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BADGER METER INC

For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Feb 16, 2024.

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About this filing

A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2023 · Filed Feb 16, 2024

BMI$159.18+0.6%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

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Contents

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 management solutions, with nearly 95% of net sales derived from water-related applications. These tailorable solutions encompass smart measurement hardware, reliable communications, data and analytics software as well as ongoing support and expertise essential to optimize customers' operations and contribute to the sustainable use and protection of the world’s most precious resource. The Company's smart measurement hardware is primarily comprised of the following product families:

Meters that measure the flow of water and other fluids and are known for accuracy, long-lasting durability and for providing valuable and timely flow measurement data.

Water quality monitoring solutions, including optical sensing and electrochemical instruments that provide real-time, on demand data parameters.

High frequency pressure and acoustic leak detection hardware that provides real-time monitoring data.

The Company’s broad range of communication solutions include the ORION® branded family of radio endpoints, providing customers with a choice of industry-leading options for communicating data from hardware into usable applications. The Company’s hardware-enabled software provides the insights and analytics critical to the holistic management of our customers’ water systems. These digital solutions increase visibility, empowering customers to monitor system performance and make decisions aiding efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability. The Company also provides training, project management, technical support and other collaborative services for customers. The Company’s solutions fall into two product lines: sales of meters, water quality sensors and other hardware, communication, and software and related technologies, to water utilities (utility water) and sales of meters, other sensing instruments, valves, software and other solutions to commercial and industrial customers, including water related applications (flow instrumentation).

Utility water smart metering solutions are comprised of 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. This product line further comprises other instruments and sensors used in the water distribution system to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of clean water. These sensors are used to detect leaks and to monitor various water quality parameters throughout the distribution system. The largest geographic market in which the Company operates is North America, primarily the United States. The majority of water meters sold are mechanical in nature, with increasing adoption over time of ultrasonic (static) metering technology due to a variety of attributes, including their ability to maintain measurement accuracy over their useful life.

The flow instrumentation product line primarily serves water applications throughout the broader industrial market, with both standard and customized solutions. This product line includes meters, valves and other sensing instruments sold worldwide to measure and control the quantity of fluids including water, air, steam, and other liquids and gases. These products, oftentimes leveraging the same technologies used in utility water, 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 through manufacturers’ representatives and original equipment manufacturers as the primary flow measurement device within a product or system. Specialized communication protocols that control the entire flow measurement process and mandatory certifications drive these markets.

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of ninety days or less to be cash equivalents.

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 atbeginningof year · Provision andreserveadjustments · Write-offs lessrecoveries · Balance at endof year
(In thousands)
2023$1,179$1,862$(137)$2,904
2022697515(33)1,179
2021552191(46)697

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 atbeginningof year · Net additionscharged toearnings · Disposals · Balance at endof year
(In thousands)
2023$6,681$2,135$(1,942)$6,874
20226,0781,498(895)6,681
20216,4001,329(1,651)6,078

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$3.7 million and$4.8 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, 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, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $3.3 million, $3.8 million and $4.5 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$8.6 million in 2023,$8.6 million in 2022 and$10.0 million in 2021. Amortization expense expected to be recognized is$8.6 million in 2024,

$8.2 in 2025,$7.4 million in 2026,$5.7 million in 2027,$4.3 million in 2028 and$19.5 million thereafter. The carrying value and accumulated amortization by major class of intangible assets are as follows:

December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Gross carryingamountAccumulatedamortizationGross carryingamountAccumulatedamortization
(In thousands)
Technologies$66,157$41,845$58,504$37,857
Intellectual property7,0861,3016,857840
Non-compete agreements627610691661
Licenses650578650560
Customer lists8,2355,8638,0585,097
Customer relationships27,88412,93638,60222,023
Trade names15,4249,19315,8808,597
Total intangibles$126,063$72,326$129,242$75,635

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 2023, 2022 and 2021. Goodwill was$113.2 million at December 31, 2023 and$101.3 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in goodwill from 2022 to 2023 resulted from the acquisition of Syrinix Ltd, headquartered in Norwich, United Kingdom in 2023, as well as currency translation adjustments of $1.6 million. This acquisition is 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 atbeginningof year · Provision of acquired business · Net additionscharged toearnings · Costs incurred · Balance at endof year
(In thousands)
2023$9,606$93$9,759$(8,356)$11,102
202212,868-5,624(8,886)9,606
202111,617-5,856(4,605)12,868

Research and Development

Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and amounted to$19.0 million in 2023,$15.8 million in 2022 and$14.7 million in 2021.

