Blue Bird Corp - Quarter Report: 2020 January (Form 10-Q)

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q



[X]	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended January 4, 2020



[ ]	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 001-36267

BLUE BIRD CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		46-3891989
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3920 Arkwright Road, 2nd Floor, Macon, Georgia 31210

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(478) 822-2801

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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



Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.0001 par value	BLBD	NASDAQ Global Market

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 X 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 X 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.

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. o

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

At February 7, 2020, 26,839,825 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.0001 par value, were outstanding.

BLUE BIRD CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS




PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION	2
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited).	2
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss	4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficit	6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	12
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	20
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.	20
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION	21
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.	21
Item 1A. Risk Factors.	21
Item 6. Exhibits.	21
SIGNATURES	23

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) of Blue Bird Corporation (“Blue Bird” or the “Company”) contains forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise indicated by the context, references in this Report to “we,” “us” and “our” are to the consolidated business of the Company. All statements in this Report, including those made by the management of the Company, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s estimates, projections and assumptions as of the date hereof and include the assumptions that underlie such statements. Forward-looking statements may contain words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “seek,” “target,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” and “continue,” the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company’s future financial results, research and development results, regulatory approvals, operating results, business strategies, projected costs, products, competitive positions, management’s plans and objectives for future operations, and industry trends. These forward-looking statements relate to expectations for future financial performance, business strategies or expectations for our business. Specifically, forward-looking statements may include statements relating to:


•	the future financial performance of the Company;


•	changes in the market for Blue Bird products; and


•	expansion plans and opportunities.

These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this Report (or, in the case of forward-looking statements incorporated herein by reference, as of the date of the applicable filed document), and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results or performance may be materially different than those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Any expectations based on these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other important factors, including those discussed in the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), specifically the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s 2019 Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on December 12, 2019. Other risks and uncertainties are and will be disclosed in the Company’s prior and future SEC filings. The following information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Company’s 2019 Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on December 12, 2019.

Available Information

We are subject to the reporting and information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as a result are obligated to file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. We make these filings available free of charge on our website (http://www.blue-bird.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Information on our website does not constitute part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, the SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains our annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy and information statements, and other information we electronically file with, or furnish to, the SEC.

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited).

BLUE BIRD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)



(in thousands of dollars, except for share data)	January 4, 2020			September 28, 2019
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,700		$	70,959
Accounts receivable, net	5,918			10,537
Inventories	138,627			78,830
Other current assets	11,853			11,765
Total current assets	$	164,098		$	172,091
Property, plant and equipment, net	104,341			100,058
Goodwill	18,825			18,825
Intangible assets, net	53,948			54,720
Equity investment in affiliate	11,275			11,106
Deferred tax assets	3,725			3,600
Finance lease right-of-use assets	4,439			4,638
Other assets	283			375
Total assets	$	360,934		$	365,413
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	75,045		$	102,266
Warranty	8,475			9,161
Accrued expenses	23,904			28,697
Deferred warranty income	8,424			8,632
Finance lease obligations	724			716
Other current liabilities	7,764			10,310
Current portion of long-term debt	9,900			9,900
Total current liabilities	$	134,236		$	169,682
Long-term liabilities
Revolving credit facility	$	35,000		$	—
Long-term debt	170,973			173,226
Warranty	13,256			13,182
Deferred warranty income	14,320			15,413
Deferred tax liabilities	271			168
Finance lease obligations	3,734			3,921
Other liabilities	12,085			12,108
Pension	44,915			45,524
Total long-term liabilities	$	294,554		$	263,542
Guarantees, commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
Stockholders' deficit
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued at January 4, 2020 and September 28, 2019	$	—		$	—
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 26,511,641 and 26,476,336 shares outstanding at January 4, 2020 and September 28, 2019, respectively	3			3
Additional paid-in capital	84,302			84,271
Accumulated deficit	(46,052		)	(45,649		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(55,827		)	(56,154		)
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,782,568 shares at January 4, 2020 and September 28, 2019	(50,282		)	(50,282		)
Total stockholders' deficit	$	(67,856	)	$	(67,811	)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$	360,934		$	365,413

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

BLUE BIRD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars except for share data)	January 4, 2020			December 29, 2018
Net sales	$	153,217		$	154,926
Cost of goods sold	131,917			135,816
Gross profit	$	21,300		$	19,110
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses	20,495			17,273
Operating profit	$	805		$	1,837
Interest expense	(1,897		)	(2,874		)
Interest income	—			9
Other income (expense), net	194			(349		)
Loss before income taxes	$	(898	)	$	(1,377	)
Income tax benefit	326			236
Equity in net income (loss) of non-consolidated affiliate	169			(79		)
Net loss	$	(403	)	$	(1,220	)

Earnings per share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	26,481,441			26,302,865
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	26,481,441			26,302,865
Basic loss per share	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.05	)
Diluted loss per share	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.05	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

BLUE BIRD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020			December 29, 2018
Net loss	$	(403	)	$	(1,220	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Net change in defined benefit pension plan	327			524
Net unrealized loss on cash flow hedges	—			(814		)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	$	327		$	(290	)
Comprehensive loss	$	(76	)	$	(1,510	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

