Note 2 - Investment in Innolectric

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Notes to Financial Statements

Investment [Text Block]

2. INVESTMENT IN INNOLECTRIC

On February 1, 2023, the Company closed on a noncontrolling (one-third) investment in Germany-based innolectric AG (“innolectric”) for consideration of €8.0 million (approximately $8.8 million as of the February 2023 closing). Transaction costs associated with the Company's investment in innolectric amounted to $1.3 million and these costs have been recorded as part of the carrying value of the investment. Under the terms of the investment agreement, if innolectric achieves certain EBITDA thresholds within a specified timeframe, the Company would be committed to acquiring the remaining shares of innolectric at that time. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet reflects the fair value as of the February 2023 closing of the initial one-third equity method investment, inclusive of transaction costs, of $11.0 million, and a separate liability of $1.0 million associated with the net fair value of the put and call options related to the remaining shares pursuant to the agreement in the event certain profitability thresholds are met.

This passive investment creates a strategic alliance that is focused on Electric Vehicles (“EV”) on-board power electronics, and in particular next generation fast-charging technology. With no product overlap, this relationship expands the Bel eMobility Power portfolio, further enhancing Bel's competitive position in this emerging field. Our investment in innolectric is accounted for using the equity method and we have determined that the innolectric investment is not a variable interest entity (VIE). Results from this investment have been included in Bel's Power Solution and Protection segment and amounted to income of $0.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 The Company adopted a policy to record its share of innolectric's results on a one-month lag on a consistent basis to allow time for innolectric to provide its financial statements to Bel.

Related Party Transactions

From time to time, the Company provides cash loans to innolectric to fund working capital needs and further business development. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company provided an incremental loan to innolectric in the amount of €0.5 million.  As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had loans outstanding to innolectric in the aggregate amount of €2.5 million (approximately $2.7 million at the March 31, 2024 exchange rate) and €2.0 million (approximately $2.1 million at the December 31, 2023 exchange rate), respectively. These loans bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum. This balance is shown as a related-party note receivable on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.