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, 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. The IIJ Act is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2026.
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 results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
The Company monitors the prices it charges for its products and services on an ongoing basis and has historically been able to adjust its prices to take into account changes in the rate of inflation.
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 which 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.
Results of Operations
Year ended September 30, 2025 compared with the year ended September 30, 2024
Net revenue for the year ended September 30, 2025 increased 2.0% to $115,437,000 from $113,166,000 for the year ended September 30, 2024. The net revenue increase was primarily driven by increased equipment sales recognized over time and increased parts and component sales, partially offset by a decrease in equipment sales recognized at a point in time. Net revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 decreased 10.0% to $18,831,000 compared to $20,921,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
As a percent of sales, gross profit margins decreased slightly to 27.5% in fiscal 2025 as compared to 27.7% in fiscal 2024. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, gross profit margin was 24.2% as compared to 25.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.
Product engineering and development expense in fiscal 2025 decreased $555,000 to $2,758,000 from $3,313,000 in fiscal 2024 due to reduced headcount. Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses in fiscal 2025 increased $610,000 to $14,937,000 from $14,327,000 in fiscal 2024. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to professional fees and commissions on higher net revenue.
In fiscal 2025, the Company had operating income of $14,018,000 as compared to $13,687,000 in fiscal 2024 due to increased net revenue.
For the year ended September 30, 2025, the Company had net other income of $6,181,000 compared to $7,043,000 for the year ended September 30, 2024. Interest and dividend income, net of fees, was $4,373,000 for the year ended September 30, 2025 as compared to $3,435,000 for year ended September 30, 2024. The increase was primarily due to higher interest rates earned on increased cash balances and fixed income investments. Net realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities were $1,800,000 for the year ended September 30, 2025 as compared to $3,621,000 for the year ended September 30, 2024. The decrease in net realized and unrealized gains in fiscal 2025 was primarily the result of fluctuations in the market value of fixed income securities due to interest rate changes and a shift in purchasing slightly longer duration treasuries and corporate bonds in fiscal 2025.
The effective income tax rate for fiscal 2025 was 22.5% as compared to 29.8% in fiscal 2024. The higher income tax rate in fiscal 2024 was driven by increased reserves of $1.2 million for unrecognized tax benefits.
Net income for the year ended September 30, 2025 was $15,661,000, or $1.07 per diluted and basic share, versus $14,558,000, or $0.99 per diluted and basic share, for the year ended September 30, 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company generates capital resources through operations and returns from its investments. We believe these sources of capital will satisfy our liquidity needs in both the short and long term.
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The Company had no long-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2025 or 2024. 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 February 2026, 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, 2025, the Company had $26,587,000 in cash and cash equivalents, and $109,714,000 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 was $28.2 million at September 30, 2025 versus $72.2 million at September 30, 2024. The Company’s working capital was $197.7 million at September 30, 2025 versus $182.2 million at September 30, 2024.
Year ended September 30, 2025 compared with the year ended September 30, 2024
Cash flows provided by operations in fiscal 2025 were $3,068,000 primarily resulting from net income and reduced inventories, and partially offset by the transfer of $15,000,000 from the operating cash account to the investment portfolio in the third quarter of fiscal 2025. Contract assets increased $2,869,000 with the timing of inventory build and percentage of completion recognition on sales where revenue is recognized over time. The increase in marketable securities of $18,460,000 was due primarily to the transfer of $15,000,000 from the Company’s operating cash account to the investment portfolio during the quarter ended June 30, 2025. Inventories decreased by $10,259,000 primarily due to completion and shipment on several large contract orders where revenue is recognized at a point in time as well as increased parts sales coupled with reduced purchases as supplier lead times have come down, and increased allowances.
Cash flows provided by operations in fiscal 2024 were $9,291,000 primarily resulting from net income and reduced inventories, and partially offset by increased contract assets on contract sales where revenue is recognized over time. Contract assets increased $7,831,000 with the timing of inventory build and percentage of completion recognition on sales where revenue is recognized over time. Inventories decreased by $7,765,000 primarily due to completion and shipment on several large contract orders where revenue is recognized at a point in time as well as increased parts sales coupled with reduced purchases as supplier lead times have come down, and increased allowances.
Cash flows used in investing activities for the years ended September 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, were $1,963,000 and $840,000, respectively, and were primarily related to the capital expenditures for building improvements and manufacturing processing equipment.
Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Assumptions
The Company believes the following discussion addresses its 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 Pronouncements and Policies.” There were no changes to the accounting polices during the year ended September 30, 2025.
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.
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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) (“ASU 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 $12,208,000 and $9,339,000 at September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and are included in current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company anticipates that all of the contract assets at September 30, 2025, 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, 2025 and September 30, 2024 were $80,000 and $163,000, 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 significant contract liabilities other than customer deposits at September 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024. Customer deposits related to contracts with customers were $3,889,000 and $5,018,000 at September 30, 2025 and 2024, 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 with the revenue recognition.
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 credit losses 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 category. The measurement and recognition of credit losses involves judgment and represents the Company’s estimate of expected credit losses based on a number of considerations, including historical credit loss experience, the aging of account balances, customer credit worthiness, and current and expected economic, market and industry factors impacting the Company’s customers, including their financial condition. Account balances are charged off against the allowance for credit losses when they are determined to be uncollectible. Any recoveries of account balances previously considered in the allowance for credit losses reduce future additions to the allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses also includes an estimate for returns and allowances. 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 known issues and historical experience.
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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.
Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements
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.
Contractual Obligations
The Company had no long-term or short-term debt as of September 30, 2025 and there was no long-term debt facility in place at September 30, 2025.
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 February 2026, 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. In March 2024, the Company extended the lease term through August 31, 2025. In March 2025, the Company extended the lease term through August 31, 2026.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None
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ITEM 7A
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable