EASTERN CO

Previous wording

The following discussion is intended to highlight significant changes in the financial position and results of operations of The Eastern Company (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 12, 2024 (the “2023 Form 10-K”).

Current wording

The following discussion is intended to highlight significant changes in the financial position and results of operations of The Eastern Company (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) for the three months ended March 29, 2025. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 11, 2025 (the “2024 Form 10-K”).

Previous wording

The Company’s fiscal year is a 52-53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest to December 31. References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 28, 2024 (this “Form 10-Q”) to 2023, the 2023 fiscal year or fiscal 2023 mean the 52-week period ended on December 30, 2023, and references to 2024, the 2024 fiscal year or fiscal 2024 mean the 52-week period ending on December 28, 2024. In a 52-week fiscal year, each quarter has 13 weeks. References to the third quarter of 2023, the third fiscal quarter of 2023 or the three months ended September 30, 2023 mean the 13-week period from July 2, 2023 to September 30, 2023. References to the third quarter of 2024, the third fiscal quarter of 2024 or the three months ended September 28, 2024 mean the 13-week period from June 30, 2024 to September 28, 2024. References to the first nine months of 2023 or the nine months ended September 30, 2023 mean the period from January 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023. References to the first nine months of 2024 or the nine months ended September 28, 2024 mean the period from December 31, 2023 to September 28, 2024.

Current wording

The Company’s fiscal year is a 52-53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest to December 31. References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 29, 2025 (this “Form 10-Q”) to 2024, the 2024 fiscal year or fiscal 2024 mean the 52-week period ended on December 28, 2024, and references to 2025, the 2025 fiscal year or fiscal 2025 mean the 53-week period ending on January 3, 2026. In a 52-week fiscal year, each quarter has 13 weeks. References to the first quarter of 2024, the first fiscal quarter of 2024, the first three months of 2024 or the three months ended March 30, 2024 mean the 13-week period from December 31, 2023 to March 30, 2024. References to the first quarter of 2025, the first fiscal quarter of 2025, the first three months of 2025 or the three months ended March 29, 2025 mean the 13-week period from December 29, 2024 to March 29, 2025.

Previous wording

Net sales in the third quarter of 2024 increased 15% to $71.3 million from $62.0 million in the corresponding period in 2023. Net sales for the first nine months of 2024 increased 6% to $206.1 million from $195.1 million in the corresponding period last year. Sales increased in the third quarter of 2024 primarily due to increased demand for returnable transport packaging products, truck mirror assemblies, and truck accessories of $7.4 million, $1.2 million, and $0.7 million, respectively. Sales increases in the first nine months of 2024 were driven by increased demand for truck mirror assemblies and returnable transport packaging products of $13.3 million and $4.6 million respectively, offset by lower demand for truck accessories of $6.9 million. Our backlog as of September 28, 2024 increased 13% to $97.2 million from $86.2 million as of September 30, 2023, primarily driven by increased orders for various truck mirror assemblies of $11.6 million and returnable transport packaging products of $3.2 million.

Current wording

Net sales in the first quarter of 2025 decreased 2% to $63.3 million from $64.6 million in the corresponding period in 2024. Sales decreased in the first quarter of 2025 due to decreased sales of truck mirror assemblies and truck accessories of $4.2 million and $2.6 million, respectively, offset by increased sales of returnable transport packaging products of $3.1 million. Our backlog as of March 29, 2025 decreased 9% to $85.9 million from $94.0 million as of March 30, 2024, driven by decreased orders for returnable transport packaging products of $6.6 million various truck mirror assemblies of $2.7 million offset by increase a latch and handle assemblies of $1.3 million.

Previous wording

Net sales of existing products increased 9% in the third quarter of 2024 and decreased 2% for the first nine months of 2024 compared to the corresponding periods in 2023. Price increases and new products increased net sales by 5% in the third quarter of 2024 and 6% in the first nine months of 2024, compared to the corresponding periods in 2023. New products included various truck mirror assemblies, rotary latches, D-rings, handles, and mirror cams.

Current wording

Net sales of existing products decreased 6% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the corresponding period in 2024. Price increases and new products increased net sales by 1% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the corresponding periods in 2024. New products sales included various truck mirror assemblies and handles.

Previous wording

Cost of products sold increased $6.5 million, or 14%, in the third quarter of 2024 and increased $3.8 million, or 3% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023 primarily due to higher sales volume, partially offset by other cost savings initiatives. Additionally, the Company paid tariff costs on China-sourced products of approximately $0.6 million and $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2024 and first nine months of 2024 respectively, compared to $0.6 million and $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2023 and first nine months of 2023, respectively. Most tariffs on China-sourced products have been recovered through price increases.

Current wording

Cost of products sold decreased less than $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the corresponding period in 2024. Additionally, the Company paid tariff costs on China-sourced products of approximately $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2024. Most tariffs on China-sourced products have been recovered through price increases.

Previous wording

Product development expensesdecreased $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2024 and decreased $0.5 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the corresponding periods in 2023 as we continue to invest in new products at our Eberhard, Velvac, and Big 3 businesses. As a percentage of net sales, product development costs were 1.5% for the third quarter of 2024 and 1.8% for the first nine months of 2024, compared to 2.3% and 2.2% for the corresponding periods in 2023.

Current wording

Product development expensesdecreased $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the corresponding periods in 2024. As a percentage of net sales, product development costs were 2.0% in each period as we continue to invest in new products at our businesses.

Previous wording

Interest expense decreased $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2024 and was flat in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the corresponding periods in 2023 due to lower principal balances, partially offset by higher interest rates.

Current wording

Interest expense decreased $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2025 due to lower principal balances, offset by higher interest rates.

Previous wording

Net incomefor the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $4.7 million, or $0.75 per diluted share compared to net income of $3.5 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2023. In the first nine months of 2024 net income was $11.7 million, or $1.87 per diluted share compared to net income of $7.8 million, or $1.24 per diluted share for the comparable period in 2023.

Current wording

Net incomefor the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $1.9 million, or $0.31 per diluted share compared to net income of $2.1 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2024.

Previous wording

The following table shows the change in sales and operating profit for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 (dollars in thousands):

Current wording

The following table shows the change in sales and operating profit for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2025 (dollars in thousands):

Previous wording

Additions to property, plant, and equipment were $7.6 million and $4.1 million for the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of September 28, 2024, there were approximately $4.0 million of outstanding commitments for capital expenditures.

Current wording

Additions to property, plant, and equipment were $0.8 million and $1.7 million for the first three months of 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of March 29, 2025, there was approximately $0.6 million of outstanding commitments for capital expenditures.

Previous wording

The following table shows key financial ratios at the end of each specified period:

Current wording

The following table shows key financial ratios as of the dates specified:

Previous wording

Inventories of $58.1 million as of September 28, 2024 declined by $0.3 million, or 0.5%, when compared to $59.3 million at the end of fiscal year 2023 and declined $1.9 million, or 3.2%, when compared to $60.0 million at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Accounts receivable, less allowances, were $46.0 million as of September 28, 2024, as compared to $34.2 million at 2023 fiscal year end and $40.0 million at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Accounts receivable as of September 28, 2024 included approximately $3.0 million for pre-billing to cover material costs on a specific job and adversely impacted average days sales in accounts receivable by 4 days.

Current wording

Inventories of $55.4 million as of March 29, 2025 increased by $0.2 million, or less than 0.1%, when compared to $55.2 million at the end of fiscal year 2024 and increased $0.3 million, or less than 0.1 % when compared to $55.1 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Accounts receivable, less allowances, were $33.5 million as of March 29, 2025, as compared to $35.5 million at 2024 fiscal year end and $40.5 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2024.

Previous wording

On June 16, 2023, the Company entered into a credit agreement with TD Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, Bank of America, and M&T Bank as lenders (the “Credit Agreement”), and incurred indebtedness under the Credit Agreement in the aggregate principal amount of $60 million in the form of a term loan, the proceeds of which were used to repay the Company’s remaining outstanding term loan and to terminate its existing credit facility with Santander. See Note HDebt, for additional information regarding the terms of the Credit Agreement, including repayment terms, interest rates, and applicable loan covenants. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company is subject to restrictive covenants that limit our ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, or make other distributions, and consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of assets, as well as financial covenants that require us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum senior net leverage ratio. These covenants may limit how we conduct our business, and in the event of certain defaults, our repayment obligations may be accelerated. We were in compliance with all of our covenants as of September 28, 2024 and had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving commitment portion of the credit facility as of such date. On September 6, 2024, the Company drew down $3.0 million on its revolving credit facility to support ongoing working capital requirements. The Company has $27.0 million available on its revolving line of credit.

Current wording

On June 16, 2023, the Company entered into a credit agreement with the lending institutions named therein (the "Lenders"), TD Bank NA, the swing line lender and as the administrative agent, TD Securities (USA) LLC, as sole arranger and sole bookrunner, and Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-syndication (the “Credit Agreement”), and incurred indebtedness under the Credit Agreement in the aggregate principal amount of $60 million in the form of a term loan, the proceeds of which were used to repay the Company’s remaining outstanding term loan and to terminate its previous credit facility with Santander. The Credit Agreement also included a $30 million revolving commitment portion, which was increased to $50 million through an amendment to the Credit Agreement in April 2025. See Note HDebt, for additional information regarding the terms of the Credit Agreement, including repayment terms, interest rates, and applicable loan covenants. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company is subject to restrictive covenants that limit our ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, or make other distributions, and consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of assets, as well as financial covenants that require us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum senior net leverage ratio. These covenants may limit how we conduct our business, and in the event of certain defaults, our repayment obligations may be accelerated.

Previous wording

As of the end of the third quarter of 2024, the Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Current wording

As of the end of the first quarter of 2025, the Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Previous wording

The non-GAAP financial measures we provide in this report should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Current wording

The non-GAAP financial measures we provide in this Form 10-Q report should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Previous wording

Adjusted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations is defined as earnings per share from continuing operations excluding, when incurred, certain per share gains or losses that we do not believe reflect our ongoing operations, including, for example, the impacts of impairment losses, gains/losses on the sale of subsidiaries, property and facilities, transaction expenses primarily relating to acquisitions and divestitures, factory start-up costs, factory relocation expenses, executive severance, and restructuring costs. We believe that Adjusted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations provides important comparability of underlying operational results, allowing investors and management to access operating performance on a consistent basis from period to period.

Current wording

Adjusted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations is defined as earnings per share from continuing operations excluding, when incurred, certain per share gains or losses that we do not believe reflect our ongoing operations, including, for example, the impacts of impairment losses, gains/losses on the sale of subsidiaries, property and facilities, transaction expenses primarily relating to acquisitions and divestitures, factory start-up costs, factory relocation expenses, executive severance, and restructuring costs. We believe that Adjusted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations provides important comparability of underlying operational results, allowing investors and management to assess operating performance on a consistent basis from period to period.