BK Technologies Corp - Annual Report: 2020 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
———————
FORM 10-K
———————
☒
ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
OR
☐
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to
__________
Commission file number: 001-32644
———————
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
———————
Nevada
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83-4064262
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(State
or other jurisdiction ofincorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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7100 Technology Drive
West Melbourne, Florida 32904
(Address
of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (321)
984-1414
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Act:
Title
of Each Class
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Trading
Symbol(s)
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Name of
Each Exchange on Which Registered
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Common
Stock, par value $.60
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BKTI
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NYSE
American
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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 ☐
No ☒
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 ☐
No ☒
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 preceding 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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every
Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405
of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No
⬜
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of
“large accelerated filer,” “accelerated
filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and
“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer ☐
|
Accelerated filer
☐
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Non-accelerated
filer ☒
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Smaller
reporting company ☒
|
|
Emerging
growth company ☐
|
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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation
to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its
internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public
accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
☐
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐
No ☒
The
aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity
held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2020,
based on the closing price of such stock on the NYSE American on
such date, was $17,141,876. As of February 26, 2021, 12,511,966
shares of the registrant’s Common Stock were
outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
Portions of the registrant’s
definitive proxy statement for its 2021 annual stockholders’
meeting are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report.
The registrant’s definitive proxy statement will be filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days
after December 31, 2020.
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i
PART I
Item 1. Business
General
BK
Technologies Corporation (NYSE American: BKTI) (together with its
wholly owned subsidiaries, “BK,” the
“Company,” “we” or “us”) is a
holding company that, through BK Technologies, Inc., its operating
subsidiary, provides two-way radio communications equipment of high
quality and reliability. All operating activities described herein
are undertaken by our operating subsidiary.
In
business for over 70 years, BK designs, manufactures and markets
American made wireless communications products consisting of
two-way land mobile radios (“LMRs”), repeaters, base
stations and related components and subsystems. Two-way LMRs can be
units that are hand-held (portable) or installed in vehicles
(mobile). Repeaters expand the range of two-way LMRs, enabling them
to operate over a wider area. Base station components and
subsystems are installed at radio transmitter sites to improve
performance by enhancing the signal and reducing or eliminating
signal interference and enabling the use of one antenna for both
transmission and reception. We employ both analog and digital
technologies in our products.
Our
digital technology is compliant with the Project 25 standard
(“P-25”) for digital LMR equipment. The P-25 has been
adopted by representatives from the Association of Public-Safety
Communications Officials-International (“APCO”), the
National Association of State Technology Directors
(“NASTD”), the United States (“U.S.”)
Federal Government and other public safety user organizations. Our
P-25 digital products and our analog products function in the very
high frequency (“VHF”) (136MHz – 174MHz),
ultra-high frequency (“UHF”) (380MHz – 470MHz,
450MHz – 520MHz), and 700-800 MHz bands. Our P-25 KNG and
KNG2 Series mobile and portable digital radios have been validated
under the P-25 Compliance Assessment Program (“CAP”) as
being P-25 compliant and interoperable with the communications
network infrastructure of six of our competitors. Since we do not
provide our own communications network infrastructure, we believe
CAP validation provides confidence for federal, state and local
emergency response agencies that our products are a viable and
attractive alternative for use on the infrastructure of our
competitors.
We
offer products under the brand names BK Radio and RELM. Generally,
BK Technologies and BK Radio-branded products serve the government
and public safety market and comprise the largest segment of our
business, while RELM-branded products serve the commercial and
industrial market.
BK
Technologies, BKR and BK Radio-branded products consist of
high-specification LMR equipment for professional radio users
primarily in government, public safety and military applications.
These products have more extensive features and capabilities than
those offered in the RELM line. Our P-25 digital products are
marketed under the BK Radio brand, which includes the BKR, KNG and
KNG2 product lines. RELM-branded products provide basic yet
feature-rich and reliable two-way communications for commercial and
industrial concerns, such as hotels, construction firms, schools
and transportation services. Typically, these users are not radio
professionals and require easy, fast and affordable communication
among a defined group of users.
We
believe that we provide superior value to a wide array of customers
with demanding requirements, including, for example, emergency
response, public safety, homeland security and military customers
of federal, state and municipal government agencies, as well as
various commercial enterprises. Our two-way radio products excel in
applications with harsh and hazardous conditions. They provide
high-specification performance, durability and reliability at a
lower cost relative to comparable offerings.
We were
incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on October 24,
1997. We are the resulting corporation from the reincorporation
merger of our predecessor, Adage, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation,
which reincorporated from Pennsylvania to Nevada effective as of
January 30, 1998. Effective on June 4, 2018, we changed our
corporate name from “RELM Wireless Corporation” to
“BK Technologies, Inc.”
On
March 28, 2019, we implemented a holding company reorganization.
The reorganization created a new holding company, BK Technologies
Corporation, which became the new parent company of BK
Technologies, Inc. BK Technologies Corporation’s only
significant assets are the outstanding equity interests in BK
Technologies, Inc. and any other future subsidiaries of BK
Technologies Corporation. The holding company reorganization was
intended to create a more efficient corporate structure and
increase operational flexibility.
1
For
the purpose of this report, references to “we” or the
“Company” or our management or business at any period
prior to the holding company reorganization (March 28, 2019) refer
to those of BK Technologies, Inc. as the predecessor company and
its subsidiaries and thereafter to those of BK Technologies
Corporation and its subsidiaries, except as otherwise specified or
to the extent the context otherwise indicates.
Our
principal executive offices are located at 7100 Technology Drive,
West Melbourne, Florida 32904 and our telephone number is (321)
984-1414.
Available Information
Our
Internet website address is www.bktechnologies.com. We make
available on our Internet website, free of charge, our Annual
Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current
Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and amendments to these
reports as soon as practicable after we file such material with, or
furnish it to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”). In addition, our Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics, Code of Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers,
Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Nominating
and Governance Committee Charter and other corporate governance
policies are available on our website, under “Investor
Relations.” The information contained on our website is not
incorporated by reference in this report. A copy of any of these
materials may be obtained, free of charge, upon request from our
investor relations department. All reports that the Company files
with or furnishes to the SEC also are available free of charge via
the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Significant Events
During
2020, pursuant to our capital return program, we declared and paid
four quarterly dividends of $0.02 per share of our common stock. We
have paid nineteen consecutive quarterly
dividends.
In
October 2020, we announced that our operating subsidiary received
an order totaling approximately $1.5 million dollars from a public
safety agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DoI). The
order was for BK’s Digital P-25 KNG2-Series portable radios
and KNG Series mobile radios, with related accessories, and was
fulfilled during the fourth quarter of 2020.
In
October 2020, we announced that our operating subsidiary received
an order totaling approximately $1.1 million from an agency of the
state of Tennessee. The order was for BK’s newly introduced
BKR 5000 Digital P-25 portable radio with related accessories and
was fulfilled during the fourth quarter of 2020.
In
August 2020, we announced the market introduction of the BKR 5000
portable radio; the first model in the new BKR Series of APCO
Project 25 land mobile radio products and solutions, which will
also include multi-band capability.
In
August 2020, we announced the engagement of a national investor
relations firm to launch a comprehensive investor relations
program.
In
August 2020, we announced that our operating subsidiary received an
order totaling approximately $1.1 million from the National
Interagency Fire Center (“NIFC”). The order was for
BK’s KNG2-Series Digital P-25 portable radios with related
accessories. This order was fulfilled during the third quarter of
2020.
In
August 2020, we announced that our operating subsidiary was awarded
a contract for up to $4.2 million dollars from an electric utility
agency of the U.S. Department of Energy (“DoE”). The
contract was for BK’s KNG2 and KNG Digital P-25 portable and
mobile radios with related accessories for deployment at more than
35 sites in the United States. The contract covers a period of one
year, which commenced on June 24, 2020 and will expire on June 23,
2021, providing for purchases of equipment up to $4.2 million. It
did not specify precise delivery dates or quantities. Shortly after
awarding the contract, the DoE issued firm purchase orders for
equipment totaling approximately $3.1 million, which were fulfilled
in the third quarter of 2020.
In May
2020, we announced that our operating subsidiary received orders
totaling approximately $1.4 million from the U.S. Forest Service
(“USFS”). The orders were for KNG-Series Digital P-25
portable radios, mobile radios and base stations with related
accessories, and were fulfilled during the second quarter of
2020.
2
In May
2020, we implemented workforce reductions of approximately 18% to
reduce costs and to better position us in an uncertain business
environment due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. We incurred
approximately $0.2 million in severance costs relating to these
workforce reductions, which were recognized in the second quarter
of 2020 and paid in accordance with our normal payroll practices
through September 2020.
In April 2020, we received approval and funding
pursuant to a promissory note evidencing an unsecured loan in the
amount of approximately $2.2 million (the “Loan”) under
the Paycheck Protection Program (or “PPP”). The PPP was
established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security Act (the “CARES Act”) administered by the U.S.
Small Business Administration (“SBA”). We
intended to use the Loan for qualifying expenses in accordance with
the terms of the CARES Act. At the time of application we believed
that we qualified to receive the funds pursuant to the PPP.
Subsequently, the SBA, in consultation with the Department of
Treasury, issued new guidance that created uncertainty regarding
the qualification requirements for a PPP loan. In April 2020, out
of an abundance of caution, we repaid the loan in
full.
In
February 2020, we announced that our operating subsidiary received
orders totaling approximately $2.8 million from the USFS. The
orders were for KNG-Series Digital P-25 portable radios, mobile
radios, and base stations, as well as related accessories, and were
fulfilled in the first quarter of 2020.
In
March 2020, we announced that our operating subsidiary received an
order totaling approximately $2.1 million from the USFS. The order
was for KNG-Series Digital P-25 mobile radios and related
accessories. The order was fulfilled during the first and second
quarters of 2020.
In
March 2020, Fundamental Global Investors, LLC (“FG”),
on behalf of the funds managed by it, entered into a stock trading
plan in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the “10b5-1 Plan”), for the
purchase of up to one million shares of our common stock. The
10b5-1 Plan became effective on April 2, 2020 and will terminate on
April 2, 2021 or such earlier date as set forth in the 10b5-1 Plan.
Transactions under the 10b5-1 Plan, if any, will be reported to the
Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with applicable
securities laws, rules and regulations. D. Kyle Cerminara, the Chief Executive Officer,
Co-Founder and Partner of FG, is a member of the Company’s
Board of Directors. FG, with its affiliates, is our largest
stockholder.
In December 2019, a novel strain of the
coronavirus (“COVID-19”) surfaced in Wuhan, China,
which spread globally and was declared a pandemic by the World
Health Organization in March 2020. The challenges posed by the
COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy increased significantly as
the year 2020 progressed, and we anticipate the effects of COVID-19
may continue to have an adverse impact on our operations going
forward. In response to COVID-19, national and local governments
around the world have instituted certain measures, including travel
bans, prohibitions on group events and gatherings, shutdowns of
certain businesses, curfews, shelter-in-place orders and
recommendations to practice social distancing. In response to the
COVID-19 pandemic, we have undertaken certain measures in an effort
to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including
implementing employee safety measures and taking steps to reduce
expenses, including workforce reductions. The ultimate impact of
COVID-19 on our business, results of operations, financial
condition and cash flows is dependent on future developments,
including the duration of the pandemic and the related length of
its impact on the global economy, all of which are uncertain and,
given the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global
responses to curb its spread, cannot be predicted at this
time. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we may
continue to experience adverse impacts to our business as a result
of the pandemic’s national and, to some extent, global
economic impact, including any recession that has occurred or may
occur in the future.
3
Industry Overview
LMR
communications consist of hand-held (portable) and vehicle-mounted
(mobile) two-way radios commonly used by the public safety sector
(e.g., police, fire, and emergency responders), military and
commercial business concerns (e.g., corporate disaster recovery,
hotels, airports, farms, transportation service providers, and
construction firms), and government agencies within the U.S. and
abroad. LMR systems are constructed to meet an organization’s
specific communications needs. The cost of a complete system can
vary widely, depending on the size and configuration. Likewise, the
cost of radio sets can range from under $100 for a basic analog
portable, to thousands of dollars for a fully featured P-25 digital
unit. Typically, there are no recurring airtime usage charges.
Accordingly, LMR usage patterns are considerably different from
those for cellular and other wireless communications tools. LMR
usage often consists of direct radio-to-radio communications
outside of the range of a communication network with one-to-many
members of a group. Also, LMR functions with push-to-talk operation
(i.e., no call set-up or dialing a phone number is required). LMR
communications often consist of multiple short (five second)
transmissions between multiple members of a group. For the public
safety sector, this is known as Mission Critical Voice. The average
useful life of a unit can vary, depending upon the application in
which the unit is deployed and its handling.
LMR
systems are the most widely-used and longest-used form of wireless
dispatch communications in the U.S., having been first placed in
service in 1921. LMR was initially used almost exclusively by law
enforcement, and all radio communications were transmitted in an
analog format. Analog transmissions typically consist of a voice or
other signal modulated directly onto a continuous radio carrier
wave. Over time, advances in technology decreased the cost of LMR
products and increased their popularity and usage by businesses and
other agencies. Responding to the growing usage, additional radio
frequency spectrum was allocated by the Federal Communications
Commission (“FCC”) for LMR use.
More
recently, growth of the LMR industry has slowed, reflecting several
factors:
●
LMR is a mature
industry, having been in existence for over 90 years;
●
some LMR users are
in mature industry segments that have experienced slow growth
rates;
●
funding and budgets
for government and public safety agencies have been constrained;
and
●
limited
availability of radio frequency spectrum, which hinders existing
users in expanding their systems and potential new users from
establishing new systems.
Years
ago, as a result of the limited spectrum availability, the FCC
mandated that new LMR equipment utilize technology that is more
spectrum-efficient. This effectively meant that the industry had to
migrate to digital technology. Responding to the mandate, the APCO,
the NASTD, the U.S. Federal Government and the Telecommunications
Industry Association (“TIA”), in concert with several
LMR manufacturers, including BK, recommended a standard for digital
LMR devices that would meet the FCC spectrum-efficiency
requirements and provide solutions to several problems experienced
primarily by public safety users. The standard is called P-25. The
primary objectives of P-25 are to: (i) allow effective and reliable
communication among users of compliant equipment, regardless of its
manufacturer, known as interoperability, (ii) maximize radio
spectrum efficiency and (iii) promote competition among LMR
providers through an open system architecture.
Although the FCC
does not require public safety agencies or any radio users to
purchase P-25 equipment or otherwise adopt the standard, compliance
with the standard is a primary consideration for government and
public safety purchasers. In addition, U.S. Federal Government
grant programs that provide assistance in funding for state and
local agencies to purchase interoperable communications equipment
for first responders strongly encourage compliance with the P-25
standard. Accordingly, although funding for LMR purchases by many
government agencies is limited, we believe that, as users upgrade
equipment to achieve interoperability and comply with FCC
narrow-banding mandates, demand for P-25 equipment will continue to
grow. Additionally, the P-25 standard has also been widely adopted
in other countries. The migration to P-25 equipment is primarily
limited to government and public safety agencies. Radio users in
the business and industrial market utilize alternative digital
technologies (e.g., Digital Mobile Radio) and analog LMR
products.
4
Presently, the
market is dominated by one supplier, Motorola Solutions, Inc.,
which offers a broader range of products than we do, including
multiband radios. However, the open architecture of the P-25
standard is designed to eliminate the ability of one or more
suppliers to lock out competitors. Formerly, because of proprietary
characteristics incorporated in many LMR systems, a customer was
effectively precluded from purchasing additional LMR products from
a supplier other than the initial supplier of the system.
Additionally, the system infrastructure technology was prohibitive
for smaller suppliers to develop and implement. P-25 provides an
environment in which users will increasingly have a wider selection
of LMR suppliers, including smaller suppliers such as
BK.
Description of Products and P-25 CAP Compliance
We
design, manufacture, and market wireless communications equipment
consisting of two-way LMRs, repeaters, base stations and related
components and subsystems. We do not provide complete, integrated,
communications systems and infrastructure. Two-way LMRs can be
units that are hand-held (portable) or installed in vehicles
(mobile). Repeaters expand the range of two-way LMRs, enabling them
to communicate over a wider area. Base station components and
subsystems are installed at radio transmitter sites to improve
performance by enhancing the signal, reducing or eliminating signal
interference and enabling the use of one antenna for both
transmission and reception.
We
employ both analog and digital technologies in our products. Our
digital products are compliant with P-25 specifications. Our P-25
digital products and our analog products function in the VHF
(136MHz – 174MHz), UHF (380MHz – 470MHz, 450MHz –
520MHz), and 700-800 MHz bands.
Our
P-25 KNG, KNG2 and BKR Series mobile and portable digital radios
have been validated under the P-25 CAP as being P-25 compliant and
interoperable with the communications network infrastructure of six
of our competitors. Since we do not provide our own communications
network infrastructure, we believe CAP validation provides
confidence for federal, state and local emergency response agencies
that our products are a viable and attractive alternative for use
on the infrastructure of our competitors.
The
P-25 CAP is a voluntary program that allows LMR equipment suppliers
to formally demonstrate their products’ compliance with P-25
requirements. The purpose of the program is to provide federal,
state and local emergency response agencies with evidence that the
communications equipment they are purchasing satisfies the P-25
standard for performance, conformance and interoperability. The
program is a result of legislation passed by the U.S. Congress to
improve communication interoperability for first responders and is
a partnership of the U.S Department of Homeland Security
(“DHS”)’s Command, Control and Interoperability
Division, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, radio
equipment manufacturers and the emergency response
community.
Description of Markets
Government and Public Safety Market
The
government and public safety market includes military, fire,
rescue, law enforcement, homeland security and emergency responder
personnel. In most instances, BK Radio-branded products serve this
market and are sold either directly to end-users or through two-way
communications dealers. Government and public safety sales
represented approximately 92% of our total sales for 2020 and 93%
for 2019.
Government and
public safety users currently use products that employ either P-25
digital or analog technology. However, public safety users in
federal, state and local government agencies and certain other
countries are migrating to primarily using digital P-25 products.
The evolution of the standard and compliant digital products is
explained in the “Industry Overview” section above.
Business and Industrial Market
This
market includes enterprises of all sizes that require fast and
affordable push-to-talk communication among a discrete group of
users, such as corporate disaster recovery, hotels, construction
firms, schools and transportation service providers. Users in this
market continue to predominantly utilize analog products. We offer
products to this market under the RELM brand name. Our sales in
this market may be direct to end-users or to dealers and
distributors who then resell the products. Our sales to this market
represented approximately 8% of our total sales for 2020 and 7% for
2019.
5
Engineering, Research and Development
Our
engineering and product development activities are conducted by a
team of 23 employees. Their primary development focus has been the
design of a new line of next-generation P-25 digital products, the
BKR Series, which will include multi-band technology and eventually
supplant our flagship KNG and KNG2 products. The first product in
this line was introduced in August 2020, with additional models
planned for 2021 and beyond. The first models in the KNG line were
introduced in 2008 and are included on our primary federal contract
vehicles. Subsequently, we added UHF and 700-800MHz products, as
well as P-25 Phase II TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)
trunking. The KNG2 Series was introduced in 2016. Our KNG, KNG2 and
BKR products also provide encrypted operation for secured
communication, GPS location and network authentication
capabilities.
A
segment of our engineering team is responsible for product
specifications based on customer requirements and participates in
quality assurance activities. They also have primary responsibility
for applied and production engineering.
For
2020 and 2019, our engineering and development expenses were
approximately $7.9 million and $9.8 million, respectively. The
decrease was primarily attributed to the elimination or reduction
of outside engineering resources, and the completion of portions of
our new product development initiatives.
Intellectual Property
We
presently have no U.S. patents in force. We have registered federal
trademarks related to the names “BK Technologies,”
“BK Radio” and “Radios for Heroes” and have
applied for registration of “BKR.” We rely on trade
secret laws and employee and third-party nondisclosure agreements
to protect our intellectual property rights.
