Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.
In connection with the preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as of September 28, 2024 on the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by this Report. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) . Based on management's assessment and those criteria, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 28, 2024.
Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued its report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 28, 2024, which appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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Item 9B. Other Information
(a) Not applicable
(b) Insider Trading Arrangements
On September 13, 2024 , Philip Horlock , the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors, entered into a trading plan intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act, providing for the sale of up to 100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock. Pursuant to this plan, Mr. Horlock may sell shares beginning December 16, 2024 and ending September 13, 2025.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, the previously disclosed Rule 10b5-1 trading plan for Razvan Radulescu , the Company's Chief Financial Officer , expired in accordance with its terms as all shares covered under such plan have been sold. On August 12, 2024 , Mr. Radulescu entered into a trading plan intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act, providing for the sale of up to 46,171 shares of the Company's Common Stock. Pursuant to this plan, Mr. Radulescu may sell shares beginning December 17, 2024 and ending August 30, 2025.
No other directors or officers of the Company adopted or terminated any "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or any "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement," as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K, during the last fiscal quarter.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions That Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
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PART III
Certain information required by Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in March 2025. The Company will, within 120 days of the end of its fiscal year, file the Proxy Statement with the SEC or supply the information required by this Part III by amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information responsive to this item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled “Election of Directors,” “Information Concerning Management,” “Corporate Governance and Board Matters,” and "Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports" contained in the Proxy Statement.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information responsive to this item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Director and Executive Compensation” and related sections "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," "Fiscal 2024 Director Compensation," and "Named Executive Officer Compensation" contained in the Proxy Statement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information responsive to this item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” contained in the Proxy Statement. Also see the section entitled “Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans” in Item 5 of this Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information responsive to this item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled “Corporate Governance and Board Matters - Director Independence” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” contained in the Proxy Statement.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information responsive to this item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Certain Accounting and Audit Matters” contained in the Proxy Statement.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Index
(1) Financial Statements.
The following financial statements are located in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) Financial Statement Schedules.
Financial Statement Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules are not required under the related instructions or are not applicable.
(3) Exhibits. See paragraph (b) below.
(b) Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
3.1 The registrant’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on February 26, 2015) .
3.2 The registrant’s Bylaws, as amended, effective February 2, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on February 3, 2023).
4.1 Specimen stock certificate for the registrant’s common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 2, 2015).
4.2 Credit Agreement, dated as of November 17, 2023, by and among the Company, School Bus Holdings, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, including Blue Bird Body Company as the borrower, Bank of Montreal, as Administrative Agent and certain other financial institutions party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed by the registrant with the SEC on November 20, 2023).
4.3 Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of Blue Bird Corporation, dated as of December 7, 2023, by and among Blue Bird Corporation and Generate Capital, PBC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on February 7, 2024).
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4.4 Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of Blue Bird Corporation, dated as of December 7, 2023, by and among Blue Bird Corporation and Generate Capital, PBC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on February 7, 2024).
4.5* Description of the registrant's securities.
10.1† Blue Bird Corporation Amended and Restated 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement, as filed on January 27, 2020).
10.2† Form of grant agreement for incentive stock options granted under the registrant’s Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 2, 2015).
10.3† Form of grant agreement for non-qualified stock options granted under the registrant’s Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 2, 2015).
10.4† Form of grant agreement for restricted stock granted under the registrant’s Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 2, 2015).
10.5† Form of grant agreement for restricted stock units granted under the registrant’s Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 2, 2015).
10.6† Revised form of grant agreement for non-qualified stock options granted under the registrant's Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the registrant on December 12, 2019).
10.7† Revised form of grant agreement for restricted stock units granted under the registrant's Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the registrant on December 12, 2019).
10.8 Form of indemnity agreement between the registrant and each of its directors and executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 2, 2015).
10.9† Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement for directors under the registrant’s Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A filed by the registrant on August 18, 2015).
10.10 Credit Agreement dated as of December 12, 2016 by and among Blue Bird Corporation, School Bus Holdings, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates and Bank of Montreal, as Administrative Agent and an Issuing Bank, Fifth Third Bank, as Co-Syndication Agent and an Issuing Bank and Regions Bank, as Co-Syndication Agent, and the other lenders party thereto, together with certain exhibits (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on December 15, 2016).
10.11 First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2018, by and among the Company, School Bus Holdings, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, including Blue Bird Body Company as the borrower, Bank of Montreal, as Administrative Agent and certain other financial institutions party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on September 13, 2018).
10.12 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 7, 2020, by and among Blue Bird Corporation, School Bus Holdings, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, including Blue Bird Body Company as the borrower, Bank of Montreal, as Administrative Agent, and certain other financial institutions party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on May 8, 2020).
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10.13 Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2020, by and among the Blue Bird Corporation, School Bus Holdings, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, including Blue Bird Body Company as the borrower, Bank of Montreal, as Administrative Agent and certain other financial institutions party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed by the registrant with the SEC on December 9, 2020).
10.14 Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 24, 2021, by and among the Company, School Bus Holdings, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, including Blue Bird Body Company as the borrower, Bank of Montreal, as Administrative Agent and an Issuing Bank, Fifth Third Bank, as Co-Syndication Agent and an Issuing Bank, and Regions Bank, as Co-Syndication Agent, and certain other financial institutions from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 29, 2021).
10.15 Fifth Amendment and Limited Waiver to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 2, 2022, by and among the Blue Bird Corporation, School Bus Holdings, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, including Blue Bird Body Company as the borrower, and Bank of Montreal, as Administrative Agent and an Issuing Bank, Fifth Third Bank and Truist Bank, each an Issuing Bank, and certain other financial institutions from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the registrant on December 12, 2022) .
10.16 Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2022, by and among the Company, School Bus Holdings, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, including Blue Bird Body Company as the borrower, Bank of Montreal, as Administrative Agent and certain other financial institutions party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 28, 2022).
10.17† Revised form of grant agreement for non-qualified stock options granted to employees under the registrant’s Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on February 13, 2020).
10.18† Revised form of grant agreement for restricted stock units granted to employees under the registrant’s Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on February 13, 2020).
10.19 Credit Agreement, dated as of November 17, 2023, by and among the Company, School Bus Holdings, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, including Blue Bird Body Company as the borrower, Bank of Montreal, as Administrative Agent and certain other financial institutions party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed by the registrant with the SEC on November 20, 2023).
10.20 Limited Liability Company Agreement of Clean Bus Solutions, LLC, dated as of December 7, 2023, by and among Blue Bird Body Company, Clean Bus Solutions, LLC, and GC Mobility Investments I, LLC (portions of the exhibit have been omitted) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on February 7, 2024).
10.21 Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of Blue Bird Corporation, dated as of December 7, 2023, by and among Blue Bird Corporation and Generate Capital, PBC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10. 3 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on February 7, 2024).
10.22 Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of Blue Bird Corporation, dated as of December 7, 2023, by and among Blue Bird Corporation and Generate Capital, PBC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10. 4 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on February 7, 2024).
10.23† Change in Control Plan, effective as of January 25, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10. 1 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on May 8, 2024).
10.24† Omnibus Amendment to Outstanding Stock Option and Restricted Stock Unit Awards Under the Amended and Restated Blue Bird Corporation 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, effective as of January 25, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10. 2 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on May 8, 2024).
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10.25† Employment Agreement effective May 15, 2023, between Phil Horlock and Blue Bird Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10. 3 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on May 8 , 2024).
10.26† Employment Agreement effective July 1 , 2023, between Britton Smith and Blue Bird Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on May 8, 2024).
10.27† Employment Agreement effective October 1 , 2023, between Razv an Radulescu and Blue Bird Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10. 5 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on May 8, 2024).
10.28† Employment Agreement effective October 1 , 2023, between Ted Scartz and Blue Bird Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10. 6 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on May 8, 2024).
10.29* Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Clean Bus Solutions, LLC , dated as of August 8, 2024, by and among Blue Bird Body Company, Clean Bus Solutions, LLC, and GC Mobility Investments I, LLC (portions of the exhibit have been omitted)
10.30†* Separation and Release Agreement effective September 28, 2024, betwe en Britton Smith, Blue Bird Corporation, and B lue Bird Body Company .
10.31†* Separation and Release Agreement ADEA/OWPA effective September 28, 2024, between Britton Smith, Blue Bird Corporation, and Blue Bird Body Company.
19.1 Registrant's Insider Trading Policy and Guidelines for Rule 10b5-1 Plans (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.1 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the registrant on December 11, 2023) .
21.1* Subsidiaries of the registrant.
23.1* Consent of BDO USA, P.C.
31.1* Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2* Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1* Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2* Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
97.1 Registrant's Policy Relating to Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 97.1 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the registrant on December 11, 2023) .
101* The following materials from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) and furnished electronically herewith: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss); (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
_________________________
* Filed herewith.
† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
(c) Not applicable.
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Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Omitted at registrant's option.
SCHEDULE II- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(in thousands) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Fiscal Year Ended Beginning Balance Charges to Expense/(Income) Doubtful Accounts Written Off, Net Ending Balance
October 1, 2022 $ 100 $ — $ — $ 100
September 30, 2023 100 — — 100
September 28, 2024 100 — — 100
(in thousands) Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance
Fiscal Year Ended Beginning Balance Charges to Expense/(Income) Charges utilized/Write offs Ending Balance
October 1, 2022 $ 3,453 $ 2,050 $ — $ 5,503
September 30, 2023 5,503 319 — 5,822
September 28, 2024 5,822 17 — 5,839
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Blue Bird Corporation
Dated: November 25, 2024 By: /s/ Philip Horlock
Philip Horlock
President & Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Person Capacity Date
/s/ Philip Horlock
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Philip Horlock
(Principal Executive Officer) November 25, 2024
/s/ Razvan Radulescu Chief Financial Officer
Razvan Radulescu (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) November 25, 2024
/s/ Mark Blaufuss
Mark Blaufuss
Director November 25, 2024
/s/ Julie A. Fream
Julie A. Fream
Director November 25, 2024
/s/ Douglas Grimm
Douglas Grimm Director November 25, 2024
/s/ Edward T. Hightower
Edward T. Hightower
Director November 25, 2024
/s/ Simon J. Newman
Simon J. Newman
Director November 25, 2024
/s/ Kevin Penn
Kevin Penn Director November 25, 2024
/s/ Dan Thau
Dan Thau
Director November 25, 2024
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