Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM 7
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
“Forward-Looking” Information
This Annual Report contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Exchange Act, which represent the Company’s expectations and beliefs, including, but not limited to, statements concerning gross margins, sales of the Company’s products and future financing plans, income from investees and litigation. These statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company’s control. Actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors, including the financial condition of the Company’s customers, changes in the economic and competitive environments, the performance of the investment portfolio and the demand for the Company’s products.
For information concerning these factors and related matters, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A in this Annual Report. However, other factors besides those referenced could adversely affect the Company’s results, and you should not consider any such list of factors to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties. Any forward-looking statements made by the Company herein speak as of the date of this Annual Report. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Overview
Gencor is a leading manufacturer of heavy machinery used in the production of highway construction materials and environmental control equipment. The Company’s core products include asphalt plants, combustion systems, fluid heat transfer systems and asphalt pavers. The Company’s products are manufactured at three facilities in the United States.
Because the Company’s products are sold primarily to the highway construction industry, the business is seasonal in nature. Traditionally, the Company’s customers reduce their purchases of new equipment for shipment during the summer and fall months to avoid disrupting their peak season for highway construction and related repair work. The majority of orders for the Company’s products are thus received between October and February, with a significant volume of shipments occurring in the late winter and spring. The principal factors driving demand for the Company’s products are the overall economic conditions, the level of government funding for domestic highway construction and repair, Canadian infrastructure spending, the need for spare parts, fluctuations in the price of liquid asphalt, and a trend towards larger more efficient asphalt plants.
On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed into law a five-year, $305 billion transportation bill, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (the “FAST Act”). The FAST Act reauthorized the collection of the 18.4 cents per gallon gas tax that is typically used to pay for transportation projects. It also included $70 billion from other areas of the federal budget to close a $16 billion annual funding deficit. The bill included spending of more than $205 billion on roads and highways over five years. The 2016 funding levels were approximately 5% above 2015 projected funding, with annual increases between 2.0% and 2.5% from 2016 through September 2020. On the eve of its expiration, a one-year
extension to the FAST Act was passed and signed into law. The one-year
extension maintains current funding levels under the FAST Act through September 2021.
California’s Senate Bill 1 (“SB1”), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, was signed into law on April 28, 2017. The legislative package invests $54 billion over the next decade to fix roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California and puts more dollars towards transit and safety. These funds will be allocated to state and local projects. Additionally, numerous other states have taken steps to increase their gas tax revenues in recent years.
Fluctuations in the price of carbon steel, which is a significant cost and material used in the manufacturing of the Company’s equipment, may affect the Company’s financial performance. The Company is subject to fluctuations in market prices for raw materials, such as steel. If the Company is unable to purchase materials it requires or is unable to pass on price increases to its customers or otherwise reduce its cost of goods sold, its business results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
15
Also, a significant increase in the price of liquid asphalt could decrease demand for hot mix asphalt paving materials and certain of the Company’s products. Increases in oil prices also drive up the cost of gasoline and diesel, which results in increased freight costs. Where possible, the Company will pass increased freight costs on to its customers. However, the Company may not be able to recapture all of the higher costs and thus could have a negative impact on the Company’s financial performance.
The Company believes its strategy of continuing to invest in product engineering and development and its focus on delivering the highest quality products and superior service will strengthen the Company’s market position. The Company continues to review its internal processes to identify inefficiencies and cost-reduction opportunities. The Company will continue to scrutinize its relationships with suppliers to ensure it is achieving the highest quality materials and services at the most competitive cost.
Results of Operations
Year ended September 30, 2020 compared with the year ended September 30, 2019
Net revenue for the year ended September 30, 2020 decreased 4.8% to $77.4 million from $81.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2019. Net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased 27.8% to $10.5 million compared to $14.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in revenues reflects a decline in orders from prior year as the impact of the FAST Act, which was set to expire at the end of September 2020, has slowed. On the eve of its expiration, a one-year
extension to the FAST Act was passed and signed into law. The one-year
extension maintains current funding levels under the FAST Act through September 2021.
Gross profit for fiscal 2020 was 24.5% of net revenue versus 27.6% of net revenue in fiscal 2019. The reduced gross profit margins resulted from lower margins on contract jobs related to new products and overall lower production volumes.
Product engineering and development (“PED”) expenses decreased by $234,000 or 7.1% to $3,061,000 from $3,295,000 in fiscal 2019 due to reduced supplies, consulting and travel expenses. Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased $709,000 or 7.3% to $10,356,000 from $9,647,000 in fiscal 2019. The higher SG&A expenses in 2020 were due to increased headcount, trade show and professional expenses. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenue increased to 13.4%, compared to 11.9% in the prior year.
Fiscal 2020 had operating income of $5,536,000 versus $9,470,000 in fiscal 2019 based on lower net revenues and increased selling expenses.
On October 1, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of the Blaw-Knox paver business and associated assets, including inventory fixed assets and related intellectual property, for a purchase price of approximately $14.4 million, subject to post-closing adjustments. The acquisition expands the Company’s product offerings by adding highway class asphalt pavers to its asphalt plant and related equipment products. Operations will continue with Blaw-Knox’s current management and workforce at a manufacturing facility located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The financial information included in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Annual Report and in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements is that of Gencor prior to the acquisition of Blaw-Knox because the acquisition was completed after September 30, 2020, the annual period covered by the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report. Accordingly, the historical information included in this Annual Report, unless otherwise indicated, is that of Gencor prior to the acquisition.
As of September 30, 2020 and 2019, the cost basis of the investment portfolio was $89.5 million and $104.2 million, respectively. During the fourth quarter of 2020, approximately $17.0 million of investments were liquidated. The cash was used to fund the acquisition of the Blaw-Knox paver business (see Note 12 - Subsequent Events to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information). For both years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, net interest and dividend income was $2.3 million. The net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities were $(1.2) million in fiscal 2020 versus $1.0 million in fiscal 2019. The total cash, cash equivalents and investments balance at September 30, 2020 was $125.1 million, compared to the September 30, 2019 cash, cash equivalents and investments balance of $115.6 million, an increase of $9.5 million.
The effective income tax rate for fiscal 2020 was 17.2% versus 20.5% in fiscal 2019.
In fiscal 2019, the Company generated $241,000 of federal research and development tax credits (“R&D Credits”), all of which were used in fiscal 2019. In fiscal 2020, the Company generated $421,000 of R&D Credits, all of which were used. There were no R&D Credits carryforwards as of September 30, 2020 or September 30, 2019.
16
As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $87,000 in Florida state research and development tax credits (“Florida R&D Credits”) carryforwards. The Company did not receive any additional Florida R&D Credits in fiscal 2019 or fiscal 2020. The Company used the $87,000 of Florida R&D Credits carryforwards from fiscal 2018 in fiscal 2019. There were no Florida R&D Credits carryforwards at September 30, 2020 or September 30, 2019.
Net income for the year ended September 30, 2020 was $5,531,000 or $0.38 per diluted share versus net income of $10,196,000 or $0.69 per diluted share for the year ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in net income was primarily due to the lower net revenues, higher SG&A expenses and lower investment income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company generates capital resources through operations and returns from its investments.
The Company had no long-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2020 or 2019. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has funded $85,000 in cash deposits at insurance companies to cover collateral needs. In April 2020, a financial institution issued an irrevocable standby letter of credit (“letter of credit”) on behalf of the Company for the benefit of one of the Company’s insurance carriers. The maximum amount that can be drawn by the beneficiary under the letter of credit is $150,000. The letter of credit expires in April 2021, unless terminated earlier, and can be extended, as provided by the agreement. The Company intends to renew the letter of credit for as long as the Company does business with the beneficiary insurance carrier. The letter is collateralized by restricted cash of the same amount on any outstanding drawings. To date, no amounts have been drawn under the letter of credit.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had $35.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, and $89.5 million in marketable securities. The marketable securities are invested through professional investment management firms. The securities may be liquidated at any time into cash and cash equivalents.
The Company’s backlog, which includes orders received through the filing date of this Annual Report, was $34.6 million at September 30, 2020 versus $36.9 million at September 30, 2019. The Company’s working capital was $153.2 million at September 30, 2020 versus $150.4 million at September 30, 2019.
The significant purchases, sales and maturities of marketable securities shown on the consolidated statements of cash flows typically reflect the frequent purchase and sale of United States treasury bills. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company liquidated approximately $17.0 million of its investments. The cash was used to fund the acquisition of the Blaw-Know paver product line (see Note 12 - Subsequent Events to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information).
Year ended September 30, 2020 compared with the year ended September 30, 2019
Cash provided by operations in fiscal 2020 was $26,774,000, primarily resulting from the sale of investment securities and net income. The decrease in costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings of $7.4 million reflects the completion of customer contracts with revenues recognized over time that were open at the end of fiscal 2019 and the reduced number of such contracts open at the end of fiscal 2020. The increase in inventories of $1.7 million reflects the progress on several contract jobs where revenues are recognized at a point in time. Customer deposits increased $1.9 million, reflecting the down payments on these jobs.
Cash provided by operations in fiscal 2019 was $4,163,000, primarily resulting from net income. The increase in inventories of $3.5 million reflected the impact of a product build to meet the anticipated demand for the Company’s products at the start of fiscal 2020. The increase in costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings of $1.9 million reflects the ongoing progress on customer contracts with revenues recognized over time prior to final billing and payment of amounts due in advance of shipment. Customer deposits decreased $2.6 million, reflecting the application of down payments on those jobs.
Cash used in investing activities during the year ended September 30, 2020 of $1,595,000 and $2,104,000 for the year ended September 30, 2019, related primarily to capital expenditures for manufacturing equipment. Cash provided by financing activities of $103,000 in fiscal 2020 and $231,000 in fiscal 2019 related to proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
17
Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Assumptions
The Company believes the following discussion addresses it’s most critical accounting policies, which are those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Accounting policies, in addition to the critical accounting policies referenced below, are presented in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Accounting Policies.”
Estimates and Assumptions
In preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company uses certain estimates and assumptions that may affect reported amounts and disclosures. Estimates and assumptions are used, among other places, when accounting for certain revenue (e.g., contract accounting), expense, and asset and liability valuations. The Company believes that the estimates and assumptions made in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements are reasonable, but are inherently uncertain. Assumptions may be incomplete or inaccurate and unanticipated events may occur. The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from estimated results.
Revenues & Expenses
As previously discussed in Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended September 30, 2018, under the heading “Accounting Pronouncements and Policies”, the Company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2014-09
and its related amendments effective for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the timing or amounts of revenues recognized by the Company, and, as such, no cumulative effect adjustment was recorded with the adoption of the standard.
Revenues from contracts with customers for the design, manufacture and sale of custom equipment are recognized over time when the performance obligation is satisfied by transferring control of the equipment. Control of the equipment transfers over time as the equipment is unique to the specific contract and thus does not create an asset with an alternative use to the Company. Revenues and costs are recognized in proportion to actual labor costs incurred, as compared with total estimated labor costs expected to be incurred during the entire contract. All incremental costs related to obtaining a contract are expensed as incurred as the amortization period is less than one year. Changes to total estimated contract costs or losses, if any, are recognized in the period in which they are determined.
Contract assets (excluding accounts receivable) under contracts with customers represent revenue recognized in excess of amounts billed on equipment sales recognized over time. These contract assets were $6,405,000 and $13,838,000 at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and are included in current assets as costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company anticipates that all of the contract assets at September 30, 2020, will be billed and collected within one year.
Revenues from all other contracts for the design and manufacture of equipment, for service and for parts sales, net of any discounts and return allowances, are recorded at a point in time when control of the goods or services has been transferred. Control of the goods or service typically transfers at time of shipment or upon completion of the service.
Payment for equipment under contract with customers is typically due prior to shipment. Payment for services under contract with customers is due as services are completed. Accounts receivable related to contracts with customers at September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 were $223,000 and $301,000, respectively.
Product warranty costs are estimated using historical experience and known issues and are charged to production costs as revenue is recognized.
18
Under certain contracts with customers, recognition of a portion of the consideration received may be deferred and recorded as a contract liability if the Company has to satisfy a future obligation, such as to provide installation assistance. There were no contract liabilities other than customer deposits at September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019. Customer deposits related to contracts with customers were $3,853,000 and $1,918,000 at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and are included in current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
The Company records revenues earned for shipping and handling as freight revenue at the time of shipment, regardless of whether or not it is identified as a separate performance obligation. The cost of shipping and handling is classified as cost of goods sold concurrently.
Provisions for estimated returns and allowances and other adjustments are provided for in the same period the related sales are recorded. Returns and allowances, which reduce product revenue, are estimated using historical experience. All product engineering and development costs, and selling, general and administrative expenses are charged to operations as incurred. Provision is made for any anticipated contract losses in the period that the loss becomes evident.
The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined by performing a specific review of all account balances greater than 90 days past due and other higher risk amounts to determine collectability and also adjusting for any known customer payment issues with account balances in the less-than-90-day
past due aging buckets. Account balances are charged off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when they are determined to be uncollectable. Any recoveries of account balances previously considered in the allowance for doubtful accounts reduce future additions to the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling price of goods less reasonable costs of completion and delivery. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company changed its method for accounting for cost of inventories from the last-in,
first-out
(“LIFO”) method to the first-in,
first-out
(“FIFO”) method. The Company believes the FIFO method improved financial reporting by better reflecting the current value of inventory on the consolidated balance sheets, by more closely aligning the flow of physical inventory with the accounting for the inventory, and by providing better matching of revenues and expenses. The change in accounting method also required the Company to make a change for U.S. income tax purposes.
As required by GAAP, the Company has reflected this change in accounting principle on a retrospective basis, resulting in changes to the historical periods presented. The retrospective application of the change resulted in an increase in the Company’s September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 retained earnings of $2,838,000 (net of $838,000 in taxes) and $2,708,000 (net of $792,000 in taxes) respectively, and an increase to the Company’s net income of $130,000 (net of $45,000 in taxes) for the year ended September 30, 2018. This change did not affect our previously reported cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities nor did it have a significant impact on the previously reported quarterly operating results for fiscal 2019.
All inventories are now valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost being determined under the FIFO method and net realizable value defined as the estimated selling price of goods less reasonable costs of completion and delivery (see Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements). Appropriate consideration is given to obsolescence, excessive levels, deterioration, possible alternative uses and other factors in determining net realizable value. The cost of work in process and finished goods includes materials, direct labor, variable costs and overhead. The Company evaluates the need to record inventory adjustments on all inventories, including raw materials, work in process, finished goods, spare parts and used equipment. Used equipment acquired by the Company on trade-in
from customers is carried at estimated net realizable value. Unless specific circumstances warrant different treatment regarding inventory obsolescence, an allowance is established to reduce the cost basis of inventories three to four years old by 50%, the cost basis of inventories four to five years old by 75%, and the cost basis of inventories greater than five years old to zero. Inventory is typically reviewed for obsolescence on an annual basis computed as of September 30, the Company’s fiscal year end. If significant known changes in trends, technology or other specific circumstances that warrant consideration occur during the year, then the impact on obsolescence is considered at that time.
19
Investments
Marketable debt and equity securities are categorized as trading securities and are thus marked to market and stated at fair value. Fair value is determined using the quoted closing or latest bid prices for Level 1 investments and market standard valuation methodologies for Level 2 investments. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined by specific identification and are recognized as incurred in the consolidated income statements. Net unrealized gains and losses are reported in the consolidated income statements and represent the change in the fair value of investment holdings during the period.
Long Lived Asset Impairment
Property and equipment, and intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset (or asset group) may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. The amount of the impairment loss to be recorded is calculated by the excess over its fair value of the asset’s carrying value. Fair value is generally determined using a discounted cash flow analysis.
Inflation
The overall effects of inflation on the Company’s business during the periods discussed have not been significant. The Company monitors the prices it charges for its products and services on an ongoing basis and believes that it will be able to adjust those prices to take into account future changes in the rate of inflation.
Contractual Obligations
The Company had no long-term or short-term debt as of September 30, 2020 and there was no long-term debt facility in place at September 30, 2020.
In April 2020, a financial institution issued an irrevocable standby letter of credit (“letter of credit”) on behalf of the Company for the benefit of one of the Company’s insurance carriers. The maximum amount that can be drawn by the beneficiary under the letter of credit is $150,000. The letter of credit expires in April 2021, unless terminated earlier, and can be extended, as provided by the agreement. The Company intends to renew the letter of credit for as long as the Company does business with the beneficiary insurance carrier. The letter is collateralized by restricted cash of the same amount on any outstanding drawings. To date, no amounts have been drawn under the letter of credit.
On August 28, 2020, the Company entered into a three year operating lease for property related to the manufacturing and warehousing of the Blaw-Knox paver business which was acquired after September 30, 2020 (refer to Note 12 – Subsequent Events to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information). The lease term is for the period September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2023.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
None
20