Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Debt [Abstract]

Debt

NOTE E – Debt

On January 10, 2012, CTS amended its November 18, 2010 unsecured revolving credit facility. This amendment provided for an increase in the revolving credit facility to $200 million and increased the accordion feature, whereby CTS can expand the facility to $300 million, subject to participating banks’ approval. Additionally, among other covenants, the amendment reduced the applicable margin by 25 basis points, increased the total consideration the company may pay for non-U.S. based acquisitions, and extended the term of the credit facility through January 10, 2017.

Long-term debt was comprised of the following:

($ in thousands)	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Revolving credit facility, weighted-average interest rate of 1.8% (2013), and 1.8% (2012) due in 2017	$	164,000	$	153,500

There was $164.0 million outstanding under the $200 million revolving credit facility at March 31, 2013, and $153.5 million at December 31, 2012. The Company had $33.4 million available under the $200 million credit facility at March 31, 2013, net of standby letters of credit of $2.6 million, and $43.9 million available at December 31, 2012, net of standby letters of credit of $2.6 million. Interest rates on the revolving credit facility fluctuate based upon London Interbank Offered Rate and the Company’s quarterly total leverage ratio. CTS pays a commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility. The commitment fee varies based on the quarterly leverage ratio and was 0.35 percent and 0.30 percent per annum at March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012, respectively. The revolving credit facility requires, among other things, that CTS comply with a maximum total leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. Failure of CTS to comply with these covenants could reduce the borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility. CTS was in compliance with all debt covenants at March 31, 2013. The revolving credit facility requires CTS to deliver quarterly financial statements, annual financial statements, auditors certifications and compliance certificates within a specified number of days after the end of a quarter and year. Additionally, the revolving facility contains restrictions limiting CTS’ ability to: dispose of assets; incur certain additional debt; repay other debt or amend subordinated debt instruments; create liens on assets; make investments, loans or advances; make acquisitions or engage in mergers or consolidations; engage in certain transactions with CTS’ subsidiaries and affiliates; and make stock repurchases and dividend payments.

CTS uses interest rate swaps to convert the line of credit’s variable rate of interest into a fixed rate. In the second quarter of 2012, CTS entered into four separate interest rate swap agreements to fix interest rates on $50 million of long-term debt for the periods January 2013 to January 2017. In the third quarter of 2012, CTS entered into four separate interest rate swap agreements to fix interest rates on $25 million of long-term debt for the periods January 2013 to January 2017. The difference to be paid or received under the terms of the swap agreements will be recognized as an adjustment to interest expense for the related line of credit when settled.

These swaps are treated as cash flow hedges and consequently, the changes in fair value were recorded in Other Comprehensive Income. An unrealized gain of approximately $36,000 was recorded in Other Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Approximately $304,000 was recorded as accrued liabilities and $1,216,000 recorded as a non-current liability in other long-term obligations on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. CTS also reclassed approximately $77,000 of realized loss out of other comprehensive income to interest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

As a result of the use of these derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to the risk that counterparties to derivative contracts will fail to meet their contractual obligations. To mitigate the counterparty credit risk, the Company has a policy of only entering into contracts with carefully selected major financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other factors. CTS’ established policies and procedures for mitigating credit risk on principal transactions include reviewing and establishing limits for credit exposure and continually assessing the creditworthiness of counterparties.