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EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENT
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENT  
EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENT

4.EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENT

On October 30, 2020, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement to purchase 28% of the common units of Premier Pools & Spas for $25.4 million. On August 6, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement, together with Premier Holdco LLC, Premier Pools Management Corp. Holdco, Premier Franchise Management Holdco, PFC Holdco, and PPSF, LLC, pursuant to which Premier Group Holdings Inc., an affiliate of Wynnchurch Capital, L.P., acquired 29.8% of the common units of Premier Pools & Spas in aggregate from all sellers, including the Company. Sellers who were not related parties of Wynnchurch Capital, L.P. or the Company determined

the purchase price per common unit paid by Premier Group Holdings Inc., indicating the amount paid for the common units of Premier Pools & Spas reflects the price that would be paid in an arm’s-length transaction. As a result of the transaction, the Company received cash proceeds of $6.8 million and recorded a gain on the sale of equity method investment of $3.9 million, which was recorded within other (income) expense, net on the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company’s post-sale ownership interest in Premier Pools & Spas was 20.1% following such transaction. On December 17, 2021, Premier Pools & Spas issued additional non-voting common units to Premier Group Holdings Inc. As a result of the transaction, the Company recorded a gain on the sale of equity method investment of $1.0 million. The Company’s ownership interest in Premier Pools & Spas after the issuance of additional non-voting common units is 18.2% while its’ voting interest remains 20.1%.

The Company historically has concluded that it held common stock of Premier Pools & Spas and had the ability to exercise significant influence over Premier Pools & Spas but did not have a controlling financial interest. As required when there is a change in facts or circumstances, the Company reassessed its ability to exercise significant influence during the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The Company concluded that it no longer had the ability to exercise significant influence. However, the Company also considered that it has an ownership interest of greater than 5% in Premier Pools & Spas, which is a limited liability company with specific ownership accounts. Accordingly, because of the legal form of the investee, the Company continues to account for this investment using the equity method of accounting since it is not required to demonstrate the ability to exercise significant influence under the relevant guidance. The Company’s proportionate share of the earnings or losses of the investee are reported as a separate line in the consolidated statements of operations.

Premier Pools & Spas is a holding company for its manufacturing and franchising companies including PFC LLC, Premier Franchise Management LLC, Premier Pools Management LLC, and Premier Fiberglass LLC (the “Premier Companies”). The Premier Companies are a leading swimming pool-building brand that uses its franchisee network to sell and install pools around the United States.

In connection with Latham’s investment in Premier Pools & Spas, the Company entered into an exclusive supply agreement with Premier Pools & Spas, the Premier Companies, and Premier Pools & Spas’ franchisees (“Premier Franchisees”) (together, the “Customer”). In February 2024, a new supply agreement was entered into with an effective date of January 1, 2024. Premier Pools & Spas does not consolidate the operations of the Premier Franchisees. Per the supply agreement, Latham is the exclusive supplier of the Premier Franchisees for specific pool and pool products. These products include fiberglass products and packaged pool products. The term of the supply agreement runs through October 20, 2030.

The Customer is entitled to a low-teens percentage rebate for all fiberglass pools sold and an additional growth rebate of a low single-digit to low-teens percentage based on year over year sales growth on fiberglass pools (the “Rebates”). The Rebates will be paid directly to Premier Pools Management Corp. Holdco, assuming the Premier Franchisees are in good standing with respect to amounts owed to the Company.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s carrying amount for the equity method investment in Premier Pools & Spas was $25.9 million and $25.1 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2023, Premier Pools & Spas paid the Company dividends of $2.9 million that are presented on the consolidated statement of cash flows as distribution received from equity method investment. During the year ended December 31, 2022, Premier Pools & Spas paid the Company dividends of $2.5 million that are presented on the consolidated statement of cash flows as distribution received from equity method. The Company recorded its interest in net earnings of Premier Pools & Spas of $3.7 million and $4.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which included basis difference adjustments of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively.