Hillman Solutions Corp

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying financial statements include the consolidated accounts of Hillman Solutions Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively “Hillman” or the “Company”). Unless the context requires otherwise, references to "Hillman," "we," "us," "our," or "our Company" refer to Hillman Solutions Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting standards generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. References to 2024, 2023, and 2022 are for fiscal years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively. Certain amounts in the prior year presentation were reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

"Hillman Solutions Corp.," "HMan Group Holdings Inc.," and "The Hillman Companies, Inc." are holding companies with no other operations, cash flows, material assets or liabilities other than the equity interests in "The Hillman Group, Inc.," which is the borrower under our credit facility.

The Company has a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in December. In a 52 week fiscal year, each of the Company’s quarterly periods will consist of 13 weeks. The additional week in a 53 week fiscal year is added to the fourth quarter, making such quarter consist of 14 weeks. In 2024 and 2023, the Company had a 52 week fiscal year, whereas in 2022, the Company had its first 53 week fiscal year.

Nature of Operations:

The Company is comprised ofthree separate operating business segments: (1) Hardware and Protective Solutions, (2) Robotics and Digital Solutions, and (3) Canada.

Hillman provides and, on a limited basis, produces products such as fasteners and related hardware items; threaded rod and metal shapes; keys, key duplication systems, and accessories; personal protective equipment such as gloves and eye-wear; rope and chain; builder's hardware; and identification items, such as tags and letters, numbers, and signs, to retail outlets, primarily hardware stores, home centers and mass merchants, pet supply stores, grocery stores, and drug stores. The Canada segment also produces fasteners, stampings, fittings, and processes threaded parts for automotive suppliers, industrial Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”), and industrial distributors.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

Cash and cash equivalents consist of commercial paper, U.S. Treasury obligations, and other liquid securities purchased with initial maturities less than 90 days and are stated at cost which approximates fair value. The Company has foreign bank balances of approximately $25,647 and $12,695 at December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalent balances with financial institutions that exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses related to these balances.

Restricted Investments:

The Company's restricted investments are trading securities carried at fair market value which represent assets held in a Rabbi Trust to fund deferred compensation liabilities owed to the Company's employees. The current portion of the investments is included in other current assets and the long term portion in other assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 9 - Deferred Compensation Plan for additional information.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:

The Company establishes the allowance for doubtful accounts by considering historical losses, adjusted to take into account current market conditions. The estimates for calculating the aggregate reserve are based on the financial condition of the customers, the length of time receivables are past due, historical collection experience, current economic trends, and reasonably supported forecasts. Increases to the allowance for doubtful accounts result in a corresponding expense. The Company writes off individual accounts receivable when collection becomes improbable. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $2,827 and $2,770 as of December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively.

In the years ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, the Company entered into agreements to sell, on an ongoing basis and without recourse, certain trade accounts receivable. The buyer is responsible for servicing the receivables. The sale of the receivables is accounted for in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing. Under that guidance, receivables are considered sold when they are transferred beyond the reach of the Company and its creditors, the purchaser has the right to pledge or exchange the receivables, and the Company has surrendered control over the transferred receivables. The Company has received proceeds from the sales of trade accounts receivable of approximately $286,243, $299,169 and $374,105 for the years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and has included the proceeds in net cash provided by operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Related to the sale of accounts receivable, the Company recorded losses of approximately $5,840, $6,313 and $4,432 for the years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Inventories:

Inventories consisting predominantly of finished goods are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, cost being determined principally on the standard cost method, which approximates the first-in-first-out “FIFO” method. The historical usage rate is the primary factor used in assessing the net realizable value of excess and obsolete inventory. A reduction in the carrying value of an inventory item from cost to net realizable value is recorded for inventory with excess on-hand quantities as determined based on historic and projected sales, product category, and stage in the product life cycle.

Property and Equipment:

Property and equipment are carried at cost and include expenditures for new facilities and major renewals. For financial accounting purposes, depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally 3 to 15 years. Assets acquired under finance leases are depreciated over the terms of the related leases. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The Company capitalizes certain costs that are directly associated with the development of internally developed software related to our key and engraving machines, representing the historical cost of these assets. Once the software is completed and placed into service, such costs are amortized over the estimated useful lives. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from their respective accounts, and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in income from operations.

Property and equipment, net, consists of the following at December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023:

Goodwill:

The Company has adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and instead requires an entity to perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value, then the Company would recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

The Company’s annual impairment assessment is performed for its reporting units as of October 1st. With the assistance of an independent third-party specialist, management assessed the value the of the reporting units based on a discounted cash flow model and multiple of earnings. Assumptions critical to our fair value estimates under the discounted cash flow model include the discount rate and projected net sales and EBITDA growth rates. The results of the quantitative assessment in 2024, 2023, and 2022 indicated that the fair value of each reporting unit was in excess of its carrying value. Therefore goodwill was not impaired as of our annual testing dates.

Goodwill amounts by reportable segment are summarized as follows:

(1)The "Other" change to goodwill relates to adjustments resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for the Canada and Mexico reporting units.

Intangible Assets:

Intangible assets arise primarily from the determination of their respective fair market values at the date of acquisition. With the exception of certain trade names, intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from 5 to 20 years, representing the period over which the Company expects to receive future economic benefits from these assets.

Other intangibles, net, as of December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 consist of the following:

Estimated annual amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization at December 28, 2024 for the next five fiscal years is as follows:

The Company also evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets (primarily trademarks and trade names) for impairment annually or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is below its carrying amount. With the assistance of an independent third-party specialist, management assessed the fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets based on a relief from royalties model. An impairment charge is recorded if the carrying amount of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds the estimated fair value on the measurement date as of October 1st. No impairment charges related to indefinite-lived intangible assets were recorded by the Company in 2024, 2023, or 2022 as a result of the quantitative annual impairment test.

Long-Lived Assets:

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group to be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group to its carrying value. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values, and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.

During fiscal 2023, the Company performed an impairment assessment on certain intangible assets. In the fourth quarter of 2023, we evaluated a specific product line and decided to exit certain retail locations and markets, which reduced the future cash flows from this product line and impacted the lower of cost or net realizable value of inventory. As a result, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $19.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2023 to write down the carrying values of intangible assets to their fair value. The Impairment charge was split between the following asset categories: $15.6 million for customer relationships, $2.2 million for technology and patents, and $1.7 million for trademarks - other. The impairment charge is included in other expense (income), net in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

No other impairment charges were recorded in 2024, 2023, or 2022. Approximately 96% of the Company’s long-lived assets are held within the United States.

Income Taxes:

Deferred income taxes are computed using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and income tax basis of assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided for tax benefits where management estimates it is more likely than not that certain tax benefits will not be realized. Adjustments to valuation allowances are recorded for changes in utilization of the tax-related item. See Note 6 - Income Taxes for additional information.

In accordance with guidance regarding the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, the Company recognizes a tax position if, based solely on its technical merits, it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authority. If a tax position does not meet the more likely than not recognition threshold, the Company does not recognize the benefit of that position in its Consolidated Financial Statements. A tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest and penalties related to income taxes are included in income tax expense for income taxes.

Contingent Consideration:

Contingent consideration relates to the potential payment for an acquisition that is contingent upon the achievement of the acquired business meeting certain product development milestones and/or certain financial performance milestones. The Company records contingent consideration at fair value at the date of acquisition based on the consideration expected to be transferred. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was determined using a Monte Carlo analysis examining the frequency and mean value of the resulting payments. The resulting value captures the risk associated with the form of the payout structure. The risk neutral method is applied, resulting in a value that captures the risk associated with the form of the payout structure and the projection risk. The assumptions utilized in the calculation based on financial performance milestones include projected revenue, volatility and discount rates. For potential payments related to product development milestones, we estimated the fair value based on the probability of achievement of such milestones. The assumptions utilized in the calculation of the acquisition date fair value include probability of success and the discount rates. Contingent consideration involves certain assumptions requiring significant judgment and actual results may differ from assumed and estimated amounts.

Risk Insurance Reserves:

The Company self-insures our general liability including products liability, automotive liability, and workers' compensation losses up to $500 per occurrence. Our policy is to estimate reserves based upon a number of factors, including known claims, estimated incurred but not reported claims, and third-party actuarial analysis. The third-party actuarial analysis is based on historical information along with certain assumptions about future events. These reserves are classified as other current and other long-term liabilities within the balance sheets.

The Company self-insures our group health claims up to an annual stop loss limit of $300 per participant. Historical group insurance loss experience forms the basis for the recognition of group health insurance reserves.

Retirement Benefits:

Certain employees of the Company are covered under a profit-sharing and retirement savings plan. The plan provides for a matching contribution for eligible employees of 50% of each dollar contributed by the employee up to 6% of the employee's compensation. In addition, the plan allows for an optional annual contribution in amounts authorized by the Board of Directors, subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.

Hillman Canada sponsors a Deferred Profit Sharing Plan (“DPSP”) and a Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (“RRSP”) for all qualified, full-time employees, with at least three months of continuous service. DPSP is an employer-sponsored profit sharing plan registered as a trust with the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”). Employees do not contribute to the DPSP. There is no minimum required contribution; however, DPSPs are subject to maximum contribution limits set by the CRA. The DPSP is offered in conjunction with a RRSP. All eligible employees may contribute an additional voluntary amount of up toeight percent of the employee's gross earnings. Hillman Canada is required to match 100% of all employee contributions up to 2% of the employee's compensation into the DPSP account. The assets of the RRSP are held separately from those of Hillman Canada in independently administered funds.

Retirement benefit costs were $4,832, $4,315, and $4,055 in the years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Revenue Recognition:

Revenue is recognized when control of goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Sales and other taxes the Company collects concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.

The Company offers a variety of sales incentives to its customers primarily in the form of discounts and rebates. Discounts are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements at the date of the related sale. Rebates are based on the revenue to date and the contractual rebate percentage to be paid. A portion of the cost of the rebate is allocated to each underlying sales transaction. Discounts and rebates are included in the determination of net sales.

The Company also establishes a reserve for customer returns and allowances. The reserve is established based on historical rates of returns and allowances. The reserve is adjusted quarterly based on actual experience. Discounts and allowances are included in the determination of net sales.

The following table disaggregates our revenue by product category. Certain amounts in the prior year presentation between segments were reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

The following table disaggregates our revenue by geographic location:

Our revenue by geography is allocated based on the location of our sales operations.

Hardware and Protective Solutions revenues consist primarily of the delivery of fasteners, anchors, specialty fastening products, rope and chain, and personal protective equipment such as gloves and eye-wear as well as in-store merchandising services for the related product category.

Robotics and Digital Solutions revenues consist primarily of sales of keys and identification tags through self-service key duplication and engraving kiosks. It also includes our associate-assisted key duplication systems and key accessories.

Canada revenues consist primarily of the delivery to Canadian customers of fasteners and related hardware items, threaded rod, keys, key duplicating systems, accessories, personal protective equipment, and identification items as well as in-store merchandising services for the related product category.

The Company’s performance obligations under its arrangements with customers are providing products, in-store merchandising services, and access to key duplicating and engraving equipment. Generally, the price of the merchandising services and the access to the key duplicating and engraving equipment is included in the price of the related products. Control of products is transferred at the point in time when the customer accepts the goods, which occurs upon delivery of the products. Judgment is required in determining the time at which to recognize revenue for the in-store services and the access to key duplicating and engraving equipment. Revenue is recognized for in-store service and access to key duplicating and engraving equipment as the related products are delivered, which approximates a time-based recognition pattern. Therefore, the entire amount of consideration related to the sale of products, in-store merchandising services, and access to key duplicating and engraving equipment is recognized upon the delivery of the products.

The costs to obtain a contract are insignificant, and generally contract terms do not extend beyond one year. Therefore, these costs are expensed as incurred. Freight and shipping costs and the cost of our in-store merchandising services teams are recognized in selling, warehouse, general, and administrative expense when control over products is transferred to the customer.

The Company used the practical expedient regarding the existence of a significant financing component as payments are due in less than one year after delivery of the products.

Shipping and Handling:

The costs incurred to ship product to customers, including freight and handling expenses, are included in selling, warehouse, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Shipping and handling costs were $53,438, $53,288, and $59,911 in the years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Research and Development:

The Company expenses research and development costs, which are included in selling, warehouse, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) consisting primarily of internal wages and benefits in connection with improvements to the fastening products along with the key duplicating and engraving machines. The Company's research and development costs were $1,333, $2,562, and $2,349 in the years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation:

2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Our Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") became effective on July 14, 2021, in which 1,140,754 shares of common stock were available for issuance under the ESPP. Under the ESPP, eligible employees are granted options to purchase shares of common stock at 85% of the fair market value at the time of exercise. The option period commences on the first payroll date in January, April, July, and October of each year and ends approximately three months later on the last business day in March, June, September or December. No employee may be granted an option under the Plan if, immediately after the option is granted, the employee would own stock possessing five percent or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company. The first option period began on January 1, 2022 and the first purchase was made in April of 2022.

2021 Equity Incentive Plan

Effective July 14, 2021, the Company established the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. Under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, the Company may grant options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, and other stock-based awards.

Hillman reflects the options granted in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation ("ASC 718"). The Company uses a Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options on the dates of grant. The Black-Scholes pricing model requires various assumptions, including expected term, which is based on our historical experience and expected volatility which is estimated based on the average historical volatility of similar entities with publicly traded shares. The Company also makes assumptions regarding the risk-free interest rate and the expected dividend yield. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury interest rate whose term is consistent with the expected term of the share-based award. The dividend yield on our common stock is assumed to be zero since we do not pay dividends and have no current plans to do so in the future. Determining the fair value of stock options at the grant date requires judgment, including estimates for the expected life of the share-based award, stock price volatility, dividend yield, and interest rate. These assumptions may differ significantly between grant dates because of changes in the actual results of these inputs that occur over time.

HMAN Group Holdings Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan

Prior to 2021, the Company had a stock-based employee compensation plan pursuant to which the Company granted options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, and other stock-based awards. Hillman reflects the options granted in its stand-alone Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). The Company used a Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options on the dates of grant. The Black-Scholes pricing model requires various assumptions, including expected term, which is based on our historical experience and expected volatility which is estimated based on the average historical volatility of similar entities. The Company also made assumptions regarding the risk-free interest rate and the expected dividend yield. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury interest rate whose term is consistent with the expected term of the share-based award. The dividend yield on our common stock is assumed to be zero since we have not historically paid dividends on these awards and have no current plans to do so in the future. Determining the fair value of stock options at the grant date requires judgment, including estimates for the expected life of the share-based award, stock price volatility, dividend yield, and interest rate. These assumptions may differ significantly between grant dates because of changes in the actual results of these inputs that occur over time.

Stock-based compensation expense is recognized using a fair value based recognition method. Stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite vesting period or performance period of the award on a straight-line basis. The stock-based compensation expense is recorded in selling, warehouse, general and administrative expenses. The plans are more fully described in Note 11 - Stock-Based Compensation.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

The Company uses the accounting guidance that applies to all assets and liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis. The guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Whenever possible, quoted prices in active markets are used to determine the fair value of the Company's financial instruments.

Derivatives and Hedging:

The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposures to (1) interest rate fluctuations on its floating rate senior term loan and (2) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company measures those instruments at fair value and recognizes changes in the fair value of derivatives in earnings in the period of change, unless the derivative qualifies as an effective hedge that offsets certain exposures. The Company enters into derivative instrument transactions with financial institutions acting as the counter-party. The Company does not enter into derivative transactions for speculative purposes and, therefore, holds no derivative instruments for trading purposes.

The relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items are formally documented, in addition to the risk management objective and strategy for each hedge transaction. For interest rate swaps, the notional amounts, rates, and maturities of our interest rate swaps are closely matched to the related terms of hedged debt obligations. The critical terms of the interest rate swap are matched to the critical terms of the underlying hedged item to determine whether the derivatives used for hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the underlying hedged item. If it is determined that a derivative ceases to be a highly effective hedge, the hedge accounting is discontinued and all subsequent derivative gains and losses are recognized in the Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Derivative instruments designated in hedging relationships that mitigate exposure to the variability in future cash flows of the variable-rate debt and foreign currency exchange rates are considered cash flow hedges. The Company records all derivative instruments in other assets or other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair values. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge and the hedging relationship qualifies for hedge accounting, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income or loss. The change in fair value for instruments not qualifying for hedge accounting are recognized in the Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the period of the change. See Note 13 - Derivatives and Hedging for additional information.

Translation of Foreign Currencies:

The translation of the Company's Canadian and Mexican local currency based financial statements into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using an average exchange rate during the period. Cumulative translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements:

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

3. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-04, Liabilities—Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50) to enhance the transparency of supplier finance programs. The amendments in this update apply to all entities that use supplier finance programs in connection with the purchase of goods and services. Supplier finance programs include reverse factoring, payables finance, or structured payables arrangements that allow a buyer to offer its suppliers the option for access to payment in advance of an invoice due date. The amendments in this update require that a buyer in a supplier finance program disclose sufficient information about the program including the program’s nature and activity during the period, changes from period to period, and potential magnitude as well as disclosure of the qualitative and quantitative information about its supplier finance programs. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 and should be applied retrospectively to each period in which a balance sheet is presented. The amendment on roll forward information is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, which should be applied prospectively. The Company has evaluated the impact provided by the new standard and the standard did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

On November 27, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The amendments in this update improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. In addition, the amendments enhance interim disclosure requirements, clarify circumstances in which an entity can disclose multiple segment measures of profit or loss, provide new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment, and contain other disclosure requirements. The purpose of the amendments is to enable investors to better understand an entity’s overall performance and assists in assessing potential future cash flows. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. The Company has adopted the new standard in this Form 10-K, see Note 18 - Segment Reporting and Geographic Information for more information.

On December 14, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The amendments in this update require that public business entities on an annual basis (1) disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and (2) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. The standard requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid. The standard is intended to benefit investors by providing more detailed income tax disclosures that would be useful in making capital allocation decisions. The amendments on Income Tax Disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact provided by the new standard.

On November 4, 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2023-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures: Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. This ASU mandates that public business entities provide detailed disclosures in the notes to their financial statements, breaking down certain expense categories presented on the income statement into specified natural expense components. This enhanced disclosure aims to provide investors with more detailed information about the types of expenses included in commonly presented expense captions, such as cost of sales, selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A), and research and development. The amendments introduced by ASU 2024-03 are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026. The Company is currently evaluating the impact provided by the new standard.

4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Hillman, Jefferies Financial Group Inc., certain other financial sponsors, certain CCMP affiliated investors and certain Oak Hill affiliated investors entered into the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “A&R Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the parties to the A&R Registration Rights Agreement agreed not to effect any sale or distribution of any equity securities of Hillman held by any of them during the lock-up period described therein and were granted certain registration rights with respect to their respective shares of Hillman common stock, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions therein. Richard Zannino and Joe Scharfenberger, both partners at CCMP, were members of our Board at the time Hillman entered into the A&R Registration Rights Agreement. Mr. Zannino and Mr. Scharfenberger each resigned from the Hillman Board in May 2023 following CCMP's complete exit of its investment in Hillman during the second quarter of 2023. Another director, Teresa Gendron, was the CFO of Jefferies Financial Group Inc. until March 2023. Additionally, Oak Hill owned in excess of 5% of the Company’s outstanding securities at certain times in fiscal 2022.

Gregory Mann and Gabrielle Mann are employed by Hillman. Hillman leased an industrial warehouse and office facility from companies under the control of the Manns. Rental expense for the lease of this facility was $205 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The building was sold to a third party in 2022 and is an arm's length transaction from the date of sale forward.

Sales to related parties, which are included in net sales, consist primarily of the sale of excess inventory to Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. ("Ollie's"). John Swygert, Executive Chairman of Ollie's since 2025, and before that President and Chief Executive Officer of Ollie's, is a member of our Board of Directors. Sales to related parties were $622, $1,583, and $687 for the years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.

5. ACQUISITIONS

Monkey Hook, LLC

On March 7, 2022, the Company completed its acquisition of the Irvine, California-based Monkey Hook, LLC ("Monkey Hook") for a total purchase price of $2,800, which includes $300 in hold-back that remained payable to the seller as of December 31, 2022. During the first quarter of 2023, the hold-back of $300 was paid to satisfy the full purchase price. Monkey Hook products are designed to hang artwork on drywall where no stud is present. Monkey Hook sells its products throughout North America and its financial results reside in the Company's Hardware and Protective Solutions reportable segment and have been determined to be immaterial for purposes of additional disclosure.

Ajustlock

On December 5, 2023, the Company completed its acquisition of Ajustlock, an innovative adjustable barrel bolt lock used on gates, doors or windows which self-adjusts vertically to eliminate door shift issues, for a total purchase price of $1,400, which includes a $100 hold-back payable to the seller due one year after closing. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the remaining hold-back of $54, which reflects the balance owed to Ajustlock after deducting certain amounts owed by Ajustlock to the Company, was paid to satisfy the full purchase price. Ajustlock sells its products throughout North America and its financial results reside in the Company's Hardware and Protective Solutions reportable segment and have been determined to be immaterial for purposes of additional disclosure.

Koch Industries, Inc.

On January 11, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of Koch Industries, Inc. ("Koch"), a premier provider and merchandiser of rope and twine, chain and wire rope, and related hardware products for a total purchase price of $23,783. In the second quarter of 2024, the Company had a final net working capital adjustment of $173, which reduced goodwill and the purchase price of the acquisition from an estimated $23,956 at closing in the first quarter of 2024 to $23,783. Koch has business operations throughout North America and its financial results reside in the Company's Hardware and Protective Solutions reportable segment.

The following table reconciles the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities to the total purchase price of Koch.

Net sales and operating income from Koch included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the year ended December 28, 2024 were as follows:

Pro forma financial information has not been presented for Koch as the financial results of Koch were insignificant to the financial results of the Company on a standalone basis.

Intex DIY, Inc.

On August 23, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of Intex DIY, Inc. ("Intex"), a leading supplier of wiping cloths, consumable rags, and cleaning textiles for a total purchase price of $34,064. This acquisition expands Hillman’s offerings in the cleaning products category. Intex has business operations throughout North America and its financial results reside in the Company's Hardware and Protective Solutions reportable segment.

The following table reconciles the preliminary fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities to the total purchase price of Intex.

Net sales and operating income from Intex included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the year ended December 28, 2024 were as follows:

Pro forma financial information has not been presented for Intex as the financial results of Intex were insignificant to the financial results of the Company on a standalone basis.

6. INCOME TAXES

Income (loss) before income taxes are comprised of the following components for the periods indicated:

Below are the components of the Company's income tax expense (benefit) for the periods indicated:

The Company has U.S. federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards totaling $3,861 as of December 28, 2024 that are available to offset future taxable income. All of the remaining U.S. federal NOLs were acquired with the MinuteKey purchase in 2018. The MinuteKey NOLs are subject to limitation under IRC §382 from current and prior ownership changes. Management anticipates utilizing all remaining U.S. federal NOLs evenly through 2032 in accordance with the IRC §382 limitation.

The Company has state NOL carryforwards with an aggregate tax benefit of $1,666 which expire from 2025 to 2043.

The table below reflects the significant components of the Company's net deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023:

Realization of the net deferred tax assets is dependent on the reversal of deferred tax liabilities. Although realization is not assured, management estimates it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will be realized. The amount of net deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward periods are reduced.

Historically, the Company considered the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested based on access to sufficient liquidity within the United States, as well as plans for use and investment outside of the United States. In 2023, the Company reevaluated its assertion and determined it no longer intends to indefinitely reinvest its non-U.S. undistributed earnings. In 2024, the Company recorded withholding tax expense of $559. A portion of the withholding tax expense is attributable to undistributed earnings from our Canadian subsidiary. We've recorded a liability for the undistributed amount of $435 as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. At the end of the fiscal 2023 period, the Company did not record a liability for undistributed earnings as all amounts were distributed by the end of the period. In 2023, the Company repatriated funds from its Canadian subsidiary and recorded an associated withholding tax expense of $1,484.

Below is a reconciliation of statutory income tax rates to the effective income tax rates for the periods indicated:

The Company's reserve for unrecognized tax benefits remains unchanged for the year ended December 28, 2024. A balance of $1,101 of unrecognized tax benefit is shown in the financial statements at December 28, 2024 as a non-current liability. As of December 30, 2023, the unrecognized tax benefit was shown in the financial statements as a reduction of the deferred tax asset for the Company's NOL carryforward. During 2024, the Company utilized its available unlimited NOLs and began paying Federal cash taxes to the U.S. government. As a result, the Company reclassified the unrecognized tax benefit to a non-current liability in the financial statements. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties of $99 and $0 related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense for the 2024 and 2023 periods, respectively.

The following is a summary of the changes for the periods indicated below:

The Company files a consolidated income tax return in the U.S. and numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in various states and foreign jurisdictions. There are no significant audits for the period ended December 28, 2024. In general, our income tax returns for the years from 2008 through the current year remain open to examination by federal and state taxing authorities. In addition, our tax years of 2015 through current year remain open and subject to examination by tax authorities in certain foreign jurisdictions in which we have operations.

7. LONG-TERM DEBT

The following table summarizes the Company’s debt:

Revolving Loans and Term Loans

As of December 28, 2024, the ABL Revolver had an outstanding balance of $62.0 million, and had outstanding letters of credit of $41.6 million. The Company has $188.7 million of available borrowings under the revolving credit facility as a source of liquidity as of December 28, 2024 based on the customary asset-backed loan borrowing base and availability provisions.

In October 2024 and August 2023, the Company made a $100.0 million and $80.0 million prepayment against the outstanding term loan balance without payment of a premium or penalty, respectfully.

On July 29, 2022, the Company amended the asset-based revolving credit agreement (the “ABL Revolver") with Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties thereto (the “ABL Credit Agreement”), increasing the aggregate commitments thereunder to $375.0 million and extended the maturity. Portions of the ABL Agreement are separately available for borrowing by the Company's United States subsidiary and Canadian subsidiary for $325.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively. The interest rate for the ABL Revolver is, at the discretion of the Company, adjusted SOFR (or a Canadian banker’s acceptance rate in the case of Canadian Dollar loans) plus a margin varying from 1.25% to 1.75% per annum based on availability or an alternate base rate (or a Canadian prime rate or alternate base rate in the case of Canadian Dollar loans), plus a margin varying from 0.25% to 0.75% per annum based on availability, plus a 0.10% credit spread adjustment. The stated maturity date of the revolving credit commitments under the ABL Credit Agreement is July 29, 2027. The loans and other amounts outstanding under the ABL Credit Agreement and related documents are guaranteed by Hillman Solutions Corp., and, subject to certain exceptions, the Borrower’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and are secured by substantially all of the Borrower’s and the guarantors’ assets plus, solely in the case of the Canadian Borrower, its and its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary’s assets, which is guaranteed by the Canadian portion under the ABL Credit Agreement.

2023 Conversion of Debt from LIBOR Interest Rate to SOFR Interest Rate

The Company's debt instruments are subject to interest rate adjustments that were initially based on the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). However, due to the discontinuation of LIBOR as a benchmark rate and the industry's transition to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), the Company has undertaken the necessary steps to convert its debt from LIBOR interest rate to SOFR interest rate. On June 30, 2023, the Company amended the term loan credit agreement to change the benchmark rate from LIBOR to SOFR.

The interest rate for the term loan is, at the discretion of the Company, (i) term SOFR plus a margin varying from 2.50% to 2.75% per annum based on leverage, plus a credit spread adjustment varying between 0.11% to 0.43%, depending on the SOFR tenor selected; or (ii) an alternate base rate plus a margin varying from 1.50% to 1.75% per annum based on leverage.

2024 Conversion of Debt from CDOR Interest Rate to CORRA Interest Rate

Though the Company currently does not have any Canadian obligations outstanding on the ABL Revolver, the Company entered into Amendment No. 5 to the ABL Revolver on June 27, 2024 to transition its benchmark interest rate for Canadian borrowings from the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate ("CDOR") to the Term Canadian Overnight

Repo Rate Average ("CORRA"). The amendment and transition was due to the discontinuation of CDOR on June 30, 2024. The foregoing descriptions of Amendment No. 5 to the ABL Revolver do not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of Amendment No. 5 to the ABL Revolver and the Amended and Restated ABL Credit Agreement.

2024 Repricing

On March 26, 2024, the Company entered into a Repricing Amendment (2024 Repricing Amendment) on its existing Senior Term Loan due July 14, 2028. The 2024 Repricing Amendment (i) reduces the interest rate per annum applicable to the Term Loan outstanding from SOFR plus a margin varying from 2.5% to 2.75% plus a Credit Spread Adjustment ("CSA") varying between 0.11% to 0.43% to SOFR plus a margin varying from 2.25% to 2.50%, without the CSA and (ii) implements a 1% prepayment premium for the existing Term Loan to apply to Repricing Transactions that occur within six months after the effective date of the 2024 Repricing Amendment. In connection with the closing of the 2024 Repricing Amendment, the Company expensed $3,008 consisting of $1,554 of existing fees written off and $1,454 in new fees expensed. The Company capitalized an additional $33 primarily for the payment of upfront lender fees (original issue discount).

The aggregate minimum principal maturities of the long-term debt obligations for each of the five years following December 28, 2024 are as follows:

Note that future finance lease payments were excluded from the maturity schedule above. Refer to Note 8 - Leases.

8. LEASES

Lessee

The Company determines if a contract is or contains a lease at inception or modification of a contract. A contract is or contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period in exchange for consideration. Control over the use of the identified asset means the lessee has both 1) the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset and 2) the right to direct the use of the asset. The Company leases certain distribution center locations, vehicles, forklifts, computer equipment, and its corporate headquarters with expiration dates through 2033. Certain lease arrangements include escalating rent payments and options to extend the lease term. Expected lease terms include these options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the option. The Company's leasing arrangements do not contain material residual value guarantees nor material restrictive covenants.

The components of operating and finance lease costs for the years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were as follows:

Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. Rent expense totaled $27,717, $27,832 and $28,658 in the years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Rent expense includes operating lease cost as well as expense for non-lease components such as common area maintenance, real estate taxes, real estate insurance, variable costs related to our leased vehicles and also short-term rental expenses.

The implicit rate is not determinable in most of the Company’s leases, as such management uses the Company’s incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates for all of our operating leases as of December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 were as follows:

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's finance leases as of December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023:

Supplemental cash flow information related to our operating leases was as follows for the years ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023:

As of December 28, 2024, our future minimum rental commitments are immaterial for lease agreements beginning after the current reporting period. Maturities of our lease liabilities for all operating and finance leases are as follows as of December 28, 2024:

Lessor

The Company has certain arrangements for key duplication equipment under which we are the lessor. These leases meet the criteria for operating lease classification. Lease income associated with these leases is not material.

9. DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan for key employees (the “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan” or “NQDC”). The NQDC was frozen at the end of fiscal 2021 such that the NQDC does not allow new contributions. The NQDC previously allowed eligible employees to defer up to 25% of salary and commissions and up to 100% of bonuses. Prior to 2021, the Company contributed a matching contribution of 25% on the first $10 of employee deferrals, subject to a five-year vesting schedule.

As of December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets included $796 and $818, respectively, in restricted investments representing the assets held in mutual funds to fund deferred compensation liabilities owed to the Company's current and former employees. The current portion of the restricted investments was $17 and $18 as of December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, and is included in other current assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The assets held in the NQDC are classified as an investment in trading securities, accordingly, the investments are marked-to-market, see Note 14 - Fair Value Measurements for additional detail.

During the years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, distributions from the deferred compensation plan aggregated $184, $537, and $228, respectively.

10. EQUITY AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Common Stock

Hillman Solutions Corp. has one class of common stock.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following is the detail of the change in the Company's accumulated other comprehensive loss from December 25, 2021 to December 28, 2024 including the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax):

1. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company deferred a gain of $22,711, reclassified a gain of $4,394 and a net of tax of $4,631 into other comprehensive loss due to hedging activities. The amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive loss were recorded as interest expense. See Note 13 - Derivatives and Hedging for additional information on the interest rate swaps.

2. For the year ended December 30, 2023, the Company deferred a gain of $125, reclassified a gain of $15,608 including tax expense of $3,886 into other comprehensive loss due to hedging activities. The amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive loss were recorded as interest expense. See Note 13 - Derivatives and Hedging for additional information on the interest rate swaps.

3. For the year ended December 28, 2024 the Company deferred a loss of $8,162, reclassified a loss of $11,680 including tax benefit of $883 into other comprehensive loss due to hedging activities. The amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive loss were recorded as interest expense. See Note 13 - Derivatives and Hedging for additional information on the interest rate swaps.