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 Loss

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2023 are as follows:

(In thousands)Unrecognizedpension andpostretirement benefitsForeign currencyTotal
Balance at beginning of period$994$(6,977)$(5,983)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications-4,4114,411
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax of ($26)(74)-(74)
Net current period other comprehensive loss, net of tax(74)4,4114,337
Accumulated other comprehensive loss$920$(2,566)$(1,646)

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income during 2023 were immaterial.

Components of accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2022 are as follows:

(In thousands)Unrecognizedpension andpostretirement benefitsForeign currencyTotal
Balance at beginning of period$394$(258)$136
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications-(6,719)(6,719)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax of ($197)600-600
Net current period other comprehensive loss, net of tax600(6,719)(6,119)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss$994$(6,977)$(5,983)

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income during 2022 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 and cash equivalents, 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 October 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2021-08, "Business Combinations (Topic 805), Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities with Customers," which requires contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination to be recognized and measured by the acquireron the acquisition date in accordance with ASC 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company adopted ASU No. 2021-08 on January 1, 2023, the impact of which wasnot significant to the Company.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, "Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures," which requires enhanced disclosures on segment expenses, interim segment disclosures, and requirements for entities operating under a single segment. The guidance is effective on a retrospective basis for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods beginning after January 1, 2025, early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this proposed change on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures," which requires additional disclosure associated with the effective tax rate reconciliation and payment of income taxes. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025 and will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this proposed change on its consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 Common Stock

Common Stock

On April 28, 2023, at the Company's annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholders approved an amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company's common stock, par value $1 per share, from 40,000,000 to 80,000,000 shares.

In February 2023, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to 200,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock through February 2026.

The authorized common stock of the Company consisted of 80,000,000 and 40,000,000 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, $1 par value, of which 37,221,098 were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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, 2023, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of Syrinix Ltd. ("Syrinix"), headquartered in the United Kingdom, a provider of high-frequency pressure monitoring and leak detection solutions.

The total purchase consideration for Syrinix, net of cash acquired, was $17.1 million. The Company's allocation of the purchase price at December 31, 2023 included $0.6 million of receivables, $0.7 million of inventories, $2.1 million of other assets, $7.7 million of intangible assets and $10.3 million of goodwill. The intangible assets acquired are primarily developed technology, customer relationships and trademarks with estimated average useful lives of 13 to 15 years. The Company also assumed $1.9 million of payables, $2.0 million of deferred income taxes and $0.4 million of other current and long-term 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, 2023, the Company had completed its analysis for estimating the fair value of the assets acquired withno additional adjustments.

Note 4 Short-term Debt and Credit Lines

The Company didnot have short-term debt at December 31, 2023 and 2022. On July 8, 2021, the Company entered into a new credit agreement, with a maturity date of July 8, 2026. The Company amended its credit agreement to modify the benchmark interest rate on January 20, 2023. 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, 2023. The Company had$154.4 million of unused credit lines available at December 31, 2023.

Note 5 Stock Compensation

As of December 31, 2023, 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, 2023 and 2022 there were 909,688 and 938,147 shares, respectively, 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 years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively. No new stock options were granted in 2023, 2022 and 2021.

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the three-year period ended December 31, 2023:

Number of sharesWeighted-averageexercise price
Options outstanding - December 31, 2020316,194$37.75
Options exercised(88,932)22.89
Options outstanding - December 31, 2021227,262$43.56
Options exercised(25,986)27.04
Options forfeited(4,529)60.82
Options outstanding - December 31, 2022196,747$45.35
Options exercised(30,433)31.77
Options outstanding - December 31, 2023166,314$47.83
Exercisable options —
December 31, 2021170,484$38.31
December 31, 2022163,31642.23
December 31, 2023147,93746.06

The weighted-average contractual life remaining for options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 was 3.8 years.

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

202320222021
(In thousands)
Exercised$3,919$2,175$7,085
Outstanding17,71812,52914,316
Exercisable16,02310,91011,635

As of December 31, 2023, the unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options was approximately$0.2 million, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.1 years. There wereno anti-dilutive options in 2023 and 2022.

Director Stock Grant

Non-employee directors receive an annual stock award of the Company’s Common Stock under the 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The annual stock award for 2023 was $75,000. 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 in the period the grants are awarded. Director stock compensation expense recognized by the Company was$0.5 million in 2023,$0.5 million in 2022 and$0.3 million in 2021. As of December 31, 2023, there wasno unrecognized compensation cost related to the director stock award.

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 was$2.0 million in 2023,$1.6 million in 2022 and$1.4 million in 2021.

