Ducommun Inc: Form 10-Q for the period ended Sep 28, 2024

Overview

Ducommun Incorporated (“Ducommun,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a leading global provider of engineering and manufacturing services for high-performance products and high-cost-of failure applications used primarily in the aerospace and defense (“A&D”), industrial, medical and other industries (collectively, “Industrial”). We differentiate ourselves as a full-service solution-based provider, offering a wide range of value-added products and services in our primary businesses of electronics, structures and integrated solutions. We operate through two primary business segments: Electronic Systems and Structural Systems, each of which is a reportable segment.

In its 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, The Boeing Company (“Boeing”) indicated that in 2023, global air traffic largely recovered to 2019 levels with domestic travel continuing to be the most robust and international travel has mostly recovered. For 2024, while both major large aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus SE, have announced either similar or increases in build rates compared to 2023, the ramp up to date has been slower than initially expected and below pre-pandemic levels. In addition, Boeing, one of our largest customers, was notified by the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) in early January 2024 that the FAA had initiated an investigation into Boeing’s quality control system. This notification was followed by the FAA announcing actions to increase its oversight of Boeing as well as not approving production rate increases or additional production lines for the 737 MAX until it is satisfied that Boeing is in full compliance with required quality control procedures. In July 2024, Boeing also pleaded guilty to conspiracy fraud charges, which may result in additional external oversight on its manufacturing and quality control process. Further, in September 2024, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751 voted to initiate a labor strike affecting more than 30,000 Boeing manufacturing employees primarily located in Washington state, and the manufacturing employees, after rejecting the contract offer in October, voted to approve the revised contract offer in November 2024. Since Boeing is one of our largest customers, if Boeing is unable to meet the full compliance of the FAA’s required quality control procedures, and/or recover from the impact of the labor strike in the near term, it could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Third quarter 2024 recap:

• Net revenues of $201.4 million
• Net income of $10.1 million, or 5.0% of net revenues, or $0.67 per diluted share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $31.9 million, or 15.8% of net revenues

Results of Operations

Third Quarter of 2024 Compared to Third Quarter of 2023

The following table sets forth net revenues, selected financial data, the effective tax rate and diluted earnings per share:

nm = not meaningful

Net Revenues by End-Use Market and Operating Segment

Net revenues by end-use market and operating segment during the fiscal three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

(Dollars in thousands)

Net revenues for the three months ended September 28, 2024 were $201.4 million, compared to $196.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The year-over-year increase in our key end-use markets were primarily due to the following:

• $6.6 million higher revenues in our military and space end-use markets due to higher rates on selected radar, electronic warfare, and other military and space platforms, partially offset by lower rates on rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft platforms; and
• $2.8 million higher revenues in our commercial aerospace end-use markets due to growth in Airbus and selected business aircraft platforms, partially offset by lower revenues from the Boeing 737 MAX and in-flight entertainment.

In addition, revenues for our industrial end-use markets for the three months ended September 28, 2024 decreased $4.3 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 mainly due to our selectively pruning non-core business.

Net revenues for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 were $589.3 million, compared to $564.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The year-over-year increase in our key end-use markets were primarily due to the following:

• $20.8 million higher revenues in our commercial aerospace end-use markets due to growth in Airbus, customer required buffer stock build for the Monrovia performance center closure, higher rates on rotary-wing platforms, and growth in selected business aircraft platforms, partially offset by lower revenues from in-flight entertainment and other commercial aerospace platforms; and
• $11.0 million higher revenues in our military and space end-use markets due to higher rates on selected radar, electronic warfare, naval and submarine, and other military and space platforms, partially offset by lower rates on fixed-wing aircraft platforms.

In addition, revenues for our industrial end-use markets for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 decreased $7.3 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 mainly due to our selectively pruning non-core business.

Net Revenues by Major Customers

A significant portion of our net revenues are from our top ten customers as follows:

(1) Includes The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Lockheed Martin Corporation (“Lockheed”), Northrop Grumman Corporation (“Northrop”), RTX Corporation (“RTX”), Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (“Spirit”), and Viasat, Inc. (“Viasat”) for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop, RTX, Spirit, and Viasat represented the following percentages of total accounts receivable:

The net revenues and accounts receivable from Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop, RTX, Spirit, and Viasat are diversified over a number of commercial, military and space programs and were generated by both operating segments.

Gross Profit

Gross profit consists of net revenues less cost of sales. Cost of sales includes the cost of production of finished products and other expenses related to inventory management, manufacturing quality, and order fulfillment. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues increased year-over-year with the three months ended September 28, 2024 of 26.2%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 of 22.7% primarily due to favorable product mix and higher manufacturing volume, partially offset by higher other manufacturing costs.

Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues increased year-over-year with the nine months ended September 28, 2024 of 25.6%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 of 21.5% primarily due to higher manufacturing volume and favorable product mix, partially offset by higher other manufacturing costs.

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses

SG&A expenses increased $3.3 million year-over-year in the three months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to higher various other SG&A expenses of $1.5 million, higher professional services fees of $1.3 million, of which $1.0 million was related to the unsolicited non-binding offer to acquire all common stock outstanding of Ducommun Incorporated, and higher compensation and benefits expense of $0.6 million.

SG&A expenses increased $15.7 million year-over-year in the nine months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to BLR SG&A expenses of $6.8 million which did not exist until the acquisition of BLR was completed at the end of April 2023, higher compensation and benefits expense of $3.8 million, and higher professional services fees of $3.5 million, of which $2.4 million was related to the unsolicited non-binding offer to acquire all common stock outstanding of Ducommun Incorporated.

Restructuring Charges

Restructuring charges decreased $2.1 million and $7.5 million (including $0.9 million recorded as cost of sales in the nine months ended September 28, 2024) year-over-year in the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 (including $0.2 million recorded as cost of sales in each period), respectively, primarily due to the winding down of the previously disclosed restructuring plan that was approved and commenced in April 2022. See Note 3 for further information.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $1.5 million and $3.6 million year-over-year in the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, primarily due to the interest rate swaps that became effective as of January 1, 2024, along with a lower debt balance.

Income Tax Expense

We recorded income tax expense of $1.3 million for the three months ended September 28, 2024 compared to less than $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in income tax expense for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 was primarily due to higher pre-tax income and higher income tax expense related to non-deductible book compensation expenses in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023. The increase in income tax expense was partially offset by higher income tax benefits related to the U.S. Federal research and development credit recognized in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023.

We recorded income tax expense of $5.4 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 compared to $1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in income tax expense for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to higher pre-tax income and higher income tax expense related to non-deductible book compensation expenses in the nine months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in income tax expense was partially offset by higher income tax benefits related to the U.S. Federal research and development credit recognized in the nine months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Our total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $5.1 million and $4.5 million as of September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. If recognized, $3.3 million would affect the effective tax rate. We record interest and penalty charges, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as a component of tax expense and unrecognized tax benefits. The amounts accrued for interest and penalty charges as of September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were not significant. As a result of statute of limitations set to expire in the fourth quarter of 2024, we expect decreases to our unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $1.0 million in the next twelve months.

We file U.S. Federal and state income tax returns. We are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for tax years after 2019 and by state taxing authorities for tax years after 2018. While we are no longer subject to examination prior to those periods, carryforwards generated prior to those periods may still be adjusted upon examination by the IRS or state taxing authorities if they either have been or will be used in a subsequent period. We believe we have adequately accrued for tax deficiencies or reductions in tax benefits, if any, that could result from the examination and all open audit years.

Net Income and Earnings per Share

Net income and earnings per share for the three months ended September 28, 2024 were $10.1 million, or 5.0% of revenues, or $0.67 per diluted share, compared to $3.2 million, or 1.6% of revenues, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in net income for the three months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to higher gross profit of $8.1 million and lower restructuring charges of $2.1 million (including $0.2 million recorded as cost of sales in the prior year period), partially offset by higher SG&A expenses of $3.3 million. A portion of the higher SG&A expenses were due to the unsolicited non-binding offer to acquire all common stock outstanding of Ducommun Incorporated.

