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 equipment and materials and environmental control equipment. The Company’s core products include asphalt pavers, hot mix 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 November 15, 2021, President Biden signed into law a five-year, $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the “IIJ Act”), including $550 billion in new spending and reauthorization of $650 billion in previously allocated funds. The IIJ Act provides $110 billion for the nation’s highways, bridges and roads.
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.
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.
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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.
On July 19, 2022, the Company announced that it was transferring the listing of its common stock, $0.10 per share par value (“Common Stock”), to the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American”) from the NASDAQ Global Market (“NASDAQ”). Listing and trading of the Company’s Common Stock on NASDAQ ended at market close on July 29, 2022 and listing and trading of its Common Stock on the NYSE American commenced at market open on August 1, 2022 under its current ticker symbol ‘GENC’.
Results of Operations
Year ended September 30, 2023 compared with the year ended September 30, 2022
Net revenue for the year ended September 30, 2023 increased slightly to $105,075,000 from $103,479,000 for the year ended September 30, 2022. Net revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 decreased 9.5% to $20,871,000 compared to $23,072,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
As a percent of sales, gross profit margins increased to 27.6% in fiscal 2023 from 19.9% in fiscal 2022 on increased parts sales at higher margins, and improved efficiency, absorption and favorable price realization.
Product engineering and development (“PED”) expense in fiscal 2023 decreased $867,000 to $3,458,000 from $4,325,000 in fiscal 2022 due to reduced headcount and improved efficiency. Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses in fiscal 2023 increased $102,000 to $12,154,000 from $12,052,000 in fiscal 2022.
Fiscal 2023 had operating income of $13,425,000 versus $4,167,000 in fiscal 2022. The increase in operating income was due to improved gross profit margins and reduced operating expenses.
As of September 30, 2023 and 2022, the cost basis of the investment portfolio was $85,514,000 and $94,879,000, respectively. $10,000,000 was transferred from the investment portfolio to cash to fund operating needs of the business during fiscal 2023. For the year ended September 30, 2023, interest and dividend income, net of fees, was $2,108,000, as compared to $1,305,000 for year ended September 30, 2022. Interest income for the year ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the prior year increased due to higher rates earned on fixed income investments coupled with the Company reallocating a majority of its holdings in equities to fixed income in January 2023. Net realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities were $3,243,000 for the year ended September 30, 2023 versus net realized and unrealized losses of $(7,009,000) for the year ended September 30, 2022. The higher gains in fiscal 2023 were due to a stronger domestic stock market. The fiscal 2022 investment losses reflect the general decline in global equity and bond markets in the prior year. The total cash, cash equivalents and investments balance at September 30, 2023 was $101,283,000, compared to $98,881,000 at September 30, 2022, an increase of $2,402,000.
The effective income tax rate for fiscal 2023 was 21.9% versus (78.0%) in fiscal 2022. The income tax benefit for fiscal 2022 reflects the impact of book to tax timing differences in the deductibility of certain items, the benefit from research and development tax refunds and credits, and other adjustments.
In fiscal 2022, the Company generated $475,000 of federal research and development tax credits (“R&D Credits”), all of which were used in fiscal 2022. There were no R&D Credits generated in fiscal 2023 and there were no carryforwards of R&D Credits as of September 30, 2023 or September 30, 2022.
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Net income for the year ended September 30, 2023 was $14,666,000 or $1.00 per diluted share versus net loss of $(372,000) or $(0.03) per diluted share for the year ended September 30, 2022.
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, 2023 or 2022. 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 2024, 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, 2023, the Company had $17,031,000 in cash and cash equivalents, and $84,252,000 in marketable securities. The marketable securities are invested through a professional investment management firm. 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 $75.8 million at September 30, 2023 versus $60.2 million at September 30, 2022. The Company’s working capital was $164.8 million at September 30, 2023 versus $150.1 million at September 30, 2022.
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.
Year ended September 30, 2023 compared with the year ended September 30, 2022
Cash flows provided by operations in fiscal 2023 were $10,196,000 primarily resulting from net income and sale of marketable securities, and partially offset by increased inventory. The significant purchases, sales and maturities of marketable securities shown on the consolidated statements of cash flows reflect purchases and sales of United States treasury bills and notes. Inventories increased by $15,712,000 primarily due to progress on several large contract orders where revenue is recognized at a point in time, the impact of the inflationary environment on raw material and wage price increases, and stock build to adjust for the increasing lead times from suppliers.
Cash flows used in operations in fiscal 2022 was $9,135,000 primarily resulting from increased inventory. The significant purchases, sales and maturities of marketable securities shown on the consolidated statements of cash flows reflect purchases and sales of United States treasury bills and notes. Inventories increased by $13,927,000 primarily due to progress on several large contract orders where revenue is recognized at a point in time, the impact of the inflationary environment on raw material and wage price increases, and some stock build to adjust for the increasing lead times from suppliers. Accounts payable increased by $1,146,000 due primarily to the additional payables related to the increase in inventory.
Cash flows used in investing activities for the years ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, were $2,746,000 and $4,516,000, respectively, and were primarily related to the capital expenditures for manufacturing processing and finishing equipment.
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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
The Company accounts for revenues and related expenses under the provisions of ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), as amended (“ASU No. 2014-09”). 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 related 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 $1,508,000 and $2,118,000 at September 30, 2023 and 2022, 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, 2023, 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, 2023 and September 30, 2022 were $114,000 and $142,000, respectively.
Product warranty costs are estimated using historical experience and known issues and are charged to production costs as revenue is recognized.
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, 2023 and September 30, 2022. Customer deposits related to contracts with customers were $6,815,000 and $5,864,000 at September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and are included in current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
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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, with cost being determined under the first-in, first-out (“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.
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 statements of operations. Net unrealized gains and losses are reported in the consolidated statements of operations 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 fiscal 2023 and 2022 have been significant relative to prior years. The Company monitors the prices it charges for its products and services on an ongoing basis and has been able to adjust its prices to take into account future changes in the rate of inflation.
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Contractual Obligations
The Company had no long-term or short-term debt as of September 30, 2023 and there was no long-term debt facility in place at September 30, 2023.
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 2024, 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. The lease term was for the period September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2023. In March 2023, the Company extended the lease term through August 31, 2024. On October 9, 2020, the Company entered into an operating lease for additional warehousing space for paver inventory. The lease term is for one year beginning November 2020 with automatic one-year renewals.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None
ITEM 7A
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable