Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

3 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2021

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

Tecumseh

The Company owns a 50 percent interest in an unconsolidated affiliate that acquired Tecumseh Products Company LLC (Tecumseh).  The Company also owns a 50 percent interest in a second unconsolidated affiliate that provides financing to Tecumseh.  These investments are recorded using the equity method of accounting, as the Company can exercise significant influence but does not own a majority equity interest or otherwise control the respective entities.  Under the equity method of accounting, these investments are stated at initial cost and are adjusted for subsequent additional investments and the Company’s proportionate share of earnings or losses and distributions.

The Company records its proportionate share of the investees’ net income or loss, net of foreign taxes, one quarter in arrears as income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates, net of foreign tax, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and its proportionate share of the investees’ other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity. The U.S. tax effect of the Company’s proportionate share of Tecumseh’s income or loss is recorded in income tax expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. In general, the equity investment in unconsolidated affiliates is equal to the current equity investment plus the investees’ net accumulated losses. 

The following tables present summarized financial information derived from the Company’s equity method investees’ combined consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

(In thousands)	March 27, 2021		December 26, 2020
Current assets	$	171,907	$	167,451
Noncurrent assets	82,198		78,241
Current liabilities	127,317		120,202
Noncurrent liabilities	49,463		50,020

	For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands)	March 27, 2021		March 28, 2020
Net sales	$	97,329	$	106,998
Gross profit	9,699		13,486
Net loss	(3,299)		(12,685)

The Company’s loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net of foreign tax, for the quarters ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020 included net losses of $1.6 million and $6.3 million, respectively, for Tecumseh.

Mueller Middle East

On December 30, 2015, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with Cayan Ventures and Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company to build a copper tube mill in Bahrain. The business operates and brands its products under the Mueller Industries family of brands. The Company has invested approximately $5.0 million of cash to date and is the technical and marketing lead with a 40 percent ownership in the joint venture.