Littelfuse Inc: Form 10-K for the period ended Dec 28, 2024

GENERAL

Littelfuse, Inc., was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1991. References herein to the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “Littelfuse” refer to Littelfuse, Inc. and its subsidiaries. References herein to “2024”, “fiscal 2024” or “fiscal year 2024” refer to the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024. References herein to “2023”, “fiscal 2023” or “fiscal year 2023” refer to the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023. References herein to “2022”, “fiscal 2022” or “fiscal year 2022” refer to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The Company operates on a 52-53 week fiscal year (4-4-5 basis) ending on the Saturday closest to December 31.

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1927, Littelfuse is a diversified, industrial technology manufacturing company empowering a sustainable, connected, and safer world. Across more than 20 countries, and with approximately 16,000 global associates, we partner with customers to design and deliver innovative, reliable solutions. Serving over 100,000 end customers, our products are found in a variety of industrial, transportation and electronics end markets – everywhere, every day.

Segments

The Company conducts its business through three reportable segments: Electronics, Transportation, and Industrial. Within these segments, the Company designs, manufactures and sells electronic components, modules and subassemblies to empower the long-term secular growth themes of sustainability, connectivity and safety. The Company has positioned itself within the center of these global structural growth themes by helping to enable its customers’ applications focused on a more sustainable, connected, and safer world. The ever-increasing complexity of applications surrounding these themes continues to drive greater demand for the Company’s innovative, reliable products and a higher level of product content within a broad range of applications. With its expanding, diversified, product portfolio, the Company has evolved its presence across the industrial, transportation and electronics end markets it serves. The Company's exposure with each of these end markets is relatively balanced. With a deep list of target applications within each primary end market, the Company believes its balanced approach positions its business for long-term sustainability, increases diversification and creates additional growth opportunities. Across electronics end markets, product demand is largely driven by electrification, energy and power efficiency, automation, connectivity, artificial intelligence, and safety. In transportation end markets, including passenger and commercial vehicles, the ongoing electronification and electrification of applications is driving increased product demand. Across industrial end markets, product demand is driven by an ecosystem that continues to advance sustainability, safety and automation capabilities. For example, renewables, including solar and wind energy, and energy storage systems that enable lower carbon emissions, the ongoing proliferation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, more efficient climate control units, increasing requirements for electrical safety, the rising demand for factory and process automation, and motor drives and power supplies. For segment and geographical information and consolidated net sales and operating income see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

• Electronics Segment: Consists of one of the broadest product offerings in the industry, including fuses and fuse accessories, positive temperature coefficient (“PTC”) resettable fuses, electromechanical switches and interconnect solutions, polymer electrostatic discharge (“ESD”) suppressors, varistors, reed switch based magnetic sensing, gas discharge tubes; semiconductor products such as discrete transient voltage suppressor (“TVS”) diodes, TVS diode arrays, protection and switching thyristors, silicon and silicon carbide metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (“MOSFETs”) and diodes, and insulated gate bipolar transistors (“IGBT”) technologies. The segment covers a broad range of end markets, including industrial motor drives and power conversion, automotive electronics, electric vehicle and related charging infrastructure, aerospace, power supplies, data centers and telecommunications, medical devices, alternative energy and energy storage, building and home automation, appliances, and mobile electronics.
• Transportation Segment: Consists of a wide range of circuit protection, power control and sensing technologies for global original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), Tier-one suppliers and parts and aftermarket distributors in passenger vehicles, heavy-duty truck and bus, off-road and recreational vehicles, material handling equipment, agricultural machinery, construction equipment and other commercial vehicle end markets. Passenger vehicle products are used in internal combustion engines, hybrid and electric vehicles including blade fuses, battery cable protectors, resettable fuses, high-current fuses, high-voltage fuses, and sensor products designed to monitor the occupant’s safety and environment as well as the vehicle’s powertrain. Commercial vehicle products include fuses, switches, circuit breakers, relays, and power distribution modules and units used in applications serving a number of end markets, including heavy-duty truck and bus, construction, agriculture, material handling and marine.
• Industrial Segment: Consists of industrial circuit protection (industrial fuses), protective and monitoring relays (protection relays, residual current devices and monitors, ground fault circuit interrupters, solid state switches, and arc fault detection devices), and industrial controls and sensors (contactors, transformers, and temperature sensors) for use in various applications such as renewable energy and energy storage systems, industrial safety, factory automation, electric vehicle infrastructure, HVAC systems, non-residential construction, MRO, and mining.

Strategy

In February 2021, the Company announced its five-year strategic plan which builds upon its strengths from its previous strategy. The Company is well-positioned within the center of the global structural growth themes of sustainability, connectivity, and safety, which will continue to drive increased demand for the Company’s products across the transportation, industrial and electronics end markets that it serves. The Company is targeting average annual organic sales growth of 5-7 percent and average annual sales growth from strategic acquisitions of 5-7 percent. The Company expects to achieve this through content and share gains, expanded presence in high-growth markets and geographies, and targeting adjacent high-growth and niche applications. The Company continues to drive commercial excellence through investments in its people, customer-driven innovation, strategic acquisitions and integration of these businesses, and its digital infrastructure to improve the customer experience, and its operating systems. These investments enable the Company to capitalize on growth opportunities where technologies and applications are converging across its product segments.

Recent Acquisitions

• Dortmund Fab: On December 31, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of a 200mm wafer fab located in Dortmund, Germany (“Dortmund Fab”) from Elmos Semiconductor SE. The Dortmund Fab will increase power semiconductor capacity to support opportunities across a broad base of industrial end markets including energy storage, automation, motor drives, renewables, power supplies, and charging infrastructure. The total purchase price for the Dortmund Fab is approximately 94 million Euro, of which a 37.2 million Euro down payment (approximately $40.5 million) was recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The down payment was paid in the third quarter of 2023 after regulatory approvals, and 56.7 million Euro was paid at closing. The transaction did not have any impact on the Company's 2024 financial results and reported in the Electronics-Semiconductor business within the Company’s Electronics segment. The acquisition was funded with the Company’s cash on hand.
• Western Automation: On February 3, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Western Automation Research and Development Limited (“Western Automation”) for approximately $162 million in cash. Headquartered in Galway, Ireland, Western Automation is a designer and manufacturer of electrical shock protection devices used across a broad range of high-growth end markets, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure, industrial safety, and renewables.

At the time the Company and Western Automation entered into the definitive agreement, Western Automation had annualized sales of approximately $25 million. The business is reported within the Company’s Industrial segment. The Company financed the transaction with cash on hand.

• C&K Switches: On July 19, 2022, the Company acquired C&K Switches (“C&K”) for $540 million in cash. Founded in 1928, C&K is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance electromechanical switches and interconnect solutions with a strong global presence across a broad range of end markets, including industrial, transportation, datacom, and aerospace. At the time the Company and C&K entered into a definitive agreement, C&K had annualized sales of over $200 million. The business is reported as part of the electronics-passive products and sensors business within the Company's Electronics segment. The Company financed the transaction through a combination of cash on hand and debt.
• Embed: On April 12, 2022, the Company acquired Embed Ltd. (“Embed”). Founded in 2005, Embed is a proven provider of embedded software and firmware developed for a broad range of applications serving transportation end markets, primarily including commercial vehicle electronification and eMobility. The business is included in the commercial vehicle business within the Company's Transportation segment. The acquisition was funded with the Company’s cash on hand. The total purchase consideration was $9.2 million, net of cash.
• Carling Technologies: On November 30, 2021, the Company acquired Carling Technologies (“Carling”), a leader in switching, circuit protection and power distribution technologies with a strong global presence in commercial vehicle electronification, communications infrastructure and marine markets. At the time of acquisition, Carling had annualized sales of approximately $170 million. The purchase price for Carling was $315.5 million, and the operations of Carling are included in the commercial vehicle business within the Company’s Transportation segment. The acquisition was funded with the Company's cash on hand.
• Hartland Controls: On January 28, 2021, the Company acquired Hartland Controls ("Hartland"), a manufacturer and leading supplier of electrical components used primarily in heating, ventilation, air conditioning ("HVAC") and other industrial and control systems applications, and eMobility. At the time of acquisition, Hartland had annualized sales of approximately $70 million. The purchase price for Hartland was $111.0 million and the operations of Hartland are included in the Industrial segment. The net cash payment of $108.5 million was funded by the Company’s cash on hand.

Sales and Operations

The Company conducts its business through three reportable segments: Electronics, Transportation, and Industrial.

Net sales by segment for the periods indicated are as follows:

(in millions)

The Company operates in three geographic regions: the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. The Company designs, manufactures products, and sells to customers in all three regions.

Net sales in the Company’s three geographic regions, based upon the shipped-to destination, are as follows:

(in millions)

5

The Company’s products are sold worldwide through distributors, direct sales force, and manufacturers’ representatives in certain regions. For the fiscal year 2024, approximately 63% of the Company’s net sales were to customers outside the United States (“U.S.”), including approximately 23% to China.

The Company manufactures many of its products on fully integrated manufacturing and assembly equipment. The Company maintains product quality through a Global Quality Management System with most manufacturing sites certified under ISO 9001:2000. In addition, several of the Littelfuse manufacturing sites are also certified under IATF 16949 and ISO 14001.

Additional information regarding the Company’s sales by geographic area and long-lived assets in different geographic areas is in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Electronics Segment

The Company designs, manufactures and sells electronic components and modules empowering its customers’ applications focused on a more sustainable, connected, and safer world. The ever-increasing advancements of applications surrounding these themes continues to drive greater demand for the Company’s innovative, reliable products and a higher level of product content within a broad range of applications.

Technologies within the Electronics segment provide protection, power control and sensing capabilities. Circuit protection technologies in the Electronics segment are designed to protect against harmful occurrences like voltage spikes, short circuits, power surges and electrostatic discharge. Products include fuses and fuse accessories, PTC resettable fuses, ESD suppressors, varistors, gas discharge tubes, and semiconductor products such as discrete TVS diodes, TVS diode arrays, and protection thyristors.

The Company also offers a wide range of power control products used to convert and regulate energy and safely and efficiently control power across a broad spectrum of industrial applications like renewable energy and energy storage systems, motor drives and power conversion. Products include a comprehensive portfolio of semiconductor components and modules including thyristors, MOSFETs, rectifiers and fast recovery diodes, IGBTs and wide band gap devices, and medium and high-power industrial applications.

The acquisition of C&K Switches in 2022 significantly expanded the Company's electromechanical switches and interconnect solutions portfolios, which primarily serves industrial, transportation and datacom applications. The acquisition of the Dortmund Fab in fiscal year 2025 expanded the Company’s power semiconductor capacity to support industrial application opportunities including energy storage, automation, motor drives, renewables, power supplies, and charging infrastructure. Through the growth of its product portfolio within the segment, the Company has expanded its presence across the industrial, transportation and electronics end markets it serves. The Company expects to continue to expand its market presence by leveraging its broad, global access and reach with its strong go-to-market strategy via its strategic distribution partnerships and deep OEM relationships, and by continuing to expand its product portfolio through organic and inorganic investments in high growth, niche applications.

Transportation Segment

The Company is a primary supplier of circuit protection technologies, as well as certain sensing technologies to global automotive OEMs, mainly through sales made to Tier One automotive suppliers, main-fuse box, and wire harness manufacturers that incorporate these technologies into their products, as well as automotive component parts manufacturers, and automotive parts distributors. The Company also sells some of its circuit protection products in the transportation aftermarket, with its products being sold through merchandisers, discount stores, and service stations, as well as under private label by national firms.

Passenger vehicle products include both protection and sensing technologies used in internal combustion engine based, hybrid and electric vehicles. Protection technologies include blade fuses, battery cable protectors, resettable fuses, high-current and high voltage fuses. Sensing technologies are used in a variety of applications including occupant safety, speed, solar, fluid, position, harness, and battery management systems.

The Company’s commercial vehicle business includes a variety of products including power distribution modules and units, low and high current switches, circuit breakers, relays, battery management products, ignition key switches, and trailer connectors. These products are used in applications largely serving commercial vehicle end markets including heavy-duty truck, construction, agriculture, material handling and marine. Products are sold directly to a mix of OEMs, Tier One suppliers, aftermarket channels, as well as through general distribution.

The acquisition of Carling Technologies in 2021 significantly expanded the Company's presence in commercial vehicle end markets. The product portfolio, including switching, circuit protection and power distribution products portfolios, are primarily used in commercial vehicle applications, as well as certain telecom and datacom applications. The Company expects to continue to expand its presence across its transportation end markets, leveraging its strong OEM and Tier One customers, distribution partnership and go-to-market strength, and by continuing to expand its product portfolio through organic and inorganic investments.

Industrial Segment

The Company designs and sells a broad range of industrial fuses, industrial controls (protection relays, contactors, transformers, residual current devices, ground fault circuit interrupters, residual current monitors, and arc fault detection devices) and temperature sensors for use in various applications such as renewable energy and energy storage systems, industrial safety, factory automation, electric vehicle infrastructure, HVAC systems, non-residential construction, MRO, and mining. These products are used to protect personnel and equipment from excessive currents, over voltages, and electrical shock hazards.

Products are sold direct to OEMs, and through both electrical and electronics distribution channels. The 2021 acquisition of Hartland expanded the Company’s contactors and transformers product portfolios, which primarily services HVAC and electric vehicle charging applications. The 2023 acquisition of Western Automation expanded the Company's electrical shock protection devices portfolios, which primarily serves a broad range of high-growth end markets, and includes electric vehicle charging infrastructure, industrial safety and renewables. The Company expects to continue to expand its presence across its end markets, leveraging its growing customer base, and go-to-market strength, and by continuing to expand its product portfolio through organic and inorganic investments in high growth, niche applications.

PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

The Company employs scientific, engineering, and other personnel to continually improve its existing product lines and to develop new products at its research, product design, and development (“R&D”) and engineering facilities with primary locations in Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Philippines, Spain, Taiwan (China), United Kingdom ("U.K."), and the U.S. The Company maintains a staff of engineers, chemists, material scientists and technicians whose primary responsibility is to design and develop new products.

Proposals for the development of new products are initiated primarily by sales, marketing, and product management personnel with input from customers. The entire product development process usually ranges from a few months to a few years based on the complexity of development, with continuous efforts to reduce the development cycle. During fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022, the Company expended $107.8 million, $102.4 million, and $95.6 million, respectively, on R&D.

Over the years, the Company has expanded its industry-leading technical expertise to support its customers, and ultimately diversify its solutions offering. With the intensifying complexity of applications, its superior engineering, design-in capabilities and product portfolio, continue to deliver increasing value to customers. The Company’s strong global presence allows it to utilize its deep and broad application knowledge to help enable its customers’ applications across the industrial, transportation and electronics markets.

PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The Company generally relies on patents, trademarks, licenses, and nondisclosure agreements to protect its intellectual property and proprietary products. In cases where it is deemed necessary by management, key employees are required to sign an agreement that they will maintain the confidentiality of the Company’s proprietary information and trade secrets.

The Company owns a large portfolio of patents worldwide and new products are continually being developed to replace older products. The Company regularly applies for patent protection on such new products. While, in the aggregate, the Company’s patents are important in the operation of its businesses, the Company believes that the loss by expiration or otherwise of any one patent or group of patents would not materially affect its business.

MANUFACTURING

The Company’s manufacturing facilities are in China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Philippines, the U.K., the U.S., and Vietnam. The Company performs the majority of its own fabrication and maintains in-house capabilities for metal stamping, surface mount assembly, plating (silver, nickel, zinc, and oxides) thermoplastic molding, and high-precision manufacturing, miniaturization and haptics. In addition, the Company fabricates semiconductor wafers for certain applications and maintains in-house capability for epitaxy fabrication, die attach, and wafer probe testing. After sub-components are readied for assembly, final assembly is accomplished on fully automatic and semi-automatic assembly machines. Quality assurance and operations personnel, using techniques such as statistical process control, perform tests, checks and measurements during the production process to maintain the highest levels of product quality, including safety and reliability, and customer satisfaction. Additionally, the Company utilizes external wafer foundries and subcontracted test and assembly facilities for a portion of its semiconductor business.

The principal raw materials for the Company’s products include copper and copper alloys, resin and heat-resistant plastics, zinc, melamine, glass, silver, gold, raw silicon, solder, rubber, and various gases. The Company’s strategy is to prequalify suppliers for quality assurance and supply continuity, as much as possible, to localize supply sources close to its manufacturing sites. This helps to minimize the transportation of materials, and ultimately reduces the Company’s environmental footprint by decreasing emissions, consistent with its sustainability strategy. For critical materials, the Company looks to diversify its supplier base by prequalifying second sources.

SALES AND MARKETING

The Company goes to market through selling organizations consisting of worldwide direct sales personnel, distribution partners and manufacturers’ representatives. The direct sales force closely works with global OEM, Tier One automotive, consulting engineers, and major end customers to design-in and sell all of the Company’s products. The Company has sales offices and direct sales channels in a number of countries around the world. The Company's channel partners provide fulfillment services for its end customers, including those partnered with electronic manufacturing services ("EMS"), as well as some demand creation activities.

Electronics Segment

Our Electronics segment products are used across a variety of applications. Many of our products are incorporated into applications with complex design technical support requirements, while certain of our products require less design support for our customers. Most Electronics segment products are sold through our direct salesforce or through our channel distribution partners. The fulfillment of these products is primarily through our broad line distribution partners, including global distributors such as Arrow Electronics, Inc., Future Electronics and TTI, Inc., regional and high service distributors, including Digi-Key and Mouser, as well as directly to OEM's.

Transportation Segment

The Company primarily uses a direct sales force to service major automotive and commercial vehicle OEMs, system suppliers, and Tier One automotive and aftermarket customers globally. In selected areas, the Company also uses distributors to service smaller customers and to provide supply chain fulfillment for certain customers.

The Company also leverages its transportation customer relationships to sell products from the Electronics and Industrial segments into transportation end markets, primarily to Tier One and OEM automotive customers. Respective revenues are reported in the Electronics and Industrial segments.

Industrial Segment

The Company markets and sells its Industrial segment products direct to OEMs, and through both electrical and electronics distribution channels to various end customers including electrical contractors, factories, municipalities, and utilities.

CUSTOMERS

The Company directly sells to over 4,000 customers and distributors worldwide. Sales to Arrow Electronics, Inc., which were reported in our Electronics, Transportation, and Industrial segments, were 9.4%, 11.2%, and 11.5% of consolidated net sales in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. No other single customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales during any of the last three years. During fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, net sales to customers outside the U.S. accounted for approximately 63%, 65%, and 64%, respectively, of the Company’s total net sales.

CYBERSECURITY

The cybersecurity and data protection program at Littelfuse is based on foundational principles outlined in applicable industry and internationally accepted-cybersecurity frameworks. The Company has experienced and will continue to experience cyber-attacks, attempts to breach its systems, and other similar incidents, however we do not believe that the prior cyber incidents have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company. Littelfuse faces risks from cybersecurity threats that could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, or reputation. Like all cybersecurity programs, there is no guarantee that every attack method and technique has been fully addressed, as these change constantly, but Littelfuse is diligent in its attempts to protect data of the Company and its stakeholders.

Littelfuse strives to assess and update its cybersecurity program on a regular basis using an Information Security Management System ("ISMS") comprised of three main elements – 1) independent internationally recognized vendors and technologies for assessments and monitoring, 2) strong internal controls based on industry standards, and 3) Board and Senior Leadership governance and support.

COMPETITION

The Company’s products compete with similar products of other manufacturers, some of which may have substantially greater financial resources than the Company. In the Electronics segment, the Company’s competitors include Eaton Corporation, Bourns Inc., TDK, ON Semiconductor Corporation, Infineon Technologies, STMicroelectronics NV, Semtech Corporation, and Vishay Intertechnology Inc. In the Transportation segment, the Company’s competitors include Eaton Corporation, Pacific Engineering, MTA (Meccanotecnica Codognese), Amphenol Corporation, Sensata Technologies Holding NV, and TE Connectivity Ltd. In the Industrial segment, the Company’s major competitors include Eaton Corporation, GE Multilin, and Mersen. The Company believes that it globally competes on the basis of innovative products, the breadth of its product line, the quality, design and performance of its products based on their reliability, consistency and safety, its technical capabilities, its global footprint and application expertise, and the responsiveness of its customer service.

BACKLOG

The backlog of unfilled orders at December 28, 2024 was approximately $664.9 million, compared to $1,046.9 million at December 30, 2023 with the decrease primarily driven by a reduction in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment. Substantially all the orders currently in backlog are scheduled for delivery in 2025.

HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

A passion for engineering excellence and an innovative spirit have been a part of what it means to work at Littelfuse since its founding in 1927. The Company hires bright minds who want to make a big impact and are committed to improve the safety, reliability and performance of our customers’ products that use electrical energy. As the Company's human capital is critical to its success, the Company strives to make Littelfuse a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace, provide competitive compensation, benefits, and health and wellness programs, offer appropriate training and promote community involvement.

Employee Data

On December 28, 2024, the Company had approximately 16,000 full-time, part-time, and temporary employees; of which 47%, 40% and 13% are located in the Americas, Asia-Pacific region, and Europe, respectively.

Governance & Oversight

The Chief Human Resources Officer ("CHRO") is responsible for developing and executing the Company’s human capital strategy. This includes establishing and implementing global policies and programs for leadership and employee development, compensation, benefits, workforce planning, human resources systems, and ensuring effective and efficient internal company operations. The CHRO is responsible for developing and integrating the Company’s diversity, inclusion, and belonging strategy in its business operations. The Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and CHRO regularly update the Company's Board of Directors on human capital matters.

Our Values & Culture

Littelfuse core values have been instrumental in driving success for our business. Our values of Respect, Customer Focus, Agility, and Collaboration and their associated behaviors are embedded in our talent processes and practices to help us evolve our already strong culture. The power of a team environment where everyone can contribute and thrive allows us to enact our strategy and deliver results today and into the future.

As part of driving sustainable success, the Company values and celebrates diversity in every aspect of work with customers, suppliers, partners, and each other. The Company's commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging creates a collaborative environment that draws out associates’ unique capabilities that contribute to innovation, deliver bold solutions and drive growth.

Long-standing efforts supporting a diverse and inclusive workplace remain in place and continue to expand. The Company’s employee resource groups ("ERGs") continue to expand to support broader demographics. Existing ERGs have grown to have a presence in more countries and provide impactful development and mentoring opportunities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Council, consisting of diverse global leaders from across the organization, helps to evolve and advance programs to further improve diversity, inclusion, and belonging in each region.

Talent Management, Development & Succession Planning

Building and maintaining a strong talent pipeline is essential to sustained performance and achievement of the Company's growth strategy. The leadership team incorporates talent strategy into the annual business strategy review process to ensure the Company has the capabilities and capacity to meet current and future goals and objectives. The Company conducts enterprise-wide, global talent review processes with the CEO, business unit and function leaders focusing future leadership talent with high potential, and succession plans for the Company's most critical roles. Also, the Company's Board of Directors reviews and assesses management development plans for senior executives and the succession plans relating to those critical positions.

The Company utilizes a leadership competency model to highlight the competencies and behaviors for success that strengthen the Company’s values and culture. The leadership competency model provides a foundation for growth and development as leaders advance in their careers with the Company.

The Company is also actively investing in identifying and developing the pipeline of future global leaders and technical experts. Efforts to enhance capabilities in this area include the creation of functional career paths and skills, early career talent pipelines and programs, including internships and other college/university recruitment programs. More specifically, accelerated development programs (e.g. such as the Company's global RISE engineering program) have been implemented to strengthen the pipeline of talent required to sustain business growth.

As the Company continues to focus on developing the talent pipeline, we are also investing in strengthening our leadership capability through leadership development programs, leadership mentoring, coaching and training. The leadership development programs include a mix of internal and external programs and partnerships addressing fundamental leadership skills to engage, motivate and develop our talent at all stages of their leadership journey.

As an industrial technology manufacturing company, we are committed to building a high performing team with the skill sets, qualifications and diverse background. In 2024, globally 51% of our employees are female and 49% are male; 24.2% of our leaders are female. In US, 38.5% of our associates are racial or ethnic diverse, and 4.5% of our associates are Black and African American.

Compensation, Benefits and Employee Wellness

The Company provides compensation and benefits programs designed to be competitive and equitable to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified associates. The components of the Company's compensation program vary by region and job-type, and include items such as base salary, performance-based bonus plans, equity awards, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement. Global programs include a combination of statutory and additional supplemental benefits in the areas of health, welfare and retirement.

We support our employees' mental and physical and financial well-being through various programs that promote a healthy lifestyle. Our health & wellness programs vary across countries and are tailored to the needs of our employees from location to location. Globally, we offer comprehensive medical benefits and an employee assistance program that provides confidential counseling and other wellbeing tools at no charge for all our employees and their families to receive support with personal, health, life, financial, or work issues.

Health and Safety

At Littelfuse, we take the health and safety of our team members very seriously and our unwavering commitment to global health and safety ("H&S") programs for all team members is integral to our continued success and competitive advantage. Our goal is to achieve a zero-injury workplace. As we continue to grow, we recognize the need to continuously evaluate our environment, health, and safety ("EHS") organization. In 2024, we continued to enhance our H&S program to meet our obligations to provide a safe and secure working environment for our employees. We are committed to meeting or exceeding EHS compliance requirements through internal and independent third-party audits.

We strive for EHS excellence by implementing and maintaining an effective EHS Management System that establishes objectives, targets and programs to achieve continual improvement. Training and tools are provided to all appropriate individuals in order to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.

Community Involvement

The Company works to affect positive change in the communities in which we work and live. Our giving and volunteerism philosophy is aligned with three pillars: Green – environment and conservation, STEM – technology innovation, and Equity – humanitarian, community, and family. These overarching pillars guide our actions while providing us with the flexibility to serve the diverse needs of our local communities. Through corporate donations, employee donation matching, and volunteerism, we empower our teams to drive meaningful change locally and globally.

SUSTAINABILITY

The Company is committed to empowering change on its sustainability journey. Every Littelfuse employee, customer, and partner has the potential to drive positive change – environmentally, socially, and ethically. Together, we’re shaping a future defined by sustainable choices and conscientious actions.

Innovation and collaboration are at the heart of the Company's sustainability journey. Accordingly, the Company is positioned within the global sustainability megatrend to enhance our product offering to help empower a sustainable, connected, and safer world. Many of the Company's key end markets are linked to sustainable applications such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure, renewable energy, and power management.

To support our commitment to sustainability, our Chief Legal Officer is the executive sponsor of our program, and we provide regular updates to our Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors that has oversight responsibility of the sustainability program.

The Company publishes an annual Sustainability Report to communicate our commitment, approach, and impact on each of our focus areas. The 2023 Sustainability Report was prepared in alignment with the GRI Standards – 2021, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (“SASB”), and outlines our governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics identified in the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) recommendations. Further, we conducted our first Double Materiality Assessment in 2024 for future regulatory disclosures.

Information on the Company’s areas of focus within its sustainability program is available in the Company's Sustainability Reports, located on the Company's website at https://www.littelfuse.com/about-us/sustainability.aspx. The contents of the Company's Sustainability Reports and website are not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

The Company is subject to numerous foreign, federal, state, and local regulations relating to air and water quality, the disposal of hazardous waste materials, safety and health. Compliance with applicable environmental regulations has not significantly changed the Company’s competitive position, capital spending or earnings in the past and the Company does not presently anticipate that compliance with such regulations will change its competitive position, capital spending or earnings for the foreseeable future.

The Company believes that it is currently in compliance in all material respects with applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Littelfuse GmbH, which was acquired by the Company in May 2004, is responsible for maintaining closed coal mines in Germany from legacy operations. The Company is compliant with German regulations pertaining to the maintenance of the mines and has an accrual related to certain of these coal mine shafts based on an engineering study estimating the cost of remediating the dangers (such as a shaft collapse) of certain of these closed coal mine shafts in Germany. The accrual is reviewed annually and calculated based upon the estimated costs of remediating the shafts. Further information regarding the coal mine liability accrual is provided in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

The Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including the risk factors it has identified below. Any of the following risk factors could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, or results of operations. These factors are not necessarily listed in order of importance.

1) Operational Risks:

The Company’s industry is subject to intense competitive pressures.

The Company operates in markets that are highly competitive. The Company competes on the basis of price, product performance and quality, service, and or brand name across the industries and markets it serves. Competitive pressures could affect the prices the Company is able to charge its customers or demand for its products.

The Company may not always be able to compete on price, particularly when compared to manufacturers with lower cost structures. Some of the Company’s competitors have substantially greater sales, financial and manufacturing resources and may have greater access to capital than the Company. As other companies enter its markets or develop new products, competition may further intensify. The Company’s failure to compete effectively could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The Company engages in strategic acquisitions and may not realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions and / or may encounter difficulties in integrating these businesses.

The Company seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions. In the past, the Company has acquired a number of businesses or companies and additional product lines and assets. The Company intends to continue to expand and diversify its operations with additional future acquisitions.

