Item 1. Business
Item 1. Business
Air T, Inc. (the “Company,” “Air T,” “we” or “us” or “our”) is a holding company with a portfolio of operating businesses and financial assets. Our goal is to prudently and strategically diversify Air T’s earnings power and compound the growth in its free cash flow per share over time.
We currently operate in four industry segments:
• Overnight air cargo, which operates in the air express delivery services industry;
• Ground equipment sales, which manufactures and provides mobile deicers and other specialized equipment products to passenger and cargo airlines, airports, the military and industrial customers;
• Commercial jet engines and parts, which manages and leases aviation assets; supplies surplus and aftermarket commercial jet engine components; provides commercial aircraft disassembly/part-out services; commercial aircraft parts sales; procurement services and overhaul and repair services to airlines and;
• Corporate and other, which acts as the capital allocator and resource for other consolidated businesses. Further, Corporate and other is also comprised of insignificant businesses that do not pertain to other reportable segments.
Acquisitions
Wolfe Lake HQ, LLC. On December 2, 2021, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Wolfe Lake HQ, LLC ("Wolfe Lake"), completed the purchase of the real estate located at 5000 36th Street West, St. Louis Park, Minnesota for $13.2 million pursuant to the real estate purchase agreement with WLPC East, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company dated October 11, 2021. The real estate purchased consists of a 2-story office building, asphalt-paved driveways and parking areas, and landscaping. The building was constructed in 2004 and contains an estimated 54,742 total square feet of space. Air T's Minnesota executive office is currently located in the property. With this purchase, the Company assumed 11 leases from existing tenants occupying the building. Wolfe Lake HQ, LLC is included within the Corporate and other segment. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part II, Item 8 of this report.
GdW Beheer B.V. On February 10, 2022, the Company acquired GdW Beheer B.V. ("GdW"), a Dutch holding company in the business of providing global aviation data and information for EUR 12.5 million. The acquisition was completed through a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Air T Acquisition 22.1, LLC ("Air T Acquisition 22.1", “Subsidiary”), a Minnesota limited liability company, through its Dutch subsidiary, Shanwick B.V. ("Shanwick"), and was funded with cash, investment by executive management of the underlying business, and the loans described in Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part II, Item 8 of this report. As part of the transaction, the executive management of the underlying business purchased 30% of Shanwick. Air T Acquisition 22.1 and its consolidated subsidiaries are included within the Corporate and other segment. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part II, Item 8 of this report.
Unconsolidated Investments
On May 5, 2021, the Company helped form an aircraft asset management business called Contrail Asset Management, LLC (“CAM”), and an aircraft capital joint venture called Contrail JV II LLC (“CJVII”). The Company and Mill Road Capital (“MRC”) agreed to become common members in CAM. CAM serves two separate and distinct functions: 1) to direct the sourcing, acquisition and management of aircraft assets owned by CJVII (“Asset Management Function”), and 2) to directly invest into CJVII alongside other institutional investment partners (“Investment Function”). For the Asset Management Function, CAM receives origination fees, management fees, consignment fees (where applicable) and a carried interest. For its Investment Function, CAM has an initial commitment to CJVII of approximately $53.0 million, which is comprised of an $8.0 million initial commitment from the Company and an approximately $45.0 million initial commitment from MRC. Any investment returns are shared pro-rata between the Company and MRC. See Note 24 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part II, Item 8 of this report.
The Company also has ownership interests in Insignia Systems, Inc. ("Insignia") and Cadillac Casting, Inc. ("CCI"). The operations of these companies are not consolidated into the operations of the Company. See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part II, Item 8 of this report.
Each business segment has separate management teams and infrastructures that offer different products and services. We evaluate the performance of our business segments based on operating income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA.
Discontinued Operations
On September 30, 2019, the Company completed the sale of Global Aviation Services, LLC ("GAS"). The results of operations of GAS are reported as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the year ended
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March 31, 2021. Unless otherwise indicated, the disclosures accompanying the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the Company's continuing operations.
Certain financial data with respect to the Company’s geographic areas and segments is set forth in Notes 21 and 22 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part II, Item 8 of this report.
Air T was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1980. The principal place of business of Air T and Mountain Air Cargo, Inc. (“MAC”) is 5930 Balsom Ridge Road, Denver, North Carolina. The principal place of business of CSA Air, Inc. (“CSA”) is Iron Mountain, Michigan. The principal place of business for Global Ground Support, LLC (“GGS”) is Olathe, Kansas. The principal place of business of Delphax Technologies, Inc (“Delphax”) is Minneapolis, Minnesota. The principal place of business for Delphax Solutions, Inc. (“DSI”) is Mississauga, Canada. The principal place of business of Contrail Aviation Support, LLC (“Contrail”) is Verona, Wisconsin. The principal place of business of AirCo, LLC, AirCo 1, LLC, AirCo 2, LLC and AirCo Services, LLC (collectively, "AirCo”) and Worthington Aviation, LLC (“Worthington”) is Eagan, Minnesota. The principal place of business of Jet Yard, LLC (“Jet Yard”) and Jet Yard Solutions, LLC ("Jet Yard Solutions") is Marana, Arizona. The principal place of business of Wolfe Lake is Minneapolis, Minnesota. The principal place of business of GdW is Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
We maintain an Internet website at http://www.airt.net and our SEC filings may be accessed through links on our website. The information on our website is available for information purposes only and is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overnight Air Cargo.
The Company’s Overnight Air Cargo segment is operated through MAC and CSA. MAC and CSA have a relationship with FedEx spanning over 40 years and represent two of seven companies in the U.S. that have North American feeder airlines under contract with FedEx. MAC and CSA operate and maintain Cessna Caravan, ATR-42 and ATR-72 aircraft that fly daily small-package cargo routes throughout the eastern United States and upper Midwest, and in the Caribbean. MAC and CSA’s revenues are derived principally pursuant to “dry-lease” service contracts with FedEx. In these “dry- lease" contracts, FedEx provides the aircraft while MAC and CSA provide their own crew and exercise operational control of their flights.
On June 1, 2021, MAC and CSA entered into new dry-lease agreements with FedEx which together cover all of the aircraft operated by MAC and CSA and replaced all prior dry-lease service contracts. These dry-lease agreements provide for the lease of specified aircraft by MAC and CSA in return for the payment of monthly rent with respect to each aircraft leased, which monthly rent reflected an estimate of a fair market rental rate. These dry-lease agreements provide that FedEx determines the type of aircraft and schedule of routes to be flown by MAC and CSA, with all other operational decisions made by MAC and CSA, respectively. The current dry-lease agreements provide for the reimbursement of MAC and CSA’s costs by FedEx, without mark up, incurred in connection with the operation of the leased aircraft for the following: fuel, landing fees, third-party maintenance, parts and certain other direct operating costs. The current dry-lease agreement was most recently renewed on June 1, 2021 and is set to expire on August 31, 2026. The dry-lease agreements may be terminated by FedEx or MAC and CSA, respectively, at any time upon 90 days’ written notice and FedEx may at any time terminate the lease of any particular aircraft thereunder upon 10 days’ written notice. In addition, each of the dry-lease agreements provides that FedEx may terminate the agreement upon written notice if 60% or more of MAC or CSA’s revenue (excluding revenues arising from reimbursement payments under the dry-lease agreement) is derived from the services performed by it pursuant to the respective dry-lease agreement, FedEx becomes MAC or CSA’s only customer, or MAC or CSA employs fewer than six employees. As of the date of this report, FedEx would be permitted to terminate each of the dry-lease agreements under this provision. The Company believes that the short-term nature of its agreements with FedEx is standard within the airfreight contract delivery service industry, where performance is measured on a daily basis.
As of March 31, 2022, MAC and CSA had an aggregate of 72 aircraft under its dry-lease agreements with FedEx. Included within the 72 aircraft, 2 Cessna Caravan aircraft are considered soft-parked. Soft-parked aircraft remain covered under our agreements with FedEx although at a reduced administrative fee compared to aircraft that are in operation. MAC and CSA continue to perform maintenance on soft-parked aircraft, but they are not crewed and do not operate on scheduled routes.
Revenues from MAC and CSA’s contracts with FedEx accounted for approximately 41% and 37% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The loss of FedEx as a customer would have a material adverse effect on the Company. FedEx has been a customer of the Company since 1980. MAC and CSA are not contractually precluded from providing services to other parties and MAC occasionally provides third-party maintenance services to other airline customers and the U.S. military.
MAC and CSA operate under separate aviation certifications. MAC is certified to operate under Part 121, Part 135 and Part 145 of the regulations of the FAA. These certifications permit MAC to operate and maintain aircraft that can carry a maximum cargo capacity of 7,500 pounds on the Cessna Caravan 208B under Part 135 and a maximum cargo capacity of 14,000 pounds for the ATR-42 and 17,800 pounds for the ATR-72 aircraft under Part 121. CSA is certified to operate and maintain aircraft under Part 135 of the FAA regulations. This certification permits CSA to operate aircraft with a maximum cargo capacity of 7,500 pounds.
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MAC and CSA, together, operated the following FedEx-owned cargo aircraft as of March 31, 2022:
Type of Aircraft Model Year Form of Ownership Number
of
Aircraft
Cessna Caravan 208B (single turbo prop) 1985-1996 Dry lease 54
ATR-42 (twin turbo prop) 1992 Dry lease 9
ATR-72 (twin turbo prop) 1992 Dry lease 9
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The Cessna Caravan 208B aircraft are maintained under an FAA Approved Aircraft Inspection Program (“AAIP”). The inspection intervals range from 100 to 200 hours. The current engine overhaul period on the Cessna aircraft is 8,000 hours.
The ATR-42 and ATR-72 aircraft are maintained under a FAA Part 121 continuous airworthiness maintenance program. The program consists of A and C service checks as well as calendar checks ranging from weekly to 12 years in duration. The engine overhaul period is 6,000 hours.
MAC and CSA operate in a niche market within a highly competitive contract cargo carrier market. MAC and CSA are two of nine carriers that operate within the United States as FedEx feeder carriers. MAC and CSA are benchmarked against the other five FedEx feeders based on safety, reliability, compliance with federal, state and applicable foreign regulations, price and other service-related measurements. The Company believes accurate industry data is not available to indicate the Company’s position within its marketplace (in large measure because all of the Company’s direct competitors are privately held), but management believes that MAC and CSA, combined, constitute the largest contract carrier of the type described.
FedEx conducts periodic audits of MAC and CSA, and these audits are an integral part of the relationship between the carrier and FedEx. The audits test adherence to the dry-lease agreements and assess the carrier’s overall internal control environment, particularly as related to the processing of invoices of FedEx-reimbursable costs. The scope of these audits typically extends beyond simple validation of invoice data against the third-party supporting documentation. The audit teams generally investigate the operator’s processes and internal control procedures. The Company believes satisfactory audit results are critical to maintaining its relationship with FedEx. The audits conducted by FedEx are not designed to provide any assurance with respect to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and investors, in evaluating the Company’s consolidated financial statements, should not rely in any way on any such examination of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
The Company’s overnight air cargo operations are not materially seasonal.
Ground Equipment Sales.
GGS is located in Olathe, Kansas and manufactures, sells and services aircraft deicers and other specialized equipment sold to domestic and international passenger and cargo airlines, ground handling companies, the United States Air Force (“USAF”), airports and industrial customers. GGS’s product line includes aircraft deicers, scissor-type lifts, military and civilian decontamination units, flight-line tow tractors, glycol recovery vehicles and other specialized equipment. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, sales of deicing equipment accounted for approximately 88% of GGS’s revenues, compared to 94% in the prior fiscal year.
GGS designs and engineers its products. Components acquired from third-party suppliers are used in the assembly of its finished products. Components are sourced from a diverse supply chain. The primary components for mobile deicing equipment are the chassis (which is a commercial medium or heavy-duty truck), the fluid storage tank, a boom system, the fluid delivery system and heating equipment. The price of these components is influenced by raw material costs, principally high-strength carbon steels and stainless steel. GGS utilizes continuous improvements and other techniques to improve efficiencies and designs to minimize product price increases to its customers, to respond to regulatory changes, such as emission standards, and to incorporate technological improvements to enhance the efficiency of GGS’s products. Improvements have included the development of single operator mobile deicing units to replace units requiring two operators, a patented premium deicing blend system and a more efficient forced-air deicing system.
GGS manufactures five basic models of mobile deicing equipment with capacities ranging from 700 to 2,800 gallons. GGS also offers fixed-pedestal-mounted deicers. Each model can be customized as requested by the customer, including single operator configuration, fire suppressant equipment, open basket or enclosed cab design, a patented forced-air deicing nozzle, on-board glycol blending system to substantially reduce glycol usage, and color and style of the exterior finish. GGS also manufactures five models of scissor-lift equipment, for catering, cabin service and maintenance service of aircraft, and has developed a line of decontamination equipment, flight-line tow tractors, glycol recovery vehicles and other special purpose mobile equipment.
GGS competes primarily on the basis of the quality and reliability of its products, prompt delivery, service and price. The market for aviation ground service equipment is highly competitive. Certain of GGS' competitors may have substantially
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greater financial resources than we do. These entities or investors may be able to accept more risk than the Company believes is in our best interest. In addition, the market for aviation ground services in the past has typically been directly related to the financial health of the aviation industry, weather patterns and changes in technology.
GGS’s mobile deicing equipment business has historically been seasonal, with revenues typically being lower in the fourth and first fiscal quarters as commercial deicers are typically delivered prior to the winter season. The Company has continued its efforts to reduce GGS’s seasonal fluctuation in revenues and earnings by broadening its international and domestic customer base and its product line.
In October 2021, GGS was awarded a new contract to supply deicing trucks to the USAF. This agreement renewed GGS' original agreement with the USAF entered into in July 2009. Per the contract, GGS has to provide pricing that will be contractual for each one-year period within the years that the contract is awarded. Further, based upon volume of commercial items purchased during that year, there may be discounts calculated into the pricing and are reflective of the submitted pricing. With all option years expected to be executed by the government, this contract would expire on October 21, 2027.
GGS sold a total of 7 and 47 deicers under the previous contract with the USAF including both GL 1800 and ER 2875 models during fiscal years ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, respectively and all of the units were accepted by the USAF. GGS has already received confirmed orders of 18 deicers under the new agreement and currently expects delivery of both GL 1800 and ER 2875 models to begin in the second quarter of fiscal year 2023.
Commercial Jet Engines and Parts.
Contrail Aviation Support and Jet Yard (acquired during fiscal year 2017), AirCo (formed in May 2017), Worthington (acquired in May 2018), and Jet Yard Solutions (formed in January 2021) comprise the commercial jet engines and parts segment of the Company’s operations. Contrail Aviation Support is a commercial aircraft trading, leasing and parts solutions provider. Its primary focus revolves around the CFM International CFM56-3/-5/-7 engines and the International Aero Engines V2500A5 engine, which power the two most prevalent narrow body, single aisle aircraft that are currently flown commercially—the Boeing 737 Classic / 737 NG and the Airbus A320 family. Contrail Aviation Support acquires commercial aircraft, jet engines and components for the purposes of sale, trading, leasing and disassembly/overhaul. Contrail holds an ASA-100 accreditation from the Aviation Suppliers Association.
Jet Yard and Jet Yard Solutions offer commercial aircraft storage, storage maintenance and aircraft disassembly/part-out services at facilities leased at the Pinal Air Park in Marana, Arizona. The prevailing climate in this area of Arizona provides conditions conducive to long-term storage of aircraft. Jet Yard Solutions is registered to operate a repair station under Part 145 of the regulations of the FAA. Jet Yard leases approximately 48.5 acres of land under a lease agreement with Pinal County, Arizona. Jet Yard was organized in 2014, entered into the lease in June 2016 and had maintained de minimus operations from formation through the date it was acquired by the Company. Effective January 1, 2021, Jet Yard subleased the aforementioned lease with Pinal County to Jet Yard Solutions.
AirCo operates an established business offering commercial aircraft parts sales, exchanges, procurement services, consignment programs and overhaul and repair services. AirCo Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AirCo ("AirCo Services"), holds FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency certifications covering aircraft instrumentation, avionics and a range of electrical accessories for civilian, military transport, regional/commuter and business/commercial jet and turboprop aircraft. Customers of AirCo include airlines and commercial aircraft leasing companies.
Worthington Aviation, like AirCo, operates an established business which supplies spare parts, repair programs and aircraft maintenance services to the global aviation community of regional and business aircraft fleets. Worthington offers a globally networked infrastructure and 24/7 support, ensuring fast delivery of spare parts and service, with four locations strategically located in the United States, United Kingdom & Australia. In addition, Worthington operates two FAA and EASA Certificated Repair Stations. The Tulsa maintenance, repair and overhaul ("MRO") facility provides composite aircraft structures, repair and support services. As a strategic resource for flight control, exhaust system and line replacement components, Worthington offers a wide array of services for complex operations. At the Eagan, Minnesota-based Repair Station, Worthington Repair Services offers a wide range of capabilities for repair and overhaul of airframe, accessories and power plant components in support of external as well as internal sales.
The Company’s commercial jet engines and parts operations are not materially seasonal.
Backlog.
GGS’s backlog consists of “firm” orders supported by customer purchase orders for the equipment sold by GGS. At March 31, 2022, GGS’s backlog of orders was $14.0 million, all of which GGS expects to be filled in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023. At March 31, 2021, GGS’s backlog of orders was $10.3 million. Backlog is not meaningful for the Company’s other business segments.
Governmental Regulation.
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The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to regulation by various governmental agencies.
The Department of Transportation (“DOT”) has the authority to regulate air service. The DOT has authority to investigate and institute proceedings to enforce its economic regulations, and may, in certain circumstances, assess civil penalties, revoke operating authority and seek criminal sanctions.
Under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001, as amended, the Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”), an agency within the Department of Homeland Security, has responsibility for aviation security. The TSA requires MAC and CSA to comply with a Full All-Cargo Aircraft Operator Standard Security Plan, which contains evolving and strict security requirements. These requirements are not static but change periodically as the result of regulatory and legislative requirements, imposing additional security costs and creating a level of uncertainty for our operations. It is reasonably possible that these rules or other future security requirements could impose material costs on us.
The FAA has safety jurisdiction over flight operations generally, including flight equipment, flight and ground personnel training, examination and certification, certain ground facilities, flight equipment maintenance programs and procedures, examination and certification of mechanics, flight routes, air traffic control and communications and other matters. The FAA is concerned with safety and the regulation of flight operations generally, including equipment used, ground facilities, maintenance, communications and other matters. The FAA can suspend or revoke the authority of air carriers or their licensed personnel for failure to comply with its regulations and can ground aircraft if questions arise concerning airworthiness. The FAA also has power to suspend or revoke for cause the certificates it issues and to institute proceedings for imposition and collection of fines for violation of federal aviation regulations. The Company, through its subsidiaries, holds all operating airworthiness and other FAA certificates that are currently required for the conduct of its business, although these certificates may be suspended or revoked for cause. The FAA periodically conducts routine reviews of MAC and CSA’s operating procedures and flight and maintenance records.
The FAA has authority under the Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended, to monitor and regulate aircraft engine noise. The aircraft operated by the Company are in compliance with all such regulations promulgated by the FAA. Moreover, because the Company does not operate jet aircraft, noncompliance is not likely. Aircraft operated by us also comply with standards for aircraft exhaust emissions promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) pursuant to the Clean Air Act of 1970, as amended.
Jet Yard, Jet Yard Solutions and AirCo, like Worthington, operate repair stations licensed under Part 145 of the regulations of the FAA. These certifications must be renewed annually, or in certain circumstances within 24 months. Certified repair stations are subject to periodic FAA inspection and audit. The repair station may not be relocated without written approval from the FAA.
Because of the extensive use of radio and other communication facilities in its aircraft operations, the Company is also subject to the Federal Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
Maintenance and Insurance.
The Company, through its subsidiaries, is required to maintain the aircraft it operates under the appropriate FAA and manufacturer standards and regulations.
The Company has secured public liability and property damage insurance in excess of minimum amounts required by the United States Department of Transportation.
The Company maintains cargo liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance and fire and extended coverage insurance for owned and leased facilities and equipment. In addition, the Company maintains product liability insurance with respect to injuries and loss arising from use of products sold and services provided.
In March 2014, the Company formed SAIC, a captive insurance company licensed in Utah. SAIC insures risks of the Company and its subsidiaries that were not previously insured by the various Company insurance programs (including the risk of loss of key customers and contacts, administrative actions and regulatory changes); and may from time to time underwrite third-party risk through certain reinsurance arrangements. SAIC is included within the Company's Corporate and other segment.
Employees.
As of March 31, 2022, the Company and its subsidiaries had 500 full-time and full-time-equivalent employees. None of the employees of the Company or any of its consolidated subsidiaries are represented by labor unions. The Company believes its relations with its employees are good.