ESCALADE INC - Quarter Report: 2021 October (Form 10-Q)

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note A – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Presentation of Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements – The significant accounting policies followed by the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries for interim financial reporting are consistent with the accounting policies followed for its annual financial reporting. All adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature and are in the opinion of management necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods reported have been included in the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements. The consolidated condensed balance sheet of the Company as of December 26, 2020 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of that date. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K annual report for 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note B ‑ Seasonal Aspects

The results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Note C ‑ Inventories

Note D – Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of all financial instruments recognized in the accompanying balance sheets at amounts other than fair values.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Fair values of cash and cash equivalents approximate cost due to the short period of time to maturity.

Long-term Debt

Fair values of long-term debt is estimated based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and maturities and determined through the use of a discounted cash flow model.

The following table presents estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall in accordance with FASB ASC 825 at October 2, 2021, December 26, 2020 and October 3, 2020.

Note E – Stock Compensation

The fair value of stock-based compensation is recognized in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718, Stock Compensation.

During the nine months ended October 2, 2021 and pursuant to the 2017 Incentive Plan, in lieu of cash payments of director fees, the Company awarded to certain directors 5,683 shares of common stock. During the nine months ended October 2, 2021, the Company awarded 13,332 restricted stock units to directors and 37,283 restricted stock units to employees. The restricted stock units awarded to directors time vest over two years (one-half one year from grant date and one-half two years from grant date) provided that the director is still a director of the Company at the vest date. Director restricted stock units are subject to forfeiture, except for termination of services as a result of retirement, death or disability, if on the vesting date the director no longer holds a position with the Company. The 2021 restricted stock units awarded to employees time vest over three years (one-third one year from grant, one-third two years from grant and one-third three years from grant) provided that the employee is still employed by the Company on the vesting date.

For the three and nine months ended October 2, 2021, the Company recognized stock based compensation expense of $229 thousand and $666 thousand, respectively compared to stock based compensation expense of $263 thousand and $756 thousand for the same periods in the prior year. At October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020, respectively, there was $0.9 million and $1.2 million in unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards.

Note F ‑ Segment Information

Note G – Dividend Payment

On September 14, 2021, the Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per common share to all shareholders of record on September 7, 2021. The total amount of the dividend was approximately $1.9 million and was charged against retained earnings.

On June 8, 2021, the Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per common share to all shareholders of record on June 1, 2021. The total amount of the dividend was approximately $1.9 million and was charged against retained earnings.

On March 24, 2021, the Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per common share to all shareholders of record on March 17, 2021 (the amount was funded to the transfer agent by the Company on March 19, 2021). The total amount of the dividend was approximately $1.9 million and was charged against retained earnings.

Note H ‑ Earnings Per Share

The shares used in computation of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per common share are as follows:

Stock options that are anti-dilutive as to earnings per share and unvested restricted stock units which have a market condition for vesting that has not been achieved are ignored in the computation of dilutive earnings per share. The number of stock options and restricted stock units that were excluded in 2021 and 2020 were 11,900 and 57,569, respectively.

Note I – New Accounting Standards and Changes in Accounting Principles

With the exception of that discussed below, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the three and nine months ended October 2, 2021, as compared to the recent accounting pronouncements described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2020, that are of significance, or potential significance to the Company.

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying Accounting for Income Taxes, which removes certain exceptions to the general principles of Topic 740, Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) and is intended to improve consistency and simplify GAAP in several other areas of ASC 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The Company adopted this standard on December 27, 2020 and the adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Note J – Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Revenue Recognition – Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied; generally this occurs with the transfer of control of our goods at a point in time based on shipping terms and transfer of title. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods. Sales, value add, and other taxes we collect concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. Shipping and handling fees charged to customers are reported within revenue.

Gross-to-net sales adjustments – We recognize revenue net of various sales adjustments to arrive at net sales as reported on the statement of operations. These adjustments are referred to as gross-to-net sales adjustments and primarily fall into one of three categories: returns, warranties and customer allowances.

Returns – The Company records an accrued liability and reduction in sales for estimated product returns based upon historical experience. An accrued liability and reduction in sales is also recorded for approved return authorizations that have been communicated by the customer.

Warranties – Limited warranties are provided on certain products for varying periods. We record an accrued liability and reduction in sales for estimated future warranty claims based upon historical experience and management’s estimate of the level of future claims. Changes in the estimated amounts recognized in prior years are recorded as an adjustment to the accrued liability and sales in the current year.

Customer Allowances – Customer allowances are common practice in the industries in which the Company operates. These agreements are typically in the form of advertising subsidies, volume rebates and catalog allowances and are accounted for as a reduction to gross sales. The Company reviews such allowances on an ongoing basis and accruals are adjusted, if necessary, as additional information becomes available.

