eml_10q.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the quarterly period ended July 3, 2021

☐

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the transition period from ________________ to _______________

Commission File Number 001-35383

THE EASTERN COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Connecticut		06-0330020
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)

112 Bridge Street, Naugatuck, Connecticut		06770
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(203)-729-2255

Registrant’s telephone number

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, No Par Value	EML	NASDAQ Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☒
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

As of July 3, 2021, 6,268,754 shares of the registrant’s common stock, no par value per share, were issued and outstanding.

The Eastern Company

Form 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JULY 3, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page



PART I

Item 1.	Financial Statements	3

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	18

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	26

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	26

PART II

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	27

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	27

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	27

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	27

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	27

Item 5.	Other Information	27

Item 6	Exhibits	28

	Signatures	29

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PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	July 3, 2021			June 27, 2020			July 3, 2021			June 27, 2020
Net sales	$	61,247,592		$	39,507,800		$	123,021,025		$	91,353,901
Cost of products sold		(47,270,990	)		(29,188,182	)		(93,535,153	)		(68,111,738	)
Gross margin		13,976,602			10,319,618			29,485,872			23,242,163

Product development expense		(1,088,380	)		(917,513	)		(2,105,942	)		(1,839,464	)
Selling and administrative expenses		(9,375,537	)		(6,545,525	)		(18,319,931	)		(14,752,316	)
Operating profit		3,512,685			2,856,580			9,059,999			6,650,383

Interest expense		(434,147	)		(454,915	)		(961,291	)		(1,075,663	)
Other income		525,124			303,741			2,951,873			603,322
Income from continuing operations before income taxes		3,603,662			2,705,406			11,050,581			6,178,042

Income taxes		(848,302	)		(624,949	)		(2,601,424	)		(1,455,033	)
Net income from continuing operations		2,755,360			2,080,457			8,449,157			4,723,009

Discontinued Operations (see note B )
Gain (loss) from operations of discontinued units		1,128,286			(5,137,249	)		1,339,467			(4,831,485	)
Loss on classification as held for sale		(10,583,078	)		-			(10,583,078	)		-
Income tax benefit		2,225,658			1,168,011			2,175,946			1,115,512
Loss on discontinued operations		(7,229,134	)		(3,969,238	)		(7,067,665	)		(3,715,973	)

Net (loss) income	$	(4,473,774	)	$	(1,888,781	)	$	1,381,491		$	1,007,036

Earnings per share from continuing operations:
Basic	$	0.44		$	0.33		$	1.35		$	0.76

Diluted	$	0.44		$	0.33		$	1.35		$	0.76

Loss per share from discontinued operations:
Basic	$	(1.15	)	$	(0.64	)	$	(1.13	)	$	(0.60	)

Diluted	$	(1.15	)	$	(0.64	)	$	(1.13	)	$	(0.60	)

Total (loss) earnings per share:
Basic	$	(0.71	)	$	(0.30	)	$	0.22		$	0.16

Diluted	$	(0.71	)	$	(0.30	)	$	0.22		$	0.16

Cash dividends per share:	$	0.11		$	0.11		$	0.22		$	0.22

See accompanying notes.

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THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	July 3, 2021			June 27, 2020			July 3, 2021		June 27, 2020
Net (loss) income	$	(4,473,774	)	$	(1,888,781	)	$	1,381,491	$	1,007,036
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Change in foreign currency translation		363,848			765,195			284,795		(526,404	)
Change in marketable securities, net of taxes of:
2021 - $(25) and $42 respectively; 2020 - $679 and $(2,063) respectively		(77	)		2,083			128		(6,325	)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap, net of tax cost (benefit) of:
2021 - $26,560 and $156,994 respectively; 2020 - $48,169 and $582,673 respectively		84,107			(152,519	)		497,147		(1,847,297	)
Change in pension and postretirement benefit costs, net of taxes of:
2021 - $107,961 and $200,155 respectively; 2020 - $81,142 and $162,285 respectively		346,329			260,295			642,073		520,591
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		794,207			875,054			1,424,143		(1,859,435	)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(3,679,567	)	$	(1,013,727	)	$	2,805,634	$	(852,399	)

See accompanying notes.

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THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	July 3, 2021			January 2, 2021
	(unaudited)
ASSETS

Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	16,890,642		$	15,291,825
Marketable securities		29,121			28,951
Accounts receivable, less allowances: 2021 - $564,061; 2020 - $486,707		35,109,931			31,804,207
Inventories		48,830,376			43,121,737
Current portion of notes receivable		459,863			398,414
Prepaid expenses and other assets		6,470,105			3,152,720
Current assets held for sale		33,268,203			17,937,918
Total Current Assets		141,058,241			111,735,772

Property, Plant and Equipment		51,395,884			52,173,305
Accumulated depreciation		(25,381,312	)		(25,976,187	)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net		26,014,572			26,197,118

Goodwill		71,061,057			70,994,178
Trademarks		5,404,284			5,404,284
Patents and other intangibles net of accumulated amortization		24,908,099			27,089,071
Long term notes receivable, less current portion		985,916			1,677,277
Right of Use Assets		12,109,866			12,594,663
Long-term assets held for sale		-			19,894,688
Other Assets		114,469,222			137,654,161

TOTAL ASSETS	$	281,542,035		$	275,587,051

See accompanying notes.

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THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	July 3, 2021			January 2, 2021
	(unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	27,223,679		$	21,311,619
Accrued compensation		3,364,766			3,474,686
Other accrued expenses		3,496,332			3,362,032
Current portion of lease liability		2,951,252			2,798,712
Current portion of long-term debt		7,687,689			6,437,689
Current liabilities held for sale		5,697,064			3,281,225
Total Current Liabilities		50,420,782			40,665,963

Deferred income taxes		2,957,771			2,957,771
Other long-term liabilities		1,144,127			1,144,126
Lease liability		9,367,281			9,834,853
Long-term debt, less current portion		78,672,380			82,255,803
Accrued postretirement benefits		1,154,279			1,185,139
Accrued pension cost		30,929,978			33,188,623
Long-term liabilities held for sale		-			48,315
Total Liabilities		174,646,598			171,280,593

Shareholders’ Equity
Voting Preferred Stock, no par value:
Authorized and unissued: 1,000,000 shares
Nonvoting Preferred Stock, no par value:
Authorized and unissued: 1,000,000 shares
Common Stock, no par value, Authorized: 50,000,000 shares		32,181,055			31,501,041
Issued: 9,018,483 shares in 2021 and 8,996,625 shares in 2020
Outstanding: 6,268,754 shares in 2021 and 6,246,896 shares in 2020
Treasury Stock: 2,749,729 shares in 2021 and 2,749,729 shares in 2020		(20,537,962	)		(20,537,962	)
Retained earnings		123,324,953			122,840,131
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation		1,238,658			953,863
Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax		(4,379	)		(4,507	)
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap, net of tax		(889,938	)		(1,387,085	)
Unrecognized net pension and postretirement benefit costs, net of tax		(28,416,950	)		(29,059,023	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(28,072,609	)		(29,496,752	)
Total Shareholders’ Equity		106,895,437			104,306,458
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	281,542,035		$	275,587,051

See accompanying notes.

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THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

	Six Months Ended
	July 3, 2021			June 27, 2020
Operating Activities
Net income	$	1,381,491		$	1,007,036
Less: Loss from discontinued operations		(7,067,665	)		(3,715,973	)
Income from continuing operations	$	8,449,156		$	4,723,009
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		3,531,159			3,212,648
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefits		(1,722,275	)		(962,094	)
(Gain) on sale of equipment and other assets		(1,555,983	)		(424,211	)
Provision for doubtful accounts		73,097			156,286
Stock compensation expense		680,014			448,669
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(3,343,695	)		2,949,581
Inventories		(5,763,475	)		(2,379,330	)
Prepaid expenses and other		(3,057,099	)		420,134
Other assets		(143,156	)		734,790
Accounts payable		6,047,550			256,484
Accrued compensation		(144,509	)		(1,527,149	)
Other accrued expenses		1,215,384			(1,057,698	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		4,266,168			6,551,119

Investing Activities
Marketable securities		(171	)		8,389
Business disposition		-			1,178,601
Issuance of notes receivable		-			(1,251,943	)
Payments received from notes receivable		629,912			-
Proceeds from sale of equipment		2,044,338			445,212
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(1,810,434	)		(830,077	)
Net cash provided by/used in investing activities		863,645			(449,818	)

Financing Activities
Principal payments on long-term debt		(2,336,564	)		(2,622,745	)
Financing leases, net		169,765			-
Purchase common stock for treasury		-			(368,864	)
Dividends paid		(1,375,509	)		(1,372,673	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(3,542,308	)		(4,364,282	)

Discontinued Operations
Cash provided by operating activities		1,261,868			805,880
Cash used in investing activities		(571,945	)		(153,342	)
Cash provided by discontinued operations		689,923			652,538

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		147,050			(400,006	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		2,424,478			1,989,551

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		16,101,635			14,883,954
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ¹	$	18,526,113		$	16,873,505

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	$	1,264,023		$	1,400,035
Income taxes		284,075			209,100

Non-cash investing and financing activities
Right of use asset		(484,797	)		(299,567	)
Lease liability		315,032			299,567

¹ includes cash from assets held for sale of $1.6 million as of July 3, 2021 and $1.7 million as of June 27, 2020

See accompanying notes

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THE EASTERN COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

July 3, 2021

Note A – Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. Refer to the consolidated financial statements of The Eastern Company (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or our”) and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2021 (the “2020 Form 10-K”), for additional information.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for interim periods have been reflected therein. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 2, 2021 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet at that date.

The Company’s fiscal year is a 52-53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest to December 31. References to 2020 or the 2020 fiscal year mean the 53-week period ended on January 2, 2021 and references to 2021 or the 2021 fiscal year mean the 52-week period ending on January 1, 2022. In a 52-week fiscal year, each quarter is 13 weeks long. In a 53-week fiscal year, each of the first two fiscal quarters and the fourth quarter are 13 weeks long, and the third fiscal quarter is 14 weeks long. References to the second quarter of 2020, the second fiscal quarter of 2020 or the three months ended June 27, 2020 mean the period from March 29, 2020 to June 27, 2020. References to the second quarter of 2021, the second fiscal quarter of 2021 or the three months ended July 3, 2021 mean the 13-week period from April 4, 2021 to July 3, 2021.

Certain amounts in the 2020 financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2021 presentation with no impact or change to previously reported net income or shareholder’s equity.

The Company now reports continuing operations as one segment – Engineered Solutions.

Note B – Discontinued Operations

We have determined that the companies included in our Diversified Products segment no longer fit with our long-term strategy and we have initiated the process of selling the companies within the Diversified Products segment. Selling the companies within this segment will allow management to focus on our core capabilities and offerings.

The Diversified Products segment met the criteria to be held for sale and furthermore, we determined that the assets held for sale qualify for discontinued operations. As such, the financial results of the Diversified Products segment are reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Additionally, current and non-current assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets for both periods presented.

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Summarized Financial Information of Discontinued Operations

The following table represents income from discontinued operations, net of tax:

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	July 3, 2021			June 27, 2020			July 3, 2021			June 27, 2020
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Net sales	$	13,693,457		$	9,325,609		$	25,017,899		$	22,805,124
Cost of products sold		(11,139,886	)		(9,179,960	)		(21,044,606	)		(20,833,343	)
Gross margin		2,553,571			145,649			3,973,293			1,971,781

Selling and administrative expenses		(1,280,570	)		(5,131,259	)		(2,313,397	)		(6,444,713	)
Restructuring costs		(10,583,078	)		-			(10,583,078	)		-
Operating loss		(9,310,077	)		(4,985,610	)		(8,923,182	)		(4,472,932	)

Interest expense		(144,715	)		(151,639	)		(320,429	)		(358,553	)
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes		(9,454,792	)		(5,137,249	)		(9,243,611	)		(4,831,485	)

Income tax benefit		2,225,658			1,168,011			2,175,946			1,115,512
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(7,229,134	)	$	(3,969,238	)	$	(7,067,665	)	$	(3,715,973	)

The following table represents the assets and liabilities from discontinued operations:

	July 3, 2021		January 2, 2021
	(unaudited)
Cash	$	1,635,481	$	809,809
Accounts receivable		8,578,397		5,944,922
Inventory		10,426,383		9,990,656
Prepaid expenses		1,086,981		1,192,530
Property, plant and equipment, net		11,428,744		13,813,553
Patents and other intangibles net of accumulated amortization		-		6,935
Goodwill		-		5,900,837
Right of use assets		112,217		173,364
Total assets of discontinued operations	$	33,268,203	$	37,832,606

Current assets of discontinued operations¹	$	33,268,203	$	17,937,917
Non-current assets of discontinued operations		-		19,894,689
Total assets of discontinued operations	$	33,268,203	$	37,832,606

Accounts payable	$	3,515,373	$	2,196,101
Accrued compensation		2,069,474		960,074
Current portion of lease liability		101,243		125,049
Other long-term liabilities		10,974		48,315
Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$	5,697,064	$	3,329,539

Current liabilities of discontinued operations¹	$	5,697,064	$	3,281,224
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations		-		48,315
Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$	5,697,064	$	3,329,539

¹ The total assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are presented as current in the July 3, 2021 balance sheet as we expect to sell the discontinued operations and collect proceeds within one year.

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Note C – Earnings Per Share

The denominators used to calculate earnings per share are as follow:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

July 3,

2021

June 27,

2020

July 3,

2021

June 27,

2020

Basic:

Weighted average shares outstanding

6,259,654

6,246,410

6,253,996

6,234,665

Diluted:

Weighted average shares outstanding

6,259,654

6,246,410

6,253,996

6,234,665

Dilutive stock appreciation rights

17,751

Denominator for diluted earnings per share

6,277,405

6,246,410

6,271,747

6,234,665

Note D – Inventories

Inventories from continuing operations consist of the following components:

	July 3, 2021		January 2, 2021

Raw material and component parts	$	18,544,799	$	16,376,772
Work in process		6,027,748		5,323,059
Finished goods		24,257,829		21,421,906
Total inventories	$	48,830,376	$	43,121,737

Note E - Goodwill

The aggregate carrying amount of goodwill from continuing operations is approximately $71.1 million as of July 3, 2021. A goodwill write-off of approximately $5.9 million was recognized in discontinued operations when classifying the disposal group as held for sale. See Note B – Discontinued Operations for further discussion.

The Company tests its reporting units for impairment annually in December, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Such events and circumstances could include, among other things, increased competition or unexpected loss of market share, significant adverse changes in the markets in which the Company operates, or unexpected business disruptions. The Company tests reporting units for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, the Company records an impairment loss based on the difference between fair value and carrying amount not to exceed the associated carrying amount of goodwill. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The values assigned to the key assumptions represent management’s assessment of future trends in the relevant industry and have been based on historical data from both external and internal sources.

Note F – Leases

The Company presents right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months, in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases. The Company elected to account for non-lease components as part of the lease component to which they relate. Lease accounting involves significant judgements, including making estimates related to the lease term, lease payments, and discount rate.

The Company has operating leases for buildings, warehouses and office equipment. The Company determines whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease at contract inception. An arrangement contains a lease if the Company has the right to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the economic benefits of an identified asset. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at lease commencement based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Most leases include one or more options to renew. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. The Company’s option to extend certain leases ranges from 4 – 113 months. All options to extend, when it is reasonably certain the option will be exercised, have been included in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability.

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Currently, the Company has 27 operating leases and three finance leases with a lease liability of $12.3 million as of July 3, 2021. The finance lease arrangements are immaterial. The terms and conditions of the leases are determined by the individual agreements. The leases do not contain residual value guarantees, restrictions, or covenants that could cause the Company to incur additional financial obligations. There are no related party transactions. There are no leases that have not yet commenced that could create significant rights and obligations for the Company.

Total lease expense for each of the next five fiscal years is estimated to be as follows: remainder of 2021 - $1.5 million; 2022 - $2.5 million; 2023 - $2.1 million; 2024 - $1.6 million; 2025 - $0.9 million; and $3.7 million thereafter. The weighted average remaining lease term is 6.5 years. The implicit interest rate used was 5.0%.

Note G - Debt

On August 30, 2019, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Santander Bank, N.A., for itself, People’s United Bank, National Association and TD Bank, N.A. as lenders (the “Credit Agreement”), that included a $100 million term portion and a $20 million revolving commitment portion. Proceeds of the term loan were used to repay the Company’s remaining outstanding term loan (and to terminate its existing credit facility) with People’s United Bank, N.A. (approximately $19 million) and to acquire certain subsidiaries of Big 3 Holdings, LLC (collectively “Big 3 Precision”). The term portion of the loan requires quarterly principal payments of $1,250,000 for an 18-month period beginning December 31, 2019. The repayment amount then increases to $1,875,000 per quarter beginning September 30, 2021 and continues through June 30, 2023. The repayment amount then increases to $2,500,000 per quarter beginning September 30, 2023 and continues through June 30, 2024. The term loan is a 5-year loan with the remaining balance due on August 30, 2024. The revolving commitment portion has an annual commitment fee of 0.25% based on the unused portion of the revolver. The revolving commitment portion has a maturity date of August 30, 2024. As of July 3, 2021, the Company has not borrowed any funds on the revolving commitment portion of the facility. The term loan bears interest at a variable rate based on the LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin of 1.25% to 2.25%, depending on the Company’s senior net leverage ratio. Borrowings under the revolving portion bear interest at a variable rate based on, at the Company’s election, a base rate plus an applicable margin of 0.25% to 1.25% or the LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin of 1.25% to 2.25%, with such margins determined based on the Company’s senior net leverage ratio. The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by a lien on certain of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ assets pursuant to a Pledge and Security Agreement, dated August 30, 2019 with Santander Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.

The Company’s loan covenants under the Credit Agreement require the Company to maintain a senior net leverage ratio not to exceed 4.25 to 1. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio to be not less than 1.25 to 1. The Company was in compliance with all of its covenants under the Credit Agreement at July 3, 2021 and through the date of filing this Form 10-Q.

On August 30, 2019, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract with Santander Bank, N.A., with an original notional amount of $50,000,000, which was equal to 50% of the outstanding balance of the term loan on that date. The Company has a fixed interest rate of 1.44% on the swap contract and will pay the difference between the fixed rate and LIBOR when LIBOR is below 1.44% and will receive interest when the LIBOR rate exceeds 1.44%. On July 3, 2021, the interest rate for half ($40.6 million) of the term portion was 1.84%, using a one-month LIBOR rate, and 3.19% on the remaining balance ($45.6 million) of the term loan based on a one-month LIBOR rate.

The interest rates under the Credit Agreement and the interest rate swap contract are susceptible to changes to the method of determining LIBOR rates and to the potential phasing out of LIBOR after 2021. Information regarding the potential phasing out of LIBOR is provided below.

On July 27, 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”) (the authority that regulates LIBOR) announced that it would phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. In December 2020, the ICE Benchmark Administration (the “IBA”) announced a market consultation regarding the extension of US dollar LIBOR tenors through June 30, 2023 which the FCA supports. On March 5, 2021, the IBA released its feedback statement reporting the results of the market consultation. Pursuant to its feedback statement, the IBA intends to cease publication of all settings of non-US dollar LIBOR and only the one-week and two-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings on December 31, 2021, with the publication of the remaining U.S. dollar LIBOR settings being discontinued after June 30, 2023. The Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC), a financial industry group convened by the Federal Reserve Board, has recommended the use of SOFR to replace LIBOR. The difference between LIBOR and SOFR is that LIBOR is a forward-looking rate which means the interest rate is set at the beginning of the period with payment due at the end. SOFR is a backward-looking overnight rate which has implications for how interest and other payments are based. Changes in the method of calculating the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative rate or benchmark are still in flux, and once an alternate rate is adopted, may adversely affect interest rates and result in higher borrowing costs. This could materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. We cannot predict the effect of the potential changes to LIBOR or the establishment and use of alternative rates or benchmarks at this time. We are working with our senior lender and may need to renegotiate our credit facilities as LIBOR phases out in June 2023.

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Note H - Stock Options and Awards

The Eastern Company 2010 Executive Stock Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”), for officers, other key employees, and non-employee Directors expired in February 2020. On February 19, 2020, the board of directors of the Company adopted the Eastern Company 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”). On April 29, 2020, at the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholders of the Company approved and adopted the 2020 Plan. The 2020 Plan replaced the 2010 Plan. The Company has no other existing plan pursuant to which equity awards may be granted.

Incentive stock options granted under the 2020 Plan must have exercise prices that are not less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the dates the stock options are granted. Restricted stock awards may also be granted to participants under the 2020 Plan with restrictions determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Under the 2020 Plan, non-qualified stock options granted to participants will have exercise prices determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. During the first six months of fiscal 2021, the Company issued 24,600 stock options that were granted that were subject to the meeting of performance measurements. The Company did not issue any stock options or restricted stock in the first six months of fiscal 2020. For the first six months of fiscal 2021, the Company used several assumptions which included an expected term of 4.0 years, volatility deviation between 47.25% to 48.55% and a risk-free rate between 0.18% to 0.35% for the purposes of measuring compensation under the Black Scholes Method.

The 2020 Plan also permits the issuance of Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”). The SARs are in the form of an option with a cashless exercise price equal to the difference between the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant and the fair value as of the exercise date resulting in the issuance of the Company’s common stock. During the first six months of fiscal 2021 the Company did not issue any SARs. During the first six months of fiscal 2020 the company issued 44,000 SARs. For the first six months of fiscal 2020, the Company used several assumptions which included an expected term of 4.0 years, volatility deviation of 38.62% and a risk-free rate of 0.26% for the purposes of measuring compensation under the Black Scholes Method.

Stock-based compensation expense in connection with SARs previously granted to employees was approximately $100,000 and $85,000 in the second quarter of 2021 and the second quarter of 2020, respectively and was approximately $214,000 and $195,000 in the first six months of fiscal years 2021 and 2020, respectively.

As of July 3, 2021, there were 811,072 shares of Company common stock reserved and available for future grant under the 2020 Plan.

The following tables set forth the outstanding SARs for the period specified:

	Six Months Ended					Year Ended
	July 3, 2021					January 2, 2021
	Units			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Units			Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period		244,001		$	21.87		276,000		$	22.30
Issued		-			-		44,000			20.20
Exercised		(50,667	)		19.33		-			-
Forfeited		(6,000	)		21.20		(75,999	)		22.00
Outstanding at end of period		187,334			22.77		244,001			21.87

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SARs Outstanding and Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices	Outstanding as of July 3, 2021		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Exercisable as of July 3, 2021		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life		Weighted Average Exercise Price

$	19.10 - $26.30		187,334		2.0	$	22.77		87,335		1.0	$	22.33

The following tables set forth the outstanding stock grants for the period specified:

	Six Months Ended		Year Ended
	July 3, 2021		January 2, 2021
	Units		Units
Outstanding at beginning of period		25,000		25,000
Issued		27,300		-
Exercised		-		-
Forfeited		-		-
Outstanding at end of period		52,300		25,000

As of July 3, 2021, outstanding SARs and grants had an intrinsic value of $3,105,000.

Note I – Share Repurchase Program

On May 2, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a new program to repurchase up to 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company’s share repurchase program does not obligate it to acquire the Company’s common stock at any specific cost per share. Under this program, shares may be repurchased in privately negotiated and/or open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Company did not repurchase any shares under its share repurchase program during the second quarter of 2021.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Number of Shares that may yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
Balance as of April 3, 2021		55,000	$	26.04		55,000		145,000

April 4, 2021 - July 3, 2021		-				-		-

Balance as of July 3, 2021		55,000	$	26.04		55,000		145,000

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Note J – Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenues result from the sale of goods and services and reflect the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled. The Company records revenues based on a five-step model in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. The Company has defined purchase orders as contracts in accordance with ASC Topic 606. For its customer contracts, the Company identifies its performance obligations, which are delivering goods or services, determines the transaction price, allocates the contract transaction price to the performance obligations (when applicable), and recognizes the revenue when (or as) the performance obligation is transferred to the customer. A good or service is transferred when the customer obtains control of that good or service. The Company’s revenues are recorded at a point in time from the sale of tangible products. Revenues are recognized when products are shipped.

Customer volume rebates, product returns, discount and allowance are variable consideration and are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the same period that the related sales are recorded. The Company has reviewed the overall sales transactions for variable consideration and has determined that these costs are not material.

Refer to Note M for revenues reported by segment. The Company has no future performance obligations and does not capitalize costs to obtain or fulfill contracts.

Note K - Income Taxes

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and in various states and foreign jurisdictions. With limited exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2016 and is no longer subject to non-U.S. income tax examinations by foreign tax authorities for years prior to 2014.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The changes implemented in ASU 2019-12 include removing exceptions to incremental intraperiod tax allocation of losses and gains from different financial statement components, exceptions to the method of recognizing income taxes on interim period losses and exceptions to deferred tax liability recognition related to foreign subsidiary investments. In addition, ASU 2019-12 requires that entities recognize franchise tax based on an incremental method, requires an entity to evaluate the accounting for step-ups in the tax basis of goodwill as inside or outside of a business combination, and removes the requirement to allocate the current and deferred tax provision among entities in standalone financial statement reporting. The ASU also now requires that an entity reflect enacted changes in tax laws in the annual effective rate, and other codification adjustments have been made to employee stock ownership plans. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2019-12 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of ASU 2019-12 is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for public business entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 in the first quarter of 2021.

On March 27, 2020, the $2 trillion bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (H.R. 748) (the “CARES Act”) became law. For additional information on the impact of the CARES Act on the Company see Note 8 – Income Taxes in the 2020 Form 10-K.

The Company will also continue to assess the effect of state level tax relief provisions as enacted, such as state net operating loss rule changes and conformity to the federal interest, depreciation and charitable contribution deduction changes.

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could increase or decrease within the next 12 months for a number of reasons, including the closure of federal, state and foreign tax years by expiration of the statute of limitations and the recognition and measurement considerations under FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” There have been no significant changes to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits during the six months ended July 3, 2021. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will not increase or decrease significantly over the next twelve months.

Note L - Retirement Benefit Plans

The Company has four non-contributory defined benefit pension plans covering most U.S. employees. Three of these pension plans are frozen and participants in these three plans have not accrued benefits since the date on which these plans were frozen. A fourth pension plan does not permit new participants but existing participants in this fourth pension plan continue to accrue benefits. Plan benefits are generally based upon age at retirement, years of service and, for the plan covering salaried employees, the level of compensation. The Company also sponsors unfunded non-qualified supplemental retirement plans that provide certain former officers with benefits in excess of limits imposed by federal tax law.

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The Company also provides health care and life insurance for retired salaried employees in the United States who meet specific eligibility requirements.

Significant disclosures relating to these benefit plans for the first six months of fiscal years 2021 and 2020 are as follows:

	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	July 3, 2021			June 27, 2020			July 3, 2021			June 27, 2020
Service cost	$	271,835		$	266,434		$	543,668		$	532,870
Interest cost		504,254			714,142			1,008,509			1,428,285
Expected return on plan assets		(1,448,675	)		(1,365,262	)		(2,897,349	)		(2,730,523	)
Amortization of prior service cost		24,845			24,845			49,690			49,690
Amortization of the net loss		432,536			325,034			865,075			650,068
Net periodic benefit	$	(215,205	)	$	(34,807	)	$	(430,407	)	$	(69,610	)

	Postretirement Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	July 3, 2021			June 27, 2020			July 3, 2021			June 27, 2020
Service cost	$	13,626		$	10,855		$	27,252		$	21,710
Interest cost		9,842			11,667			19,684			23,334
Expected return on plan assets		(6,420	)		(5,589	)		(12,840	)		(11,178	)
Gain on significant event		-			-			-			-
Amortization of prior service cost		-			(2,063	)		-			(4,126	)
Amortization of the net loss		(3,094	)		(6,377	)		(6,188	)		(12,754	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	13,954		$	8,493		$	27,908		$	16,986

The Company’s funding policy with respect to its qualified plans is to contribute at least the minimum amount required by applicable laws and regulations. In fiscal year 2021, the Company expects to contribute $3,100,000 into its pension plans and $50,000 into its postretirement plan. The Company is currently reviewing the American Rescue Plan Act for applicable pension funding relief for the minimum required contributions and will adjust accordingly. As of July 3, 2021, the Company has made contributions of approximately $1,171,000 into its pension plans, has contributed $8,000 to its postretirement plan and expects to make the remaining contributions as required during the remainder of the fiscal year.

The Company has a contributory savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “401(k) Plan”) covering substantially all U.S. non-union employees. The 401(k) Plan allows participants to make voluntary contributions from their annual compensation on a pre-tax basis, subject to limitations under the Internal Revenue Code. The 401(k) Plan provides for contributions by the Company at its discretion.

The Company made contributions to the plan as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 3, 2021		June 27, 2020		July 3, 2021		June 27, 2020
Regular matching contribution	$	144,081	$	132,016	$	297,397	$	294,808
Transitional credit contribution		33,102		40,529		75,870		95,200
Non-discretionary contribution		14,895		12,390		362,484		371,613
Total contributions for the period	$	192,078	$	184,935	$	735,751	$	761,621

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The non-discretionary contribution of $332,092 made in the six months ended July 3, 2021 was accrued for and expensed in the prior fiscal year.

Note M - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted

In December 2019, FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Tax. The changes implemented in ASU 2019-12 include removing exceptions to incremental intraperiod tax allocation of losses and gains from different financial statement components, exceptions to the method of recognizing income taxes on interim period losses and exceptions to deferred tax liability recognition related to foreign subsidiary investments. In addition, ASU 2019-12 requires that entities recognize franchise tax based on an incremental method, requires an entity to evaluate the accounting for step-ups in the tax basis of goodwill as inside or outside of a business combination, and removes the requirement to allocate the current and deferred tax provision among entities in standalone financial statement reporting. The ASU also now requires that an entity reflect enacted changes in tax laws in the annual effective rate, and other codification adjustments have been made to employee stock ownership plans. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2019-12 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of ASU 2019-12 is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for public business entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 as of January 3, 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

The Company has implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect and that could impact its consolidated financial statements and does not believe that there are any other new accounting pronouncements that have been issued, but are not yet effective, that might have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

Note N - Concentration of Risk

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the potential financial loss resulting from the failure of a customer or counterparty to settle its financial and contractual obligations to the Company, as and when they become due. The primary credit risk for the Company is its accounts receivable due from customers. The Company has established credit limits for customers and monitors their balances to mitigate the risk of loss. As of July 3, 2021, there was one significant concentration of credit risk with a customer, who has receivables representing 15% of our total accounts receivable. One single customer represented more than 10% of the Company’s net accounts receivable as of January 2, 2021. The maximum exposure to credit risk is primarily represented by the carrying amount of the Company’s accounts receivable.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Company’s debt, which bears interest at variable rates based on the LIBOR rate plus a margin spread of 1.25% to 2.25%. The Company has an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $45.6 million on July 3, 2021, to convert a portion of the borrowing under the Credit Agreement from variable to fixed rates. The valuation of this swap is determined using the one-month LIBOR rate index and mitigates the Company's exposure to interest rate risk. Additionally, interest rates on the Company's debt are susceptible to changes to the method that LIBOR rates are determined and to the potential phasing out of LIBOR after 2021. The potential phasing out of LIBOR is discussed in greater detail in Note G — Debt hereof and under the heading “The phaseout of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or the replacement of LIBOR with a different reference rate, may adversely affect interest rates” in Part I, Item 8of the 2020 Form 10-K.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk

The Company’s currency exposure is concentrated in the British pound, Canadian dollar, Mexican peso, New Taiwan dollar, Chinese RMB and the Hong Kong dollar. Because of the Company’s limited exposure to any single foreign market, any currency gains or losses have not been material and are not expected to be material in the future. As a result, the Company does not attempt to mitigate its foreign currency exposure through the acquisition of any speculative or leveraged financial instruments.

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Note O – Business Acquisition

Effective August 10, 2020 the Company acquired certain assets, including accounts receivable, inventories, furniture, fixtures and equipment, intellectual property rights and rights existing under all sales and purchase agreements, and assumed certain liabilities, of Hallink, RSB Inc. These assets are held in our subsidiary, Hallink Moulds, Inc. (“Hallink Moulds”). Hallink Moulds produces injection blow mold tooling and is a supplier of blow molds and change parts to the food, beverage, healthcare and chemical industry. Hallink Moulds specializes in the design, development and manufacture of 2-step stretch blow molds, and related components for the stretch blow molding industry offering integrated turnkey solutions to its customers worldwide.

Hallink Moulds is included in the Engineered Solutions segment of the Company from the date of the acquisition. The cost of the acquisition of Hallink Moulds was approximately $7,173,000.

The above acquisition was accounted for under ASU 2014-18, Business Combinations (Topic 805). The acquired business is included in the consolidated operating results of the Company from the effective date of the acquisition. The excess of the cost of Hallink Moulds over the fair market value of the net assets acquired of $2,302,000 has been recorded as goodwill. An independent third party was utilized to establish the fair market value of net assets acquired.

In connection with the above acquisition, the Company recorded the following intangible assets:

Asset Class/Description	Amount		Weighted- Average Period in Years

Customer relationships	$	2,345,000		6
Intellectual property		591,000		6
Non-compete agreements		1,001,000		5
	$	3,937,000

There is no anticipated residual value relating to these intangible assets.

Neither the actual results nor the pro forma effects of the acquisition of Hallink are material to the Company's financial statements.

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ITEM 2 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion is intended to highlight significant changes in the financial position and results of operations of The Eastern Company (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) for the quarter ended July 3, 2021. The interim financial statements and this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 16, 2021 (the “2020 Form 10-K”).

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not based on historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “should,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “continue,” or similar terms or variations of those terms or the negative of those terms. There are many factors that affect the Company’s business and the results of its operations and that may cause the actual results of operations in future periods to differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. These factors include, but are not limited to: effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination rates, the emergence of virus variants and the measures being taken to limit the spread and resurgence of COVID-19, including supply chain disruptions, delays in delivery of our products to our customers, impact on demand for our products, reductions in production levels, increased costs, including costs of raw materials, the impact on global economic conditions, the availability, terms and cost of financing, including borrowings under credit arrangements or agreements, and risks associated with employees working remotely or operating with reduced workforce; the scope and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the extent of resurgences, the development of variants and how quickly and to what extent normal economic activity can resume; the timing of the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and rates of vaccination; risks associated with doing business overseas, including fluctuations in exchange rates and the inability to repatriate foreign cash, the impact on cost structure and on economic conditions as a result of actual and threatened increases in trade tariffs and the impact of political, economic and social instability; restrictions on operating flexibility imposed by the agreement governing our credit facility; the inability to achieve the savings expected from global sourcing of materials; the impact of higher raw material and component costs, particularly steel, plastics, scrap iron, zinc, copper and electronic components; lower-cost competition; our ability to design, introduce and sell new products and related components; market acceptance of our products; the inability to attain expected benefits from acquisitions or the inability to effectively integrate such acquisitions and achieve expected synergies; domestic and international economic conditions, including the impact, length and degree of economic downturns on the customers and markets we serve and more specifically conditions in the automotive, construction, aerospace, energy, oil and gas, transportation, electronic, commercial laundry, mining and general industrial markets; costs and liabilities associated with environmental compliance; the impact of climate change or terrorist threats and the possible responses by the U.S. and foreign governments; failure to protect our intellectual property; cyberattacks; materially adverse or unanticipated legal judgments, fines, penalties or settlements; and other risks identified and discussed in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 1A, Risk Factors, and Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the 2020 Form 10-K and that may be identified from time to time in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other filings we make with the SEC. Although the Company believes it has an appropriate business strategy and the resources necessary for its operations, future revenue and margin trends cannot be reliably predicted and the Company may alter its business strategies to address changing conditions. Also, the Company makes estimates and assumptions that may materially affect reported amounts and disclosures. These relate to valuation allowances for accounts receivable and excess and obsolete inventories, accruals for pensions and other postretirement benefits (including forecasted future cost increases and returns on plan assets), provisions for depreciation (estimating useful lives), uncertain tax positions, and, on occasion, accruals for contingent losses. The Company undertakes no obligation to update, alter, or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Overview

COVID-19 Update

The direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been minimal at most of our operations through the second quarter of 2021. We continue to follow CDC guidelines, including the use of proper personal protection equipment, social distancing and sanitizing work areas. All of these measures allowed the majority of our facilities to operate at full capacity where possible barring supply chain issues, port congestion, and labor shortages. Many of the Company’s employees have received their first COVID-19 vaccination, and we will continue to encourage our workforce to continue to get vaccinated. We do not anticipate further significant interruption in our operations unless a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic occurs. A significant resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic could cause further disruptions in our business and could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

During 2020 and continuing into 2021 the Company implemented a broad range of policies and procedures to ensure that employees at all of our locations remain healthy. Steps that we have taken to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to our employees include, among others: protecting employee health by instructing employees to stay home if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19; requiring employees to wear masks upon entry into the workplace; providing standard surgical masks, unless this conflicts with OSHA requirements; and educating employees on hand hygiene to help stop the spread. We maintain a clean work environment by frequently cleaning all touch points with products that meet EPA criteria for use against COVID-19; educating employees to clean their personal workspace at the beginning and the end of every shift; and providing hand sanitizer and disposable wipes. We have minimized in-person contact between employees and with visitors; required essential employees to work from home if they are able to do so effectively; developed and implemented practices for social distancing in our facilities; and reduced the number and size of in-person meetings. We have eliminated all non-essential workplace travel, discouraged carpooling, and where we have multiple shifts, staggered shift start and stop times, break times, and lunchtimes to minimize congregations at the time clocks or break areas. Where possible, we have closed or restricted break rooms and cafeterias or used extra rotations to reduce the number of employees in the break rooms or cafeterias at one time to achieve social distancing norms. We continue to seek and implement additional methods to further reduce the risk of COVID-19 to our employees.

Although we sustained delays and disruptions in 2020 to our supply chain and operations, the majority of our facilities have returned to normal operations however, one facility experienced an outbreak of COVID-19 among several employees resulting in closure of the factory for a few days at the end of June 2021. Currently, we do not anticipate further interruption of our operations unless a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic (including variants) occurs, which could cause further disruptions in our business and could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. The future extent of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operational and financial performance will depend in large part on the emergence of virus variants, vaccination rates, continued mask wearing, social distancing and other developments, that cannot be predicted with confidence at this time. With the inherent uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic it is difficult to predict with any confidence the likely impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our future operations and the extent it could have on our consolidated business, results of operations and financial condition. For a discussion of certain COVID-19-related risks, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, of the 2020 Form 10-K.

General Overview

We have determined that the companies included in our Diversified Products segment no longer fit with our long-term strategy, and we have initiated the process of divesting the companies within the Diversified Products segment. Selling the companies within this segment will allow management to focus on our core capabilities and offerings.

The Diversified Products segment meets the criteria to be held for sale and, furthermore, we determined that the assets held for sale qualify as discontinued operations. As such, the financial results of the Diversified Products segment are reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Additionally, current and non-current assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets for both periods presented.

The loss recognized in the write-down of the Diversified Products segment to fair value in the second quarter of 2021 was $8.1 million, net of tax with anticipated cash flow over the next twelve months of approximately $25.0 million. The majority of this cash will be used to pay down debt.

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The following analysis excludes discontinued operations.

Net sales in the second quarter of 2021 increased 55% to $61.2 million from $39.5 million in the corresponding period in 2020 and net sales for the first six months of 2021 increased 35% to $123 million from $91.4 million in the same period last year. Sales increased for both the second quarter and six-month periods due to increased demand for truck accessories, automotive returnable packaging, blow mold tooling, and distribution products. Backlog as of July 3, 2021 was up 61% to $89.2 million from $55.3 million in 2020.

Net sales of existing products increased 44% in the second quarter of 2021 and 26% for the first six months of 2021 compared to the corresponding periods in 2020. Price increases and new products increased net sales by 11% in the second quarter of 2021 and 9% for the first six months of 2021, compared to the corresponding periods in 2020. New products included various truck mirror assemblies, truck compression latches, a cable lock, and a mirror cam.

Cost of products sold increased $18.1 million, or 62%, in the second quarter of 2021 and increased $25.4 million, or 37% for the first six months of 2021 compared to the corresponding periods in 2020. The increases are primarily due to higher sales volume, increases in the prices of material, and increases in freight rates. The prices of several frequently used raw materials prices have increased significantly, year-over-year. For example, the price of most common forms of hot-rolled steel increased 236% between Q2 2020 and Q2 2021; cold-rolled steel increased 174%; nickel increased 42%; scrap iron increased 178%; and copper and zinc increased 81% and 49% respectively. Additionally, our freight costs increased $1.4 million, or 148%, in the second quarter of 2021 and increased $2.1 million, or 97%, in the first six months of 2021 when compared to the corresponding periods in 2020. This increase is due to increased sales volume and freight rates as shipping demand has exceeded available carriers. Price increases to our customers recovered a portion of the increase in raw material prices and freight rates. Finally, the Company paid tariff costs on China-sourced products of approximately $0.8 million and $1.4 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2021 respectively, compared to $0.5 million and $1.7 million in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2020 respectively. All tariffs on China-sourced products have been recovered through price increases.

Gross margin as a percent of sales was 23% in the second quarter and 24% in the first six months of fiscal 2021 compared to 26% in the second quarter and 25% in the first six months of fiscal 2020.

Product development expense increased $0.2 million, or 19% in the second quarter of 2021 and increased $0.3 million, or 15%, in the first six months of 2021 compared to the corresponding periods in 2020. As a percentage of net sales, product development costs were 1.8% and 1.7% for the second quarter and first six months of 2021, respectively, and 2.3%, and 2.0% for the corresponding periods in 2020, respectively.

Selling and administrative expense increased $2.8 million, or 43%, in the second quarter of 2021 and increased $3.6 million, or 24% in the first six months of 2021 compared to the corresponding period in 2020 primarily due to increased commissions and other selling costs, amortization expense, payroll-related expenses, and incentive costs, which were suspended in the first quarter of fiscal 2020.

Interest expense was flat in the second quarter and decreased $0.1 million for the first six months of 2021 compared to the corresponding periods in 2020.

Other income increased $0.2 million in the second quarter and increased $2.3 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to the corresponding periods in 2020. The increase in the second quarter was due to an increase in the favorable return in our pension plan assets of $0.2 million. The increase in other income of $2.3 million in the first six months was driven by a gain on the sale of the Eberhard Hardware Ltd. Building of $1.8 million, a favorable return on pension plan assets of $1.0 million less offset by a one-time sale-leaseback transaction gain in the first quarter of 2020.

Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 was $2.8 million, or $0.44 per diluted share compared to net income of $2.1 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2020. In the first six months of 2021 net income was $8.5 million, or $1.34 per diluted share compared to net income of $4.8 million, or $0.76 per diluted share for the comparable period in 2020.

A more detailed analysis of the Company’s results of operations and financial condition follows:

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Table of Contents

Results of Operations

The following table shows, for the periods indicated, selected line items from the condensed consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of net sales:

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	July 3, 2021			June 27, 2020			July 3, 2021			June 27, 2020

Net sales		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%
Cost of products sold		77.2	%		73.9	%		76.0	%		74.6	%
Gross margin		22.8	%		26.1	%		24.0	%		25.4	%
Product development expense		1.8	%		2.3	%		1.7	%		2.0	%
Selling and administrative expense		15.3	%		16.6	%		14.9	%		16.1	%

SEC Form 10-Q filed by Eastern Company (The)