AIR INDUSTRIES GROUP - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x  Annual Report Pursuant To Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2017

o Transition Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from ______ to_______ 

Commission File No. 001-35927

AIR INDUSTRIES GROUP

(Name of small business issuer in its charter)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  o    No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes  o    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x Noo

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):   

Large Accelerated Filer  o    Non-Accelerated Filer  o   Accelerated Filer  o        Smaller Reporting Company x

Emerging growth company  x

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o    No  x

As of June 30, 2017, the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates was $ 11,879,537, based on 6,636,613 shares of outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, and a price of $1.79 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE American on that date.

There were a total of 25,213,805 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 28, 2018.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement relating to its 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K where indicated. Such Proxy Statement will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates. 

AIR INDUSTRIES GROUP

FORM 10-K

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements. Certain of the matters discussed herein concerning, among other items, our operations, cash flows, financial position and economic performance including, in particular, future sales, product demand, competition and the effect of economic conditions, include forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are predictive in nature and can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and generally include words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions. Although we believe that these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, including projections of orders, sales, operating margins, earnings, cash flow, research and development costs, working capital, capital expenditures, distribution channels, profitability, new products, adequacy of funds from operations, and general economic conditions, these statements and other projections contained herein expressing opinions about future outcomes and non-historical information, are subject to uncertainties and, therefore, there is no assurance that the outcomes expressed in these statements will be achieved.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements contained herein.  Given these uncertainties, you should not place any reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date hereof. See “Risk factors” for a discussion of factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.  You are advised, however, to consult any additional disclosures we make in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

We are an Emerging Growth Company

We qualify as an "emerging growth company" as defined in the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of reduced reporting and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include:

• a requirement to have only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations disclosure; and

• an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

We may take advantage of these provisions until the end of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering, December 31, 2018, or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company and if we do, the information that we provide stockholders may be different than you might get from other public companies in which you hold equity. We would cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.0 billion in annual revenue, have more than $700 million in market value of our shares of common stock held by non-affiliates, or issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period.

The JOBS Act permits an "emerging growth company" like us to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies.

PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

Introduction

As used in this report, unless otherwise stated or the context requires otherwise, the "Company" and terms such as "we," "us" "our," and "AIRI" refer to Air Industries Group, a Nevada corporation, and its directly and indirectly wholly-owned subsidiaries.

We are an aerospace and defense company. We manufacture and design structural parts and assemblies that focus on flight safety, including landing gear, arresting gear, engine mounts, flight controls, throttle quadrants, jet engines and other components. We also provide sheet metal fabrication of aerostructures, tube bending and welding services. Our products are currently deployed on a wide range of high profile military and commercial aircraft including Sikorsky’s UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Northrop Grumman’s E2 Hawkeye, Boeing’s 777, Airbus’ 380 commercial airliners and the US Navy F-18 and USAF F-16 fighter aircraft. Our Turbine Engine sector makes components for jet engines that are used on the USAF F-15, the Airbus A-330 and A-380, and the Boeing 777, in addition to a number of ground turbine applications.

We became a public company in 2005 when our net sales were approximately $30 million. At that time we had been manufacturing components and subassemblies for the defense and commercial aerospace industry for over 45 years and had established long term relationships with leading defense and aerospace manufacturers. We have capabilities and expertise in metal fabrication, welding and tube bending; the production of electromechanical systems, harness and cable assemblies; the fabrication of electronic equipment and printed circuit boards; the machining of turbine engine components; and the assembly of packages or “kits” containing supplies for all branches of the United States Defense Department, including ordnance parts, hose assemblies, hydraulic, mechanical and electrical assemblies.

As of December 31, 2017, our three operating segments consisted of:

Complex Machining: comprised of Air Industries Machining (“AIM”) and Nassau Tool Works (“NTW”). Since the lease for the premises occupied by NTW expires in October 2018, we are relocating and consolidating the operations of NTW into the facilities of AIM in Bay Shore, New York, approximately six miles from the premises presently occupied by NTW on Long Island.

Aerostructures & Electronics: comprised of Welding Metallurgy (“WMI”), Eur-Pac, Electronic Connections (“ECC”) and Compac Development (“Compac”). We previously relocated the operations of Miller Stuart, and Compac from their locations on Long Island to Welding Metallurgy’s facility in Hauppauge, Long Island NY, and merged Woodbine Products and Miller Stuart into WMI.

On March 21, 2018, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with CPI Aerostructures, Inc. (“CPI”) for the sale of Welding Metallurgy and related assets of our Aerostructures & Electronics segment, for a purchase price of $9,000,000, subject to a working capital adjustment. The SPA also provides for contingent payments of up to an aggregate of $1,000,000 if WMI enters into specified agreements by May 31, 2018 and July 31, 2018, respectively (the “Specified Dates”), which contingent payments are subject to reduction by $100,000 for each calendar month after the Specified Dates which passes before WMI enters into the specified agreements. The sale is subject to certain conditions, including CPI obtaining financing for the amount of the purchase price, and requires an escrow deposit of $2,000,000 to cover the working capital adjustment and our obligation to indemnify CPI against damages arising out of the breach of our representations and warranties and obligations under the SPA. It is anticipated that the sale will close in May or June of 2018.

Turbine Engine Components: comprised of The Sterling Engineering Corporation and, until its sale in January 2017, included AMK Welding.

Given the pending sale of WMI and our repositioning to achieve profitability and growth, in the future we may reallocate our business into different operating and reporting segments.

Our Market

We operate primarily in the military and, to a lesser degree, commercial aviation industries. Defense revenues represent a preponderance of our sales. Our principal customers include Sikorsky Aircraft, Goodrich Landing Gear Systems, Northrop Grumman, the United States Department of Defense, GKN Aerospace, Lockheed, Boeing, Raytheon, Piper Aircraft, M7 Aerospace, Vought Aerospace, Ametek/Hughes-Treitler and Airbus.

Our products are incorporated into many aircraft platforms, the majority of which remain in production, and of which there are a substantial number of operating aircraft in the fleets maintained by the military and commercial airlines. We believe that we are the largest supplier of flight critical parts to Sikorsky’s Black Hawk helicopter. We have made, or currently make, or have been awarded, products for the CH-47 Chinook helicopter, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Northrop Grumman’s E2 Hawkeye, Boeing’s 777, Airbus’ 380 commercial airliners, and the US Navy F-18 and USAF F-16 fighter aircraft. Our Turbine Engine Components segment makes components for jet engines that are used on the USAF F-15, the Airbus A-330 and A-380, and the Boeing 777, in addition to a number of non-military ground turbine applications.

Many of our products are “flight critical,” essential to aircraft performance and safety on takeoff, during flight and when landing. These products require advanced certifications as a condition to being a supplier. For many of our products we are the sole or one of a limited number of sources of supply. Many of the parts we supply are subject to wear and tear or fatigue and are routinely replaced on aircraft on a time of service or flight cycle basis. Replacement demand for these products will continue, albeit at perhaps a lower rate, so long as an aircraft remains in service, which is usually many years after production has stopped.

Sales and Marketing

Our approach to sales and marketing can be best understood through the concept of customer alignment. The aerospace industry is dominated by a small number of large prime contractors and equipment manufacturers. These customers rely heavily upon subcontractors to supply quality parts meeting specifications on a timely and cost effective basis. These customers and other customers we supply routinely rate their suppliers based on a variety of performance factors. One of our principal goals is to be highly rated and thus relied upon by all of our customers.

The large prime contractors are increasingly seeking subcontractors who can supply and are qualified to integrate the fabrication of larger, more complex and more complete subassemblies. We seek to position ourselves within the supply chain of these contractors and manufacturers to be selected for subcontracted projects. Successful positioning requires that we qualify to be a preferred supplier by achieving and maintaining independent third party quality approval certifications, specific customer quality system approvals and top supplier ratings through strong performance on existing contracts. We believe that the various capabilities we have acquired through our acquisition program increase the likelihood we will qualify for and be awarded larger, more complex projects.

During our sales and marketing efforts we let customers know that we have employees with the talent and experience to manage the manufacture of sections of aircraft structures to be delivered to the final assembly phase of the aircraft manufacturing cycle, and customers have now engaged us for these services.

Initial contracts are usually obtained through competitive bidding against other qualified subcontractors, while follow-on contracts are usually retained by successfully performing initial contracts. The long term business of each of our current operating segments generally benefits from barriers to entry resulting from investments, certifications, familiarization with the needs and systems of customers, and manufacturing techniques developed during the initial manufacturing phase. We endeavor to develop each of our relationships to one of a “partnership” where we participate in the resolution of pre-production design and build issues, and initial contracts are obtained as single source awards and follow-on pricing is determined through negotiations.

Our Backlog

Within our Complex Machining and Turbine Engine Components segments, the production cycle of products can extend from several months to a year or longer. This gives rise to significant backlogs as customers must order product with sufficient lead time to ensure timely delivery.

We have a number of long-term multi-year General Purchase Agreements or GPA’s with several of our customers. These agreements specify part numbers, specifications and prices of the covered products for a specified period, but do not authorize immediate production and shipment. Shipments are authorized periodically by the customer to fit their production schedule. We recently received a renewal of our multi-year contract with Sikorsky, MY9, for the years 2018 to 2023. This contract is for $47 million worth of product during this period. This is the third multi-year contract award we have received from Sikorsky.

Our “firm backlog” includes only fully authorized orders received for products to be delivered within the forward 18-month period. As of February 28, 2018, our 18-month “firm funded backlog” was approximately $106 million.

Competition

Winning a new contract is highly competitive. For the most part we manufacture to customer design specifications, and we compete against companies that have similar manufacturing capabilities in a global marketplace. Consequently, the ability to obtain contracts requires providing quality products at competitive prices. To accomplish this requires that we strive for continuous improvement in our capabilities to assure our competitiveness and provide value to our customers. Our marketing strategy involves developing long-term ongoing working relationships with customers. These relationships enable us to develop entry barriers to would-be competitors by establishing and maintaining advanced quality approvals, certifications and tooling investments that are difficult and expensive to duplicate. Many of our competitors are well-established subcontractors engaged in the supply of aircraft parts and components to prime military contractors and commercial aviation manufacturers. Among our competitors are: Monitor Aerospace, a division of Stellex Aerospace; Hydromil, a division of Triumph Aerospace Group; Heroux Aerospace and Ellanef Manufacturing, a division of Magellan Corporation.

Many of our competitors are larger enterprises or divisions of significantly larger companies having greater financial, physical and technical resources, and the capabilities to timelier respond under much larger contracts.

Raw Materials and Replacement Parts

The manufacturing process for certain products, particularly those for which we serve as product integrator, requires significant purchases of raw materials, hardware and subcontracted details. As a result, much of our success in profitably meeting customer demand for these products requires efficient and effective subcontract management. Price and availability of many raw materials utilized in the aerospace industry are subject to volatile global markets and political conditions. Most suppliers of raw materials are unwilling to commit to long-term contracts at fixed prices. This is a substantial risk as our strategy often involves long term fixed price commitments to our customers. Recently, we have had difficulties in securing timely shipments of raw materials from certain vendors due to our liquidity problems. Once the sale of WMI is closed, we are optimistic that our supply chain difficulties will alleviate.

Employees

As of March 31, 2018 we employed approximately 275 people. Of these, approximately 45 were in administration, 20 were in sales and procurement, and 211 were in manufacturing. We estimate that if the sale of WMI is completed, we will employ approximately 208 people, 25 in administration, 18 in sales and procurement and 165 in manufacturing.

Air Industries Machining, one of the components of our Complex Machining segment, is a party to a collective bargaining agreement (the “Agreement”) with the United Service Workers, IUJAT, Local 355 (the “Union”) with which we believe we maintain good relations. The Agreement, dated January 1, 2016, expires December 31, 2018 and covers all of AIM’s production personnel, of which there are approximately 104 people. AIM is required to make a monthly contribution to each of the Union’s United Welfare Fund and the United Services Worker’s Security Fund. This is the only pension benefit required by the Agreement and the Company is not obligated for any future defined benefit to retirees. The Agreement contains a “no-strike” clause, whereby, during the term of the Agreement, the Union will not strike and AIM will not lockout its employees.

All of our employees are covered under a co-employment agreement with Extensis, Inc., a professional employer organization that provides out-sourced human resource services.

Regulations

Environmental Regulation; Employee Safety

We are subject to regulations administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, various state agencies and county and local authorities acting in cooperation with federal and state authorities. Among other things, these regulatory bodies impose restrictions that require us to control air, soil and water pollution, to protect against occupational exposure to chemicals, including health and safety risks, and to require notification or reporting of the storage, use and release of certain hazardous chemicals and substances. The extensive regulatory framework imposes compliance burdens and financial and operating risks on us. Governmental authorities have the power to enforce compliance with these regulations and to obtain injunctions or impose civil and criminal fines in the case of violations.

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”) imposes strict, joint and several liability on the present and former owners and operators of facilities that release hazardous substances into the environment. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (“RCRA”) regulates the generation, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. New York and Connecticut, the states where all of our production facilities are located, also have stringent laws and regulations governing the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous substances, counterparts of CERCLA and RCRA. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which requires employers to provide a place of employment that is free from recognized and preventable hazards that are likely to cause serious physical harm to employees, obligates employers to provide notice to employees regarding the presence of hazardous chemicals and to train employees in the use of such substances.

Federal Aviation Administration

We are subject to regulation by the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) under the provisions of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended. The FAA prescribes standards and licensing requirements for aircraft and aircraft components. We are subject to inspections by the FAA and may be subjected to fines and other penalties (including orders to cease production) for noncompliance with FAA regulations. Our failure to comply with applicable regulations could result in the termination of or our disqualification from some of our contracts, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations. We have never been subject to such fines or disqualifications.

Government Contract Compliance

Our government contracts and those of many of our customers are subject to the procurement rules and regulations of the United States government, including the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Many of the contract terms are dictated by these rules and regulations. During and after the fulfillment of a government contract, we may be audited in respect of the direct and allocated indirect costs attributed to the project. These audits may result in adjustments to our contract costs. Additionally, we may be subject to U.S. government inquiries and investigations because of our participation in government procurement. Any inquiry or investigation can result in fines or limitations on our ability to continue to bid for government contracts and fulfill existing contracts.

We believe that we are in compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations governing our operations and have obtained all material licenses and permits required for the operation of our business.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

The purchase of our common stock involves a very high degree of risk.

In evaluating us and our business, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included herein.  If any of the events described in the risks below actually occurs, our financial condition or operating results may be materially and adversely affected, the price of our common stock may decline, perhaps significantly, and you could lose all or a part of your investment.

The risks below can be characterized into three groups:

Risks Related to Our Business

We incurred substantial net losses in 2017 and 2016 and may not be able to continue to operate as a going concern.

We suffered net losses from operations of $12,758,000 and $10,135,000 and net losses of $ 22,551,000 and $15,623,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We also had negative cash flows from operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. In 2015 we ceased paying dividends on our common stock and in 2016 we disposed of the real estate on which one of our operating subsidiaries is located through a sale leaseback transaction. In January 2017, we sold one of our operating subsidiaries. Recently we have entered in a Stock Purchase Agreement to sell our operating subsidiaries constituting our Aerostructures & Electronics segment. During the year ended December 31, 2016 and subsequent thereto, we sold in excess of $ 29,856,000 in debt and equity securities to secure funds to operate our business. Since February 2017 we have issued additional convertible notes in lieu of cash payment of accrued interest on our outstanding convertible notes. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2017, we were not in compliance with financial covenants under our Amended and Restated Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement with PNC Bank (the “Loan Facility”). The report of our independent registered public accountants on our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 states that these factors raise uncertainty about our ability to continue as a going concern.

Unless we are able to generate positive cash flows from operations, we will continue to depend upon further issuances of debt, equity or other financings to fund ongoing operations. In November 2017 through January 2018, we issued 1,577,390 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase an additional 480,000 shares of common stock in a private placement for gross proceeds of $2,000,000. We may continue to incur additional operating losses and we cannot assure you that we will continue as a going concern.

In late fiscal 2017, we initiated a repositioning of our business to obtain profitability and improve our liquidity. We named a new CEO and on March 21, 2018, we entered into an SPA for the sale of WMI and related operations for a purchase price of $9,000,000, subject to a working capital adjustment. Although we believe the proceeds of this disposition will improve our liquidity, we still may need to depend on further issuances of debt or equity to fund ongoing operations until we achieve sustainable profitability and positive cash flow.

Risk that sale of WMI may not close.

We are depending upon the sale of WMI to improve our cash position. The sale is anticipated to close in May or June 2018, although it is possible the disposition may be delayed. The sale is subject to certain conditions and both parties have limited termination provisions. Nevertheless management expects that the sale will be consummated, though there is no guarantee it will occur.

We may need additional financing.

In the past, we have funded a portion of our operating losses through borrowings from two of our principal shareholders who are also directors. As of December 31, 2017, related party notes payable to Michael and Robert Taglich (and their affiliated entities), totaled $2,388,000. In the future, we may need additional cash to fund operational losses and bridge financing until the sale of WMI closes. Additional funding may not be available to us on reasonable terms, if at all, from third parties or our two principal shareholders. If we are unable to fund such losses from third parties or our principal shareholders, we may become insolvent.

We may need to raise additional capital in the future. Future financings may involve the issuance of debt, equity and/or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our equity securities. These financings may not be available to us on reasonable terms or at all when and as we require funding. If we are able to consummate such financings, the trading price of our common stock could be adversely affected and/or the terms of such financings may adversely affect the interests of our existing stockholders. Any failure to obtain additional working capital when required would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition and may result in a decline in our stock price. Any issuances of our common stock, preferred stock, or securities such as warrants or notes that are convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, our capital stock, would have a dilutive effect on the voting and economic interest of our existing stockholders.

We have identified deficiencies and material weaknesses in our internal controls and we may not be successful in remediating these deficiencies and weakness in the near future.

In connection with our review of our disclosure controls and internal controls over financial reporting for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of such dates. In particular, certain portions of our inventory control system have not been integrated into the system used by the balance of our company which could result in a failure to properly account for the costs associated with work in process, slow moving inventory and the value of inventory on hand, and the enterprise reporting system used to track employee hours. Accordingly, costs to be included in work in process, may not be sufficiently automated to ensure compliance at all times. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our quarterly closing process was deficient at our subsidiaries and that our consolidating process and period end reporting and disclosure procedures were materially weak. They also concluded that our system for administering and disclosing stock compensation was deficient and that we lacked the accounting personnel necessary to account for complex accounting matters and unusual and nonstandard transactions. We intend to remediate these conditions. In the event we do not remediate these deficiencies and material weaknesses in our internal controls, our operations may be adversely affected and the market price of our common stock could decline. In addition, if we are unable to meet the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we may not be able to maintain our listing on the NYSE American.

A reduction in government spending on defense could materially adversely impact our revenues, results of operations and financial condition.

A large percentage of our revenue is derived from products for US military aviation. There are risks associated with programs that are subject to appropriation by Congress, which could be potential targets for reductions in funding. Reductions in United States Government spending on defense or future changes in the mix of defense products required by United States Government agencies could limit demand for our products, and may have a materially adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. For the past several years, our operations have been impacted by volatility in government procurement cycles and spending patterns. There can be no assurance that our financial condition and results of operations will not be materially adversely impacted by future volatility in defense spending or a change in the mix of products purchased by defense departments in the United States or other countries, or the perception on the part of our customers that such changes are about to occur.

We depend on revenues from a few significant relationships. Any loss, cancellation, reduction, or interruption in these relationships could harm our business.

We derive most of our revenues from a small number of customers. Three customers represented approximately 62% and 52.3% of total sales for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The markets in which we sell our products are dominated by a relatively small number of customers which have contracts with United States governmental agencies, thereby limiting the number of potential customers. Our success depends on our ability to develop and manage relationships with significant customers. We cannot be sure that we will be able to retain our largest customers or that we will be able to attract additional customers, or that our customers will continue to buy our products in the same amounts as in prior years. The loss of one or more of our largest customers, any reduction or interruption in sales to these customers, our inability to successfully develop relationships with additional customers or future price concessions that we may have to make, could significantly harm our business.

We depend on revenues from components for a few aircraft platforms and the cancellation or reduction of either production or use of these aircraft platforms could harm our business.

Our Complex Machining segment derives most of its revenues from components for a few aircraft platforms, specifically the Sikorsky BlackHawk helicopter, the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye naval aircraft, the McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) C-17 Globemaster, the F-16 Falcon and the F-18 Hornet. Boeing closed its C-17 production line in 2015. A reduction in demand for our products as a result of either a reduction in the production of new aircraft or a reduction in the use of existing aircraft in the fleet (reducing after-market demand) would have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

Intense competition in our markets may lead to a reduction in our revenues and market share.

The defense and aerospace component manufacturing market is highly competitive and we expect that competition will increase and perhaps intensify. Many competitors have significantly greater technical, manufacturing, financial and marketing resources than we do. We may not be able to compete successfully against either current or future competitors. Increased competition could result in reduced revenue, lower margins or loss of market share, any of which could significantly harm our business, our operating results and financial condition.

We may lose sales if our suppliers fail to meet our needs or shipments of raw materials are not timely made.

Although we procure most of our parts and components from multiple sources or believe that these components are readily available from numerous sources, certain components are available only from a sole or limited number or sources. While we believe that substitute components or assemblies could be obtained, use of substitutes would require development of new suppliers or would require us to re-engineer our products, or both, which could delay shipment of our products and could have a materially adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. Recently, we have had difficulties in securing timely shipments of raw materials from certain vendors due to our liquidity problems. Our results of operations for the past few years have been negatively impacted by disruptions in receipt of materials and such disruptions may continue. Any delays in the shipment of raw materials could significantly harm our business, our operating results and our financial condition.

There are risks associated with the bidding processes in which we compete.

We obtain many contracts through a competitive bidding process. We must devote substantial time and resources to prepare bids and proposals and may not have contracts awarded to us. Even if we win contracts, there can be no assurance that the prices that we have bid will be sufficient to allow us to generate a profit from any particular contract. There are significant costs involved with producing a small number of initial units of any new product and it may not be possible to recoup such costs on later production runs.

Due to fixed contract pricing, increasing contract costs expose us to reduced profitability and the potential loss of future business.

The cost estimation process requires significant judgment and expertise. Reasons for cost growth may include unavailability and productivity of labor, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, the effect of change orders, the availability of materials, the effect of any delays in performance, availability and timing of funding from the customer, natural disasters, and the inability to recover any claims included in the estimates to complete. A significant change in cost estimates on one or more programs could have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

The prices of raw materials we use are volatile.

The prices of raw materials used in our manufacturing processes are volatile. If the prices of raw materials rise we may not be able to pass along such increases to our customers and this could have an adverse impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations. It is possible that some of the raw materials we use might become subject to new or increased tariffs. Significant increases in the prices of raw materials could adversely impact our customers’ demand for certain products which could lead to a reduction in our revenues and have a material adverse impact on our revenues and on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Some of the products we produce have long lead times.

Some of the products we produce, particularly those of our Complex Machining segment, require months to produce and we sometimes produce products in excess of the number ordered intending to sell the excess as spares when orders arise. As a result, our inventory turns slowly and ties up our working capital. Our inventory represented approximately 51% of our assets as of December 31, 2017. Any requirement to write down the value of our inventory due to obsolescence or a drop in the price of materials could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and could result in a breach of the financial covenants in our Loan Facility.

We do not own the intellectual property rights to products we produce.

Nearly all the parts and subassemblies we produce are built to customer specifications and the customer owns the intellectual property, if any, related to the product. Consequently, if a customer desires to use another manufacturer to fabricate its part or subassembly, it would be free to do so, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, our operating results and financial condition.

There are risks associated with new programs.

New programs typically carry risks associated with design changes, acquisition of new production tools, funding commitments, imprecise or changing specifications, timing delays and the accuracy of cost estimates associated with such programs. In addition, any new program may experience delays for a variety of reasons after significant expenditures are made. If we were unable to perform under new programs to the customers’ satisfaction or if a new program in which we had made a significant investment was terminated or experienced weak demand, delays or other problems, then our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. This could result in low margin or forward loss contracts, and the risk of having to write-off costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts if it were deemed to be unrecoverable over the life of the program.

To perform on new programs we may be required to incur material up-front costs which may not have been separately negotiated and may not be recoverable. Such charges and the loss of up-front costs could have a material impact on our liquidity.

The need to control our expenses will place a significant strain on our management and operational resources. If we are unable to control our expenses effectively, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

Attracting and retaining executive talent and other key personnel is an essential element of our future success.

Our future success depends to a significant extent upon our ability to attract executive talent, as well as the continued service of our existing executive officers and other key management and technical personnel. Experienced management and technical, marketing and support personnel in the defense and aerospace industries are in demand and competition for their talents is intense. Our failure to attract executive talent, or retain our existing executive officers and key personnel, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to strict governmental regulations relating to the environment, which could result in fines and remediation expense in the event of non-compliance.

We are required to comply with extensive and frequently changing environmental regulations at the federal, state and local levels. Among other things, these regulatory bodies impose restrictions to control air, soil and water pollution, to protect against occupational exposure to chemicals, including health and safety risks, and to require notification or reporting of the storage, use and release of certain hazardous substances into the environment. This extensive regulatory framework imposes significant compliance burdens and risks on us. In addition, these regulations may impose liability for the cost of removal or remediation of certain hazardous substances released on or in our facilities without regard to whether we knew of, or caused, the release of such substances. Furthermore, we are required to provide a place of employment that is free from recognized and preventable hazards that are likely to cause serious physical harm to employees, provide notice to employees regarding the presence of hazardous chemicals and to train employees in the use of such substances. Our operations require the use of chemicals and other materials for painting and cleaning that are classified under applicable laws as hazardous chemicals and substances. If we are found to be in violation of any of these rules, regulations or permits, we may be subject to fines, remediation expenses and the obligation to change our business practice, any of which could result in substantial costs that would adversely impact our business operations and financial condition.

We may be subject to fines and disqualification for non-compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

We are subject to regulation by the Federal Aviation Administration under the provisions of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended. The FAA prescribes standards and licensing requirements for aircraft and aircraft components. We are subject to inspections by the FAA and may be subjected to fines and other penalties (including orders to cease production) for noncompliance with FAA regulations. Our failure to comply with applicable regulations could result in the termination of or our disqualification from some of our contracts, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations. We have never been subject to such fines or disqualification.

Terrorist acts and acts of war may seriously harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

United States and global responses to actual or potential military conflicts, terrorism, perceived nuclear, biological and chemical threats and other global political crises increase uncertainties with respect to U.S. and other business and financial markets. Several factors associated, directly or indirectly, with actual or potential military conflicts, terrorism, perceived nuclear, biological and chemical threats, and other global political crises and responses thereto, may adversely affect the mix of products purchased by defense departments in the United States or other countries to platforms not serviced by us. A shift in defense budgets to product lines we do not produce could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness

Our indebtedness may have a material adverse effect on our operations.

We have substantial indebtedness under our Loan Facility. As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $19,926,000 of indebtedness outstanding under the Loan Facility. All of our indebtedness under the Loan Facility is secured by substantially all of our assets.

We also have outstanding a significant amount of indebtedness in the form of 8% Notes. To the extent we are not able to pay accrued interest on the 8% Notes in cash due to restrictions set forth in the Loan Facility or otherwise, we may issue additional 8% Notes in payment of such accrued interest in lieu of cash (“PIK Notes”). If we are unable to pay the outstanding principal and accrued interest on the 8% Notes when due, our operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Our leverage may adversely affect our ability to finance future operations and capital needs, may limit our ability to pursue business opportunities and may make our results of operations more susceptible to adverse economic conditions.

Our indebtedness may limit our ability to pay dividends in the future.

We currently do not pay dividends and the terms of our Loan Facility require that we maintain certain financial covenants. Unless we are in compliance with our Loan Facility in the future, we would need to seek covenant changes under our Loan Facility to pay dividends in the future. There can be no assurance our lenders would agree to covenant changes acceptable to us or at all. In addition, we may in the future incur indebtedness or otherwise become subject to agreements whose terms restrict our ability to pay dividends in the future.

Risks Related to our common stock

The ownership of our common stock is highly concentrated, and your interests may conflict with the interests of our existing stockholders.

Two of our directors, Michael N. Taglich and Robert F. Taglich, and their affiliates beneficially own approximately 24.70% of our outstanding common stock. Accordingly, these directors have significant influence over the outcome of corporate actions requiring stockholder approval. Accordingly, these directors have significant influence over the outcome of corporate actions requiring stockholder approval. The interests of these directors may be different from the interests of other stockholders on these matters. This concentration of ownership could also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in our control or otherwise discouraging a potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control of us, which in turn could reduce the price of our common stock.

A large number of shares may be sold in the market as a result of the Public Offering and the resale of the Shares offered in our public offering and resale Prospectus of July and August 2017, respectively. This may depress the market price of our common stock.

A substantial number of our shares of common stock, including 5,175,000 shares sold in a public offering in July 2017 and 1,293,938 shares issued upon conversion of our bridge notes issued in May 2018, are freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. In addition, 8,629,606 shares issued in October 2017 upon the automatic conversion of our Series A Preferred Stock held by non-affiliates, are eligible for sale in accordance with Rule 144, without restriction. As a result, a substantial number of shares of our common stock may be sold in the public market, which may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. 

We can provide no assurance that our common stock will continue to meet NYSE American listing requirements. If we fail to comply with the continuing listing standards of the NYSE American, our common stock could be delisted.

However, we may fail to timely file a periodic report or other required SEC filing in the future and as a result may fail to be in compliance in the future. If we fail to satisfy the continued listing requirements of the NYSE American, the NYSE American may take steps to delist our common stock. The delisting of our common stock would likely have a negative effect on the price of our common stock and would impair your ability to sell or purchase common stock when you wish to do so.

There is only a limited public market for our common stock.

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE American. However, trading volume has been limited and a more active public market for our common stock may not develop or be sustained over time. The lack of a robust market may impair a stockholder’s ability to sell shares of our common stock. In the absence of a more active trading market, any attempt to sell a substantial number of our shares could result in a decrease in the price of our stock. Specifically, you may not be able to resell your shares of common stock at or above the price you paid for such shares or at all.

Moreover, sales of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could negatively impact the price of our common stock. As a result, you may not be able to sell your shares of our common stock in short time periods, or possibly at all, and the price per share of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

Our future revenues are inherently unpredictable; our operating results are likely to fluctuate from period to period and if we fail to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors, our stock price could decline significantly.

Our quarterly and annual operating results are likely to fluctuate significantly due to a variety of factors, some of which are outside our control. Accordingly, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations are not meaningful and should not be relied upon as indications of performance. Some of the factors that could cause quarterly or annual operating results to fluctuate include conditions inherent in government contracting and our business such as the timing of cost and expense recognition for contracts, the United States Government contracting and budget cycles, introduction of new government regulations and standards, contract closeouts, variations in manufacturing efficiencies, our ability to obtain components and subassemblies from contract manufacturers and suppliers, general economic conditions and economic conditions specific to the defense market. Because we base our operating expenses on anticipated revenue trends and a high percentage of our expenses are fixed in the short term, any delay in generating or recognizing forecasted revenues could significantly harm our business.

Fluctuations in quarterly results, competition or announcements of extraordinary events such as acquisitions or litigation may cause earnings to fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. In this event, the trading price of our common stock could significantly decline. These fluctuations, as well as general economic and market conditions, may adversely affect the future market price of our common stock, as well as our overall operating results. Consequently, our share price may experience significant volatility and may not necessarily reflect the value of our expected performance.

We are currently unable to pay cash dividends on our common stock and are not likely to do so for the foreseeable future

Our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock is limited by the terms of our Loan Facility (and the terms of any future indebtedness or other agreements), under applicable law, and our status as a holding company. Given our current cash needs, it is not likely we will pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Future financings or acquisitions may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Future sales or issuances of our common stock, including upon conversion of the 8% Notes, upon exercise of our outstanding warrants or as part of future financings or acquisitions, would be substantially dilutive to the outstanding shares of common stock. Any dilution or potential dilution may cause our stockholders to sell their shares, which would contribute to a downward movement in the price of common stock.

Future issuances of additional 8% Notes in lieu of cash interest payments on our 8% Notes will dilute existing holders of our common stock and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

We are obligated to pay accrued interest quarterly to holders of our 8% Notes. To date, we have issued additional 8% Notes in lieu of cash payments of accrued interest (“PIK Notes”). If for any future interest periods we are unable to pay accrued interest on the 8% Notes in cash due to restrictions in our Loan Facility or liquidity constraints, we may issue additional PIK Notes to holders of our 8% Notes. The conversion of PIK Notes into common stock will dilute the interests of our common stockholders and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

We are an “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.

The JOBS Act permits “emerging growth companies” like us to rely on some of the reduced disclosure requirements that are already available to companies having a public float of less than $75 million, for as long as we qualify as an emerging growth company. During that period, we are permitted to omit the auditor’s attestation on internal control over financial reporting that would otherwise be required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Companies with a public float of $75 million or more must otherwise procure such an attestation beginning with their second annual report after their initial public offering. For as long as we qualify as an emerging growth company, we also are excluded from the requirement to submit “say-on-pay”, “say-on-pay frequency” and “say-on-parachute” votes to our stockholders and may avail ourselves of reduced executive compensation disclosure compared to larger companies. In addition, as described in the following risk factor, as an emerging growth company we can take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies.

Until such time as we cease to qualify as an emerging growth company, investors may find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

As an “emerging growth company” we may take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies.

Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that, as an emerging growth company, we can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We can therefore delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Our financial statements may therefore not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards. Please refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” for further discussion of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards.

At such time as we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, the costs and demands placed upon management will increase.

We will continue to be deemed an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year during which we had total annual gross revenues of $1,000,000,000 (as indexed for inflation), (ii) December 31, 2018 (the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common stock under a registration statement under the Securities Act,) (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous 3-year period, issued more than $1,000,000,000 in non-convertible debt; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a ‘large accelerated filer’ as defined by the SEC, which would generally occur upon our attaining a public float of at least $700 million. Once we lose emerging growth company status, we expect the costs and demands placed upon management to increase, as we would have to comply with additional disclosure and accounting requirements, particularly if our public float should exceed $75 million.

We incur significant costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management is required to devote substantial time to compliance requirements, including establishing and maintaining internal controls over financial reporting, and we may be exposed to potential risks if we are unable to comply with these requirements.

As a public company, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, together with rules implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable market regulators. These rules impose various requirements on public companies, including requiring certain corporate governance practices. Our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to these requirements. Moreover, these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective internal controls for financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. In particular, we must perform system and process evaluations and testing of our internal controls over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Compliance with Section 404 may require that we incur substantial accounting expenses and expend significant management efforts. Our testing may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses. In the event we identify significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal controls that we cannot remediate in a timely manner, the market price of our stock could decline if investors and others lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other applicable regulatory authorities.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

Our executive offices are located at 360 Motor Parkway, Suite 100, Hauppauge, New York 11788. We occupy our executive offices under a lease with term which ends January 2022. The annual rent was $103,000 for the lease year which began in January 2016, and increases by approximately 3% per annum each year thereafter until the seventh year of the lease.

The operations of a portion of our Complex Machining segment are conducted on a 5.4-acre corporate campus in Bay Shore, New York. We occupy three buildings on the campus, consisting of 76,000 square feet. On October 24, 2006, we entered into a “sale/leaseback” transaction whereby we sold the buildings and real property located at the corporate campus and entered into a 20-year triple-net lease for the property. Base annual rent for 2017 was approximately $305,111 and increases by 3% each subsequent year. The lease grants us an option to renew the lease for an additional five years. Under the terms of the lease, we are required to pay all of the costs associated with the operation of the facilities, including, without limitation, insurance, taxes and maintenance.

The remaining portion of the operations of our Complex Machining segment are conducted in a 60,000 square foot facility in West Babylon, New York. The space is occupied under a lease which provides for an annual base rent of approximately $360,000 through October 30, 2018. We are in the process of relocating the operations of NTW conducted at this location to AIM’s facilities in Bay Shore, New York.

The operations WMI, a component of our Aerostructures & Electronics segment are principally conducted in an 81,035 square foot facility located in Hauppauge, New York. This space is occupied under a lease which provides for an annual base rent of approximately $ 650,000 per year through December 31, 2025. The operations at this location are under contract to be sold to CPI. As part of the sale, CPI will sublet the space for three months, with up to three one-month extensions. We will remain obligated under this lease following the closing of WMI, while we will be seeking a sub-tenant for the space, there can be no assurance that we will be successful.

The balance of our Aerostructures & Electronics segment are located in a 16,000 square foot facility in Waterbury, Connecticut. The space is occupied under a lease which has an annual base rent of approximately $115,000 and expires May 31, 2019.

The operations of our Turbine Engine Components segment are conducted in a 74,923 square foot facility on a 24 acre parcel in Barkhamsted, Connecticut.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time we may be engaged in various lawsuits and legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. We are currently not aware of any legal proceedings the ultimate outcome of which, in our judgment based on information currently available, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results. We, however, have had claims brought against us by a number of vendors due to our liquidity constraints.  There are no proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial stockholder of our common stock, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our interest.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Market for Our Common Stock

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “AIRI.” The prices set forth below reflect the quarterly high and low prices of a share of our common stock for the periods indicated as reported by Yahoo Finance.

Dividend Policy

The declaration and payment of dividends on our common stock is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and depends on a number of factors, including future earnings, capital requirements, restrictions under our Loan Facility, financial conditions and future prospects and other factors the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

Holders

On March 28, 2018 there were 279 stockholders of record of our common stock. The number of record holders does not include persons who held our Common Stock in nominee or “street name” accounts through brokers.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table summarizes shares of our Common Stock to be issued upon exercise of options and warrants, the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options and warrants and options available for future issuance pursuant to our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2017:

Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities

Except as previously reported in our periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act, we did not issue any unregistered equity securities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

Purchases of Our Equity Securities

No repurchases of our common stock were made during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not required.

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should specifically consider the various risk factors identified in this report that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.

Business Overview

We are an aerospace company operating primarily in the defense industry, though the proportion of our business represented by the commercial and industrial sector is increasing. We manufacture and design structural parts and assemblies that focus on flight safety, including landing gear, arresting gear, engine mounts, flight controls, throttle quadrants, and other components. Our Turbine Engine Components segment makes components and provides services for jet engines and ground-power turbines. Our products are currently deployed on a wide range of high profile military and commercial aircraft including Sikorsky's UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters, Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Northrop Grumman's E2D Hawkeye, the US Navy F-18 and USAF F-16 fighter aircraft, Boeing’s 777 and Airbus' 380 commercial airliners. Our Turbine Engine segment makes components for jet engines that are used on the USAF F-15 and F-16, the Airbus A-330 and A-380, and the Boeing 777, in addition to a number of ground-power turbine applications.

Air Industries Machining, Corp. (“AIM”) became a public company in 2005 when its net sales were approximately $30 million. AIM has manufactured components and subassemblies for the defense and commercial aerospace industry for over 45 years and has established long-term relationships with leading defense and aerospace manufacturers. Since becoming public, we have completed a series of acquisitions of defense aerospace and commercial aerospace businesses which have enabled us to broaden the range of products and services beyond those which were provided by AIM.

In response to recent operating losses and lack of adequate working capital, we have and continue to reposition our business including:

In addition to repositioning our business to obtain profitability and positive cash flow, we remain resolute on meeting customers’ needs and have and continue to align production schedules to meet the needs of customers. We believe that an unyielding focus on our customers will allow us to execute on our existing backlog in a timely fashion and take on additional commitments. We are pleased with our progress and the positive responses received from our customers.

