8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)   March 26, 2020

KIMBALL ELECTRONICS, INC.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code   (812) 634-4000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (Section 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Section 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company o

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. o

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On March 26, 2020, Kimball Electronics, Inc. issued a press release on the current impact of COVID-19. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information contained in, or incorporated into, this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Certain statements contained within this document are considered forward-looking under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, successful integration of acquisitions, ramp up of new operations, global economic conditions, geopolitical environment, global health emergencies, significant volume reductions from key contract customers, loss of key customers or suppliers, financial stability of key customers and suppliers, availability or cost of raw materials, impact related to tariffs and other trade barriers, and increased competitive pricing pressures. Additional cautionary statements regarding other risk factors that could have an effect on the future performance of the Company are contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

The following exhibit is furnished as part of this report:

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: March 26, 2020

Document

Exhibit 99.1

Kimball Electronics, Inc. Provides Update on Current Impact of COVID-19

JASPER, Ind., Mar. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kimball Electronics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KE), (the “Company”), provides the following update on the current impact of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak on the Company.

Our primary focus is on the well-being and safety of our employees and doing our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. We have taken steps to safeguard the health of our employees in our facilities worldwide in accordance with recommended protocols established by government authorities and country-specific, federal, state, and local public health organizations, including mandatory work-from-home for those whose responsibilities make it possible. Our employees are also impacted by burdens imposed by COVID-19, such as travel restrictions, limitations on public gatherings, shelter in place orders, and mandatory closures of schools and child-care facilities which impact the ability of certain of our employees to report for work.

The Company has a diversified portfolio of markets, geographies, and customers we serve, some of which will be impacted more significantly than others. While we have experienced and are expecting sales declines in certain product categories, we are experiencing increasing demand in other product categories, specifically for our medical assemblies, such as those related to respiratory care.

“I cannot express enough my great gratitude for the direct link our employees continue to play when it comes to making the important products we provide to our customers,” says Chairman and CEO, Don Charron. “We have customers whose products are essential to the health and safety of people around the globe—in their personal lives and at work. Supporting customers with their specific needs is a good reminder of how important we are to the value stream—and to people's health—especially during this pandemic. I am proud of what we are doing as a company right now.”

COVID-19 has disrupted the Company’s global operations since its initial outbreak. While our facilities in China were initially adversely impacted, they have now resumed normal operations. The Company’s other non-U.S. operations in Poland, Romania, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, India, and Mexico are all affected to varying degrees by government measures restricting the movement of citizens and operation of businesses. In the U.S., our manufacturing operations located in Jasper, Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Tampa, Florida, will maintain normal operations, based on recent federal, state, and local government mandates. This is because they fall under the general exception criteria as “Essential Businesses” due to our production and supply of medical assemblies critical to a variety of respiratory care products and drug delivery devices. We are working closely with our customers and suppliers to support worldwide critical public health needs.

The Company cannot predict the duration or scope of the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore, the negative financial impact on results cannot be reasonably estimated but could be material.  The Company will provide an update during our fiscal year third quarter 2020 earnings release conference call and webcast.

About Kimball Electronics, Inc.

Kimball Electronics is a multifaceted manufacturing solutions provider of electronics and diversified contract manufacturing services to customers around the world. From our operations in the United States, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Thailand, and Vietnam, our teams are proud to provide manufacturing services for a variety of industries. Recognized for a reputation of excellence, we are committed to a high-performance culture that values personal and organizational commitment to quality, reliability, value, speed, and ethical behavior. Kimball Electronics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KE) is headquartered in Jasper, Indiana.

To learn more about Kimball Electronics, visit: www.kimballelectronics.com.