Net income and earnings per share for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 were $24.7 million, or 4.2% of revenues, or $1.65 per diluted share, compared to $10.8 million, or 1.9% of revenues, or $0.79 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in net income for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to higher gross profit of $29.4 million and lower restructuring charges of $7.5 million (including $0.9 million and $0.2 million recorded as cost of sales in each period, respectively), partially offset by higher SG&A expenses of $15.7 million and lower other income of $7.9 million. A portion of the higher SG&A expenses were due to BLR SG&A expenses of $6.8 million which did not exist until the end of April 2023.

Business Segment Performance

We report our financial performance based upon the two reportable operating segments: Electronic Systems and Structural Systems. The results of operations differ between our reportable operating segments due to differences in competitors, customers, extent of proprietary deliverables and performance. The following table summarizes our business segment performance for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023:

(Dollars in thousands)

(Dollars in thousands)

32

(1) Includes costs not allocated to either the Electronic Systems or Structural Systems operating segments.

(2) The three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 each included $0.1 million of stock-based compensation expense recorded as cost of sales. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense recorded as cost of sales.

(3) The three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 included $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense recorded as cost of sales. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense recorded as cost of sales.

(4) The three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 included $0.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense for awards with both performance and market conditions that will be settled in cash. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included $1.4 million and $2.7 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense for awards with both performance and market conditions that will be settled in cash.

Electronic Systems

Electronic Systems net revenues in the three months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased $4.7 million primarily due to the following in our key end-use markets:

• $9.9 million higher revenues in our military and space end-use markets due to higher rates on select radar, electronic warfare, and other military and space platforms, partially offset by lower rates on fixed-wing aircraft platforms; partially offset by
• $0.9 million lower revenues in our commercial aerospace end-use markets due to lower in-flight entertainment revenues and lower rates on other commercial aerospace platforms, partially offset by higher rates on regional and business aircraft and selected single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft platforms.

In addition, revenues for our industrial end-use markets for the three months ended September 28, 2024 decreased $4.3 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 mainly due to our selectively pruning non-core business.

Electronic Systems net revenues in the nine months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 increased $0.9 million primarily due to the following in our key end-use markets:

• $7.2 million higher revenues in our military and space end-use markets due to higher rates on select radar, electronic warfare, naval and submarine, and other military and space platforms, partially offset by lower rates on fixed-wing aircraft platforms; and
• $1.0 million higher revenues in our commercial aerospace end-use markets due to higher rates on selected single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft and growth in regional and business aircraft platforms, partially offset by lower revenues from in-flight entertainment.

In addition, revenues for our industrial end-use markets for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 decreased $7.3 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 mainly due to our selectively pruning non-core business.

Electronic Systems segment operating income in the three months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased $6.2 million primarily due to favorable product mix, higher manufacturing volume, and lower restructuring charges, partially offset by higher other manufacturing costs.

Electronic Systems segment operating income in the nine months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 increased $22.4 million primarily due to favorable product mix, higher manufacturing volume, and lower restructuring charges, partially offset by higher other manufacturing costs.

Structural Systems

Structural Systems net revenues in the three months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased $0.5 million primarily due to the following:

• $3.7 million higher revenues in our commercial aerospace end-use markets due to growth in Airbus and selected business jet platforms; partially offset by
• $3.3 million lower revenues in our military and space end-use markets due to lower rates on rotary-wing aircraft and other military and space platforms, partially offset by higher rates on fixed-wing aircraft platforms.

Structural Systems net revenues in the nine months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 increased $23.6 million primarily due to the following:

• $19.8 million higher revenues in our commercial aerospace end-use markets due to higher growth in Airbus, customer required buffer stock build for the Monrovia performance center closure, rotary-wing aircraft, and growth in selected business jet

platforms, partially offset by lower rates on other commercial aerospace platforms; and

• $3.8 million higher revenues in our military and space end-use markets due to higher rates on fixed-wing aircraft platforms, partially offset by lower rates on select missile platforms.

The Structural Systems segment operating income in the three months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased $1.5 million primarily due to favorable product mix and lower inventory purchase accounting adjustments.

The Structural Systems segment operating income in the nine months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 increased $4.8 million primarily due to higher manufacturing volume, favorable product mix, lower Guaymas fire related expenses, and lower restructuring charges, partially offset by higher costs associated with the wind down of our Monrovia performance center.

In April 2023, we acquired 100.0% of BLR Aerospace L.L.C. (“BLR”). The initial purchase price for BLR was $115.0 million, net of cash acquired, all payable in cash. We paid a gross aggregate of $117.0 million in cash upon the closing of the transaction. BLR’s results of operations have been included in our condensed consolidated statements of income since the date of acquisition and is a part of the Structural Systems segment. See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for further information.

In June 2020, a fire severely damaged our performance center in Guaymas, Mexico. We have insurance coverage and up to a capped amount, expect these items will be covered, less our deductible. The full financial impact cannot be estimated at this time as we are currently working with our insurance carriers to determine the cause of the fire. The loss of production from the Guaymas performance center was absorbed by our other existing performance centers; however, we have reestablished and are in the process of certification with various customers and ramping up our manufacturing capabilities in a different leased facility in Guaymas. A neighboring, non-related manufacturing facility also suffered fire damage during the same time as the fire that severely damaged our Guaymas performance center. In addition, subsequent to the quarter end, we received a subrogation demand from our landlord’s insurer, which we are currently evaluating. As responsibility for the fire is still undetermined, there is no amount of loss that is probable and reasonably estimable at this time. If we are ultimately deemed to be responsible or partly responsible, it is possible we could incur a loss in excess of our insurance coverage limits, which could be material to our cash flow, liquidity, or financial results. See Note 12 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

In April 2023, a fire damaged a relatively small portion of one of our performance centers in our Structural Systems reporting segment. Our insurance covers damage, up to a capped amount, to the property and equipment at replacement cost, as well as business interruption and recovery related expenses caused by the fire, less our per claim deductible. There was a loss of production in this damaged portion of the performance center for a short period of time, but the incident did not otherwise result in significant disruption to customer delivery schedules. Production in this damaged portion resumed during the three months ended July 1, 2023. See Note 12 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Corporate General and Administrative (“CG&A”) Expenses

CG&A expenses increased $1.1 million for the three months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to higher professional services fees of $1.2 million, of which $1.0 million was related to the unsolicited non-binding offer to acquire all common stock outstanding of Ducommun Incorporated.

CG&A expenses increased $5.5 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to higher professional services fees of $3.3 million, of which $2.4 million was related to the unsolicited non-binding offer to acquire all common stock outstanding of Ducommun Incorporated, and higher compensation and benefits expense of $0.8 million.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, professional fees related to unsolicited non-binding acquisition offer, Guaymas fire related expenses, insurance recoveries related to loss on operating assets, and inventory purchase accounting adjustments (“Adjusted EBITDA”) were $31.9 million and $29.3 million for the three months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

When viewed with our financial results prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and accompanying reconciliations, we believe Adjusted EBITDA provides additional useful information that clarifies and enhances the understanding of the factors and trends affecting our past performance and future prospects. We define this measure, explain how it is calculated and provide a reconciliation of this measure to the most comparable GAAP measure in the table below. Adjusted EBITDA and the related financial ratios, as presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”), are supplemental measures of our performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP. They are not a measurement of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities as measures of our liquidity. The presentation of these measures should not be interpreted to mean that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items.

We use Adjusted EBITDA as a non-GAAP operating performance measure internally as a complementary financial measure to evaluate the performance and trends of our businesses. We present Adjusted EBITDA and the related financial ratios, as applicable, because we believe that measures such as these provide useful information with respect to our ability to meet our operating commitments.

Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations include:

• It does not reflect our cash expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
• It does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
• It does not reflect the significant interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt;
• Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;
• It is not adjusted for all non-cash income or expense items that are reflected in our statements of cash flows;
• It does not reflect the impact on earnings of charges resulting from matters unrelated to our ongoing operations; and
• Other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently from us, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

As a result of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA and the related financial ratios should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business or as a measure of cash that will be available to us to meet our obligations. You should compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA only as supplemental information. See our condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10-Q.

Even with the limitations above, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to an investor in evaluating our results of operations as this measure:

• Is widely used by investors to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of such terms, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired, among other factors;
• Helps investors to evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the effect of our capital structure from our operating performance; and
• Is used by our management team for various other purposes in presentations to our Board of Directors as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.

The following financial items have been added back to or subtracted from our net income when calculating Adjusted EBITDA:

• Interest expense may be useful to investors for determining current cash flow;
• Income tax expense may be useful to investors because it represents the taxes which may be payable for the period and the change in deferred taxes during the period, and may reduce cash flow available for use in our business;
• Depreciation may be useful to investors because it generally represents the wear and tear on our property and equipment used in our operations;
• Amortization expense may be useful to investors because it represents the estimated attrition of our acquired customer base and the diminishing value of product rights;
• Stock-based compensation may be useful to our investors for determining current cash flow;
• Restructuring charges may be useful to our investors in evaluating our core operating performance;
• Professional fees related to unsolicited non-binding acquisition offer may be useful to our investors in evaluating our core operating performance;
• Guaymas fire related expenses may be useful to our investors in evaluating our core operating performance;
• Other fire related expenses may be useful to our investors in evaluating our core operating performance;
• Insurance recoveries related to loss on operating assets (property and equipment, inventories, and other assets) may be useful to our investors in evaluating our core operating performance;
• Insurance recoveries related to business interruption may be useful to our investors in evaluating our core operating performance; and
• Purchase accounting inventory step-ups may be useful to our investors as they do not necessarily reflect the current or on-going cash charges related to our core operating performance.

Reconciliations of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenues were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

(Dollars in thousands)

(1) The three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 included $0.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense for awards with both performance and market conditions that will be settled in cash. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included $1.4 million and $2.7 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense for awards with both performance and market conditions that will be settled in cash. The three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 included $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense recorded as cost of sales. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense recorded as cost of sales.

(2) The three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 included zero and $0.9 million, respectively, of restructuring charges that were recorded as cost of sales. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 each included $0.2 million of restructuring charges that were recorded as cost of sales.

Backlog

We define backlog as customer placed purchase orders (“POs”) and long-term agreements (“LTAs”) with firm fixed price and expected delivery dates of 24 months or less. The majority of the LTAs do not meet the definition of a contract under ASC 606, and thus, the backlog amount disclosed below is greater than the remaining performance obligations amount disclosed in Note 1 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. Backlog is subject to delivery delays or program cancellations, which are beyond our control. Backlog is affected by timing differences in the placement of customer orders and tends to be concentrated in several programs to a greater extent than our net revenues. Backlog in industrial markets tends to be of a shorter duration and is generally fulfilled within a three month period. As a result of these factors, trends in our overall level of backlog may not be indicative of trends in our future net revenues.

The increase in backlog was primarily in the military and space end-use markets, partially offset by a decrease in industrial end-use markets. $690.0 million of total backlog is expected to be delivered over the next 12 months. The following table summarizes our backlog as of September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

(Dollars in thousands)

37

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Available Liquidity

Total debt, the weighted-average interest rate, cash and cash equivalents and available credit facilities were as follows:

(Dollars in millions)

In July 2022, we completed a refinancing of all our existing debt by entering into a new term loan (“2022 Term Loan”) and a new revolving credit facility (“2022 Revolving Credit Facility”). The 2022 Term Loan is a $250.0 million senior secured loan that matures on July 14, 2027. The 2022 Revolving Credit Facility is a $200.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility that matures on July 14, 2027. The 2022 Term Loan and 2022 Revolving Credit Facility, collectively, represent our new credit facilities (“2022 Credit Facilities”). In conjunction with the closing of the 2022 Credit Facilities, we utilized the entire $250.0 million of proceeds from the 2022 Term Loan plus our existing cash on hand to pay off our entire debt balance outstanding of $254.2 million under our prior credit facilities. At the same leverage ratio, the interest rate spread in the 2022 Credit Facilities is lower than the interest rate spread under our prior credit facilities. Interest payments are typically paid either on a monthly or quarterly basis, depending on the interest rate selected, on the last business day each month or quarter. In addition, the 2022 Term Loan requires quarterly amortization payments of 0.625% during year one and year two, 1.250% during year three and year four, and 1.875% during year five of the original outstanding principal balance of the 2022 Term Loan amount, on the last business day each quarter. Further, the undrawn portion of the commitment of the 2022 Revolving Credit Facility is subject to a commitment fee ranging from 0.175% to 0.275%, based upon the consolidated total net adjusted leverage ratio, typically paid on a quarterly basis, on the last business day each quarter. However, the 2022 Revolving Credit Facility does not require any principal installment payments. As of September 28, 2024, we were in compliance with all covenants required under the 2022 Credit Facilities. See Note 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for further information.

For each of the three months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, we made the required quarterly amortization payments on the 2022 Term Loan of zero and $1.6 million, respectively. The required quarterly amortization payment due on September 30, 2024 is in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2024. For the nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, we made the required amortization payments on the 2022 Term Loan of $3.1 million and $4.7 million, respectively. We made no voluntary prepayments on our term loans during each of the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

In April 2022, management approved and commenced a restructuring plan that will position us for stronger performance. The restructuring plan will mainly reduce headcount and consolidate facilities. As a result of this restructuring plan, we analyzed the need to write-down inventory and impair long-lived assets, including operating lease right-of-use assets. As of September 28, 2024, we estimate the remaining amount of charges related to this initiative will be $2.0 million to $3.0 million in total pre-tax restructuring charges through early 2025 for facility consolidation related expenses. The restructuring accrual for severance and benefits of $3.4 million as of September 28, 2024 are expected to be paid out through early 2025. On an annualized basis, we anticipate these restructuring actions will result in total cost savings of $11.0 million to $13.0 million. See Note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for further information.

In November 2021, we entered into derivative contracts, U.S. dollar-one month LIBOR forward interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges, all with an effective date of January 1, 2024, for an aggregate total notional amount of $150.0 million, weighted average fixed rate of 1.8%, and all terminating on January 1, 2031 (“Forward Interest Rate Swaps”). The Forward Interest Rate Swaps mature on a monthly basis, with fixed amount payer payment dates on the first day of each calendar month, commencing on February 1, 2024 through January 1, 2031. See Note 1, Note 4, and Note 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for further information.

In July 2022, as a result of completing a refinancing of our existing debt, we were required to complete an amendment of the Forward Interest Rate Swaps (“Amended Forward Interest Rate Swaps”). The Forward Interest Rate Swaps were based on U.S. dollar-one month LIBOR and were amended to be based on one month Term SOFR as borrowings using LIBOR are no longer available under the 2022 Credit Facilities. The Amended Forward Interest Rate Swaps weighted average fixed rate is 1.7%, as a result of the difference between U.S. dollar-one month LIBOR and one month Term SOFR. See Note 1, Note 4, and Note 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for further information.

In April 2023, we completed the acquisition of BLR. The initial purchase price for BLR was $115.0 million, net of cash acquired, all payable in cash. We paid a gross aggregate of $117.0 million in cash upon the closing of the transaction. We utilized the 2022 Revolving Credit Facility to complete the acquisition. See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for further information.

In May 2023, we completed a public offering of our common stock resulting in net proceeds of $85.1 million. The net proceeds of the public stock offering along with cash on hand were used to pay down $85.2 million on the 2022 Revolving Credit Facility that was drawn on and utilized to complete the acquisition of BLR. See Note 2, Note 8, and Note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for further information.

We expect to spend a total of $15.0 million to $18.0 million for capital expenditures in 2024 financed by cash generated from operations, principally to support new contract awards in Electronic Systems and Structural Systems. As part of our strategic plan to become a supplier of higher-level assemblies and win new contract awards, additional up-front investment in tooling will be required for newer programs which have higher engineering content and higher levels of complexity in assemblies.

We believe the ongoing aerospace and defense subcontractor consolidation makes acquisitions an increasingly important component of our future growth. We will continue to make prudent acquisitions and capital expenditures for manufacturing equipment and facilities to support long-term contracts for commercial and military aircraft and defense programs.

We monitor our asset base, including the market dynamics of the properties we own, and we may sell such properties and/or enter into sale-leaseback transactions. Such transactions would provide cash for various capital deployment options.

We continue to depend on operating cash flow and the availability of our 2022 Credit Facilities to provide short-term liquidity. Cash generated from operations and bank borrowing capacity is expected to provide sufficient liquidity to meet our obligations during the next twelve months from the date of issuance of these financial statements.

Cash Flow Summary

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 was $15.8 million, compared to $4.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The higher net cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of 2024 was mainly due to higher net income, lower inventories, and higher accounts payable, partially offset by higher contract assets, lower contract liabilities, and higher accounts receivable.

Net cash used in investing activities was $10.3 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2024, compared to $130.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The lower net cash used in investing activities during the first nine months of 2024 compared to the prior year period was mainly due to no acquisitions in the first nine months of 2024 and lower purchases of property and equipment.

Net cash used in financing activities was $11.1 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2024, compared to a net cash provided by financing activities of $106.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The higher net cash used in financing activities during the first nine months of 2024 was mainly due to the issuance of common stock in a public offering in the first nine months of 2023 that did not recur in 2024 and lower net borrowings in the first nine months of 2024.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Our off-balance sheet arrangements consist of operating and finance leases not recorded as a result of the practical expedients utilized, right of offset of industrial revenue bonds and associated failed sales-leasebacks on property and equipment, and indemnities, none of which we believe may have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, liquidity, capital resources, or results of operations.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires estimation and judgment that affect the reported amounts of net revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities. For a description of our critical accounting policies, please refer to “Critical Accounting Policies” in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in any of our critical accounting policies during the three months ended September 28, 2024.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See “Part I, Item 1. Ducommun Incorporated and Subsidiaries—Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for further information.

Our main market risk exposure relates to changes in U.S. interest rates on our outstanding long-term debt. At September 28, 2024, we had total borrowings of $257.9 million under our 2022 Credit Facilities.

The 2022 Term Loan bears interest, at our option, at a rate equal to either (i) Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“Term SOFR”) plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.375% to 2.375% per year or (ii) Base Rate (defined as the highest of [a] Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, [b] Bank of America’s prime rate, and [c] Term SOFR plus 1.00%, and if the Base Rate is less than zero percent, it will be deemed zero percent) plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.375% to 1.375% per year, in each case based upon the consolidated total net adjusted leverage ratio.

The 2022 Revolving Credit Facility bears interest, at our option, at a rate equal to either (i) Term SOFR plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.375% to 2.375% per year or (ii) Base Rate (defined as the highest of [a] Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, [b] Bank of America’s prime rate, and [c] Term SOFR plus 1.00%, and if the Base Rate is less than zero percent, it will be deemed zero percent) plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.375% to 1.375% per year, in each case based upon the consolidated total net adjusted leverage ratio.

A hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in the interest rate would have an immaterial impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s chief executive officer (“CEO”) and chief financial officer (“CFO”) have conducted an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of September 28, 2024. The Company had previously reported a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to not designing and maintaining effective controls over the accuracy of contract terms and the reasonableness of gross margin assumptions used to recognize revenue. Specifically, the Company did not verify that amendments to purchase orders and gross margin percentage assumptions used in the Company’s revenue recognition analysis were properly reviewed at a sufficient level of precision, which was described in Item 9A in the Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. As a result of the material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which was not remediated as of September 28, 2024, the CEO and CFO concluded the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 28, 2024.

Remediation of Material Weakness

We have implemented remediation steps to address the material weakness described above to improve our internal control over verification of amendments to purchase orders and the gross margin percentage assumptions used to recognize revenue.

Actions taken:

• We have redesigned our existing controls to expand the selection criteria for contracts requiring an estimate at completion (“EAC”) analysis to support the gross margin percentage used for revenue recognition.
• We have increased the rigor and review of the EAC process, including standardization of the analysis and related documentation and verification of the contract value utilized to the underlying customer purchase order.
• We have implemented additional analytical procedures to ensure the accuracy of gross margin assumptions.

While significant progress has been made to enhance our internal control over financial reporting relating to the material weakness, additional time will be required to assess and ensure the sustainability of these processes and procedures. We anticipate completing the assessment and ensure sustainability of these processes and procedures either during 2024 or 2025; however, we cannot make any assurances that such actions will be completed during this timeframe. Until the remediation steps set forth above are fully implemented and concluded to be operating effectively, the material weakness described above will continue to exist.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Except as otherwise discussed above under “Remediation of Material Weakness,” there were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 28, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

See Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2023 for a discussion of our risk factors. Other than the risk factor below, there have been no material changes during the three months ended September 28, 2024 to the risk factors disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.