Item 1. Business
Item 1.
BUSINESS
The Company — Overview
Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “the Company” and “Emerson,” refers to Emerson Radio Corp. and its subsidiaries.
Emerson Radio Corp. was incorporated in Delaware in 1994. The Company designs, sources, imports and markets a variety of houseware and consumer electronic products, and licenses its trademarks to others on a worldwide basis for a variety of products.
General
The Company, directly and through it's subsidiaries, designs, sources, imports, markets, sells and licenses to certain licensees a variety of houseware and consumer electronic products, both domestically and internationally, under the Emerson® brand name.
The Company believes its competitive advantages include a combination of:
•
recognition of the Emerson ® brand;
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the Company’s distribution base and established customer relations;
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the Company’s sourcing expertise and established vendor relations;
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an infrastructure with personnel experienced in servicing and providing logistical support to the domestic mass merchant distribution channel, or supervising third-party logistics providers in providing same; and
•
the Company’s extensive experience in establishing license and distribution agreements on a global basis for a variety of products.
The Company intends to continue leveraging its core competencies to offer a variety of current and new houseware and consumer electronic products to customers. In addition, the Company intends to continue entering into licenses for the use of its trade names and trademarks by third parties. See “Licensing Activities.”
The Company’s core business consists of selling, distributing, and licensing various low and moderately priced houseware and consumer electronic products in various categories. All of the Company’s marketing and sales efforts are currently concentrated in the United States.
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Products
The Company’s current product categories, which include licensed products, consist primarily of the following:
Houseware Products
Audio Products
Other
Microwave Ovens
Clock Radios
Televisions
Compact Refrigerators
Bluetooth Speakers
Security Products
Toaster Ovens
Karaoke Machines
Massagers
Wireless Charging
Sales and Distribution
The Company markets its products exclusively in the United States and Mexico, primarily through mass merchandisers and online marketplaces.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 (“fiscal 2024 ”), Walmart Inc. ("Walmart") accounted for approximately 53%, Amazon.com Inc. ("Amazon") accounted for approximately 20%, and Fred Meyer accounted for approximately 10% of the Company’s net revenues. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 (“fiscal 2023 ”), Walmart accounted for approximately 42%, Amazon accounted for approximately 23%, and Fred Meyer accounted for approximately 12% of the Company’s net revenues. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of net revenues in either period. As a percent of the Company’s total trade accounts receivable, net of specific reserves, Walmart, Chedraui and Amazon accounted for approximately 34%, 30% and 25%, respectively, as of March 31, 2024 . As a percent of the Company’s total trade accounts receivable, net of specific reserves, Amazon, Walmart and Fred Meyer accounted for approximately 43%, 35% and 11%, respectively, as of March 31, 2023 . No other customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total trade accounts receivable, net of specific reserves, as of March 31, 2024 or March 31, 2023 . Management believes that a loss, or a significant reduction, of sales to any of its key customers would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.
Approximately 40% and 39% of the Company’s net revenues for fiscal years 2024 and 2023 , respectively, were made through third-party sales representative organizations that receive sales commissions and work in conjunction with the Company’s own sales personnel. With the Company’s permission, third-party sales representative organizations may sell competitive products in addition to the Company’s products. In most instances, either party may terminate a sales representative relationship on 30 days prior notice by the Company and 90 days prior notice by the sales representative organization in accordance with customary industry practice. In fiscal 2024 , the Company utilized 6 sales representative organizations, including one which represented approximately 30% of its net revenues. In fiscal 2023 , the Company utilized 2 sales representative organizations, including one which represented approximately 38% of its net revenues. No other sales representative organization accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s net revenues in fiscal 2024 or fiscal 2023 . The remainder of the Company’s sales are to customers that are serviced by its sales personnel. The loss or reduction of product sales made through third party sales representative organizations could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. Finding replacement organizations and distributors could be a time consuming process during which the Company’s revenues could be negatively impacted.
The Company primarily sells product to customers from its United States warehoused inventory, which is referred to as the “Domestic Program”. Under the Domestic Program, title for product typically passes at the time of shipment. The Company’s direct import program (“Direct Import Program”) allows its customers to import and receive product directly from an export port in the country of manufacture outside the United States. Under the Direct Import Program, title for the Company’s product passes to the customer in the country of origin when the product is shipped by the Company’s subsidiary in China. Under both programs, the Company recognizes revenues at the time title passes to the customer as this is when the Company satisfies its performance obligation under the contracts with its customers. See Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” During fiscal 2024 approximately 1 2 % of the Company’s product sales were sold under the Direct Import Program. During fiscal 2023 , approximately 16 % of the Company’s product sales were sold under the Direct Import Program.
The Company also sells products through third party online marketplaces to broaden its brand reach. The Company’s website serves as an additional sales channel for products, and provides search capability, detailed product information, online merchant availability, demo videos and downloadable product specification sheets. The Company expects sales through online marketplaces to continue to be a growth initiative for its business.
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The Company has an integrated system to coordinate the purchasing, sales and distribution aspects of its operations. The Company receives orders from its major customers via electronic data interface, facsimile, telephone or mail. The Company does not have long-term contracts with any of its customers, but rather receives orders on an ongoing basis. Products imported by the Company for the Domestic Program, generally from factories in Asia, are shipped by ocean and/or inland freight and then stored in the Company’s outsourced warehouse facilities for shipment to customers. The Company monitors its inventory levels and goods in transit through the use of an electronic inventory system. When a purchase order under the Domestic Program is received, it is filled from the Company’s inventory and the warehoused product is labeled and prepared for outbound shipment to the customer by common, contract or small package carrier. The ability of management to correctly anticipate and provide for inventory requirements is essential to the successful operation of the Company’s business.
Licensing Activities
The Company is currently party to two license agreements with third party licensees which allows the licensee to manufacture and/or sell various products bearing the Company’s trademarks into defined geographic areas. Such activities have historically had a positive impact on operating results by generating income with minimal incremental costs and without any working capital requirements. The Company has engaged each of Leveraged Marketing Corporation of America (“LMCA”) and Global Licensing Services Pte Limited (“GLSL”) as an agent to assist in identifying and procuring additional licensing opportunities. The Company protects its brand through careful license and product selection and control processes.
See Item 1A — “Risk Factors — Business, Operational and Strategic Risks — “The failure to obtain new licensees and distribution relationships or to maintain relationships with its existing licensees and distributors could materially and adversely affect the Company’s revenues, earnings and business.”
Design and Manufacturing
The Company’s products are manufactured by original equipment manufacturers in accordance with the Company’s specifications. During fiscal 2024 and 2023, 100% of the Company’s product purchases consisted of finished goods from foreign manufacturers located in the People’s Republic of China.
The Company’s design team is responsible for product development and works closely with suppliers and determines the cosmetic and other features for new products. Accordingly, the exterior designs and operating features of the products reflect the Company’s judgment, or that of its customers, of current styles and consumer preferences.
The following summarizes the Company’s purchases from its major product suppliers that accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total product purchases in fiscal 2024 and 2023:
Fiscal Year
Supplier
2024
2023
Welly (formerly Weili)
38
%
—
Itoma
24
%
75
%
Maniway
17
%
—
Midea
16
%
20
%
Total
95
%
95
%
* All other suppliers were less than 10%
The Company considers its relationships with its suppliers to be satisfactory and believes that, barring any unusual material or part shortages or economic, fiscal or monetary conditions, the Company could develop alternative suppliers. No assurance can be given that ample supply of product would be available at current prices and on current credit terms if the Company were required to seek alternative sources of supply without adequate notice by a supplier or a reasonable opportunity to seek alternate production facilities and component parts (See Item 1A — “Risk Factors — Business, Operational and Strategic Risks — The Company depends on a limited number of suppliers for its products. If its relationships with such suppliers terminate or are otherwise impaired, the Company would likely experience increased costs, disruptions in the manufacture and shipment of its products and a material loss of net sales” and Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.)
Warranties
The Company offers limited warranties for its consumer electronics, comparable to those offered to consumers by the Company’s competitors in the United States. Such warranties typically consist of a one year period for microwave ovens and compact refrigerators and a 90 day period for audio products, under which the Company pays for labor and parts, or offers a new or similar unit in exchange for a non-performing unit.
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Returned Products
The Company’s customers return product for a variety of reasons, including:
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retailer return policies which allow customer returns for no reason concerning the quality of the product itself;
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damage to goods in transit and cosmetic imperfections; and
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mechanical failures.
Trademarks
The Company owns the following principal trademarks for certain consumer electronic products in the United States, Canada, Mexico and various other countries:
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Emerson ®
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Emerson Research ®
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H.H. Scott ®
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iDEA ®
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IDIVA ®
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Ölevia ®
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Scott ®
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SmartSet ®
The Company’s trademark registrations must be renewed at various times. The Company intends to renew all trademarks necessary for the conduct of its business. The Company considers the Emerson ® trademark to be of material importance to its business and, to a lesser degree, the remaining trademarks. The Company licenses the Emerson ® and certain of its other trademarks to third parties, the scope of which is on a limited product and geographic basis and for a period of time. See “Licensing Activities.”
Competition
The Company primarily competes in the low-to-medium-priced sector of the housewares and consumer electronics market. Management estimates that the Company has several dozen competitors that are manufacturers and/or distributors, many of which are much larger and have greater financial resources than the Company. The Company competes primarily on the basis of:
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brand recognition;
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reliability;
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quality;
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price;
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design;
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consumer acceptance of the Company’s products; and
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the quality of service and support provided to retailers and their customers.
The Company also competes at the retail level for shelf space and promotional displays, all of which have an impact on its success in established and proposed distribution channels.
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Government Regulation
Pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, the Trade Act of 1974 and regulations promulgated there under, the United States government charges tariff duties, excess charges, assessments and penalties on many imports. These regulations are subject to continuous change and revision by government agencies and by action of the United States Trade Representative. As all of the Company’s products are currently manufactured by suppliers in China, the enactment of new legislation or the administration of current international trade regulations or executive action affecting trade agreements, changes in tariffs, trade barriers, price and exchange controls and other regulatory requirements or changes in sourcing patterns could adversely affect the Company’s operations. See Item 1A — “Risk Factors — Legal, Regulatory and Tax Risks — Foreign regulations and changes in trade policies and the political, social and economic conditions in the United States and the foreign countries in which the Company operates its business could affect the Company’s revenues and earnings materially and adversely” and Item 1A — “Risk Factors — Legal, Regulatory and Tax Risks — Tariffs or other restrictions placed on the Company’s products imported into the United States from China, or any related countermeasures taken by China, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, profitability and results of operations.” A number of states have adopted statutes regulating the manner of determining the amount of payments to independent service centers performing warranty service on products such as those sold by the Company. Additional Federal legislation and regulations regarding the importation of consumer electronics products, including the products marketed by the Company, have been proposed from time to time and, if enacted into law, could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Product Liability and Insurance
Because of the nature of the products it sells, the Company is periodically subject to product liability claims resulting from personal injuries. The Company may also become involved in various lawsuits incidental to its business.
Although the Company maintains product liability insurance coverage, there can be no assurance that the Company’s coverage limits will be sufficient to cover any successful product liability claims made against it in the future. In management’s opinion, any ultimate liability arising out of currently pending product liability claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. However, any claims substantially in excess of the Company’s insurance coverage, or any substantial claim not covered by insurance, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Employees
As o f June 14, 2024, the Company had 25 employees, comprised of 10 in the United States and 15 in China. None of the Company’s employees are represented by unions, and the Company believes its labor relations are good.
Available Information
The Company’s corporate website is located at www.emersonradio.com. The Company files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") pursuant to the information requirements of the Exchange Act. The Company makes available free of charge, on or through its website, the Company’s annual, quarterly and current reports, and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such reports with the SEC. Information contained on the Company’s website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other report filed with the SEC. Readers may also read and copy any document the Company files at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.