Disaggregation of Revenue – We generate revenue from the sale of widely recognized sporting goods brands in basketball goals, archery, indoor and outdoor game recreation and fitness products. These products are sold through multiple sales channels that include: mass merchants, specialty dealers, key on-line retailers (“E-commerce”) and international. The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue according to sales channel:

Note K – Leases

We have operating leases for office, manufacturing and distribution facilities as well as for certain equipment. Our commenced leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 6 years. As of October 2, 2021, the Company has not entered into any lease arrangements classified as a finance lease.

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, current operating lease liabilities and operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. The Company has elected an accounting policy to not recognize short-term leases (one year or less) on the balance sheet. The Company also elected the package of practical expedients which applies to leases that commenced before the adoption date. By electing the package of practical expedients, the Company did not need to reassess the following; whether any existing contracts are or contain leases, the lease classification for any existing leases and initial direct costs for any existing leases.

ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. When the implicit rate of the lease is not provided or cannot be determined, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of future payments. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise those options. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Components of lease expense and other information as follows:

Other information about lease amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements is summarized as follows:

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of October 2, 2021 were as follows:

As of October 2, 2021, we have entered into a lease for additional warehouse and operations which has not yet commenced. Although the location is currently under construction, we do not control the building during construction, and are thus not deemed to be the owner during construction. Amounts in the table above exclude legally binding minimum lease payments for the lease signed but not yet commenced of $9.9 million.

Note L – Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is involved in litigation arising in the normal course of business. The Company does not believe that the disposition or ultimate resolution of existing claims or lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Company.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements relating to present or future trends or factors that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to: specific and overall impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic on Escalade’s financial condition and results of operations; Escalade’s plans and expectations surrounding the transition to its Interim Chief Executive Officer and all potential related effects and consequences; the impact of competitive products and pricing; product demand and market acceptance; new product development; Escalade’s ability to achieve its business objectives, especially with respect to its Sporting Goods business on which it has chosen to focus; Escalade’s ability to successfully achieve the anticipated results of strategic transactions, including the integration of the operations of acquired assets and businesses and of divestitures or discontinuances of certain operations, assets, brands, and products; the continuation and development of key customer, supplier, licensing and other business relationships; Escalade’s ability to develop and implement our own direct to consumer e-commerce distribution channel; Escalade’s ability to successfully negotiate the shifting retail environment and changes in consumer buying habits; the financial health of our customers; disruptions or delays in our business operations, including without limitation disruptions or delays in our supply chain, arising from political unrest, war, labor strikes, natural disasters, public health crises such as the coronavirus pandemic, and other events and circumstances beyond our control; Escalade’s ability to control costs; Escalade’s ability to successfully implement actions to lessen the potential impacts of tariffs and other trade restrictions applicable to our products and raw materials, including impacts on the costs of producing our goods, importing products and materials into our markets for sale, and on the pricing of our products; general economic conditions; fluctuation in operating results; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; changes in the securities markets; Escalade’s ability to obtain financing and to maintain compliance with the terms of such financing; the availability, integration and effective operation of information systems and other technology, and the potential interruption of such systems or technology; risks related to data security of privacy breaches; and other risks detailed from time to time in Escalade’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Escalade’s future financial performance could differ materially from the expectations of management contained herein. Escalade undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements after the date of this report.

Overview

Escalade, Incorporated (Escalade, the Company, we, us or our) is focused on growing its Sporting Goods business through organic growth of existing categories, strategic acquisitions, and new product development. The Sporting Goods business competes in a variety of categories including basketball goals, archery, pickleball, billiards, indoor and outdoor game recreation, water sports, and fitness products. Strong brands and on-going investment in product development provide a solid foundation for building customer loyalty and continued growth.

Within the sporting goods industry, the Company has successfully built a robust market presence in several niche markets. This strategy is heavily dependent on expanding our customer base, barriers to entry, strong brands, excellent customer service and a commitment to innovation. A key strategic advantage is the Company’s established relationships with major customers that allow the Company to bring new products to market in a cost effective manner while maintaining a diversified portfolio of products to meet the demands of consumers. In addition to strategic customer relations, the Company has substantial manufacturing and import experience that enables it to be a low cost supplier.

To enhance growth opportunities, the Company has focused on promoting new product innovation and development and brand marketing. In addition, the Company has embarked on a strategy of acquiring companies or product lines that complement or expand the Company's existing product lines or provide expansion into new or emerging categories in sporting goods. A key objective is the acquisition of product lines with barriers to entry that the Company can take to market through its established distribution channels or through new market channels. Significant synergies are achieved through assimilation of acquired product lines into the existing Company structure. The Company also sometimes divests or discontinues certain operations, assets, brands, and products that do not perform to the Company's expectations or no longer fit with the Company's strategic objectives.

Management believes that key indicators in measuring the success of these strategies are revenue growth, earnings growth, new product introductions, and the expansion of channels of distribution.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continued to affect the Company’s operations through the third quarter of 2021 and may continue to do so indefinitely thereafter. Increased customer demand the Company experienced through 2020, likely caused in part by consumers remaining home to limit the spread of COVID-19, has carried over into the 2021 fiscal year. While the Company continues to meet these demands through accelerated ordering schedules and increased inventory, a substantial decrease in customer demand or slower payments by the Company’s mass merchants, specialty dealers or other customers could adversely impact the Company’s liquidity. All of these factors may have far reaching impacts on the Company’s business, operations, and financial results and conditions, directly and indirectly, including without limitation impacts on the health of the Company’s management and employees, manufacturing, distribution, marketing and sales operations, customer and consumer behaviors, and on the overall economy. The scope and nature of these impacts, most of which are beyond the Company’s control, continue to evolve and the outcomes are uncertain. In particular, uncertainty concerning the ongoing severity of the pandemic, potential government actions in response to the pandemic, the length of time it takes for normal economic operating conditions to resume, and potential changes in consumer habits following the lifting of COVID restrictions, all contribute to a volatile environment for conducting business.

Due to the above circumstances and as described generally in this Form 10-Q, the Company’s results of operations for the period ended October 2, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for fiscal year 2021. Management cannot predict the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s sales channels, supply chain, manufacturing and distribution nor to economic conditions generally, including the effects on consumer spending. The ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company is highly uncertain and will depend on future developments, and such effects could exist for an extended period of time even after the pandemic ends.

Results of Operations

The following schedule sets forth certain consolidated statement of operations data as a percentage of net revenue:

Revenue and Gross Margin

Sales increased by 4.1% for the third quarter of 2021, compared with the same period in the prior year. The increase in sales was driven by continued demand for our products, primarily in the archery and games product lines. For the first nine months of 2021, sales were up 20.8% compared to prior year.

The overall gross margin percentage decreased to 22.5% for the third quarter of 2021, compared to 30.1% for 2020. Gross margin was negatively impacted by higher transportation expenses, raw material costs, currency exchange rates, increased wage pressure, and inventory handling costs.

Gross margin percentage decreased to 25.3% for the first nine months of 2021, compared to 28.6% for the same period in the prior year.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $10.2 million for the third quarter of 2021 compared to $10.4 million for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $0.2 million or 1.7%. SG&A as a percent of sales is 12.6% for the third quarter of 2021 compared with 13.3% for the same period in the prior year. For the first nine months of 2021, SG&A were $33.9 million compared to $29.8 million for the same period in 2020, an increase of $4.1 million or 13.9%. As a percent of sales, SG&A is 14.1% for the first nine months of 2021 compared with 15.0% for the same period in the prior year.

Provision for Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2021 was 20.5% compared to 20.0% for the same period last year.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

Total debt at the end of the first nine months of 2021 was $59.0 million, an increase of $28.9 million from December 26, 2020. The following schedule summarizes the Company’s total debt:

As a percentage of stockholders’ equity, total debt was 40.8%, 21.6% and zero at October 2, 2021, December 26, 2020, and October 3, 2020 respectively.

On July 7, 2021, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Indian Industries, Inc. (“Indian”) entered into the Fourth Amendment dated as of July 7, 2021 (the “Fourth Amendment”) to the 2019 Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 21, 2019 among the Company, Indian, each of their domestic subsidiaries, and Chase, as Administrative Agent and as Lender (the “Lender”). Under the terms of the Fourth Amendment, the Lender extended a $50.0 million term loan to the Company and reduced the maximum availability under the senior revolving credit facility from $75.0 million to $50.0 million. The maturity date of the term loan is July 7, 2026 and the maturity date of the revolving credit facility likewise was extended to July 7, 2026. The Company may prepay the revolving credit facility, in whole or in part, and reborrow prior to the revolving loan maturity date. The Company’s indebtedness under the Credit Agreement continues to be collateralized by liens on all of the present and future equity of each of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and substantially all of the assets of the Company (excluding real estate).

The Company funds working capital requirements, shareholder dividends, and stock repurchases through operating cash flows and revolving credit agreements with its bank. The Company expects to have access to adequate levels of revolving credit to meet growth needs.

Not Required.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Escalade maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports 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 the Company’s management, including its Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based closely on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, could provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company has evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the third quarter of 2021.

There have been no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred since the beginning of the Company’s first quarter of 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

None.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS.

As of the date of this filing, there have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2020.

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company has one stock repurchase program which was established in February 2003 by the Board of Directors and which initially authorized management to expend up to $3,000,000 to repurchase shares on the open market as well as in private negotiated transactions. In February 2005, February 2006, August 2007 and February 2008 the Board of Directors increased the remaining balance on this plan to its original level of $3,000,000. In September 2019, the Board of Directors increased the stock repurchase program from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000. In December 2020, the Board of Directors increased the stock repurchase program to $15,000,000. From its inception date through October 2, 2021, the Company has repurchased 2,084,585 shares of its common stock under this repurchase program for an aggregate price of $27,490,151. The repurchase program has no termination date and there have been no share repurchases that were not part of a publicly announced program.

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

None.

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

Item 6. EXHIBITS

SIGNATURE

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.