An acquired business, technology, service or product could under-perform relative to the Company’s expectations and the price paid for it, or not perform in accordance with the Company’s anticipated timetable. This could cause the Company’s financial results to differ from expectations in any given fiscal period, or over the long term. The success of these transactions also depends on the Company’s ability to integrate the assets, operations, and personnel associated with these acquisitions. The Company may encounter difficulties in integrating acquisitions with the Company’s operations and may not realize the degree or timing of the benefits that are anticipated from an acquisition.

The Company may also discover liabilities or deficiencies associated with the companies or assets it acquires that were not identified in advance, which may result in significant unanticipated costs. The effectiveness of the Company’s due diligence review and its ability to evaluate the results of such due diligence are dependent upon the accuracy and completeness of statements and disclosures made or actions taken by the companies acquired or their representatives, as well as the limited amount of time in which acquisitions are executed. In addition, the Company may fail to accurately forecast the financial impact of an acquisition transaction, including tax and accounting charges. Acquisitions may also result in recording of significant additional expenses to the results of operations and recording of substantial intangible assets on the balance sheet upon closing. Any of these factors may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Disruptions in the Company’s manufacturing, supply or distribution chain could result in an adverse impact on results of operations.

The Company sources materials and sells products through various global networks. A disruption could occur within the Company’s manufacturing, distribution or supply chain network. This could include damage or destruction due to various causes including natural disasters or political instability which would cause one or more of these networks to become non-operational. This could adversely affect the Company’s ability to manufacture or deliver its products in a timely manner, impair its ability to meet customer demand for products and result in lost sales or damage to its reputation. Such a disruption could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company may be unable to manufacture and deliver products in a manner that is responsive to its customers’ needs.

The end markets for the Company’s products are characterized by technological change, frequent new product introductions and enhancements, changes in customer requirements and emerging industry standards. The introduction of products embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards could render its existing products obsolete and unmarketable before it can recover any or all of its research, development, and commercialization expenses on capital investments. Furthermore, the life cycles of its products may change and are difficult to estimate.

The Company’s future success will depend upon its ability to manufacture and deliver products in a manner that is responsive to its customers’ needs. The Company will need to develop and introduce new products and product enhancements on a timely basis that keep pace with technological developments and emerging industry standards and address increasingly sophisticated requirements of its customers. The Company invests heavily in research and development without knowing if it will recover these costs. The Company’s competitors may develop products or technologies that will render its products non-competitive or obsolete. If it cannot develop and market new products or product enhancements in a timely and cost-effective manner, its business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

The Company’s business may be interrupted by labor disputes or other interruptions of supplies.

A work stoppage could occur at certain Company facilities, most likely as a result of disputes under collective bargaining agreements or in connection with negotiations of new collective bargaining agreements. Further, our reliance on international supply chain systems exposes us to potential interruptions and delays cause by transportation labor shortages, including dock worker stoppages and freight carrier disruptions. In addition, the Company may experience a shortage of supplies for various reasons, such as financial distress, work stoppages, natural disasters, or production difficulties that may affect one of its suppliers. A significant work stoppage, or an interruption or shortage of supplies for any reason, if protracted, could substantially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could affect the Company’s business results.

The Company’s success in its existing and acquired businesses depends on the Company’s ability to attract, retain, and motivate a highly-skilled and diverse management team and workforce. Failure to ensure that the Company has the depth and breadth of personnel with the necessary skill set and experience could impede its ability to deliver growth objectives and execute the Company’s strategy. Competition for qualified employees among companies that rely heavily upon engineering and technology is at times intense, and the loss of qualified employees could hinder the Company’s ability to conduct research activities successfully and develop marketable products.

The Company may not be successful in protecting its intellectual property.

The Company considers its intellectual property, including patents, trade names, and trademarks, to be of significant value to its business as a whole. The Company’s products are manufactured, marketed, and sold under a portfolio of patents, trademarks, licenses, and other forms of intellectual property, some of which expire or are allowed to lapse at various dates in the future. The Company develops and acquires new intellectual property on an ongoing basis and considers all of its intellectual property to be valuable. The Company's policy is to file applications and obtain patents for the great majority of its novel and innovative new products including product modifications and improvements. Based on the broad scope of its product lines, the Company believes that the loss or expiration of any single intellectual property right would not have a material adverse effect upon its consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows; however, multiple losses or expirations could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The Company may incur material losses and costs as a result of defects in its products, including as a result of warranty claims, product recalls, and product liability.

The Company has been notified by one of its customers of a product recall potentially due to certain fuses provided by the Company and incorporated in the customer’s products. The Company is working with its customer to investigate the cause and level of responsibility for this recall. Given the highly complex products that the Company manufactures, it is possible that those products, including third-party components contained in those products, may contain defects or fail to work properly or as intended when integrated with customer products. This could subject the Company to product liability or warranty claims, which could lead to significant expenses, including recall, repair, and/or replacement costs and, potentially breach of contract or other damage claims, all of which could materially adversely affect the Company’s financial results. This is particularly true if the Company does not discover these issues until after the products have been sold and deployed. In addition to expenses directly attributable to product defects, the Company’s reputation and ability to attract and retain customers may be harmed. Further, significant warranty and product liability claims may, among other things, result in the need for significant reserves, divert management’s and other personnel’s attention, cause production delays, impact on-time delivery of products to other customers, reduce margins, and delay recognition of revenues. It is also possible that end users of customers’ products may make claims against the Company, resulting in additional defense costs and potential damages. Although, the Company generally attempts to limit its liability through standard contract terms and conditions and maintains insurance in connection with product defects and warranty claims, it is possible that the Company may not be able to enforce contractual limitations on damages and/or that a successful claim against the Company may exceed the Company’s applicable insurance policy limits or be excluded from coverage.

2) Regulatory Risks:

Climate change, and the regulatory and legislative developments related to climate change, may have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

The potential physical impacts of climate change on our business operations are highly uncertain and differ in each geographic region where we operate. These impacts may include changes in weather patterns and increased weather intensity, water shortages, changing sea levels and changing temperatures. The impacts of climate change may materially and adversely impact the cost of production, insurance availability, and financial performance of our operations. Further, any impacts to our business and financial condition as a result of climate change are likely to occur over a sustained period of time and are therefore difficult to quantify with any degree of specificity. For example, extreme weather events may result in adverse physical effects on portions of our or others infrastructure, which could disrupt our supply chain and our customers and ultimately our business operations. In addition, disruption of transportation and distribution systems could result in reduced operational efficiency and customer service interruption. Climate-related events have the potential to disrupt our business, including the business of our suppliers and customers, and may cause us to experience higher attrition, and additional costs to resume operations.

Increased government or governmental bodies contemplating legislative and regulatory changes in response to the potential impact of climate change could impose significant costs on us and our suppliers and customers, including increased cost of materials and natural resources, sources and supply of energy, capital equipment, environmental monitoring and reporting, or other costs to comply with such regulations. Potential regulations or standards could mandate more restrictive manufacturing requirements, such as stricter limits on greenhouse gas emissions and material used in production. Some jurisdictions have already passed such laws. For example, California enacted legislation in 2023 requiring disclosure of certain companies' greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions, climate-related financial risks, voluntary carbon offsets ("VCOs"), and certain climate-related emission claims. Any future climate change regulations could also adversely impact our ability to compete with companies not subject to such regulations. In addition, the European Union ("EU") enacted the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive ("CSRD") and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence ("CS3D") in 2023 and 2024, respectively. We are further assessing our compliance and reporting strategies under CSRD and CS3D, but our obligations under these and other EU climate directives may incur substantial effort in the future.

Changes in U.S. and other countries trade policy, including the imposition of tariffs and the resulting consequences, may have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

In the past several years, the U.S. government adopted a new approach to trade policy and in some cases to renegotiate, or potentially terminate, certain existing bilateral or multi-lateral trade agreements. It also imposed tariffs on certain foreign goods and products. These measures may materially increase costs for goods imported into the U.S. Further, the global trade policies and tensions could create additional complexities. Our international presence subjects us to risks associated with international trade conflicts between the United States and its trade partners, including, without limitation, China, Mexico and Canada, particularly with regard to tariffs and import/export controls. These factors in turn could require us to materially increase prices to our customers which may reduce demand, or, if we do not or are unable to increase prices, could result in lower margins on products sold. Changes in U.S. trade policy have resulted in, and could result in more, U.S. trading partners adopting responsive trade policies making it more difficult or costly for us to export our products to those countries. Additionally, continued geopolitical issues may result in customers outside the U.S. seeking to source products from local suppliers, which could result in lower sales or lost customers.

The Company is exposed to political, economic, and other risks that arise from operating a multinational business.

The Company's customers, suppliers, employees and operations are located in numerous countries around the world, and contribute significantly to its revenues and earnings. Sales to customers outside the U.S. constituted approximately 63% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 2024, including approximately 23% to China.

Economic conditions in China have been, and may continue to be, volatile and uncertain. In addition, the legal and regulatory system in China continues to evolve and is subject to change. There also continues to be significant uncertainty about the relationship between the U.S. and other countries, including China, with respect to geopolitics, trade policies, treaties, government regulations, and tariffs. The result of the recent U.S. elections may compound this uncertainty. Further deterioration of economic conditions or outlook, such as lower economic growth, recession or fears of recession in other countries may adversely affect the demand for or profitability of our products and services.

Many of the Company's key customers are located outside of the U.S. and maintain global operations. Serving a global customer base and remaining competitive in the global marketplace requires the Company to diversify its operations outside the U.S. to capitalize on customer and market opportunities, build a global workforce and maintain a cost efficient structure. In addition, the Company sources a significant amount of raw materials, components and finished goods from third-party suppliers and contract manufacturers. The Company’s operating activities are subject to a number of risks generally associated with multi-national operations including risks relating to the following:

• general economic conditions;
• currency fluctuations and exchange restrictions;
• import and export duties and restrictions;
• the imposition of tariffs and other import or export barriers;
• compliance with regulations governing import and export activities;
• current and changing regulatory requirements;
• political and economic instability;
• potentially adverse income tax consequences;
• transportation delays and interruptions;
• labor unrest;
• natural disasters;
• terrorist activities;
• war and acts of war;
• public health concerns, including the outbreak of the coronavirus or other pandemics;
• difficulties in staffing and managing multi-national operations; and
• limitations on the Company’s ability to enforce legal rights and remedies.

Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows. In addition, the effects on the global economy of the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars, particularly if they escalate, are uncertain.

Environmental liabilities could adversely impact the Company’s financial position.

Foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations impose various restrictions and controls on the discharge of materials, chemicals and gases used in the Company’s manufacturing processes or in its finished goods. These environmental regulations have required the Company to expend a portion of its resources and capital on relevant compliance programs. Under these laws and regulations, the Company could be held financially responsible for remedial measures if its current or former properties are contaminated or if it sends waste to a landfill or recycling facility that becomes contaminated, even if the Company did not cause the contamination. The Company may be subject to additional common law claims if it releases substances that damage or harm third parties.

Future environmental laws, regulations, standards and other obligations as well as changes in the interpretation of existing environmental laws, regulations, standards and other obligations could impair our ability to operate our business, such as through increased compliance costs and procedures, additional investments in capital equipment and distraction of management from other operational and strategic matters. For example, in June 2024 in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo ("Loper"), the Supreme Court’s holding that courts need not defer to a governmental agency’s interpretation of an ambiguous statute that it administers may result in increased challenges, changes to existing agency regulations, and uncertainty as to how courts may interpret agency regulations in the future. Any failure to comply with new or existing environmental laws or regulations could subject the Company to significant liabilities and could have a material adverse effect on its consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows. Further, the Trump administration and newly elected Congress and appointed agency chairs may seek sweeping changes in environmental regulation.

In the conduct of manufacturing operations, the Company has handled and does handle materials that are considered hazardous, toxic or volatile under federal, state, and local laws. The risk of accidental release of such materials cannot be completely eliminated. In addition, the Company operates or owns facilities located on or near real property that was formerly owned and operated by others. Certain of these properties were used in ways that involved hazardous materials. Contaminants may migrate from, within or through these properties. These releases or migrations may give rise to claims. Where third parties are responsible for contamination, the third parties may not have funds, or not make funds available when needed, to pay remediation costs imposed upon the Company under environmental laws and regulations.

The Company is responsible for the maintenance of discontinued coal mining operations in Germany. The risk of environmental remediation exists, and the Company is in the process of remediating the mines considered to be the most at risk.

3) Financial Risks:

The Company’s effective tax rate could materially increase as a consequence of various factors, including U.S. and/or international tax legislation, mix of the Company’s earnings by jurisdiction, and U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictional tax audits.

The Company is subject to taxes in the U.S. and numerous non-U.S. jurisdictions. Therefore, it is subject to changes in tax laws in each of these jurisdictions, including changes discussed in the paragraphs below. Further, the results of the recent U.S. elections could create additional complexities in the U.S.'s and other countries' tax policies. The outcome of these and other legislative developments, including changes to interpretations of recently enacted legislation, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future effective tax rate and cash flows.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”) has been working with a group of more than 100 countries to significantly change the tax treatment of multinational businesses, subjecting them to tax in additional jurisdictions, modifying the methods by which they allocate profits among jurisdictions, and subjecting them to a minimum level of tax of 15%, on a country-by-country-basis. As part of this effort, in December of 2021, the OECD published model rules to assist with implementation of the minimum tax regime.

In December of 2022, the European Union reached an agreement pursuant to which all European Union countries agreed to enact laws based upon the OECD-led minimum tax proposals. During 2024, these rules became effective for most European jurisdictions. Similar legislation was adopted, or is expected to be adopted, in other countries with widespread implementation of the global minimum tax anticipated by the end of 2025. The Company’s income tax rate in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions is lower than 15%. Once these minimum tax rules are effective, they could have a significant adverse effect on the Company’s future effective tax rate and cash flows.

The Company has two subsidiaries in China which benefit from lower tax rates due to “tax holidays” which apply for three-year periods. The tax holiday for one of the subsidiaries expired at the end of 2023 but was later extended for an additional three years, retroactively to include all of 2024, as well as 2025 and 2026; and for the other subsidiary, the tax holiday will expire at the end of 2025. Future year tax benefits will depend upon the Company’s ability to obtain extensions, after the three-year periods expire. There can be no assurance that future extensions will be granted.

The tax rates applicable in the jurisdictions within which the Company operates vary widely. Therefore, the Company’s effective tax rate may be adversely affected by changes in the mix of its earnings by jurisdiction.

The Company’s tax returns are subject to examination by various U.S. and non-U.S. tax authorities, including the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of its provision for income taxes. However, there can be no assurance as to the outcome of these examinations.

The Company’s ability to manage currency or commodity price fluctuations or supply shortages is limited.

As a resource-intensive manufacturing operation, the Company is exposed to a variety of market and asset risks, including the effects of changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates. The Company has multiple sources of supply for the majority of its commodity requirements. The Company monitors and manages exposures in changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates as an integral part of its overall risk management program, which recognizes the unpredictability of markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects on its results. Nevertheless, changes in currency exchange rates, commodity prices and interest rates cannot always be predicted. In addition, because of intense price competition and the Company’s high level of fixed costs, it may not be able to address such changes even if they are foreseeable. Substantial changes in these rates and prices could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. In addition, significant portions of its revenues and earnings are exposed to changes in foreign currency rates. As it operates in multiple foreign currencies, changes in those currencies relative to the U.S. dollar will impact its revenues and expenses. The impact of possible currency devaluation in countries experiencing high inflation rates or significant exchange fluctuations can impact the Company’s results and financial guidance. For additional discussion of interest rate, currency or commodity price risk, see Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

A significant fluctuation between the U.S. dollar and other currencies could adversely impact the Company's revenue and earnings.

Although the Company's financial results are reported in U.S. dollars, the majority of the Company’s operations consist of manufacturing and sales activities in foreign countries. The Company’s most significant net long exposure is to the euro. The

Company’s most significant net short exposures are to the Chinese renminbi, Mexican peso, and Philippine peso. Changes in foreign exchange rates could have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The Company’s revenues may vary significantly from period to period.

The Company’s revenues may vary significantly from one period to another due to a variety of factors including:

• changes in customers’ buying decisions;
• changes in demand for its products;
• changes in its distributor inventory stocking;
• the Company’s product mix;
• the Company’s effectiveness in managing manufacturing processes;
• costs and timing of its component purchases;
• the effectiveness of its inventory control;
• the degree to which it is able to utilize its available manufacturing capacity;
• the Company’s ability to meet delivery schedules;
• general economic and industry conditions;
• local conditions and events that may affect its production volumes, such as labor conditions and political instability; and
• seasonality of certain product lines.

Reorganization activities may lead to additional costs and material adverse effects.

In the past, the Company has taken actions to restructure and optimize its production and manufacturing capabilities and efficiencies through relocations, consolidations, plant closings or asset sales. In the future, the Company may take additional restructuring actions including the consolidating, closing or selling of additional facilities. These actions could result in impairment charges and various charges for such items as idle capacity, disposition costs and severance costs, in addition to normal or attendant risks and uncertainties. The Company may be unsuccessful in any of its current or future efforts to restructure or consolidate its business. Plans to minimize or eliminate any loss of revenues during restructuring or consolidation may not be achieved. These activities may have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

A decline in expected profitability of the Company or individual reporting units of the Company could result in the impairment of assets, including goodwill and other long-lived assets.

The Company continues to hold material amounts of goodwill and other long-lived assets on its balance sheet. A decline in expected profitability, particularly if there is a decline in the global economy, could call into question the recoverability of the Company’s related goodwill and other long-lived tangible and intangible assets and require the write-down or write-off of these assets. Such an occurrence could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

As a result of the 2024 annual goodwill impairment test, the Company recorded non-cash charges of $36.1 million and $8.6 million to reflect the impairment of goodwill for the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. There were no impairment charges recorded during the fiscal years of 2023 and 2022.

In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets, including $47.6 million related to the impairment of certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename intangible assets in the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment.

We have identified a material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and ineffective internal controls could impact the accuracy and timely reporting of our business and financial results.

Our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all errors, including simple errors or mistakes, and all incidents of non-compliance, which may result in misstatements. A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met with respect to the preparation and accurate presentation of financial statements. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, including any failure to timely and appropriately implement new, required or improved controls, such failure may result in the loss of investor confidence in our financial reports, and we may incur significant expenses to remediate any resulting internal control deficiencies. Such failure may, ultimately, have an adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock. Further, controls may become inadequate over time because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with the policies may deteriorate. The design of a control system must reflect the fact there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.

The Company’s management has identified the material weaknesses described below. In making this assessment, management has concluded that we did not design and maintain an effective control environment commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. Specifically, at certain of our non-U.S. manufacturing locations, we lacked sufficiently skilled operational and accounting personnel to ensure that internal control responsibilities were performed and aligned with internal control objectives.

The material weakness in the control environment contributed to an additional material weakness related to the design and operating effectiveness of control activities over the existence of inventory at these locations. The Company did not maintain effective controls related to inventory cycle counts to validate existence of inventory, and consequently, the completeness and accuracy of the data used in evaluating the appropriateness of the valuation of inventory and related reserves. These material weaknesses resulted in corrections through cumulative out-of-period adjustments as described in notes to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024. The Company evaluated the impact of the error and out-of-period adjustment and concluded it was not material to any previously issued financial statements and the adjustment was not material to the year ended December 28, 2024.

Further, we have incurred additional costs and risks, including costs for accounting and legal fees in connection with the ongoing process of remediating the material weaknesses. We could also be subject to regulatory, stockholder or other actions in connection with the material weaknesses, and such actions would divert management’s time and attention. For a description of the material weaknesses identified by management and the remediation efforts being implemented to address the material weaknesses, see “Part II, Item 9A - Controls and Procedures.” If the enhanced controls implemented to address the material weaknesses and to strengthen our overall internal control do not operate effectively, if we are unsuccessful in implementing or following these enhanced processes, or if we are otherwise unable to remediate this material weaknesses, such failures may result in delayed or inaccurate reporting of our financial results.

The bankruptcy or insolvency of a major customer could adversely affect the Company.

The bankruptcy or insolvency of a major customer could result in lower sales revenue and cause a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows. In addition, the bankruptcy or insolvency of a major auto manufacturer or significant supplier likely could lead to substantial disruptions in the automotive supply base, resulting in lower demand for the Company’s products, which would likely cause a decrease in sales revenue and have a substantial adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The inability to maintain access to capital markets may adversely affect the Company’s business and financial results.

The Company’s ability to invest in its businesses, make strategic acquisitions, and refinance maturing debt obligations may require access to the capital markets and sufficient bank credit lines to support short-term borrowings. If the Company is unable to access the capital markets or bank credit facilities, it could experience a material adverse effect on its consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Fixed costs may reduce operating results if sales fall below expectations.

The Company’s expense levels are based, in part, on its expectations for future sales. Many of the Company’s expenses, particularly those relating to capital equipment and manufacturing overhead, are relatively fixed. The Company might not be able to reduce spending quickly enough to compensate for reductions in sales. Accordingly, shortfalls in sales could materially and adversely affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The volatility of the Company’s stock price could affect the value of an investment in the Company’s stock and future financial position.

The market price of the Company’s stock can fluctuate widely. Between December 30, 2023 and December 28, 2024, the closing sale price of the Company’s common stock ranged between a low of $222.9 and a high of $275.6. The volatility of the stock price may be related to any number of factors, such as volatility in the financial markets, general macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, market expectations concerning the Company’s results of operations, or the volatility of its revenues as discussed above under “The Company’s revenues may vary significantly from period to period.” The historic market price of the Company’s common stock may not be indicative of future market prices. The Company may not be able to sustain or increase the value of its common stock. Declines in the market price of the Company’s stock could adversely affect the Company’s ability to retain personnel with stock incentives, to acquire businesses or assets in exchange for stock and/or to conduct future financing activities with or involving the Company’s common stock.

The Company is exposed to, and may be adversely affected by, potential security breaches or other disruptions to its information technology systems and data security.

The Company relies on its information technology systems and networks in connection with many of its business activities. Some of these networks and systems are managed directly by the Company, while others are managed by third-party service providers and are not under the Company’s direct control. The Company’s operations routinely involve receiving, storing, processing and transmitting sensitive information pertaining to its business, customers, dealers, suppliers, employees, and other sensitive matters. As with most companies, the Company has experienced cyber-attacks, attempts to breach its systems, and other similar incidents, none of which have been material. Any future cyber incidents could, however, materially disrupt operational systems; result in loss of trade secrets or other proprietary or competitively sensitive information; compromise personally identifiable information regarding employees or customers or other third parties; and jeopardize the security of the Company’s facilities. A cyber incident could be caused by malicious outsiders using sophisticated methods to circumvent firewalls, encryption, and other security defenses. Because techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or to sabotage systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until they are launched against a target, the Company may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Information technology security threats, including security breaches, computer malware, and other cyber-attacks are increasing in both frequency and sophistication and could create financial liability, subject the Company to legal or regulatory sanctions or damage the Company’s reputation with customers, dealers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. In addition, the widespread adoption and rapid evolution of artificial intelligence technologies may increase our cybersecurity risk, including the use of generative artificial intelligence to augment existing or to create new malware. The Company continuously seeks to maintain a robust program of information security and controls, but the impact of a material information technology event could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s competitive position, reputation, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Customer demands and regulations related to conflict-free minerals may force the Company to incur additional expenses.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires disclosure of the use of “conflict” minerals mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries and efforts to prevent the use of such minerals. In the semiconductor industry, these minerals are most commonly found in metals. As there may be only a limited number of suppliers offering “conflict free” metals, the Company cannot be certain that it will be able to obtain necessary metals in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Also, the Company may face challenges with its customers and suppliers if it is unable to sufficiently verify that the metals used in its products are “conflict free.”

The cybersecurity and data protection program at Littelfuse is based on foundational principles outlined in applicable industry and internationally accepted-cybersecurity frameworks. The Company has experienced and will continue to experience cyber-attacks, attempts to breach its systems, and other similar incidents, however we do not believe that the prior cyber incidents have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company. Littelfuse faces risks from cybersecurity threats that could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, or reputation. Like all cybersecurity programs, there is no guarantee that every attack method and technique has been fully addressed, as these change constantly, but Littelfuse is diligent in its attempts to protect data of the Company and its stakeholders.

Littelfuse strives to assess and update its cybersecurity program on a regular basis using an Information Security Management System ("ISMS") comprised of three main elements – 1) independent internationally recognized vendors and technologies for assessments and monitoring, 2) strong internal controls based on industry standards, and 3) Board and Senior Leadership governance and support.

From an external assessment and monitoring perspective, Littelfuse engages third parties to monitor and report on known exploitable vulnerabilities, within and external to Littelfuse’s information technology ("IT") ecosystems. These third parties provide assessment and vulnerability scanning tools to detect exploitable unauthorized access into the Littelfuse environments.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is tasked with reviewing the Company’s policies and procedures related to cybersecurity risks and incidents. The Company’s Chief Information Officer ("CIO") oversees its cybersecurity program, and regularly provides updates to Littelfuse Senior Leadership and the Audit Committee, as well as the full Board, which include information regarding our cybersecurity program initiatives, insurance coverage, acquisition integration processes, program performance as well as the maturity of the Littelfuse cybersecurity program. These cybersecurity maturity updates are based on cybersecurity maturity reporting and analysis by the Littelfuse internal IT team, as well as reporting provided by independent third parties. The updates help Senior Leadership, the Audit Committee, and the Board to understand the risks the organization faces based on changing cybersecurity threats and on changes to the Littelfuse environment due to factors such as acquisitions and new technology upgrades and improvements. Representatives from Littelfuse’s technology team and other business functions receive regular cybersecurity risk reports and use this information for its decision making in operational improvements as well as budget and resource allocations. The CIO has managed and evolved the cyber security function at Littelfuse for the past five years and is supported by a cyber security leader with over 20 years of Littelfuse experience in IT infrastructure, IT operations, and cybersecurity.

The ISMS within Littelfuse consists of internationally recognized program elements that reduce the risk of an operational or cybersecurity incident from significantly impacting Littelfuse and its customers, vendors, and employees. These ISMS elements include but are not limited to:

Security Awareness and Training – Littelfuse has an IT security awareness program consisting of training on the fundamentals of information security protection. These training courses are provided annually.

Network Protection – Network protection, detection, and monitoring technologies have been deployed on all external and internal network connections to segment different sections of the business from each other to strengthen key protection capabilities.

Identity and Access Management ("IAM") – Littelfuse has implemented user authentication controls on its systems, devices, data, and applications. In addition, multi-factor authentication is implemented for all personnel who remotely access or have privileged account access to Littelfuse systems and networks.

Data Classification and Protection – Littelfuse has implemented data loss prevention and classification labels and encryption on its internal unstructured data to prevent unauthorized data loss and data sharing. Structured data in ERP systems and core business systems are encrypted and protected by industry cybersecurity standards and procedures.

Endpoint Protection – Littelfuse has implemented anti-virus, malware, and endpoint protection management detection and monitoring solutions on end-user devices and servers. Logs and alerts from these monitoring solutions are routed to independent third-party monitoring vendors that provide 24/7 monitoring, around the world.

Threat and Vulnerability Management – Littelfuse uses an internationally recognized managed security services provider ("MSSP") and technologies to collect security alert and audit logs on a 24/7 basis, monitor and assess latest threat intelligence, provide analysis on new identified potential vulnerabilities, and provide response and support services to rapidly reduce any identified vulnerabilities.

Security Incident Management – Security incident response plans and procedures have been developed in collaboration with our MSSP. They allow us to assess potential threats, first and second level notification and response protocols, and supporting notification protocols – both internally and externally. These plans, procedures, and protocols are tested and updated on a regular basis.

Resiliency and Contingency Planning – Risk assessments are performed on a regular basis to assess the IT risk of single points of failure, security maturity, and security vulnerabilities. The results of these assessments are used to define various resiliency and contingency mitigation strategies, corrective action plans, on-site and remote data back-up strategies and technologies and allocation of IT resources.

The Company’s engineering and research and development, manufacturing, sales, warehouses, and distribution centers are located in approximately 76 owned or leased facilities worldwide with primary operations in China, France, Germany, India,

Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, South Korea, Spain, U.K, the U.S., and Vietnam totaling approximately 5.3 million square feet. The Company’s owned facilities include approximately 3.0 million square feet and the Company’s leased facilities include approximately 2.3 million square feet. The Company’s corporate headquarters is located in the U.S. in Rosemont, Illinois.

The Company believes its facilities are adequate to meet its requirements for the foreseeable future.

The following discussion of the Company's financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes to those statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

BUSINESS

For a description of the Company’s business, segments and product offerings, see Item 1, Business.

2024 EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Net sales were $2,190.8 million, which decreased by $171.9 million, or 7.3%, in 2024 compared to 2023 including $7.9 million of unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower volume of $163.7 million in the Electronics segment primarily driven by reduced demand and inventory rebalancing in the semiconductor business. The Company recognized net income of $100.2 million, or $4.00 per diluted share, in 2024 compared to net income of $259.5 million, or $10.34 per diluted share in 2023. The decrease in net income was primarily due to lower operating income of $130.7 million in the Electronics segment due to lower sales in the semiconductor business and $92.6 million of non-cash impairment charges. The non-cash impairment charges included $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $367.6 million for the fiscal year 2024, a decrease of $89.8 million, compared to $457.4 million during the fiscal year 2023. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to lower cash earnings.

Based on the Company’s assessment, management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has concluded that, as of December 28, 2024, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective due to the identification of the material weaknesses described below. In making this assessment, management has concluded that we did not design and maintain an effective control environment commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. Specifically, at certain of our non-U.S. manufacturing locations we lacked sufficiently skilled operational and accounting personnel to ensure that internal control responsibilities were performed and aligned with internal control objectives.

The material weakness in the control environment contributed to an additional material weakness related to the design and operating effectiveness of control activities over the existence of inventory at these locations. The Company did not maintain effective controls related to inventory cycle counts to validate existence of inventory, and consequently, the completeness and accuracy of the data used in evaluating the appropriateness of the valuation of inventory and related reserves. These material weaknesses resulted in corrections through cumulative out-of-period adjustments as described in notes to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024. The material weaknesses resulted in immaterial corrections to previously released financial results. For a description of the material weaknesses identified by management and the remediation efforts being implemented for the material weaknesses, see “Part II, Item 9A - Controls and Procedures.” for further discussion.

On December 31, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of a 200mm wafer fab located in Dortmund, Germany ("Dortmund Fab") from Elmos Semiconductor SE. The total purchase price for the Dortmund Fab was approximately 94 million Euro, of which a 37.2 million Euro down payment (approximately $40.5 million) was made in the third quarter of 2023 and recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets after regulatory approvals. The payment of 56.7 million Euro was paid at closing in the beginning of the fiscal year 2025. The transaction did not have any impact on the Company's 2024 financial results and reported in the Electronics-Semiconductor business within the Company’s Electronics segment.

On October 4, 2024, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase a group annuity contract, under which an insurance company will be required to pay pension payments to the Company’s United Kingdom pension plan to match required pension payments until a later buyout, at which point the insurance company will directly pay and administer the benefits to the plan's participants, or to their designated beneficiaries. The purchase of this group annuity contract will reduce the Company’s outstanding pension benefit obligation by approximately $23 million, representing approximately 33% of the total obligations of the Company’s qualified pension plans, and was funded with pension plan assets and additional cash on hand. In connection with this transaction, the Company currently expects to record a one-time non-cash settlement charge in 2026 estimated between $6 million and $8 million, reflecting the accelerated recognition of a portion of unamortized actuarial losses in the plan. The actual settlement charge could differ from this estimate due to final data and plan wind-up expenses.

Other Risk

The Company has been notified by one of its customers of a product recall potentially due to certain fuses provided by Littelfuse and incorporated in such products. The Company is currently working with its customer to investigate the cause and level of responsibility for this recall. The Company has determined pursuant to ASC 450, "Contingencies" that a loss is reasonably possible. However, the Company continues to evaluate this matter and the ultimate costs of the recall and range of the potential loss cannot be determined at this time. Accordingly, no accrual has been made yet for this matter. Factors that will impact the amount of such losses include the per vehicle cost of fuse replacement, the determination of the relative liability among the customer, the Company, and any relevant third parties, as well as actual insurance recoveries.

Further, the global trade policies and tensions could create additional complexities. Our international presence subjects us to risks associated with international trade conflicts between the United States and its trade partners, including, without limitation, China, Mexico and Canada, particularly with regard to tariffs and import/export controls. These factors in turn could require us to materially increase prices to our customers which may reduce demand, or, if we do not or are unable to increase prices, could result in lower margins on products sold. Changes in U.S. trade policy have resulted in, and could result in more, U.S. trading partners adopting responsive trade policies making it more difficult or costly for us to export our products to those countries. Additionally, continued geo-political issues may result in customers outside the U.S. seeking to source products from local suppliers, which could result in lower sales or lost customers.

OUTLOOK

Vision and Strategy

The Company closely collaborates with strategic customers to design and manufacture innovative and reliable solutions to help empower a sustainable, connected, and safer world in virtually every market that uses electrical energy.

Within transportation end markets, the Company’s products are found in passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, like material handling equipment, heavy-duty truck and bus, off-road and recreational vehicles, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, rail, marine and aerospace. The Company is a key enabler of electrification across these transportation applications. The Company is also a key enabler of electronification advancements across these transportation applications. The Company continues to advance its existing customer relationships with OEM, Tier One and channel partners while driving product content growth for advanced, high-growth applications.

Within industrial end markets, the Company’s products are found in renewable energy and energy storage applications, HVAC, factory automation and industrial safety, industrial motor drives and power conversion, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and heavy and general industrial type applications. The Company utilizes its deep technical engineering capabilities and design support to drive product content growth across high-growth applications like renewables, energy storage, HVAC, and industrial automation and safety.

Within electronics end markets, the Company’s products are found in data center, cloud storage and telecom infrastructure applications, building technologies and automation, appliances, medical devices, gaming and entertainment applications and mobile electronics. The Company leverages its strategic distribution partnerships and deep OEM relationships, coupled with its comprehensive product offerings, to drive product content growth across a broad range of applications.

The Company expects the ever-increasing advancements of application architectures, driven by ongoing electronification and electrification across these end markets, to drive increasing product content opportunities. Built upon that framework, the Company has positioned itself around the structural growth themes of sustainability, connectivity, and safety, which will continue to drive increased demand for the Company’s innovative, reliable solutions across the transportation, industrial and electronics end markets that it serves.

The Company’s five-year strategic plan, built around these structural growth themes, is focused on delivering top-tier shareholder returns by driving double-digit sales growth, best-in-class profitability, earnings per share growth, strong cash flow generation, and deploying capital to drive value creation. The Company pursues the following major strategic objectives, which are summarized below, along with more specific areas of focus. The Company uses the financial measures below to gauge progress toward achieving these strategic objectives. These measures include organic sales growth, operating margins, cash flow from operations, and returns on invested capital.

The Company’s strategy is focused on accelerating organic growth by increasing its product content in applications and share gains, enhancing technology efforts to drive innovation, expanding its digital presence, capitalizing on cross segment opportunities, and gaining traction in niche, high-growth end markets. The Company also leverages strategic acquisitions to enhance its organic growth. The Company will continue to make targeted strategic acquisitions that align to its strategy and financial metrics to drive growth across its businesses, products, markets, and technologies while leveraging existing customers and targeting new customers.

Management believes profitable growth through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions is critical to the Company’s competitiveness, while enhancing the value it delivers to all of its stakeholders. In addition, the Company continues to implement initiatives across all businesses to enhance productivity, and its commercial and operational capabilities, while managing its cost structure to align with business conditions, and the markets it serves. Primary areas of focus include optimizing its global operations, successfully integrating strategic acquisitions, and streamlining administrative and support activities to drive improved operating margins.

The Company seeks to deploy its capital consistent with its capital allocation priorities. These priorities include investments to drive increased organic growth, targeted acquisitions that align to the Company’s strategic and financial metrics, and enhance and sustain its organic growth, and returning capital to shareholders through dividends and opportunistic share repurchases.

Critical Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s most critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and which require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified the following as its most critical accounting policies and judgments. Although management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made, and therefore, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company has reviewed these critical accounting policies and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors. Significant accounting policies are more fully described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Goodwill

The Company’s methodology for allocating the purchase price of acquisitions is based on established valuation techniques that reflect the consideration of a number of factors, including valuations performed by third-party appraisers when appropriate. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the fair value assigned to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Based on its current organization structure, the Company has seven reporting units for which cash flows are determinable and to which goodwill has been allocated.

The Company annually tests goodwill for impairment on the first day of its fiscal fourth quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company also performs an interim review for indicators of impairment each quarter to assess whether an interim impairment review is required for any reporting unit. As part of its interim reviews, management analyzes potential changes in the value of individual reporting units based on each reporting unit’s operating results for the period compared to expected results as of the prior year’s annual impairment test. In addition, management considers how other key assumptions, including discount rates and expected long-term growth rates, used in the last annual impairment test, could be impacted by changes in market conditions and economic events.

As a result of the 2024 annual goodwill impairment test, the Company recorded non-cash charges of $36.1 million and $8.6 million to reflect the impairment of goodwill for the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. There were no impairment charges recorded during the fiscal years of 2023 and 2022.

The goodwill impairment charge for the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit was due to a reduction in the estimated fair value of the reporting unit based on lower expectations for future revenue, profitability and cash flows as compared to the expectations of the 2023 annual goodwill impairment test. These lower expectations were driven by lower-than-expected demand in the electric vehicle end market as well as reduced government funding to support charging infrastructures for electric vehicles, primarily in Europe.

The goodwill impairment charge for the Automotive sensors reporting unit was due to reductions in the estimated fair value for the Automotive sensors reporting unit based on lower expectations for future revenue, profitability and cash flows as compared to the expectations of the 2023 annual goodwill impairment test. These lower future expectations were driven by projected declines in end market demand and reduced revenue and profitability with existing customers.

Quantitative Assessment for Impairment

For the seven reporting units with goodwill, the Company compares the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, the difference between the estimated fair value and carrying value is recorded as the amount of the goodwill impairment charge. The results of the goodwill impairment test as of September 29, 2024 indicated that the estimated fair values for the Industrial controls and sensors and Automotive sensors reporting units were below their respective carrying values. Accordingly, the Company recorded non-cash charges of $36.1 million and $8.6 million, respectively, to reflect the impairment of goodwill for the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment. As a result of the impairment charge, the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit had $115.2 million of goodwill

as of December 28, 2024. There was no goodwill remaining within the Automotive sensors reporting unit as of December 28, 2024. For the remainder of the Company's reporting units: Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors, Electronics-Semiconductor, Passenger Car Products, Commercial Vehicle Products, and Industrial Circuit Protection, the results of the goodwill impairment test as of September 29, 2024 indicated that their estimated fair values exceeded their respective carrying values.

As part of its impairment test for these reporting units, the Company engaged a third-party appraisal firm to assist in the Company’s determination of the estimated fair values. This determination included estimating the fair value of each reporting unit using both the income and market approaches. The income approach requires management to estimate a number of factors for each reporting unit, including projected operating results, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, discount rates and the allocation of shared or corporate items. The market approach estimates fair values using comparable marketplace fair value data from within a comparable industry grouping. The Company weighted both the income and market approach equally to estimate the concluded fair value of each reporting unit. The determination of fair value requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions, which primarily include, but are not limited to: the selection of appropriate peer group companies; control premiums appropriate for acquisitions in which the Company competes; the discount rate; terminal growth rates; and forecasts of revenue, operating income, depreciation and amortization and capital expenditures.

Goodwill Impairment Assumptions

Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on the fair value of the reporting units. Future declines in the overall market value of the Company’s equity may also result in a conclusion that the fair value of one or more reporting units has declined below its carrying value.

One measure of the sensitivity of the amount of goodwill impairment charges to key assumptions is the amount by which each reporting unit “passed” (fair value exceeds the carrying value) the goodwill impairment test. With the exception of the Industrial controls and sensors and the Automotive sensors reporting units, the other five reporting units passed the goodwill impairment test, with estimated fair values that exceeded the carrying values between 44% and 409%. As of the most recent annual test conducted on September 29, 2024, the Company noted that the excess of fair value over the carrying value was 108%, 82%, 96%, 44%, and 409% for its reporting units: Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors, Electronics-Semiconductor, Passenger Car Products, Commercial Vehicle Products, and Industrial Circuit Protection, respectively. Relatively small changes in the Company’s key assumptions would not have resulted in any reporting units failing the goodwill impairment test.

Generally, changes in estimates of expected future cash flows would have a similar effect on the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. That is, a 1.0% decrease in estimated annual future cash flows would decrease the estimated fair value of the reporting unit by approximately 1.0%. The estimated long-term net sales growth rate can have a significant impact on the estimated future cash flows, and therefore, the fair value of each reporting unit. A 1.0% decrease in the long-term net sales growth rate would have resulted in no reporting units failing the goodwill impairment test. Of the other key assumptions that impact the estimated fair values, most reporting units have the greatest sensitivity to changes in the estimated discount rate. The estimated discount rate was 10.6% for the Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors, Electronics-Semiconductor, and Industrial Circuit Protection reporting units, 11.5% for the Passenger Car Products and Commercial Vehicle Products reporting units, 12.3% for the Automotive Sensors reporting unit, and 14.9% for the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit. A 1.0% increase in the estimated discount rates would have resulted in no reporting units failing the annual goodwill impairment test. The Company believes that its estimates of future cash flows and discount rates are reasonable, but future changes in the underlying assumptions could differ due to the inherent uncertainty in making such estimates. Additionally, price deterioration or lower volume could have a significant impact on the fair values of the reporting units.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recoverability of other long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and certain identifiable intangible assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Factors which could trigger an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to historical or projected operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, and a significant decrease in the market value of the assets or significant negative industry or economic trends. When the Company determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the indicators, the assets are assessed for impairment based on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the carrying value of an asset exceeds its estimated future

undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value. For the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets, including $47.6 million related to the impairment of certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename intangible assets in the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment. The impairment of the intangible assets resulted from lower expectations of future revenue and cash flows driven by lower-than-expected demand in the electrical vehicle end market as well as reduced government funding to support charging infrastructures for electric vehicles, primarily in Europe. The remaining impairment charges included $0.2 million for patents and customer relationships related to the exit of a small business in China within the Industrial segment. In addition, during the first quarter of 2024, the Company recognized a $0.9 million impairment related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, the Company recognized a $3.9 million impairment charge related to the land and building of a property in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment that the Company made the decision to donate, a $0.9 million impairment charge substantially related to certain patents in a business within the Industrial segment, and a $0.1 million impairment on certain machinery and equipment in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes are recognized for the future effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company recognizes deferred taxes for temporary differences, operating loss carryforwards and tax credit and other tax attribute carryforwards (excluding carryforwards where usage has been determined to be remote). Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. U.S. state and non-U.S. income taxes are provided on the portion of non-U.S. income that is expected to be remitted to the U.S. and be taxable (and non-U.S. income taxes are provided on the portion of non-U.S. income that is expected to be remitted to an upper-tier non-U.S. entity). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

Deferred income taxes are not provided on the excess of the investment value for financial reporting over the tax basis of investments in those non-U.S. subsidiaries for which such excess is considered to be permanently reinvested in those operations. Management regularly evaluates whether non-U.S. earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested. This evaluation requires judgment about the future operating and liquidity needs of the Company and its non-U.S. subsidiaries. Changes in economic and business conditions, non-U.S. or U.S. tax laws, or the Company’s financial situation could result in changes to these judgments and the need to record additional tax liabilities.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), among other things, imposed a one-time tax (the “Toll Charge”) on accumulated earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries and included base broadening provisions commonly referred to as the global intangible low-taxed income provisions ("GILTI").

In accordance with guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") staff, the Company has adopted an accounting policy to treat any GILTI inclusions as a period cost if and when incurred. Thus, for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, deferred taxes were computed without consideration of the possible future impact of the GILTI provisions, and any current year impact was recorded as a part of the current portion of income tax expense.

Further information regarding income taxes, including a detailed reconciliation of current year activity, is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

Critical Accounting Policies

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Disaggregation

The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by primary business units for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023:

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

See Note 16, Segment Information, for net sales by segment and country.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue on product sales in the period in which the Company satisfies its performance obligation and control of the product is transferred to the customer. The Company’s sales arrangements with customers are predominately short term in nature and generally provide for transfer of control at the time of shipment as this is the point at which title and risk of loss of the product transfers to the customer. At the end of each period, for those shipments where title to the products and the risk of loss and rewards of ownership do not transfer until the product has been received by the customer, the Company adjusts revenues and cost of sales for the delay between the time that the products are shipped and when they are received by the customer. The amount of revenue recorded reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for goods and may include adjustments for customer allowance, rebates and price adjustments. The Company’s sales channels are primarily through direct sales and independent third-party distributors.

The Company has elected the practical expedient under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 340-40-25-4 to expense commissions when incurred as the amortization period of the commission asset the Company would have otherwise recognized is less than one year.

Revenue and Billing

The Company generally accepts orders from customers through receipt of purchase orders or electronic data interchange based on written sales agreements and purchasing contracts. Contract pricing and selling agreement terms are based on market factors, costs, and competition. Pricing is often negotiated as an adjustment (premium or discount) from the Company’s published price lists. The customer is invoiced when the Company’s products are shipped to them in accordance with the terms of the sales agreement. As the Company’s standard payment terms are less than one year, the Company has elected the practical expedient under ASC 606-10-32-18 to not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component. The Company also elected the practical expedient provided in ASC 606-10-25-18B to treat all product shipping and handling activities as fulfillment activities, and therefore recognize the gross revenue associated with the contract, inclusive of any shipping and handling revenue.

Ship and Debit Program

Some of the terms of the Company’s sales agreements and normal business conditions provide customers (distributors) the ability to receive price adjustments on products previously shipped and invoiced. This practice is common in the industry and is referred to as a “ship and debit” program. This program allows the distributors to debit the Company for the difference between the distributors’ contracted price and a lower price for specific transactions. Under certain circumstances (usually in a competitive situation or large volume opportunity), a distributor will request authorization for pricing allowances to reduce its price. When the Company approves such a reduction, the distributor is authorized to “debit” its account for the difference between the contracted price and the lower approved price. The Company establishes reserves for this program based on historic activity, distributor inventory levels and actual authorizations for the debit and recognizes these debits as a reduction of revenue.

Return to Stock

The Company has a return to stock policy whereby certain customers, with prior authorization from the Company's management, can return previously purchased goods for full or partial credit. The Company establishes an estimated allowance for these returns based on historic activity. Sales revenue and cost of sales are reduced to anticipate estimated returns.

Volume Rebates

The Company offers volume-based sales incentives to certain customers to encourage greater product sales. If customers achieve their specific quarterly or annual sales targets, they are entitled to rebates. The Company estimates the projected amount of rebates that will be achieved by the customer and recognizes this estimated cost as a reduction to revenue as products are sold.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company currently measures the expected credit losses based on our historical credit loss experience. The Company has not experienced significant recent or historical credit losses and is not forecasting any significant credit losses which would require adjustments to our methodology. If current conditions and supportable forecasts indicate that our historical loss experience is not reasonable and no longer supportable, the Company may adjust its historical credit loss experience to reflect these conditions and forecasts. The Company regularly analyzes its significant customer accounts and, when the Company becomes aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, records a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes is collectible. The Company also analyzes all other customers based on a variety of factors including the length of time the receivables are past due, the financial health of the customer, macroeconomic considerations and historical collection and loss experience. Historically, the allowance for credit losses has been adequate to cover bad debts. If circumstances related to specific customers change, the estimates of the recoverability of receivables could be further adjusted.

Inventory

The Company performs regular detailed assessments of inventory, which include a review of, among other factors, demand requirements, product life cycle and development plans, component cost trends, product pricing, shelf life, and quality issues. Based on the analysis, the Company records adjustments to inventory for excess quantities, obsolescence or impairment when appropriate to reflect inventory at net realizable value. Historically, inventory reserves have been adequate to reflect inventory at net realizable value.

Environmental Liabilities

Environmental liabilities are accrued based on estimates of the probability of potential future environmental exposure. Costs related to on-going maintenance of environmental sites are expensed as incurred. If actual or estimated probable future losses exceed the Company’s recorded liability for such claims, it would record additional charges as other expense during the period in which the actual loss or change in estimate occurred. The Company evaluates its reserve for coal mine remediation annually utilizing a third-party expert.

Pension Plans

The Company records annual income and expense amounts relating to its pension and postretirement benefits plans based on calculations which include various actuarial assumptions including discount rates, expected long-term rates of return, and compensation increases. The Company reviews its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis as of the fiscal year-end balance sheet date (or more frequently if a significant event requiring remeasurement occurs) and modifies the assumption based on current rates and trends when it is appropriate to do so. The effects of modifications are recognized immediately on the Consolidated Balance Sheets but are generally amortized into operating earnings over future periods, with the deferred amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on its experience, market conditions and input from its actuaries and investment advisors. The Company maintains several pension plans in international locations. The expected returns on plan assets and discount rates are determined based on each plan’s investment approach, local interest rates and plan participant profiles. The weighted-average discount rates for the Company’s defined benefit plans primarily in Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions at December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 were both 5.6%.

On October 4, 2024, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase a group annuity contract, under which an insurance company will be required to pay pension payments to the Company’s United Kingdom pension plan to match required pension payments until a later buyout, at which point the insurance company will directly pay and administer the benefits to the plan's participants, or to their designated beneficiaries. The purchase of this group annuity contract will reduce the Company’s outstanding pension benefit obligation by approximately $23 million, representing approximately 33% of the total obligations of the Company’s qualified pension plans, and will be funded with pension plan assets and additional cash on hand. In connection with this transaction, the Company currently expects to record a one-time non-cash settlement charge in 2026 estimated between $6 million and $8 million, reflecting the accelerated recognition of a portion of unamortized actuarial losses in the plan. The actual settlement charge could differ from this estimate due to final data and plan wind-up expenses.

Equity-Based Compensation

Equity-based compensation expense is recorded for stock-option awards and restricted share units based upon the fair values of the awards. The fair value of stock-option awards is estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which includes assumptions for volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield. Expected volatility is based on implied volatilities from traded options on Littelfuse stock, historical volatility of Littelfuse stock, and other factors. Historical data is used to estimate employee termination experience and the expected term of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The Company initiated a quarterly cash dividend in 2010 and expects to continue making cash dividend payments for the foreseeable future. The fair value of restricted share units is determined based on the Company's stock price on the grant date reduced by the present value of expected dividends through the vesting period.

Total equity-based compensation expense for all equity compensation plans was $27.4 million, $25.7 million, and $24.6 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Further information regarding this expense is provided in Note 12, Stock-Based Compensation, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

In the financial review that follows, the Company discusses its consolidated results of operations, financial position, cash flows and certain other information. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2024 AS COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2023

Fiscal year 2024 included $93.5 million of non-cash impairment charges, which included $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the

Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. The remaining impairment charges included $0.2 million for patents and customer relationships related to the exit of a small business in China within the Industrial segment. In addition, during the first quarter of 2024, the Company recognized a $0.9 million impairment charge related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. The Company also recognized total restructuring charges of $14.9 million, primarily for employee termination costs related to the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the reorganization of certain selling and administrative functions in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Also included in "Other" Operating income was $5.1 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, a gain of $1.0 million for the sale of two buildings within the Transportation segment, and a gain of $0.5 million recorded for the sale of a land use right within the Electronics segment.

Fiscal year 2023 included $28.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $11.7 million related to legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions and $16.5 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily associated with employee termination costs and a $3.9 million impairment charge for the land and building in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Charges, for further discussion.

Fiscal year 2024 also included approximately $9.2 million in foreign currency exchange gains primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Korean won, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar, while fiscal year 2023 included approximately $12.3 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Sterling, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar.

(in thousands, except % change)

Net Sales

Net sales were $2,190.8 million, which decreased by $171.9 million, or 7.3% compared to 2023, including $7.9 million of unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates for 2024 compared to 2023. The net sales decrease was primarily due to lower volume of $163.7 million in the Electronics segment, primarily driven by reduced demand and inventory rebalancing in the semiconductor business.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales was $1,403.2 million, or 64.1% of net sales, in 2024 compared to $1,462.4 million, or 61.9% of net sales, in 2023. As a percent of net sales, cost of sales increased 2.2% driven by lower volume in the Electronics segment, partially offset by improved margin from all businesses within the Transportation segment driven by favorable price, product mix and cost reduction initiatives. In addition, during the year ended December 28, 2024, the Company identified certain errors in its previously issued financial statements that have now been corrected through cumulative out-of-period adjustments in the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024. The error that was identified by management related to the valuation and existence of inventory that originated in prior periods at certain of our non-U.S. manufacturing locations within the Transportation and Industrial segments. As a result, the Company recorded an out-of-period adjustment of $13.5 million in the year ended December 28, 2024, of which $12.3 million was the cumulative out-of-period adjustment related to fiscal years prior to 2024. The out-of-period adjustment negatively impacted cost of sales as percentage of net sales by 0.6%.

Gross Profit

Gross profit was $787.5 million, or 35.9% of net sales, in 2024, compared to $900.2 million, or 38.1% of net sales, in 2023. The $112.7 million decrease in gross profit was primarily due to lower volume in the Electronics and Industrial segments, partially offset by improved margin from all businesses within the Transportation segment driven by favorable price, product mix and cost reduction initiatives. As mentioned above, the out-of-period adjustments of $13.5 million negatively impacted gross margin by 0.6%.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were $628.8 million, or 28.7% of net sales, for 2024 compared to $539.4 million, or 22.8% of net sales, for 2023. The increase in operating expenses of $89.4 million was primarily due to an increase in restructuring, impairment, and other charges of $91.9 million, which included a non-cash impairment charge of $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. Additionally, the Company incurred higher research and development expenses of $5.3 million. These increases in operating expenses were partially offset by lower selling, general, and administrative expenses of $4.2 million as a result of lower legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions and lower amortization expense of $3.7 million.

Operating Income

Operating income for 2024 was $158.8 million, a decrease of $202.1 million or 56.0% compared to $360.9 million for 2023. The decrease in operating income was due to lower operating income of $130.7 million from the Electronics segment and higher operating expenses due to the non-cash charge of $92.6 million from the impairment of intangible assets and goodwill as noted above, partially offset by higher operating income of $24.9 million from the Transportation segment. Operating margins decreased from 15.3% in 2023 to 7.2% in 2024 primarily driven by lower volume in the Electronics segment and the higher operating expenses mentioned above. The total non-cash charges of $92.6 million from the impairment of intangible assets and goodwill negatively impacted the 2024 operating margin by 4.2%.

Income Before Income Taxes

Income before income taxes for 2024 was $151.9 million, or 6.9% of net sales compared to $328.6 million, or 13.9% of net sales for 2023. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before income taxes was primarily benefited by foreign exchange gains of $9.2 million in the fiscal year 2024 compared to foreign exchange losses of $12.3 million in the fiscal year 2023, and higher interest income of $9.0 million from short-term investments in cash equivalents, partially offset by higher coal mine charges of $1.8 million and non-operating pension expense.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for 2024 was $51.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 34.0%, compared to income tax expense of $69.1 million, or an effective tax rate of 21.0% for 2023. The effective tax rate for 2024 is higher than the effective tax rate for 2023,

primarily due to the impact of goodwill impairments and non-US losses with no related tax benefit. The effective tax rate for 2024 is higher than the statutory tax rate primarily due to the impact of goodwill impairments and non-US losses with no related tax benefit as previously noted. Further information regarding these items is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

Segment Information

The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Transportation and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales and operating income by segment:

(in millions)

(in millions)

(a) Included in “Other” Operating income for the 2024 was $93.5 million of non-cash impairment charges, which included $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. The remaining impairment charges included $0.2 million for patents and customer relationships related to the exit of a small business in China within the Industrial segment. In addition, during the first quarter of 2024, the Company recognized a $0.9 million impairment charge related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. The Company also recognized total restructuring charges of $14.9 million, primarily for employee termination costs related to the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the reorganization of certain selling and administrative functions in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Also included in "Other" Operating income was $5.1 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, a gain of $1.0 million for the sale of two buildings within the Transportation segment, and a gain of $0.5 million recorded for the sale of a land use right within the Electronics segment.

Included in “Other” Operating income for the 2023 was $28.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $11.7 million was for legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, $16.5 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $3.9 million impairment charge related to the land and building in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.

Electronics Segment

Net Sales

Net sales for the Electronics segment decreased $163.7 million, or 12.1%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $4.3 million or 0.3%. The net sales decrease was mainly due to lower volume from the semiconductor business of $152.0 million and to a lesser extent the electronics products business driven by inventory rebalancing at certain distributors and reduced demand across certain electronics markets, including consumer facing and personal electronics, as well as industrial markets.

Operating Income

Operating income was $169.9 million, representing a decrease of $130.7 million, or 43.5%, in 2024 compared to $300.6 million in 2023. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to lower volume leverage and unfavorable product mix that were partially offset by cost control initiatives. Operating margins decreased from 22.3% in 2023 to 14.3% in 2024 primarily due to the lower volume from the semiconductor business.

Transportation Segment

Net Sales

Net sales in the Transportation segment decreased $5.9 million, or 0.9%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.4 million or 0.4%. The sales decrease was mainly driven by lower volume of $15.0 million and $3.2 million from the automotive sensors and the commercial vehicles businesses, respectively, due to the strategic exit of certain lower margin products and reduced demand largely due to inventory rebalancing at certain distributors and customers, partially offset by a sales increase of $12.3 million from the passenger car business driven by the ongoing electronification and electrification of vehicles and vehicle content growth.

Operating Income

Operating income was $58.6 million, representing an increase of $24.9 million, or 73.9%, in 2024 compared to $33.7 million in 2023. The increase in operating income was primarily due to favorable price and cost reduction initiatives from the commercial vehicle business. Operating margins increased from 5.0% to 8.7% primarily driven by favorable price and product mix and cost reduction initiatives from the commercial vehicle business. In addition, as mentioned above, during the year ended December 28, 2024, the Company identified certain errors in its previously issued financial statements that have now been corrected through cumulative out-of-period adjustments in the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024. The out-of-period adjustment related to the Transportation segment was $11.1 million, which negatively impacted operating margin by 1.7%.

Industrial Segment

Net Sales

The Industrial segment net sales decreased by $2.4 million, or 0.7%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $1.2 million or 0.4%. The sales decrease was due to lower volume across industrial control products driven by softer end market demand in the first half of 2024.

Operating Income

Operating income was $42.3 million, representing a decrease of $12.5 million, or 22.8%, in 2024 compared to $54.8 million in 2023. The decrease in operating income was driven by lower volume due to reduced industrial end market demand across industrial control products and industrial circuit protection along with cost inflation. Operating margins were 12.8% in 2024 compared to 16.4% in 2023. The decrease in operating margin was due to cost inflation, partially offset by favorable price. In addition, as mentioned above, during the year ended December 28, 2024, the Company identified certain errors in its previously issued financial statements that have now been corrected through cumulative out-of-period adjustments in the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024. The out-of-period adjustment related to the Industrial segment was $4.1 million, which negatively impacted operating margin by 1.2%.

Geographic Net Sales Information

Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by geography:

(in millions)

33

Americas

Net sales in the Americas decreased $1.1 million, or 0.1%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.7 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower volume from the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment, partially offset by higher volume from the Industrial segment and the commercial vehicle and passenger car products businesses within the Transportation segment compared to 2023.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific net sales decreased $74.2 million, or 8.3%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $9.2 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower net sales from the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the industrial circuit protection business within the Industrial segment, partially offset by higher net sales from the passenger car products business within the Transportation segment compared to 2023.

Europe

Europe net sales decreased $96.6 million, or 17.2%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.0 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower net sales from the Electronics segment and lower net sales from the commercial vehicle and automotive sensors businesses within the Transportation segment compared to 2023.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2023 AS COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022

Fiscal year 2023 included $28.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $11.7 million related to legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions and $16.5 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily associated with employee termination costs and a $3.9 million impairment charge for the land and building in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.

Fiscal year 2022 included $43.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $17.6 million related to legal and professional fees and other integration expenses primarily associated with the C&K Switches and Carling acquisitions and other contemplated acquisitions, $15.6 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, and $10.0 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $2.9 million intangible asset impairment charge within the Electronics segment in the fourth quarter of 2022. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.

Fiscal year 2023 also included approximately $12.3 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Sterling, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar, while fiscal year 2022 included approximately $24.4 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Philippine peso, Sterling, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar.

(in thousands, except % change)

Net Sales

Net sales were $2,362.7 million, which decreased by $151.2 million, or 6.0% compared to 2022, including $0.7 million of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates for 2023 compared to 2022. The sales decrease was primarily due to lower volume in the Electronics segment and the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment that more than offset $105.1 million or 4.2% of incremental net sales from the C&K Switches and Western Automation acquisitions and higher volume from the Industrial segment.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales was $1,462.4 million, or 61.9% of net sales, in 2023, compared to $1,507.0 million, or 59.9% of net sales, in 2022. As a percent of net sales, cost of sales increased 2.0% driven by lower volume in the Electronics segment and the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by volume leverage and favorable product mix from the Industrial segment compared to 2022, and $15.6 million or 0.6% of purchase accounting inventory charges recorded during 2022.

Gross Profit

Gross profit was $900.2 million, or 38.1% of net sales, in 2023, compared to $1,006.9 million, or 40.1% of net sales, in 2022. The $106.7 million decrease in gross profit was primarily due to lower volume in the Electronics segment and the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by the acquisition of C&K Switches within the Electronics segment, and volume leverage and favorable product mix from the Industrial segment and $15.6 million or 0.6% of purchase accounting inventory charges recorded during the first nine months of 2022.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were $539.4 million, or 22.8% of net sales, for 2023 compared to $506.1 million, or 20.1% of net sales, for 2022. The increase in operating expenses of $33.3 million was primarily due to higher selling, general, and administrative expenses of $9.8 million, higher amortization expense of $10.1 million and research and development expenses of $6.8 million mainly due to the C&K Switches and Western Automation acquisitions. Additionally, the Company incurred an increase in restructuring, impairment, and other charges of $6.5 million primarily related to the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions within the Transportation and Industrial segments and a $3.9 million impairment charge related to the land and building of a property in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. This increase in operating expenses was partially offset by lower variable incentive compensation expense.

Operating Income

Operating income for 2023 was $360.9 million, a decrease of $140.0 million or 27.9% compared to $500.8 million for 2022. The decrease in operating income was due to lower gross profit from the Electronics and Transportation segments and higher

operating expenses as noted above. Operating margins decreased from 19.9% in 2022 to 15.3% in 2023 primarily driven by lower volume in the Electronics and Transportation segments and the higher operating expenses mentioned above.

Income Before Income Taxes

Income before income taxes for 2023 was $328.6 million, or 13.9% of net sales compared to $443.0 million, or 17.6% of net sales, for 2022. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before income taxes was primarily benefited by lower foreign exchange losses of $12.1 million and lower unrealized losses of $13.7 million related to one of the Company's equity investments for 2023 compared to 2022.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for 2023 was $69.1 million, or an effective tax rate of 21.0%, compared to income tax expense of $69.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 15.7% for 2022. The effective tax rate for 2023 is higher than the effective tax rate for 2022,

primarily due to less income earned in lower tax jurisdictions in 2023, as well as one-time tax benefits in 2022 resulting from losses on investments in the stock of two of the Company's affiliates. The effective tax rate for 2022 was lower than the applicable U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income earned in lower tax jurisdictions as well as the impact of the one-time deductions previously noted. Further information regarding these items is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

Segment Information

The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Transportation and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales and operating income by segment:

(in millions)

(in millions)

(a) Included in “Other” Operating income for the 2023 was $28.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $11.7 million was for legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, $16.5 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $3.9 million impairment charge related to the land and building in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.

Included in “Other” Operating income for 2022 was $43.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $17.6 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, $15.6 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, and $10.0 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $2.9 million non-cash impairment charge for certain acquired technology and patent intangible assets due to a change in use and projected cash flows within the Electronics segment in the fourth quarter of 2022. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.

Electronics Segment

Net Sales

Net sales for the Electronics segment decreased $142.4 million, or 9.5%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.1 million or 0.1%. The sales decrease was mainly due to lower volume from the Electronics products business driven by inventory rebalancing at certain distributors and reduced demand across certain electronics markets, including consumer facing and personal electronics, and telecom, which more than offset the incremental net sales of $91.9 million from the C&K Switches acquisition.

Operating Income

Operating income was $300.6 million, representing a decrease of $131.0 million, or 30.4%, in 2023 compared to $431.6 million in 2022. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to lower volume mainly driven from the Electronics products business, which more than offset the incremental volume from the C&K Switches acquisition. Operating margins decreased from 28.9% in 2022 to 22.3% in 2023 primarily due to the lower volume.

Transportation Segment

Net Sales

Net sales in the Transportation segment decreased $37.9 million, or 5.3%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.7 million or 0.1%. The commercial vehicle business net sales declined $50.9 million, largely driven by reduced demand largely due to inventory rebalancing at certain distributors and customers, and some demand reduction in commercial vehicle end markets. The automotive sensors business had net sales declines of $3.4 million primarily due to lower demand in the United States and China. These declines were partially offset by an increase of $16.5 million from the passenger car products business driven by the ongoing electronification and electrification of vehicles and global passenger vehicle production growth.

Operating Income

Operating income was $33.7 million, representing a decrease of $29.8 million, or 47.0%, in 2023 compared to $63.5 million in 2022. Operating margins declined from 8.9% to 5.0% primarily due to lower volume from the commercial vehicle business, partially offset by higher volume and price realization in the passenger car business.

Industrial Segment

Net Sales

The Industrial segment net sales increased by $29.1 million, or 9.5%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.7 million or 0.2%. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume across multiple end markets, and the acquisition of Western Automation.

Operating Income

Operating income was $54.8 million, representing an increase of $5.9 million, or 12.1%, in 2023 compared to $48.9 million in 2022. The increase in operating income was due to price realization and higher volume, partially offset by higher amortization expenses from the acquisition of Western Automation. Operating margins were 16.4% in 2023 compared to 16.0% in 2022.

Geographic Net Sales Information

Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by geography:

(in millions)

Americas

Net sales in the Americas decreased $90.8 million, or 9.2%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.1 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower volume from the electronics products business within the Electronics segment and lower sales from the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by incremental sales from C&K Switches acquisition within the Electronics segment and higher sales within the Industrial segment compared to 2022.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific net sales decreased $121.0 million, or 11.9%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $12.3 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower net sales from electronics products business within the Electronics segment and lower net sales from the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by incremental sales from C&K Switches acquisition within the Electronics segment and Western Automation acquisition within in the Industrial segment compared to 2022.

Europe

Europe net sales increased $60.6 million, or 12.1%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $13.1 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to incremental sales from the acquisition of C&K Switches, increased volume from the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the passenger car products business within the Transportation segment, and the incremental sales from the Western Automation acquisition included within the Industrial segment, partially offset by lower net sales from the electronics products business within the Electronics segment.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents were $724.9 million as of December 28, 2024, an increase of $169.4 million as compared to December 30, 2023.

As of December 28, 2024, $422.8 million of the Company's $724.9 million cash and cash equivalents was held by non-U.S. subsidiaries. Of the $422.8 million, at least $228.7 million can be repatriated with minimal tax consequences, although in certain cases a non-U.S.withholding tax would be payable but subsequently refunded. With respect to the remaining $194.1 million, the Company has recognized deferred tax liabilities on approximately $49.7 million as of December 28, 2024 because the amounts are not considered to be permanently reinvested, and the Company may access additional amounts through loans and other means. Repatriation of some non-U.S. cash balances is restricted by local laws. Management regularly evaluates whether foreign earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested. This evaluation requires judgment about the future operating and liquidity needs of the Company and its foreign subsidiaries. Changes in economic and business conditions and tax laws could result in changes to these judgments and the need to record additional tax liabilities.

The Company has historically supported its liquidity needs through cash flows from operations. Management expects that the Company’s (i) current level of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, (ii) current and forecasted cash flows from operations, (iii) availability under existing funding arrangements, and (iv) access to capital in the capital markets will provide sufficient funds to support the Company’s operations, capital expenditures, investments, and debt obligations on both a short-term and long-term basis.

Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan

On June 30, 2022, the Company amended and restated its Credit Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2020 (as so amended and restated, the “Credit Agreement”) to effect certain changes, including, among other changes: (i) adding a $300 million unsecured term loan credit facility; (ii) making certain financial and non-financial covenants less restrictive on the Company and its subsidiaries; (iii) replacing LIBOR-based interest rate benchmarks and modifying performance-based interest rate margins; and (iv) extending the maturity date to June 30, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, increase the size of the revolving credit facility or enter into one or more tranches of term loans in minimum increments of $25 million if there is no event of default and the Company is in compliance with certain financial covenants.

Loans made under the available credit facility pursuant to the Credit Agreement ("the Credit Facility") bear interest at the Company’s option, at either Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), fixed for interest periods of one, two, three or six-month periods, plus 1.00% to 1.75%, plus a SOFR adjustment of 0.10% or at the bank’s Base Rate, as defined in the Credit Agreement, plus 0.00% to 0.75%, based upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Company is also required to pay commitment fees on unused portions of the Credit Facility ranging from 0.10% to 0.175%, based on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement includes representations, covenants and events of default that are customary for financing transactions of this nature.

Under the Credit Agreement, revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed until the Maturity Date, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. The Company borrowed $300.0 million under a term loan on June 30, 2022. The principal balance of the term loans must be repaid in quarterly installments on the last day of each calendar quarter in the amount of $1.9 million commencing September 30, 2022, through June 30, 2024, and in the amount of $3.8 million commencing September 30, 2024, through March 31, 2027, with the remaining outstanding principal balance payable in full on the Maturity Date. Accrued interest on the loans is payable in arrears on each interest payment date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified in the Credit Agreement. Subject to certain conditions, (i) the Company may terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, as defined in the Credit Agreement, in whole or in part, and (ii) the Company may prepay the revolving loans or the term loans at any time, without premium or penalty. During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, the Company made term loan payments of $7.5 million. The revolving loan and term loan balance under the Credit Facility was $100.0 million and $281.3 million, respectively, as of December 28, 2024.

On May 12, 2022, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to manage interest rate risk exposure, effectively converting the interest rate on the Company's SOFR based floating-rate loans to a fixed-rate. The interest rate swap, with a notional value of $200 million, was designated as a cash flow hedge against the variability of cash flows associated with the Company's SOFR based loans scheduled to mature on June 30, 2027.

As of December 28, 2024, the effective interest rate on unhedged portion of the outstanding borrowings under the credit facility was 5.71%, and 4.13% on the hedged portion.

As of December 28, 2024, the Company had $0.1 million outstanding letters of credit and had available $599.9 million of borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility. As of December 28, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement.

Senior Notes

On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold €212 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. The funding date for the Euro denominated senior notes occurred on December 8, 2016 for €117 million in aggregate amount of 1.14% Senior Notes, Series A, due December 8, 2023 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023”), and €95 million in aggregate amount of 1.83% Senior Notes, Series B due December 8, 2028 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028”) (together, the “Euro Senior Notes”). During the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, the Company paid off €117 million of Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023. Interest on the Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028 is payable semiannually on June 8 and December 8, commencing June 8, 2017.

On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $125 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On February 15, 2017, $25 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.03% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2022 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022”), and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.74% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2027 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027”) were funded. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid off $25 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027 is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15, 2017.

On November 15, 2017, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $175 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On January 16, 2018, $50 million aggregate principal amount of 3.48% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2025 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2025”) and $125 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.78% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2030 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2030”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030”) were funded. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030 is payable on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2018.

On May 18, 2022, the above note purchase agreements were amended to, among other things, update certain terms, including financial covenants to be consistent with the terms of the amended and restated Credit Agreement and the 2022 Purchase Agreement, as defined below.

On May 18, 2022, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (“2022 Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company issued and funded on July 18, 2022 $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.33% Senior Notes, due June 30, 2032 (“U.S. Senior Notes, due 2032”) (together with the U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030, the Euro Senior Notes and the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027, the “Senior Notes”). Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2032 is payable semiannually on June 30 and December 30, commencing on December 30, 2022.

The Senior Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, or applicable state securities laws. The Senior Notes are general unsecured senior obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.

