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COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC - Quarter Report: 2022 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022

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 1-13905

COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE

    

57-0981653

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700

Dallas, Texas 75240-2620

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (972) 448-1400

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

Title of each class

    

Trading Symbol(s)

    

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A common stock

CIX

NYSE American

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 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 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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See 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

Non-accelerated filer

  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 is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes      No  .

As of April 27, 2022, the registrant had 12,380,657 shares of Class A common stock, $.01 par value per share, outstanding.

COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.

Index

    

Page

Part I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 (unaudited)

- 3 -

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2022

- 4 -

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2022

- 5 -

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2022

- 6 -

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

- 7 -

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

- 11 -

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

- 16 -

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

- 16 -

Part II.

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

- 17 -

Item 6.

Exhibits

- 17 -

Items 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Part II are omitted because there is no information to report.

- 2 -

COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

December 31, 

March 31, 

ASSETS

2021

2022

(unaudited)

Current assets:

 

  

  

Cash and cash equivalents

$

76,579

$

70,205

Accounts receivable, net

 

15,546

 

17,755

Inventories, net

 

25,642

 

28,082

Prepaid expenses and other

 

2,464

 

3,500

Total current assets

 

120,231

 

119,542

Other assets:

 

  

 

  

Note receivable from affiliate

 

18,700

 

18,100

Goodwill

 

23,742

 

23,742

Other noncurrent

 

597

 

597

Total other assets

 

43,039

 

42,439

Property and equipment:

 

  

 

  

Land

 

5,071

 

5,071

Buildings

 

23,161

 

23,161

Equipment

 

70,664

 

72,649

Construction in progress

 

2,028

 

1,713

 

100,924

 

102,594

Less accumulated depreciation

 

71,742

 

72,697

Net property and equipment

 

29,182

 

29,897

Total assets

$

192,452

$

191,878

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

 

  

  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

14,724

$

11,630

Income taxes payable to affiliate

 

1,722

 

2,584

Total current liabilities

 

16,446

 

14,214

Noncurrent liabilities - deferred income taxes

 

2,918

 

2,687

Stockholders' equity:

 

  

 

  

Preferred stock

 

 

Class A common stock

 

124

 

124

Additional paid-in capital

 

54,780

 

54,780

Retained earnings

 

118,184

 

120,073

Total stockholders' equity

 

173,088

 

174,977

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

192,452

$

191,878

Commitments and contingencies (Note 1)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

- 3 -

COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data)

Three months ended

March 31, 

    

2021

    

2022

(unaudited)

Net sales

$

35,924

$

42,050

Cost of sales

 

24,889

 

29,970

Gross margin

 

11,035

 

12,080

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

5,218

 

5,774

Operating income

 

5,817

 

6,306

Interest income

 

338

 

214

Income before income taxes

 

6,155

 

6,520

Provision for income taxes

 

1,470

 

1,536

Net income

$

4,685

$

4,984

Basic and diluted net income per common share

$

.38

$

.40

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

12,443

 

12,381

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

- 4 -

COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

Three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2022 (unaudited)

Class A

Additional

  

Total

common

paid-in

Retained

Treasury

stockholders'

    

stock

    

capital

    

earnings

    

stock

    

equity

Balance at December 31, 2020

$

124

$

55,987

$

111,545

$

$

167,656

Net income

 

 

 

4,685

 

 

4,685

Cash dividends ($.20 per share)

 

 

 

(2,490)

 

 

(2,490)

Treasury stock:

Acquired

(755)

(755)

Retired

(755)

755

Balance at March 31, 2021

$

124

$

55,232

$

113,740

$

$

169,096

Balance at December 31, 2021

$

124

$

54,780

$

118,184

$

$

173,088

Net income

 

 

 

4,984

 

 

4,984

Cash dividends ($.25 per share)

 

 

 

(3,095)

 

 

(3,095)

Balance at March 31, 2022

$

124

$

54,780

$

120,073

$

$

174,977

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

- 5 -

COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

Three months ended

March 31, 

    

2021

    

2022

(unaudited)

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

  

 

  

Net income

$

4,685

$

4,984

Depreciation and amortization

 

949

 

961

Deferred income taxes

 

165

 

(231)

Other, net

 

35

 

56

Change in assets and liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Accounts receivable, net

 

(6,127)

 

(2,213)

Inventories, net

 

151

 

(2,490)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

(2,595)

 

(3,055)

Accounts with affiliates

 

936

 

862

Prepaids and other, net

 

(576)

 

(1,036)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(2,377)

 

(2,162)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

  

 

  

Capital expenditures

 

(568)

 

(1,717)

Note receivable from affiliate:

 

  

 

  

Collections

 

11,900

 

7,700

Advances

 

(11,600)

 

(7,100)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(268)

 

(1,117)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Dividends paid

 

(2,490)

 

(3,095)

Treasury stock acquired

 

(755)

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(3,245)

 

(3,095)

Cash and cash equivalents - net change from:

Operating, investing and financing activities

(5,890)

(6,374)

Balance at beginning of period

 

70,637

 

76,579

Balance at end of period

$

64,747

$

70,205

Supplemental disclosures -

Cash paid for income taxes

$

446

$

904

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

- 6 -

COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2022

(unaudited)

Note 1 – Organization and basis of presentation:

Organization. We (NYSE American: CIX) were approximately 87% owned by NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NL) at March 31, 2022. At March 31, 2022, Valhi, Inc. (NYSE: VHI) owned approximately 83% of NL’s outstanding common stock and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Contran Corporation owned approximately 92% of Valhi’s outstanding common stock. A majority of Contran’s outstanding voting stock is held directly by Lisa K. Simmons and various family trusts established for the benefit of Ms. Simmons, Thomas C. Connelly (the husband of Ms. Simmons’ late sister) and their children and for which Ms. Simmons or Mr. Connelly, as applicable, serve as trustee (collectively, the “Other Trusts”). With respect to the Other Trusts for which Mr. Connelly serves as trustee, he is required to vote the shares of Contran voting stock held in such trusts in the same manner as Ms. Simmons. Such voting rights of Ms. Simmons last through April 22, 2030 and are personal to Ms. Simmons. The remainder of Contran’s outstanding voting stock is held by another trust (the “Family Trust”), which was established for the benefit of Ms. Simmons and her late sister and their children and for which a third-party financial institution serves as trustee. Consequently, at March 31, 2022 Ms. Simmons and the Family Trust may be deemed to control Contran, and therefore may be deemed to indirectly control the wholly-owned subsidiary of Contran, Valhi, NL and us.

Basis of presentation. Consolidated in this Quarterly Report are the results of CompX International Inc. and its subsidiaries. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report have been prepared on the same basis as the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 2, 2022 (the “2021 Annual Report”). In our opinion, we have made all necessary adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) in order to state fairly, in all material respects, our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of the dates and for the periods presented. We have condensed the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2021 contained in this Quarterly Report as compared to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements at that date, and we have omitted certain information and footnote disclosures (including those related to the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2021) normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Our results of operations for the interim period ended March 31, 2022 may not be indicative of our operating results for the full year. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with our 2021 Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our 2021 Annual Report.

Our operations are reported on a 52 or 53-week year. For presentation purposes, annual and quarterly information in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes are presented as ended March 31, 2021 December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022. The actual dates of our annual and quarterly periods are April 4, 2021, January  2, 2022 and April 3, 2022, respectively. Unless otherwise indicated, references in this report to “we”, “us” or “our” refer to CompX International Inc. and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Note 2 – Business segment information:

- 7 -

Three months ended

March 31, 

    

2021

    

2022

(In thousands)

Net sales:

  

 

  

Security Products

$

25,885

$

29,581

Marine Components

 

10,039

 

12,469

Total net sales

$

35,924

$

42,050

Operating income (loss):

 

  

 

  

Security Products

$

5,490

$

6,010

Marine Components

 

1,943

 

2,009

Corporate operating expenses

 

(1,616)

 

(1,713)

Total operating income

 

5,817

 

6,306

Interest income

 

338

 

214

Income before income taxes

$

6,155

$

6,520

Intersegment sales are not material.

Note 3 – Accounts receivable, net:

December 31, 

March 31, 

    

2021

    

2022

(In thousands)

Accounts receivable, net:

 

  

 

  

Security Products

$

12,896

$

13,576

Marine Components

 

2,720

 

4,249

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(70)

 

(70)

Total accounts receivable, net

$

15,546

$

17,755

Note 4 – Inventories, net:

December 31, 

March 31, 

    

2021

    

2022

(In thousands)

Raw materials:

 

  

 

  

Security Products

$

3,640

$

4,107

Marine Components

 

1,402

 

2,010

Total raw materials

 

5,042

 

6,117

Work-in-process:

 

  

 

  

Security Products

 

12,721

 

12,720

Marine Components

 

4,046

 

4,941

Total work-in-process

 

16,767

 

17,661

Finished goods:

 

  

 

  

Security Products

 

2,271

 

2,736

Marine Components

 

1,562

 

1,568

Total finished goods

 

3,833

 

4,304

Total inventories, net

$

25,642

$

28,082

Note 5 – Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:

- 8 -

December 31, 

March 31, 

    

2021

    

2022

(In thousands)

Accounts payable:

 

  

 

  

Security Products

$

2,594

$

3,107

Marine Components

 

814

 

2,019

Accrued liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Employee benefits

 

9,797

 

4,781

Customer tooling

 

516

 

355

Taxes other than on income

 

391

 

511

Insurance

 

208

 

204

Other

 

404

 

653

Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

14,724

$

11,630

Note 6 – Provision for income taxes:

Three months ended

March 31, 

    

2021

    

2022

(In thousands)

Expected tax expense, at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21%

$

1,293

$

1,369

State income taxes

 

200

 

196

FDII benefit

 

(23)

 

(33)

Other, net

 

 

4

Total provision for income taxes

$

1,470

$

1,536

Note 7 – Stockholders’ equity:

Our board of directors has previously authorized the repurchase of our Class A common stock in open market transactions, including block purchases, or in privately-negotiated transactions at unspecified prices and over an unspecified period of time. We may repurchase our common stock from time to time as market conditions permit. The stock repurchase program does not include specific price targets or timetables and may be suspended at any time. Depending on market conditions, we may terminate the program prior to its completion. We will use cash on hand to acquire the shares. Repurchased shares will be added to our treasury and cancelled.

During the first quarter of 2021, we purchased 50,000 shares of our Class A common stock in a market transaction for approximately $.8 million. We cancelled these treasury shares and allocated their cost to common stock at par value and additional paid-in capital. We made no treasury purchases during the first quarter of 2022. At March 31, 2022, 602,547 shares were available for purchase under prior repurchase authorizations.

- 9 -

Note 8 – Financial instruments:

The following table presents the financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure:

December 31, 2021

March 31, 2022

Carrying

Fair

Carrying

Fair

    

amount

    

value

    

amount

    

value

(In thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents

$

76,579

$

76,579

$

70,205

$

70,205

Accounts receivable, net

 

15,546

 

15,546

 

17,755

 

17,755

Accounts payable

 

3,408

 

3,408

 

5,126

 

5,126

Due to their near-term maturities, the carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered equivalent to fair value.

Note 9 – Related party transactions:

From time to time, we may have loans and advances outstanding between us and various related parties pursuant to term and demand notes. We generally enter into these loans and advances for cash management purposes. When we loan funds to related parties, we are generally able to earn a higher rate of return on the loan than we would earn if we invested the funds in other instruments, and when we borrow from related parties, we are generally able to pay a lower rate of interest than we would pay if we had incurred third-party indebtedness. While certain of these loans to affiliates may be of a lesser credit quality than cash equivalent instruments otherwise available to us, we believe we have considered the credit risks in the terms of the applicable loans. In this regard, we have an unsecured revolving demand promissory note with Valhi under which, as amended, we agreed to loan Valhi up to $30 million. Our loan to Valhi, as amended, bears interest at prime plus 1.00%, payable quarterly, with all principal due on demand, but in any event no earlier than December 31, 2023. Loans made to Valhi at any time under the agreement are at our discretion. At March 31, 2022, the outstanding principal balance receivable from Valhi under the promissory note was $18.1 million. Interest income (including unused commitment fees) on our loan to Valhi was $.3 million and $.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

- 10 -

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business Overview

We are a leading manufacturer of engineered components utilized in a variety of applications and industries. Through our Security Products segment we manufacture mechanical and electrical cabinet locks and other locking mechanisms used in recreational transportation, postal, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage and healthcare applications. We also manufacture stainless steel exhaust systems, gauges, throttle controls, wake enhancement systems, trim tabs and related hardware and accessories for the recreational marine and other industries through our Marine Components segment.

General

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Statements in this Quarterly Report that are not historical facts are forward-looking in nature and represent management’s beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “believes,” “intends,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “anticipates,” “expects” or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategies or trends. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know if these expectations will be correct. Such statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results. Actual future results could differ materially from those predicted. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from those described herein are the risks and uncertainties discussed in this Quarterly Report and those described from time to time in our other filings with the SEC and include, but are not limited to, the following:

Future demand for our products,
Changes in our raw material and other operating costs (such as zinc, brass, aluminum, steel and energy costs) and our ability to pass those costs on to our customers or offset them with reductions in other operating costs,
Price and product competition from low-cost manufacturing sources (such as China),
The impact of pricing and production decisions,
Customer and competitor strategies including substitute products,
Uncertainties associated with the development of new products and product features,
Future litigation,
Our ability to protect or defend our intellectual property rights,
Potential difficulties in integrating future acquisitions,
Decisions to sell operating assets other than in the ordinary course of business,
Environmental matters (such as those requiring emission and discharge standards for existing and new facilities),
The ultimate outcome of income tax audits, tax settlement initiatives or other tax matters, including future tax reform,
The impact of current or future government regulations (including employee healthcare benefit related regulations),
General global economic and political conditions that disrupt or introduce instability into our supply chain, impact our customers’ level of demand or our customers’ perception regarding demand or impair our ability

- 11 -

to operate our facilities (including changes in the level of gross domestic product in various regions of the world, natural disasters, terrorist acts, global conflicts and public health crises such as COVID-19),
Operating interruptions (including, but not limited to labor disputes, hazardous chemical leaks, natural disasters, fires, explosions, unscheduled or unplanned downtime, transportation interruptions, cyber-attacks and public health crises such as COVID-19); and
Possible disruption of our business or increases in the cost of doing business resulting from terrorist activities or global conflicts.

Should one or more of these risks materialize or if the consequences worsen, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those currently forecasted or expected. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of changes in information, future events or otherwise.

Operating Income Overview

In the first quarter of 2022 operating income increased to $6.3 million compared to $5.8 million in the first quarter of 2021. The increase in operating income in the first quarter of 2022 compared to 2021 is primarily due to higher sales for both the Security Products and Marine Components segments somewhat offset by increased production costs.

We sell a large number of products that have a wide variation in selling price and manufacturing cost, which results in certain practical limitations on our ability to quantify the impact of changes in individual product sales quantities and selling prices on our net sales, cost of sales and gross margin. In addition, small variations in period-to-period net sales, cost of sales and gross margin can result from changes in the relative mix of our products sold.

Results of Operations

    

Three months ended

 

March 31, 

 

2021

%  

2022

%

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Net sales

$

35,924

 

100.0

%  

$

42,050

 

100.0

%

Cost of sales

 

24,889

 

69.3

 

29,970

 

71.3

Gross margin

 

11,035

 

30.7

 

12,080

 

28.7

Operating costs and expenses

 

5,218

 

14.5

 

5,774

 

13.7

Operating income

$

5,817

 

16.2

%  

$

6,306

 

15.0

%

Net sales. Net sales increased $6.1 million in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 due to higher Security Products sales across a variety of markets and, to a lesser extent, higher Marine Components sales primarily to the towboat market.

Cost of sales and gross margin. Cost of sales as a percentage of sales increased 2.0% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. As a result, gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased over the same period. Gross margin percentage decreased in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 due to increased production costs at both Security Products and Marine Components. See segment discussion below.

Operating costs and expenses. Operating costs and expenses consist primarily of sales and administrative-related personnel costs, sales commissions and advertising expenses directly related to product sales and administrative costs relating to business unit and corporate management activities, as well as any gains and losses on property and equipment. Operating costs and expenses for the first quarter of 2022 were higher than the same period in 2021 due to higher salary and benefit costs which increased by $.2 million, as well as higher costs for advertising, travel, information technology, and employee recruiting. Operating costs and expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased in 2022 due to the effect of higher sales.

- 12 -

Operating income. As a percentage of net sales, operating income for the first quarter of 2022 decreased compared to the same period of 2021 and was primarily impacted by the factors impacting cost of sales, gross margin and operating costs. See segment discussion below.

Provision for income taxes. A tabular reconciliation of our actual tax provision to the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate is included in Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Our operations are wholly within the U.S. and therefore our effective income tax rate is primarily reflective of the U.S. federal statutory rate and applicable state taxes.

Segment Results

The key performance indicator for our segments is operating income.

Three months ended

    

March 31, 

%  

    

2021

    

2022

    

Change

    

(Dollars in thousands)

Security Products:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Net sales

$

25,885

$

29,581

 

14

%  

Cost of sales

 

17,652

 

20,500

 

16

Gross margin

 

8,233

 

9,081

 

10

Operating costs and expenses

 

2,743

 

3,071

 

12

Operating income

$

5,490

$

6,010

 

9

Gross margin

 

31.8

%  

 

30.7

%  

Operating income margin

 

21.2

 

20.3

 

Security Products. Security Products net sales increased 14% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period last year. Relative to the first quarter of 2021, sales were $1.4 million higher to the government security market, $.9 million higher to distributors, and $.7 million higher to the office furniture market. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales for the first quarter of 2022 declined as compared to 2021 as increased coverage of fixed costs from higher sales were more than offset by higher production costs including increased raw material costs across a variety of commodities and component inputs, higher shipping costs, and increased labor costs due to higher wages, overtime costs and increased headcount. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021 due to the factors impacting gross margin, partially offset by increased coverage of operating costs and expenses from higher sales.

Three months ended

March 31, 

%  

    

2021

    

2022

    

Change

    

(Dollars in thousands)

Marine Components:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Net sales

$

10,039

$

12,469

 

24

%  

Cost of sales

 

7,237

 

9,470

 

31

Gross margin

 

2,802

 

2,999

 

7

Operating costs and expenses

 

859

 

990

 

15

Operating income

$

1,943

$

2,009

 

3

Gross margin

 

27.9

%  

 

24.1

%  

Operating income margin

 

19.4

 

16.1

 

Marine Components. Marine Components net sales increased 24% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period last year primarily due to increased sales of $2.0 million to several original equipment boat manufacturers in the towboat market. Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same

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period last year due to higher cost of sales driven by higher raw materials (primarily stainless steel and aluminum), higher shipping costs, and increased labor costs resulting from higher wages, overtime costs and increased headcount, partially offset by increased coverage of fixed costs from higher sales. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021 due to the factors impacting gross margin, partially offset by increased coverage of operating costs and expenses from higher sales.

Outlook. During the first quarter of 2022, we experienced strong demand at both our segments. We operated our manufacturing facilities at elevated production rates during the quarter in line with improved demand, although labor markets are tight in each of the regions in which we operate and, as a result, we have experienced and continue to have challenges maintaining staffing levels aligned with current and forecasted demand, particularly at our Marine Components segment.

Based on current market conditions, we expect demand levels to remain strong in 2022 and we expect to report increased net sales and operating income in 2022 compared to 2021. Our supply chains remain intact, although the current global and domestic supply chain disruptions continue to present challenges in sourcing certain raw materials due to increased lead times, availability shortages and transportation and logistics delays. Thus far we have been able to manage through these disruptions with minimal impact on our operations. In addition, we are experiencing increased production costs including higher labor, shipping, and increasing costs of many of the raw materials we use including zinc, brass, stainless steel and aluminum. In response, we implemented price increases and surcharges; however, the extent to which the price increases and surcharges will mitigate the rising costs is uncertain and we expect increasing production costs will continue to pressure gross margins in 2022 as inventory costs are expected to remain above prior year costs for the foreseeable future. Our operations teams meet frequently to ensure we are taking appropriate actions to minimize material or supply related operational disruptions, manage inventory levels, improve operating margins and to maintain a safe working environment for all our employees.

Our expectations for our operations and the markets we serve are based on a number of factors outside our control. As noted above, there continue to be global and domestic supply chain challenges and any future impacts on our operations will depend on, among other things, any future disruption in our operations or our suppliers’ operations, demand for our products and the timing and effectiveness of the global measures deployed to fight COVID-19, particularly in China, all of which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Consolidated cash flows –

Operating activities. Trends in cash flows from operating activities, excluding changes in assets and liabilities, have generally been similar to the trends in operating earnings. Changes in assets and liabilities result primarily from the timing of production, sales and purchases. Changes in assets and liabilities generally tend to even out over time. However, period-to-period relative changes in assets and liabilities can significantly affect the comparability of cash flows from operating activities.

We generally report a net use of cash from operating activities in the first three months of each year due to seasonal changes in the level of our working capital. Our net cash used by operating activities for the first three months of 2022 decreased by $.2 million as compared to the first three months of 2021. The decrease in net cash used is primarily due to the net effects of:

A $.5 million increase in operating income in 2022,
A $.5 million increase in cash paid for taxes in 2022 due to higher operating income and the relative timing of payments,
A lower amount of net cash used by relative changes in our inventories, receivables, prepaids, payables and non-tax related accruals of approximately $.4 million in 2022, and
A $.1 million decrease in interest received in 2022 due to a lower average affiliate receivable balance.

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Relative changes in working capital can have a significant effect on cash flows from operating activities. As shown below, the change in our average days sales outstanding from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022 varied by segment primarily as a result of relative changes in the timing of collections. For comparative purposes, we have provided December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021 numbers below.

December 31, 

March 31, 

December 31, 

March 31, 

Days Sales Outstanding:

    

2020

    

2021

    

2021

    

2022

Security Products

 

35 Days

 

46 Days

46 Days

 

42 Days

Marine Components

 

24 Days

 

33 Days

30 Days

 

31 Days

Consolidated CompX

 

33 Days

 

43 Days

42 Days

 

38 Days

Our average number of days in inventory decreased from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022 primarily due to sales growth at both segments in the first quarter of 2022. For comparative purposes, we have provided December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021 numbers below.

December 31, 

March 31, 

December 31, 

March 31, 

Days in Inventory:

    

2020

    

2021

    

2021

    

2022

Security Products

 

75 Days

 

72 Days

95 Days

 

87 Days

Marine Components

 

75 Days

 

54 Days

97 Days

 

82 Days

Consolidated CompX

 

75 Days

 

66 Days

96 Days

 

85 Days

Investing activities. Our capital expenditures were $1.7 million and $.6 million in the first three months of 2022 and 2021, respectively. During the first three months of 2022, Valhi repaid a net $.6 million under the promissory note ($7.1 million of gross borrowings and $7.7 million of gross repayments). During the first three months of 2021, Valhi repaid a net $.3 million under the promissory note ($11.6 million of gross borrowings and $11.9 million of gross repayments). See Note 9 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financing activities. In March 2022, our board of directors increased our regular quarterly dividend from $.20 per share to $.25 per share beginning in the first quarter of 2022. The declaration and payment of future dividends and the amount thereof, if any, is discretionary and is dependent upon our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements for our businesses, contractual requirements and restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. The amount and timing of past dividends is not necessarily indicative of the amount or timing of any future dividends which we might pay.

In addition, during the first quarter of 2021, we acquired 50,000 shares of our Class A common stock in a market transaction for $.8 million.

Future cash requirements –

Liquidity. Our primary source of liquidity on an ongoing basis is our cash flow from operating activities, which is generally used to (i) fund capital expenditures, (ii) repay short-term or long-term indebtedness incurred primarily for capital expenditures, investment activities or reducing our outstanding stock, (iii) provide for the payment of dividends (if declared), and (iv) lend to affiliates. From time-to-time, we will incur indebtedness, primarily to fund capital expenditures or business combinations.

Periodically, we evaluate liquidity requirements, alternative uses of capital, capital needs and available resources in view of, among other things, our capital expenditure requirements, dividend policy and estimated future operating cash flows. As a result of this process, we have in the past and may in the future seek to raise additional capital, refinance or restructure indebtedness, issue additional securities, modify our dividend policy or take a combination of such steps to manage our liquidity and capital resources. In the normal course of business, we may review opportunities for acquisitions, joint ventures or other business combinations in the component products industry. In the event of any such transaction, we may consider using available cash, issuing additional equity securities or increasing our indebtedness or that of our subsidiaries.

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We believe that cash generated from operations together with cash on hand, as well as our ability to obtain external financing, will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service, dividends (if declared) and any amounts we might loan from time to time under the terms of our revolving loan to Valhi discussed in Note 9 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (which loans would be solely at our discretion) for both the next 12 months and five years. To the extent that our actual operating results or other developments differ from our expectations, our liquidity could be adversely affected.

All of our $70.2 million aggregate cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2022 were held in the U.S.

Capital expenditures. Firm purchase commitments for capital projects in process at March 31, 2022 totaled $.6 million. Our 2022 capital investments are primarily expenditures to meet our expected customer demand, improve capacity and efficiency and properly maintain our facilities and technology infrastructure.

Stock repurchase program. At March 31, 2022, we have 602,547 shares available for repurchase under a stock repurchase program authorized by our board of directors. See Note 7 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Commitments and contingencies. There have been no material changes in our contractual obligations since we filed our 2021 Annual Report and we refer you to that report for a complete description of these commitments.

Recent accounting pronouncements –

None.

Critical accounting policies –

There have been no changes in the first three months of 2022 with respect to our critical accounting policies presented in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2021 Annual Report.

ITEM  3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and raw material prices. There have been no material changes in these market risks since we filed our 2021 Annual Report, and we refer you to Part I, Item 7A – “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk” in our 2021 Annual Report. See also Note 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM  4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures which, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), means controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions to be made regarding required disclosure. Our management with the participation of Scott C. James, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Michael S. Simmons, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the design and operating effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2022. Based upon their evaluation, these executive officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the date of such evaluation.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting which, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), means a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing

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similar functions, and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that:

Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets,
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors, and
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of an unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM  1A.Risk Factors.

Reference is made to the 2021 Annual Report for a discussion of risk factors related to our businesses.

ITEM  6.Exhibits.

Item No.

    

Exhibit Index

31.1

Certification

31.2

Certification

32.1

Certification

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

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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.

    

COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.

(Registrant)

Date:  May 3, 2022

By:

/s/ Michael S. Simmons

Michael S. Simmons

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

By:

/s/ Amy E. Ruf

Amy E. Ruf

Vice President and Controller

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