The aerospace market is highly competitive in both the defense and commercial sectors and we face intense competition in all areas of our business. Nearly all of our revenues are derived by producing products to customer specifications after being awarded a contract through a competitive bidding process. As the commercial aerospace and defense industries continue to consolidate and major contractors seek to streamline supply chains by buying more complete sub-assemblies from fewer suppliers, we have sought to remain competitive not only by providing cost-effective world class service but also by increasing our ability to produce more complex and complete assemblies for our customers.

Our ability to operate profitably is determined by our ability to win new contracts and renewals of existing contracts, and then fulfill these contracts on a timely basis at costs that enable us to generate a profit based upon the agreed upon contract price. Winning a contract generally requires that we submit a bid containing a fixed price for the product or products covered by the contract for an agreed upon period of time. Thus, when submitting bids, we are required to estimate our future costs of production and, since we often rely upon subcontractors, the prices we can obtain from our subcontractors.

While our revenues are largely determined by the number of contracts we are awarded, the volume of product delivered and price of product under each contract, our costs are determined by a number of factors. The principal factors impacting our costs are the cost of materials and supplies, labor, financing and the efficiency at which we can produce our products. The cost of materials used in the aerospace industry is highly volatile. In addition, the market for the skilled labor we require to operate our plants is highly competitive. The profit margin of the various products we sell varies based upon a number of factors, including the complexity of the product, the intensity of the competition for such product and, in some cases, the ability to deliver replacement parts on short notice. Thus, in assessing our performance from one period to another, a reader must understand that changes in profit margin can be the result of shifts in the mix of products sold. Many of our operations have a large percentage of fixed factory overhead. As a result our profit margins are also highly variable with sales volumes as under-absorption of factory overhead can decrease profits.

A very large percentage of the products we produce are used on military as opposed to civilian aircraft. These products can be replacements for aircraft already in the fleet of the armed services or for the production of new aircraft. Reductions to the Defense Department budget and decreased usage of aircraft have reduced the demand for both new production and replacement spares. This has reduced our sales, particularly in our complex machining segment. In response to the reduction in military sales, we are focusing greater efforts on the civilian aircraft market though we still remain dependent upon the military for an overwhelming portion of our revenues.

Public Offering

On July 12, 2017, we sold 5,175,000 shares of common stock at a price of $1.50 per for gross proceeds of $7,762,500 in a firm commitment underwritten public offering (the “Public Offering”). We received net proceeds of approximately $6,819,125 from the sale of our shares in the Public Offering. For additional information concerning the Public Offering and the related restructuring transactions (the “Restructuring Transactions”), see the discussion under the caption “Liquidity,” below.

Segment Data

We follow Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB”) ASC 280, “Segment Reporting” (“ASC 280”), which establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments in annual and interim financial statements, ASC 280 requires that companies report financial and descriptive information about their reportable segments based on a management approach. ASC 280 also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers.

We currently divide our operations into three operating segments: Complex Machining; Aerostructures and Electronics; and Turbine Engine Components. We separately report our corporate overhead (which was comprised of certain operating costs that were not directly attributable to a particular segment). Effective January 1, 2015, all operating costs are allocated to the Company’s three operating segments. In light of the pending sale of WMI and our focus on complex, machined parts to achieve profitability and growth, in the future we may change our reportable operating segments.

The accounting policies of each of the segments are the same as those described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. We evaluate performance based on revenue, gross profit contribution and assets employed.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS-CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:

In March 2018, we announced our intention to divest WMI and related operations. These operations are part of our Aerostructures & Electronics operating segment. Once the sale is completed, our Company will be more focused on complex, machined products for aircraft landing gear and jet turbine applications. Although WMI and the related operations have been classified as a discontinued operation, we will continue to operate these businesses until the sale is closed which is anticipated to occur in May or June 2018. We anticipate that from January 2018 through the closing date, these operations will generate a net loss. For purposes of the following discussion of our selected financial information and operating results, we have presented our financial information based on our continuing operations unless otherwise noted.

Selected Financial Information:

Balance Sheet Data:

The following sets forth the results of operations for each of our segments individually and on a consolidated basis for the periods indicated: 

Net Sales:

Consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $49,869,000, a decrease of $1,452,000, or 2.8%, compared with $51,321,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016. Net sales of our Complex Machining segment were $38,489,000, an increase of $1,365,000, or 3.7%, from $37,124,000 in the prior year. Net sales of our Aerostructures & Electronics segment, after elimination of discontinued operations, were $4,574,000, an increase of $1,350,000, or 41.9%, from $3,224,000 in the prior year. This increase can be attributed to increased volume at EUR-PAC. Net sales in our Turbine Engine Components segment were $6,806,000, a decrease of $4,167,000, compared with $10,973,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016. This decrease was due almost entirely to the sale of AMK in January 2017 which had sales of $4,511,000 in 2016 and $417,000 in 2017. Excluding the results of AMK in both annual periods, consolidated net sales would have been $49,452,000 in 2017 or an increase of 5.6% as compared to $46,810,000 in 2016.

As indicated in the table below, three customers represented 62.0% and three customers represented 52.3% of total sales for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

As indicated in the table below, three customers represented 68.7% and two customers represented 35.3% of gross accounts receivable at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Gross Profit:

Consolidated gross profit from operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $4,867,000, an increase of $598,000, or 14.0%, as compared to gross profit of $4,269,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016. Consolidated gross profit as a percentage of sales was 9.8% and 8.3% for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Gross profit from operations for AMK, which was sold in January 2017, for the year ended December 31, 2016 was approximately $169,000. Excluding AMK from the Company’s 2016 results would result in gross profit of $4,100,000 or 8.8% of sales of $46,810,000. The increase in gross profit from 8.8% to 9.8% after removing results of AMK was due to the implementation of cost reduction and productivity improvement initiatives.

Interest and Financing Costs

Our interest and financing costs increased from $2,500,000 in 2016 to $3,378,000 in 2017.

Impairment Charges

In fiscal 2017, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $6,195,000 and a loss on assets held for sale of $1,563,000, each of which amounts are included in the loss from continuing operations. In addition, in connection with the sale of WMI, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $3,417,000 and an impairment of intangible asset write-down of $1,085,000, both of these amounts are included in the loss from discontinued operations.

Operating Expense

Consolidated operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 totaled $11,430,000 and decreased by $2,974,000 or 20.6% compared to $14,404,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease in operating expenses is primarily due to staff reduction measures and cost reduction initiatives.

Net Loss

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $22,551,000, an increase of $6,928,000, compared to a net loss $15,623,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, for the reasons discussed above. Our net loss in 2017 and 2016 includes a net loss from the discontinued operations of WMI and related operations of $6,678,000 and $756,000, respectively. In addition, our net loss for 2017 includes an impairment charge related to ongoing operations of approximately $6,195,000. Excluding such amounts, our net loss in 2017 would have been $9,678,000 and in 2016 would have been $14,867,000.

Impact of Inflation

Inflation has not had a material effect on our results of operations.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 

We are highly leveraged and rely upon our ability to continue to borrow under our Loan Facility with PNC or to raise debt and equity from our principal stockholders and third parties to support operations and acquisitions. Substantially all of our assets are pledged as collateral under our Loan Facility. We are required to maintain a lockbox account with PNC, into which substantially all of our cash receipts are paid. If PNC were to cease providing revolving loans to us under the Loan Facility, we would lack funds to continue our operations. Over the past eighteen months we have also relied upon our ability to borrow money from certain stockholders and raise debt and equity capital to support our operations. Should we continue to need to borrow funds from our principal stockholders or raise debt or equity, there is no assurance that we will be able to do so or that the terms on which we borrow funds or raise equity will be favorable to us or our existing shareholders.

The Loan Facility has been amended many times during its term, most recently in January 2017 (the “Fourteenth Amendment”) and June 2017 (the “Fifteenth Amendment”).

The Loan Facility provides for a $33,000,000 revolving loan and a term loan with the initial principal amount of $7,387,854.

Under the terms of the Loan Facility, as amended, the revolving loan bears interest at (a) the sum of the Alternate Base Rate plus one and three-quarters of one percent (1.75%) with respect to Domestic Rate Loans; and (b) the sum of the LIBOR Rate plus four and one-half of one percent (4.50%) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans. The advance rate with respect to our inventory is an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 75% of the eligible inventory, an increase from 50%, and (ii) 90% of the liquidation value of the eligible inventory, subject to the inventory sublimit of $12,500,000 and such reserves as PNC may deem proper.

The amount outstanding under the revolving loan was $16,455,000 and $24,393,000, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (including excess advances at December 31, 2016), respectively.

The repayment terms of the Term Loan provide for monthly principal installments in the amount of $123,133 payable on the first business day of each month, with a final payment of any unpaid balance of principal and interest payable on the last business day of June, 2021.

The terms of the Loan Facility require that, among other things, we maintain a specified Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and maintain a minimum EBITDA (as defined in the Loan Facility) for specified periods. In addition, we are limited in the amount of Capital Expenditures we can make. We are also limited to the amount of dividends we can pay our shareholders as defined in the Loan Facility.

In connection with the sale of AMK to Meyer Tool, Inc., on January 27, 2017 we, together with our wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into the Fourteenth Amendment to the Loan Facility which amended certain terms and conditions of the Loan Facility and released AMK from its obligations under the Loan Facility.

The proceeds of the sale of AMK, net of a working adjustment in the amount of ($163,000), were applied as follows: $1,700,000 to the payment of the Term Loan, $1,800,000 to the payment of outstanding revolving loans, and $500,000 to the payment of existing accounts payable. The remaining $500,000 will be applied to outstanding accounts payable on a future date to be determined by PNC or used to reduce the revolving loans. The Fourteenth Amendment to the Loan Facility required that we maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.25 to 1.00, tested quarterly on a consolidated rolling twelve (12) month basis; however, for the quarter ending June 30, 2017, which was to be tested based upon the prior six (6) months, we were required to maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00 and for the quarter ending September 30, 2017, which was to be tested based upon the prior nine (9) months, we were required to maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.10 to 1.00. The amendment also reduced the amount to be paid weekly in repayment of excess advances under the revolving credit facility from $100,000 to $50,000 for each Monday during the months of January, February and March of 2017. Thereafter, the weekly payments were to return to $100,000 until such excess advances were repaid in full.

On June 19, 2017, we entered into the Fifteenth Amendment to the Loan Facility, which waived the failure to comply with the minimum EBITDA covenant for the periods ended December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2017 and the Capital Expenditures covenant for the period ended December 31, 2016. The amendment also requires that we maintain at all times a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, tested quarterly on a consolidated basis beginning September 30, 2017, as follows: (i) 1.00 to 1.00 for the quarter ending September 30, 2017, tested based upon the prior three (3) months, (ii) 1.05 to 1.00 for the quarter ending December 31, 2017, tested based upon the prior six (6) months and (iii) 1.05 to 1.00 for the quarter ending March 31, 2018, tested based upon the prior nine (9) months and that we maintain EBITDA of not less than $345,000 for the period ending June 30, 2017. The amendment also provided that we were not required to maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and that no testing was required to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the periods ending December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2017 and that we were not required to maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and no testing was required of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the period ending June 30, 2017. In addition, the amendment reduces the weekly payments we are required to make to reduce our $2,244,071 over-advance under the revolving credit facility as of June 19, 2017 from $100,000 to $25,000 per week during the period commencing May 22, 2017 through and including July 10, 2017. We paid $50,000 to PNC in connection with the amendment and reimbursed PNC’s counsel fees.

As of December 31, 2017, we were not in compliance with our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio  covenant.

As of December 31, 2017, our outstanding indebtedness to PNC was $19,926,000 and consisted of revolving loans in the amount of $16,455,000 and the term loan of $3,471,000, as compared to December 31, 2016, when our debt to PNC was $31,042,000 and consisted of revolving loans of $24,393,000 and the term loan of $6,649,000. In addition, as of December 31, 2017 we had capitalized lease obligations to third parties of $3,073,000, as compared to capitalized lease obligations of $4,215,000 as of December 31, 2016.

Significant Transactions Since January 1, 2017 Which Have Impacted Our Liquidity

Dispositions

On January 27, 2017, we sold all of the outstanding shares of AMK to Meyer Tool, Inc., pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 27, 2017, for a purchase price of $4,500,000, net of a working capital adjustment of $(163,000), plus additional quarterly payments, not to exceed $1,500,000, equal to five percent (5%) of Net Revenues of AMK commencing April 1, 2017. In June 2017, we agreed to a final working capital adjustment with the buyer reducing the gain on sale from $451,000 to $200,000. The gain on sale was the difference between the non-contingent payments and the carrying value of the disposed business. The Company has made an accounting policy decision to record the contingent consideration as it is determined to be realizable. The proceeds of the sale were applied in accordance with the terms of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Loan Facility, as discussed above.

On March 21, 2018, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) for the sale of WMI and related operations, for a purchase price of $9,000,000, subject to a working capital adjustment. The SPA also provides for contingent payments of up to an aggregate of $1,000,000 if WMI enters into specified agreements by May 31, 2018 and July 31, 2018, respectively (the “Specified Dates”), which contingent payments are subject to reduction by $100,000 for each calendar month after the Specified Dates which passes before WMI enters into the specified agreements. The sale is subject to certain conditions, including the buyer obtaining financing for the amount of the purchase price, and requires an escrow deposit of $2,000,000 to cover the working capital adjustment and our obligation to indemnify the buyer against damages arising out of the breach of our representations and warranties and obligations under the SPA. It is anticipated that the sale will occur in May or June of 2018.

Series A Preferred Stock

Pursuant to the restructuring completed in connection with our July 2017 public offering, all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock were converted into 8,629,606 shares of our common stock.

Private Placements of 8% Subordinated Convertible Notes

From November 23, 2016 through March 21, 2017, we received gross proceeds of $4,775,000 from the sale of our 8% Notes, together with warrants to purchase a total of 383,080 shares of our common stock, in private placement transactions with accredited investors (the “8% Note Offerings”). In connection with the 8% Notes offerings, we issued 8% Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $382,000 to Taglich Brothers, placement agent for the 8% Note Offerings, in lieu of payment of cash compensation for sales commissions, together with warrants to purchase a total of 180,977 shares of our common stock. Payment of the principal and accrued interest on the 8% Notes are junior and subordinate in right of payment to our indebtedness under the Loan Facility.

Interest on the outstanding principal of the 8% Notes is payable quarterly at the annual rate of 8%, in cash, or if we are prohibited by applicable law or PNC, our principal lender under our Loan Facility, from paying interest in cash, or we otherwise elect to do so, we may pay accrued interest, in additional 8% Notes (“PIK Notes”), provided that if accrued interest with respect to the 8% Notes is paid in additional 8% Notes, interest for that quarterly interest payment will be calculated at the rate of 12% per annum. Upon the occurrence and continuation of an event of default, interest shall accrue at the rate of 12% per annum. 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we issued $354,238 principal amount of 8% Notes in lieu of cash payment of accrued interest. As of December 31, 2017, we had outstanding $5,525,000 principal amount of 8% Notes, of which $3,003,000 principal amount is due on November 30, 2018 and $2,522,000 principal amount is due on February 28, 2019.

The outstanding principal amount plus accrued interest on the 8% Notes is convertible at the option of the holder into shares of common stock at conversion prices ranging from $2.25 to $4.00 per share, subject to certain anti-dilution and other adjustments, including stock splits, and in the event of certain fundamental transactions such as mergers and other business combinations.

The exercise price of the warrants issued in connection with the 8% Note Offerings ranges from $3.00 to $4.45 per share, subject to certain anti-dilution and other adjustments, including stock splits, distributions in respect of the common stock and in the event of certain fundamental transactions such as mergers and other business combinations, and may be exercised on a cashless basis for a lesser number of shares depending upon prevailing market prices at the time of exercise. Of these warrants, 320,702 warrants may be exercised until November 30, 2021 and 246,182 warrants may be exercised until January 31, 2022.

Loans from Principal Stockholders 

Related party notes payable to Michael and Robert Taglich, and their affiliated entities, totaled $2,126,000 and $1,086,000, as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

On March 17, 2017, we borrowed $200,000 and $300,000 from each of Michael Taglich and Robert Taglich, respectively, and issued promissory notes in the principal amounts of $200,000 and $300,000 to Michael Taglich and Robert Taglich, respectively (the “Taglich Notes”). The Taglich Notes bore interest at the rate of 7% per annum. Pursuant to the restructuring completed in connection with out, July 2017 public offering, the Taglich Notes have been converted into 346,992 shares of common stock

On May 2, and May 10, 2017, we borrowed an aggregate of $750,000 from each of Michael Taglich and Robert Taglich. This indebtedness, together with accrued interest, were converted into May 2018 Notes on May 12, 2017.

In April 2018, Michael and Robert Taglich advanced an aggregate of $1,150,000 which funds are to be applied to a private placement on terms yet to be determined.

Taglich Brothers acted as a placement agent in connection with the sale of the May 2018 Notes and warrants discussed below for which they are to be paid commissions in the aggregate amount of $176,000.

As compensation for its services as placement agent for the offering of the 12% Notes discussed below, we paid Taglich Brothers a fee of $295,400 and issued to Taglich Brothers five-year warrants to purchase 68,617 shares of common stock at an initial exercise price of $6.15, subject to certain anti-dilution and other adjustments.

May Note Financing

On May 12 and May 19, 2017, we issued and sold to 17 accredited investors (including Michael N. Taglich and Robert F. Taglich individually and a partnership of which they are partners), our “May 2018 Notes” in the aggregate principal amount of $4,158,624, together with warrants to purchase an aggregate of 501,039 shares of common stock, for gross proceeds (net of the exchange of indebtedness totaling $1,503,288 due to Michael N. Taglich and Robert F. Taglich of $2,534,196, Roth Capital LLC and Taglich Brothers acted as placement agents in connection with the sale of the May 2018 Notes and warrants for which they are to be paid commissions in the aggregate amount of $191,155.

The May 2018 Notes and warrants were issued for a purchase price equal to 97% of the principal amount of the May 2018 Notes purchased. In connection with our July public offering, approximately $1,754,215 principal amount of the May 2018 Notes were converted into 1,240,605 shares of common stock and $463,501 principal amount of May 2018 Notes were redeemed. The balance of the May 2018 Notes were converted into 1,222,809 shares of common stock pursuant to the restructuring approved by our stockholders at our October 3rd Annual Meeting. Consequently, no May 2018 Notes remain outstanding.

We issued warrants to purchase 501,039 shares of common stock as part of the private placement of the May 2018 Notes. The warrants, when issued, were exercisable at an initial exercise price of $2.49 per share until May 12, 2022, and may be exercised on a cashless basis for a lesser number of shares based upon prevailing market prices when exercised. The exercise price of the warrants is subject to anti-dilution and other adjustments, including stock splits, and in the event of certain fundamental transactions such as recapitalizations, mergers and other business combination transactions. In accordance with the terms of the warrants, the exercise price was reduced to $1.50 per share, the public offering price of the shares of common stock sold in the Public Offering.

We early adopted the provisions of ASU 2017-11 in recognizing the warrants. As a result, the exercise price reset provisions were excluded from the assessment of whether the warrants are considered indexed to our own stock. The warrants otherwise meet the requirements for equity classification, as such were initially classified in Stockholders’ Equity. We will recognize the value of the exercise price reset provision if and when it becomes triggered, by recognizing the value of the effect of the exercise price reset as a deemed dividend and a reduction of income available to common shareholders in computing basic earnings per share.

 The proceeds received upon issuing the May 2018 Notes and warrants was allocated to each instrument on a relative fair value basis. The allocation resulted in an effective conversion price for the May 2018 Notes that was below the quoted market price of our common stock. As such, we recognized a beneficial conversion feature equal to the intrinsic value of the conversion feature on each issuance date, resulting in an additional discount to the initial carrying value of the May 2018 Notes with a corresponding credit to additional paid-in capital.

  We recognized an aggregate debt discount on the May 2018 Notes of approximately $2.5 million, comprised of the allocation of proceeds to the warrants and recognition of the beneficial conversion feature. The debt discount is presented net of the May 2018 Note balance in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and is amortized to interest expense over the term of the May 2018 Notes using the effective interest method. We amortized approximately $739,000 to interest expense in the year ended December 31, 2017.

Public Offering and Restructuring

On July 12, 2017, we sold 5,175,000 shares of common stock at a price of $1.50 per for gross proceeds of $7,762,500 in the Public Offering. We received net proceeds of approximately $6,819,125 of which approximately $4,000,000 was used to pay outstanding trade payable, $463,501 was used to redeem an equal principal amount of May 2018 Notes at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof and approximately $2,355,624 was added to our working capital.

In connection with the Public Offering, approximately $1,860,908 aggregate principal amount of the May 2018 Notes were converted into an aggregate of 1,240,605 shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $1.50 per share, the public offering price of the shares sold in the Public Offering.

In addition, we issued shares of common stock in connection with the Restructuring Transactions, described below, contemplated by the Public Offering, at a conversion price of $1.50 per share, upon obtaining stockholder approval at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders on October 3, 2017:

Equity Private Placement  

On November 29, 2017, December 5, 2017, December 29, 2017 and January 9, 2018, we issued and sold to 44 accredited investors, including Michael Taglich and Robert Taglich, an aggregate of 1,577,390 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase an additional 480,000 shares of common stock, for gross proceeds of $2,000,000, in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Michael Taglich and Robert Taglich purchased 144,927 shares and 72,463 shares, respectively, together with warrants to purchase an additional 48,000 shares and 24,000 shares, respectively, of common stock, for a purchase price of $200,000 and $100,000, respectively. The purchase price for the shares and warrants was $1.25 per share, except that the purchase price paid by Michael Taglich and Robert Taglich was $1.38 per share, the closing price of a share of common stock immediately prior to the purchase. The warrants have an exercise price of $1.50 per share, subject to certain anti-dilution and other adjustments, including stock splits, and in the event of certain fundamental transactions such as mergers and other business combinations, and may be exercised on a cashless basis for a lesser number of shares depending upon prevailing market prices at the time of exercise. The warrants may be exercised until November 30, 2022.

If prior to July 1, 2018, we complete a placement of shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of our common stock at an effective price or conversion rate (the “Subsequent Price”) less than $1.25 per share of common stock, we have agreed to issue to the purchasers of the shares and warrants (other than Michael Taglich and Robert Taglich), such additional number of shares of common stock as would have been received had the purchase price been equal to the greater of the Subsequent Price and $1.00 per share. If we complete more than one placement of shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of common stock prior to July 1, 2018, the Subsequent Price will be the lowest of the prices at which such offerings are completed.

Taglich Brothers, Inc., of which Michael Taglich and Robert Taglich are principals, acted as placement agent for the sale of the shares and warrants received a placement agent fee equal to $56,000 (8% of the amounts invested), payable at the Company’s option, in cash or additional shares of common stock and warrants having the same terms and conditions as the shares and warrants issued in the offering.

After giving effect to the foregoing transactions, we had outstanding approximately 25,034,084 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock. In addition, other than the indebtedness under our Loan Facility and the indebtedness represented by our 8% Notes, our only other indebtedness for money borrowed was the $1,150,000 advanced by Michael and Robert Taglich on terms to be determined.

Cash Flow

The following table summarizes our net cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities for the periods indicated below (in thousands):

Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities

Cash used in operating activities primarily consists of our net loss adjusted for certain non-cash items and changes to working capital items.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, net cash was impacted by a net loss of $22,551,000, offset by $19,172,000 of non-cash items consisting primarily of goodwill impairment of $9,612,000, depreciation of property and equipment of $2,723,000, amortization of debt discount on convertible notes payable of $2,301,000, amortization of capitalized engineering costs and intangibles of $1,096,000. Operating assets and liabilities further used cash in the net amount of $607,000 consisting primarily of the net decrease of accounts payable and accrued expenses in the amount $3,527,000 and a decrease in accounts receivable of $1,004,000, partially offset primarily by decreases in inventory of $905,000 prepaid taxes of $360,000 and an increase in deferred revenue of $410,000.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, our net cash used in operating activities of $692,000 was comprised of a net loss of $15,623,000 plus $6,712,000 of cash provided by changes in operating assets and liabilities plus adjustments for non-cash items of $8,219,000. Adjustments for non-cash items consisted primarily of depreciation of property and equipment of $3,347,000, amortization of capitalized engineering costs, intangibles and other items of $2,229,000, bad debt expense of $274,000, representing amounts reserved for as potentially uncollectible, and non-cash compensation of $167,000, deferred income taxes of $2,063,000, loss on sale of fixed assets held for sale of $5,000, loss on extinguishment of debt of $172,000, and prepaid taxes of $126,000. These non-cash items were offset by $38,000 of deferred gain on the sale of real estate. The increase in operating assets and liabilities consisted of a net decrease in Operating Assets of $2,045,000 and a net increase in Operating Liabilities of $4,667,000. The increase in Operating Assets was comprised of an increase in inventory of $2,902,000, and a net decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets, and deposits and other assets of $394,000, partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable of $4,616,000. The net increase in Operating Liabilities was comprised of increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $4,495,000 due to the timing of the receipt and payment of invoices, an increase in deferred rent of $82,000, and an increase in deferred revenue of $84,000, partially offset by an increase in income taxes payable of $6,000.

Cash Provided By (Used in) Investing Activities

Cash provided by investing activities consists of the cash received from the businesses we sold, reduced by capital expenditures for property and equipment and capitalized engineering costs. A description of capitalized engineering costs can be found below and in Note 3 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, cash provided by investing activities was $1,761,000. This was comprised of the proceeds from the sale of the AMK subsidiary of $4,260,000, offset by $985,000 for capitalized engineering costs and $1,514,000 for the purchase of property and equipment.

For the year December 31, 2016, cash used in investing activities was $924,000. This was comprised of $963,000 of capitalized engineering costs, $1,632,000 used for the purchase of property and equipment, offset by the proceeds of the sale of fixed assets of $1,671,000.

Cash Provided By Financing Activities

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities consists of the borrowings and repayments under our credit facilities with our senior lender, increases in and repayments of capital lease obligations and other notes payable, and the proceeds from the sale of our equity.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, cash provided by financing activities was $1,551,000. This was comprised of repayments of $3,178,000 on our term loan, $7,938,000 on our revolving loans, $1,397,000 on our capital lease obligations, payments of notes payable issuances of $463,000, and deferred financing costs of $50,000, offset by proceeds from notes payable issuances of $2,660,000 to related parties and $4,184,000 to third parties and proceeds from the issuance of common stock of $7,733,000.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, cash provided by financing activities was $2,391,000. This was comprised of repayments of $5,211,000 under our revolving credit facility, as well as repayments on our term loans of $3,184,000, proceeds from note payable of $4,500,000, as well as repayments under our capital leases of $1,226,000, proceeds from notes payable of $3,695,000, expense for issuance of preferred stock of $ 663,000, expense for issuance of debt offering $547,000, proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock of $5,250,000, and deferred financing costs of $223,000.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table sets forth our future contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017:

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2017.

Going Concern

We suffered losses from operations of $12,758,000 and $10,135,000 and net losses of $22,551,0000 and $15,623,000, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. We also had negative cash flows from operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. In addition, in 2016 we disposed of the real estate on which one of our operating subsidiaries was located through a sale leaseback transaction, and in January 2017 we sold that operating subsidiary. We have had to sell debt and equity securities to secure funds to operate our business and may have to continue to do so. From September 2016 through June 2017, we issued additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock in lieu of cash payment of accrued dividends on outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and in February 2017, May 2017 and August 2017, we issued additional convertible notes in lieu of cash payment of accrued interest on outstanding convertible notes.

On June 19, 2017, we entered into the Fifteenth Amendment to the Loan Facility, which waived the failure to comply with the minimum EBITDA covenant for the periods ended December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2017 and the Capital Expenditures covenant for the period ended December 31, 2016. The amendment also requires that we maintain at all times a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, tested quarterly on a consolidated basis beginning September 30, 2017, as follows: (i) 1.00 to 1.00 for the quarter ending September 30, 2017, tested based upon the prior three (3) months, (ii) 1.05 to 1.00 for the quarter ending December 31, 2017, tested based upon the prior six (6) months and (iii) 1.05 to 1.00 for the quarter ending March 31, 2018, tested based upon the prior nine (9) months and that we maintain EBITDA of not less than $345,000 for the period ending June 30, 2017. The amendment also provided that we were not required to maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and that no testing was required to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the periods ending December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2017 and that we are not required to maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and that no testing will be required of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the period ending September 30, 2017. 

In late fiscal 2017, we initiated a repositioning of our business to obtain profitability and improve our liquidity position. We named a new CEO and on March 21, 2018, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement for the sale of WMI, for a purchase price of $9,000,000, subject to a working capital adjustment. The sale is subject to certain conditions, including the buyer obtaining financing and is anticipated to close in May or June 2018 although it is possible that that closing may be delayed. In addition, although management believes such event is unlikely, the SPA does provide for certain limited termination rights by either party. Although we believe the proceeds of this acquisition will improve our liquidity position, we still may need further issuances of debt, equity or financing to fund ongoing operations until we achieve sustainable profitability.

The continuation of our business is dependent upon our ability to achieve profitability and positive cash flow and, pending such achievement, future issuances of equity or other financing to fund ongoing operations. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.

Critical Accounting Policies

We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our financial results.

Inventory Valuation 

The Company does not take physical inventories at interim quarterly reporting periods. The majority of the inventory been estimated using a gross profit percentage based on sales of previous periods to the net sales of the current period, as management believes that the gross profit percentage on these items are materially consistent from period to period.

The remainder of the inventory value is estimated based on the Company's standard cost perpetual inventory system, as management believes the perpetual system computed value for these items provides a better estimate of value for that inventory.

For annual reporting, the Company values inventory at the lower of cost on a first-in-first-out basis or market. 

We generally purchase raw materials and supplies uniquely suited to the production of larger more complex parts, such as landing gear, only when non-cancellable contracts for orders have been received for finished goods. We occasionally produce larger more complex products, such as landing gear, in excess of purchase order quantities in anticipation of future purchase order demand. Historically this excess has been used in fulfilling future purchase orders. We purchase supplies and materials useful in a variety of products as deemed necessary even though orders have not been received. The Company periodically evaluates inventory items that are not secured by purchase orders and establishes reserves for obsolescence accordingly. The Company also reserves for excess quantities, slow-moving goods, and for other impairments of value.

The Company presents inventory net of progress billings in accordance with the specified contractual arrangements with the United States Government, which results in the transfer of title of the related inventory from the Company to the United States Government, when such progress payments are received.

Capitalized Engineering Costs

The Company has contractual agreements with customers to produce parts, which the customers design. Though the Company has not designed and thus has no proprietary ownership of the parts, the manufacturing of these parts requires pre-production engineering and programming of our machines. The pre-production costs associated with a particular contract are capitalized and then amortized beginning with the first shipment of product pursuant to such contract. These costs are amortized on a straight line basis over the shorter of the estimated length of the contract, or three years.

If the Company is reimbursed for all or a portion of the pre-production expenses associated with a particular contract, only the unreimbursed portion would be capitalized. The Company may also progress bill customers for certain engineering costs being incurred. Such billings are recorded as progress billings (a reduction of the associated inventory) until the appropriate revenue recognition criteria have been met. The Terms and Conditions contained in customer purchase orders may provide for liquidated damages in the event that a stop-work order is issued prior to the final delivery of the product.

Revenue Recognition

During fiscal 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized revenue in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition.” The Company recognizes revenue when products are shipped and/or the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss, collection of the relevant receivable is probable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, and the sales price is fixed or determinable. Payments received in advance from customers for products delivered are recorded as customer deposits until earned, at which time revenue is recognized. The Terms and Conditions contained in our customer purchase orders often provide for liquidated damages in the event that a stop work order is issued prior to the final delivery. The Company utilizes a Returned Merchandise Authorization or RMA process for determining whether to accept returned products. Customer requests to return products are reviewed by the contracts department and if the request is approved, a credit is issued upon receipt of the product. Net sales represent gross sales less returns and allowances. Freight out is included in operating expenses.

The Company recognizes certain revenues under a bill and hold arrangement with two of its large customers. For any requested bill and hold arrangement, the Company makes an evaluation as to whether the bill and hold arrangement qualifies for revenue recognition. The customer must initiate the request for the bill and hold arrangement. The customer must have made this request in writing in addition to their fixed commitment to purchase the item. The risk of ownership has passed to the customer, payment terms are not modified and payment will be made as if the goods had shipped.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with accounting guidance now codified as FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” which requires that the Company recognize deferred tax liabilities and assets based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect in the years the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income tax benefit (expense) results from the change in net deferred tax assets or deferred tax liabilities. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertainties in income taxes under the provisions of FASB ASC 740-10-05, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” The ASC clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. The ASC prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The ASC provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation expense in accordance with FASB ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” Under the fair value recognition provision of the ASC, stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options and warrants granted using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model.

Goodwill 

Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition cost of businesses over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested at least annually for impairment, or if circumstances change that will more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount.

The Company accounts for the impairment of goodwill under the provisions of ASU 2011-08 (“ASU 2011-08”), “Intangibles Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment.” ASU 2011-08 updated the guidance on the periodic testing of goodwill for impairment. The updated guidance gives companies the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.

The Company performs impairment testing for goodwill annually, or more frequently when indicators of impairment exist, using a three-step approach. Step “zero” is a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Step one compares the fair value of the net assets of the relevant reporting unit (calculated using a discounted cash flow method) to its carrying value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of the impairment. In this process, a fair value for goodwill is estimated, based in part on the fair value of the operations, and is compared to its carrying value. The shortfall of the fair value below carrying value represents the amount of goodwill impairment.

Long-Lived and Intangible Assets

Identifiable intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the period of expected benefit. Long-lived assets and intangible assets subject to amortization to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amount may be impaired. The Company records an impairment loss if the undiscounted future cash flows are found to be less than the carrying amount of the asset. If an impairment loss has occurred, a charge is recorded to reduce the carrying amount of the asset to fair value. As of December 31, 2017, the intangible assets have been fully amortized and there has been no impairment.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01 (“ASU 2017-01”), Business Combinations, which clarifies the definition of a business, particularly when evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses. The first part of the guidance provides a screen to determine when a set is not a business; the second part of the guidance provides a framework to evaluate whether both an input and a substantive process are present. The guidance will be effective after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for transactions that have not been reported in issued financial statements. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this update on the presentation of these financial statements.

In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment, Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires determining the implied fair value of goodwill and comparing it with its carrying amount has been eliminated. Thus, the goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount (i.e., what was previously referred to as Step 1). In addition, ASU No. 2017-04 requires entities having one or more reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts to disclose (1) the identity of such reporting units, (2) the amount of goodwill allocated to each, and (3) in which reportable segment the reporting unit is included. ASU No. 2017-04 is effective as follows: (1) for a public business entity that is an SEC filer for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on our financial statements.

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features, (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception. The ASU allows companies to exclude a down round feature when determining whether a financial instrument (or embedded conversion feature) is considered indexed to the entity’s own stock. As a result, financial instruments (or embedded conversion features) with down round features may no longer be required to be accounted classified as liabilities. A company will recognize the value of a down round feature only when it is triggered and the strike price has been adjusted downward. For equity-classified freestanding financial instruments, such as warrants, an entity will treat the value of the effect of the down round, when triggered, as a dividend and a reduction of income available to common shareholders in computing basic earnings per share. For convertible instruments with embedded conversion features containing down round provisions, entities will recognize the value of the down round as a beneficial conversion discount to be amortized to earnings. The guidance in ASU 2017-11is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, and the guidance is to be applied using a full or modified retrospective approach. The Company adopted this guidance in the current quarter, effective April 1, 2017.  As a result, the warrants issued on May 12, 2017, in connection with the bridge financing, were equity-classified.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2016-10”). The core principle of the guidance in Topic 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendments in ASU 2016-10 affect the guidance in ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which is not yet effective. The effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2016-10 are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09. They are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of these amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

The Company does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements. 

JOBS Act

On April 5, 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, reduce certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. As an “emerging growth company,” we may, under Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act, delay adoption of new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies until such standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We may take advantage of this extended transition period until the first to occur of the date that we (i) are no longer an “emerging growth company” or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of this extended transition period. We have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Our consolidated financial statements may therefore not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards. Until the date that we are no longer an “emerging growth company” or affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the exemption provided by Securities Act Section 7(a)(2)(B), upon issuance of a new or revised accounting standard that applies to our consolidated financial statements and that has a different effective date for public and private companies, we will disclose the date on which adoption is required for non-emerging growth companies and the date on which we will adopt the recently issued accounting standard. 

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Consolidated Financial Statements

The financial statements required by this item begin on page F-1 hereof.

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), its principal executive officer, and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), its principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2017. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that for the reasons discussed below our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2017.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that management document and test the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting and include in this Annual Report on Form 10-K a report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting.

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal controls over financial reporting refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Accounting Officer, and effected by our management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and includes those policies and procedures that:

(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of our management and directors; and

(3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management relies upon the criteria established in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in designing a system intended to meet the needs of our Company and provide reasonable assurance for its assessment.

In connection with their review of our internal controls over financial reporting for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2017. In particular, certain portions of our inventory control system have not been integrated into the system used by the balance of the Company which could result in a failure to properly account for the costs associated with work in process, slow moving inventory and the value of inventory on hand and the enterprise reporting system used to track employee hours and, hence, costs to be included in work in process, is not sufficiently automated to ensure compliance at all times. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our quarterly closing process was deficient at our subsidiaries and that our consolidating process and period end reporting and disclosure procedures were materially weak. They also concluded that our system for administering and disclosing stock compensation was deficient and that we lacked the accounting personnel necessary to account for complex accounting matters and unusual and non-standard transactions and were deficient in supervision and internal control monitoring.

To remedy these weaknesses, when financially able, we plan to supplement our accounting staff with additional experienced financial professionals, redefining and realigning responsibilities and by defining additional controls, reporting processes and procedures to address the accounting requirements and disclosures for non-standard and unusual transactions. In addition, until we locate and engage appropriate accounting personnel, we will engage third party consultants to assist in accounting for non-recurring complex transactions.

The material weaknesses discussed above will not be considered remediated until the necessary personnel have been engaged and the applicable remedial controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission do not require an attestation of the Management’s report by our registered public accounting firm in this annual report.

Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our fiscal quarter and year ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION.

None

PART III

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance

Incorporated by reference from the information in our Proxy Statement for our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which we will file with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to which this Annual Report relates.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

Incorporated by reference from the information in our Proxy Statement for our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which we will file with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to which this Annual Report relates.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Incorporated by reference from the information in our Proxy Statement for our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which we will file with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to which this Annual Report relates.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

Incorporated by reference from the information in our Proxy Statement for our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which we will file with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to which this Annual Report relates.

Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Incorporated by reference from the information in our Proxy Statement for our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which we will file with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to which this Annual Report relates.

PART IV

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The following exhibits are included as part of this report. References to “the Company” in this Exhibit List mean Air Industries Group, a Nevada corporation.

_______________

* To be filed by amendment

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: April 17, 2018

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant on April 17, 2018 in the capacities indicated.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Air Industries Group

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Air Industries Group and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, among other going concern matters discussed, the Company has suffered a net loss in 2017 and has had negative cash flows from operating activities, and is dependent upon future issuances of equity or other financing to fund ongoing operations, all of which raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

We have served as the Company’s auditors since 2008.

Saddle Brook, NJ

April 17, 2018

AIR INDUSTRIES GROUP 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements