Hillman Solutions (HLMN) 10-Q2024 Q1 Quarterly report

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements present information in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable rules of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all information or footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Operating results for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for the full year. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 30, 2023 and notes thereto included in the Form 10-K filed on February 22, 2024 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On January 11, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of Koch Industries, Inc ("Koch"), a premier provider and merchandiser of rope and twine, chain and wire rope, and related hardware products for a total purchase

price of $23,956. Koch has business operations throughout North America and its financial results will reside in the Company's Hardware and Protective Solutions reportable segment.

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

Net sales and operating income from Koch included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the period ended March 30, 2024 was approximately $9,164 and $836, respectively. Pro forma financial information has not been presented for Koch as the financial results of Koch were insignificant to the financial results of the Company on a standalone basis.

Goodwill amounts by reportable segment are summarized as follows:

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

The amortization expense for intangible assets, including the adjustments resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 was $15,254. Amortization expense for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 was $15,572.

The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter. Impairment is also tested when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values of the assets may be greater than their fair values. During the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 and the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023, the Company did not identify any triggering events that would result in an impairment analysis outside of the annual assessment.

The Company self-insures its general liability including product liability, automotive and workers' compensation losses up to $500 per occurrence. Catastrophic coverage has been purchased from third party insurers for occurrences up to $60,000. The two risk areas involving the most significant accounting estimates are workers' compensation and automotive liability. Actuarial valuations performed by the Company's outside risk insurance expert were used by the Company's management to form the basis for workers' compensation and automotive liability loss reserves. The actuary contemplated the Company's specific loss history, actual claims reported, and industry trends among statistical and other factors to estimate the range of reserves required. Risk insurance reserves are comprised of specific reserves for individual claims and additional amounts expected for development of these claims, as well as for incurred but not yet reported claims. The Company believes that the liability of approximately $2,593 recorded for such risks is adequate as of March 30, 2024.

As of March 30, 2024, the Company has provided certain vendors and insurers letters of credit aggregating to $40,890 related to our product purchases and insurance coverage for product liability, workers’ compensation, and general liability.

The Company self-insures group health claims up to an annual stop loss limit of $300 per participant. Historical group insurance loss experience forms the basis for the recognition of group health insurance reserves. Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based on an analysis of historical insurance claim data and certain actuarial assumptions. The Company believes that the liability of approximately $3,001 recorded for such risks is adequate as of March 30, 2024.

The Company imports large quantities of fastener products which are subject to customs requirements and to tariffs and quotas set by governments through mutual agreements and bilateral actions. The Company could be subject to the assessment of additional duties and interest if it or its suppliers fail to comply with customs regulations or similar laws. The U.S. Department of Commerce (the "Department”) has received requests from petitioners to conduct administrative reviews of compliance with anti-dumping duty and countervailing duty laws for certain nail products sourced from Asian countries. The Company sourced products under review from vendors in China and Taiwan during the periods selected for review. The Company accrues for the duty expense once it is determined to be probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.

We are involved in litigation arising in the normal course of business. In management’s opinion, any such litigation is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Hillman, Jefferies Financial Group Inc., certain other financial sponsors, CCMP Investors and the Oak Hill Investors entered into the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “A&R Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the parties to the A&R Registration Rights Agreement agreed not to effect any sale or distribution of any equity securities of Hillman held by any of them during the lock-up period described therein and were granted certain registration rights with respect to their respective shares of Hillman common

stock, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions therein. Richard Zannino and Joe Scharfenberger, both partners at CCMP, were members of our Board at the time Hillman entered into the A&R Registration Rights Agreement. Mr. Zannino and Mr. Scharfenberger each resigned from the Hillman Board in May 2023 following CCMP's complete exit of its investment in Hillman during the second quarter of 2023. Another director, Teresa Gendron, was the CFO of Jefferies Financial Group until March 2023.

Sales to related parties, which are included in net sales, consist of the sale of excess inventory to Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. ("Ollie's"). John Swygert, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ollie's, is a member of our Board of Directors. Sales to related parties were $18 and $265 in the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 and in the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023, respectfully.

ASC 740 requires companies to apply their estimated annual effective tax rate on a year-to-date basis in each interim period. These rates are derived, in part, from expected annual pre-tax income or loss. In the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 and the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023, the Company applied an estimated annual effective tax rate based on expected annual pre-tax income to the interim period pre-tax loss to calculate the income tax benefit. Given that the Company is forecasting positive income for the full fiscal year, the Company anticipates that the income tax benefit recorded as of March 30, 2024 will reverse to an income tax provision by the end of the fiscal year.

For the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024, the effective income tax rate was 24.5%. The Company recorded an income tax benefit for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 of $483. The effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 was the result of certain non-deductible expenses and state and foreign income taxes.

For the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023, the effective income tax rate was 46.2%. The Company recorded an income tax benefit for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 of $7,856. The effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 was the result of GILTI from the Company's Canadian operations, certain non-deductible expenses, and state and foreign income taxes.

The following table summarizes the Company’s debt:

As of March 30, 2024, the Asset-Backed Loan ("ABL") Revolver had an outstanding amount of $18,000 and outstanding letters of credit of $40,890. The Company has $211,619 of available borrowings under the revolving credit facility as a source of liquidity as of March 30, 2024 based on the customary ABL borrowing base and availability provisions.

On March 26, 2024, the Company entered into a Repricing Amendment (2024 Repricing Amendment) on its existing Senior Term Loan due July 14, 2028. The 2024 Repricing Amendment (i) reduces the interest rate per annum applicable to the Term Loan outstanding from SOFR plus a margin varying from 2.50% to 2.75% plus a Credit Spread Adjustment ("CSA") varying between 0.11% to 0.43% to SOFR plus a margin varying from 2.25% to 2.50%,

without the CSA and (ii) implements a 1% prepayment premium for the existing Term Loan to apply to Repricing Transactions that occur within six months after the effective date of the 2024 Repricing Amendment. In connection with the closing of the 2024 Repricing Amendment, the Company expensed $3,008 consisting of $1,554 of existing fees written off and $1,454 in new fees expensed. The Company capitalized an additional $33 primarily for the payment of upfront lender fees (original issue discount).

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

The components of operating and finance lease costs for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 and thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023 were as follows:

Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. Rent expense totaled $6,962 in the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 and $7,131 in the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023. Rent expense includes operating lease costs as well as expenses for non-lease components such as common area maintenance, real estate taxes, real estate insurance, variable costs related to our leased vehicles and also short-term rental expenses.

The implicit rate is not determinable in most of the Company’s leases, as such management uses the Company’s incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of future payments.

The weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates for all of our operating leases were as follows as of March 30, 2024 and December 30, 2023:

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

Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's operating and finance leases was as follows for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 and thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023:

As of March 30, 2024, our future minimum rental commitments are immaterial for lease agreements beginning after the current reporting period. Maturities of our lease liabilities for all operating and finance leases are as follows as of March 30, 2024:

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

Hillman Solutions Corp. has one class of common stock.

The following is detail of the changes in the Company's accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) from December 31, 2022 to March 30, 2024, including the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax):

The 2014 Equity Incentive Plan had stock compensation expense of $407 recognized in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 and $1,291 for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023.

The fair value of stock options is determined at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The time-based stock option awards generally vest evenly over four years from the grant date and performance-based options vest based Company stock price hurdles.

The Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") granted to employees for service generally vest after three years, subject to continued employment.

During the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024, 847,779 outstanding options under the 2014 were exercised providing aggregate proceeds to the Company of approximately $5,899. There were not any options exercised in the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023.

Effective July 14, 2021, the Company established the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. Under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be delivered in satisfaction of awards under the 2021 Plan as of the Effective Date is (i) 7,150,814 shares, plus (ii) the number of shares of stock underlying awards under the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan that on or after the Effective Date expire or become unexercisable, or are forfeited, cancelled or otherwise terminated, in each case, without delivery of shares or cash therefore, and would have become available again for grant under the Prior Plan in accordance with its terms (not to exceed 14,523,510 shares of common stock in the aggregate).

The fair value of stock options is determined at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The time-based stock option awards generally vest evenly over four years from the grant date and performance-based options vest based on specified targets such as Company performance and Company stock price hurdles.

The RSUs granted to employees for service generally vest after three years, subject to continued employment. The RSUs granted to non-employee directors generally vest in full on sooner of the first anniversary of the grant date or the Company's next annual meeting of stockholders.

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

Compensation expense associated with ESPP purchase rights is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. As of the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024, there was approximately $119, and as of thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023, there was approximately $80 of compensation expense related to the ESPP, respectfully.

Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock awards and units. The following is a reconciliation of the basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") computations for both the numerator and denominator (in thousands, except per share data):

The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposures to (1) interest rate fluctuations on its floating rate senior term loan and (2) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company measures those instruments at fair value and recognizes changes in the fair value of derivatives in earnings in the period of change, unless the derivative qualifies as an effective hedge that offsets certain exposures.

On July 9, 2021, the Company entered into an interest swap agreement ("2021 Swap 2") for a notional amount of $216,000. The forward start date of the 2021 Swap 2 was July 30, 2021 and the termination date is July 31, 2024. Originally, the 2021 Swap 2 had a determined pay fixed interest rate of 0.76%. As of June 30, 2023 the Company modified the terms of the swaps to replace the LIBOR-based reference rates with SOFR-based reference rates, in accordance with the respective swap agreements and market conventions. This modification resulted in a determined pay fixed interest rate of 0.74%. In accordance with ASC 815, the Company determined the 2021 Swap 2 constituted an effective cash flow hedge and therefore changes in fair value are recorded within other comprehensive loss within the Company's Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) and the deferred gains or losses are reclassified out of other comprehensive loss into interest expense in the same period during which the hedged transactions affect earnings.

On December 19, 2023, the Company entered into an interest swap agreement ("2024 Swap 1") for a notional amount of $144,000. The forward start date of the 2024 Swap 1 is July 21, 2024 and the termination date is January 31, 2027. The 2024 Swap 1 has a determined pay fixed interest rate of 3.8%. In accordance with ASC 815, the Company determined the 2024 Swap 1 constituted an effective cash flow hedge and therefore changes in fair value are recorded within other comprehensive loss within the Company's Statement of Comprehensive Income

(Loss) and the deferred gains or losses are reclassified out of other comprehensive loss into interest expense in the same period during which the hedged transactions affect earnings.

On December 19, 2023, the Company entered into an interest swap agreement ("2024 Swap 2") for a notional amount of $216,000. The forward start date of the 2024 Swap 2 is July 21, 2024 and the termination date is January 31, 2027. The 2024 Swap 2 has a determined pay fixed interest rate of 3.62%. In accordance with ASC 815, the Company determined the 2024 Swap 2 constituted an effective cash flow hedge and therefore changes in fair value are recorded within other comprehensive loss within the Company's Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) and the deferred gains or losses are reclassified out of other comprehensive loss into interest expense in the same period during which the hedged transactions affect earnings.

The Company uses the accounting guidance that applies to all assets and liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis. The guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

 

Trading securities are valued using quoted prices on an active exchange. Trading securities represent assets held in a Rabbi Trust to fund deferred compensation liabilities and are included as Other assets on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company utilizes interest rate swap contracts to manage our targeted mix of fixed and floating rate debt, and these contracts are valued using observable benchmark rates at commonly quoted intervals for the full term of the swap contracts. As of March 30, 2024 and December 30, 2023, the Company's interest rate swaps were recorded on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 815.

The contingent consideration represents future potential earn-out payments related to the Resharp acquisition in fiscal 2019 and the Instafob acquisition in the first quarter of 2020. The estimated fair value of the contingent earn-outs was determined using a Monte Carlo analysis examining the frequency and mean value of the resulting earn-out payments. The resulting value captures the risk associated with the form of the payout structure. The risk neutral method is applied, resulting in a value that captures the risk associated with the form of the payout structure and the projection risk. The carrying amount of the liability may fluctuate significantly and actual amounts paid may be materially different from the estimated value of the liability. The current and non-current portions of these obligations are reported separately on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as other accrued expense and other non-current liabilities, respectively. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration liabilities, as determined by using a simulation model of the Monte Carlo analysis that includes updated projections applicable to the liability, are recorded within other income (expense) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

The table below provides a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company’s contingent consideration (Level 3) for Resharp and Instafob as of March 30, 2024.

Additional information with respect to the derivative instruments is included in Note 14 - Derivatives and Hedging.

The Company’s segment reporting structure uses the Company’s management reporting structure as the foundation for how the Company manages its business. The Company periodically evaluates its segment reporting structure in accordance with ASC 350-20-55 and has concluded that it has three reportable segments as of March 30, 2024: Hardware and Protective Solutions, Robotics and Digital Solutions, and Canada. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on revenue and income from operations, and does not include segment assets nor non-operating income/expense items for management reporting purposes.

The table below presents revenues and income from operations for our reportable segments for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 and thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2023.

This quarterly report contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, certain disclosures related to acquisitions, refinancing, capital expenditures, resolution of pending litigation, and realization of deferred tax assets, which are not historical facts and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Statements that do not describe historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements are made in good faith by the Company and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," “target”, “goal”, "may," "will," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company’s expectations with respect to future performance. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside the Company's control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) unfavorable economic conditions that may affect operations, financial condition and cash flows including spending on home renovation or construction projects, inflation, recessions, instability in the financial markets or credit markets; (2) increased supply chain costs, including raw materials, sourcing, transportation and energy; (3) the highly competitive nature of the markets that we serve; (4) the ability to continue to innovate with new products and services; (5) direct and indirect costs associated with the May 2023 ransomware attack, and our receipt of expected insurance receivables associated with that cyber security incident; (6) seasonality; (7) large customer concentration; (8) the ability to recruit and retain qualified employees; (9) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company; (10) adverse changes in currency exchange rates; or (11) regulatory changes and potential legislation that could adversely impact financial results. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive, and readers should also refer to those risks that are included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 22, 2024. Given these uncertainties, current or prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward looking statements.

On January 11, 2024, we completed the acquisition of Koch Industries, Inc ("Koch"), a premier provider and merchandiser of rope and twine, chain and wire rope, and related hardware products for a total purchase price of $24.0 million. Koch has business operations throughout North America and its financial results reside in our Hardware and Protective Solutions reportable segment.

Our business is impacted by general economic conditions in the North American markets, particularly the U.S. and Canadian retail markets including hardware stores, home improvement centers, mass merchants, and other retailers. Changes in current economic conditions, including inflationary pressures in the cost of inventory, transportation, and employee compensation, foreign currency volatility, housing market trends, and concerns of a potential recession, have impacted consumer discretionary income levels and spending. Consumer discretionary income levels and spending impact the purchasing trends of our products by our retail customers. Any adverse trends in discretionary income and consumer spending could have a material adverse effect on our business or operating results.

We are exposed to the risk of unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates for the U.S. dollar versus local currency of our suppliers located primarily in China and Taiwan. We purchase a majority of our products for resale from multiple vendors located in China and Taiwan. The purchase price of these products is routinely negotiated in U.S. dollar amounts rather than the local currency of the vendors and our suppliers' profit margins decrease when the U.S. dollar declines in value relative to the local currency. This puts pressure on our suppliers to increase prices to us. The U.S. dollar increased in value relative to the CNY by approximately 1.7% in the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024, increased by 2.9% in 2023, and increased by 8.3% during 2022. The U.S. dollar increased in value relative to the Taiwan dollar by approximately 4.3% in the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024, declined by 0.4% in 2023, and increased by 10.8% in 2022.

We are also exposed to risk of unfavorable changes in the Canadian dollar exchange rate versus the U.S. dollar. Our sales in Canada are denominated in Canadian dollars, while a majority of the products are sourced in U.S. dollars. A weakening of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar results in lower sales in terms of U.S. dollars while the cost of sales remains unchanged. We have a practice of hedging some of our Canadian subsidiary's purchases denominated in U.S. dollars. The U.S. dollar increased in value relative to the Canadian dollar by approximately 2.5% in the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024, declined by 2.4% in 2023, and increased by 5.7% in 2022.

In addition, the negotiated purchase price of our products may be dependent upon market fluctuations in the cost of raw materials (i.e. steel, zinc, and nickel) used by our vendors in their manufacturing processes. The final purchase cost of our products may also be dependent upon inflation or deflation in the local economies of vendors in China and Taiwan that could impact the cost of labor and materials used in the manufacturing of our products. We identify the directional impact of changes in our product cost, but the quantification of each of these variable impacts cannot be measured as to the individual impact on our product cost with a sufficient level of precision. We may take pricing action, when warranted, in an attempt to offset a portion of product cost increases. The ability of our operating divisions to implement price increases and seek price concessions, as appropriate, is dependent on competitive market conditions.

The increase in total net sales during the first quarter of 2024 was driven primarily driven by the factors described below:

Hardware and Protective Solutions net sales increased by $6.0 million in the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 due to the following:

Robotics and Digital Solutions net sales in the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2024 decreased by $5.6 million primarily driven by decreased volume of full-service key and engraving sales.

Canada net sales increased by $0.2 million primarily due to volume increases of $1.2 million offset by the unfavorable impact of the exchange rate from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars along with price decreases of $0.9 million.

The following table summarizes cost of sales by segment:

Hardware and Protective Solutions cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased primarily due to decreased product and shipping costs.

Robotics and Digital Solutions cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased primarily due to decreased product and shipping costs as well as a shift in product mix from full-service to self-service keys.

Canada cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased primarily due to decreased shipping and product costs.

The following table summarizes selling, warehouse, and general and administrative expense ("SG&A") by segment: