UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 
February 27, 2023
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported)

ITRON, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Washington
  
000-22418
  
91-1011792
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  
(Commission
File Number)
  
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

2111 N. Molter Road, Liberty Lake, Washington 99019
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code)

(509) 924-9900
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

Title of each class
   Trading Symbol(s)
   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, no par value   ITRI
   NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company ☐

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. ☐


Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On February 21, 2023, Itron, Inc. (Itron) entered into Amendment No. 6 to Credit Agreement (the Amendment), which amends Iton's Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 5, 2018 (as amended, the Credit Agreement), among Itron, as borrower, the lenders from time to time thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (the Administrative Agent).

The Amendment amends the Credit Agreement to modify the definition of the term "Consolidated EBITDA" to permit the addback of an additional $40 million in non-recurring cash expenses related to restructuring to the extent incurred in the first quarter of 2023.

The Administrative Agent and the other lenders have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with Itron or its affiliates. The Administrative Agent and the other lenders thereto have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for such transactions.

The foregoing description of the Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amendment, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.03
Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The disclosure set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

Item 2.05
Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.

On February 23, 2023, the Board of Directors of Itron approved a restructuring plan (the 2023 Projects). The 2023 Projects include activities that continue Itron's efforts to optimize its global supply chain and manufacturing operations, sales and marketing organizations, and other overhead. These projects are to be substantially complete by early 2025. Itron estimates pre-tax restructuring charges of $40-45 million. Of the total estimated charge, approximately 95% will result in cash expenditures, and the remainder to non-cash impairment charges. The majority of the expense will be recognized during the first quarter of 2023. Once the 2023 Projects are substantially completed, Itron estimates $14-17 million in annualized savings. Certain of Itron's employees are represented by unions or works councils, which requires consultation, and potential restructuring projects may be subject to regulatory approval, both of which could impact the timing of planned savings in certain jurisdictions.

Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)            Exhibits.

Exhibit
Number
  
Description
     
 
104
  
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)



Forward Looking Statements
 
This release contains, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are neither historical factors nor assurances of future performance. These statements are based on our expectations about, among others, revenues, operations, financial performance, earnings, liquidity, earnings per share, cash flows and restructuring activities including headcount reductions and other cost savings initiatives. This document reflects our current strategy, plans and expectations and is based on information currently available as of the date of this release. When we use words such as "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "goal", "seek", "project", "estimate", "future", "strategy", "objective", "may", "likely", "should", "will", "will continue", and similar expressions, including related to future periods, they are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates. Although we believe the estimates and assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of these estimates or assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and the forward-looking statements based on these estimates and assumptions could be incorrect. Our operations involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect our results of operations and whether the forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be correct. Actual results and trends in the future may differ materially from those suggested or implied by the forward-looking statements depending on a variety of factors. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that we believe could affect our results include our ability to execute on our restructuring plans, our ability to achieve estimated cost savings, the rate and timing of customer demand for our products, rescheduling of current customer orders, changes in estimated liabilities for product warranties, adverse impacts of litigation, changes in laws and regulations, our dependence on new product development and intellectual property, future acquisitions, changes in estimates for stock-based and bonus compensation, increasing volatility in foreign exchange rates, international business risks, uncertainties caused by adverse economic conditions, including, without limitation those resulting from extraordinary events or circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors that are more fully described in Part I, Item 1A: Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral.
 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
ITRON, INC.
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ JOAN S. HOOPER
Dated: February 27, 2023
 
Joan S. Hooper
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer