Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item
7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Executive
Overview
George
Risk Industries, Inc. (GRI) (the “Company”) is a diversified manufacturer of electronic components, encompassing the security
industry’s widest variety of door and window contact switches, environmental products, wire and cable installation tools, proximity
switches and custom keyboards. The security products division comprises the largest portion of GRI sales and products are sold worldwide
through distributors, who in turn sell these products to security installation companies. These products are used for residential, commercial,
industrial and government installations. International sales accounted for approximately 11.1% of revenues for fiscal year 2023 and 10.7%
for 2022.
GRI
is known for its quality American made products, top-notch customer service and the willingness to work with customers on their special
applications.
GRI
owns and operates its main manufacturing plant and offices in Kimball, Nebraska with a satellite plant 40 miles away in Gering, Nebraska.
The
Company has substantial marketable securities holdings and these holdings have a material impact on the financial results. For the fiscal
year ending April 30, 2023, the percentage of other income (expense) was a gain of 12.98% of income before income taxes. In comparison,
for the year ending April 30, 2022, the percentage of other income (expense) was a loss of 30.11% of the income before income taxes.
Management’s philosophy behind having holdings in marketable securities is to keep the money working and to gain interest on the
cash that is not needed to be put back into the business. Over the years, the investments have kept the earnings per share up when the
results from operations have not fared as well.
Management
is always open to the possibility of acquiring a business that would complement our existing operations, which is exactly what took place
in October 2017 when the Company purchased substantially all of the assets from Labor Saving Devices, Inc. (“LSDI”) and Roy
Bowling (“Bowling”).
There
are no known seasonal trends with any of GRI’s products, since the Company mostly sells to distributors and original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs). The products are tied to the housing industry and will fluctuate with building trends.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Operating
Net
cash decreased by $1,135,000 during the year ended April 30, 2023 compared to a decrease of $1,248,000 during the year ended April 30,
2022. Accounts receivable decreased by $627,000 during the current year while showing a $326,000 increase in the prior year. The current
decrease in cash flow from accounts receivable is the result of a combination of slightly faster collection of accounts receivable and
decreased sales. At April 30, 2023, 79.90% of receivables were less than 60 days and 4.95% were over 90 days. In comparison, 75.19% of
the receivables were considered current (less than 60 days) and 7.86% of the total were over 90 days past due for the prior year during
the same period.
6
Inventories
increased by $3,604,000 in the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, while the prior year showed an increase of $2,430,000 at year end. The
current year increase is a result of having more raw materials on hand since sales had increased previously and having the raw material
costing more than before. In turn, with material and labor costs rising, the work in process and finished goods inventories have also
increased.
Prepaid
expenses decreased by $761,000 while they increased $903,000 in the current and prior year, respectively. The current year decrease is
due to not having as many prepayments of raw materials than at year-end last year and not having to renew multi-year subscriptions in
the current year.
Income
tax overpayment increased by $680,000 for the year ended April 30, 2023, compared to a $196,000 increase in income tax payable for the
year ended April 30, 2022. The current increase is largely due to having slightly lower sales and income before tax and not making larger
income tax estimates than last year.
For
the year ended April 30, 2023, accounts payable increased by $226,000 as compared to a decrease of $157,000 for the same period the year
before. The change in cash with regards to accounts payable is largely based on timing. Payables are paid within terms and fluctuate
based primarily on inventory needs for production. Accrued expenses increased $111,000 for the year ended April 30, 2023, due to having
significantly more accrued customer liability refund calculated compared to the prior year.
Investing
As
for investment activities, $548,000 was spent on purchases of property and equipment during the current fiscal year, compared to $390,000
during the year ended April 30, 2022 These capitalized costs mainly consisted of purchases of machinery and equipment and making capital
improvements. Additionally, the Company continues to purchase marketable securities, which include municipal bonds and quality stocks.
Cash spent on purchases of marketable securities for the year ended April 30, 2023 was $764,000 versus the $787,000 spent for the corresponding
period last year. Conversely, net proceeds from the sale of marketable securities were $25,000 and $452,000 at April 30, 2023 and 2022,
respectively. The Company uses “money manager” accounts for most stock transactions. By doing this, the Company gives an
independent third-party firm, who are experts in this field, permission to buy and sell stocks at will. The Company pays quarterly service
fees based on the value of the investments.
Financing
Cash
used in financing activities consists of two items. First, for the year ended April 30, 2023, $2,689,000 was spent on the payment of
dividends. The Company declared a dividend of $0.60 per share of common stock on September 30, 2022 for the current fiscal year, while
a $0.50 per share of common stock dividend was declared on September 30, 2021 and issued in the prior fiscal year. Second, the Company
continues to purchase back its Class A common stock when the opportunity arises. For the year ended April 30, 2023, the Company purchased
$7,000 of treasury stock and $211,000 was bought back for the year ended April 30, 2022. In an effort to repurchase its Class A Common
Stock, the Company has been actively searching for stockholders that have been “lost” over the years.
At
April 30, 2023, working capital increased 3.28% in comparison to the previous fiscal year. The Company measures liquidity using the quick
ratio, which is the ratio of cash, securities and accounts receivables to current obligations. The Company’s quick ratio decreased
to 14.648 for the year ended April 30, 2023 compared to 15.549 for the year ended April 30, 2022.
7
Results
of Operations
GRI
completed the fiscal year ending April 30, 2023 with a net profit of 23.81% of net sales. Net sales were at $19,979,000, down 3.65% over
the previous fiscal year. The decrease in sales is a result of a slowing economy which has seen inflation grow to some of its highest
levels in the last 15 years. Cost of goods sold was 53.08% of net sales for the year ended April 30, 2023 and 51.70% for the same period
last year. Management aims to keep the cost of goods sold percentage within 50% and was just slightly over that percentage for the current
fiscal year. Management strives to be as efficient as possible since wages and material costs continue to increase, due to the increased
inflation in our economy. Management offset some of these added expenses by implementing a 10% price increase effective January 1, 2023.
Operating
expenses were 21.59% of net sales for the year ended April 30, 2023 as compared to 21.06% for the corresponding period last year. Management’s
goal is to keep the operating expenses around 30% or less of net sales, so the goal has been met for the current fiscal year. Income
from operations for the year ended April 30, 2023 was at $5,060,000, which is a 10.41% decrease from the corresponding period last year,
which had income from operations of $5,648,000.
Other
income and expense results for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 produced a gain of $755,000. This is in comparison to a loss of $1,307,000
for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2022. Dividend and interest income was $1,068,000, which is up 3.99% over the prior year. Dividend
and interest income at April 30, 2022 was $1,027,000. Investments in marketable securities are presented at fair value and an unrealized
gain or loss is recorded within the statements of operations, a non-cash entry. As a result, an unrealized loss of $31,000 was recorded
for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 and an unrealized loss of $2,764,000 was recorded for the prior year ended April 30, 2022. Net
loss on the sale of investments for the current fiscal year was $291,000, which is a 170.29% decrease over the net gain on the sale of
investments of $414,000 for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2022.
Net
income for the year ended April 30, 2023 was $4,757,000, which is up 33.40% from the prior year, which produced net income of $3,566,000.
Basic and diluted earnings per common share (“EPS”) for the year ended April 30, 2023 was $0.96 per share. Basic and diluted
EPS for the year ended April 30, 2022 was $0.72 per share.
Management
is hopeful that sales will increase for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2024. Opportunities for Management include focusing on finding
ways to get our products out to our customers in a timelier manner. One way we are doing this is by looking into more automation. Challenges
facing Management include obtaining certain raw materials and the increased costs of most raw materials because of inflation. The Company
also struggles to get enough workers to fill production needs. Our Security sales division, which is our largest sales generator, is
directly tied to the housing industry and we normally experience the same fluctuations. We are always researching and developing new
products that will help our sales increase. There were a few new or improved products that were successfully launched in fiscal year
2023, and we are confident that more new products will be released soon, and we are searching for products that complement our current
offerings. Management is always open to the possibility of acquiring a business or product line that would complement our existing operations.
Due to the Company’s strong cash position, management believes this could be achieved without the need for outside financing. The
intent is to utilize the equipment, marketing techniques and established customers to deliver new products and increase sales and profits.
8
New
product development
The
GRI Engineering department continues to develop enhancements to our existing products as well as to develop new products that will continue
to secure our position in the industry.
Explosion
proof contacts that will be UL listed for hazardous locations are in development. There has been demand from our customers for this type
of high security magnetic reed switch.
The
Company is developing magnetic contacts which are listed under UL 634 Level 2. These sensors are for high security applications such
as government buildings, military use, nuclear facilities, and financial institutions.
Research
is being done on updating our small profile glass break detector, in addition to looking at development of programmable temperature and
humidity sensors with built-in hysteresis.
Wireless
technology is a main area of focus for product development. We are considering adding wireless technology to some of our current products.
A wireless contact switch is in the final stages of development. Also, we are working on wireless versions of monitoring devices which
include glass break detection, tilt sensing and environmental monitoring. A redesign of our brass water valve shut-off system is near
completion.
Critical
Accounting Policies
The
discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based upon the financial statements, which have been
prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements
requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses reported
in those financial statements. These judgments can be subjective and complex, and consequently actual results could differ from those
estimates. The most critical accounting policies relate to accounts receivable; marketable securities; inventory; income taxes; and segment
reporting.
Accounts
receivable —Accounts receivable are customer obligations due under normal trade terms. The Company sells its products to security
alarm distributors, alarm installers, and original equipment manufacturers. Management performs continuing credit evaluations of its
customers’ financial condition and the Company generally does not require collateral.
The
Company records an allowance for credit losses based on an analysis of specifically identified customer balances. The Company has a limited
number of customers with individually large amounts due at any given date. Any unanticipated change in any one of these customers’
credit worthiness or other matters affecting the collectability of amounts due from such customers could have a material effect on the
results of operations in the period in which such changes or events occur. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the
receivable is written off.
9
Marketable
securities— The Company has investments in publicly traded equity securities, state and municipal debt securities, and real-estate
investment trusts (REITs). The investments in securities are reported at fair value. The Company uses the average cost method to determine
the cost of securities sold and any unrealized gains or losses on equity securities are reported in the respective period’s earnings.
Unrealized gains and losses on debt securities are excluded from earnings and reported separately as a component of stockholder’s
equity. Dividend and interest income are reported as earned.
In
accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (US GAAP), the Company evaluates all marketable securities
for other-than temporary declines in fair value. When the cost basis exceeds the fair market value for approximately one year, management
evaluates the nature of the investment, cause of impairment and number of investments that are in an unrealized loss position. When it
is determined that a security will likely remain impaired, a recognized loss is booked and the investment is written down to its new
fair value. The investments are periodically evaluated to determine if impairment changes are required.
Inventories —Inventories
are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Costs are determined using the average cost-pricing method. The Company uses
actual costs to price its manufactured inventories, approximating average costs. The reported net value of inventory includes finished
saleable products, work-in-process and raw materials that will be sold or used in future periods. Inventory costs include raw materials,
direct labor and overhead. The Company’s overhead expenses are applied, based in part, upon estimates of the proportion of those
expenses that are related to procuring and storing raw materials as compared to the manufacture and assembly of finished products. These
proportions, the method of their application, and the resulting overhead included in ending inventory, are based in part on subjective
estimates and approximations and actual results could differ from those estimates.
In
addition, the Company records an inventory obsolescence reserve, which represents the cost of the inventory that has had no movement
in over two years. There is inherent professional judgment and subjectivity made by management in determining the estimated obsolescence
percentage. In addition, and as necessary, the Company may establish specific reserves for future known or anticipated events.
Income
Taxes —US GAAP requires use of the assets and liability method; whereby current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are
determined based on tax rates and laws enacted as of the balance sheet date. Deferred tax expense represents the change in the deferred
tax asset/liability balances.
Segment
Reporting and Related Information —The Company designates the internal organization that is used by management for allocating
resources and assessing performance as the source of the Company’s reportable segments. US GAAP also requires disclosures about
products and services, geographic area, and major customers.
Related
Party Transactions — One of the directors of the board, Joel Wiens, is the principal shareholder of FirsTier Bank. FirsTier
Bank is the financial institution the Company uses for its day-to-day banking operations. Year end balances of accounts held at this
bank are $4,637,000 for the year ended April 30, 2023 and $5,058,000 for the year ended April 30, 2022. The Company also received interest
income from FirsTier Bank in the amount of approximately $102,700 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 and approximately $58,800
was received for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022.
10
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.