Manufacturing and Raw Materials
Our
manufacturing strategy is to utilize the highest quality and most
cost-effective resources available for every aspect of our
manufacturing. Consistent with that strategy, we have successfully
utilized a hybrid of U.S.-based internal manufacturing capability
in concert with outside contract arrangements for different
manufacturing processes. The breadth of our internal manufacturing
capabilities has been expanded during 2019 and 2020. Our outside
manufacturing contract arrangements have been managed and updated
to meet our present requirements, including increasing
relationships with American concerns. This hybrid approach has been
instrumental in controlling our product costs, allowing us to be
competitive and manage our gross margins.
Contract
manufacturers produce various subassemblies and products on our
behalf. Generally, the contract manufacturers procure raw materials
from BK-approved sources and complete manufacturing activities in
accordance with our specifications. Manufacturing agreements and
purchase orders govern the business relationship with the contract
manufacturers. These agreements and purchase orders have various
terms and conditions and may be renewed or modified upon agreement
by both parties. Their scope may also be expanded to include new
products in the future.
We plan
to expand our internal manufacturing capabilities and U.S.-based
relationships, combined with other American manufacturers and
suppliers where it furthers our business objectives. This strategy
allows us to effectively manage quality, product costs and
lead-times while focusing other resources on our core technological
competencies of product design and development. We believe that, in
certain circumstances, the use of experienced, high-quality,
high-volume manufacturers can provide greater manufacturing
specialization and expertise, higher levels of flexibility and
responsiveness, and faster delivery of product, all of which
contribute toward product cost control. To ensure that products
manufactured by others meet our quality standards, our production
and engineering team works closely with our contract manufacturers
in all key aspects of the production process. We establish product
specifications, select the components and, in some cases, the
suppliers. We retain all document control. We also work with our
contract manufacturers to improve process control and product
design and conduct periodic on-site inspections.
We rely
upon a limited number of both American and foreign suppliers for
several key products and components. Approximately 65% of our
material, subassembly and product procurements in 2020 were sourced
from six suppliers. We place purchase orders from time to time with
these suppliers and have no guaranteed supply arrangements. In
addition, certain components are obtained from single sources.
During 2020 and 2019, our operations were not materially impaired
due to delays from single-source suppliers. However, the absence of
a single-source component could potentially delay the manufacture
of finished products. We manage the risk of such delays by securing
secondary sources, where possible, and redesigning products in
response to component shortages or obsolescence. We strive to
maintain strong relationships with all of our suppliers. We
anticipate that the current relationships, or others that are
comparable, will be available to us in the future.
6
Seasonal Impact
We may
experience fluctuations in our quarterly results, in part, due to
governmental customer spending patterns that are influenced by
government fiscal year budgets and appropriations. We may also
experience fluctuations in our quarterly results, derived, in part,
from sales to federal and state agencies that participate in
wildland fire-suppression efforts, which may be greater during the
summer season when forest fire activity is heightened. In some
years, these factors may cause an increase in sales for the second
and third quarters, compared with the first and fourth quarters of
the same fiscal year. Such increases in sales may cause quarterly
variances in our cash flow from operations and overall financial
results.
Significant Customers
Sales
to the U.S. Government represented approximately 51% and 49% of our
total sales for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively. These sales were primarily to various government
agencies, including those within the DHS, the U.S. Department of
Defense (“DOD”), the USFS and the U.S. Department of
Interior (“DoI”).
Backlog
Our
backlog of unshipped customer orders was approximately $5.9 million
and $7.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively. Changes in the backlog are attributed primarily to
the timing and fulfillment of orders.
Competition
We
compete with other domestic and foreign companies primarily in the
North American market, but also internationally. One dominant
competitor, Motorola Solutions, Inc., is estimated to have well in
excess of half the market for LMR products. We compete by
capitalizing on our advantages and strengths, which include price,
product quality and customer responsiveness.
Government Regulation
We are
subject to various international and U.S. federal, state and local
laws affecting our business. Any finding that we have been or
are in noncompliance with such laws could result in, among other
things, governmental penalties. Further, changes in existing
laws or new laws may adversely affect our business and could also
have the effect of limiting capital expenditures by our customers,
which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
In
connection with our U.S. Government contracts, we are subject to
the U.S. Federal Government procurement regulations that may
provide the buyer with the right to audit and review our
performance, as well as our compliance with applicable laws and
regulations. In addition, our business is subject to
government regulation based on the products we sell that may be
subject to government requirements, such as obtaining an export
license or end-user certificate from the buyer, in certain
circumstances. If a government audit uncovers improper
or illegal activities, or if we are alleged to have violated any
laws or regulations governing the products we sell under our
government contracts, we may be subject to civil and criminal
penalties and administrative sanctions, including termination of
contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and
suspension or debarment from doing business with U.S. Federal
Government agencies.
Our
products are regulated by the FCC in the U.S. and similar agencies
in other countries where we offer our products. Consequently,
we and our customers could be positively or negatively affected by
the rules and regulations adopted from time to time by the FCC or
regulatory agencies in other countries. For example, our
wireless communications products, including two-way LMRs, are
subject to FCC regulations related to radio frequency
spectrum. As a result of limited spectrum availability, the
FCC has mandated that new LMR equipment utilize technology that is
more spectrum-efficient, which effectively meant that the industry
had to migrate to digital technology. These types of mandates
may provide us with new business opportunities or may require us to
modify all or some of our products so that they can continue to be
manufactured and marketed, which may lead to an increase in our
capital expenditures and research and development
expenses.
As a
public company, we are also subject to regulations of the SEC and
the stock exchange on which we are listed (NYSE
American).
7
Some of
our operations use substances regulated under various federal,
state, local and international laws governing the environment and
worker health and safety, including those governing the discharge
of pollutants into the ground, air and water, the management and
disposal of hazardous substances and wastes and the cleanup of
contaminated sites, as well as relating to the protection of the
environment. Certain of our products are subject to various
federal, state, local and international laws governing chemical
substances in electronic products. During 2020, compliance with
these U.S. federal, state and local and international laws did not
have a material effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or
competitive position.
Human Capital Resources
As of
December 31, 2020, we had 95 employees, most of whom are located at
our West Melbourne, Florida facility; 46 of these employees are
engaged in direct manufacturing or manufacturing support, 23 in
engineering, 16 in sales and marketing, and 10 in headquarters,
accounting and human resources activities. Our employees are not
represented by any collective bargaining agreements, nor has there
ever been a labor-related work stoppage. We believe our relations
with our employees are good.
The
Company complies with all applicable state, local and international
laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in
which the Company operates. All applicants and employees are
treated with the same high level of respect regardless of their
gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, marital status,
political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity,
disability or protected veteran status.
Our
mission is to remain deeply rooted in the critical communications
industry for all military, first responders, and public safety
heroes. Our four guiding principles: growth, tenacious commitment
to quality, continuous improvement, and a keen focus on being
customer-centric, continuously drive our efforts to be the best
partner for our customers, investment for our shareholders,
neighbor in our community and to provide an empowering work
environment for our employees.
The Company is
committed to the health, safety and wellness of its
employees. We have
modified our business practices and implemented certain policies at
our offices in accordance with best practices to accommodate, and
at times mandate, social distancing and remote work practices,
including restricting employee travel, modifying employee work
locations, implementing social distancing and enhanced sanitary
measures in our facilities, and cancelling attendance at events and
conferences. In addition, we have invested in employee safety
equipment, additional cleaning supplies and measures, re-designed
production lines and workplaces as necessary and adapted new
processes for interactions with our suppliers and customers to
safely manage our operations.
Information Relating to Domestic and Export Sales
The
following table summarizes our sales of LMR products by customer
location:
|
2020
|
2019
|
|
(in
millions)
|
|
United
States
|
$43.1
|
$39.7
|
International
|
1.0
|
0.4
|
Total
|
$44.1
|
$40.1
|
Additional
financial information is provided in the Consolidated Financial
Statements included in this report.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Various portions of this report contain forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance
or achievements could differ materially from those anticipated in
these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk
factors, including those set forth below and elsewhere in this
report. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any
forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect subsequent
events or circumstances or the occurrence of unanticipated
events.
8
We depend on the success of our LMR product line
We
currently depend on our LMR products as our sole source of sales. A
decline in the price of and/or demand for LMR products, as a result
of competition, technological change, the introduction of new
products by us or others or a failure to manage product transitions
successfully, could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our
future success will largely depend on the successful introduction
and sale of our BKR Series product line, including our initial
multiband product, which has been delayed from initial projections
and which we may be unable to successfully complete in a timely
manner, or at all. Even if we successfully develop and launch the
BKR Series product line, or any other new products, the development
of which is a complex and uncertain process requiring innovation
and investment, such products may not achieve market acceptance,
which could have a material adverse effect on us.
We are engaged in a highly competitive industry
We face
intense competition from other LMR suppliers, and the failure to
compete effectively could materially and adversely affect our
market share, financial condition and results of operations. The
largest supplier of LMR products in the world, Motorola Solutions,
Inc., currently is estimated to have well in excess of half the
market for LMR products. This supplier is also the world’s
largest supplier of P-25 products. Some of our competitors are
significantly larger and have longer operating histories, greater
name recognition, larger customer bases and significantly greater
financial, technical and marketing resources than we have. Some
also have established reputations for success in developing and
supplying LMR products, including providing complete, integrated,
communications systems and infrastructure. We do not provide
complete, integrated, communications systems and infrastructure.
These advantages may allow our competitors:
●
to be more
attractive to customers who desire a single-source supplier of LMR
products;
●
to respond more
quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer
requirements, which may render our products obsolete or less
marketable;
●
to engage in more
extensive research and development;
●
to undertake more
far-reaching marketing campaigns;
●
to be able to take
advantage of acquisitions and other opportunities;
●
to adopt more
aggressive pricing policies; and
●
to be more
attractive to potential employees and strategic
partners.
Some of
our competitors have established broad networks of sales locations
and multiple distribution channels that are more extensive than
ours. We may not be able to compete successfully and competitive
pressures may materially and adversely affect our business, results
of operations and financial condition.
An
increase in the demand for P-25 products could benefit competitors
that are better financed and positioned to meet such demand. P-25
products have been brought to the market by an increasing number of
our competitors. Our first P-25 portable radio was brought to
market in 2003, and in recent years we introduced two new lines of
P-25 products, the KNG and KNG2 Series. We are currently developing
a new line of P-25 digital products, the BKR Series, which we
anticipate will include multiband products, among other new
products. Bringing such products to market and achieving a
significant market penetration for them will continue to require
time and expenditures of funds, and we may be unable to
successfully do so. We may be unsuccessful in developing and
marketing, on a timely basis, fully functional product enhancements
or new products that respond to these and other technological
advances, and our new products may not be accepted by customers. An
inability to successfully develop and/or market products could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
9
Our industry is characterized by rapidly changing technology and
our success is dependent on our ability to adapt to such
changes
Our
business could suffer if we are unable to keep pace with rapid
technological changes and product development in our industry. The
market for our LMR products is characterized by ongoing
technological development, evolving industry standards and frequent
product introductions. The LMR industry has largely transitioned
from analog LMR products to digital LMR products in recent years.
In addition, the APCO P-25 standard has been widely adopted. If we
are unable to successfully keep up with these changes, our
business, financial condition and results of operations could be
materially adversely affected.
We depend heavily on sales to the U.S. Government
We are
subject to risks associated with our reliance on sales to the U.S.
Government. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately 51%
of our sales were to agencies and departments of the U.S.
Government, including but not limited to, agencies of the DHS, DoA,
DoD and DoI. We may be unable to maintain this government business.
Our ability to maintain our government business will depend on many
factors outside of our control, including competitive factors,
changes in government personnel making contract decisions, spending
limits and political factors. The loss of sales to the U.S.
Government would have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
In
addition, most U.S. Government customers award business through a
competitive bidding process, which results in greater competition
and increased pricing pressure. The bidding process involves
significant cost and managerial time to prepare bids for contracts
that may not be awarded to us. Even if we are awarded contracts, we
may fail to accurately estimate the resources and costs required to
fulfill a contract, which could negatively impact the profitability
of any contract awarded to us. In addition, following a contract
award, we may experience significant expense or delay, contract
modification or contract rescission as a result of customer delay
or our competitors protesting or challenging contracts awarded to
us in competitive bidding.
Any
delay, especially any prolonged delay, in the U.S. Government
budget process or a government shutdown may result in us incurring
substantial labor or other costs without reimbursement under our
customer contracts, decrease the number of purchase orders issued
under our contracts with government agencies, or result in the
suspension of work on contracts in progress or in payment
delays.
Any of
these events could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is partially dependent on U.S. Government contracts,
which are highly regulated and subject to terminations and
oversight audits by U.S. Government representatives that could
result in adverse findings and negatively impact our
business
Our
U.S. Government business is subject to specific procurement
regulations with numerous compliance requirements. These
requirements, although customary in U.S. Government contracting,
increase our performance and compliance costs. These costs may
increase in the future, thereby reducing our margins, which could
have an adverse effect on our financial condition. Failure to
comply with these regulations could lead to suspension or debarment
from U.S. Government contracting or subcontracting for a period of
time. Among the causes for debarment are violations of various laws
or policies, including those related to procurement integrity, U.S.
Government security regulations, employment practices, protection
of criminal justice data, protection of the environment, accuracy
of records, proper recording of costs, foreign corruption and the
False Claims Act.
Generally, U.S.
Government contracts are subject to oversight audits by U.S.
Government representatives and could result in adjustments to our
contracts. Any costs found to be improperly allocated to a specific
contract or grant may not be allowed, and such costs already
reimbursed to us may have to be refunded. Future audits and
adjustments, if required, may materially reduce our revenues or
profits upon completion and final negotiation of audits. Negative
audit findings could also result in investigations, termination of
a contract, forfeiture of profits or reimbursements, suspension of
payments, fines and suspension or prohibition from doing business
with the U.S. Government. All contracts with the U.S. Government
are subject to cancellation at the convenience of the U.S.
Government.
10
In
addition, contacts with government officials and participation in
political activities are areas that are tightly controlled by
federal, state, local and international laws. Failure to comply
with these laws could cost us opportunities to seek certain
government sales opportunities or even result in fines, prosecution
or debarment.
Our business is subject to the economic, political, and other risks
of manufacturing products in foreign countries
We
engage in business with manufacturers located in other countries.
Approximately 53% of our material, subassembly and product
procurements in 2020 were sourced internationally. Accordingly, we
are subject to special considerations and risks not typically
associated with companies operating solely in the U.S. These
include the risks associated with the political, economic, legal,
health and other conditions in such foreign countries, among
others. Our business, financial condition and operating results may
be materially and adversely affected by, among other things,
changes in the general political, social, health and economic
conditions in foreign countries in which we maintain sourcing
relationships, unfavorable changes in U.S. trade legislation and
regulations, the imposition of governmental economic sanctions on
countries in which we do business or other trade barriers, threats
of war, terrorism or governmental instability, labor disruptions,
the impact of public health epidemics on employees and the global
economy, such as the coronavirus currently impacting China, which
may cause our manufacturers or suppliers to temporarily suspend
operations in the affected region, potentially negatively impacting
our product launch timing and shipments, currency controls,
fluctuating exchange rates with respect to contracts not
denominated in U.S. dollars, and unanticipated or unfavorable
changes in government policies with respect to laws and
regulations, anti-inflation measures and method of taxation. If we
were unable to navigate foreign regulatory environments, or if we
were unable to enforce our contract rights in foreign countries,
our business could be adversely impacted. Any of these events could
interrupt our manufacturing process and cause operational
disruptions, increase prices for manufacturing, reduce our sales or
otherwise have an adverse effect on our operating
performance.
The
U.S. Government has indicated its intent to alter its approach to
trade policy, including, in some instances, to revise, renegotiate
or terminate certain multilateral trade agreements. It has also
imposed new tariffs on certain foreign goods and raised the
possibility of imposing additional increases or new tariffs on
other goods. Such actions have, in some cases, led to retaliatory
trade measures by certain foreign governments. Such policies could
make it more difficult or costly for us to do business in or import
our products from those countries. In turn, we may need to raise
prices or make changes to our operations, which could negatively
impact our revenue or operating results. At this time, it remains
unclear what additional actions, if any, will be taken by the U.S.
Government or foreign governments with respect to tariff and
international trade agreements and policies, and we cannot predict
future trade policy or the terms of any revised trade agreements or
any impact on our business.
The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing governmental responses have
negatively impacted, and could further materially adversely affect,
our business, financial
condition, results of operations and cash flow.
In December 2019, a novel strain of the
coronavirus (COVID-19) surfaced in Wuhan, China, which spread
globally and was declared a pandemic by the World Health
Organization in March 2020. Although we believe the pandemic has
not had a material adverse impact on our business in 2020, it may
have the potential of doing so in the future. The extent of
the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and
financial performance will depend on future developments, which are
uncertain and, given the continuing
evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global responses to curb
its spread, cannot be predicted. In addition, the pandemic
has significantly increased economic uncertainty and caused a
worldwide economic downturn. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has
subsided, we may continue to experience an adverse impact to our
business as a result of its national and, to some extent, global
economic impact, including any recession that may occur in the
future.
In response to COVID-19, national and local
governments around the world instituted certain measures, including
travel bans, prohibitions on group events and gatherings, shutdowns
of certain businesses, curfews, shelter-in-place orders and
recommendations to practice social distancing. Although many
governmental measures have had specific expiration dates, some of
those measures have already been extended more than once or
re-implemented as cases of COVID-19 increased in certain areas; as
a result, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the duration
of such measures and potential future measures. Measures providing
for business shutdowns generally exclude certain essential
services, and those essential services commonly include critical
infrastructure and the businesses that support that critical
infrastructure, which includes our business. While our
manufacturing operations have remained open, these measures have
impacted and may further impact our workforce and operations, as
well as those of our customers and suppliers.
11
We have
modified our business practices and implemented certain policies at our offices in
accordance with best practices to accommodate, and at times
mandate, social distancing and remote work practices,
including restricting employee travel, modifying employee work
locations, implementing social distancing and enhanced sanitary
measures in our facilities, and cancelling attendance at events and
conferences. In addition, we have
invested in employee safety equipment, additional cleaning supplies
and measures, re-designed production lines and workplaces as
necessary and adapted new processes for interactions with our
suppliers and customers to safely manage our operations.
Many of our suppliers and service providers have made similar
modifications. If necessary, we may take further actions in the
best interests of our employees, customers, partners and suppliers.
In light of the economic downturn generated by the COVID-19
pandemic, we have taken steps to reduce expenses throughout the
Company. These reductions have, at various junctures, included limiting travel, discontinuing
participation in trade shows and other business meetings,
instituting strict inventory control and decreasing expenditures.
We restructured our operations to, among other things,
reduce our workforce by approximately 18% during the second quarter
of 2020. We incurred costs as a result of the workforce reduction,
including approximately $221,000 in severance costs, which were
recognized in the second quarter of 2020. There is no certainty
that such measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed
by COVID-19, in which case our employees may become sick, our
ability to perform critical functions could be harmed, and our
business and operations could be negatively impacted. We have had
two employees at our primary West Melbourne, Florida facility test
positive for COVID-19 to-date. The employees were quarantined in
accordance with accepted safety practices and returned to work only
after clearing accepted health protocols. There was no disruption
of our operations as a result of these occurrences. The resumption
of normal business operations after such interruptions may be
delayed or constrained by lingering effects of COVID-19 on our
suppliers, third-party service providers, and/or
customers.
In
addition, we have experienced delays and cost increases, and may
continue to do so, in obtaining and transporting materials.
Since the outbreak, some of our supply
chain partners were temporarily closed for a period of
time. These
facilities have since reopened. Although we have in some
cases experienced delays and increased freight costs, we have, to
date, been able to procure the materials necessary to manufacture
products and fulfill customer orders, which may not continue to be
the case in the event the pandemic worsens or continues for an
extended period of time. Depending on
the continued progression of the pandemic, our ability to obtain
necessary supplies, manufacture our products and ship finished
products to customers may be disrupted.
Further, our
current and potential customers’ businesses could be
disrupted or they could seek to limit spending, including shifting
purchases to lower-priced or other perceived value offerings or
reducing their purchases and inventories due to decreased budgets,
reduced access to credit or various other factors, any of which
could negatively impact the willingness or ability of such
customers to place new, or any, orders with us and ultimately
adversely affect our revenues, as well as negatively impact the
payment of accounts receivable and collections and potentially lead
to write-downs or write-offs.
The
ultimate duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our
business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows
is dependent on future developments,
including the duration of the pandemic and the related length of
its impact on the global economy, which remain uncertain and cannot
be predicted at this time. Furthermore, the extent to which
our mitigation efforts are successful, if at all, is not presently
ascertainable.
We carry substantial quantities of inventory, and inaccurate
estimates of necessary inventory could materially harm our
business, financial condition and operating results
We
carry a significant amount of inventory to service customer
requirements in a timely manner. If we are unable to sell this
inventory over a commercially reasonable time, in the future we may
be required to take inventory markdowns, which would reduce our net
sales and/or gross margins. In addition, it is critical to our
success that we accurately predict trends in customer demand,
including seasonal fluctuations, in the future and do not overstock
unpopular products or fail to sufficiently stock popular products.
Both scenarios could materially harm our business, financial
condition and operating results.
12
We enter into fixed-price contracts that could subject us to losses
in the event we fail to properly estimate our costs or hedge our
risks associated with currency fluctuations
We
sometimes enter into firm fixed-price contracts. If our initial
cost estimates are incorrect, we can lose money on these contracts.
Because certain of these contracts involve new technologies and
applications, require us to engage subcontractors and/or can last
multiple years, unforeseen events, such as technological
difficulties, fluctuations in the price of raw materials, problems
with our subcontractors or suppliers and other cost overruns, can
result in the contract pricing becoming less favorable or even
unprofitable to us and have an adverse impact on our financial
results. In addition, a significant increase in inflation rates or
currency fluctuations could have an adverse impact on the
profitability of longer-term contracts.
Our investment strategy may not be successful, which could
adversely impact our financial condition
We may
invest part of our cash balances in public companies. For example,
as of December 31, 2020, we held 477,282 shares of the common stock
of FG Financial Group, Inc. (formerly 1347 Property Insurance
Holdings, Inc.) (Nasdaq: FGF) (“FGF”). These types of
investments carry more risk than holding our cash balances as bank
deposits or, for example, such conservative investments as treasury
bonds or money market funds. There can be no assurance that we will
be able to maintain or enhance the value or the performance of the
companies in which we have invested or in which we may invest in
the future, or that we will be able to achieve returns or benefits
from these investments. We may lose all or part of our investment
relating to such companies if their value decreases as a result of
their financial performance or for any other reason. If our
interests differ from those of other investors in companies over
which we do not have control, we may be unable to effect any change
at those companies. We are not required to meet any diversification
standards, and our investments may become concentrated. If our
investment strategy is not successful or we achieve less than
expected returns from these investments, it could have a material
adverse effect on us. The Board of Directors may also change our
investment strategy at any time, and such changes could further
increase our exposure, which could adversely impact
us.
FG, with its affiliates, is our largest stockholder, and its
interests may differ from the interests of our other
stockholders
The interests
of FG may differ from the interests of our other
stockholders. FG and its affiliates, owners and managers
together hold approximately 34.3% of the Company’s
outstanding shares of common stock. Kyle Cerminara, Chief Executive
Officer, Partner and Manager of FG and Chairman of Ballantyne
Strong, Inc., is a member of our Board of Directors. As a
result of its ownership position and Mr. Cerminara’s position
with the Company, FG has the ability to exert significant influence
over our policies and affairs, including the power to impact the
election of our directors, and approval of any action requiring a
stockholder vote, such as amendments to our articles of
incorporation, by-laws, significant stock issuances,
reorganizations, mergers and asset sales. FG may have
interests that differ from those of our other stockholders and may
vote in a way with which our other stockholders disagree and which
may be adverse to their interests. FG’s significant
ownership may also have the effect of delaying, preventing or
deterring a change of control of the Company, could deprive our
stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their
common stock as part of a sale of the Company and might ultimately
affect the market price of our common stock.
If we are unable to maintain our brand and reputation, our
business, results of operations and prospects could be materially
harmed
Our
business, results of operations and prospects depend, in part, on
maintaining and strengthening our brand and reputation for
providing high-quality products and services. Reputational value is
based in large part on perceptions. Although reputations may take
decades to build, any negative incidents can quickly erode trust
and confidence, particularly if they result in adverse publicity,
governmental investigations or litigation. If problems with our
products cause operational disruption or other difficulties, or
there are delays or other issues with the delivery of our products
or services, our brand and reputation could be diminished. Damage
to our reputation could also arise from actual or perceived legal
violations or product safety issues, cybersecurity breaches, actual
or perceived poor employee relations, actual or perceived poor
service, actual or perceived poor privacy practices, operational or
sustainability issues, actual or perceived ethical issues or other
events within or outside of our control that generate negative
publicity with respect to us. Any event that has the potential to
negatively impact our reputation could lead to lost sales, loss of
new opportunities and retention and recruiting difficulties. If we
fail to promote and maintain our brand and reputation successfully,
our business, results of operations and prospects could be
materially harmed.
13
We face a number of risks related to challenging economic
conditions
Current
economic conditions in the U.S. and elsewhere remain uncertain.
These challenging economic conditions could materially and
adversely impact our business, liquidity and financial condition in
a number of ways, including:
●
Potential deferment or
reduction of purchases by customers: Significant deficits and limited
appropriations confronting our federal, state and local government
customers may cause them to defer or reduce purchases of our
products. Furthermore, uncertainty about current and future
economic conditions may cause customers to defer purchases of our
products in response to tighter credit and decreased cash
availability. Additionally, any delay, especially any prolonged
delay, in the U.S. Government budget process or government shutdown
may negatively impact the ability of many of our customers to
purchase our products and decrease the number of purchase orders
issued under our contracts with government agencies.
●
Negative impact from
increased financial pressures on third-party dealers, distributors
and suppliers: We
make sales to certain of our customers through third-party dealers
and distributors. We generally do not require collateral from our
customers. If credit pressures or other financial difficulties
result in insolvencies of these third parties and we are unable to
successfully transition the end customers to purchase our products
from other third parties, or directly from us, it could materially
and adversely impact our business, financial condition and
operating results. Challenging economic conditions may also impact
the financial condition of one or more of our key suppliers, which
could negatively affect our ability to secure product to meet our
customers’ demands.
●
Limited access by us to
credit and capital:
The credit markets may limit our access to credit and impair our
ability to raise capital, if needed, on acceptable terms or at all.
From time to time, we also have cash in financial institutions in
excess of federally insured limits, which funds might be at risk of
loss should such financial institutions face financial
difficulties.
The terms of the credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
contain restrictive covenants that may limit our operating
flexibility
On
January 26, 2021, BK Technologies, Inc., our wholly-owned operating
subsidiary, entered into a Note Modification Agreement (the
“Modification”) to renew its $5.0 million Credit
Agreement and a related Line of Credit Note (the “Note”
and collectively with the Credit Agreement, as modified by the
Modification, the “Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMC”), which provides for a
revolving line of credit through
January 31, 2022. The Credit Agreement contains limitations
and covenants that may limit BK Technologies, Inc.’s ability
to take certain actions, including pay dividends to us, enter into
liens, indebtedness, loans and
guarantees, acquisitions and mergers, or sales of assets, and
engage in stock repurchases. It also contains one financial
covenant requiring BK Technologies, Inc. to maintain a tangible net
worth of at least $20.0 million at any fiscal quarter end.
We are a guarantor of BK Technologies, Inc.’s obligations
under the Credit Agreement. Events beyond our control, including
changes in general business and economic conditions, may impair BK
Technologies, Inc.’s ability to comply with these covenants,
and a breach of any covenants may result in an event of default.
Upon the occurrence of an event of default, JPMC may declare the entire unpaid balance immediately
due and payable and/or exercise any and all remedial and other
rights under the Credit Agreement. BK Technologies, Inc. may
be unable to repay any accelerated indebtedness, and we may not be
able to repay any indebtedness pursuant to the guarantee or
refinance any accelerated indebtedness on favorable terms, or at
all. In general, the occurrence of any event of default under the
Credit Agreement could have an adverse effect on our financial
condition or results of operations.
We depend on a limited number of manufacturers and on a limited
number of suppliers of components to produce our products, and the
inability to obtain adequate and timely delivery of supplies and
manufactured products could have a material adverse effect on
us
We
contract with manufacturers to produce portions of our products,
and our dependence on a limited number of contract manufacturers
exposes us to certain risks, including shortages of manufacturing
capacity, reduced control over delivery schedules, quality
assurance, production yield and costs. If any of our manufacturers
terminate production or cannot meet our production requirements, we
may have to rely on other contract manufacturing sources or
identify and qualify new contract manufacturers. The lead-time
required to qualify a new manufacturer could range from
approximately two to six months. Despite efforts to do so, we may
not be able to identify or qualify new contract manufacturers in a
timely and cost-effective manner, and these new manufacturers may
not allocate sufficient capacity to us in order to meet our
requirements. Any significant delay in our ability to obtain
adequate quantities of our products from our current or alternative
contract manufacturers could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of
operations.
14
In
addition, our dependence on limited and sole source suppliers of
components involves several risks, including a potential inability
to obtain an adequate supply of components, price increases, late
deliveries and poor component quality. Approximately 65% of our
material, subassembly and product procurements in 2020 were sourced
from six suppliers. We place purchase orders from time to time with
these suppliers and have no guaranteed supply arrangements.
Disruption or termination of the supply of these components could
delay shipments of our products. The lead-time required for some of
our components is up to as six months. If we are unable to
accurately predict our component needs, or if our component supply
is disrupted, we may miss market opportunities by not being able to
meet the demand for our products. This may damage our relationships
with current and prospective customers and have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
We may not be able to manage our growth
Acquisitions and
other business transactions may disrupt or otherwise have a
negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of
operations. We do not have any acquisitions currently pending, and
there can be no assurance that we will complete any future
acquisitions or other business transactions or that any such
transactions which are completed will prove favorable to our
business. We intend to seek stockholder approval for any such
transactions only when so required by applicable law or regulation.
Any acquisitions of businesses and their respective assets also
involve the risks that the businesses and assets acquired may prove
to be less valuable than we expect and we may assume unknown or
unexpected liabilities, costs and problems. We hope to grow
rapidly, and the failure to manage our growth could materially and
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations. Our business plan contemplates, among other things,
leveraging our products and technology for growth in our customer
base and sales. This growth, if it materializes, could
significantly challenge our management, employees, operations and
financial capabilities. In the event of this expansion, we have to
continue to implement and improve our operating systems and to
expand, train, and manage our employee base. If we are unable to
manage and integrate our expanding operations effectively, our
business, results of operations and financial condition could be
materially and adversely affected.
Retention of our executive officers and key personnel is critical
to our business
Our key
executives are critical to our success. The loss of services from
any of our executive officers or other key employees due to any
reason whatsoever could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Our
success is also dependent upon our ability to hire and retain
qualified operations, development and other personnel. Competition
for qualified personnel in our industry is intense, and we may be
unable to hire or retain necessary personnel. The inability to
attract and retain qualified personnel could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
We have
had changes in our senior management team and other personnel over
the past few years and have promoted or hired new employees to fill
certain roles. Our inability to effectively integrate the
newly-hired or promoted senior managers or other employees into our
business process, controls and systems could have a material
adverse effect on us.
We rely on a combination of contract, trademark and trade secret
laws to protect our intellectual property rights, and failure to
effectively utilize or successfully assert these rights could
negatively impact us
Currently, we hold
no U.S. patents. We have several trademarks related to the names
“BK Technologies,” “BK Radio”, and
“Radios for Heroes”. We have applied for a trademark
related to the name “BKR.” As part of our
confidentiality procedures, we generally enter into nondisclosure
agreements with our employees, distributors and customers and limit
access to and distribution of our proprietary information. We also
rely on trade secret laws to protect our intellectual property
rights. There is a risk that we may be unable to prevent another
party from manufacturing and selling competing products or
otherwise violating our intellectual property rights. Our
intellectual property rights, and any additional rights we may
obtain in the future, may be invalidated, circumvented or
challenged in the future. It may also be particularly difficult to
protect our products and intellectual property under the laws of
certain countries in which our products are or may be manufactured
or sold. Our failure to perfect or successfully assert intellectual
property rights could harm our competitive position and could
negatively impact us.
15
Rising health care costs may have a material adverse effect on
us
The
costs of employee health care insurance have been increasing in
recent years due to rising health care costs, legislative changes
and general economic conditions. We cannot predict what other
health care programs and regulations ultimately will be implemented
at the federal or state level or the effect of any future
legislation or regulation in the U.S. on our business, financial
condition and results of operations. In addition, we cannot predict
when or if Congress will repeal and/or replace certain health care
programs and regulations at the federal level and the impact such
changes would have on our business. A continued increase in health
care costs could have a material adverse effect on us.
The insurance that we maintain may not fully cover all potential
exposures
We
maintain property, business interruption and casualty insurance,
but such insurance may not cover all risks associated with the
hazards of our business and is subject to limitations, including
deductibles and maximum liabilities covered. We are potentially at
risk if one or more of our insurance carriers fail. Additionally,
severe disruptions in the domestic and global financial markets
could adversely impact the ratings and survival of some insurers.
In the future, we may not be able to obtain coverage at current
levels, and our premiums may increase significantly on coverage
that we maintain.
Our stock price is vulnerable to significant fluctuations,
including due to our fluctuating quarterly operating
results
Our
quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly from
quarter to quarter and may be below the expectations of the
investment community, resulting in volatility for the market price
for our common stock. Other factors affecting the volatility of our
stock price include:
●
future
announcements concerning us or our competitors;
●
the announcement or
introduction of technological innovations or new products by us or
our competitors, including announcements regarding the status of
our BKR Series product line;
●
changes in product
pricing policies by us or our competitors;
●
changes in earnings
estimates by us or our competitors or by securities
analysts;
●
additions or
departures of our key personnel; and
●
sales of our common
stock.
In
addition, the stock market is subject to price and volume
fluctuations affecting the market price for the stock of many
companies generally, which fluctuations often are unrelated to
operating performance.
Natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other catastrophic
events beyond our control could have a material adverse effect on
our operations and financial condition
The
occurrence of one or more natural disasters, such as fires,
hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, floods and earthquakes;
geo-political events, such as civil unrest in a country in which
our suppliers or manufacturers are located, or acts of war or
terrorism (wherever located around the world) or military
activities disrupting transportation, communication or utility
systems or otherwise causing damage to our business, employees,
suppliers, manufacturers and customers; or other highly disruptive
events, such as nuclear accidents, pandemics, unusual weather
conditions or cyber attacks, could have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Such events could result, among other things, in operational
disruptions, physical damage to or destruction or disruption of one
or more of our properties or properties used by third parties in
connection with the supply of products or services to us, the lack
of an adequate workforce in parts or all of our operations and
communications and transportation disruptions. These factors could
also cause consumer confidence and spending to decrease or result
in increased volatility in the U.S. and global financial markets
and economy. Such occurrences could have a material adverse effect
on us and could also have indirect consequences, such as increases
in the costs of insurance, if they result in significant loss of
property or other insurable damage.
16
A security breach or other significant disruption of our
information technology systems, or those of our distributors,
manufacturers, suppliers and other partners, caused by cyber attack
or other means, could have a negative impact on our operations,
sales and results of operations
From
time to time, we may experience cyber attacks on our information
technology systems and the information systems of our distributors,
manufacturers, suppliers and other partners, whose systems we do
not control. These systems are vulnerable to damage,
unauthorized access or interruption from a variety of sources,
including, but not limited to, continually evolving cyber attacks
(including social engineering and phishing attempts), attempts to
gain unauthorized access to data, cyber intrusion, computer
viruses, security breach, misconduct by employees or other insiders
with access to our data, energy blackouts, natural disasters,
terrorism, sabotage, war and telecommunication failures. Cyber
attacks are rapidly evolving and becoming increasingly
sophisticated. Computer hackers and others might compromise our
security measures, or security measures of those parties that we do
business with now or in the future, and obtain the personal
information of our customers, employees and partners or our
business information. A cyber attack or other significant
disruption involving our information technology systems or those of
our distributors, manufacturers, suppliers or other partners, could
result in disruptions in critical systems, corruption or loss of
data, theft of data, funds or intellectual property, and
unauthorized release of our or our customers’ proprietary,
confidential or sensitive information. Such unauthorized access to,
or release of, this information could expose us to data loss,
disrupt our operations, allow others to unfairly compete with us,
subject us to litigation, government enforcement actions,
regulatory penalties and costly response measures, and could
seriously disrupt our operations. Any resulting negative publicity
could also significantly harm our reputation. We may not have
adequate insurance coverage to compensate us for any losses
associated with such events. Any or all of the foregoing could have
a negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows.
Because
the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access to, or disable,
degrade or sabotage, information technology systems change
frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a
target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques, implement
adequate preventative measures or remediate any intrusion on a
timely or effective basis. Moreover, the development and
maintenance of these preventative and detective measures is costly
and requires ongoing monitoring and updating as technologies change
and efforts to overcome security measures become more
sophisticated. We, therefore, remain potentially vulnerable to
additional known or yet unknown threats, as in some instances, we,
our distributors, manufacturers, suppliers and other partners, may
be unaware of an incident or its magnitude and effects. We also
face the risk that we expose our customers or partners to
cybersecurity attacks. In addition, from time to time, we implement
updates to our information technology systems and software, which
can disrupt or shutdown our information technology systems. We may
not be able to successfully integrate and launch these new systems
as planned without disruption to our operations.
The risk of noncompliance with U.S. and foreign laws and
regulations applicable to us could materially adversely affect
us
Failure
to comply with government regulations applicable to our business
could result in penalties and reputational damage. Our products are
regulated by the FCC and otherwise subject to a wide range of
global laws. As a public company, we are also subject to
regulations of the SEC and the stock exchange on which we are
listed. These laws and regulations are complex, change frequently,
have tended to become more stringent over time and increase our
cost of doing business. Compliance with existing or future laws,
including U.S. tax laws, could subject us to future costs or
liabilities, impact our production capabilities, constrict our
ability to sell, expand or acquire facilities, restrict what
products and services we can offer, and generally impact our
financial performance. Failure to comply with or to respond to
changes in these requirements and regulations could result in
penalties on us, such as fines, restrictions on operations or a
temporary or permanent closure of our facility. These penalties
could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating
results and financial condition. In addition, existing or new
regulatory requirements or interpretations could materially
adversely impact us.
17
We may not be able to maintain our NYSE American
listing
Our
common stock has been listed on the NYSE American since 2005. If we
are unable to satisfy the continued listing standards of the NYSE
American, which include, among others, minimum stockholders’
equity, market capitalization, pre-tax income and per share sales
price, our common stock may be delisted. If our common stock is
delisted, we would be forced to have our common stock quoted on the
OTC Markets or some other quotation medium, depending on our
ability to meet the specific requirements of those quotation
systems. In that case, we may lose some or all of our institutional
investors, and selling our common stock on the OTC Markets would be
more difficult because smaller quantities of shares would likely be
bought and sold and transactions could be delayed. These factors
could result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask
prices for shares of our common stock. If this happens, we will
have greater difficulty accessing the capital markets to raise any
additional necessary capital.
Any infringement claim against us could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations
As the
number of competing products available in the market increases and
the functions of those products further overlap, the potential for
infringement claims may increase. Any such claims, with or without
merit, may result in costly litigation or require us to redesign
the affected product to avoid infringement or require us to obtain
a license for future sales of the affected product. Any of the
foregoing could damage our reputation and have a material adverse
effect upon our business, financial condition and results of
operations. Any litigation resulting from any such claim could
require us to incur substantial costs and divert significant
resources, including the efforts of our management and engineering
personnel.
We have deferred tax assets that we may not be able to utilize
under certain circumstances
If we
incur future operating losses, we may be required to provide some
or all of our deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance,
resulting in additional non-cash income tax expense. The change in
the valuation allowance may have a material impact on future net
income or loss.
We may be unable to obtain components and parts that are verified
to be Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”)
conflict-free, which could result in reputational
damage
The
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act includes
disclosure requirements regarding the use of tin, tantalum,
tungsten and gold (which are defined as “conflict
minerals”) in our products and whether these materials
originated from the DRC or an adjoining country. The SEC rules
necessitate a complex compliance process and related administrative
expense for a company once it determines a conflict mineral is
necessary to the functionality or production of a product that the
company manufactures or contracts to manufacture. These
requirements could affect the sourcing, availability and cost of
minerals used in the manufacture of certain of our products, and we
may not be able to obtain conflict-free products or supplies in
sufficient quantities or at competitive prices for our operations.
We have incurred, and will continue to incur, costs associated with
complying with these supply chain due diligence procedures. In
addition, because our supply chain is complex, if we discover that
our products include minerals that have been identified as
“not found to be DRC conflict-free” or we are unable to
determine whether such minerals are included in our products, we
may face reputational challenges with our customers, stockholders
and other stakeholders as a result.
As a holding company, BK Technologies Corporation is dependent on
the operations and funds of its subsidiaries
On
March 28, 2019, we completed a reorganization pursuant to which BK
Technologies Corporation became a holding company with no business
operations of its own. BK Technologies Corporation’s only
significant assets are the outstanding equity interests in BK
Technologies, Inc. and any other future subsidiaries of BK
Technologies Corporation. As a result, we rely on cash flows from
subsidiaries to meet our obligations, including payment of
dividends to our stockholders. Additionally, our subsidiaries may
be restricted in their ability to pay cash dividends or to make
other distributions to BK Technologies Corporation, as the new
holding company; for instance, the Credit Agreement permits BK
Technologies, Inc. to pay dividends to us only if there is no
default, and the payment of the dividends would not result in a
default, under the Credit Agreement. The holding company
reorganization was intended to create a more efficient corporate
structure and increase operational flexibility. The anticipated
benefits of this reorganization may not be obtained if
circumstances prevent us from taking advantage of the opportunities
that we expect it may afford us. As a result, we may incur the
costs of a holding company structure without realizing the
anticipated benefits, which could adversely affect our reputation,
financial condition, and results of operations.
18
Future sales of shares of our common stock may negatively affect
our stock price and impair our ability to raise equity
capital
Approximately
7.4 million (59.8%) of our shares of outstanding common stock
as of December 31, 2020 were owned by certain of our executive
officers and directors and other affiliates, and may be resold
publicly at any time, subject to the volume and other restrictions
under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Approximately 40.2% of our outstanding shares of common stock as of
December 31, 2020 are freely tradable without
restriction.
Sales
of substantial amounts of shares of our common stock, or even the
potential for such sales, could lower the market price of our
common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the
sale of equity securities.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff
Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
We do
not own any real estate. We lease approximately 54,000 square feet
of industrial space at 7100 Technology Drive in West Melbourne,
Florida. In November 2018, the lease was amended to provide for
certain leasehold improvements and extend the lease term until June
30, 2027. Rental, maintenance and tax expenses for this facility
were approximately $510,000 and $502,000 in 2020 and 2019,
respectively. We also lease 8,100 square feet of office space in
Lawrence, Kansas. In November 2019, the lease was amended to extend
the lease term until December 31, 2021. Rental, maintenance and tax
expenses for this facility were approximately $124,000 and $108,000
in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
In
February 2020, we entered into a lease for 6,857 square feet of
office space at Sawgrass Technology Park, 1619 NW 136th Avenue in Sunrise,
Florida, for a period of 64 months. Annual rental, maintenance and
tax expenses for the facility was approximately $169,000 for
2020.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From
time to time we may be involved in various claims and legal actions
arising in the ordinary course of our business. There were no
pending material claims or legal matters as of December 31,
2020.
Item 4. Mine
Safety Disclosures
Not
applicable.
19
PART II
Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common
Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
(a)
Market Information.
Our
common stock trades on the NYSE American under the symbol
“BKTI.”
(b)
Holders.
On
February 26, 2021, there were 601 holders of record of our common
stock.
(c)
Dividends.
We
currently pay quarterly cash dividends. The declaration and payment
of cash dividends, if any, is subject to the discretion of the
Board of Directors. The Board’s final determination as to
whether to declare and pay dividends is based upon its
consideration of our operating results, financial condition and
anticipated capital requirements, as well as such other factors it
may deem relevant.
We
receive dividends from our wholly-owned subsidiary, BK
Technologies, Inc., to fund the quarterly cash dividends to our
stockholders. The Credit Agreement permits BK Technologies, Inc. to
pay dividends to us if there is no default, and if the payment of
the dividend would not result in a default, under the Credit
Agreement.
(d)
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Period
|
Total Number of Shares Purchased
|
Average Price Paid Per Share (1)
|
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs (2)
|
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs (2)
|
01/01/20-01/31/20
|
36,155
|
$2.94
|
36,155
|
81,787
|
02/01/20-02/29/20
|
20,963
|
$2.72
|
20,963
|
60,824
|
03/01/20-03/31/20
|
44,695
|
$1.72
|
44,695
|
16,129
|
04/01/20-04/30/20
|
16,129
|
$1.63
|
16,129
|
—
|
Total
|
117,942
|
$2.25
|
117,942
|
|
(1)
Average price paid
per share of common stock repurchased is the executed price,
including commissions paid to brokers.
(2)
The Company had a
repurchase program of up to one million shares of the
Company’s common stock pursuant to a stock repurchase plan in
conformity with the provisions of Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18
promulgated under the Exchange Act. The repurchase program was
initially announced in May 2016, expanded in June 2017 and was
completed in April 2020.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Not
required for smaller reporting companies.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Executive Summary
BK
Technologies Corporation is a holding company, with a wholly-owned
operating subsidiary, BK Technologies, Inc. We design, manufacture
and market American made two-way land mobile radios, repeaters,
base stations and related components and subsystems. All operating
activities are undertaken by BK Technologies, Inc.
Our
overall financial and operating results for 2020 improved markedly
from the preceding year. Sales for 2020 grew over 10% compared with
2019, while gross profit margins as a percentage of sales
increased by 2 percentage
points year-over-year. Selling, general and administrative
and administrative expenses for 2020 declined approximately $3.0
million, or 15.0%. The combined impact of sales growth, gross
profit margin improvement, and reduced operating expenses yielded
an increase of over $5.4 million in operating income from the prior
year. Additionally, our balance sheet strengthened during the year
with a $4 million (30%) reduction in inventory, which was a
significant contributor to positive cash flow for the year of
approximately $2.2 million. Meanwhile, we launched the first
portable radio, the BKR 5000, in a new line of land mobile radio
products, with additional models planned for 2021.
20
Total
sales in 2020 grew 10.1% to approximately $44.1 million, compared
with approximately $40.1 million for the prior year. The increase
was primarily attributed to federal and state public safety
agencies, some of which were new customers. We also realized sales
from our new BKR 5000 portable radio, which was introduced during
the third quarter of 2020.
Gross
profit margin as a percentage of sales in 2020 increased to
approximately 41.0%, compared with 39.0% for the previous year. The
improvement was attributed primarily to the improved mix of product
sales and reduced manufacturing costs.
Selling, general
and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for 2020
declined approximately $3.0 million (15.0%) to approximately $17.0
million, or 38.6% of sales, compared with $20.0 million, or 50.0%
of sales, for 2019. The decrease in SG&A expenses was the
result of broad-based cost reduction actions, including a reduction
in our workforce.
For
2020, we recognized operating income of approximately $1.0 million
, which was an improvement of $5.4 million from last year’s
operating loss of $4.4 million.
We
recognized other expenses totaling approximately $797,000 in 2020,
primarily attributed to an unrealized loss from our investment in
FGF, made through FGI 1347 Holdings, LP, a consolidated variable
interest entity. This compares with other income of $762,000 last
year, which was primarily related to an unrealized gain from the
investment in FGF.
For
2020, we recognized pretax income of approximately $251,000, a
significant improvement from last year’s pretax loss of
approximately $3.6 million.
We
recognized a tax expense of approximately $3,000 for 2020, compared
with a benefit of approximately $987,000 for the prior year. The
income tax benefit last year was largely non-cash as a result of
deferred items.
Net
income for 2020 of approximately $248,000 ($0.02 per basic and
diluted share), improved $2.9 million from last year’s net
loss of approximately $2.6 million ($0.21 per basic and diluted
share).
As of
December 31, 2020, working capital totaled approximately $15.1
million, of which $13.3 million was comprised of cash, cash
equivalents and trade receivables. This compares with working
capital totaling approximately $14.5 million at 2019 year-end,
which included $8.6 million of cash, cash equivalents and trade
receivables. During 2020, we fulfilled the limit of our stock
repurchase program, repurchasing 117,942 shares of our common
stock, utilizing cash of approximately $269,000.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
In
December 2019, a novel strain of the coronavirus (COVID-19)
surfaced, which spread globally and was declared a pandemic by the
World Health Organization in March 2020. The challenges posed by
the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy increased significantly
in the first several months of 2020. In response to COVID-19,
national and local governments around the world instituted certain
measures, including travel bans, prohibitions on group events and
gatherings, shutdowns of certain businesses, curfews,
shelter-in-place orders and recommendations to practice social
distancing. We are considered an “essential business”
that is supporting first responders and our manufacturing
operations remained open throughout the year. Accordingly, we have
implemented certain policies at our offices in accordance with best
practices to accommodate, and at times mandate, social distancing,
wearing face masks, and remote work practices. Among other things,
we have invested in employee safety equipment, additional cleaning
supplies and measures, adjusted production lines and workplaces as
necessary and adapted new processes for interactions with our
suppliers and customers to safely manage our operations. To-date,
two staff members at our primary facility in West Melbourne, FL
tested positive for COVID-19. These employees were quarantined and
worked remotely in accordance with accepted safety practices until
after passing subsequent testing.
21
In
planning for the possible disruption of our business, we have taken
steps to reduce expenses throughout the Company. This included
suspending all Company travel for a period of time, as well as our
participation in trade shows and other business meetings,
instituting strict inventory control and decreasing expenditures.
We also implemented workforce reductions during the second quarter
of 2020, decreasing employment and related expenses by
approximately 18% as well as suspended the employer’s 401K
match. During the first nine months, impact to customer orders was
limited as reflected by our sales, which increased compared with
the same period last year. Also, while some of our supply chain
partners were temporarily closed during the early stages of the
pandemic, most of these partners resumed operations and we have
been able to procure the materials necessary to manufacture
products and fulfill customer orders. Depending on the progression
of the pandemic, our ability to obtain necessary supplies and ship
finished products to customers may be partly or completely
disrupted. Continued progression of the pandemic could result in a
decline in customer orders, as our customers could shift purchases
to lower-priced or other perceived value offerings or reduce their
purchases and inventories due to decreased budgets, reduced access
to credit or various other factors, and impair our ability to
manufacture our products, which could have a material adverse
impact on our results of operations and cash flow. While the
current impacts of COVID-19 are reflected in our results of
operations, we cannot at this time separate the direct COVID-19
impacts from other factors that cause our performance to vary from
year to year. The ultimate duration and impact of the COVID-19
pandemic on our business, results of operations, financial
condition and cash flows is dependent on future developments,
including the duration and severity of the pandemic, and the
related length of its impact on the global economy, which are
uncertain and, given the daily evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic
and the global responses to curb its spread, cannot be predicted at
this time. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we may
continue to experience an adverse impact to our business as a
result of its national and, to some extent, global economic impact,
including any recession that has occurred or may occur in the
future. Furthermore, the extent to which our mitigation efforts are
successful, if at all, is not presently ascertainable. However, we
anticipate that our results of operations in future periods may
continue to be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its
negative effects on global economic conditions. For additional
risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, see Item 1A. Risk Factors
in Part II of this report.
On
March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus
Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES
Act”). Among other things, the CARES Act includes provisions
relating to refundable payroll tax credits, deferment of employer
side social security payments, net operating loss carryback
periods, alternative minimum tax credit refunds, modifications to
the net interest deduction limitations and technical corrections to
tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property. On
April 13, 2020, we received an unsecured Loan (as defined below) in
the amount of $2,196,335 under the Paycheck Protection Program (or
“PPP”) established under the CARES Act, as further
discussed below under “Liquidity and Capital
Resources.” We intended to use the Loan for qualifying
expenses in accordance with the terms of the CARES Act. At the time
of application, we believed we qualified to receive the funds
pursuant to the PPP.
On
April 23, 2020, the SBA, in consultation with the Department of
Treasury, issued new guidance that created uncertainty regarding
the qualification requirements for a PPP loan. In April 2020, out
of an abundance of caution, we repaid the Loan in
full.
On May
4, 2020, the Company implemented workforce reductions of
approximately 18% to reduce costs and to better position the
Company in an uncertain business environment resulting from the
COVID-19 pandemic. The Company incurred approximately $221,000 in
severance costs relating to these workforce reductions, which were
recognized in the second quarter of 2020 and was paid according to
our normal payroll practices through September 2020.
We may
experience fluctuations in our quarterly results, in part, due to
governmental customer spending patterns that are influenced by
government fiscal year-end budgets and appropriations. We may also
experience fluctuations in our quarterly results, in part, due to
our sales to federal and state agencies that participate in
wildland fire-suppression efforts, which may be greater during the
summer season when forest fire activity is heightened. In some
years, these factors may cause an increase in sales for the second
and third quarters, compared with the first and fourth quarters of
the same fiscal year. Such increases in sales may cause quarterly
variances in our cash flow from operations and overall financial
condition.
22
Results of Operations
As an
aid to understanding our operating results, the following table
shows items from our consolidated statements of operations
expressed as a percentage of sales:
|
Percent of
Sales
for Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
Sales
|
100.0%
|
100.0%
|
Cost of
products
|
(59.0)
|
(61.0)
|
Gross
margin
|
41.0
|
39.0
|
Selling, general
and administrative expenses
|
(38.6)
|
(50.0)
|
Other (expense)
income, net
|
(1.8)
|
1.9
|
Income (loss)
before income taxes
|
0.6
|
(9.1)
|
Income tax
expense
|
(0.0)
|
2.5
|
Net Income
(loss)
|
0.6%%
|
(6.6)%
|
Fiscal Year 2020 Compared With Fiscal Year 2019
Sales, net
During
the year, procurement activities of some customers were likely
affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, although the precise impact to
sales cannot be quantified. Despite any such impact, sales for 2020
grew 10.1% ($4.0 million) to approximately $44.1 million, compared
with approximately $40.1 million last year.
The
increase in sales for the year ended December 31, 2020 was
attributed primarily to federal and state public safety agencies,
which included a combination of new and existing customers.
Furthermore, during the year we launched, and generated sales from,
the first product (BKR 5000) in the BKR Series, a new line of land
mobile radios and solutions. Also, for comparative purposes, the
prior year’s sales were adversely impacted by the federal
government shutdown early in the year.
The BKR
Series is envisioned as a comprehensive line of new products with
additional new models planned for 2021, including products with
multi-band capability. The timing of developing additional BKR
Series products and bringing them to market could be impacted by
various factors, including potential impacts related to the
COVID-19 pandemic. BKR Series products, we believe, should increase
our addressable market by expanding the number of federal and other
public safety customers that may purchase our products. However,
the timing and size of orders from agencies at all levels can be
unpredictable and subject to budgets, priorities and other factors.
Accordingly, we cannot assure that sales will occur under
particular contracts, or that our sales prospects will otherwise be
realized.
In
2020, we reorganized our sales resources to focus more effectively
on target markets and customers where we can realize sales success.
The current funnel of sales prospects includes
potential new
customers in federal, state and local public safety agencies.
We believe the reorganization and our sales funnel better positions
us to capture new sales opportunities moving forward.
While
the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in coming months and
quarters remain uncertain, such effects have the potential to
adversely impact our customers and our supply chain. Such negative
effects on our customers and suppliers could adversely affect our
future sales, operations and financial results.
Cost of Products and Gross Profit Margin
Gross
profit margins as a percentage of sales for 2020 was approximately
41.0%, compared with 39.0% for the prior year.
Our
cost of products and gross profit margins are primarily derived
from material, labor and overhead costs, product mix, manufacturing
volumes and pricing. The improvement in gross profit margins for
2020 compared with last year was attributed primarily to a more
favorable sales mix of higher margin products. Furthermore, during
the year we reduced manufacturing operations employment by
approximately 21%, as well as other related expenses. These
reductions, combined with increased production volumes, enabled us
to better utilize and absorb our manufacturing support and overhead
expenses, which favorably impacting gross profit
margins.
23
We
utilize a combination of internal manufacturing capabilities and
contract manufacturing relationships for production efficiencies
and to manage material and labor costs. In the future we anticipate
expanding our utilization of internal manufacturing resources. We
believe that our internal manufacturing capabilities and contract
relationships or comparable alternatives will continue to be
available to us. Although in the future we may encounter new
product cost and competitive pricing pressures, the extent of their
impact on gross margins, if any, is uncertain.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A expenses
consist of sales, marketing, commissions, engineering, product
development, management information systems, accounting,
headquarters and non-cash, share-based employee compensation
expenses.
SG&A expenses
for 2020 decreased 15.0% ($3.0 million) to approximately $17.0
million, or 38.6% of sales, compared with approximately $20.0
million, or 50.0% of sales, for the previous year.
Engineering and
product development expenses for 2020 decreased $1.9 million, or
19.8%, to approximately $7.9 million (17.8% of sales), compared
with approximately $9.8 million (24.5% of sales) for the previous
year. Product development expenses related to an anticipated new
line of portable and mobile radios with enhanced features, the BKR
Series, continued to decrease as development activities migrated
away from external resources to our new internal engineering team.
This team is primarily involved with development of the BKR Series,
including our planned multiband product. The precise date for
developing and introducing new products is uncertain and can be
impacted by, among other things, the potential effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic in coming months.
Marketing and
selling expenses for 2020 declined by approximately $1.0 million,
or 19.0%, to approximately $4.2 million (9.5% of sales), compared
with approximately $5.2 million (13.0% of sales) last year. The
decreases are attributed to reductions in sales and go-to-market
employment, as well as other sales and marketing related
expenses.
Other
general and administrative expenses for 2020 totaled approximately
$4.9 million (11.2% of sales), compared with approximately $5.0
million (12.5% of sales) for the previous year. Decreases in
employment and other headquarters expenses were more than offset by
non-recurring severance costs recognized in the second quarter of
2020 related to our reduction in employment.
Operating Income (Loss)
For
2020, our operating income improved by $5.4 million to
approximately $1.0 million (2.4% of sales), compared with an
operating loss of approximately $4.4 million (10.9% of sales) for
the prior year. The improved operating income for 2020 was
primarily attributed to sales growth and higher gross profit
margins combined with reduced employment and other operating
expenses.
Other Income (Expense)
Interest (Expense) Income
We
recorded net interest expense of approximately $8,000 for the year
ended December 31, 2020, compared with net interest income of
approximately $150,000 last year. Reduced interest income was
primarily the result of lower cash balances and interest
rates.
Gain/Loss on Investment in Securities
For the
year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized an unrealized loss of
$620,000 on our investment in FGF, compared with an unrealized gain
of $716,000 for the previous year.
24
Other Expense
For
2020, we recognized other expense totaling approximately $169,000,
compared with approximately $104,000 last year. Other expenses were
comprised primarily of foreign exchange transaction losses related
to sales under a Canadian dollar-denominated contract and other
investment management expenses.
Income Tax/Expense Benefit
We
recorded an income tax expense of approximately $3,000 for 2020,
compared with and income tax benefit of approximately $987,000 last
year.
Our
income tax provision is based on management’s estimate of the
effective tax rate for the full year. The tax provision
(benefit) in any period will be affected by, among other things,
permanent, as well as temporary, differences in the deductibility
of certain items, in addition to changes in tax legislation. As a
result, we may experience significant fluctuations in the effective
book tax rate (that is, tax expense divided by pre-tax book income)
from period to period.
As of
December 31, 2020, our net deferred tax assets totaled
approximately $4.3 million, and were primarily derived from
research and development tax credits, operating loss carryforwards
and accrued expenses.
In
order to fully utilize the net deferred tax assets, we will need to
generate sufficient taxable income in future years. We analyze all
positive and negative evidence to determine if, based on the weight
of available evidence, we are more likely than not to realize the
benefit of the net deferred tax assets. The recognition of the net
deferred tax assets and related tax benefits is based upon our
conclusions regarding, among other considerations, estimates of
future earnings based on information currently available and
current and anticipated customers, contracts and product
introductions, as well as historical operating results and certain
tax planning strategies.
Based
on our analysis of all available evidence, both positive and
negative, we have concluded that we do not have the ability to
generate sufficient taxable income in the necessary period to
utilize the entire benefit for the deferred tax asset. Accordingly,
we established a valuation allowance of $98,000. We cannot
presently estimate what, if any, changes to the valuation of our
deferred tax assets may be deemed appropriate in the future. If we
incur future losses, it may be necessary to record additional
valuation allowance related to the deferred tax assets recognized
as of December 31, 2020.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
For the
year ended December 31, 2020, net cash provided by operating
activities totaled approximately $4.4 million, compared with cash
used in operating activities of approximately $2.5 million last
year. Cash provided by operating activities for 2020 was primarily
related to net income and a decrease in inventory, combined with
increases in depreciation and amortization, accrued compensation
and related taxes, and deferred revenue, as well as an unrealized
loss on our investment in FGF. These items were partially offset by
increases in accounts receivable, and a decrease in accrued
warranty expenses.
For the
year ended December 31, 2020, we had a net income of approximately
$248,000, compared with a net loss of approximately $2.6 million
for the prior year. Net inventories decreased during 2020 by
approximately $4.1 million, compared with an increase of
approximately $2.0 million for the prior year. The decrease for the
year was primarily attributed to product sales combined with our
inventory reduction program. Depreciation and amortization totaled
approximately $1.3 million for 2020, compared with approximately
$1.2 million for the prior year, primarily due to capital
expenditures related to manufacturing and engineering equipment.
Accrued compensation and related taxes for 2020 increased
approximately $364,000, compared with a decrease of $743,000 last
year. The increase in 2020 was the result of incentive compensation
related to improved sales and operating results. Deferred revenue
for 2020 increased approximately $585,000, compared with
approximately $947,000 for the prior year, which was attributed
primarily to the sales of extended warranties. Unrealized losses on
securities for 2020 totaled approximately $620,000, compared with
gains of approximately $716,000 for last year. For additional
information pertaining to our investment in securities, refer to
Note 6 (Investment in Securities) to the consolidated financial
statements included in this report. Accounts receivable for 2020
increased approximately $2.5 million, compared with a decrease of
approximately $1.8 million last year. The increase for the current
year was attributable to the timing of sales later in the year that
had not yet completed their collection cycle. Accrued warranty
expenses for 2020 decreased approximately $457,000, compared with
approximately $298,000 last year. The decrease for the year is
attributed primarily to manufacturing operations and quality
improvements.
25
Cash
used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020
totaled approximately $946,000 and was attributed to purchases of
property, plant and equipment. For the same period last year, cash
used in investing activities totaled approximately $2.5 million,
and was also attributed to purchases of property, plant and
equipment.
For the
year ended December 31, 2020, cash of approximately $1.3 million
was used in financing activities. During the year we received
proceeds totaling approximately $2.2 million under the PPP, which
were repaid in full within the same period. We also used cash for
our capital return program, which included quarterly dividends
totaling approximately $1.0 million and stock repurchases totaling
approximately $269,000. Our stock repurchase program terminated in
April 2020 and was not renewed. Last year, approximately $1.0
million was used to pay dividends and approximately $1.0 million
was used for stock repurchases. Last year we received $425,000 from
U.S. Bank Equipment Finance for the purchase of manufacturing
equipment items, pursuant to the Master Loan Agreement, described
below.
On
April 13, 2020, BK Technologies, Inc., our wholly-owned operating
subsidiary, received approval and funding pursuant to a promissory
note (the “PPP Note”) evidencing an unsecured loan in
the amount of $2,196,335 (the “Loan”) under the PPP.
The PPP was established under the CARES Act and is administered by
the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The
Loan was made through JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(“JPMC”). We intended to use the Loan for qualifying
expenses in accordance with the terms of the CARES Act. At the time
of application, we believed we qualified to receive the funds
pursuant to the PPP.
On
April 23, 2020, the SBA, in consultation with the Department of
Treasury, issued new guidance that created uncertainty regarding
the qualification requirements for a PPP loan. In April 2020, out
of an abundance of caution, we repaid the loan in
full.
On May
4, 2020, the Company implemented workforce reductions of
approximately 18% to reduce costs and to better position the
Company in an uncertain business environment resulting from the
COVID-19 pandemic. The Company incurred approximately $221,000 in
severance costs relating to these workforce reductions, which were
recognized in the second quarter of 2020 and paid under our
customary payroll practices through September 2020.
On
January 30, 2020, BK Technologies, Inc., our wholly-owned
subsidiary, entered into a $5.0 million Credit Agreement and a
related Line of Credit Note (the “Note” and
collectively with the Credit Agreement, as modified by a Note
Modification Agreement, the “Credit Agreement”) with
JPMC. The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving line of credit
of up to $5.0 million, with availability under the line of credit
subject to a borrowing base calculated as a percentage of accounts
receivable and inventory. The line of credit was modified on
January 26, 2021 to, among other things, extend the expiration date
to January 31, 2022. Proceeds of borrowings under the Credit
Agreement may be used for general corporate purposes. The line of
credit is collateralized by a blanket lien on all personal property
of BK Technologies, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the Continuing
Security Agreement with JPMC. We and each subsidiary of BK
Technologies, Inc. are guarantors of BK Technologies, Inc.’s
obligations under the Credit Agreement, in accordance with the
terms of the Continuing Guaranty.
Borrowings under
the Credit Agreement will bear interest at a rate per annum equal
to one-month LIBOR (or zero if the LIBOR is less than zero) plus a
margin of 1.90% (2.054% as of
December 31, 2020). The line of credit, as modified, is to
be repaid in monthly payments of interest only, payable in arrears,
commencing on February 1, 2020, with all outstanding principal and
interest to be payable in full at maturity, January 31,
2022.
The
Credit Agreement contains certain customary restrictive covenants,
including restrictions on liens, indebtedness, loans and
guarantees, acquisitions and mergers, sales of assets, and stock
repurchases by BK Technologies, Inc. The Credit Agreement contains
one financial covenant requiring BK Technologies, Inc. to maintain
a tangible net worth of at least $20.0 million at any fiscal
quarter end.
The
Credit Agreement provides for customary events of default,
including: (1) failure to pay principal, interest or fees under the
Credit Agreement when due and payable; (2) failure to comply with
other covenants and agreements contained in the Credit Agreement
and the other documents executed in connection therewith; (3) the
making of false or inaccurate representations and warranties; (4)
defaults under other agreements with JPMC or under other debt or
other obligations of BK Technologies, Inc.; (5) money judgments and
material adverse changes; (6) a change in control or ceasing to
operate business in the ordinary course; and (7) certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency. Upon the occurrence of an event of
default, JPMC may declare the entire unpaid balance immediately due
and payable and/or exercise any and all remedial and other rights
under the Credit Agreement.
26
BK
Technologies, Inc. was in compliance with all covenants under the
Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2020 and the date of filing
this report. As of December 31, 2020 and the date of filing this
report, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit
Agreement and there was approximately $5.0 million of borrowing
available under the Credit Agreement.
Our
cash and cash equivalents balance at December 31, 2020 was
approximately $6.8 million. We believe these funds, combined
with our cost-saving initiatives, anticipated cash generated from
operations and borrowing availability under our Credit Agreement,
are sufficient to meet our working capital requirements for the
foreseeable future. We may, depending on a variety of factors,
including market conditions for capital raises, the trading price
of our common stock and opportunities for uses of any proceeds,
engage in public or private offerings of equity or debt securities
to increase our capital resources. However, financial and economic
conditions, including those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic,
could limit our access to credit and impair our ability to raise
capital, if needed, on acceptable terms or at all. We also face
other risks that could impact our business, liquidity and financial
condition. For a description of these risks, see “Item 1A.
Risk Factors” set forth in this report.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do
not have any off-balance-sheet arrangements.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In
February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases,”
which amended leasing guidance by requiring companies to recognize
a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability for
all operating and capital (finance) leases with lease terms greater
than twelve months. The lease liability is equal to the present
value of lease payments. The lease asset is based on the lease
liability, subject to adjustment, such as for initial direct costs.
For income statement purposes, leases continue to be classified as
operating or capital (finance), with lease expense in both cases
calculated substantially the same as under the prior leasing
guidance. The updated guidance became effective for interim and
annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company
adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2019. Adoption resulted in
the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities on the
consolidated financial statements. Based on the Company’s
lease portfolio as of January 1, 2019, which consisted solely of
operating leases, the Company recognized approximately $2.9 million
of ROU assets and $3.0 million of lease liabilities on its
consolidated financial statements.. Refer to Note 7 (Leases) for
further details on leases.
In
August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15,
“Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use
Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for
Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That
Is a Service Contract,” to help entities evaluate the
accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing
arrangement (hosting arrangement) by providing guidance for
determining when the arrangement includes a software license. The
amendments in ASU 2018-15 align the requirements for capitalizing
implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a
service contract with the requirements for capitalizing
implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use
software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use
software license). The accounting for the service element of a
hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by
the amendments in ASU 2018-15. The amendments in ASU 2018-15 became
effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after
December 15, 2019. Early adoption was permitted, including adoption
in any interim period. The Company adopted the new guidance in the
fourth quarter of 2018, with no material impact on its consolidated
financial statements and related disclosures.
In
August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Disclosure
Framework–Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair
Value Measurement,” which modifies the disclosure
requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value
Measurement, including the removal of certain disclosure
requirements. The amendments in the ASU are effective for all
entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal
years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption was
permitted upon issuance of the ASU. The Company adopted this
guidance as of January 1, 2020, and the adoption did not have an
impact on its consolidated financial statements.
27
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The
Company does not discuss recent pronouncements that are not
anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to its financial
condition, results of operations, cash flows or
disclosures.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our
revenue recognition process and our more subjective accounting
estimation processes affect our reported revenues and current
assets and are, therefore, critical in assessing our financial and
operating status. The processes for determining the allowance for
collection of trade receivables, allowance for slow-moving, excess
and obsolete inventory, allowance for product warranty, and income
taxes involve certain assumptions that, if incorrect, could create
an adverse impact on our operations and financial
position.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The
allowance for doubtful accounts was approximately $50,000 on gross
trade receivables of approximately $6.5 million as of December
31, 2020, as compared with $50,000 on gross trade receivables of
approximately $4.0 million as of December 31, 2019. This allowance
is used to state trade receivables at a net realizable value or the
amount that we estimate will be collected on our gross receivables
as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. Because the amount that we will
actually collect on the receivables outstanding as of December 31,
2020 and 2019 cannot be known with certainty, we rely on prior
experience. Our historical collection losses have typically been
infrequent, with write-offs of trade receivables being
significantly less than 1% of sales during past years. Accordingly,
we have maintained a general allowance of up to approximately 5% of
the gross trade receivables balance in order to allow for future
collection losses that arise from customer accounts that do not
indicate the inability to pay but turn out to have such an
inability. Currently, our general allowance on trade receivables is
approximately 0.8% of gross receivables. As revenues and total
receivables increase, the allowance balance may also increase. We
also maintain a specific allowance for customer accounts that we
know may not be collectible due to various reasons, such as
bankruptcy and other customer liquidity issues. We analyze our
trade receivables portfolio based on the age of each
customer’s invoice. In this way, we can identify those
accounts that are more likely than not to have collection problems.
We may reserve a portion or all of the customer’s balance. As
of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no specific allowance on
trade receivables.
Slow-moving, Excess and Obsolete Inventory
The
allowance for slow-moving, excess and obsolete inventory was
approximately $520,000 and $823,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively.
The
allowance for slow-moving, excess, and obsolete inventory is used
to state our inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable
value. Because the amount of inventory that we will actually recoup
through sales cannot be known with certainty at any particular
time, we rely on past sales experience, future sales forecasts and
our strategic business plans. Generally, in analyzing our inventory
levels, we classify inventory as having been used or unused during
the past year and establish an allowance based upon several
factors, including, but not limited to, business forecasts,
inventory quantities and historical usage profile. Supplemental to
the aforementioned analysis, specific inventory items are reviewed
individually by management. Based on the review, considering
business levels, future prospects, new products and technology
changes, management, using its business judgment, may adjust the
valuation of specific inventory items to reflect an accurate
valuation estimate. Management also performs a determination of net
realizable value for all finished goods with a selling price below
cost. For all such items, the inventory is valued at not more than
the selling price less cost, if any, to sell.
Allowance for Product Warranty
We
offer two-year standard warranties to our customers, depending on
the specific product and terms of the customer purchase agreement.
Our typical warranties require us to repair and replace defective
products during the warranty period at no cost to the customer. At
the time the product revenue is recognized, we record a liability
for estimated costs under our warranties. The costs are estimated
based on historical experience. We periodically assess the adequacy
of our recorded liability for product warranties and adjust the
amount as necessary.
28
Income Taxes
We
account for income taxes using the asset and liability method.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future
tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and
their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply in the
period in which the deferred tax asset or liability is expected to
be realized. The effect of changes in net deferred tax assets and
liabilities is recognized on our consolidated balance sheets and
consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the
change is recognized. Valuation allowances are provided to the
extent that it is more likely than not that some portion, or all,
of deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining whether
a tax asset is realizable, we consider, among other things,
estimates of future earnings based on information currently
available, current and anticipated customers, contracts and new
product introductions, as well as recent operating results and
certain tax planning strategies. If we fail to achieve the future
results anticipated in the calculation and valuation of net
deferred tax assets, we may be required to increase the valuation
allowance related to our deferred tax assets in the
future.
Forward-Looking Statements
We
believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations
to our security holders and to the public. This report, therefore,
contains statements about future events and expectations which are
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of
Sections 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and 21E of
the Exchange Act, including the statements about our plans,
objectives, expectations and prospects under the heading
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.” You can expect to
identify these statements by forward-looking words such as
“may,” “might,” “could,”
“would,” “should,” “will,”
“anticipate,” “believe,”
“plan,” “estimate,” “project,”
“expect,” “intend,” “seek,”
“are encouraged” and other similar expressions. Any
statement contained in this report that is not a statement of
historical fact may be deemed to be a forward-looking statement.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the
following: changes or advances in technology; the success of our
LMR product line; successful introduction of new products and
technologies, including our ability to successfully develop and
sell our anticipated new multiband product and other related
products in the planned new BKR Series product line; competition in
the LMR industry; general economic and business conditions,
including federal, state and local government budget deficits and
spending limitations and any impact from a prolonged shutdown of
the U.S. Government; the availability, terms and deployment of
capital; reliance on contract manufacturers and suppliers; risks
associated with fixed-price contacts; heavy reliance on sales to
agencies of the U.S. Government and our ability to comply with the
requirements of contracts, laws and regulations related to such
sales; allocations by government agencies among multiple approved
suppliers under existing agreements; our ability to comply with
U.S. tax laws and utilize deferred tax assets; our ability to
attract and retain executive officers, skilled workers and key
personnel; our ability to manage our growth; our ability to
identify potential candidates for, and consummate, acquisition,
disposition or investment transactions, and risks incumbent to
being a noncontrolling interest stockholder in a corporation;
impact of our capital allocation strategy; risks related to
maintaining our brand and reputation; impact of government
regulation; rising health care costs; our business with
manufacturers located in other countries, including changes in the
U.S. Government and foreign governments’ trade and tariff
policies; our inventory and debt levels; protection of our
intellectual property rights; fluctuation in our operating results
and stock price; acts of war or terrorism, natural disasters and
other catastrophic events; any infringement claims; data security
breaches, cyber attacks and other factors impacting our technology
systems; availability of adequate insurance coverage; maintenance
of our NYSE American listing; risks related to being a holding
company; and the effect on our stock price and ability to raise
equity capital of future sales of shares of our common
stock.
Although we believe
that the plans, objectives, expectations and prospects reflected in
or suggested by our forward-looking statements are reasonable,
those statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to
be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements, and we can give no assurance that our plans,
objectives, expectations and prospects will be
achieved.
29
Important factors
that might cause our actual results to differ materially from the
results contemplated by the forward-looking statements are
contained in “Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors” and
elsewhere in this report and in our subsequent filings with the
SEC. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements made in this report, whether as a result
of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or
otherwise, after the date of this report. Readers are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and
Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not
required for smaller reporting companies.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data
See the
Consolidated Financial Statements included in this
report.
30
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
BK Technologies Corporation
West Melbourne, Florida
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of BK
Technologies Corporation (the “Company”) as of
December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity,
and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended
December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively
referred to as the consolidated financial statements). In our
opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of
December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations
and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period
ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of
America.
Basis for Opinion
These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on the Company’s consolidated 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 U.S.
federal securities laws 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
audits 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 a 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The
critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from
the current period audit of the financial statements that were
communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee
and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material
to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially
challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of
critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the
financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by
communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate
opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or
disclosures to which they relate.
As
disclosed in Note 1 of the Company’s consolidated financial
statements, the Company records an estimated allowance for
slow-moving, excess, and obsolete inventory to state the
Company’s inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable
value. The Company relies on, among other things, past
usage/sales experience, future sales forecasts, and its strategic
business plan to develop the estimate. As a result of
management’s assessment, the Company recorded an allowance
for slow-moving, excess, and obsolete inventory of approximately
$520,000 as of December 31, 2020.
Auditing
management’s estimate of the allowance for slow-moving,
excess, and obsolete inventory involved subjective evaluation and
high degree of auditor judgement due to significant assumptions
involved in estimating future inventory turnover and
sales.
Addressing
the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit
evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the
consolidated financial statements. We obtained an
understanding and evaluated
the design of internal controls that address the risks of material
misstatement relating to recording inventory at the lower of cost
or net realizable value. We tested the accuracy and
completeness of the underlying data used in calculating the
allowance, including testing of a sample of inventory usage
transactions, and recomputed the allowance calculation. We
also evaluated the Company’s ability to accurately estimate
the assumptions used to develop the estimate by comparing
historical allowance amounts to the history of actual inventory
write-offs. Furthermore, we reviewed management’s
business plan and forecasts of future sales, including expected
changes in technology and product lines.
Assessment of Realizability of deferred tax assets
As
disclosed in Note 8 of the Company’s consolidated financial
statements, the Company records and measures net deferred tax
assets based on estimated realizability. Valuation allowances
are provided to the extent that it is more likely than not that
some portion, or all, of deferred tax assets will not be realized.
The Company recorded approximately $4.3 million in net deferred tax
assets after valuation allowance as of December 31,
2020.
Auditing
management’s assessment of realizability of deferred tax
assets involved subjective estimation and high degree of auditor
judgment in determining whether sufficient future taxable income,
including projected pre-tax income, will be generated to support
the realization of the existing deferred tax assets before
expiration.
Addressing
the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit
evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the
consolidated financial statements. We obtained an
understanding and evaluated the design of internal controls that
address the risks of material misstatement relating to the
realizability of deferred tax assets, including controls over
management’s projections of pre-tax income, and related
entity-level controls. We also evaluated the assumptions used
by the Company to develop projections of future taxable income, and
tested the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used in
the projections, including comparing the projections of pre-tax
income with the actual results of prior periods. In addition,
we analyzed the nature of items giving rise to deferred tax assets
and considered related expiration dates, as applicable.
Furthermore, we evaluated management’s analysis of current
economic and industry trends, including the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic, and compared projections of future pre-tax income to
other forecasted financial information prepared by
management.
/s/ MSL, P.A.
We have
served as the Company’s auditor since 2015.
Orlando,
Florida
March
3, 2021
F-1
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
|
December
31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
$6,826
|
$4,676
|
Trade accounts
receivable, net
|
6,466
|
3,964
|
Inventories,
net
|
9,441
|
13,513
|
Prepaid expenses
and other current assets
|
1,878
|
1,733
|
Total current
assets
|
24,611
|
23,886
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment, net
|
3,566
|
3,964
|
Right-of-use (ROU)
asset
|
2,887
|
2,885
|
Investment in
securities
|
2,014
|
2,635
|
Deferred tax
assets, net
|
4,300
|
4,373
|
Other
assets
|
112
|
197
|
Total
assets
|
$37,490
|
$37,940
|
|
||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
$5,119
|
$5,310
|
Accrued
compensation and related taxes
|
1,635
|
1,271
|
Accrued warranty
expense
|
791
|
1,248
|
Accrued other
expenses and other current liabilities
|
307
|
479
|
Dividends
payable
|
250
|
252
|
Short-term lease
liability
|
525
|
369
|
Note
payable-current portion
|
82
|
78
|
Deferred
revenue
|
757
|
369
|
Total current
liabilities
|
9,466
|
9,376
|
|
|
|
Note payable, net
of current portion
|
247
|
328
|
Long-term lease
liability
|
2,702
|
2,606
|
Deferred
revenue
|
2,551
|
2,354
|
Total
liabilities
|
14,966
|
14,664
|
Commitments and
contingencies
|
|
|
Stockholders’
equity:
|
|
|
Preferred stock;
$1.00 par value; 1,000,000 authorized shares; none issued or
outstanding
|
—
|
—
|
Common stock; $.60
par value; 20,000,000 authorized shares; 13,962,366 and 13,929,381
issued and 12,511,966 and 12,596,923 outstanding shares at December
31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
|
8,377
|
8,357
|
Additional paid-in
capital
|
26,346
|
26,095
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
(6,797)
|
(6,043)
|
Treasury stock, at
cost, 1,450,400 and 1,332,458 shares at December 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively
|
(5,402)
|
(5,133)
|
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
22,524
|
23,276
|
Total liabilities
and stockholders’ equity
|
$37,490
|
$37,940
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-2
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
|
Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
Sales,
net
|
$44,139
|
$40,100
|
Expenses
|
|
|
Cost of
products
|
26,055
|
24,449
|
Selling, general
and administrative
|
17,036
|
20,036
|
Total
expenses
|
43,091
|
44,485
|
Operating income
(loss)
|
1,048
|
(4,385)
|
Other (expense)
income:
|
|
|
Net interest
(expense) income
|
(8)
|
150
|
(Loss) gain on
investment in securities
|
(620)
|
716
|
Other (expense)
income
|
(169)
|
(104)
|
Total other
(expense) income
|
(797)
|
762
|
Income (loss)
before income taxes
|
251
|
(3,623)
|
Income tax
(expense) benefit
|
(3)
|
987
|
Net income
(loss)
|
$248
|
$(2,636)
|
Net income (loss)
per share-basic
|
$0.02
|
$(0.21)
|
Net income (loss)
per share-diluted
|
$0.02
|
$(0.21)
|
Weighted average
shares outstanding-basic
|
12,553
|
12,705
|
Weighted average
shares outstanding-diluted
|
12,561
|
12,705
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
Common Stock
Shares
|
Common Stock
Amount
|
Additional
Paid-In Capital
|
Accumulated
Deficit
|
Treasury
Stock
|
Total
|
Balance at December 31,
2018
|
13,882,937
|
$8,330
|
$25,867
|
$(2,393)
|
$(4,092)
|
$27,712
|
Stock Options exercised and
issued
|
1,000
|
—
|
2
|
—
|
—
|
2
|
Common stock issued under
restricted stock units
|
45,444
|
27
|
(27)
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Share-based compensation
expense-stock options
|
—
|
—
|
148
|
—
|
—
|
148
|
Shared-based compensation
expense-restricted stock units
|
—
|
—
|
105
|
—
|
—
|
105
|
Dividends declared ($0.08 per
share)
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(1,014)
|
—
|
(1,014)
|
Net loss
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(2,636)
|
—
|
(2,636)
|
Repurchase of common
stock
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(1,041)
|
(1,041)
|
Balance at December 31,
2019
|
13,929,381
|
8,357
|
26,095
|
(6,043)
|
(5,133)
|
23,276
|
Common stock issued-restricted
stock units
|
32,985
|
20
|
(20)
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Share-based compensation
expense-stock options
|
—
|
—
|
129
|
—
|
—
|
129
|
Shared-based compensation
expense-restricted stock units
|
—
|
—
|
142
|
—
|
—
|
142
|
Dividends declared ($0.08 per
share)
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(1,002)
|
—
|
(1,002)
|
Net
income
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
248
|
—
|
248
|
Repurchase of common
stock
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(269)
|
(269)
|
Balance at December 31,
2020
|
13,962,366
|
$8,377
|
$26,346
|
$(6,797)
|
$(5,402)
|
$22,524
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
|
Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
Operating
activities
|
|
|
Net
income (loss)
|
$248
|
$(2,636)
|
Adjustments to
reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
|
|
|
Inventory
allowance
|
126
|
194
|
Deferred tax
benefit
|
73
|
(878)
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
1,344
|
1,219
|
Share-based compensation expense
-stock options
|
129
|
148
|
Share-based compensation
expense-restricted stock units
|
142
|
105
|
Unrealized loss (gain) on
investment in securities
|
620
|
(716)
|
Changes in
operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
Trade accounts
receivable
|
(2,502)
|
1,757
|
Inventories
|
3,946
|
(2,241)
|
Prepaid expenses
and other current assets
|
(145)
|
669
|
Other
assets
|
84
|
(5)
|
Lease
liability
|
250
|
90
|
Accounts
payable
|
(191)
|
(285)
|
Accrued
compensation and related taxes
|
364
|
(743)
|
Accrued warranty
expense
|
(457)
|
(298)
|
Deferred
revenue
|
585
|
947
|
Accrued other
expenses and other current liabilities
|
(172)
|
187
|
Net
cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
4,444
|
(2,486)
|
|
|
|
Investing
activities
|
|
|
Purchases of
property, plant and equipment
|
(946)
|
(2,455)
|
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(946)
|
(2,455)
|
|
|
|
Financing
activities
|
|
|
Dividends
paid
|
(1,002)
|
(1,018)
|
Repurchase of
common stock
|
(269)
|
(1,041)
|
Proceeds from
issuance of common stock
|
—
|
2
|
Proceeds from
debt
|
2,196
|
425
|
Repayment of
debt
|
(2,273)
|
(19)
|
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
(1,348)
|
(1,651)
|
|
|
|
Net change in cash
and cash equivalents
|
2,150
|
(6,592)
|
Cash and cash
equivalents, beginning of year
|
4,676
|
11,268
|
Cash and cash
equivalents, end of year
|
$6,826
|
$4,676
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
disclosure
|
|
|
Interest
paid
|
$22
|
$10
|
|
|
|
Non-cash
financing activity
|
|
|
Common Stock issued
under restricted stock units
|
$128
|
$147
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
1.
Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
BK
Technologies Corporation (collectively with its subsidiaries, the
“Company”) is a holding company. The primary business
of its wholly-owned operating subsidiary, BK Technologies, Inc., is
the designing, manufacturing and marketing of wireless
communications equipment primarily consisting of two-way land
mobile radios and related products, which are sold in two primary
markets: (1) the government and public safety market, and (2) the
business and industrial market. The Company has only one reportable
business segment.
On
March 28, 2019, BK Technologies, Inc., the predecessor of BK
Technologies Corporation, implemented a holding company
reorganization, which resulted in BK Technologies Corporation
becoming the direct parent company of, and the successor issuer to,
BK Technologies, Inc. For the purpose of this report, references to
the “Company” or its management or business at any
period prior to the holding company reorganization (March 28, 2019)
refer to those of BK Technologies, Inc. as the predecessor company
and its subsidiaries and thereafter to those of BK Technologies
Corporation and its subsidiaries, except as otherwise specified or
to the extent the context otherwise indicates.
Principles of Consolidation
The
accounts of the Company have been included in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany
balances and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
The
Company consolidates entities in which it has a controlling
financial interest. The Company determines whether it has a
controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating
whether the entity is a variable interest entity
(“VIE”) or a voting interest entity.
VIEs
are entities in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is
not sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities
independently, or (ii) the at-risk equity holders do not have the
normal characteristics of a controlling financial interest. A
controlling financial interest in a VIE is present when an
enterprise has one or more variable interests that have both (i)
the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most
significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (ii)
the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive
benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the
VIE. The enterprise with a controlling financial interest is the
primary beneficiary and consolidates the VIE.
Voting
interest entities lack one or more of the characteristics of a VIE.
The usual condition for a controlling financial interest is
ownership of a majority voting interest for a corporation or a
majority of kick-out or participating rights for a limited
partnership.
When
the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in an
entity but exerts significant influence over the entity’s
operating and financial policies (generally defined as owning a
voting or economic interest of between 20% to 50%), the
Company’s investment is accounted for under the equity method
of accounting. If the Company does not have a controlling financial
interest in, or exert significant influence over, an entity, the
Company accounts for its investment at fair value, if the fair
value option was elected, or at cost.
The
Company has an investment in FG Financial Group, Inc. (formerly
1347 Property Insurance Holdings, Inc.), made through FGI 1347
Holdings, LP, a consolidated VIE (see Note
6).
Inventories
Inventories are
stated at the lower of cost (determined by the average cost method)
or net realizable value. Freight costs are classified as a
component of cost of products in the accompanying consolidated
statements of operations.
F-6
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
1.
Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
The
allowance for slow-moving, excess, and obsolete inventory is used
to state the Company’s inventories at the lower of cost or
net realizable value. Because the amount of inventory that will
actually be recouped through sales cannot be known with certainty
at any particular time, the Company relies on past sales
experience, future sales forecasts, and its strategic business
plans. Generally, in analyzing inventory levels, inventory is
classified as having been used or
unused during the past year. The Company then establishes an
allowance based upon several factors, including, but not limited
to, business forecasts, inventory quantities and historic usage
profile.
Supplemental to the
aforementioned analysis, specific inventory items are reviewed
individually by management. Based on the review, considering
business levels, future prospects, new products and technology
changes, management, using its business judgment, may adjust the
valuation of specific inventory items to reflect an accurate
valuation estimate. Management also performs a determination of net
realizable value for all finished goods with a selling price below
cost. For all such items, the inventory is valued at not more than
the selling price less cost, if any, to sell.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and
equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation.
Expenditures for maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are
expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed
of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from
the respective accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected
in operations for the period.
Depreciation and
amortization are generally computed on the straight-line method
using lives of 3 to 10 years for machinery and equipment and 5 to 8
years for leasehold improvements.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Management
regularly reviews long-lived assets and intangible assets for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a
comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future
undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.
If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be
recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount
of the assets exceeds their fair value, which considers the
discounted future net cash flows. No long-lived assets were
considered impaired at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Cash Equivalents
The
Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original
maturity of three months or less to be cash
equivalents.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The
Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on
specifically identified amounts that the Company believes to be
uncollectible. The Company also records an additional allowance
based on certain percentages of the Company’s aged
receivables, which are determined
based on historical experience and the Company’s assessment
of the general financial conditions affecting the Company’s
customer base. If the Company’s actual collections experience
changes, revisions to the Company’s allowance may be
required. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed,
the receivable is written off against the allowance. Based on the
information available, management believes the allowance for
doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 is
adequate.
F-7
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
1.
Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Revenue Recognition
The
Company recognizes revenues in accordance with the Financial
Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting
Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from
Contracts with Customers” and the additional related ASUs
(“ASC 606”), which replaced previous revenue guidance
and outlines a single set of comprehensive principles for
recognizing revenue under accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These
standards provide guidance on recognizing revenue, including a
five-step method to determine when revenue recognition is
appropriate:
Step 1:
Identify the contract with the customer;
Step 2:
Identify the performance obligations in the contract;
Step 3:
Determine the transaction price;
Step 4:
Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations;
and
Step 5:
Recognize revenue as the Company satisfies a performance
obligation.
ASC 606
provides that sales revenue is recognized when control of the
promised goods or services is transferred to customers at an amount
that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be
entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company
generally satisfies performance obligations upon shipment of the
product or service to the customer. This is consistent with the
time in which the customer obtains control of the product or
service. For extended warranties, sales revenue associated with the
warranty is deferred at the time of sale and later recognized on a
straight-line basis over the extended warranty period. Some
contracts include installation services, which are completed in a
short period of time and the revenue is recognized when the
installation is complete. Customary payment terms are granted to
customers, based on credit evaluations. Currently, the Company does
not have any contracts where revenue is recognized, but the
customer payment is contingent on a future event.
The
Company periodically reviews its revenue recognition procedures to
assure that such procedures are in accordance with GAAP. Surcharges
collected on certain sales to government customers and remitted to
governmental agencies are not included in revenues or in costs and
expenses.
Income Taxes
The
Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability
method specified by GAAP. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted
tax rates expected to apply in the period in which the deferred tax
asset or liability is expected to be realized. The effect of
changes in net deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized on
the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and consolidated
statements of operations in the period in which the change is
recognized. Valuation allowances are provided to the extent that
impairment of tax assets is more likely than not. In determining
whether a tax asset is realizable, the Company considers, among
other things, estimates of future earnings based on information
currently available, current and anticipated customers, contracts
and new product introductions, as well as recent operating results
and certain tax planning strategies. If the Company fails to
achieve the future results anticipated in the calculation and
valuation of net deferred tax assets, the Company may be required
to increase the valuation allowance related to its deferred tax
assets in the future.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The
Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its
customers’ financial condition and generally does not require
collateral. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, accounts receivable from
governmental customers were approximately $2,102 and $353,
respectively. Generally, receivables are due within 30 days. Credit
losses relating to customers have been consistently within
management’s expectations.
F-8
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
1.
Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
The
Company primarily maintains cash balances at one financial
institution. Accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250. From time to time, the
Company has had cash in financial institutions in excess of
federally insured limits. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had
cash and cash equivalents in excess of FDIC limits of
$6,576.
Manufacturing and Raw Materials
The Company relies
upon a limited number of manufacturers to produce its products and
on a limited number of component suppliers. Some of these
manufacturers and suppliers are in other countries.
Approximately 53.0% of the
Company’s material, subassembly and product procurements in
2020 were sourced internationally, of which approximately 48.0%
were sourced from three suppliers. For 2019, approximately 67.0% of
the Company’s material, subassembly and product procurements
were sourced internationally, of which approximately 64.0%
were sourced from three
suppliers. Purchase orders denominated in U.S. dollars are placed
with these suppliers from time to time and there are no guaranteed
supply arrangements or commitments.
Use of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the
consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of sales
and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates
include accounts receivable allowances, inventory obsolescence
allowance, warranty allowance, and income tax accruals. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The
Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash
equivalents, trade accounts receivable, investment in securities,
accounts payable, accrued expenses, notes payable, and other
liabilities. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying amount
of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, accounts
payable, accrued expenses, notes payable, and other liabilities
approximated their respective fair value due to the short-term
nature and maturity of these instruments.
The
Company uses observable market data assumptions (Level 1 inputs, as
defined in accounting guidance) that it believes market
participants would use in pricing investment in
securities.
Shipping and Handling Costs
Shipping and
handling costs are classified as a part of cost of products in the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years
ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Amounts billed to a customer, if
any, for shipping and handling are reported as
revenue.
Advertising and Promotion Costs
The
cost for advertising and promotion is expensed as incurred.
Advertising and promotion expenses are classified as part of
selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”)
expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, such expenses
totaled $214 and $555, respectively.
Engineering, Research and Development Costs
Included in
SG&A expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
are engineering, research and development costs of $7,869 and
$9,803, respectively.
Share-Based Compensation
The
Company accounts for share-based arrangements in accordance with
GAAP, which requires a public entity to measure the cost of
employee services received in exchange for an award of equity
instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award (with
limited exceptions). That cost will be recognized over the period
during which the employee is required to provide service in
exchange for the award requisite service period (usually the
vesting period). No compensation cost is recognized for equity
instruments for which employees do not render the requisite
service.
F-9
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
1.
Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Restricted Stock Units
On
August 24, 2020, the Company granted to each non-employee director
restricted stock units with a grant-date fair value of $40 per
award (resulting in total aggregate grant-date fair value of $240),
which will vest in five equal, annual installments beginning with
the first anniversary of the grant date, subject to the
director’s continued service through such date, provided
that, if the director makes himself available and consents to be
nominated by the Company for continued service as a director, but
is not nominated for the Board for election by stockholders, other
than for good reason, as determined by the Board in its discretion,
then the restricted stock units shall vest in full as of the
director’s last date of service as a director of the
Company.
On
April 24, 2020, upon the resignation of former director Ryan
Turner, the Company, at the direction of the Board of Directors,
accelerated the vesting of Mr. Turner’s unvested restricted
stock units granted September 6, 2019 and issued 10,389 shares of
common stock.
On
September 6, 2019, the Company granted to each non-employee
director restricted stock units with a grant-date fair value of $40
per award (resulting in total aggregate grant-date fair value of
$280), which will vest in five equal, annual installments beginning
with the first anniversary of the grant date, subject to the
director’s continued service through such date, provided
that, if the director makes himself available and consents to be
nominated by the Company for continued service as a director, but
is not nominated for the Board for election by stockholders, other
than for good reason, as determined by the Board in its discretion,
then the restricted stock units shall vest in full as of the
director’s last date of service as a director of the
Company.
On
September 6, 2018, the Company granted to each non-employee
director restricted stock units with a grant-date fair value of $20
per award (resulting in total aggregate grant-date fair value of
$140), which vest in five equal, annual installments beginning with
the first anniversary of the grant date, subject to the
director’s continued service through such date, provided
that, if the director makes himself available and consents to be
nominated by the Company for continued service as a director, but
is not nominated for the Board for election by stockholders, other
than for good reason, as determined by the Board in its discretion,
then the restricted stock units vest in full as of the
director’s last date of service as a director of the Company.
On September 6, 2019, which was the first anniversary of the grant
date, the first tranche of the September 2018 restricted stock
units vested. On April 24, 2020, upon the resignation of Mr.
Turner, the Company accelerated the vesting of Mr. Turner’s
unvested restricted stock units granted September 6, 2018 and
issued 4,050 shares of common stock.
On June
4, 2018, the Company granted to each non-employee director
restricted stock units with a grant fair value of $20 per award
(resulting in total aggregate grant-date fair value of $140), which
vested on June 4, 2019.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Earnings (loss) per
share amounts are computed and presented for all periods in
accordance with GAAP.
Comprehensive Income (loss)
Comprehensive
income (loss) was equal to net income (loss) for the years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Product Warranty
The
Company offers two-year standard warranties to its customers,
depending on the specific product and terms of the customer
purchase agreement. The Company’s typical warranties require
it to repair and replace defective products during the warranty
period at no cost to the customer. At the time the product revenue
is recognized, the Company records a liability for estimated costs
under its warranties. The costs are estimated based on historical
experience. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its
recorded liability for product warranties and adjusts the amount as
necessary.
F-10
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
1.
Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In
February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases,”
which amended leasing guidance by requiring companies to recognize
a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability for
all operating and capital (finance) leases with lease terms greater
than twelve months. The lease liability is equal to the present
value of lease payments. The lease asset is based on the lease
liability, subject to adjustment, such as for initial direct costs.
For income statement purposes, leases continue to be classified as
operating or capital (finance), with lease expense in both cases
calculated substantially the same as under the prior leasing
guidance. The updated guidance became effective for interim and
annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company
adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2019. Adoption resulted in
the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities on the
consolidated financial statements. Based on the Company’s
lease portfolio as of January1, 2019, which consisted solely of
operating leases, the Company recognized approximately $2,885 of
ROU assets and $2,975 of lease liabilities on its consolidated
financial statements.. Refer to Note 7 (Leases) for further details
on leases.
In
August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15,
“Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use
Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for
Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That
Is a Service Contract,” to help entities evaluate the
accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing
arrangement (hosting arrangement) by providing guidance for
determining when the arrangement includes a software license. The
amendments in ASU 2018-15 align the requirements for capitalizing
implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a
service contract with the requirements for capitalizing
implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use
software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use
software license). The accounting for the service element of a
hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by
the amendments in ASU 2018-15. The amendments in ASU 2018-15 became
effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after
December 15, 2019. Early adoption was permitted, including adoption
in any interim period. The Company adopted the new guidance in the
fourth quarter of 2018, with no material impact on its consolidated
financial statements and related disclosures.
In
August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Disclosure
Framework–Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair
Value Measurement,” which modifies the disclosure
requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value
Measurement, including the removal of certain disclosure
requirements. The amendments in the ASU are effective for all
entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal
years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted this
guidance as of January 1, 2020, and the adoption did not have an
impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The
Company does not discuss recent pronouncements that are not
anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to its financial
condition, results of operations, cash flows or
disclosures.
F-11
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
2.
Inventories,
net
Inventories, which
are presented net of allowance for obsolete and slow-moving
inventory, consisted of the following:
|
December 31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
Finished
goods
|
$1,975
|
$3,864
|
Work in
process
|
3,288
|
6,122
|
Raw
materials
|
4,178
|
3,527
|
|
$9,441
|
$13,513
|
Changes
in the allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventory are as
follows:
|
Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
Balance, beginning
of year
|
$823
|
$629
|
Charged to cost of
sales
|
126
|
194
|
Disposal of
inventory
|
(429)
|
—
|
Balance,
end of year
|
$520
|
$823
|
For the
year ended December 31, 2020, the Company wrote off obsolete
inventory that had been fully allowed for previously, which had no
material impact to the Company’s consolidated balance sheets
or consolidated statements of operations.
3.
Allowance
for Doubtful Accounts
Changes
in the allowance for doubtful accounts are composed of the
following:
|
Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
Balance, beginning
of year
|
$50
|
$50
|
Provision for
doubtful accounts
|
—
|
—
|
Uncollectible
accounts written off
|
—
|
—
|
Balance, end of
year
|
$50
|
$50
|
4.
Property,
Plant and Equipment, net
Property, plant and
equipment, net include the following:
|
December 31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
Leasehold
improvements
|
$727
|
$732
|
Machinery and
equipment
|
11,971
|
12,430
|
Gross Property,
Plant, and Equipment
|
12,698
|
13,162
|
Less accumulated
depreciation and amortization
|
(9,132)
|
(9,198)
|
Property,
plant and equipment, net
|
$3,566
|
$3,964
|
Depreciation and
amortization expense relating to property, plant and equipment for
the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $1,344
and $1,219, respectively. During the year ended 31, 2020, the
company removed from its records approximately $1,400 of fully
depreciated machinery and equipment.
F-12
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
5.
Debt
On
January 30, 2020, BK Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Company, entered into a $5,000 Credit Agreement and a
related Line of Credit Note (the “Note” and
collectively with the Credit Agreement, as modified by that certain
Note Modification Agreement dated as of January 26, 2021, the
“Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(“JPMC”).
The
Credit Agreement provides for a revolving line of credit of up to
$5,000, with availability under the line of credit subject to a
borrowing base calculated as a percentage of accounts receivable
and inventory. The line of credit, as modified by the Note
Modification Agreement, expires on January 31, 2022. Proceeds of
borrowings under the Credit Agreement may be used for general
corporate purposes. The line of credit is collateralized by a
blanket lien on all personal property of BK Technologies, Inc.
pursuant to the terms of the Continuing Security Agreement with the
Lender. The Company and each subsidiary of BK Technologies, Inc.
are guarantors of BK Technologies, Inc.’s obligations under
the Credit Agreement, in accordance with the terms of the
Continuing Guaranty.
Borrowings under
the Credit Agreement will bear interest at a rate per annum equal
to one-month LIBOR or zero if the LIBOR is less than zero) plus a
margin of 1.90% (2.054% as of December 31, 2020). The line of
credit, as modified, is to be repaid in monthly payments of
interest only, payable in arrears, commencing on February 1, 2020,
with all outstanding principal and interest to be payable in full
at maturity (January 31, 2022).
The
Credit Agreement contains certain customary restrictive covenants,
including restrictions on liens, indebtedness, loans and
guarantees, acquisitions and mergers, sales of assets, and stock
repurchases by BK Technologies, Inc. The Credit Agreement contains
one financial covenant requiring BK Technologies, Inc. to maintain
a tangible net worth of at least $20,000 at any fiscal quarter
end.
The
Credit Agreement provides for customary events of default,
including: (1) failure to pay principal, interest or fees under the
Credit Agreement when due and payable; (2) failure to comply with
other covenants and agreements contained in the Credit Agreement
and the other documents executed in connection therewith; (3) the
making of false or inaccurate representations and warranties; (4)
defaults under other agreements with JPMC or under other debt or
other obligations of BK Technologies, Inc.; (5) money judgments and
material adverse changes; (6) a change in control or ceasing to
operate business in the ordinary course; and (7) certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency. Upon the occurrence of an event of
default, JPMC may declare the entire unpaid balance immediately due
and payable and/or exercise any and all remedial and other rights
under the Credit Agreement.
BK
Technologies, Inc. was in compliance with all covenants under the
Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2020 and the date of filing
this report. As of December 31, 2020 and the date of filing this
report, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit
Agreement.
On
September 25, 2019, BK Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of BK Technologies Corporation, and U.S. Bank Equipment
Finance, a division of U.S. Bank National Association, as a lender,
entered into a Master Loan Agreement in the amount of $425 to
finance various items of equipment. The loan is collateralized by
the equipment purchased using the proceeds. The Master Loan
Agreement is payable in 60 monthly principal and interest payments
of approximately $8 beginning on October 25, 2019 and maturing on
September 25, 2024, and bears a fixed interest rate of
5.11%.
On
March 28, 2019, BK Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Company, RELM Communications, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary
of BK Technologies, Inc., and Silicon Valley Bank, as lender
(“SVB”), entered into an Amended and Restated Loan and
Security Agreement (the “Loan and Security Agreement”).
The Loan and Security Agreement replaced BK Technologies,
Inc.’s prior Loan and Security Agreement with SVB (the
“Prior Agreement”) under which its collateralized
revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) was
maintained. The Loan and Security Agreement matured on December 26,
2019, and the Company elected not to renew it.
F-13
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
5.
Debt
(Continued)
Pursuant to the Loan and Security Agreement, the
Credit Facility provided BK Technologies, Inc. with a maximum
borrowing availability of $1,000 and BK Technologies, Inc. was
subject to substantially the same customary borrowing terms and
conditions under the Credit Facility as it was under the Prior
Agreement, including the accuracy of representations and
warranties, compliance with financial maintenance and restrictive
covenants and the absence of events of
default. Pursuant to the Loan and Security Agreement,
payment of cash dividends, in the
aggregate not to exceed $5,000 during any twelve-month period, was
permitted so long as an event of default did not exist at
the time of such dividend and would not exist after giving effect
to such dividend. The variable rate at which borrowings under the
Credit Facility were to bear interest was The Wall Street Journal prime rate plus 25
basis points.
The
financial maintenance covenants, which were required to be
maintained at all times and tested quarterly (or, for the
“Adjusted Quick Ratio” covenant, monthly, if any
obligations were outstanding), included: (1) a ratio of
“Quick Assets” to the sum of “Current
Liabilities” plus outstanding borrowings to SVB to the extent
not included in “Current Liabilities” minus the current
portion of “Deferred Revenue” (all as defined in the
Loan and Security Agreement) of at least 1.25:1.00 and (2) maximum
“Total Leverage” (as defined in the Loan and Security
Agreement) of no greater total consolidated
“Indebtedness” than 3 times “Adjusted
EBITDA” (all as defined in the Loan and Security Agreement).
BK Technologies, Inc.’s obligations were collateralized by
substantially all of its assets, principally accounts receivable
and inventory.
BK
Technologies, Inc. was in compliance with all covenants under the
Loan and Security Agreement when it matured on December 26, 2019.
BK Technologies, Inc. had no borrowings outstanding under the
credit facility at the time it matured.
6.
Investment
in Securities
The
Company has an investment in a limited partnership, FGI 1347
Holdings, LP (“1347
LP”), of which the Company is the sole limited
partner. FGI 1347 Holdings, LP was established for the purpose of
investing in securities.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company indirectly
held approximately $110 in cash and 477,282 shares of FG
Financial Group, Inc. (formerly 1347
Property Insurance Holdings, Inc.) (Nasdaq: FGF) with fair value of
$2,014, through an investment in FGI 1347 Holdings, LP. These
shares were purchased in March and May 2018 for approximately
$3,741.
During
the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized
a loss of approximately $620 and a gain of approximately $716,
respectively, due to changes in the unrealized loss on investment
in securities.
Affiliates of
Fundamental Global
Investors, LLC (“FG ”) serve as the general
partner and the investment manager of 1347 LP, and the Company is
the sole limited partner. As the sole limited partner, the Company
is entitled to 100% of net assets held by 1347 LP. The general
partner of 1347 LP is entitled to a management fee from 1347 LP.
There were no fees paid to the general partner or its
affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2020 or 2019. As
of December 31, 2020, the Company and the affiliates of FG,
including, without limitation, Ballantyne Strong, Inc.,
beneficially owned in the aggregate 3,109,891 shares of FGF’s
common stock, representing approximately 62.7% of FGF’s
outstanding shares. FG with its affiliates is the largest
stockholder of the Company. Mr. Kyle Cerminara, a member of the
Company’s Board of Directors, is Chief Executive Officer,
Co-Founder and Partner of FG and serves as Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Ballantyne Strong, Inc. Mr. Cerminara also serves as
Chairman of the Board of Directors of FGF.
7.
Leases
The
Company leases approximately 54,000 square feet (not in thousands)
of industrial space in West Melbourne, Florida, under a
non-cancellable operating lease. The lease has the expiration date
of June 30, 2027. Rental, maintenance and tax expenses for
this facility were approximately $510 and $502 in 2020 and 2019,
respectively. The Company also leases 8,100 square feet (not in
thousands) of office space in Lawrence, Kansas, to accommodate a
portion of the Company’s engineering team. In November 2019,
this lease was amended to extend the lease term until December 31,
2021. Rental, maintenance and tax expenses for this facility were
approximately $124 and $108 in 2020 and 2019,
respectively.
F-14
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
7.
Leases
(Continued)
In
February 2020, the Company entered into a lease for 6,857 (not in
thousands) square feet of office space at Sawgrass Technology Park,
1619 NW 136th Avenue in Sunrise,
Florida, for a period of 64 months. The commencement date for this
lease was July 1, 2020. Rental, maintenance, and tax expenses for
the facility were $169 in 2020.
The
Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (Topic 842)
on January 1, 2019 and applied the modified retrospective approach
to adoption whereby the standard is applied only to the current and
future periods. The Company leases manufacturing and office
facilities and equipment under operating leases and determines if
an arrangement is a lease at inception. ROU assets represent the
Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term
and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease
payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and
liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on
the present value of lease payments over the lease
term.
As
most of its leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company
uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information
available at commencement date in determining the present value of
lease payments. The Company’s lease terms may include options
to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that
the Company will exercise that option. The Company has lease
agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are accounted
for separately.
Lease
costs consist of the following:
|
December 31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
Operating lease
cost
|
$610
|
$573
|
Short-term lease
cost
|
2
|
2
|
Variable lease
cost
|
129
|
128
|
Total lease
cost
|
$741
|
$703
|
Supplemental
cash flow information related to leases was as
follows:
|
December
31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
Cash paid for
amounts included in the measurement of lease
liabilities:
|
|
|
Operating cash
flows (fixed payments)
|
$521
|
$522
|
Operating cash
flows (liability reduction)
|
367
|
369
|
|
|
|
ROU assets obtained
in exchange for lease obligations:
|
|
|
Operating
leases
|
454
|
2,840
|
F-15
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
7.
Leases
(Continued)
Other
information related to operating leases was as
follows:
|
December
31,
2020
|
Weighted average
remaining lease term (in years)
|
5.99
|
Weighted average
discount rate
|
5.50%
|
Maturity
of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020 were as
follows:
|
Year ending
December 31,
|
2021
|
$683
|
2022
|
579
|
2023
|
592
|
2024
|
604
|
2025
|
615
|
Thereafter
|
722
|
Total
payments
|
3,795
|
Less:
imputed interest
|
568
|
Total
liability
|
$3,227
|
8.
Income
Taxes
The
income tax expense
(benefit) is summarized as follows:
|
Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
Current:
|
|
|
Federal
|
$(72)
|
$(107)
|
State
|
3
|
(3)
|
|
(69)
|
(110)
|
Deferred:
|
|
|
Federal
|
(44)
|
(889)
|
State
|
116
|
12
|
|
72
|
(877)
|
|
$3
|
$(987)
|
A
reconciliation of the statutory U.S. income tax rate to the
effective income tax rate follows:
|
Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
|
|
|
Statutory U.S.
income tax rate
|
21.00%
|
(21.00)%
|
State taxes, net of
federal benefit
|
6.00%
|
(1.21)%
|
Permanent
differences
|
3.45%
|
0.61%
|
Change in valuation
allowance
|
38.83%
|
0.00%
|
Change in net
operating loss carryforwards and tax credits
|
(67.58)%
|
(5.50)%
|
Other
|
(0.50)%
|
(0.14)%
|
Effective income
tax rate
|
1.20%
|
(27.24)%
|
F-16
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
8.
Income
Taxes (Continued)
The
components of the deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as
follows:
|
Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
Deferred tax
assets:
|
|
|
Operating
loss carryforwards
|
$1,238
|
$1,347
|
R&D
Tax Credit
|
1,952
|
1,678
|
AMT Tax
Credit
|
—
|
72
|
Section
263A costs
|
203
|
294
|
R&D
costs
|
—
|
110
|
Amortization
|
21
|
24
|
Unrealized
loss
|
391
|
252
|
|
|
|
Asset
reserves:
|
|
|
Bad
debts
|
11
|
11
|
Inventory
allowance
|
118
|
187
|
|
|
|
Accrued
expenses:
|
|
|
Non-qualified
stock options
|
175
|
132
|
Compensation
|
64
|
132
|
Warranty
|
927
|
904
|
Deferred tax
assets
|
5,098
|
5,143
|
|
|
|
Less valuation
allowance
|
(98)
|
—
|
Total deferred tax
assets
|
5,000
|
5,143
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax
liabilities:
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
(700)
|
(770)
|
Total deferred tax
liabilities
|
(700)
|
(770)
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax
assets (before unrealized gain)
|
4,300
|
4,373
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax
liability: unrealized gain
|
—
|
—
|
Net deferred tax
assets
|
$4,300
|
$4,373
|
As of
December 31, 2020, the Company had a net deferred tax asset of
approximately $5,000 offset by deferred tax liabilities of $700
derived from accelerated tax depreciation. This asset is primarily
composed of net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”),
research and development tax credits, and deferred revenue, net of
a valuation allowance of approximately $98. The NOLs total
approximately $4,829 for federal and $6,332 for state purposes,
with expirations starting in 2021 for state purposes. State NOLs of
$648 expired in 2020.
During
2019, the Company generated $5,006 of federal NOLs and during 2020,
the Company expects to use $176 of available federal NOLs. The
deferred tax asset amounts are based upon management’s
conclusions regarding, among other considerations, the
Company’s current and anticipated customer base, contracts,
and product introductions, certain tax planning strategies, and
management’s estimates of future earnings based on
information currently available, as well as recent operating
results during 2020, 2019, and 2018. GAAP requires that all
positive and negative evidence be analyzed to determine if, based
on the weight of available evidence, the Company is more likely
than not to realize the benefit of the deferred tax
asset.
F-17
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
8.
Income
Taxes (Continued)
Management’s
analysis of all available evidence, both positive and negative,
provides support that the Company does not have the ability to
generate sufficient taxable income in the necessary period to
utilize the entire benefit for the deferred tax asset. Accordingly,
as of
December 31, 2020, a valuation allowance has been
established totaling approximately $98.
Should
the factors underlying management’s analysis change, future
valuation adjustments to the Company’s net deferred tax asset
may be necessary. If future losses are incurred, it may be
necessary to record an additional valuation allowance related to
the Company’s net deferred tax asset recorded as of December
31, 2020. It cannot presently be estimated what, if any, changes to
the valuation of the Company’s deferred tax asset may be
deemed appropriate in the future. The 2020 federal and state NOLs
and tax credit carryforwards could be subject to limitation if,
within any three-year period prior to the expiration of the
applicable carryforward period, there is a greater than 50% change
in ownership of the Company by any stockholder with 5% or greater
ownership.
The
Company performed a comprehensive review of its portfolio of
uncertain tax positions in accordance with recognition standards
established by GAAP. In this regard, an uncertain tax position
represents the Company’s expected treatment of a tax position
taken in a filed tax return or planned to be taken in a future tax
return that has not been reflected in measuring income tax expense
for financial reporting purposes. As a result of this review, on
January 1, 2021, the Company is not aware of any uncertain tax
positions that would require additional liabilities or which such
classification would be required. The amount of unrecognized tax
positions did not change as of December 31, 2020, and the Company
does not believe there will be any material changes in its
unrecognized tax positions over the next twelve
months.
Penalties and
tax-related interest expense, of which there were no material
amounts for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, are
reported as a component of income tax expense
(benefit).
The
Company files federal income tax returns, as well as multiple state
and local jurisdiction tax returns. A number of years may elapse
before an uncertain tax position is audited and finally resolved.
While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the
timing of resolution on any particular uncertain tax position, the
Company believes that its allowances for income taxes reflect the
most probable outcome. The Company adjusts these allowances, as
well as the related interest, in light of changing facts and
circumstances. The resolution of a matter would be recognized as an
adjustment to the provision for income taxes and the effective tax
rate in the period of resolution. The calendar years 2017, 2018,
and 2019 are still open to IRS examination under the statute of
limitations. The last IRS examination on the Company’s 2007
calendar year was closed with no change.
9.
Income
(Loss) Per Share
The
following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted
loss per share:
|
Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
Net
income (loss) from continuing operations numerator for basic and
diluted earnings per share
|
$248
|
$(2,636)
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
Denominator
for basic income (loss) per share weighted average
shares
|
12,552,889
|
12,705,304
|
Effect
of dilutive securities:
|
|
|
Stock
options
|
8,440
|
—
|
Denominator
for diluted income ( loss) per share weighted average
shares
|
12,561,329
|
12,705,304
|
Basic
income (loss) per share
|
$0.02
|
$(0.21)
|
Basic income (loss) per share
|
$0.02
|
$(0.21)
|
F-18
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
9.
Loss
Per Share (Continued)
Approximately
464,000 stock options and 139,233 restricted stock units for the
year ended December 31, 2020 and 569,500 stock options and 101,073
restricted stock units for the year ended December 31, 2019, were
excluded from the calculation because they were
anti-dilutive.
10.
Share-Based
Employee Compensation
The
Company has an employee and non-employee director incentive
compensation equity plan. Related to these programs, the Company
recorded $129 and $148 of share-based employee compensation expense
during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively,
which is included as a component of cost of products and SG&A
expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
No amount of share-based employee compensation expense was
capitalized as part of capital expenditures or inventory for the
years presented.
The
Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model to
calculate the fair value of a stock option grant. The share-based
employee compensation expense recorded in the years ended December
31, 2020 and 2019 was calculated using the assumptions noted in the
following table. Expected volatilities are based on the historical
volatility of the Company’s common stock over the period of
time, commensurate with the expected life of the stock options. The
dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s
expectations of dividend payouts at the grant date. In 2020, the
Company paid dividends on January 17, for a dividend declared in
2019, April 13, July 20 and October 19. In December 2020, the
Company’s Board of Directors also declared a quarterly
dividend that was paid on January 19, 2021. The Company has
estimated its future stock option exercises. The expected term of
option grants is based upon the observed and expected time to the
date of post vesting exercises and forfeitures of options by the
Company’s employees. The risk-free interest rate is derived
from the average U.S. Treasury rate for the period, which
approximates the rate at the time of the stock option
grant.
|
FY
2020
|
FY
2019
|
Expected
Volatility
|
52.1%
|
49.0%
|
Expected
Dividends
|
2.0%
|
2.0%
|
Expected Term (in
years)
|
6.5
|
6.5
|
Risk-Free
Rate
|
0.49%
|
2.36%
|
Estimated
Forfeitures
|
0.0%
|
0.0%
|
F-19
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
10.
Share-Based
Employee Compensation (Continued)
A
summary of stock option activity under the Company’s equity
compensation plans as of December 31, 2020, and changes during the
year ended December 31, 2020, are presented below:
As of
January 1, 2020
|
Stock
Options
|
Wgt.
Avg.
Exercise
Price
($)
Per
Share
|
Wgt.
Avg.
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(Years)
|
Wgt
Avg.
Grant
Date
Fair Value
($)
Per
Share
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
($)
|
Outstanding
|
569,500
|
4.16
|
6.82
|
1.75
|
24,000
|
Vested
|
214,800
|
4.12
|
4.20
|
1.95
|
24,000
|
Nonvested
|
354,700
|
4.18
|
8.40
|
1.63
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period
activity
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued
|
110,000
|
3.24
|
—
|
1.27
|
—
|
Exercised
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
Forfeited
|
120,500
|
4.17
|
—
|
1.69
|
—
|
Expired
|
70,000
|
4.11
|
—
|
2.79
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
of December 31, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
489,000
|
3.96
|
7.23
|
1.51
|
20,000
|
Vested
|
185,800
|
4.15
|
5.65
|
1.55
|
20,000
|
Nonvested
|
303,200
|
3.84
|
8.20
|
1.49
|
—
|
Outstanding:
Range of
Exercise Prices
($) Per
Share
|
Stock
Options
Outstanding
|
Wgt.
Avg.Exercise
Price
($)
Per
Share
|
Wgt. Avg.
RemainingContractual
Life
(Years)
|
|
2.23
|
3.83
|
245,000
|
3.35
|
7.82
|
4.07
|
5.10
|
244,000
|
4.56
|
6.63
|
|
|
489,000
|
3.96
|
7.23
|
Exercisable:
Range of
Exercise Prices
($) Per
Share
|
Stock
Options
Exercisable
|
Wgt.
Avg.Exercise
Price
($)
Per
Share
|
|
2.23
|
3.83
|
67,000
|
3.18
|
4.07
|
5.10
|
118,800
|
4.70
|
|
|
185,800
|
4.15
|
The
weighted-average grant-date fair value per option granted during
the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $1.27 and $1.64,
respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options
exercised during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was
approximately $0 and $1, respectively.
In
connection with the restricted stock units granted to non-employee
directors, the Company accrues compensation expense based on the
estimated number of shares expected to be issued, utilizing the
most current information available to the Company at the date of
the consolidated financial statements. The Company estimates the
fair value of the restricted stock unit awards based upon the
market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there was approximately $872 and
$982, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related
to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements, including
stock options and restricted stock units. This compensation cost is
expected to be recognized approximately over four
years.
F-20
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
11.
Significant
Customers
Sales
to the U.S. Government represented approximately 50.5% and 49.1% of
the Company’s total sales for the years ended December 31,
2020 and 2019, respectively. These sales were primarily to the
various government agencies, including those within the United
States Department of Defense, the United States Forest Service, the
United States Department of Interior, and the United States
Department of Homeland Security.
12.
Retirement
Plan
The
Company sponsors a participant contributory retirement 401(k) plan,
which is available to all employees. The Company’s
contribution to the plan is either a percentage of the
participant’s contribution (50% of the participant’s
contribution up to a maximum of 6%) or a discretionary amount. In
the second quarter of 2020, the Company suspended the participant
contributory retirement 401(k) plan to reduce costs and to better
position the Company in an uncertain business environment due in
part to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the years ended December 31,
2020 and 2019, total contributions made by the Company were $60 and
$164, respectively.
13.
Commitments
and Contingencies
Royalty Commitment
In
2002, the Company entered into a technology license related to its
development of digital products. Under this agreement, the Company
is obligated to pay a royalty for each product sold that utilizes
the technology covered by this agreement. The Company paid $120 and
$133 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The agreement has an indefinite term, and can be terminated by
either party under certain conditions.
Purchase Commitments
The
Company has purchase commitments for inventory totaling $8,317 as
of December 31, 2020.
Self-Insured Health Benefits
The
Company maintains a self-insured health benefit plan for its
employees. This plan is administered by a third party. As of
December 31, 2020, the plan had a stop-loss provision insuring
losses beyond $80 per employee per year and an aggregate stop-loss
of $1,215. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded
an accrual for estimated claims in the amount of approximately $116
and $165, respectively, in accrued other expenses and other current
liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance
sheets. This amount
represents the Company’s estimate of incurred but not
reported claims as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Liability for Product Warranties
Changes
in the Company’s liability for its standard two-year product
warranties during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as
follows:
|
Balance at
Beginning of Year
|
Warranties
Issued
|
Warranties
Settled
|
Balance at End
of Year
|
2020
|
$1,248
|
$166
|
$(623)
|
$791
|
2019
|
$1,546
|
$606
|
$(904)
|
$1,248
|
Legal Proceedings
From
time to time the Company may be involved in various claims and
legal actions arising in the ordinary course of its
business.
There
were no pending material claims or legal matters as of December 31,
2020.
F-21
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONYEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND
2019
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share data and percentages)
13.
Commitments
and Contingencies (Continued)
Consulting Services
Agreement
On June
24, 2020, the Company entered into a Financial and Consulting
Services Agreement (the “Itasca Agreement”) with Itasca
Financial LLC (“Itasca”), pursuant to which Itasca
agreed to advise the Company on aspects of its strategic direction.
In exchange for Itasca’s services, the Company agreed to pay
Itasca a retainer fee of $50,000, payable in two installments of
$25,000, and a monthly fee of $20,000. On December 15, 2020, the
parties agreed to terminate the agreement and to waive the
provision for a termination fee. This description of the Agreement
is a summary only and is qualified by reference to full text of
Itasca Agreement, which is filed as exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on
August 5, 2020. Total fees incurred
by the Company in connection with the Agreement during the year
ended December 31, 2020 were $70,000.
Fundamental Global
Investors, LLC, with its affiliates, owners and managers
(collectively, “FG”), is the largest stockholder of the
Company. D. Kyle Cerminara, the Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder
and Partner of FG, is a member of the Company’s Board of
Directors, and John W. Struble, Chairman of the Board of Directors,
serves as a consultant to Fundamental Global Management, LLC, an
affiliate of FG. FG is the controlling stockholder of FGF (see Note
6), and Larry G. Swets, Jr. serves as Interim Chief Executive
Officer and principal executive officer of FGF and as a member of
FGF’s Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Swets founded and
serves as the managing member of Itasca, which previously provided
services to the Company, as described above, as well as to other
companies affiliated with FG.
COVID-19
In December 2019, a novel strain of the
coronavirus (COVID-19) surfaced in Wuhan, China, which spread
globally and was declared a pandemic by the World Health
Organization in March 2020. Although we believe the pandemic has
not had a material adverse impact on our business through the first
three quarters of 2020, it may have the potential of doing so in
the future. The extent of the potential impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic on our business and financial performance will
depend on future developments, which are uncertain and, given the continuing evolution of the COVID-19
pandemic and the global responses to curb its spread, cannot
be predicted. In addition, the pandemic has significantly increased
economic uncertainty and caused a worldwide economic downturn. Even
after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we may continue to
experience an adverse impact to our business as a result of its
national and, to some extent, global economic impact, including any
recession that may occur in the future.
14.
Capital
Program
In May
2016, the Company implemented a capital return program that
included a stock repurchase program and a quarterly dividend.
Under the program, the Company’s Board of Directors approved
the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock pursuant to a stock repurchase plan in conformity with
the provisions of Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In June 2017, the
Board of Directors approved an increase in the Company’s
capital return program, authorizing the repurchase of 500,000
shares of the Company’s common stock in addition to the
500,000 shares originally authorized, for a total repurchase
authorization of one million shares, pursuant to a stock repurchase
plan in conformity with the provisions of Rule 10b5-1 and Rule
10b-18 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. The repurchase program was completed in April
2020.
Pursuant to the
capital return program, during 2019, the Company’s Board of
Directors declared quarterly dividends on the Company’s
common stock of $0.02 per share on March 5, June 10, September 12
and December 5. The dividends were payable to stockholders of
record as of April 1, 2019, July 1, 2019, October 1, 2019 and
January 3, 2020, respectively. These dividends were paid on April
15, 2019, July 15, 2019, October 15, 2019 and January 17,
2020.
Pursuant to the
capital return program, during 2020, the Company’s Board of
Directors declared quarterly dividends on the Company’s
common stock of $0.02 per share on March 2, June 10, September 14
and December 9. The dividends were payable to stockholders of
record as of March 31, 2020, July 6, 2020, October 5, 2020 and
January 4, 2021, respectively. These dividends were paid on April
13, 2020, July 20, 2020, October 19, 2020 and January 19,
2021.
F-22
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
Our
President (who serves as our principal executive officer) and Chief
Financial Officer (who serves as our principal financial and
accounting officer) have evaluated the effectiveness of our
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Exchange Act
Rule 13a-15(e)) as of December 31, 2020. Based on that evaluation,
the President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our
disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December
31, 2020.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial
Reporting
Our
management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate
internal control over our financial reporting, as such term is
defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our internal control
system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
Because of inherent limitations, a system of 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 due to
a change in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.
An
internal control material weakness is a significant deficiency, or
combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than
a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the
consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or
detected.
Our
management, including our principal executive officer and principal
financial officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of
our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2020, and concluded that our internal control over financial
reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020. In making the
assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management
used the criteria established in Internal Control –
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There
were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting
identified in connection with the evaluation required by Exchange
Act Rule 13a-15(d) that occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter
covered by this report that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over
financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other
Information
On March 2, 2021, Lewis M. Johnson, a member of
the Board of Directors, notified the Company of his intention to
resign from the Company’s Board of Directors, effective
immediately. Mr. Johnson was not a member of any of the standing
committees of the Board of Directors. Mr. Johnson did not advise
the Company of any dispute or disagreement with the Company or the
Company’s Board of Directors on any matter relating to the
operations, policies or practices of the Company.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and
Corporate Governance
Information about
our Directors and Executive Officers will be contained in the
“Proposal 1: Election of Directors” and
“Corporate Governance—Board of Directors
Independence” sections of our definitive proxy statement, to
be filed in connection with our 2021 annual meeting of
stockholders, and is incorporated herein by reference.
31
The
disclosure of delinquent filers under Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act, if any, will be contained in the
“Miscellaneous—Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports”
section of our definitive proxy statement, to be filed in
connection with our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, and is
incorporated herein by reference.
We have
a separately-designated standing audit committee. Information about
our audit committee and the audit committee financial expert will
be contained in the “Corporate Governance—Meetings and
Committees of the Board of Directors” section of our
definitive proxy statement, to be filed in connection with our 2021
annual meeting of stockholders, and is incorporated herein by
reference.
We have
adopted the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of
Conduct”) that applies to all of our directors, officers and
employees, including our principal executive officer, principal
financial officer and principal accounting officer, and the Code of
Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers (the “Code
of Ethics”) containing additional specific policies. The Code
of Conduct and the Code of Ethics are posted on our Internet
website, www.bktechnologies.com, under the “Investor
Relations” tab, and are available free of charge, upon
request to Corporate Secretary, 7100 Technology Drive, West
Melbourne, Florida 32904; telephone number: (321) 984-1414. Any
amendment to, or waiver from, the codes applicable to our directors
and executive officers will be disclosed in a current report on
Form 8-K within four business days following the date of the
amendment or waiver unless the rules of the NYSE American then
permit website posting of such amendments and waivers, in which
case we would post such disclosures on our Internet
website.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The
information required by this item will be contained in the
“Executive Compensation,” “Summary Compensation
Table for 2019-2020,” “Outstanding Equity Awards at
2020 Fiscal Year-End,” “Retirement Benefits for
2019,” “Potential Payments Upon Termination or in
Connection With a Change of Control,” “Director
Compensation for 2020” and “Corporate
Governance—Meetings and Committees of the Board of
Directors—Compensation Committee” sections of our
definitive proxy statement, to be filed in connection with our 2021
annual meeting of stockholders, and is incorporated herein by
reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters
The
information required by this item will be contained in the
“Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan
Information” sections of our definitive proxy statement, to
be filed in connection with our 2021 annual meeting of
stockholders, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions, and Director Independence
The
information required by this item will be contained in the
“Transactions with Related Persons” and
“Corporate Governance—Board of Directors
Independence” sections of our definitive proxy statement, to
be filed in connection with our 2021 annual meeting of
stockholders, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal
Accounting Fees and Services
The
information required by this item will be contained in the
“Fees Paid to Our Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm” and “Corporate Governance—Meetings and
Committees of the Board of Directors—Audit Committee”
sections of our definitive proxy statement, to be filed in
connection with our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, and is
incorporated herein by reference.
32
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial
Statement Schedules
(a)
The following
documents are filed as a part of this report:
1.
Consolidated Financial Statements listed below:
|
Page
|
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-1
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
|
F-2
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations - years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019
|
F-3
|
Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity - years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019
|
F-4
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows - years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019
|
F-5
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-6
|
(b)
Exhibits:
Number
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
Articles
of Merger, filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on March 28,
2019 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K12B filed March 28,
2019)
|
|
|
Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit
3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K12B filed
March 28, 2019)
|
|
|
Bylaws
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K12B filed March 28, 2019)
|
|
|
Description
of the Company’s Registered Securities*
|
|
|
Form of
Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference from Exhibit
4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K12B filed
March 28, 2019)
|
|
|
2007
Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Annex G
to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
filed April 5, 2007, relating to the 2007 annual
stockholders’ meeting)
|
|
|
Amendment
to the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan, effective as of March 17,
2017 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 21,
2017)
|
|
|
Form of
2007 Incentive Compensation Plan Stock Option Agreement
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.15 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2012)
|
|
|
2017
Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit
4.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed
June 15, 2017)
|
|
10.5+
|
|
Omnibus
Amendment to Incentive Compensation Plans, dated as of March 28,
2019, by and between BK Technologies,
Inc. and BK Technologies Corporation (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report
on Form 8-K12B filed March 28, 2019)
|
|
Form of
Stock Option Agreement under the 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed June 15,
2017)
|
|
|
Form of
Restricted Share Agreement under the 2017 Incentive Compensation
Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.7 to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed June 15,
2017)
|
|
|
Form of
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 2017 Incentive
Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.8 to
the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed June
15, 2017)
|
|
|
Form of
Non-Employee Director Restricted Share Unit Agreement under the
2017 Incentive Compensation Plan (September 2018) (Incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q filed November 7, 2018)
|
|
|
Form of
Stock Option Agreement under the BK Technologies Corporation 2017
Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit
10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K12B filed
March 28, 2019)
|
33
|
Form of Restricted Share Agreement under the BK Technologies
Corporation 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report
on Form 8-K12B filed March 28, 2019)
|
|
|
Form of
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the BK Technologies
Corporation 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report
on Form 8-K12B filed March 28, 2019)
|
|
|
Relocation
Agreement, dated December 31, 2019, between the Company and Henry
R. (Randy) Willis (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.20 to
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2018)
|
|
|
Employment
Agreement, executed March 20, 2019, by and between BK Technologies,
Inc. and Timothy A. Vitou (incorporated by reference from Exhibit
10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March
21, 2019)
|
|
|
Employment
Agreement, executed March 20, 2019, by and between BK Technologies,
Inc. and William P. Kelly (incorporated by reference from Exhibit
10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March
21, 2019)
|
|
|
Employment
Agreement, executed March 20, 2019, by and between BK Technologies,
Inc. and Randy Willis (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3
to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 21,
2019)
|
|
|
Employment
Agreement, executed March 20, 2019, by and between BK Technologies,
Inc. and James R. Holthaus (incorporated by reference from Exhibit
10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March
21, 2019)
|
|
|
First
Amendment, approved October 30, 2019, to Employment Agreement,
executed March 20, 2019, by and between BK Technologies, Inc. and
James R. Holthaus (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 31,
2019)
|
|
|
Employment
Agreement, dated October 31, 2019, by and between BK Technologies,
Inc. and Branko Avanic (incorporated by reference from Exhibit
10.19 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March
4, 2020)
|
|
|
Credit
Agreement, executed as of January 30, 2020, by and between JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as lender, and BK Technologies, Inc., as borrower
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 30, 2020)
|
|
|
Line of Credit Note, executed as of January 30, 2020, by BK
Technologies, Inc., as borrower, for the benefit of JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A., as lender (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed January 30, 2020)
|
|
|
Continuing
Guaranty, executed as of January 30, 2020, by and among JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as lender, and BK Technologies Corporation and
RELM Communications, Inc., as guarantors (incorporated by reference
from Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed January 30, 2020)
|
|
|
Continuing
Security Agreement, executed as of January 30, 2020, by and between
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lender, and BK Technologies, Inc., as
pledgor (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 30,
2020)
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
of the Company*
|
|
|
Consent
of Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A. (relating to the Company’s
Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Registration
No. 333-218765 and Registration
No. 333-147354)*
|
|
|
Power
of Attorney (included on signature page)
|
|
|
Certification
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant
to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
|
|
|
Certification
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant
to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
|
|
|
Certification
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished
pursuant to Item 601(b)(32) of Regulation S-K)**
|
|
|
Certification
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished pursuant to Item
601(b)(32) of Regulation S-K)**
|
34
101.INS
|
|
XBRL
Instance Document*
|
101.SCH
|
|
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*
|
101.CAL
|
|
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document*
|
101.LAB
|
|
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document*
|
101.PRE
|
|
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document*
|
101.DEF
|
|
XBRL
Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document*
|
|
|
|
*
Included with this filing.
**
Furnished herewith (not filed).
+ Each
management contract or compensatory plan or
arrangement.
(c)
Consolidated
Financial Statement Schedules:
All
schedules have been omitted because they are inapplicable or not
material, or the information called for thereby is included in the
Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
35
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.
|
BK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Timothy A. Vitou
|
|
|
Timothy
A. Vitou
|
|
|
President
|
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each
person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and
appoints Timothy A. Vitou and William P. Kelly, and each of them,
his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to
sign this annual report on Form 10-K and any and all amendments to
this report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of
them or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
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 and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
SIGNATURE
|
|
TITLE
|
|
DATE
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
John W. Struble
John W.
Struble
|
|
Chairman
of the Board
|
|
March
3, 2021
|
/s/
Timothy A. Vitou
Timothy
A. Vitou
|
|
President
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
March
3, 2021
|
/s/
William P. Kelly
William
P. Kelly
|
|
Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
March
3, 2021
|
/s/ D.
Kyle Cerminara
D. Kyle
Cerminara
|
|
Director
|
|
March
3, 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Michael R. Dill
Michael
R. Dill
|
|
Director
|
|
March
3, 2021
|
/s/
Charles T. Lanktree
Charles
T. Lanktree
|
|
Director
|
|
March
3, 2021
|
/s/ E.
Gray Payne
E. Gray
Payne
|
|
Director
|
|
March
3, 2021
|
36