BLUE BIRD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020			December 29, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$	(403	)	$	(1,220	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	3,457			2,193
Non-cash interest expense	618			213
Share-based compensation	1,093			852
Equity in net income of affiliate	(169		)	79
(Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets	(121		)	30
Deferred taxes	(125		)	267
Amortization of deferred actuarial pension losses	430			689
Foreign currency hedges	—			109
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	4,619			13,793
Inventories	(59,797		)	(26,884		)
Other assets	3			(4,805		)
Accounts payable	(25,071		)	(28,299		)
Accrued expenses, pension and other liabilities	(10,522		)	(5,225		)
Total adjustments	$	(85,585	)	$	(46,988	)
Total cash used in operating activities	$	(85,988	)	$	(48,208	)
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for fixed assets	$	(9,287	)	$	(10,787	)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	150			—
Total cash used in investing activities	$	(9,137	)	$	(10,787	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility	$	35,000		$	20,000
Borrowings under the senior term loan	—			50,000
Repayments under the senior term loan	(2,475		)	(2,475		)
Principal payments on finance leases	(225		)	—
Cash paid for employee taxes on vested restricted shares and stock option exercises	(806		)	(243		)
Proceeds from exercises of warrants	372			620
Tender offer repurchase of common stock and preferred stock	—			(50,349		)
Total cash provided by financing activities	$	31,866		$	17,553
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(63,259		)	(41,442		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	70,959			60,260
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	7,700		$	18,818

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest paid, net of interest received	$	2,235		$	2,430
Income tax paid, net of tax refunds	—			9
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Changes in accounts payable for capital additions to property, plant and equipment	$	(2,150	)	$	(1,575	)
Employee taxes payable on vested restricted shares and stock option exercises	(572		)	—
Cashless exercise of stock options	195			—
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations	—			8,040
Conversion of preferred stock into common stock	—			9,264

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

BLUE BIRD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars, except for share data)	Common Stock							Convertible Preferred Stock											Treasury Stock
	Shares		Par Value		Additional Paid-In-Capital			Shares		Amount			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Accumulated Deficit			Shares	Amount			Total Stockholders' Deficit
Balance, September 28, 2019	26,476,336		$	3	$	84,271		—		$	—		$	(56,154	)	$	(45,649	)	1,782,568	$	(50,282	)	$	(67,811	)
Warrant exercises	32,321		—		372			—		—			—			—			—	—			372
Restricted stock activity	2,915		—		(1,368		)	—		—			—			—			—	—			(1,368		)
Stock option activity	69		—		(10		)	—		—			—			—			—	—			(10		)
Share-based compensation expense	—		—		1,037			—		—			—			—			—	—			1,037
Net loss	—		—		—			—		—			—			(403		)	—	—			(403		)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—		—		—			—		—			327			—			—	—			327
Balance, January 4, 2020	26,511,641		$	3	$	84,302		—		$	—		$	(55,827	)	$	(46,052	)	1,782,568	$	(50,282	)	$	(67,856	)

Balance, September 29, 2018	27,259,262		$	3	$	70,023		93,000		$	9,300		$	(38,427	)	$	(69,235	)	—	$	—		$	(28,336	)
Adoption of new revenue recognition standard (ASC 606) adjustment	—		—		—			—		—			—			(714		)	—	—			(714		)
Warrant exercises	54,435		—		620			—		—			—			—			—	—			620
Restricted stock activity	20,513		—		(239		)	—		—			—			—			—	—			(239		)
Stock option activity	331		—		(4		)	—		—			—			—			—	—			(4		)
Share-based compensation expense	—		—		821			—		—			—			—			—	—			821
Tender offer share repurchases	(1,782,568	)	—		(52		)	(364	)	(36		)	—			—			1,782,568	(50,261		)	(50,349		)
Preferred stock conversion	799,615		—		9,264			(92,636	)	(9,264		)	—			—			—	—			—
Net loss	—		—		—			—		—			—			(1,220		)	—	—			(1,220		)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—			—		—			(290		)	—			—	—			(290		)
Balance, December 29, 2018	26,351,588		$	3	$	80,433		—		$	—		$	(38,717	)	$	(71,169	)	1,782,568	$	(50,261	)	$	(79,711	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

BLUE BIRD CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Business

Blue Bird Body Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Bird Corporation, was incorporated in 1958 and has manufactured, assembled and sold school buses to a variety of municipal, federal and commercial customers since 1927. The majority of Blue Bird’s sales are made to an independent distributor network, which in turn sells buses to ultimate end users. We are headquartered in Macon, Georgia. References in these notes to financial statements to “Blue Bird”, the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer to Blue Bird Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless the context specifically indicates otherwise.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial reporting and Article 8 of Regulation S-X. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to September 30 with its quarters consisting of thirteen weeks in most years. In fiscal year 2020, there is a total of 53 weeks. The first quarters of fiscal 2020 and 2019 included 14 weeks and 13 weeks, respectively.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial results have been made. Such adjustments consist of only those of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet data as of September 28, 2019 was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. For additional information, including the Company’s significant accounting policies, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2019 as set forth in the Company's 2019 Form 10-K filed on December 12, 2019.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions. At the date of the financial statements, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and during the reporting period, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. For example, significant management judgments are required in determining excess, obsolete, or unsalable inventory, allowance for doubtful accounts, potential impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangibles, the accounting for self-insurance reserves, warranty reserves, pension obligations, income taxes, environmental liabilities and contingencies. Future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty, and, accordingly, the Company’s accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. The Company evaluates and updates its assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and may employ outside experts to assist in the Company’s evaluations. Actual results could differ from the estimates that the Company has used.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in the Company’s 2019 Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on December 12, 2019. Our senior management has reviewed these significant accounting policies and related disclosures and determined that there were no significant changes in our critical accounting policies in the three months ended January 4, 2020, except as follows (and as discussed in the Recently Adopted Accounting Standards section of this Note 2):

Amortization of Deferred Pension Losses

Historically, the Company has amortized deferred losses from our frozen defined benefit pension plan accounted for under ASC 715, Compensation - Retirement Benefits, over the expected remaining employment period of the participants who remained employed with the Company. ASC 715 states that if all or almost all of a plan's participants are inactive, the average remaining life expectancy of the inactive participants shall be used to amortize the unrecognized net gain or loss instead of the average remaining service period of active plan participants. In the first quarter of 2020, the ratio of active (employed) to inactive participants in our plan declined to less than 10%, a figure we believe meets the definition of almost all participants as inactive. Accordingly, we have changed the amortization period from approximately seven years in 2019 to approximately 23 years in 2020. Future amortization periods (remaining life expectancy) will be determined based on the participant and actuarial data at that time.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

ASU 2018-02 – In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220). This ASU provides guidance on a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") to retained earnings for the effect of the tax rate change resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R.1) (the "Tax Act"). The amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this ASU, in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, and did not elect to reclassify the income tax effects of the Tax Act from AOCI to retained earnings. We use a specific identification approach to release the income tax effects in AOCI.

ASU 2019-12 – In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which simplifies the process for calculating interim (intraperiod) income taxes and the accounting for deferred tax liabilities for foreign equity-method investments, among other simplifications. We have early adopted this standard effective the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The impacts of adopting this standard were not material to us.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Other than the adoptions of ASU 2019-12 and ASU 2018-02 noted above, we believe that no new accounting guidance was issued during the three months ended January 4, 2020 that is relevant to our financial statements.

3. Supplemental Financial Information

Inventories

The following table presents the components of inventories at the dates indicated:



(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020		September 28, 2019
Raw materials	$	113,186	$	60,033
Work in process	23,614		16,663
Finished goods	1,827		2,134
Total inventories	$	138,627	$	78,830

Product Warranties

The following table reflects activity in accrued warranty cost (current and long-term portions combined) for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020			December 29, 2018
Balance at beginning of period	$	22,343		$	22,646
Add current period accruals	1,501			1,590
Current period reductions of accrual	(2,113		)	(2,378		)
Balance at end of period	$	21,731		$	21,858

Extended Warranties

The following table reflects activity in deferred warranty income (current and long-term portions combined), for the sale of extended warranties of two to five years, for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020			December 29, 2018
Balance at beginning of period	$	24,045		$	23,191
Add current period deferred income	951			1,366
Current period recognition of income	(2,252		)	(2,025		)
Balance at end of period	$	22,744		$	22,532

The outstanding balance of deferred warranty income in the table above is considered a "contract liability", and represents a performance obligation of the Company that we satisfy over the term of the arrangement but for which we have been paid in full at the time the warranty was sold. We expect to recognize $6.4 million of the outstanding contract liability during the remainder of fiscal 2020, $6.9 million in fiscal 2021, and the remaining balance thereafter.

Self-Insurance

The following table reflects our total accrued self-insurance liability, comprised of workers compensation and health insurance related claims, at the dates indicated:



(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020		September 28, 2019
Current portion	$	3,061	$	2,933
Long-term portion	1,844		1,775
Total accrued self-insurance	$	4,905	$	4,708

The current and long-term portions of the accrued self-insurance liability are reflected in accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Shipping and Handling Revenues

Shipping and handling revenues were $3.5 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended January 4, 2020 and December 29, 2018, respectively. The related cost of goods sold was $3.1 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended January 4, 2020 and December 29, 2018, respectively.

Pension Expense

Components of net periodic pension benefit cost were as follows for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020			December 29, 2018
Interest cost	$	1,237		$	1,512
Expected return on plan assets	(1,846		)	(1,905		)
Amortization of prior loss	430			689
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(179	)	$	296
Amortization of prior loss, recognized in other comprehensive income	430			689
Total recognized in net periodic pension benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$	(609	)	$	(393	)

Warrants

At January 4, 2020, there were a total of 683,674 warrants outstanding to purchase 341,837 shares of our Common Stock. The warrants expire on February 24, 2020.

Derivative Instruments

We are charged variable rates of interest on our indebtedness outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement (defined below) which exposes us to fluctuations in interest rates. On October 24, 2018, the Company entered into a four-year interest rate collar with a $150.0 million notional value with an effective date of November 30, 2018. The collar was entered into in order to partially mitigate our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on our variable rate debt. The collar establishes a range where we will pay the counterparty if the three-month LIBOR rate falls below the established floor rate of 1.5%, and the counterparty will pay us if the three-month LIBOR rate exceeds the ceiling rate of 3.3%. The collar settles quarterly through the termination date of September 30, 2022. No payments or receipts are exchanged on the interest rate collar contracts unless interest rates rise above or fall below the contracted ceiling or floor rates.

Changes in the interest rate collar fair value are recorded in interest expense as the collar does not qualify for hedge accounting. At January 4, 2020, the fair value of the interest rate collar contract was $(0.8) million and is included in "other current liabilities" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of the interest rate collar is a Level 2 fair value measurement, based on quoted prices of similar items in active markets.

4. Debt

Term debt consisted of the following at the dates indicated:



(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020		September 28, 2019
2023 term loan, net of deferred financing costs of $2,902 and $3,124, respectively	$	180,873	$	183,126
Less: current portion of long-term debt	9,900		9,900
Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	170,973	$	173,226

Term loans are recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at the unpaid principal balance, and are not subject to fair value measurement; however, given the variable rates on the loans, the Company estimates that the unpaid principal balance approximates fair value. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, the term loans would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. At January 4, 2020 and September 28, 2019, $183.8 million and $186.3 million, respectively, were outstanding on the term loans.

At January 4, 2020 and September 28, 2019, the stated interest rates on the term loans were 4.0% and 4.4%, respectively. At January 4, 2020 and September 28, 2019, the weighted-average annual effective interest rates for the term loans were 4.5% and 5.0%, respectively, which includes amortization of the deferred financing costs.

At January 4, 2020, $35.0 million in borrowings were outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility and $6.9 million of Letters of Credit were outstanding; therefore, the Company would have been able to borrow $58.1 million on the revolving line of credit.

Interest expense on all indebtedness was $1.9 million and $2.9 million for the three months ended January 4, 2020 and December 29, 2018, respectively.

The schedule of remaining principal payments through maturity for total debt is as follows:



(in thousands of dollars)
Year	Principal Payments
2020	$	7,425
2021	9,900
2022	14,850
2023	186,600
Total remaining principal payments	$	218,775

5. Income Taxes

Income tax provisions for interim periods are based on estimated annual income tax rates, adjusted to reflect the effects of any significant infrequent or unusual items which are required to be discretely recognized within the current interim period. The effective tax rates in the periods presented are largely based upon the forecast pre-tax earnings mix and allocation of certain expenses in various taxing jurisdictions where the Company conducts its business, primarily the United States.

Three Months

The effective tax rate for the three month period ended January 4, 2020 was 36.3%, which differed from the 2019 statutory federal income tax rate of 21%. The difference is mainly due to normal tax rate items, such as federal and state tax credits (net of valuation allowance), which were partially offset by net non-deductible compensation expenses and other tax adjustments.

The effective tax rate for the three month period ended December 29, 2018 was 17.1%, which differed from the statutory federal tax rate of 21%. The difference is mainly due to normal tax rate benefit items, such as federal and state tax credits (net of valuation allowance), which were partially offset by non-deductible share-based compensation expenses and other tax adjustments.

6. Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

At January 4, 2020, the Company had a number of product liability and other cases pending. Management believes that, considering the Company’s insurance coverage and its intention to vigorously defend its positions, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Environmental

The Company is subject to a variety of environmental regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous materials used in its manufacturing processes. Failure by the Company to comply with present and future regulations could subject it to future liabilities. In addition, such regulations could require the Company to acquire costly equipment or to incur other significant expenses to comply with environmental regulations. The Company is currently not involved in any material environmental proceedings and therefore management believes that the resolution of pending environmental matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Guarantees

In the ordinary course of business, we may provide guarantees for certain transactions entered into by our dealers. At January 4, 2020, we had a $3.0 million guarantee outstanding which relates to a guarantee of indebtedness for a term loan with remaining maturity up to 3.0 years. The $3.0 million represents the estimated maximum amount we would be required to pay upon default of all guaranteed indebtedness, and we believe the likelihood of required performance to be remote. At January 4, 2020, $0.4 million was included in other current liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the estimated fair value of the guarantee.

Lease Commitments

We have operating and finance leases for office space, warehouse space, or a combination of both. Our leases have a remaining term of 5.5 to 7.9 years with the option to extend leases for up to five years.

7. Segment Information

We manage our business in two operating segments: (i) the Bus segment, which includes the manufacturing and assembly of buses to be sold to a variety of customers across the United States, Canada and in international markets; and (ii) the Parts segment, which consists primarily of the purchase of parts from third parties to be sold to dealers within the Company’s network. The tables below present segment net sales and gross profit for the periods presented:

Net sales



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020		December 29, 2018
Bus (1)	$	134,772	$	139,210
Parts (1)	18,445		15,716
Segment net sales	$	153,217	$	154,926

(1) Parts segment revenue includes $1.2 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended January 4, 2020 and December 29, 2018, respectively, related to inter-segment sales of parts that were eliminated by the Bus segment upon consolidation.

Gross profit



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020		December 29, 2018
Bus	$	14,867	$	13,515
Parts	6,433		5,595
Segment gross profit	$	21,300	$	19,110

The following table is a reconciliation of segment gross profit to consolidated loss before income taxes for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020			December 29, 2018
Segment gross profit	$	21,300		$	19,110
Adjustments:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(20,495		)	(17,273		)
Interest expense	(1,897		)	(2,874		)
Interest income	—			9
Other income (expense), net	194			(349		)
Loss before income taxes	$	(898	)	$	(1,377	)

Sales are attributable to geographic areas based on customer location and were as follows for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020		December 29, 2018
United States	$	136,266	$	151,485
Canada	13,156		3,076
Rest of world	3,795		365
Total net sales	$	153,217	$	154,926

8. Revenue

The following table disaggregates revenue by product category for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020		December 29, 2018
Diesel buses	$	76,750	$	89,820
Alternative fuel buses (1)	51,734		43,081
Other (2)	6,843		6,802
Parts	17,890		15,223
Net sales	$	153,217	$	154,926

(1) Includes buses sold with any fuel source other than diesel (e.g. gasoline, propane, CNG, electric).

(2) Includes shipping and handling revenue, extended warranty income, surcharges, chassis, and bus shell sales.

9. Earnings Per Share

The following table presents the earnings per share computation for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands except for share data)	January 4, 2020			December 29, 2018
Numerator:
Net loss	$	(403	)	$	(1,220	)

Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	26,481,441			26,302,865
Effect of dilutive securities (1)	—			—
Weighted-average shares and dilutive potential common shares	26,481,441			26,302,865

Earnings per share:
Basic loss per share	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.05	)
Diluted loss per share	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.05	)

(1) Potentially dilutive securities representing 1.3 million and 1.5 million shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended January 4, 2020 and December 29, 2018, respectively, because their effect would have been antidilutive.

10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table provides information on changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	Defined Benefit Pension Plan			Cash Flow Hedges (Effective Portion)			Total
January 4, 2020
Beginning Balance	$	(56,154	)	$	—		$	(56,154	)
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive loss and included in earnings	430			—			430
Total other comprehensive income, before taxes	430			—			430
Income tax expense	(103		)	—			(103		)
Ending Balance January 4, 2020	$	(55,827	)	$	—		$	(55,827	)

December 29, 2018
Beginning Balance	$	(38,427	)	$	—		$	(38,427	)
Other comprehensive income, gross	—			(1,130		)	(1,130		)
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive loss and included in earnings	689			59			748
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before taxes	689			(1,071		)	(382		)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(165		)	257			92
Ending Balance December 29, 2018	$	(37,903	)	$	(814	)	$	(38,717	)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of the Company should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited financial statements for the three months ended January 4, 2020 and December 29, 2018 and related notes appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this Report. Our actual results may not be indicative of future performance. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those discussed or incorporated by reference in the sections of this Report titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors”. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Certain monetary amounts, percentages and other figures included in this Report have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them, and figures expressed as percentages in the text may not total 100% or, as applicable, when aggregated, may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the percentages that precede them.

We refer to the fiscal year ended September 28, 2019 as “fiscal 2019”. We refer to the quarter ended January 4, 2020 as the “first quarter of fiscal 2020” and we refer to the quarter ended December 29, 2018 as the “first quarter of fiscal 2019”. There were 14 weeks in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, and 13 weeks in the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

Executive Overview

Blue Bird is the leading independent designer and manufacturer of school buses. Our longevity and reputation in the school bus industry have made Blue Bird an iconic American brand. We distinguish ourselves from our principal competitors by dedicating our focus to the design, engineering, manufacture and sale of school buses, and related parts. As the only principal manufacturer of chassis and body production specifically designed for school bus applications, Blue Bird is recognized as an industry leader for school bus innovation, safety, product quality/reliability/durability, efficiency, and lower operating costs. In addition, Blue Bird is the market leader in alternative to diesel fuel applications with its propane-powered, gasoline-powered, compressed natural gas (“CNG”)-powered, and all-electric-powered school buses.

Blue Bird sells its buses and parts through an extensive network of United States and Canadian dealers that, in their territories, are exclusive to Blue Bird on Type C and Type D school buses. Blue Bird also sells directly to major fleet operators, the United States Government, state governments, and authorized dealers in a number of foreign countries.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Blue Bird evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis, based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

The Company’s accounting policies that we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results are described in the Company’s 2019 Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on December 12, 2019 under the caption “ Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates,” which description is incorporated herein by reference. Our senior management has reviewed these critical accounting policies and related disclosures and determined that there were no significant changes in our critical accounting policies during the three months ended January 4, 2020, except as follows:

Amortization of Deferred Pension Losses

Historically, the Company has amortized deferred losses from our frozen defined benefit pension plan accounted for under ASC 715, Compensation - Retirement Benefits, over the expected remaining employment period of the participants who remained employed with the Company. ASC 715 states that if all or almost all of a plan's participants are inactive, the average remaining life expectancy of the inactive participants shall be used to amortize the unrecognized net gain or loss instead of the average remaining service period of active plan participants. In the first quarter of 2020, the ratio of active (employed) to inactive participants in our plan declined to less than 10%, a figure we believe meets the definition of almost all participants as inactive. Accordingly, we have changed the amortization period from approximately seven years in 2019 to approximately 23 years in 2020. Future years will be determined based on the participant data at that time.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See discussion in Note 2 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report for a discussion of new and recently adopted accounting pronouncements.

Factors Affecting Our Revenues

Our revenues are driven primarily by the following factors:


•	Property tax revenues. Property tax revenues are one of the major sources of funding for school districts, and therefore new school buses. Property tax revenues are a function of land and building prices, relying on assessments of property value by state or county assessors and millage rates voted by the local electorate.


•	Student enrollment. Increases or decreases in the number of school bus riders have a direct impact on school district demand.


•	Revenue mix. We are able to charge more for certain of our products (e.g., Type C propane-powered school buses, Type D buses, and buses with higher option content) than other products. The mix of products sold in any fiscal period can directly impact our revenues for the period.

•

Strength of the dealer network. We rely on our dealers, as well as a small number of major fleet operators, to be the direct point of contact with school districts and their purchasing agents. An effective dealer is capable of expanding revenues within a given school district by matching that district’s needs to our capabilities, offering options that would not otherwise be provided to the district.

•

Pricing. Our products are sold to school districts throughout the United States and Canada. Each state and each Canadian province has its own set of regulations that governs the purchase of products, including school buses, by their school districts. We and our dealers must navigate these regulations, purchasing procedures, and the districts’ specifications in order to reach mutually acceptable price terms. Pricing may or may not be favorable to us, depending upon a number of factors impacting purchasing decisions.

•

Buying patterns of major fleets. Major fleets regularly compete against one another for existing accounts. Fleets are also continuously trying to win the business of school districts that operate their own transportation services. These activities can have either a positive or negative impact on our sales, depending on the brand preference of the fleet that wins the business. Major fleets also periodically review their fleet sizes and replacement patterns due to funding availability as well as the profitability of existing routes. These actions can impact total purchases by fleets in a given year.

•

Seasonality. Our sales are subject to seasonal variation based on the school calendar. The peak season has historically been during our third and fourth fiscal quarters. Sales during the third and fourth fiscal quarters are typically greater than the first and second fiscal quarters due to the desire of municipalities to have any new buses that they order available to them at the beginning of the new school year. There are, however, variations in the seasonal demands from year to year depending in large part upon municipal budgets, distinct replacement cycles, and student enrollment. The seasonality and annual variations of seasonality could impact the ability to compare results between fiscal periods.

Factors Affecting Our Expenses and Other Items

Our expenses and other line items on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations are principally driven by the following factors:

•

Cost of goods sold. The components of our cost of goods sold consist of material costs (principally powertrain components, steel and rubber, as well as aluminum and copper), labor expense, and overhead. Our cost of goods sold may vary from period to period due to changes in sales volume, efforts by certain suppliers to pass through the economics associated with key commodities, design changes with respect to specific components, design changes with respect to specific bus models, wage increases for plant labor, productivity of plant labor, delays in receiving materials and other logistical problems, and the impact of overhead items such as utilities.

•

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses include costs associated with our selling and marketing efforts, engineering, centralized finance, human resources, purchasing, information technology services, along with other administrative matters and functions. In most instances, other than direct costs associated with sales and marketing programs, the principal component of these costs is salary expense. Changes from period to period are typically driven by the number of our employees, as well as by merit increases provided to experienced personnel.


•	Interest expense. Our interest expense relates to costs associated with our debt instruments and reflects both the amount of indebtedness and the interest rate that we are required to pay on our debt. Interest expense also includes unrealized gains or losses from interest rate hedges, if any, as well as expenses related to debt guarantees, if any.


•	Income taxes. We make estimates of the amounts to recognize for income taxes in each tax jurisdiction in which we operate. In addition, provisions are established for withholding taxes related to the transfer of cash between jurisdictions and for uncertain tax positions taken.


•	Other income (expense), net. This includes periodic pension expense as well as gains or losses on foreign currency, if any. Other immaterial amounts not associated with operating expenses may also be included here.


•	Equity in net income (loss) of non-consolidated affiliate. We include in this line item our 50% share of net income or loss from our investment in Micro Bird, our unconsolidated Canadian joint venture.

Key Non-GAAP Financial Measures We Use to Evaluate Our Performance

This filing includes the following non-GAAP financial measures: “Adjusted EBITDA”, “Adjusted EBITDA Margin”, and “Free Cash Flow.” Management views these metrics as a useful way to look at the performance of our operations between periods and to exclude decisions on capital investment and financing that might otherwise impact the review of profitability of the business based on present market conditions.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income prior to interest income, interest expense including the component of lease expense (which is presented as a single operating expense in selling, general and administrative expenses in our GAAP financial statements) that represents interest expense on lease liabilities, income taxes, depreciation and amortization including the component of lease expense (which is presented as a single operating expense in selling, general and administrative expenses in our GAAP financial statements) that represents amortization charges on right-of-use lease assets, and disposals, as adjusted to add back certain charges that we may record each year, such as stock-compensation expense, as well as non-recurring charges such as (i) significant product design changes; (ii) transaction related costs; or (iii) discrete expenses related to major cost cutting initiatives. We believe these expenses and non-recurring charges are not considered an indicator of ongoing company performance. We define Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are not measures of performance defined in accordance with GAAP. The measures are used as a supplement to GAAP results in evaluating certain aspects of our business, as described below.

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are useful to investors in evaluating our performance because the measures consider the performance of our operations, excluding decisions made with respect to capital investment, financing, and other non-recurring charges as outlined in the preceding paragraph. We believe the non-GAAP metrics offer additional financial metrics that, when coupled with the GAAP results and the reconciliation to GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of our results of operations and the factors and trends affecting our business.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin should not be considered as alternatives to net income as an indicator of our performance or as alternatives to any other measure prescribed by GAAP as there are limitations to using such non-GAAP measures. Although we believe that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin may enhance an evaluation of our operating performance based on recent revenue generation and product/overhead cost control because they exclude the impact of prior decisions made about capital investment, financing, and other expenses, (i) other companies in Blue Bird’s industry may define Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin differently than we do and, as a result, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in Blue Bird’s industry, and (ii) Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin exclude certain financial information that some may consider important in evaluating our performance.

We compensate for these limitations by providing disclosure of the differences between Adjusted EBITDA and GAAP results, including providing a reconciliation to GAAP results, to enable investors to perform their own analysis of our operating results.

Our measure of “Free Cash Flow” is used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and free cash flow should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. Free cash flow reflects an additional way of viewing our liquidity that, when viewed with our GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our cash flows. We strongly encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

We define free cash flow as total cash provided by/used in operating activities minus cash paid for fixed assets and acquired intangible assets. We use free cash flow, and ratios based on the free cash flow, to conduct and evaluate our business because, although it is similar to cash flow from operations, we believe it is a more conservative measure of cash flow since purchases of fixed assets and intangible assets are a necessary component of ongoing operations. In limited circumstances in which proceeds from sales of fixed or intangible

assets exceed purchases, free cash flow would exceed cash flow from operations. However, since we do not anticipate being a net seller of fixed or intangible assets, we expect free cash flow to be less than operating cash flows.

Our Segments

We manage our business in two operating segments, which are also our reportable segments: (i) the Bus segment, which involves the design, engineering, manufacture and sales of school buses and extended warranties; and (ii) the Parts segment, which includes the sales of replacement bus parts. Financial information is reported on the basis that it is used internally by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in evaluating segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources to segments. The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company has been identified as the CODM. Management evaluates the segments based primarily upon revenues and gross profit.

Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended January 4, 2020 and December 29, 2018:



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020			December 29, 2018
Net sales	$	153,217		$	154,926
Cost of goods sold	131,917			135,816
Gross profit	$	21,300		$	19,110
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses	20,495			17,273
Operating profit	$	805		$	1,837
Interest expense	(1,897		)	(2,874		)
Interest income	—			9
Other income (expense), net	194			(349		)
Loss before income taxes	$	(898	)	$	(1,377	)
Income tax benefit	326			236
Equity in net income (loss) of non-consolidated affiliate	169			(79		)
Net loss	$	(403	)	$	(1,220	)
Other financial data:
Adjusted EBITDA	$	8,025		$	7,216
Adjusted EBITDA margin	5.2		%	4.7		%

The following provides the results of operations of Blue Bird’s two reportable segments:



(in thousands of dollars)	Three Months Ended
Net Sales by Segment	January 4, 2020		December 29, 2018
Bus	$	134,772	$	139,210
Parts	18,445		15,716
Total	$	153,217	$	154,926

Gross Profit by Segment
Bus	$	14,867	$	13,515
Parts	6,433		5,595
Total	$	21,300	$	19,110

Net sales. Net sales were $153.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 1.1%, compared to $154.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

Bus sales decreased $4.4 million, or 3.2%, reflecting a decrease in units booked and higher sales prices per unit. Bus volumes were impacted by the timing of orders and customer delivery requirements. In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, 1,460 units were booked compared to 1,600 units booked for the same period in fiscal 2019. The 6.1% increase in unit price for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to the same period in fiscal 2019 mainly reflects pricing actions taken to partially offset commodity costs, as well as product and customer mix changes.

Parts sales increased $2.7 million, or 17.4%, for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2019, as we had higher sales volumes, due in part to the extra week in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019.

Cost of goods sold. Total cost of goods sold was $131.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, a decrease of $3.9 million, or 2.9%, compared to $135.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2019. As a percentage of net sales, total cost of goods sold improved from 87.7% to 86.1%.

Bus segment cost of goods sold decreased $5.8 million, or 4.6%, for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to the same period in fiscal 2019. The average cost of goods sold per unit for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 was 4.5% higher compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2019 due to raw material price increases related to rising commodity costs and tariffs, which were partially offset by cost savings resulting from our operational improvement initiatives.

The $1.9 million, or 18.7%, increase in parts segment cost of goods sold for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2019 was attributed to higher sales volumes and a change in product mix.

Operating profit. Operating profit was $0.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, a decrease of $1.0 million, compared to operating profit of $1.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Profitability was negatively impacted by an increase of $3.2 million in selling, general and administrative expenses, which was partially offset by an increase of $2.2 million in gross profit.

Interest expense. Interest expense was $1.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, a decrease of $1.0 million, or 34.0%, compared to $2.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The decrease was primarily attributed to changes in the interest rate collar fair value recorded in interest expense.

Income taxes. We recorded an income tax benefit of $0.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to an income tax benefit of $0.2 million for the same period in fiscal 2019.

Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA was $8.0 million, or 5.2% of net sales, for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, an increase of $0.8 million, or 11.2%, compared to $7.2 million, or 4.7% of net sales, for the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA is primarily the result of an increase of $2.2 million in gross profit, which was partially offset by higher adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net loss to adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020			December 29, 2018
Net loss	$	(403	)	$	(1,220	)
Adjustments:
Interest expense, net (1)	1,993			2,968
Income tax benefit	(326		)	(236		)
Depreciation, amortization, and disposals (2)	3,538			2,407
Operational transformation initiatives	1,114			244
Foreign currency hedges	—			109
Share-based compensation	1,093			852
Product redesign initiatives	1,010			2,149
Other	6			(57		)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	8,025		$	7,216
Adjusted EBITDA margin (percentage of net sales)	5.2		%	4.7		%

(1) Includes $0.1 million for both fiscal periods, representing interest expense on lease liabilities, which are a component of lease expense and presented as a single operating expense in selling, general and administrative expenses on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(2) Includes $0.2 million for both fiscal periods, representing amortization charges on right-of-use lease assets, which are a component of lease expense and presented as a single operating expense in selling, general and administrative expenses on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are cash generated from its operations, available cash and cash equivalents and borrowings under its credit facility. At January 4, 2020, the Company had $7.7 million of available cash (net of outstanding checks) and $58.1 million of additional borrowings available under the revolving line of credit portion of its secured credit facility. The Company’s revolving line of credit is available for working capital requirements, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes.

Detailed descriptions of the Company’s original Credit Agreement dated December 12, 2016 and its Amended Credit Agreement dated September 13, 2018 are set forth under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources” contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 2019.

At January 4, 2020, the Borrower (as defined, Blue Bird Body Company, a subsidiary of the Company) and the guarantors under the Amended Credit Agreement were in compliance with all covenants.

Short-Term and Long-Term Liquidity Requirements

Our ability to make principal and interest payments on borrowings under the Credit Facilities and our ability to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future, which, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, regulatory and other conditions. Based on the current level of operations, we believe that our existing cash balances and expected cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our operating requirements for at least the next 12 months.

Seasonality

Our business is highly seasonal. Most school districts seek to buy their new school buses so that they will be available for use on the first day of the school year, typically in mid-August to early September. As a result, our two busiest quarters are our third and fourth fiscal quarters, the latter ending on the Saturday closest to September 30. Our quarterly results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity are likely to be impacted by these seasonal patterns. For example, our revenues are typically highest in our third and fourth fiscal quarters. There are, however, variations in the seasonal demands from year to year depending, in part, on large direct sales to major fleet customers for which short-term trade credit is generally offered. Working capital, on the other hand, is typically a significant use of cash during the first fiscal quarter and a significant source of cash generation in the fourth fiscal quarter. We typically conduct planned shutdowns during our first fiscal quarter.

Cash Flows

The following table sets forth general information derived from our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020			December 29, 2018
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	$	70,959		$	60,260
Total cash used in operating activities	(85,988		)	(48,208		)
Total cash used in investing activities	(9,137		)	(10,787		)
Total cash provided by financing activities	31,866			17,553
Change in cash and cash equivalents	$	(63,259	)	$	(41,442	)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	7,700		$	18,818

Total cash used in operating activities

Cash flows used in operating activities totaled $86.0 million for the three months ended January 4, 2020, as compared to $48.2 million of cash flows used in operating activities for the three months ended December 29, 2018. The $37.8 million increase in cash used was primarily attributed to an inventory increase compared to prior year's inventory change totaling $32.9 million, a decrease in the impact of changes in accounts receivable totaling $9.2 million, non-cash components of net income totaling $0.8 million, and lower net income of $0.8 million. The increase in cash used was partially offset by a decrease in the impact of changes in accounts payable of $3.2 million between years.

Total cash used in investing activities

Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $9.1 million for the three months ended January 4, 2020, as compared to $10.8 million of cash flows used in investing activities for the three months ended December 29, 2018. The $1.7 million decrease was due to a reduction of spending on manufacturing assets as the new paint facility was completed in fiscal 2019.

Total cash provided by financing activities

Cash flows provided by financing activities totaled $31.9 million for the three months ended January 4, 2020, as compared to $17.6 million of cash flows provided by financing activities for the three months ended December 29, 2018. The $14.3 million increase was primarily attributed to a $15.0 million increase in borrowings under the revolving credit facility compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

Free cash flow

Management believes the non-GAAP measurement of free cash flow, defined as net cash used in operating activities less cash paid for fixed assets, fairly represents the Company’s ability to generate surplus cash that could fund activities not in the ordinary course of business. See “Key Non-GAAP Measures We Use to Evaluate Our Performance”. The following table sets forth the calculation of free cash flow for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)	January 4, 2020			December 29, 2018
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(85,988	)	$	(48,208	)
Cash paid for fixed assets	(9,287		)	(10,787		)
Free cash flow	$	(95,275	)	$	(58,995	)

Free cash flow for the three months ended January 4, 2020 was $36.3 million lower than the three months ended December 29, 2018, due to, as discussed above, a decrease of $1.5 million in cash paid for fixed assets and a $37.8 million increase in cash used in operating activities.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We had outstanding letters of credit totaling $6.9 million at January 4, 2020, the majority of which secure our self-insured workers compensation program, the collateral for which is regulated by the State of Georgia.

At January 4, 2020, there were 0.3 million shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants. The warrants expire on February 24, 2020.

We had a $3.0 million guarantee outstanding at January 4, 2020 which relates to a guarantee of indebtedness for a term loan with a remaining maturity up to 3.0 years. The $3.0 million represents the estimated maximum amount we would be required to pay upon default of all guaranteed indebtedness, and we believe the likelihood of required performance to be remote.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have not been any material changes to our interest rate risks, commodity risks or currency risks previously disclosed in Part II, Item 7A of the Company’s 2019 Form 10-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including, as appropriate, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

Based on their evaluations, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of January 4, 2020.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended January 4, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Items required under Part II not specifically shown below are not applicable.

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Blue Bird is engaged in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of its business. Although no assurances can be given about the final outcome of pending legal proceedings, at the present time management does not believe that the resolution or outcome of any of Blue Bird’s pending legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

In addition to the other information set forth in this Report, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's 2019 Form 10-K. Such risk factors are expressly incorporated herein by reference, and could materially affect our business, financial condition, cash flows or future results. The risks described in the 2019 Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and/or operating results.

Item 6. Exhibits.

The following Exhibits are filed with this Report:

Exhibit No. Description


3.1	The registrant’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed by the registrant with the SEC on February 26, 2015).


3.2	Bylaws of Blue Bird Corporation (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form S-1, filed with the SEC on December 20, 2013).


10.1*††	Severance agreement dated May 10, 2012 between the registrant and Charles Jenkins III.


10.2*††	Revised form of grant agreement for the grant of non-qualified stock options under the registrant's 2015 Omnibus Equity Inventive Plan ("Incentive Plan").


10.3*††	Revised form of grant agreement for the grant of restricted stock under the registrant's Incentive Plan.


31.1*	Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


31.2*	Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


32.1*	Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer joint Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


101.INS*^	XBRL Instance Document.


101.SCH*^	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.


101.CAL*^	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.


101.DEF*^	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.


101.LAB*^	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.


101.PRE*^	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.


*	Filed herewith.


††	Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

In accordance with Regulation S-T, XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) related information in Exhibit No. 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall be deemed “furnished” and not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.



		Blue Bird Corporation


Dated:	February 13, 2020	/s/ Philip Horlock
		Philip Horlock
		Chief Executive Officer

Dated:	February 13, 2020	/s/ Phillip Tighe
		Phillip Tighe
		Chief Financial Officer