December 31, 2023 and will vest, to the extent earned, in the fiscal quarter following the end of the applicable three-year performance period.  Performance share compensation expense recognized by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $0.6 million.                   

 

A summary of performance share activity for the year ended December 31, 2021 is as follows:

 

 

Performance Shares

 

 

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2020

 

—

 

 

$

—

 

Granted

 

14,748

 

 

 

100.37

 

Adjustment for expected performance results

 

7,374

 

 

 

100.37

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2021

 

22,122

 

 

$

100.37

 

 

As of December 31, 2021 there was $1.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested performance share units that is expected to be realized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.

 

37

 

 

 

Note 6    Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

The Company makes commitments in the normal course of business. The Company rents equipment, vehicles and facilities under operating leases, some of which contain renewal options.  Total rental expense charged to operations under all operating leases was $3.1 million in 2021 and 2020 and $3.4 million in 2019. The Company’s lease commitments and future minimum lease payments are discussed in Note 12 “Leases.”

Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is named in legal proceedings.  There are currently no material legal proceedings pending with respect to the Company.

The Company is subject to contingencies related to environmental laws and regulations.  A future change in circumstances with respect to specific matters or with respect to sites formerly or currently owned or operated by the Company, off-site disposal locations used by the Company, and property owned by third parties that is near such sites, could result in future costs to the Company and such amounts could be material.  Expenditures for compliance with environmental control provisions and regulations during 2021, 2020 and 2019 were not material.

The Company relies on single suppliers for most brass castings and certain resin and electronic subassemblies in several of its product lines.  The Company believes these items would be available from other sources, but that the loss of certain suppliers could result in a higher cost of materials, delivery delays, short-term increases in inventory and higher quality control costs in the short term.  The Company attempts to mitigate these risks by working closely with key suppliers, purchasing minimal amounts from alternative suppliers and by purchasing business interruption insurance where appropriate.

The Company reevaluates its exposures on a periodic basis and makes adjustments to reserves as appropriate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

Note 7    Employee Benefit Plans

The Company maintains supplemental non-qualified plans for certain officers and other key employees. The expense for these plans was not material for 2021, 2020 or 2019.  The discount rate used to measure the net periodic pension cost was 2.08% for 2021, 2.87% for 2020 and 2.86% for 2019.  The amount accrued was $0.6 million and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  

The Company also maintains an Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan (“ESSOP”) for the majority of the U.S. employees.  The ESSOP includes a voluntary 401(k) savings plan that allows certain employees to defer up to 50% of their income on a pretax basis subject to limits on maximum amounts.  The Company matches 25% of each employee’s contribution, with the match percentage applying to a maximum of 7% of each employee's salary.  Compensation expense was $0.9 million in 2021 compared to $0.5 million in 2020 and $0.6 million in 2019.

The Company also contributes to a defined contribution feature within the ESSOP plan. Contributions are discretionary and are calculated as a percentage of eligible wages of the employee.  Compensation expense under the defined contribution feature was $3.1 million in 2021, $2.0 million in 2020 and $3.1 million in 2019.

Other Postretirement Benefits

The Company also has a postretirement healthcare benefit plan that provides medical benefits for certain U.S. retirees and eligible dependents hired prior to November 1, 2004.  Employees are eligible to receive postretirement healthcare benefits upon meeting certain age and service requirements.  No employees hired after October 31, 2004 are eligible to receive these benefits.  This plan requires employee contributions to offset benefit costs.      

The following table sets forth the components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Service cost, benefits attributed for service of active

   employees for the period

 

$

104

 

 

$

103

 

 

$

103

 

Interest cost on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

 

 

99

 

 

 

154

 

 

 

210

 

Amortization of actuarial gain

 

 

—

 

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(117

)

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost

 

$

203

 

 

$

235

 

 

$

196

 

 

The discount rate used to measure the net periodic postretirement benefit cost was 2.45% for 2021, 3.19% for 2020 and 4.33% for 2019.  It is the Company's policy to fund healthcare benefits on a cash basis.  Because the plan is unfunded, there are no plan assets.  The following table provides a reconciliation of the projected benefit obligation at the Company's December 31 measurement date:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

6,145

 

 

$

6,075

 

Service cost

 

 

104

 

 

 

103

 

Interest cost

 

 

99

 

 

 

154

 

Actuarial (gain) loss

 

 

(504

)

 

 

202

 

Plan participants' contributions

 

 

603

 

 

 

474

 

Benefits paid

 

 

(903

)

 

 

(863

)

Benefit obligation, end of year

 

$

5,544

 

 

$

6,145

 

 

The amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31 are:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Accrued compensation and employee benefits

 

$

331

 

 

$

356

 

Accrued non-pension postretirement benefits

 

 

5,213

 

 

 

5,789

 

Amounts recognized at December 31

 

$

5,544

 

 

$

6,145

 

 

The discount rate used to measure the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 2.82% for 2021 and 2.45% for 2020.  The Company's discount rate assumptions for its postretirement benefit plan are based on the average yield of a

39

 

 

hypothetical high quality bond portfolio with maturities that approximately match the estimated cash flow needs of the plan.  Because the plan requires the Company to establish fixed Company contribution amounts for retiree healthcare benefits, future healthcare cost trends do not generally impact the Company's accruals or provisions.

Estimated future benefit payments of postretirement benefits, assuming increased cost sharing, expected to be paid in each of the next five years beginning with 2022 are $0.4 million through 2026, with an aggregate of $1.9 million for the five years thereafter.  These amounts can vary significantly from year to year because the cost sharing estimates can vary from actual expenses as the Company is self-insured.

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, at December 31, 2021 that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

 

 

 

Pension

plans

 

 

Other

postretirement

benefits

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Net actuarial loss (gain)

 

$

110

 

 

$

(504

)

 

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, at December 31, 2021 expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 are not expected to be material.

 

Note 8    Income Taxes

The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions.  Significant judgment is required in determining the worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Details of earnings before income taxes are as follows:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Domestic

 

$

74,509

 

 

$

65,908

 

 

$

62,639

 

Foreign

 

 

4,114

 

 

 

(927

)

 

 

(1,032

)

Total

 

$

78,623

 

 

$

64,981

 

 

$

61,607

 

 

The provision (benefit) for income taxes is as follows:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

15,299

 

 

$

14,482

 

 

$

12,113

 

State

 

 

3,556

 

 

 

3,419

 

 

 

2,591

 

Foreign

 

 

1,939

 

 

 

819

 

 

 

1,250

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

(1,774

)

 

 

(2,495

)

 

 

(1,066

)

State

 

 

(600

)

 

 

(644

)

 

 

417

 

Foreign

 

 

(681

)

 

 

57

 

 

 

(875

)

Total

 

$

17,739

 

 

$

15,638

 

 

$

14,430

 

40

 

 

 

 

The provision for income tax differs from the amount that would be provided by applying the statutory U.S. corporate income tax rate in each year due to the following items:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Provision at statutory rate

 

$

16,511

 

 

$

13,646

 

 

$

12,938

 

State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit

 

 

2,288

 

 

 

2,196

 

 

 

2,080

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

168

 

 

 

1,302

 

 

 

515

 

Foreign - tax rate differential and other

 

 

606

 

 

 

(267

)

 

 

70

 

Federal tax credits

 

 

(770

)

 

 

(517

)

 

 

(609

)

Compensation subject to section 162(m)

 

 

685

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

66

 

Stock based compensation

 

 

(1,510

)

 

 

(682

)

 

 

(253

)

Other

 

 

(239

)

 

 

(150

)

 

 

(377

)

Actual provision

 

$

17,739

 

 

$

15,638

 

 

$

14,430

 

 

The components of deferred income taxes as of December 31 are as follows:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for receivables and inventory

 

$

2,532

 

 

$

2,618

 

Accrued compensation

 

 

2,641

 

 

 

1,874

 

Reserves and payables

 

 

3,101

 

 

 

2,741

 

Accrued post-retirement medical benefits

 

 

1,381

 

 

 

1,535

 

Net operating loss and credit carryforwards

 

 

2,260

 

 

 

2,106

 

Deferred compensation

 

 

1,041

 

 

 

829

 

Accrued qualified plan benefits

 

 

1,034

 

 

 

511

 

Accrued stock-based compensation

 

 

1,212

 

 

 

1,216

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

2,530

 

 

 

2,596

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

959

 

 

 

1,708

 

Other

 

 

967

 

 

 

713

 

Total gross deferred tax assets

 

 

19,658

 

 

 

18,447

 

Less: valuation allowance

 

 

(2,169

)

 

 

(2,140

)

Total net deferred tax assets

 

 

17,489

 

 

 

16,307

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

5,056

 

 

 

5,204

 

Intangible assets

 

 

8,475

 

 

 

8,795

 

Prepaids

 

 

413

 

 

 

552

 

Operating lease assets

 

 

949

 

 

 

1,699

 

Other

 

 

452

 

 

 

663

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

 

15,345

 

 

 

16,913

 

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

 

$

2,144

 

 

$

(606

)

 

41

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $6.0 million with an unlimited carryforward period.  The Company’s tax credit carryforward of $0.5 million relates to state specific tax credits that the Company expects to fully utilize in future tax periods. The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets which are not likely to be realized. The valuation allowance relates primarily to a foreign net operating loss carryforward.

 

  In general, it is the Company's practice and intention to reinvest earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries in those operations. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has not made a provision for incremental U.S. income taxes or additional foreign withholding taxes on approximately $15.0 million of such undistributed earnings, $13.4 million of which was previously subject to U.S. tax that is deemed indefinitely reinvested.  

  

Changes in the Company's gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, were as follows:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

1,123

 

 

$

1,165

 

Increases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of positions taken during the

   prior year

 

 

52

 

 

 

—

 

Increases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of positions taken during the

   current year

 

 

230

 

 

 

209

 

Reductions to unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse of the applicable

   statute of limitations

 

 

(233

)

 

 

(251

)

Balance at end of year

 

$

1,172

 

 

$

1,123

 

 

The Company does not expect a significant increase or decrease to the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. To the extent these unrecognized tax benefits are ultimately recognized, they will impact the effective tax rate.  The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2018, and, with few exceptions, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2017. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as interest expense and penalties as operating expenses.  Accrued interest was approximately $0.1 million at both December 31, 2021 and 2020 and there were no penalties accrued in either year.

Note 9    Industry Segment and Geographic Areas

The Company is an innovator, manufacturer, marketer and distributor of products incorporating flow measurement, control, quality and communication solutions, which comprise one reportable segment.  The Company manages and evaluates its operations as one segment primarily due to similarities in the nature of the products, production processes, customers and methods of distribution.

Information regarding revenues by geographic area is as follows:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

432,188

 

 

$

376,426

 

 

$

369,163

 

Foreign:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia

 

 

16,736

 

 

 

6,437

 

 

 

9,111

 

Canada

 

 

11,867

 

 

 

10,406

 

 

 

13,568

 

Europe

 

 

30,359

 

 

 

18,255

 

 

 

15,784

 

Mexico

 

 

5,110

 

 

 

4,886

 

 

 

5,791

 

Middle East

 

 

7,176

 

 

 

6,114

 

 

 

7,868

 

Other

 

 

1,762

 

 

 

3,020

 

 

 

3,340

 

Total

 

$

505,198

 

 

$

425,544

 

 

$

424,625

 

 

42

 

 

 

Information regarding assets by geographic area is as follows:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Long-lived assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

46,092

 

 

$

48,805

 

Foreign:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

 

13,991

 

 

 

15,142

 

Mexico

 

 

17,967

 

 

 

18,758

 

Total

 

$

78,050

 

 

$

82,705

 

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Total assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

391,328

 

 

$

365,748

 

Foreign:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

 

118,359

 

 

 

83,174

 

Mexico

 

 

21,131

 

 

 

22,295

 

Total

 

$

530,818

 

 

$

471,217

 

 

43

 

 

 

Note 10    Unaudited: Quarterly Results of Operations, Common Stock Price and Dividends

 

The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BMI.  Earnings per share are computed independently for each quarter.  As such, the annual per share amount may not equal the sum of the quarterly amounts due to rounding.  The Company currently anticipates continuing to pay cash dividends.  Shareholders of record as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 totaled 557 and 656, respectively.  Voting trusts and street name shareholders are counted as single shareholders for this purpose.

 

 

 

Quarter ended

 

 

 

March 31

 

 

June 30

 

 

September 30

 

 

December 31

 

 

 

(In thousands except per share data)

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

117,842

 

 

$

122,869

 

 

$

128,738

 

 

$

135,748

 

Gross margin

 

 

49,362

 

 

 

50,102

 

 

 

51,184

 

 

 

54,835

 

Net earnings

 

 

13,781

 

 

 

13,972

 

 

 

15,855

 

 

 

17,276

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.47

 

 

$

0.48

 

 

$

0.54

 

 

$

0.59

 

Diluted

 

 

0.47

 

 

 

0.48

 

 

 

0.54

 

 

 

0.59

 

Dividends declared

 

 

0.18

 

 

 

0.18

 

 

 

0.20

 

 

 

0.20

 

Stock price:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

$

111.77

 

 

$

100.01

 

 

$

108.25

 

 

$

112.36

 

Low

 

 

88.98

 

 

 

89.29

 

 

 

93.88

 

 

 

99.13

 

Quarter-end close

 

 

93.07

 

 

 

98.12

 

 

 

101.14

 

 

 

105.64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

108,508

 

 

$

91,119

 

 

$

113,587

 

 

$

112,329

 

Gross margin

 

 

43,322

 

 

 

35,850

 

 

 

45,023

 

 

 

44,055

 

Net earnings

 

 

11,854

 

 

 

9,534

 

 

 

14,861

 

 

 

13,094

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.41

 

 

$

0.33

 

 

$

0.51

 

 

$

0.45

 

Diluted

 

 

0.41

 

 

 

0.33

 

 

 

0.51

 

 

 

0.45

 

Dividends declared

 

 

0.17

 

 

 

0.17

 

 

 

0.18

 

 

 

0.18

 

Stock price:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

$

70.83

 

 

$

68.01

 

 

$

68.25

 

 

$

96.00

 

Low

 

 

41.50

 

 

 

47.00

 

 

 

59.53

 

 

 

64.96

 

Quarter-end close

 

 

53.60

 

 

 

62.92

 

 

 

65.37

 

 

 

94.06

 

 

Note 11    Revenue Recognition

Revenue for sales of products and services is derived from contracts with customers.  The products and services promised in contracts include the sale of utility water and flow instrumentation products, such as flow meters and radios, quality sensing equipment, software access and other ancillary services.  Contracts generally state the terms of sale, including the description, quantity and price of each product or service.  Since the customer typically agrees to a stated rate and price in the contract that does not vary over the life of the contract, the majority of the Company's contracts do not contain variable consideration.  The Company establishes a provision for estimated warranty and returns as well as certain after sale costs as discussed in Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

The Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers into geographical regions and by the timing of when goods and services are transferred. The Company determined that disaggregating revenue into these categories depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by regional economic factors.  Information regarding revenues disaggregated by geographic area is disclosed in Note 9 “Industry Segment and Geographic Areas.”

 

44

 

 

 

Information regarding revenues disaggregated by the timing of when goods and services are transferred is as follows for the years ended December 31:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Revenue recognized over time

 

$

28,524

 

 

5.6

%

 

$

21,479

 

 

5.0

%

Revenue recognized at a point in time

 

 

476,674

 

 

94.4

%

 

 

404,065

 

 

95.0

%

Total

 

$

505,198

 

 

100.0

%

 

$

425,544

 

 

100.0

%

 

The Company performs its obligations under a contract by shipping products or performing services in exchange for consideration.  The Company typically invoices its customers as soon as control of an asset is transferred and a receivable to the Company is established.  The Company, however, recognizes a contract liability when a customer prepays for goods or services and the Company has not transferred control of the goods or services.

The Company's receivables and contract liabilities are as follows at the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Receivables

 

$

65,866

 

 

$

61,689

 

Contract liabilities

 

 

30,194

 

 

 

24,761

 

 

Contract liabilities are included in payables and other-long term liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. The balance of contract assets was immaterial as the Company did not have a significant amount of uninvoiced receivables at December 31, 2021 and 2020.

A performance obligation in a contract is a promise to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. At contract inception, the Company assesses the products and services promised in its contracts with customers. The Company then identifies performance obligations to transfer distinct products or services to the customer. In order to identify performance obligations, the Company considers all of the products or services promised in the contract regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or are implied by customary business practices.

The Company's performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time or over time as work progresses.  The majority of the Company's revenue recognized at a point in time is for the sale of utility and flow instrumentation products. Revenue from these contracts is recognized when the customer is able to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the benefits from the product which generally coincides with title transfer during the shipping process.  The majority of the Company's revenue that is recognized over time relates to the BEACON software as a service (“SaaS”).

The Company records revenue for BEACON SaaS revenue over time as the customer benefits from the use of the Company's software.  Control of an asset is therefore transferred to the customer over time and the Company will recognize revenue for BEACON SaaS as service units are used by the customer.

Revenue is recorded for various ancillary services, such as project management and training, over time as the customer benefits from the services provided.  The majority of this revenue will be recognized equally throughout the contract period as the customer receives benefits from the Company's promise to provide such services.  If the service is not provided evenly over the contract period, revenue will be recognized by the associated input/output method that best measures the progress towards contract completion.

  

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had certain contracts with unsatisfied performance obligations. For contracts recorded as long-term liabilities, $30.2 million was the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that were unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period. The Company estimates that revenue recognized from satisfying those performance obligations will be approximately $5.6 million in 2022 and $3.3 million in each year from 2023 through 2026 and $11.4 million thereafter.

The Company also has contracts that include both the sale and installation of flow meters as performance obligations. In those cases, the Company records revenue for installed flow meters at the point in time when the flow meters have been accepted by the customer. The customer cannot control the use of and obtain substantially all of the benefits from the equipment until the customer has accepted the installed product. Therefore, for both the flow meter and the related installation, the Company has concluded that control is transferred to the customer upon customer acceptance of the installed flow meter. In addition, the Company has a variety of ancillary revenue streams which are minor. The types and composition of the Company's revenue streams did not materially change during the year ended December 31, 2021.

45

 

 

The transaction price for a contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, each performance obligation is satisfied. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the contract's transaction price to each performance obligation using the best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in a contract. The primary method used to estimate standalone selling price is the observable price when the good or service is sold separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers. If standalone selling price is not directly observable, it is estimated using either a market adjustment or cost plus margin approach.

The recording of assets recognized from the costs to obtain and fulfill customer contracts primarily relate to the deferral of sales commissions on the Company's BEACON software arrangements. The Company's costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer are amortized over the period of benefit of the related revenue. The Company expenses any costs incurred immediately when the amortization period would be one year or less. These costs are recorded within selling, engineering and administration expenses.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company elected the following practical expedients:

In accordance with Subtopic 340-40 “Other Assets and Deferred Costs - Contracts with Customers,” the Company elected to expense the incremental costs of obtaining a contract when the amortization period for such contracts would have been one year or less. The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less, and contracts for which it has the right to invoice for services performed.

The Company has made an accounting policy election to exclude all taxes by governmental authorities from the measurement of the transaction price.

Note 12    Leases

The Company rents facilities, equipment and vehicles under operating leases, some of which contain renewal options.  Upon inception of a rent agreement, the Company determines whether the arrangement contains a lease based on the unique conditions present. Leases that have a term over a year are recognized on the balance sheet as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Right-of-use assets are included in other assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Lease liabilities are included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.  Information regarding the Company's right-of-use assets and the corresponding lease liabilities at the years ended December 31 is as follows:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Right-of-use assets

 

$

5,877

 

 

$

6,865

 

Lease liabilities

 

 

6,177

 

 

 

7,218

 

 

The Company’s operating lease agreements have lease and non-lease components that require payments for common area maintenance, property taxes and insurance. The Company has elected to account for both lease and non-lease components as one lease component.  The fixed and in-substance fixed consideration in the Company’s rent agreements constitute operating lease expense that is included in the capitalized right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. The variable and short-term lease expense payments are not included in the present value of the right-of use-assets and lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  The Company’s rent expense for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Operating lease expense

 

$

2,995

 

 

$

2,858

 

 

$

3,095

 

Variable and short-term lease expense

 

 

153

 

 

 

203

 

 

 

270

 

Rent expense

 

$

3,148

 

 

$

3,061

 

 

$

3,365

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

 

The Company records right-of-use assets and lease liabilities based upon the present value of lease payments over the expected lease term. The Company’s lease agreements typically do not have implicit interest rates that are readily determinable. As a result, the Company utilizes an incremental borrowing rate that would be incurred to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term in a comparable economic environment. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the remaining lease term on the Company’s leases was 5.6 years and 6.0 years, respectively.  As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the discount rate was 5.0%.  The future minimum lease payments to be paid under operating leases are as follows:

 

 

 

December 31,

2021

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

 

$

1,922

 

2023

 

 

1,744

 

2024

 

 

1,362

 

2025

 

 

1,183

 

2026

 

 

130

 

Thereafter

 

 

868

 

Total future lease payments

 

 

7,209

 

(Present value adjustment)

 

 

(1,032

)

Present value of future lease payments

 

$

6,177

 

 

47

 

 

 

ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

In accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended, the Company's management evaluated, with the participation of the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and the Company's Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the year ended December 31, 2021.  Based upon their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and the Company's Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the date of such evaluation, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The report of management required under this Item 9A is contained in Item 8 of this 2021 Annual Report on         Form 10-K under the heading “Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.”

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The attestation report required under this Item 9A is contained in Item 8 of this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 9C.

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not applicable.

 

48

 

 

 

PART III

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information required by this Item with respect to directors is included under the headings “Nomination and Election of Directors” and in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 29, 2022 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Information concerning the executive officers of the Company is included in Part I, Item 1 of this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Information about the Company’s Executive Officers.”

The Company has adopted the Badger Meter, Inc. Code of Conduct for Financial Executives that applies to the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company's Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer and other persons performing similar functions.  A copy of the Badger Meter, Inc. Code of Conduct for Financial Executives is posted on the Company's website at www.badgermeter.com.  The Badger Meter, Inc. Code of Conduct for Financial Executives is also available in print to any shareholder who requests it in writing from the Secretary of the Company.  The Company satisfies the disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding amendments to, or waivers from, the Badger Meter, Inc. Code of Conduct for Financial Executives by posting such information on the Company's website at www.badgermeter.com.

The Company is not including the information contained on its website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information required by this Item is included under the headings “Executive Compensation,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “CEO Pay Ratio” in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 29, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference; provided, however, that the information under the subsection “Executive Compensation - Compensation Committee Report” is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Exchange Act or to be the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent it is specifically incorporated by reference into such a filing.

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information required by this Item is included under the headings “Stock Ownership of Beneficial Owners,” “Stock Ownership of Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 29, 2022 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.

Information required by this Item is included under the headings “Related Person Transactions” and “Nomination and Election of Directors - Independence, Committees, Meetings and Attendance” in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 29, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Information required by this Item is included under the heading “Principal Accounting Firm Fees” in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 29, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

49

 

 

PART IV

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

Documents filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

 

1.

Financial Statements.  See the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Data” in this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, under the headings “Consolidated Balance Sheets,” “Consolidated Statements of Operations,” “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income,” “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows” and “Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity.”

 

2.

Financial Statement Schedules.  Financial statement schedules are omitted because the information required in these schedules is included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3.

Exhibits.  The exhibits listed in the following Exhibit Index are filed as part of this 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K that is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 16.

FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

50

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT NO.

 

EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION

 

 

(3)

 

Restated Articles of Incorporation (as in effect as of August 8, 2008).

 

 

 

 

[Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3.2) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008 (Commission File No. 001-06706)].

 

 

(3.1)

 

Restated By-Laws (as amended and restated as of March 30, 2020).

 

 

 

 

[Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the               period ended March 31, 2020 (Commission File No. 001-06706)].

 

 

 

(4)

 

Credit Agreement dated July 8, 2021 among Badger Meter, Inc. and each lender and agent listed on the  signature pages thereof

[Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (10.1) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 9, 2021 (Commission File No. 001-06706)].

 

 

 

(4.1)

 

Description of Securities of the Registrant.

[Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (4.5) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2019 (Commission File No. 001-06706)].

 

 

 

(10)*

 

Badger Meter, Inc. Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan.

[Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (10) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2019 (Commission File No. 001-06706)].

 

 

 

   (10.1)*

 

Key Executive Employment and Severance Agreement between Badger Meter, Inc. and Kenneth C. Bockhorst.

[Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (10.1) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2020 (Commission File No. 001-06706)]..

 

 

 

   (10.2)*

 

Amended and Restated Badger Meter, Inc. Executive Supplemental Plan.

 

 

[Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (10.13) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008 (Commission File No. 001-06706)].

 

 

 

   (10.3)*

 

Amended and Restated Badger Meter, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

 

[Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (10.14) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008 (Commission File No. 001-06706)].

 

 

 

   (10.4)*

 

Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Certain Directors.

 

 

[Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (10.15) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008 (Commission File No. 001-06706)].

 

 

 

   (10.5)*

 

Amended and Restated Executive Supplemental Plan II.

 

 

[Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (10) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2020 (Commission File No. 001-06706)].

51

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT NO.

 

EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

   (10.6)*

 

Badger Meter, Inc. 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

 

 

[Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10.1) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Form 8-K, filed on April 30, 2021 (Commission File No. 001-06706)].

 

 

 

   (10.7)*

 

Badger Meter, Inc. 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan form of Performance Share Award Agreement

 

 

[Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10.2) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 30, 2021 (Commission File No. 001-06760)].

 

 

 

   (10.8)*

 

Badger Meter, Inc. 2021 Incentive Plan form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement

 

 

[Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10.3) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Form 8-K, dated April 30, 2021 (Commission File No. 001-06760)].

 

 

 

 

 

 

     (10.9)*

 

Form of the Key Executive Employment and Severance Agreements between Badger Meter, Inc. and certain other executive officers.

[Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (10.9) to Badger Meter, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2020 (Commission File No. 001-06706)].

 

 

 

(21)

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

 

 

 

(23)

 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

 

 

 

(31)

 

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 (31.1)

 

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

(32)

 

Certification of Periodic Financial Report by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

(99)

 

Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 29, 2022.  To be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the Registrant’s fiscal year.  With the exception of the information incorporated by reference into Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the definitive Proxy Statement is not deemed filed as part of this report.

 

 

 

(101)

 

The following materials from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity, (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and (vii) document and entity information.

 

 

 

(104)

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

 

*

A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

52

 

 

 

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, on February 23, 2022.

 

BADGER METER, INC.

 

By:

 

/s/    Kenneth C. Bockhorst

 

 

Kenneth C. Bockhorst

 

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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 indicated on February 23, 2022.

 

Name

 

Title

 

 

 

/s/    Kenneth C. Bockhorst

 

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer and

Director (Principal executive officer)

Kenneth C. Bockhorst

 

 

 

 

/s/    Robert A. Wrocklage

 

Senior Vice President —

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal financial officer)

Robert A. Wrocklage

 

 

 

 

/s/    Daniel R. Weltzien

 

Vice President — Controller

(Principal accounting officer)

Daniel R. Weltzien

 

 

/s/    Todd A. Adams

 

 

Director

Todd A. Adams

 

 

/s/   Henry F. Brooks

 

 

Director

Henry F. Brooks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/   Gale E. Klappa

 

Director

Gale E. Klappa

 

 

 

 

/s/    Gail A. Lione

 

Director

Gail A. Lione

 

 

 

 

/s/    James W. McGill

 

Director

  James W. McGill

 

 

 

 

 

/s/    Tessa M. Myers

 

Director

Tessa M. Myers

 

 

 

 

/s/    James F. Stern

 

Director

James F. Stern

 

 

 

 

/s/    Glen E. Tellock

 

Director

Glen E. Tellock

 

 

 

 

 

53