The Senior Notes are subject to certain customary covenants, including limitations on the Company’s ability, with certain exceptions, to engage in mergers, consolidations, asset sales and transactions with affiliates, to engage in any business that would substantially change the general business of the Company, and to incur liens. In addition, the Company is required to satisfy certain financial covenants and tests relating to, among other matters, interest coverage and leverage. As of December 28, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Notes.

The Company may redeem the Senior Notes upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and the payment of a make-whole amount to note holders and are required to offer to repurchase the Senior Notes at par following certain events, including a change of control.

Debt Covenants

The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of December 28, 2024. As of December 28, 2024, the Company met all the conditions required to borrow under the Credit Agreement and management expects the Company to continue to meet the applicable borrowing conditions.

Acquisitions

Dortmund Fab: On December 31, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of a 200mm wafer fab located in Dortmund, Germany (“Dortmund Fab”) from Elmos Semiconductor SE. The total purchase price for the Dortmund Fab is approximately 94 million Euro, of which 37.2 million Euro down payment (approximately $40.5 million) was recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The down payment was paid in the third quarter of 2023 after regulatory approvals, and 56.7 million Euro was paid at closing. The transaction did not have any impact on the Company's 2024 financial results and reported in the Electronics-Semiconductor business within the Company’s Electronics segment. The acquisition was funded with the Company’s cash on hand.

On February 3, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Western Automation for approximately $162 million in cash. Headquartered in Galway, Ireland, Western Automation is a designer and manufacturer of electrical shock protection devices used across a broad range of high-growth end markets, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure, industrial safety and renewables. At the time the Company and Western Automation entered into the definitive agreement, Western Automation had annualized sales of approximately $25 million. The business is reported within the Company’s Industrial segment. The Company financed the transaction with cash on hand.

On July 19, 2022, the Company acquired C&K Switches for $540 million in cash. Founded in 1928, C&K is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance electromechanical switches and interconnect solutions with a strong global presence across a broad range of end markets, including industrial, transportation, datacom, and aerospace. At the time the Company and C&K entered into a definitive agreement, C&K had annualized sales of over $200 million. The business is reported as part of the electronics-passive products and sensors business within the Company's Electronics segment. The net cash payment of $523.0 million was funded through a combination of cash on hand and debt.

Cash Flow Overview

Operating cash inflows are largely attributable to sales of the Company’s products. Operating cash outflows are largely attributable to recurring expenditures for raw materials, labor, rent, interest, taxes, and other operating activities.

The following describes the Company’s cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023:

(in millions)

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $367.6 million for the fiscal year 2024, a decrease of $89.8 million, compared to $457.4 million during the fiscal year 2023. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to lower cash earnings.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $65.8 million for the fiscal year 2024, compared to $284.3 million during the fiscal year 2023. Net cash paid for acquisitions was $198.8 million for the Western Automation and Dortmund Fab acquisitions during the fiscal year 2023. Capital expenditures were $75.9 million, representing a decrease of $10.3 million compared to the fiscal year 2023. The Company also received proceeds of $10.8 million mainly from the sale of a land use right within the Electronics segment and two buildings from the Transportation segment during the fiscal year 2024 as compared to proceeds of $0.8 million from the sale of a property within the Electronics segment during the fiscal year 2023.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $112.4 million for the fiscal year 2024 compared to $185.7 million during the fiscal year 2023. During the fiscal year 2024, the Company paid $7.5 million on the term loan. During the fiscal year 2023, the Company paid $121.3 million (€117 million) of Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023 and $7.5 million on the term loan. The Company paid dividends of $67.1 million and $62.2 million for the fiscal year 2024 and 2023, respectively, representing an increase of $4.9 million from the fiscal year 2023. Additionally, the Company repurchased 179,311 shares of its common stock totaling $40.9 million during the fiscal year 2024.

The following describes the Company’s cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

(in millions)

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $457.4 million for the fiscal year 2023, an increase of $37.7 million, compared to $419.7 million during the fiscal year 2022. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to reductions in working capital partially offset by lower cash earnings.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $284.3 million for the fiscal year 2023, compared to $636.4 million during the fiscal year 2022. Net cash paid for acquisitions was $198.8 million for the Dortmund Fab and Western Automation acquisitions during the fiscal year 2023 versus $532.7 million primarily for the C&K Switches and Embed acquisitions during the fiscal year 2022. Capital expenditures were $86.2 million, representing a decrease of $18.2 million compared to the fiscal year 2022. The Company also received proceeds of $0.8 million primarily from the sale of a property within the Electronics segment during the fiscal year 2023 as compared to proceeds of $0.7 million from the sale of a property within the Transportation segment during the fiscal year 2022.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $185.7 million for the fiscal year 2023 compared to $310.2 million net cash provided by financing activities for the fiscal year 2022. On July 18, 2022, the Company issued and funded $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.33% U.S. Senior Notes, due 2032. On June 30, 2022, the Company amended and restated its Credit Agreement and borrowed $300.0 million through a term loan. During the fiscal year 2023, the Company paid $121.3 million (€117 million) of Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023 and $7.5 million on the term loan. During the fiscal year 2022, the Company paid $25.0 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due on February 15, 2022 and $3.8 million on the term loan. Additionally, the Company paid dividends of $62.2 million and $55.9 million for the fiscal year 2023 and 2022, respectively, representing an increase of $6.3 million from the fiscal year 2022.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table summarizes outstanding contractual obligations and commitments as of December 28, 2024:

(in thousands)

(a) Excludes offsetting issuance costs of $2.8 million. Euro denominated debt amounts are converted based on the Euro to U.S. Dollar spot rate at year end. For more information see Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(b) Amounts represent estimated contractual interest payments on outstanding debt. Rates in effect as of December 28, 2024 are used for variable rate debt. For more information see Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(c) For more information see Note 7, Lease Commitments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(d) The income tax obligation represents the remaining amounts payable regarding the 2017 Littelfuse Toll Charge. The Company has elected to pay the 2017 Littelfuse Toll Charge over the eight-year period prescribed by the Tax Act. The anticipated 2025 annual installment payment of $8.2 million, which represents the eighth and final required installment, is included in Accrued income taxes, on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 28, 2024. For more information see Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(e) Purchase obligations include purchase commitments and commitments for capital expenditures not recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In addition to the above contractual obligations and commitments, the Company had the following obligations at December 28, 2024:

The Company has Company-sponsored defined benefit pension plans covering employees at various non-U.S. subsidiaries including the U.K., Germany, the Philippines, China, Japan, Mexico, Italy, and France. At December 28, 2024, the Company had a net unfunded status of $31.3 million. The Company expects to make approximately $1.2 million of contributions to the plans and pay $2.1 million of benefits directly in 2025. For additional information, see Note 11, Benefit Plans, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Dividends

Cash dividends paid totaled $67.1 million, $62.2 million and $55.9 million for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. On January 28, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.70 per share, payable on March 6, 2025 to stockholders of record as of February 20, 2025.

Capital Resources

The Company expends capital to support its operating and strategic plans. Such expenditures include strategic acquisitions, investments to maintain capital assets, develop new products or improve existing products, and to enhance capacity or productivity. Many of the associated projects have long lead-times and require commitments in advance of actual spending.

Share Repurchase Program

The Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $300 million in the aggregate of shares of the Company’s common stock for the period May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2024 ("2021 program"). On April 25, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new three-year program to repurchase up to $300.0 million in the aggregate of shares of the Company's stock for the period May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2027 ("2024 program") to replace the expired 2021 program.

During the fiscal year of 2024, the Company repurchased 179,311 shares of its common stock totaling $40.9 million, of which, $38.9 million was pursuant to the 2021 program and $2.0 million was pursuant to the 2024 program. There is $298.0 million of an authorized amount not yet purchased under the 2024 program as of December 28, 2024. During the fiscal years of 2023 and 2022, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 28, 2024, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules. Specifically, the Company was not liable for guarantees of indebtedness owed by third parties, the Company was not directly liable for the debt of any unconsolidated entity and the Company did not have any retained or contingent interest in assets. The Company does not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently issued accounting standards and their estimated effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements are described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices.

Interest Rate Risk

On June 30, 2022, the Company amended and restated its Credit Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2020 to effect certain changes, including, among other changes: (i) adding a $300 million unsecured term loan credit facility; (ii) making certain financial and non-financial covenants less restrictive on the Company and its subsidiaries; (iii) replacing LIBOR-based interest rate benchmarks and modifying performance-based interest rate margins; and (iv) extending the maturity date to June 30, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, increase the size of the revolving credit facility or enter into one or more tranches of term loans in minimum increments of $25 million if there is no event of default and the Company is in compliance with certain financial covenants.

The revolving loan and term loan balance under the Credit Facility was $100.0 million and $281.3 million, respectively, as of December 28, 2024. On May 12, 2022, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to manage interest rate risk exposure, effectively converting the interest rate on the Company's SOFR based floating-rate loans to a fixed-rate. The interest rate swap, with a notional value of $200 million, was designated as a cash flow hedge against the variability of cash flows associated with the Company's SOFR based loans scheduled to mature on June 30, 2027. The cash flow hedge reduces the Company exposure to future interest rate fluctuation. After consideration of the hedge above, the remaining borrowings of $181.3 million, which represents approximately 21% of the Company's total debt, is subject to future interest rate fluctuations which could potentially have a negative impact on the Company's cash flows. A prospective increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate applicable to the Company’s outstanding borrowings under its credit facility would result in an increase of approximately $1.8 million in annual interest expense. This exposure would be partially if not fully offset by higher interest income from the Company's investments.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

The majority of the Company’s operations consist of manufacturing and sales activities in foreign countries. The Company has operations in China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Mexico, Philippines, U.K., Japan, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, U.S., and Vietnam. During 2024, sales to customers outside the U.S. were approximately 63% of total net sales. During 2023, sales to customers outside the U.S. were approximately 65% of total net sales. Substantially all sales in Europe are denominated in euros and substantially all sales in the Asia-Pacific region are denominated in U.S. dollars, Chinese renminbi, Japanese yen, or Korean won.

The Company’s foreign exchange exposures result primarily from intercompany loans, external borrowings, sale of products in foreign currencies, foreign currency denominated purchases, employee-related, and other costs of running operations in foreign countries. The Company’s most significant foreign currency exposures are to the euro, Chinese renminbi, Mexican peso, and Philippine peso. Changes in foreign exchange rates could affect the Company’s sales, costs, balance sheet values, and earnings. In July 2024, the Company implemented a hedging program to manage foreign currency risk exposure related to fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and Mexican peso. These foreign currency zero cost collars are designated as cash flow hedges for a portion of our Mexican peso-denominated manufacturing expenses, predominantly salary expenses, vendor payments, and utility expenses.

At December 28, 2024, the net value of the Company’s assets with exposure to foreign currency risk was approximately $26.3 million, with the largest exposure being a Japanese Yen denominated intercompany loan with a U.S. Dollars functional currency subsidiary. The reduction in earnings from a hypothetical instantaneous 10% adverse change in quoted foreign currency spot rates applied to foreign currency sensitive asset instruments would be $2.6 million at December 28, 2024. At December 28, 2024, the net value of the Company’s liabilities with exposure to foreign currency risk was $5.5 million, with the largest exposure being U.S. Dollar denominated intercompany loans with a Mexican Peso functional currency subsidiary. The reduction in earnings from a hypothetical instantaneous 10% adverse change in quoted foreign currency spot rates applied to foreign currency sensitive liability instruments would be $0.5 million at December 28, 2024. As a result of the mix in currencies impacting the hypothetical 10% changes, the movements in some instruments would offset movements in other instruments reducing the hypothetical exposure to the Company.

Commodity Price Risk

The Company uses various metals in the manufacturing of its products, including copper, zinc, tin, gold, and silver. Prices of these and other commodities can rise and result in materially higher costs of producing our products. The Company believes it has adequate primary and secondary sources of supply for each of our key materials. While the Company is exposed to significant changes in certain metal prices and expects higher material costs, the Company actively monitors these exposures, has taken and may take various actions in the future, including price increases and productivity improvements to mitigate any negative impacts of these exposures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, the Company recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and the Company is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

As required by SEC Rule 15d-15(b), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-15 and based upon the updated framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 28, 2024 due to a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as described below.

Notwithstanding the conclusion by our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 28, 2024 were not effective, and notwithstanding the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting described below, management has concluded that our consolidated financial statements for all periods involved fairly present, in all material respects, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows at and for the periods presented.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“the COSO Framework). The Company’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to its management and the Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2024. This report is included with this Form 10-K.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, even an effective system of internal control over financial reporting can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our internal controls over financial reporting are subject to various inherent limitations, including cost limitations, judgments used in decision making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the soundness of our systems, and the possibility of human error, and the risk of fraud. Moreover, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may be inadequate because of changes in conditions and the risk that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate over time.

Material Weakness

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statement will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Based on the Company’s assessment, management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has concluded that, as of December 28, 2024, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective due to the identification of the material weaknesses described below. In making this assessment, management has concluded that we did not design and maintain an effective control environment commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. Specifically, at certain of our non-U.S. manufacturing locations we lacked sufficiently skilled operational and accounting personnel to ensure that internal control responsibilities were performed and aligned with internal control objectives.

The material weakness in the control environment contributed to an additional material weakness related to the design and operating effectiveness of control activities over the existence of inventory at these locations. The Company did not maintain effective controls related to inventory cycle counts to validate existence of inventory, and consequently, the completeness and accuracy of the data used in evaluating the appropriateness of the valuation of inventory and related reserves. These material weaknesses resulted in corrections through cumulative out-of-period adjustments as described in notes to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Except as otherwise described above, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) identified in connection with the evaluation of our internal control performed during the fiscal quarter ended December 28, 2024, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Remediation Plan for Material Weaknesses

Our management team is committed to maintaining a strong internal control environment. The Company, with oversight from our Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, is taking comprehensive actions to remediate the material weaknesses. The Company has developed and is in the process of implementing its remediation plan, which will include the following steps:

Control environment

• recruiting of personnel with appropriate internal controls, and accounting knowledge and experience commensurate with our accounting and reporting requirements;
• enhanced supervision of personnel at certain locations to ensure compliance with established Company policies; and
• evaluating and updating (as appropriate) the sufficiency of policies and training provided to personnel to ensure the appropriate segregation of duties and adherence to the Code of Conduct.

Control activities

• augmentation of training and clear instruction as to the process for recording of adjustments to inventories;
• full physical inventory observations, facilitated by independent counters, until the cycle count and related inventory existence controls at certain of our non-U.S. manufacturing locations are operating effectively;
• implementation of a management review control over inventory movements;
• examination and enhancement of the procedures to evaluate the completeness and accuracy of data and assumptions utilized in computing inventory reserves.

We intend to remediate the material weaknesses as soon as possible; however, the material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until the applicable controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that the appropriate controls are operating effectively.