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

SharesFair valueper share
Nonvested at December 31, 202057,549$57.33
Granted17,43099.90
Vested(16,528)49.31
Forfeited(1,384)58.68
Nonvested at December 31, 202157,067$72.62
Granted21,63797.41
Vested(23,302)66.87
Forfeited(4,327)86.53
Nonvested at December 31, 202251,075$84.85
Granted21,261125.11
Vested(30,408)75.97
Forfeited(836)97.68
Nonvested at December 31, 202341,092$111.99

As of December 31, 2023, there was$2.8 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.

Performance Share Units

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 return on invested capital (ROIC) and adjusted free cash flow conversion as measured over a three-year performance period. The number of shares earned for awards granted in 2021, 2022 and 2023 will range from 50% to 200% of the granted number of performance shares for thethree-year performance period ending December 31, 2023, December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2025, respectively, 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 was$2.5 million in 2023,$1.2 million in 2022 and$0.6 million in 2021.

A summary of performance share activity for the three years ended December 31 is as follows:

Performance SharesWeighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2020—$—
Granted14,748100.37
Adjustment for expected performance results7,374100.37
Nonvested at December 31, 202122,122$100.37
Granted16,87097.62
Adjustment for expected performance results6,74697.62
Forfeited(2,892)99.43
Nonvested at December 31, 202242,846$98.92
Granted18,698123.77
Adjustment for expected performance results10,701120.74
Nonvested at December 31, 202372,245$108.59

As of December 31, 2023, there was$3.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested performance share units that is expected to be realized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.

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 $3.6 million in 2023, $3.5 million in 2022 and $3.1 million in 2021. 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 2023, 2022 and 2021 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.

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 2023, 2022 or 2021. The discount rate used to measure the net periodic pension cost was 5.09% for 2023,2.61% for 2022 and 2.08% for 2021. The amount accrued was$0.8 million and$0.7 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, 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$1.2 million in 2023,$1.1 million in 2022 and$0.9 million in 2021.

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$4.0 million in 2023,$3.7 million in 2022 and$3.1 million in 2021.

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, 2023, 2022 and 2021:

202320222021
(In thousands)
Service cost, benefits attributed for service of active employees for the period$72$91$104
Interest cost on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation20611999
Amortization of actuarial gain(193)(48)-
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost$85$162$203

The discount rate used to measure the net periodic postretirement benefit cost was 5.16% for 2023,2.82% for 2022 and 2.45% for 2021. 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:

20232022
(In thousands)
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$4,244$5,544
Service cost7291
Interest cost206119
Actuarial gain(22)(833)
Plan participants' contributions543600
Benefits paid(1,121)(1,277)
Benefit obligation, end of year$3,922$4,244

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

20232022
(In thousands)
Accrued compensation and employee benefits$309$328
Accrued non-pension postretirement benefits3,6133,916
Amounts recognized at December 31$3,922$4,244

The discount rate used to measure the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 4.96% for 2023 and 5.16% for 2022. The Company's discount rate assumptions for its postretirement benefit plan are based on the average yield of a 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 2024 are $0.3 million through 2028, with an aggregate of $1.6 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, 2023 that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

PensionplansOtherpostretirementbenefits
(In thousands)
Net actuarial loss (gain)$48$(968)

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, at December 31, 2023 expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 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:

202320222021
(In thousands)
Domestic$120,384$83,680$74,509
Foreign1,5824,0374,114
Total$121,966$87,717$78,623

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

202320222021
(In thousands)
Current:
Federal$29,629$20,089$15,299
State8,1474,7203,556
Foreign1,2422,0311,939
Deferred:
Federal(7,376)(4,289)(1,774)
State(1,332)(955)(600)
Foreign(942)(375)(681)
Total$29,368$21,221$17,739

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:

202320222021
(In thousands)
Provision at statutory rate$25,613$18,421$16,511
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit5,2362,9382,288
Valuation allowance(78)571168
Foreign - tax rate differential and other340388606
Federal tax credits(1,548)(1,016)(770)
Compensation subject to section 162(m)930693685
Stock based compensation(967)(523)(1,510)
Other(158)(251)(239)
Actual provision$29,368$21,221$17,739

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

20232022
(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Reserve for receivables and inventory$2,959$2,972
Accrued compensation4,0692,209
Reserves and payables2,5092,340
Accrued post-retirement medical benefits9711,054
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards4,9482,827
Deferred compensation1,2691,139
Accrued qualified plan benefits9881,193
Accrued stock-based compensation1,1661,120
Deferred revenue8,1284,793
Operating lease liabilities1,0711,262
Research and development costs5,7442,625
Other1,359987
Total gross deferred tax assets35,18124,521
Less: valuation allowance(2,683)(2,690)
Total net deferred tax assets32,49821,831
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment4,3234,454
Intangible assets8,3617,247
Prepaids394238
Operating lease assets1,0201,258
Other746525
Total deferred tax liabilities14,84413,722
Net deferred tax assets$17,654$8,109

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $2.8 million, U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $2.0 million, and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $13.7 million, of which $13.5 million have an unlimited carryforward period. The Company's tax credit carryforward of $0.6 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 foreign net operating loss carryforwards.

In 2021, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ("OEDC") released Pillar Two Global Anti-Base Erosion model rules, designed to ensure large corporations are taxed at a minimum rate of 15% in all countries of operation. The OECD continues to release guidance and countries are implementing legislation to adopt these rules, which are expected to be effective for accounting periods beginning on or after December 31, 2023. The United States has not yet enacted legislation implementing Pillar Two. The Company is continuing to evaluate the Pillar Two rules and their potential impact on future periods. Based on existing proposed rules, the Company does not meet the revenue requirements for the Pillar Two rules to apply. As a result, the Company does not expect the rules to have a material impact on its effective tax rate.

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, 2023, the Company has not made a provision for incremental U.S. income taxes or additional foreign withholding taxes on approximately $15.8 million of such undistributed earnings, $14.4 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:

20232022
(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of year$1,039$1,172
Increases (reductions) in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of positions taken during the prior year84(89)
Increases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of positions taken during the current year485231
Reductions to unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations(213)(275)
Balance at end of year$1,395$1,039

The Company does not expect a significant increase or decrease to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months. 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 2020, and, with few exceptions, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2019. 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, 2023 and 2022 and there wereno 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 compriseone 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:

202320222021
(In thousands)
Revenues:
United States$621,166$491,683$432,188
Foreign:
Asia13,54514,99516,736
Canada12,95812,76811,867
Europe39,10628,71830,359
Mexico4,2583,9315,110
Middle East10,3819,2867,176
Other2,1784,1871,762
Total$703,592$565,568$505,198

Information regarding assets by geographic area is as follows:

20232022
(In thousands)
Long-lived assets:
United States$43,882$43,182
Foreign:
Europe12,80712,923
Mexico17,18917,437
Total$73,878$73,542
20232022
(In thousands)
Total assets:
United States$550,018$466,697
Foreign:
Europe140,999113,945
Mexico25,90222,405
Total$716,919$603,047

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, 2023 and 2022 totaled 560. Voting trusts and street name shareholders are counted as single shareholders for this purpose.

Quarter ended
March 31June 30September 30December 31
(In thousands, except per share data)
Net sales$159,101$175,858$186,193$182,440
Gross margin62,81669,43472,72371,465
Net earnings19,41522,49325,96924,721
Earnings per share:
Basic$0.66$0.77$0.89$0.84
Diluted0.660.760.880.84
Dividends declared0.230.230.270.27
Stock price:
High$124.35$156.15$170.86$158.47
Low103.93117.53138.71134.06
Quarter-end close121.82147.56143.87154.37
Net sales$132,402$137,833$148,009$147,324
Gross margin50,72354,76057,52256,965
Net earnings14,36016,66417,93317,539
Earnings per share:
Basic$0.49$0.57$0.61$0.60
Diluted0.490.570.610.60
Dividends declared0.200.200.230.23
Stock price:
High$108.76$102.67$103.30$120.54
Low85.5573.2076.8888.16
Quarter-end close99.7180.8992.39109.03

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.”

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

2023 · 2022
(In thousands)
Revenue recognized over time$44,3176.3%$35,6956.3%
Revenue recognized at a point in time659,27593.7%529,87393.7%
Total$703,592100.0%$565,568100.0%

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:

20232022
(In thousands)
Receivables$83,507$76,651
Contract liabilities59,97040,700

Contract liabilities are included in payables and long-term deferred revenue 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, 2023 and 2022.

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, 2023, the Company had certain contracts with unsatisfied performance obligations. For contracts recorded as long-term liabilities,$60.0 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$10.2 million in 2024,$6.8 million in 2025,$5.8 million in 2026,$5.1 million in 2027,$4.2 million in 2028 and$27.9 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, 2023.

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 and network service contracts 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 beone year or less. These costs are recorded within selling, engineering and administration expenses.

For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, 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:

December 31,2023December 31,2022
(In thousands)
Right-of-use assets$5,522$6,533
Lease liabilities5,7586,792

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:

20232022
(In thousands)
Operating lease expense$3,406$3,447
Variable and short-term lease expense19276
Rent expense$3,598$3,523

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, 2023 and 2022, the remaining lease term on the

Company’sleases was 5.3 years. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the discount rate was 5.0%. The future minimum lease payments to be paid under operating leases are as follows:

(In thousands)
2024$2,552
20251,964
2026837
2027225
2028129
Thereafter942
Total future lease payments6,649
Present value adjustment(891)
Present value of future lease payments$5,758
ContentsView on SEC.gov

The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.