LAKELAND INDUSTRIES INC - Annual Report: 2021 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark one)

☒     ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021

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: 0-15535

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) (256) 350-3873

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

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

Not Applicable

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒    No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒    No ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this Chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a nonaccelerated 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. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

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

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates as of July 31, 2020 was approximately $186.3 million. As of April 9, 2021, there were outstanding 8,027,177 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Security Exchange Act of 1934 are incorporated by reference into Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) of this Form 10-K.

LAKELAND INDUSTRIES, INC.

INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions as described from time to time in registration statements, annual reports and other periodic reports and filings of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address the Company’s expectations of sources of capital or which express the Company’s expectation for the future with respect to financial performance or operating strategies, can be identified as forward-looking statements. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company’s future results will not be materially different from those described herein as “believed,” “anticipated,” “estimated” or “expected,” “may,” “will” or “should” or other similar words which reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events. We caution readers that these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company hereby expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which such statement is based.

PART I

Lakeland Industries, Inc. (the “Company” or “Lakeland,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1986. Our executive office is located at 202 Pride Lane SW, Decatur, AL 35603, and our telephone number is (256) 350-3873. Our website is located at www.lakeland.com. Information contained on our website is not part of this report.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

We manufacture and sell a comprehensive line of industrial protective clothing and accessories for the industrial and public protective clothing market. All Lakeland products either protect the wearer from something in their environment, or protect a product or process from the wearer. Our products must meet minimum performance requirements defined by industry best practice, and/or international or local standards.

Our products are sold globally by our in-house sales teams, our customer service group, and authorized independent sales representatives to a global network of over 1,600 safety and industrial supply distributors. Our authorized distributors supply end users, such as integrated oil, chemical/petrochemical, automobile, steel, glass, construction, smelting, heavy and light industry, cleanroom, janitorial, pharmaceutical, and high technology electronics manufacturers, as well as scientific, medical laboratories and the utilities industries (electrical, natural gas, and water). In addition, we supply federal, state and local governmental agencies and departments, such as fire and law enforcement, airport crash rescue units, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the US Food and Drug Administration. Internationally, we sell to a mixture of end users directly, and to industrial distributors depending on the particular country and market. Sales are made in more than 50 foreign countries, the majority of which were into China, the European Economic Community (“EEC”), Canada, Chile, Argentina, Russia, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, India and Southeast Asia. For purposes of this Form 10-K, (a) FY refers to a fiscal year ended January 31; for example, FY21 refers to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021 and (b) Q refers to a quarter, for examply Q4 FY 21 refers to the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021.

Lakeland regards owning and operating its own manufacturing facilities as a sustainable strategic advantage. We believe that ownership of manufacturing is the cornerstone to building resilient manufacturing. Having 6 manufacturing locations in 6 countries, coupled with sourcing core raw materials from multiple suppliers in various countries, affords Lakeland with capabilities and manufacturing resilience that cannot be matched by our competitors who use contractors. Owning our manufacturing provides us with the ability to rapidly scale up production to meet emergency demand; shift production between locations to take advantage of new trade agreements or avoid complications that may arise from trade disputes; and to maintain the highest levels of product quality. This belief was validated during this year’s COVID-19 pandemic. Through these events, Lakeland was able to rebalance manufacturing in its facilities and make use of its diversified supplier network to supply its customers without major interruption.

By comparison, our competitors who utilize contractors to sew their garments, lack the ability to respond as quickly to emergency situations because contractor agreements typically require forecast lead-times in excess of 30 days. They typically deal with only one or two contractors in order to maximize their purchasing power, simplify their purchasing, and reduce freight out costs. While this works well during normal business conditions, they are at a disadvantage in the event of any changes in tariffs or export restrictions that may result from international trade disputes, or any supply disruptions due to public health emergencies, social unrest, or supply shortages.

Should these issues continue for an extended period of time, an increasing number of our customers may seek sources of supply that are not captive to single-site manufacturing.

Our corporate strategy is to continue diversification of our manufacturing capability and product lines, and leverage it with real-time business intelligence allowing our sales team to focus on products and markets that provide improved margins as well as economic and seasonal insensitivity. In this manner we will be able to develop products and services that will differentiate Lakeland well into the future.

The last two weeks of FY20 and all of FY21 were dominated by response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The virus’ progression into a global pandemic will likely continue to impact our business for the first half of FY22. We believe that COVID 19 demand will diminish in Q2 FY22, when vaccines become more widely available. As COVID-19 demand, currently estimated at approximately 35% of revenue, decreases, we anticipate a continuation of an increase in our core businesses (industrial) that began in Q2 FY21 and continued through Q4 FY21. The negative impact of lock downs and stay at home orders peaked in Q2 FY21 with core business sales down by approximately 25%. Through the second half of Q2 and through Q4 FY21 our core business sales have been recovering steadily. Based on recent, third quarter U.S. GDP Growth of 33.1%, November 2020 manufacturing Purchasing Manager Index of 57.5%, up from 56.0% at August 2020, and our increased market penetration and new customers, we expect our core business sales to recover fully and continue to grow through FY22. We anticipate that COVID 19 related sales will continue into the first half of FY22, however not at the levels experienced in FY21 as demand for immediate use diminishes and gives way to stockpiling demand and increased core business sales.

At present, raw materials supply appears to have caught up with demand, albeit at prices well above pre-COVID-19 pricing. We anticipate raw material pricing to continue at inflated levels into FY22. Our future sales would be affected should there be an industry-wide shortage of necessary raw materials in the event of another rise or surge in COVID-19 cases. As noted, we did experience significant price increases for fabric during FY21 and managed our available manufacturing capacity to lower costs, and increase prices to meet customer demand at these higher input costs. With the exception of our India export manufacturing operation, which did not qualify for “essential status” due to its export only restrictions, we have not experienced any manufacturing capacity issues due to inability to source raw materials, government quarantine, or shelter-in-place orders, or due to COVID-19 outbreaks in any of our factories; however, there can be no assurance that this will continue to be the case. While leading economic indicators indicate a relatively robust industrial market recovery, potential headwinds to revenue as we emerge from pandemic sales include the possibility of a recession and consumer stockpiled inventories, as well as a decline in our oil and gas industrial sector.

Reference is made to “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A. Offsetting these risks are changes to our sales environment, as a result of COVID-19, that we believe represent considerable potential upside to sales. We believe that once the pandemic subsides, there will be continued demand establishing PPE stockpiles for the long-term. This stockpiling will be filled in part by inventory that is in the distribution channels as the pandemic ends. When specific governments will issue RFQs for additional product is unknown, but some RFQs are already pending release; others are expected to be released over the next several months. Additionally, we believe the private sector will also engage in stockpiling of PPE as supply channels catch up to demand. And finally, we are seeing the emergence of institutional cleaning as a new market segment as countries and states reopen and seek to prevent further infections. For these reasons we are maximizing our manufacturing capacity in the near-term and evaluating expansion opportunities to allow us to further increase our industrial market penetration. This strategy combined with new product development, manufacturing expansion, and the addition of key senior personnel also serves to prepare us for any economic slowdown that may occur as COVID 19 business ends and our industry transitions to a more traditional product mix.

The Company is utilizing the business intelligence capability of its new ERP system to reorganize its global sales teams. We are now organizing our sales personnel into four market-based, vertical teams. The previous organization, in which sales teams were assigned geographically, selling all Lakeland products, did not allow our sales personnel to properly focus on our sales strategies. Simply stated, the time allotted for end user meetings, in most cases, was not sufficient for our sales personnel to cover our wide range of products, or to develop the application expertise that many of our customers require. This reorganization will limit the number of products each sales person focuses on to the specific vertical they work in and allow them to develop expertise in the use of Lakeland products within their specific market. This will allow the Company to better focus marketing and sales efforts to drive growth in specific markets that are strategic for the Company.

FY20 saw the completion of the first phase of Lakeland’s capital project to diversify and expand its manufacturing footprint into Vietnam and India. Both our India plant and our Vietnam facility are fully equipped, staffed and making regular delivery of product. Future capital expenditures, to add additional product manufacturing capabilities and to expand the capacity of these operations, is planned and will be implemented as our growth dictates.

Additionally, a major strategic companywide objective to accelerate growth throughout the Company is to push additional products and sales tools that are successful in the key US and China markets to the other international operations, which have traditionally carried smaller lines. To facilitate this, the Company is evaluating and redeploying sales and marketing assets into regions that offer the greatest potential for sales and margin growth.

Business Strategy

Key elements of our strategy include:

Products

The following is a description of our core product offerings:

Limited Use/Disposable Protective Clothing

We manufacture a complete line of limited use/disposable protective garments, including coveralls, laboratory coats, shirts, pants, hoods, aprons, sleeves, arm guards, caps and smocks. Limited use garments can also be coated or laminated to increase splash protection against harmful inorganic acids, bases and other hazardous liquid and dry chemicals. Limited use garments are made from several different nonwoven fabrics. We use spunbonded polypropylene (SBPP), spunbonded meltblow spunbond (SMS), hydroentangled woodpulp/polyester, and needlepunched fabrics. These fabrics can be used alone or in combination with films of varying composition, and/or topical chemical treatments to make our own trademarked fabrics, like Pyrolon® Plus 2, XT, CRFR, CBFR MicroMax®, MicroMax NS, CleanMax, Safegard®, Zonegard®, and ChemMax® 1, 2, 3, and 4, as well as our patented Interceptor fabric. We incorporate many sewing, heat sealing and taping techniques depending on the level of protection needed in the end use application.

Typical users of these garments include integrated oil/petrochemical refineries, chemical plants, automotive manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, construction companies, coal, gas and oil power generation utilities and telephone utility companies, laboratories, mortuaries and governmental entities. Numerous smaller industries use these garments for specific safety applications unique to their businesses. Additional applications include protection from viruses and bacteria, such as Ebola, AIDS, streptococcus, SARS, hepatitis, and COVID-19 at medical facilities, laboratories, and emergency rescue sites. Clean manufactured and sterilized versions of our MicroMAX NS product, trademarked CleanMax, is used in aseptic laboratories to protect both the wearer and the product from cross contamination.

High-End Chemical Protective Suits

We manufacture and sell heavy duty chemical protective suits and protective apparel from our proprietary CRFR, ChemMax® 3, 4, Interceptor and other fabrics. These suits are worn by individuals on hazardous material teams and within general industry to provide protection from powerful, highly concentrated, toxic and/or potentially lethal chemicals and biological toxins. These suits are useful against toxic wastes at Superfund sites, toxic chemical spills or biological discharges, chemical or biological warfare weapons (such as sarin, anthrax or ricin and mustard gas) and chemicals and petro-chemicals present during the cleaning of refineries and nuclear facilities, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in industrial applications, and protection from infectious diseases such as Avian Flu and Ebola.

We believe that we offer the most complete and cost-effective line of chemical protective garments available on the market today. Garments are certified to both NFPA, CE, ISO, as well as other international standards allowing us to offer products composed of these fabrics all over the world.

Our ChemMAX 3, 4 and Interceptor fabrics are supported by PermaSure®, an app based chemical database and permeation modeler that allows our customers to quickly determine the safe use time for supported Lakeland garments, under specific environmental conditions for over 4,000 chemicals. This powerful tool allows Lakeland customers to safely minimize the chemical protective clothing cost by not having to default to the most protective garments available because chemical data is not available, or because there is not time to consult with the manufacturer. PermaSure can be used to model response scenarios so that contingency plans for response can be put in place.

Firefighting and Heat Protective Apparel

We manufacture an extensive line of UL certified, NFPA compliant, structural firefighter protective apparel (turnout gear) for domestic and foreign fire departments. Our turnout gear is available both in standard stock patterns and custom configurations.

We offer basic firefighter turnout gear in the Attack (A10) and Battalion (B1) styles. Introduced in 2013 are the Battalion (“B2”) style with advanced ergonomic features and the Stealth style, with innovative features new to the fire industry.

We also manufacture each of the above styles in our UL certified, NFPA compliant, Proximity line for Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (“ARFF”) with aluminized shells.

We manufacture full lines of Fire service extrication suits in FR cotton, UL certified, NFPA compliant Wildland firefighting apparel in multiple fabrics and Aluminized Kiln entry/Approach suits to protect industrial workers from extreme heat encountered in foundry’s, boiler rooms, and direct fired ovens.

We manufacture fire suits (turnout gear) at our facilities in China and Mexico. Our Lakeland Fire® brand of firefighting apparel continues to benefit from ongoing research and development investment, as we seek to address the ergonomic needs of stressful occupations.

Gloves and Sleeves

We manufacture and sell specially designed glove and sleeve products made from Kevlar®, a cut and heat resistant fiber produced by DuPont, Spectra®, a cut resistant fiber made by Honeywell, and our own patented engineered yarns. These gloves offer a better overall level of protection, lower worker injury rate, and are more cost effective than traditional leather, canvas or coated work gloves. These gloves allow workers to safely handle sharp or jagged unfinished sheet metal, are used primarily in the automotive, glass and metal fabrication industries.

We have patents for our Despro^® and Despro^® Plus products that provide greater cut and abrasion protection to the areas of a glove where injury is most likely to occur. For example, the areas of the thumb, thumb crotch and index fingers are made of heavier yarn than the balance of the glove, providing increased wear protection and longer glove life, reducing overall glove costs. This proprietary manufacturing process allows us to produce our gloves more economically and provide a greater value to the end user.

High Visibility Clothing

Lakeland’s High-Visibility Division manufactures and markets a comprehensive line of reflective apparel meeting the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements as well as multiple national standards around the world. The line includes vests, T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, coats, raingear, jumpsuits, hats and gloves.

Fabrics available include solid and mesh fluorescent, polyester, both inherently FR and FR treated fabrics, and Modacrylic materials, which meet the arc flash protective requirements for use by electrical utilities. The mesh modacrylic fabric, with its inherent FR capability, has a strong appeal to utility workers in warmer climates during spring and summer months (heat prostration).

Our High Vis FR/ARC rated rainwear is light-weight, soft, flexible and breathable, providing for a cooler garment. This product is intended for the Gas and Electrical Utility markets. The Lakeland ARC-X FR/PU garment exceeds all of the required ASTM arc flash and flash fire ratings for the Electric and Gas Utility market.

Our vest production occurs in our facilities in Mexico and China. Much of this manufacturing is for custom products. Many corporations and agencies, such as State Departments of Transportation and large electric utilities, develop custom specifications which they feel are more efficient in meeting their specific needs than off-the-shelf product. We can also import significant quantities of product from China and Mexico to meet the demand for items in high volume commodity markets.

In addition to ANSI Reflective items, Lakeland Hi-Visibility manufactures Nomex and FR cotton garments which have reflective trim attached as a part of their design criteria. These garments typically are used in rescue or extrication operations, such as those encountered as a result of vehicular accidents. Garments in this group are not as price sensitive as those in other reflective categories.

Durable Woven Garments

We manufacture and market a line of durable, launderable woven garments that complement our firefighting and heat protective offerings and provide alternatives to our limited use/disposable protective clothing lines. These products provide us access to the much larger woven industrial and health care-related markets. Woven garments are favored by customers for certain applications because of familiarity with and acceptance of these fabrics. These products allow us to supply and satisfy a wider range of our end users’ safety needs.

Our product lines include the following:

We manufacture woven garments at our facilities in China, Mexico and Argentina. We are continuing to relocate our woven protective coveralls and flame-retardant coveralls to our facilities in China, Mexico, Vietnam and India where lower fabric and labor costs allow increased profit margins.

Quality

All of our manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001 or 9002 certified. ISO standards are internationally recognized manufacturing standards established by the International Organization for Standardization based in Geneva, Switzerland. To obtain ISO registration, our factories were independently audited to test our compliance with the applicable standards and norms. In order to maintain registration, our factories receive regular inspections by an independent certification organization. While ISO certification is advantageous in retaining CE certification of products, we believe that the ISO 9001 and ISO 9002 certifications help make us more competitive in the marketplace, as customers increasingly recognize the standard as an indication of conformity with industry best practices in manufacturing.

As we source more and more of our fabrics internationally and manufacture more products certified to various standards, we have installed laboratories in our China and U.S. facilities. These laboratories are critical for ensuring that our incoming raw materials meet our quality requirements, for research and development of new products or qualification of new fabrics, and evaluation of new products against international standards. We continue to add new capabilities to these facilities to meet the requirements of new products and new standards.

Marketing and Sales

Domestically, we employ a field sales force, organized in four vertical sales groups, industrial sales, fire service, critical environment, and utilities, to better support customers and enhance marketing. We further leverage our in-house sales team with 52 independent sales representatives to a global network of over 1,600 safety and industrial supply distributors who buy our products for resale and typically maintain inventory at the local level in order to assure quick response times and the ability to serve their customers properly.

Internationally, Lakeland has sales representatives in 21 countries outside of the US and selling products into more than 50 countries. Our sustainable market advantages continue to be our knowledge of global standards, the diversity of our product offering and the fact that we manufacture our own products. We provide our customers with an exceptionally broad product selection, high quality, and excellent customer service.

We seek to maximize the efficiency of our established distribution network through direct promotion of our products at the end user level. To this end, we have organized our sales teams into the previously mentioned vertical market teams to increase our ability to focus on sales of specific products and into specific markets. Additionally, we are motivating our distributors to engage in promotional activities aligned with our sales strategies via coop incentives. We advertise primarily through trade publications, and our promotional activities include sales brochures, emails and our website. We exhibit at both regional and national trade shows, such as the National Safety Congress, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (“AIHA”), the American Society of Safety Engineers (“ASSE”), the CIOSH, the COS+H and the A+A show in Dusseldorf, Germany.We believe that future international growth is sustainable in excess of the estimated industry organic growth rate of 7.0% to 7.5% (per Allied Market Research, “Global Disposable Protective Clothing Market 2019-2026”) in the coming year, but there can be no assurance in that regard, particularly in view of the disruptions due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This belief is based on our current estimates of market penetration, the introduction of higher value products and improved business intelligence and better planning afforded to us by our new ERP system.

Competition

We compete on the basis of our product quality, pricing, product availability, responsiveness to customers and manufacturing capability. Our business is highly competitive due to a few competitors who have monopolistic positions in the fabrics that are standards in the industry for disposable and high-end chemical suits. We believe that the barriers to entry in the disposable and reusable garments and gloves industries are relatively low as evidenced the by increasing availability of distributor private label product in the marketplace. We face competition in some of our other product markets from large established companies that have greater financial, research and development, sales and technical resources. Where larger competitors, such as DuPont, Kimberly Clark, Ansell and Honeywell, offer products that are directly competitive with our products, particularly as part of an established line of products, there can be no assurance that we can successfully compete for sales and customers. Larger competitors outside of our Disposable and Chemical Suit lines also may be able to benefit from economies of scale and technological innovation and may introduce new products that compete with our products.

We are continually seeking sources for our raw materials in or near the various countries where we have manufacturing operations. Not only does this reduce freight costs, but it makes for a more robust supply chain that allows us to respond quickly.

Patents and Trademarks

We own 20 patents and have one patent in the application and approval process with the US Patent and Trademark Office. We own 56 trademarks and have six trademarks in the application and approval process. Intellectual property rights that apply to our various products include patents, trade secrets, trademarks and, to a lesser extent, copyrights. We maintain an active program to protect our technology, filing for patent and trademark protection in multiple countries where our product may be “knocked off” or where there exist significant sales of our products.

International and Domestic Standards

Globally, standards development continues to challenge Industrial protective clothing manufacturers. The pace of change and adoption of new standards continues to increase as standards for more hazards are added and deficiencies in existing standards are corrected. Complex and changing international standards play to Lakeland’s strengths when compared to most multinationals or smaller manufacturers. Lakeland currently sits on committees and/or works closely with groups involved in writing many international standards such as the American Society for Testing and Materials International (“ASTM”), the National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”), International Safety Equipment Association (“ISEA”), the European Committee for Standardization (“CEN”), ISO, the China National Standards Board (“GB”) in China, and the Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand (“ASNZ”).

Globally, not only are the standards continuing to change, but the focus of standards activity is shifting. In response to increasing use of certification processes as a technical barrier to trade, standards writing bodies in the US and Europe have both concluded efforts to update and define conformity assessment (ANSI/ISEA 125 and the PPE Regulation respectively) within their own spheres of influence, unfortunately, these are not “international standards” and can be easily ignored by other countries who wish to impose their own conformity assessment systems on importers. The result is an increasingly dynamic standards environment where not only are the standards changing, but the minimum requirements for conformity with the certification process itself are changing.

A number of developing nations are now becoming active in their own standards development based on existing international standards. However, we believe that the primary goal of their standards writing activity is not focused on worker protection (that is provided for by the use of international standards), rather they are attempting to establish their own certification criteria that will protect their domestic markets or favor specific regional suppliers. This presents a new challenge in that not only are we faced with multiple test methods and standards, but we have the potential for multiple certification processes. While this adds to product development and sales expenses, the additional cost is only incremental. The real challenge is in navigating the certification process itself. This is a significant impediment to entry for companies seeking to expand sales distribution globally. In many cases products preferred in one market are not acceptable in another and multiple conformity assessments are required for the same standard certification. This is both technically challenging and costly. Lakeland, by virtue of its international manufacturing and sales operations, is in a unique position to capitalize on this complex dynamic.

Suppliers and Materials

It is our policy, whenever possible, to qualify multiple vendors for our fabrics and bindings. We frequently distribute our purchases among the top two or three suppliers, based on pricing and delivery schedules, in order to keep multiple suppliers qualified and proficient in the manufacture of the raw materials that we require.Materials, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, spunlaced polyester, melt blown polypropylene and their derivatives and laminates, are available from 30 or more major mills.FR fabrics are also available from a number of both domestic and international mills. The accessories used in the production of our disposable garments, such as thread, boxes, snaps and elastics, are obtained from unaffiliated suppliers. We have not experienced difficulty in obtaining our requirements for these commodity component items.

Due to the high cost of freight for our nonwoven fabrics, we also seek to find multiple sources that are local to our manufacturing to emergency demand and shift manufacturing between our locations with greater ease.

Human Capital

As of January 31, 2021, the Company employed approximately 2,000 people worldwide, of which approximately 100 were employed in the United States and 1,900 were employed outside of the United States. Approximately 1,500 or 75% of our global workforce is covered by collective bargaining agreements or works councils. Overall, we consider our employee relations to be good. Our culture is important to our success.

Health and Safety The health and safety of our employees is of utmost important to us. We conduct regular self-assessments and audits to ensure compliance with our health and safety guidelines and regulatory requirements. Our ultimate goal is to achieve a level of work-related injuries as close to zero as possible through continuous investment in our safety programs. We provide protective gear (e.g. eye protection, masks and gloves) as required by applicable standards and as appropriate given employee job duties. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have invested heavily to help ensure the health of our employees. Through the use of education and awareness, provision of necessary PPE, and changes to our manufacturing sites and screening, we strive to make our workplaces a safe place for employees during the workday.

Hiring Practices We recruit the best people for the job without regard to gender, ethnicity or other protected traits and it is our policy to comply fully with all domestic, foreign and local laws relating to discrimination in the workplace.

Diversity and Inclusion Recognizing and respecting our global presence, we strive to maintain a diverse and inclusive workforce everywhere we operate. Almost 50% of our employees worldwide are female and, in the U.S., non-Caucasian employees account for more than 50% of the employee base. Our diversity and inclusion principles are also reflected in our employee training, in particular with respect to our policies against harassment and bullying and the elimination of bias in the workplace.

In addition, to support mental health and emotional well-being, all associates and their dependents worldwide have access to an Employee Assistance Program ("EAP"), at no cost to them. This includes access to visits with mental health care providers through the EAP.

Lakeland’s compensation philosophy strives to provide total compensation for all employees at the market median, utilizing base salary, cash incentives and, in some cases, equity grants to achieve this goal. We further strive to provide above-market compensation opportunities for associates who exceed goals and expectations. This approach to compensation is designed to help Lakeland attract, retain and motivate high-performing individuals who foster an innovative culture and drive business results.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to various foreign, federal, state and local environmental protection, chemical control, and health and safety laws and regulations, and we incur costs to comply with those laws. We own and lease real property, and certain environmental laws hold current or previous owners or operators of businesses and real property responsible for contamination on or originating from property, even if they did not know of, or were not responsible for the contamination. The presence of hazardous substances on any of our properties or the failure to meet environmental regulatory requirements could affect our ability to use or to sell the property, or to use the property as collateral for borrowing, and could result in substantial remediation or compliance costs.

Although we have not in the past had any material costs or damages associated with environmental claims or compliance, and we do not currently anticipate any such costs or damages, we cannot guarantee that we will not incur material costs or damages in the future as a result of the discovery of new facts or conditions, acquisition of new properties, the release of hazardous substances, a change in interpretation of existing environmental laws or the adoption of new environmental laws.

Seasonality

Our operations have historically been moderately seasonal, with higher sales generally occurring in March, April and May when scheduled maintenance on nuclear, coal, oil and gas fired utilities, chemical, petrochemical and smelting facilities, and other heavy industrial manufacturing plants occurs, primarily due to moderate spring temperatures and low Energy demands. Sales decline during the warmer summer vacation months and gradually increase from Labor Day through February with slight declines during holidays, such as Christmas. As a result of this seasonality in our sales, we have historically experienced a corresponding seasonality in our working capital, specifically inventories, with peak inventories occurring between December and May, coinciding with lead times required to accommodate the spring maintenance schedules. Certain of our large customers seek sole sourcing to avoid sourcing their requirements from multiple vendors whose prices, delivery times and quality standards differ.

In recent years, due to increased demand by first responders for our chemical suits and fire gear, our growing sales into the southern hemisphere, and our development of non-seasonal products like CleanMAX, our historical seasonal pattern has shifted. While we doubt that we will ever fully eliminate seasonality in our business, we continue our efforts to diminish its impact on revenues, operational results, working capital and cash flow, by focusing on sales into non-seasonal markets like clean rooms, electric utilities and the fire service markets.

Available Information

Our Internet address is www.Lakeland.com. We make the following filings available free of charge on the Investor Relations page on our website as soon as they have been electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"): our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as well as our proxy statement. Information contained on our website is not part of this annual report on Form 10-K or our other filings with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers like us who file electronically with the SEC.

Information about our Executive Officers

The following is a list of the names and ages of all of our executive officers indicating all positions and offices they hold with us as of April 15, 2021.

Charles D. Roberson has served as our Chief Executive Officer, President and Secretary since February 2020. Previously he served as Chief Operating Officer from July 2018. From 2009 to July 2018, he was our Senior Vice President, International Sales. Mr. Roberson joined our Company in 2004 as Technical Marketing Manager;was instrumental in development of our ChemMAX and Interceptor fabrics and represented Lakeland to various standards writing bodies, and later served as International Sales Manager. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Roberson was employed by Precision Fabrics Group, Inc. as a Market Manager from 1995-2001 and as a Nonwovens Manufacturing Manager from 1991-1995. He began his career as a manufacturing manager for Burlington Industries, Inc. in its Menswear Division from 1985-1991.

Allen E. Dillard has served as our Chief Financial Officer since August 2019. Mr. Dillard was Chief Financial Officer of Digium, Inc., a provider of telecommunications solutions from September 2015 to August 2019. Mr. Dillard served as Chief Executive Officer of Mobular Technologies, Inc., a technology solutions provider from September 2003 to September 2015. Mr. Dillard has also served as CFO/Treasurer for Nichols Research Corporation and Wolverine Tube, Inc. and was a senior manager at Ernst & Young.

Steven L. Harvey has been our Executive Vice President for Global Sales and Marketing since January 2021. From 2007 to 2018, Mr. Harvey was Vice-President of Global Sales and Service of Digium, Inc., a provider of telecommunications solutions. From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Harvey was employed by Adtran, Inc., a provider of networking and communications equipment as the Vice President of Sales, Enterprise and Competitive Service Providers, as the Vice President of Sales, Competitive Service Providers from 1998 to 2002 and as the Vice President of Sales, Enterprise from 1996 to 1998. Mr. Harvey was also an Executive Vice President of, and held various sales positions for, Data Processing Sciences, and began his career at The Procter & Gamble Company.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following risks before investing in our common stock. These are not the only risks that we may face. If any of the events referred to below actually occur, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. You should also refer to the other information in this Form 10-K and in the documents we incorporate by reference into this Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

We are subject to risk as a result of our international manufacturing operations.

Because most of our products are manufactured at our facilities located in China, Vietnam, Mexico, Argentina and India, our operations are subject to risk inherent in doing business internationally. Such risks include the adverse effects on operations from corruption, war, international terrorism, civil disturbances, political instability, government activities such as border taxes and renegotiation of treaties, deprivation of contract and property rights and currency valuation changes.

Since 1978, the Chinese government has been reforming its economic and political systems, and we expect this to continue. Although we believe that these reforms have had a positive effect on the economic development of China and have improved our ability to successfully operate our facilities in China, we cannot assure you that these reforms will continue or that the Chinese government will not take actions that impair our operations or assets in China. In addition, periods of international unrest may impede our ability to manufacture goods in other countries and could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

A terrorism attack, other geopolitical crisis, or widespread outbreak of an illness or other health issue, such as the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak, could negatively impact our domestic and/or international operations.

Our global operations are susceptible to global events, including acts or threats of war or terrorism, international conflicts, political instability, and natural disasters. The occurrence of any of these events could have an adverse effect on our business results and financial condition.

We are also susceptible to a widespread outbreak of an illness or other health issue, such as the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak first reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019, resulting in millions of confirmed cases identified around the world and in countries in which we conduct business. The outbreak has caused governments to implement quarantines, implement significant restrictions on travel, closed schools and work places, and implement work restrictions, all of which impaired normal business operations of numerous businesses. Globally air travel has been significantly interrupted as has air freight, ocean freight, and even truck deliveries.

As a result of pandemic outbreaks, businesses can be shut down, supply chains can be interrupted, slowed, or rendered inoperable, and individuals can become ill, quarantined, or otherwise unable to work and/or travel due to health reasons or governmental restrictions. Governmental mandates may require forced shutdowns of our facilities for extended or indefinite periods. In addition, these widespread outbreaks of illness could adversely affect our workforce resulting in serious health issues and absenteeism. Pandemic outbreaks could also interfere with general commercial activity related to our supply chain and customer base, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and operational results. If our operations are curtailed, we may have to shift manufacturing, if available, to another Lakeland facility which may be more expensive and limit our manufacturing capacity. Our raw materials sources may not be available or may be delayed in shipments to us, impacting our ability to deliver to our customers, negatively impacting our operational results and financial condition . Further, if our customers’ businesses are similarly affected, they might delay or reduce purchases from us, which could adversely affect our results of operations. To date, while we have experienced some loss of employee time, we have not suffered significant negative effects due to COVID-19, and our manufacturing facilities have been able to operate without shutdown.

Pandemics or disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19, may cause unfavorable economic or market conditions which could impact demand patterns and/or disrupt global supply chains and manufacturing operations.

Collectively, these outcomes could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Pandemics or disease outbreaks such as COVID-19 could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies of developed and emerging markets, potentially resulting in an economic downturn that could affect customers’ demand for our products in certain industrial-based end-markets. The spread of pandemics or disease outbreaks may also disrupt the Company’s manufacturing operations, supply chain, or logistics necessary to import, export and deliver products to our customers. During a pandemic or crisis, applicable laws and response directives could, in some circumstances, adversely affect our ability to operate our plants, or to deliver our products in a timely manner. Some laws and directives may also hinder our ability to move certain products across borders. Economic conditions can also influence order patterns. These factors could negatively impact our consolidated results of operations and cash flow. To date, while we have experienced some loss of employee time and reduced core business sales, we have not suffered significant negative effects due to COVID-19, and our manufacturing facilities have been able to operate without shutdown.

We have significant international operations and are subject to the risks of doing business in foreign countries. We have business operations in approximately 60 foreign countries. In FY21, more than half of our net sales were made by operations located outside the United States. Those operations are subject to various political, economic and other risks and uncertainties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. These risks include the following:

Any one or more of these risks could have a negative impact on the success of our international operations and, thereby, have a material adverse effect our business, consolidated results of operations and financial condition.

Our results of operations may vary widely from quarter to quarter.

Our quarterly results of operations have varied and are expected to continue to vary in the future. These fluctuations may be caused by many factors, including:

These variations could negatively impact our stock price.

Because we do not have long-term commitments from many of our customers, we must estimate customer demand, and errors in our estimates could negatively impact our inventory levels and net sales.

Our sales are generally made on the basis of individual purchase orders, which may later be modified or canceled by the customer, rather than on long-term commitments. We have historically been required to place firm orders for fabrics and components with our suppliers prior to receiving an order for our products, based on our forecasts of customer demands. Our sales process requires us to make multiple demand forecast assumptions, each of which may introduce error into our estimates, causing excess inventory to accrue or a lack of manufacturing capacity when needed. If we overestimate customer demand, we may allocate resources to manufacturing products that we may not be able to sell when we expect to or not at all. As a result, we would have excess inventory, which would negatively impact our financial results. Conversely, if we underestimate customer demand or if insufficient manufacturing capacity is available, we would lose sales opportunities, lose market share and damage our customer relationships. On occasion, we have been unable to adequately respond to delivery dates required by our customers because of the lead time needed for us to obtain required materials or to send fabrics to our assembly facilities in China, Vietnam, India, and Mexico. We must recruit and retain skilled employees, including our senior management, to succeed in our business.

We face competition from other companies, a number of which have substantially greater resources than we do.

Four of our competitors, DuPont, Honeywell, Ansell and Kimberly Clark, have substantially greater financial, marketing and sales resources than we do. In addition, we believe that the barriers to entry in the disposable and reusable garments and gloves markets are relatively low. We cannot assure you that our present competitors or competitors that choose to enter the marketplace in the future will not exert significant competitive pressures. Such competition could have a material adverse effect on our net sales and results of operations.

Our operations are substantially dependent upon key personnel.

Our performance is substantially dependent on the continued services and performance of our senior management and certain other key personnel, including Charles D. Roberson, our Chief Executive Officer, President and Secretary, Allen E. Dillard, our Chief Financial Officer, and Steven L. Harvey, our Executive Vice President for Global Sales and Marketing. The loss of services of any of our executive officers or other key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any future expansion of our business will depend on our ability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain and motivate other highly skilled managerial, marketing, customer service and manufacturing personnel, and our inability to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Technological change could negatively affect sales of our products and our performance.

The rapid development of fabric technology continually affects our apparel applications and may directly impact the performance of our products. We cannot assure you that we will successfully maintain or improve the effectiveness of our existing products, nor can we assure you that we will successfully identify new opportunities or continue to have the needed financial resources to develop new fabric or apparel manufacturing techniques in a timely or cost-effective manner. In addition, products manufactured by others may render our products obsolete or noncompetitive. If any of these events occur, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results will be materially and adversely affected.

Cybersecurity incidents could disrupt business operations, result in the loss of critical and confidential information and adversely impact our reputation and results of operations.

Global cybersecurity threats can range from uncoordinated individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to our information technology (“IT”) systems to sophisticated and targeted measures known as advanced persistent threats. While we employ comprehensive measures to prevent, detect, address and mitigate these threats (including access controls, data encryption, vulnerability assessments, management training, continuous monitoring of our IT networks and systems and maintenance of backup and protective systems), cybersecurity incidents, depending on their nature and scope, could potentially result in the misappropriation, destruction, corruption or unavailability of critical data and confidential or proprietary information (our own or that of third parties) and the disruption of business operations. While no cybersecurity attack to date has had a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, the threat remains and the potential consequences of a material cybersecurity incident include reputational damage, litigation with third parties, diminution in the value of our investment in research, development and engineering, and increased cybersecurity protection and remediation costs, which in turn could adversely affect our competitiveness and results of operations.

Acquisitions could be unsuccessful.

In the future, subject to capital constraints, we may seek to acquire selected safety products lines or safety-related businesses or other businesses, which will complement our existing products. Our ability to acquire these businesses is dependent upon many factors, including our management’s relationship with the owners of these businesses, many of which are small and closely held by individual stockholders. In addition, we will be competing for acquisition and expansion opportunities with other companies, many of which have greater name recognition, marketing support and financial resources than us, which may result in fewer acquisition opportunities for us, as well as higher acquisition prices. There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify, pursue or acquire any targeted business and, if acquired, there can be no assurance that we will be able to profitably manage additional businesses or successfully integrate acquired business into our Company without substantial costs, delays and other operational or financial problems.

Acquisitions involve a number of special risks in addition to those mentioned above, including the diversion of management’s attention to the assimilation of the operations and personnel of the acquired companies, the potential loss of key employees of acquired companies, potential exposure to unknown liabilities, adverse effects on our reported operating results and the amortization or write-down of acquired intangible assets. We cannot assure you that any acquisition by us will or will not occur, that if an acquisition does occur that it will not materially and adversely affect our results of operations or that any such acquisition will be successful in enhancing our business. To the extent that we are unable to manage growth efficiently and effectively or are unable to attract and retain additional qualified management personnel, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Financial Risks

Our results of operations could be negatively affected by potential fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

Most of our assembly arrangements with our foreign-based subsidiaries or third-party suppliers require payment to be made in US dollars or the Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”). Any decrease in the value of the US dollar or RMB in relation to foreign currencies could increase the cost of the services provided to us upon contract expirations or supply renegotiations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to increase product prices to offset any such cost increases, and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are also exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risks as a result of our sales to customers in foreign countries in the amount of $88.4 million in FY21. Our sales in these countries are usually denominated in the local currency. If the value of the US dollar increases relative to these local currencies, and we are unable to raise our prices proportionally, then our profit margins could decrease because of the exchange rate change.

We are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates as a result of our purchases and sales in other countries. To manage the volatility relating to foreign currency exchange rates, we seek to limit, to the extent possible, our non-US dollar denominated purchases and sales.

In connection with our operations in China, we purchase a significant amount of products from outside of the United States. However, our purchases in China are primarily made in the RMB, the value of which has floated for the last 5 years, therefore we have been exposed to additional foreign exchange rate risk on our Chinese raw material and component purchases.

Our primary risk from foreign currency exchange rate changes is presently related to non-US dollar denominated sales in China, Canada and Europe and, to a smaller extent, in South American countries and in Russia. Our sales to customers in Canada are denominated in Canadian dollars, in Europe in Euros and British pounds, and in China in RMB and US dollars. If the value of the US dollar increases relative to the Canadian dollar, the Pound, the Euro, or the RMB then our net sales could decrease as our products would be more expensive to these international customers because of changes in rate of exchange. We manage the foreign currency risk, when appropriate, through the use of rolling 90-day forward contracts against the Canadian dollar and Euro and through cash flow hedges in the US against the RMB and the Euro. We do not hedge other currencies at this time. In the event that non-US dollar denominated international purchases and sales grow, exposure to volatility in exchange rates could have a material adverse impact on our financial results.

Covenants in our credit facilities may restrict our financial and operating flexibility.

As a result of the Loan Agreement the Company entered into on June 25, 2020 we currently have a $12.5 million revolving credit facility, expiring June 25, 2025. Our credit facility requires, and any future credit facilities may also require, among others that we comply with specified financial covenants relating to fixed charge coverage and maximum capital expenditures. Our ability to satisfy these financial covenants can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot guarantee that we will meet the requirements of these covenants. These restrictive covenants could affect our financial and operational flexibility or impede our ability to operate or expand our business, including a limitation on annual investments and advances we can make to foreign subsidiaries. Default under our credit facilities would allow the lenders to declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable. Our lenders have a security interest in substantially all of our assets to secure the debt under our current credit facilities, and it is likely that our future lenders will have security interests in our assets. If our lenders declare amounts outstanding under any credit facility to be due, the lenders could proceed against our assets. Any event of default, therefore, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We may need additional funds, and if we are unable to obtain these funds, we may not be able to expand or operate our business as planned.

Our operations require significant amounts of cash, and we may be required to seek additional capital, whether from sales of equity or by borrowing money, to fund acquisitions for the future growth and development of our business or to fund our operations and inventory, particularly in the event of a market downturn.

A number of factors could affect our ability to access future debt or equity financing, including:

Even if available, additional financing may be more costly than our current facility and may have adverse consequences. If additional funds are raised through the incurrence of debt, we will incur increased debt servicing costs and may become subject to additional restrictive financial and other covenants. We can give no assurance as to the terms or availability of additional capital. Although management believes it currently has sufficient capital, if we do need additional capital in the future and are unsuccessful, it could reduce our net sales and materially adversely impact our earning capability and financial position.

Legal and Regulatory Risks

We may be exposed to continuing and other liabilities arising from our former Brazilian operations.

Although we formally completed the terms of the “Shares Transfer Agreement”, pursuant to which our entire equity interest in our former Brazilian subsidiary (“Lakeland Brazil”) was transferred during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, we may continue to be exposed to certain liabilities arising in connection with the operations of Lakeland Brazil, which was shut down in late March 2019. We understand that under the laws of Brazil, a parent company may be held liable for the liabilities of a former Brazilian subsidiary in the event of fraud, misconduct, or under various theories. In this respect, as regards labor claims, a parent company could conceivably be held liable for the liabilities of a former Brazilian subsidiary. Although we would have the right of adversary system, full defense and due process, in case of a potential litigation, there can be no assurance as to the findings of the courts in Brazil. For this reason we have worked with Brazilian legal counsel to settle all open labor claims against the former subsidiary in order to mitigate this risk.

We deal in countries where corruption is an obstacle.

We must comply with American laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and Sarbanes-Oxley and also with anticorruption legislation in the U.K. Some of our competitors and customers in foreign jurisdictions may not adhere to such legislation. As a result, we believe that we lose sales orders due to our strict adherence to such regulations.

We are subject to various U.S. and foreign tax laws and any changes in these laws related to the taxation of businesses and resolutions of tax disputes could adversely affect our results of operations.

The U.S. Congress, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (or, OECD) and other government agencies in jurisdictions in which we invest or do business have maintained a focus on issues related to the taxation of multinational companies. The OECD has changed numerous long-standing tax principles through its base erosion and profit shifting (“BEPS”) project which could adversely impact our effective tax rate.

We are subject to regular review and audit by both foreign and domestic tax authorities. While we believe our tax positions will be sustained, the final outcome of tax audits and related litigation may differ materially from the tax amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We may be subject to product liability claims, and insurance coverage could be inadequate or unavailable to cover these claims.

We manufacture products used for protection from hazardous or potentially lethal substances, such as chemical and biological toxins, fire, viruses and bacteria. The products that we manufacture are typically used in applications and situations that involve high levels of risk of personal injury. Failure to use our products for their intended purposes, failure to use our products properly or the malfunction of our products could result in serious bodily injury or death of the user. In such cases, we may be subject to product liability claims arising from the design, manufacture or sale of our products. If these claims are decided against us, and we are found to be liable, we may be required to pay substantial damages, and our insurance costs may increase significantly as a result. We cannot assure you that our insurance coverage would be sufficient to cover the payment of any potential claim. In addition, we cannot assure you that this or any other insurance coverage will continue to be available or, if available, that we will be able to obtain it at a reasonable cost. Any material uninsured loss could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Environmental laws and regulations may subject us to significant liabilities.

Our US operations, including our manufacturing facilities, are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations relating to the discharge, storage, treatment, handling, disposal and remediation of certain materials, substances and wastes. Any violation of any of those laws and regulations could cause us to incur substantial liability to the Environmental Protection Agency, the state environmental agencies in any affected state or to any individuals affected by any such violation. If hazardous substances are released from or located on any of our properties, we could incur substantial costs and damages. Any such liability could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws and Delaware law could make a merger, tender offer or proxy contest difficult.

Our restated certificate of incorporation contains classified board provisions, authorized preferred stock that could be utilized to implement various “poison pill” defenses and a stockholder authorized, but as yet unused, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), all of which may have the effect of discouraging a takeover of Lakeland, which is not approved by our board of directors. Further, we are subject to the antitakeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibit us from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in the prescribed manner.

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate widely.

The market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations in response to quarter-to-quarter variations in our operating results, announcements of new products or services by us or our competitors and other events or factors. For example, a shortfall in net sales or net income, or an increase in losses, from levels expected by securities analysts or investors, could have an immediate and significant adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. Volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices of many micro and small capitalization companies have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. These fluctuations, as well as general economic and market conditions, may adversely affect the market price for our common stock.

Our common stock is an equity interest and therefore subordinated to our indebtedness.

Payments of the principal and interest under notes issued under the loan agreements entered into in connection with our senior financing are secured by liens on, and security interests in, substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ present and after-acquired assets. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our common stock would rank below all debt and creditor claims against us. As a result, holders of our common stock will not be entitled to receive any payment or other distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up until after all of our obligations to our debt holders and creditors have been satisfied.

We are precluded from paying and do not anticipate paying any dividends to our common stockholders in the near future.

We are prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends to our common stockholders without the prior consent of our lenders. Further, we have not paid dividends on our common stock since August 2006 and we do not anticipate, if permitted, paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. Instead, we plan to retain any earnings to maintain and expand our existing operations.

ITEM 1B: UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our principal executive office is located at 202 Pride Lane SW, Decatur, AL, 35603 United States. We own or lease our primary facilities. Our primary manufacturing locations are located in AnQui City, China, Jerez, Mexico, Buenas Aires, Argentina, Noida, India, and Xuan Trung Commune, Vietnam.

We believe that all of our facilities, including the manufacturing facilities, are in good repair and in suitable condition for the purposes for which they are used.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are a party to litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not currently a party to any litigation or other legal proceedings that we believe could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements related to legal matters in respect of our former subsidiary in Brazil and its relation to the Company.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

N/A

PART II

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

Our common stock is currently traded on the Nasdaq Market under the symbol “LAKE.” On April 9, 2021 there were 30 registered holders of our shares of common stock.

Dividend Policy

We may pay stock dividends in future years at the discretion of our board of directors.

We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock, and we currently intend to retain any future earnings for use in our business. The payment and rate of future cash or stock dividends, if any, or stock repurchase programs are subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our earnings, financial condition, capital or contractual restrictions under our credit facilities and other factors.

Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities

On February 11, 2021, the Company’s board of directors approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $5,000,000 of its outstanding common stock. The new program replaces the prior program which had approximately $800,000 remaining for repurchases. There were no shares repurchased in the fourth quarter of FY 21.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

N/A

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

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

You should read the following summary together with the more detailed business information and consolidated financial statements and related notes that appear elsewhere in this Form 10-K and in the documents that we incorporate by reference into this Form 10-K. This document may contain certain “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. In this Form 1-K, (a) “FY” means fiscal year; thus for example, FY21 refers to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021 and (b) “Q” refers to a quarter; thus, for example, Q4 FY21 refers to the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021.

Overview; Response to COVID-19 Outbreak

We manufacture and sell a comprehensive line of industrial protective clothing and accessories for the industrial and public protective clothing market. Our products are sold globally by our in-house sales teams, our customer service group, and authorized independent sales representatives to a network of over 1,600 global safety and industrial supply distributors. Our authorized distributors supply end users, such as integrated oil, chemical/petrochemical, automobile, steel, glass, construction, smelting, cleanroom, janitorial, pharmaceutical, and high technology electronics manufacturers, as well as scientific, medical laboratories and the utilities industry. In addition, we supply federal, state and local governmental agencies and departments, such as fire and law enforcement, airport crash rescue units, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control. Internationally, we sell to a mixture of end users directly, and to industrial distributors depending on the particular country and market. In addition to the United States, sales are made to more than 50 foreign countries, the majority of which were into China, the European Economic Community (“EEC”), Canada, Chile, Argentina, Russia, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, India and Southeast Asia.

In FY21 we had net sales of $159.0 million and $107.8 million in FY20.

We have operated facilities in Mexico since 1995 and in China since 1996. Beginning in 1995, we moved the labor intensive sewing operation for our limited use/disposable protective clothing lines to these facilities. Our facilities and capabilities in China and Mexico allow access to a less expensive labor pool than is available in the United States and permit us to purchase certain raw materials at a lower cost than they are available domestically. More recently we have added manufacturing operations in Vietnam and India to offset increasing manufacturing costs in China and further diversify our manufacturing capabilities. Our China operations will continue primarily manufacturing for the Chinese market and other markets where duty advantages exist. Manufacturing expansion is not only necessary to control rising costs, it is also necessary for Lakeland to achieve its growth objectives.

Our net sales attributable to customers outside the United States were $88.4 million and $51.9 million for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The last two weeks of FY20 and all of FY21 were dominated by response to the COVID 19 outbreak. The virus’ progression into a global pandemic will likely continue to impact our business into the first half of FY22. We experienced a drop in COVID 19 demand in Q4 FY21 that will continue into Q2 FY22, when vaccines become more widely available. As COVID 19 demand, currently estimated at approximately 30% to 35% of revenue decreases, we anticipate a continuation of an increase in our core businesses (industrial) that began in Q2 FY21 and continued through Q4 FY21. The negative impact of lock downs and stay at home orders peaked in Q2 FY21 with core business sales down by approximately 25%. Through the second half of Q2 FY21 and through Q4 FY21 our core business sales have been recovering steadily. Based on recent, third quarter U.S. GDP Growth of 33.1%; November 2020 manufacturing Purchasing Manager Index of 57.5%, up from 56.0% at August 2020, and our increased market penetration and new customers, we expect our core business sales to recover fully and continue to grow through FY22. We anticipate that COVID 19 related sales will continue for the first half of FY22, however not at the levels experienced in FY21 as demand for immediate use diminishes and give way to stockpiling demand and increased core business sales.

At present, raw materials supply appears to have caught up with demand, albeit at prices well above pre-COVID-19 pricing. We anticipate raw material pricing to continue at inflated levels into FY22.Our future sales would be affected should there be an industry-wide shortage of necessary raw materials in the event of another rise or surge in COVID-19 cases. As noted, we did experience significant price increases for fabric during FY21 and managed our available manufacturing capacity to lower costs, and increase prices, to meet customer demand at these higher prices. With the exception of our India export manufacturing operation, which did not qualify for “essential status” due to its export only restrictions we have not experienced any manufacturing capacity issues due to inability to source raw materials, government quarantine, or shelter-in-place orders, or due to COVID-19 outbreaks in any of our factories, however there can be no assurance that this will continue to be the case. While leading economic indicators indicate a relatively robust industrial market recovery, potential headwinds to revenue as we emerge from pandemic sales include the possibility of a recession and consumer stockpiled inventories, as well as a decline in our oil and gas industrial sector that may temper demand within our regular markets in the second half of FY21.

Reference is made to “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021. Offsetting these risks are changes to our sales environment, as a result of COVID-19, that we believe represent considerable upside to sales. We believe that once the pandemic subsides, there will be continued demand establishing PPE stockpiles for the long-term. This stockpiling will be filled in part by inventory that is in the distribution channels as the pandemic ends. When specific governments will issue RFQs for additional product is unknown, but some RFQs are already pending release; others are expected to be released over the next several months. Additionally, we believe the private sector will also engage in stockpiling of PPE as supply channels catch up to demand. And finally, we are seeing the emergence of institutional cleaning as a new market segment as countries and states reopen and seek to prevent further infections. For these reasons we are maximizing our manufacturing capacity in the near-term and evaluating expansion opportunities to allow us to further increase our industrial market penetration as our competitors abandon their industrial customers as they seek to maximize COVID-19 related sales. This strategy combined with new product development, manufacturing expansion, and the addition of key senior personnel also serves to prepare us for any economic slowdown that may occur as COVID-19 business ends and our industry transitions to a more traditional product mix.

Lakeland’s strategy for response to these “black swan” events is to remain focused on our long term growth strategies and tailor our response to these events so as to accelerate our strategic plans. We believe that focusing on our long-term growth strategy is also a solid strategy for minimizing the impact of any post-pandemic recession. In this particular case, our long-term strategy for revenue and margin improvement is to increase market penetration into markets that use higher value, higher margin products, that are recession resistant. Our manufacturing flexibility allows the Company to maximize the manufacture of disposable and chemical garments without degrading its ability to supply higher end, flame resistant and arc flash resistant garments. In order to maximize our response to pandemic demand, we have increased the daily working hours for our disposables and chemical manufacturing product lines, and we have significantly reduced the number of SKUs in these product lines in order to maximize efficiencies. This will have the effect of increasing throughput and reducing manufacturing costs to help mitigate any raw materials prices increases. Additionally, by focusing on a few core styles, we believe we can minimize the impact on inventory of any production over run when the pandemic subsides. SKU reduction also affords Lakeland the opportunity to discontinue any styles that have ceased being profitable due to pricing or sales volume We are not deviating from our growth strategy, rather we are looking to utilize the short-term, increased demand as a catalyst to accelerate attainment of growth objectives.

Having successfully implemented the above strategy, as evidenced by significantly increased market penetration in international markets, the addition of new customers accounting for additional sales of approximately $10 million, and realizing efficiency gains that we intend to make permanent, we are now focused on adding human and IT resources required to accelerate our growth rate in a post-COVID-19 environment. We believe that we will emerge from FY21 a full year ahead of our pre-COVID-19 growth plan, and we are committed to leveraging our position to accelerate growth in Critical Environment Markets such as pharmaceutical cleanrooms, isolation gowns, and Chemo-gowns; the Electric Utility Market; and to continue improving efficiencies by rationalizing our product offering in non-Covid product lines. To do this we will be acquiring additional senior and middle managers with specific skills in Sales and Marketing, Quality Control, Supply Chain Management, and Industrial Engineering. These personnel will facilitate future manufacturing expansion.by assuring that we have the skill sets necessary to meet our growth targets.

The personal protective equipment market continues to grow worldwide at an estimated rate of 7.0% to 7.5%, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, as developing countries increasingly adopt protection standards similar to those of North America and Europe, and standards in more mature markets become more stringent, cover more workers, and more hazards. This growth rate will likely be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and resultant post-pandemic economic conditions, however these fundamental growth drivers will remain in place. Management believes Lakeland is uniquely positioned to take advantage of these trends with its presence in many major and high growth potential markets worldwide. However, management also understands that significant investment in these markets in terms of sales personnel, sales collateral and improved distribution (local warehousing) is required for the Company to realize its goals for growth in revenue and income as many of these markets become more competitive.

In order to promote future improvements in operating income, cash availability, and business outlook, the Company made multiple investments in operations and organizational expansion. Additional personnel in sales and marketing have been hired worldwide in order to increase penetration in existing markets and pursue new sales channels. On February 1, 2020, we relocated our corporate offices from New York to our Decatur, AL facility where we have hired additional personnel to improve centralized planning, finance, and IT support throughout the organization. New equipment has been purchased to increase manufacturing capacity and efficiency as well as to replace older equipment. New manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and India commenced production in FY19 and continued to add capacity until the latter half of FY20 when inventory levels necessitated curtailment. Curtailment of these operations was ended at all facilities in early February of 2020 as COVID-19 sales began to escalate. New accounting and operations software is being installed to improve processes, planning, and access to sales, financial, and manufacturing data. Additionally we continue to explore new fabrics and new technologies that may improve our product offerings and/or profitability. Management believes the Company’s ability to compete for the global opportunities in its industry are being enhanced.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Revenue Recognition. Substantially all the Company’s revenue is derived from product sales, which consist of sales of the Company’s personal protective wear products to distributors. The Company considers purchase orders to be a contract with a customer. Contracts with customers are considered to be short-term when the time between order confirmation and satisfaction of the performance obligations is equal to or less than one year, and virtually all of the Company’s contracts are short-term. The Company recognizes revenue for the transfer of promised goods to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods. The Company typically satisfies its performance obligations in contracts with customers upon shipment of the goods. Generally, payment is due from customers within 30 to 90 days of the invoice date, and the contracts do not have significant financing components. The Company elected to account for shipping and handling activities as a fulfillment cost rather than a separate performance obligation. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are included in operating expenses, and for the years ended in FY21 and FY20 aggregated approximately $3.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Taxes collected from customers relating to product sales and remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from revenue.

The transaction price includes estimates of variable consideration, related to rebates, allowances, and discounts that are reductions in revenue. All estimates are based on the Company's historical experience, anticipated performance, and the Company's best judgment at the time the estimate is made. Estimates for variable consideration are reassessed each reporting period and are included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur upon resolution of uncertainty associated with the variable consideration. All the Company’s contracts have a single performance obligation satisfied at a point in time and the transaction price is stated in the contract, usually as quantity times price per unit.

Inventories. Inventories include freight-in, materials, labor and overhead costs and are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out basis) or net realized value. Adjustments are recorded for slow-moving, obsolete or unusable inventory. We assess our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory and write down the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated net realizable value based upon assumptions about future sales and supply on-hand, if necessary.If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Income Taxes. The Company is required to estimate its income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates as part of preparing the consolidated financial statements. This involves estimating the actual current tax in addition to assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatments for tax and financial accounting purposes. These differences, together with net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits, are recorded as deferred tax assets or liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. A judgment must then be made of the likelihood that any deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. A valuation allowance may be required to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event the Company determines that it may not be able to realize all or part of its deferred tax asset in the future, or that new estimates indicate that a previously recorded valuation allowance is no longer required, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset is charged or credited to income in the period of such determination.

The Company recognizes tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” minimum recognition threshold. If necessary, the Company recognizes interest and penalties associated with tax matters as part of the income tax provision and would include accrued interest and penalties with the related tax liability in the consolidated balance sheets.

Net income Per Share

Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding without consideration of common stock equivalents. Diluted net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares and common stock equivalents. The diluted net income per share calculation takes into account unvested restricted shares and the shares that may be issued upon exercise of stock options and warrants, reduced by shares that may be repurchased with the funds received from the exercise, based on the average price during the fiscal year.

Significant Balance Sheet Fluctuation January 31, 2021, as Compared to January 31, 2020

Cash increased by $38.0 million, primarily as a result of increased profitability, improved accounts receivable collection efficiency, an increase in inventory turns, and a net increase in current liabilities. Accounts receivable was increased due to an increase in sales. Inventory decreased $0.4 million due to improved inventory management and increased inventory turns from higher sales levels. Accounts payable, accrued compensation, and other accrued expenses increased $2.1 million due to an increase in accounts payable for raw material purchases and increased accruals for employee incentive plans.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our historical results of continuing operations for the years and three-months ended January 31, 2021 and 2020 as a percentage of our net sales from operations.

Net Sales. Net sales increased to $159.0 million for the year ended January 31, 2021 compared to $107.8 million for the year ended January 31, 2020, an increase of 47.5%. Sales in the US increased $14.7 million or 26.3% primarily due to increases in the number of direct container shipments in the US and Canada throughout the year, and sales driven by COVID-19 demand. Sales to the Asian market increased by $13.1 million or 72.0% driven by COVID-19 demand. Sales to the European market increased by $7.5 million or 79.7% driven by COVID-19 demand. Canada sales increased by $4.0 million or 41.2% due to direct container shipments. Latin America sales increased $3.8 million or 45.3% as the Company continued to expand its selling efforts into the Chilean market and also expanded to Uruguay. Sales into the Mexican market increased $2.9 million or 102.1% driven by COVID-19 demand. Our other foreign markets accounted for $5.4 million of increased sales or 146.7% as we further penetrated these markets coupled with COVID-19 demand.

Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $41.4 million, or 109.2%, to $79.3 million for the year ended January 31, 2021, from $37.9 million for the year ended January 31, 2020. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased from 35.2% for the year ended January 31, 2020 to 49.8% for the year ended January 31, 2021. Major factors driving gross margins were:

Operating Expense. Operating expenses increased 10.5% from $32.0 million for the year ended January 31, 2020 to $35.4 million for the year ended January 31, 2021. Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales was 22.3% for the year ended January 31, 2021, down from 29.7% for the year ended January 31, 2020. Selling expenses increased $0.8 million, including sales compensation, freight out, advertising and marketing. General and administrative expenses increased $2.6 million due to increases in salaries and compensation (including bonuses and equity based compensation), banking and insurance expenses, depreciation, and bad debt expense. During FY20, the Company reversed stock-based compensation expense of $0.8 million related to restricted stock grants due to cumulative financial performance for the grant awards. Due to the results in FY21, the Company recognized $0.8 million of expense as a result of a change in estimate in the numbers of shares expected to be earned under the performance plan.

Operating Profit. Operating profit increased to $43.9 million for the year ended January 31, 2021, from $5.9 million for the year ended January 31, 2020, due to the impacts detailed above. Operating margin increased to 27.6% for the year ended January 31, 2021, compared to 5.5% for the year ended January 31, 2020.

Interest Expense. Interest expenses was less than $0.1 million for the year ended January 31, 2021 compared to $0.1 million for the year ended January 31, 2020.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense consists of federal, state and foreign income taxes. Income tax expense was $8.8 million and included $1.9 million associated with the GILTI component of the Tax Act of 2017 for the year ended January 31, 2021, as compared to an income tax expense of $2.5 million, including $1.0 million associated with the GILTI component, for the year ended January 31, 2020. All international subsidiaries impacted the GILTI calculation.

Net Income. Net income increased to $35.1 million for the year ended January 31, 2021 from $3.3 million for the year ended January 31, 2020.

Fourth Quarter Results

Net sales and net income were $36.9 million and $7.9 million, respectively, for Q4 FY21, as compared to $28.2 million and $1.2 million, respectively, for Q4 FY20.

Factors affecting Q4 FY21 results of operations included:

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At January 31, 2021, cash and cash equivalents were approximately $52.6 million and working capital was approximately $108.0 million. Cash and cash equivalents increased $38.0 million and working capital increased $41.1 million from January 31, 2020 reflecting positive earnings and the Company’s focus on working capital efficiencies.

Of the Company’s total cash and cash equivalents of $52.6 million as of January 31, 2021, cash held in Latin America of $1.4 million, cash held in Russia and Kazakhstan of $1.1 million, cash held in the UK of $2.5 million, cash held in India of $0.9 million and cash held in Canada of $3.8 million would not be subject to additional US tax in the event such cash was repatriated due to the change in the US tax law as a result of the December 22, 2017 enactment of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). In the event the Company repatriated cash from China, of the $23.8 million balance at January 31, 2021 there would be an additional 10% withholding tax incurred in that country. The Company has strategically employed a dividend plan subject to declaration and certain approvals in which its Canadian subsidiary sends dividends to the US in the amount of 100% of the previous year’s earnings, the UK subsidiary sends dividends to the US in the amount of 50% of the previous year’s earnings, and the Weifang China subsidiary sends dividends to the US in declared amounts of the previous year’s earnings. No dividends were proposed by management or declared by our Board of Directors for our China subsidiary in FY21.

Net cash provided by operating activities of $40.7 million for the year ended January 31, 2021 was primarily due to net income of $35.1 million, non-cash expenses of $7.0 million for deferred taxes, depreciation and amortization, and stock compensation, decrease in net inventories of $0.5 million and an increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities of $3.8 million, offset in part by a $4.0 million increase to accounts receivable due to a higher sales volumes in the fourth quarter as compared to prior year and an increase in other current assets of $1.7 million due to an increase in amounts due from HSBC under the UK factoring agreement. Net cash used in investing activities of $1.7 million for the year ended January 31, 2021 reflects purchases in property and equipment as the Company optimized capital expenditures in the year for the ERP project, the set-up of manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and India, the enhancement of IT infrastructure, and equipment purchases in Mexico and China. Net cash used in financing activities was $1.3 million for the year ended January 31, 2021, primarily due to the repayment of $1.2 million term loan with SunTrust Bank as part of the transition to the new Loan Agreement with Bank of America.

Net cash provided by operating activities of $3.6 million for the year ended January 31, 2020 was primarily due to net income of $3.3 million, non-cash expenses of $2.6 million for deferred taxes, depreciation and amortization and stock compensation, and an increase in accounts payable of $1.1 million, offset in part by a $1.4 million increase to accounts receivable due to a higher concentration of sales in the latter part of the fourth quarter and an increase in inventories of approximately $2.2 million. Net cash used in investing activities of $1.0 million for the year ended January 31, 2020 reflects purchases in property and equipment as the Company optimized capital expenditures in the year for the ERP project, the set-up of manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and India, the enhancement of IT infrastructure, and equipment purchases in Mexico and China. Net cash used in financing activities was $0.7 million for the year ended January 31, 2020, was primarily due to a $0.5 million increase in treasury stock for shares purchased under the previously approved stock repurchase program.

On June 25, 2020, we entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Bank of America (“Lender”). The Loan Agreement provides the Company with a secured $12.5 million revolving credit facility, which includes a $5.0 million letter of credit sub-facility. The Company may request from time to time an increase in the revolving credit loan commitment of up to $5.0 million (for a total commitment of up to $17.5 million). Borrowing pursuant to the revolving credit facility is subject to a borrowing base amount calculated as (a) 80% of eligible accounts receivable, as defined, plus (b) 50% of the value of acceptable inventory, as defined, minus (c) certain reserves as the Lender may establish for the amount of estimated exposure, as reasonably determined by the Lender from time to time, under certain interest rate swap contracts. The borrowing base limitation only applies during periods when the Company’s quarterly funded debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined, exceeds 2.00 to 1.00. The credit facility will mature on June 25, 2025. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the LIBOR Daily Floating Rate (“LIBOR”), plus 125 basis points. LIBOR is subject to a floor of 100 basis points. All outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest under the revolving credit facility is due and payable on the maturity date. On a one-time basis, and subject to there not existing an event of default, the Company may elect convert up to $5.0 million of the then outstanding principal of the revolving credit facility to a term loan facility with an assumed amortization of 15 years and the same interest rate and maturity date as the revolving credit facility. The Loan Agreement provides for an annual unused line of credit commitment fee, payable quarterly, of 0.25%, based on the difference between the total credit line commitment and the average daily amount of credit outstanding under the facility during the preceding quarter.

The Company has experienced increased sales and order activity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and may need to increase inventories in order to continue to respond to this increased demand. Additionally, the Company may accelerate investments in capacity expansion which may require significant capital expenditures.

Stock Repurchase Program. On February 17, 2021, the Company’s board of directors approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $5,000,000 of its outstanding common stock. The new program replaces the prior program which had approximately $800,000 remaining for repurchases. There were no shares repurchased in FY21. The Company has repurchased 152,801 shares of stock under the prior program as of the date of this filing which amounted to $1,671,188, inclusive of commissions.

Capital Expenditures. Our capital expenditures for FY21 of $1.7 million principally relate to capital purchases for our manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and India, the enhancement of IT infrastructure, and equipment purchases in Mexico and the US. We anticipate FY22 capital expenditures to be approximately $4.0 million as we continue to deploy our ERP solution globally, invest in strategic capacity expansion, and replace existing equipment in the normal course of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 – Business and Significant Accounting Policies of the consolidated financial statements in Part II Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

A smaller reporting company is not required to provide the information required by this Item and therefore, no disclosure is required under Item 7A for the Company.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Lakeland Industries, Inc.  

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Lakeland Industries, Inc.  and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of January 31, 2021, the related statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows, for the year ended January 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of January 31, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended January 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 16, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Inventories – Refer to Notes 1 and 2 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company’s inventory includes costs to acquire and produce the goods and is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value on a first-in, first-out method (FIFO). The assessment of estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory involved judgment and is based upon assumptions about future sales and supply on-hand for certain inventory items. Total inventory of approximately $47 million is in part composed of products which were deemed to be slow moving based on historical inventory turns and sales history. An excess and obsolete adjustment of approximately $3 million was recorded by the Company.

Given the significant judgments made by management to evaluate the net realizable value of certain of its inventory products, performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s assumptions related to those inventory adjustments required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort. 

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to valuation of slow moving, excess and obsolete inventory included, among others:

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Memphis, Tennessee  

April 16, 2021

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2020.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Lakeland Industries, Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Lakeland Industries, Inc.  and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of January 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended January 31, 2021, of the Company and our report dated April 16, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

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

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Memphis, Tennessee  

April 16, 2021 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Lakeland Industries, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Lakeland Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of January 31, 2020, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended January 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of January 31, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended January 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated April 15, 2020, expressed an adverse opinion.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

Lakeland Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

For the Years Ended January 31, 2021 and 2020

($000’s) except share information

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

Lakeland Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the Years Ended January 31, 2021 and 2020

($000)’s

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

Lakeland Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

January 31, 2021 and 2020

($000’s) except share information

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

Lakeland Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended January 31, 2021 and 2020

Lakeland Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended January 31, 2021 and 2020

($000’s)

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

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business

Lakeland Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries (“Lakeland,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”), a Delaware corporation organized in April 1986, manufacture and sell a comprehensive line of industrial protective clothing and accessories for the industrial and public protective clothing market. Our products are sold globally by our in-house sales teams, our customer service group, and authorized independent sales representatives to a network of over 1,600 global safety and industrial supply distributors. Our authorized distributors supply end users, such as integrated oil, chemical/petrochemical, automobile, steel, glass, construction, smelting, cleanroom, janitorial, pharmaceutical, and high technology electronics manufacturers, as well as scientific, medical laboratories and the utilities industry. In addition, we supply federal, state and local governmental agencies and departments, such as fire and law enforcement, airport crash rescue units, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control. Internationally, we sell to a mixture of end users directly, and to industrial distributors depending on the particular country and market. Sales are made to more than 50 countries, the majority of which were into China, the European Economic Community (“EEC”), Canada, Chile, Argentina, Russia, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, India and Southeast Asia. For purposes of this Form 10-K, FY refers to a fiscal year ended January 31; for example, FY21 refers to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021.

Basis of Presentation

The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The following is a description of the Company’s significant accounting policies.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. It is reasonably possible that events could occur during the upcoming year that could change such estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers highly liquid temporary cash investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of money market funds.

Accounts Receivable, Net. Trade accounts receivable are stated at the amount the Company expects to collect. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company recognizes losses when information available indicates that it is probable that a receivable has been impaired based on criteria noted above at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Management considers the following factors when determining the collectability of specific customer accounts: Customer creditworthiness, past transaction history with the customers, current economic industry trends and changes in customer payment terms. Past due balances over 90 days and other less creditworthy accounts are reviewed individually for collectability. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, adversely affecting their ability to make payments, additional allowances would be required. Based on management’s assessment, the Company provides for estimated uncollectible amounts through a charge to earnings and a credit to a valuation allowance. Balances that remain outstanding after the Company has used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance and a credit to accounts receivable.

Inventories

Inventories include freight-in, materials, labor and overhead costs and are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out basis) or net realizable value. Allowances are recorded for slow-moving, obsolete or unusable inventory. We assess our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory and write down the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated net realizable value based upon assumptions about future sales and supply on-hand, if necessary. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided for in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of depreciable assets to operations over their estimated service lives on a straight-line basis. Leasehold improvements and leasehold costs are amortized over the term of the lease or service lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. The costs of additions and improvements which substantially extend the useful life of a particular asset are capitalized. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from the account, and the gain or loss on disposition is reflected in operating income.

Assets held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying value or fair value less cost to sell. Gains or losses are recognized for any subsequent changes to fair value less cost to sell. However, gains are limited to cumulative losses previously recognized. Assets classified as held for sale are not depreciated.

Capitalized Software Costs

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350-40, Internal-Use Software, the Company capitalizes eligible costs to acquire or develop internal-use software. Capitalized costs related to internal-use software are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets, which is generally three years.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at least annually; however, this evaluation may be performed more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Factors that the Company considers important that could identify a potential impairment include: significant changes in the overall business strategy and significant negative industry or economic trends. Management assesses whether it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired and, if necessary, compares the fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying value. Fair value is generally determined by management either based on estimating future discounted cash flows for the reporting unit or by estimating a sales price for the reporting unit based on multiple of earnings. These estimates require the Company's management to make projections that can differ from actual results.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company measures any potential impairment on a projected undiscounted cash flow method. Estimating future cash flows requires the Company’s management to make projections that can differ materially from actual results. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from the asset is less than its carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset.

Revenue Recognition

Substantially all the Company’s revenue is derived from product sales, which consist of sales of the Company’s personal protective wear products to distributors. The Company considers purchase orders to be a contract with a customer. Contracts with customers are considered to be short-term when the time between order confirmation and satisfaction of the performance obligations is equal to or less than one year, and virtually all of the Company’s contracts are short-term. The Company recognizes revenue for the transfer of promised goods to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods. The Company typically satisfies its performance obligations in contracts with customers upon shipment of the goods. Generally, payment is due from customers within 30 to 90 days of the invoice date, and the contracts do not have significant financing components. The Company elected to account for shipping and handling activities as a fulfillment cost rather than a separate performance obligation. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are included in operating expenses, and for the years ended in FY21 and FY20 aggregated approximately $3.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Taxes collected from customers relating to product sales and remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from revenue.

The transaction price includes estimates of variable consideration, related to rebates, allowances, and discounts that are reductions in revenue. All estimates are based on the Company's historical experience, anticipated performance, and the Company's best judgment at the time the estimate is made. Estimates for variable consideration are reassessed each reporting period and are included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur upon resolution of uncertainty associated with the variable consideration. All the Company’s contracts have a single performance obligation satisfied at a point in time and the transaction price is stated in the contract, usually as quantity times price per unit.

The Company has seven revenue generating reportable geographic segments under ASC Topic 280 “Segment Reporting” and derives its sales primarily from its limited use/disposable protective clothing and secondarily from its sales of reflective clothing, high-end chemical protective suits, firefighting and heat protective apparel, reusable woven garments and gloves and arm guards. The Company believes disaggregation of revenue by geographic region and product line best depicts the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of its revenue and cash flows (see table below). Net sales by geographic region and by product line are included below:

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included in operating expenses on the consolidated statement of income. Advertising and co-op costs amounted to $0.7 million and $1.0 million in FY21 and FY20, respectively, net of a co-op advertising allowance received from a supplier.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company records the cost of stock-based compensation plans based on the fair value of the award on the grant date. For awards that contain a vesting provision, the cost is recognized over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity award) which approximates the performance period. For awards based on services already rendered, the cost is recognized immediately.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs include labor, equipment and materials costs and are expensed as incurred and included in operating expenses. Research and development expenses aggregated were approximately $0.2 million in FY21 and FY20.

Income Taxes

The Company is required to estimate its income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates as part of preparing the consolidated financial statements. This involves estimating the actual current tax in addition to assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatments for tax and financial accounting purposes. These differences, together with net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits, are recorded as deferred tax assets or liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. A judgment must then be made of the likelihood that any deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. A valuation allowance may be required to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event the Company determines that it may not be able to realize all or part of its deferred tax asset in the future, or that new estimates indicate that a previously recorded valuation allowance is no longer required, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset is charged or credited to income in the period of such determination.

The Company recognizes tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” minimum recognition threshold. If necessary, the Company recognizes interest and penalties associated with tax matters as part of the income tax provision and would include accrued interest and penalties with the related tax liability in the consolidated balance sheets.

Foreign Operations and Foreign Currency Translation

The Company maintains manufacturing operations in Mexico, India, Argentina, Vietnam and the People’s Republic of China and can access independent contractors in China, Vietnam, Argentina and Mexico. It also maintains sales and distribution entities located in India, Canada, the U.K., Chile, China, Argentina, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uruguay, Australia and Mexico. The Company is vulnerable to currency risks in these countries. The functional currency for the United Kingdom subsidiary is the Euro; the trading company in China, the RMB; the Russian operation, the Russian Ruble, and the Kazakhstan operation the Kazakhstan Tenge. All other operations have the US dollar as its functional currency.

Pursuant to US GAAP, assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations with functional currencies, other than the US dollar, are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, while revenues and expenses are translated at average rates prevailing during the periods. Translation adjustments are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Cash flows are also translated at average translation rates for the periods, therefore, amounts reported on the consolidated statement of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the consolidated balance sheet. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred. Foreign currency transaction loss included in net income for the years ended January 31, 2021 and 2020, were approximately $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

US GAAP defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures utilizing a fair value hierarchy which is categorized into three levels based on the inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value.

The following is a brief description of those three levels:

There were no foreign currency forward or hedge contracts at January 31, 2021 or January 31, 2020.

The financial instruments of the Company classified as current assets or liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, borrowings under revolving credit facility, accounts payable and accrued expenses, are recorded at carrying value, which approximates fair value based on the short-term nature of these instruments.

Net Income Per Share

Net income per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding without consideration of common stock equivalents. Diluted net income per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares and common stock equivalents. The diluted net income per share calculation takes into account unvested restricted shares and the shares that may be issued upon exercise of stock options, reduced by shares that may be repurchased with the funds received from the exercise, based on the average price during the fiscal year.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all accounting standards updates (“ASUs”). Management periodically reviews new accounting standards that are issued.

New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), which includes provisions, intended to simplify the test for goodwill impairment. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company has adopted this guidance using prospective transition method, which had no material impact on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases: Amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (Topic 842)". This ASU requires the Company to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases with terms of more than twelve months. This ASU also requires disclosures enabling the users of financial statements to understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. In addition, the FASB provided a practical expedient transition method that allows entities to initially apply the requirements by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption, as opposed to applying the requirements retrospectively and providing comparative prior period financial statements.

The Company adopted the new standard on February 1, 2019, the first day of fiscal 2020, and applied the above practical expedient transition method. The Company elected certain other transition options which, among other things, allowed the Company to carry forward its prior conclusions about lease identification and classification. Upon adoption of the new standard, the Company recognized approximately $2.3 million of right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities. Adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated statements of income or consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to Note 10 for additional information and disclosures related to the adoption of ASC 842.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The ASU removes certain exceptions for performing intra-period allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. It also simplifies the accounting for income taxes by requiring recognition of franchise tax partially based on income as an income-based tax, requiring reflection of enacted changes in tax laws in the interim period and making improvements for income taxes related to employee stock ownership plans. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have not been issued. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The ASU provides optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform on financial reporting in response to the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). This amendment provides for optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts and hedging relationships that are affected by LIBOR and other reference rates. The ASU generally allows for a hedge accounting to continue if the hedge was highly effective or met other standards prior to reference rate reform. Entities are permitted to apply the amendments to all contracts, cash flow and net investment hedge relationships that exist as of March 12, 2020. The relief provided in this ASU is only available for a limited time, generally through December 31, 2022. Our debt agreement that utilizes LIBOR has not yet discontinued the use of LIBOR and, therefore, this ASU is not yet effective for us. To the extent our debt arrangements change to another accepted rate, we will utilize the relief available in this ASU.

No other recently issued accounting pronouncements had or are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

2. INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following (in $000s):

3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment consists of the following:

Depreciation and amortization expense for FY21 and FY20 amounted to $2.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

4. LONG-TERM DEBT

Revolving Credit Facility

On June 25, 2020, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Bank of America (“Lender”). The Loan Agreement provides the Company with a secured (i) $12.5 million revolving credit facility, which includes a $5.0 million letter of credit sub-facility. The Company may request from time to time an increase in the revolving credit loan commitment of up to $5.0 million (for a total commitment of up to $17.5 million). Borrowing pursuant to the revolving credit facility is subject to a borrowing base amount calculated as (a) 80% of eligible accounts receivable, as defined, plus (b) 50% of the value of acceptable inventory, as defined, minus (c) certain reserves as the Lender may establish for the amount of estimated exposure, as reasonably determined by the Lender from time to time, under certain interest rate swap contracts. The borrowing base limitation only applies during periods when the Company’s quarterly funded debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined, exceeds 2.00 to 1.00. The credit facility will mature on June 25, 2025.

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the LIBOR Daily Floating Rate (“LIBOR”), plus 125 basis points. LIBOR is subject to a floor of 100 basis points. All outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest under the revolving credit facility is due and payable on the maturity date. On a one-time basis, and subject to there not existing an event of default, the Company may elect convert up to $5 million of the then outstanding principal of the revolving credit facility to a term loan facility with an assumed amortization of 15 years and the same interest rate and maturity date as the revolving credit facility. The Loan Agreement provides for an annual unused line of credit commitment fee, payable quarterly, of 0.25%, based on the difference between the total credit line commitment and the average daily amount of credit outstanding under the facility during the preceding quarter.

The Company made certain representations and warranties to the Lender in the Loan Agreement that are customary for credit arrangements of this type. The Company also agreed to maintain, as of the end of each fiscal quarter, a minimum “basic fixed charge coverage ratio” (as defined in the Loan Agreement) of at least 1.15 to 1.00 and a “funded debt to EBITDA ratio” (as defined in the Loan Agreement) not to exceed 3.00 to 1.00, in each case for the trailing 12-month period ending with the applicable quarterly reporting period. The Company also agreed to certain negative covenants that are customary for credit arrangements of this type, including restrictions on the Company’s ability to enter into mergers, acquisitions or other business combination transactions, conduct its business, grant liens, make certain investments, make substantial change in the present executive or management personnel and incur additional indebtedness, which negative covenants are subject to certain exceptions.

The Loan Agreement contains customary events of default that include, among other things (subject to any applicable cure periods and materiality qualifier), non-payment of principal, interest or fees, defaults under related agreements with the Lender, cross-defaults under agreements for other indebtedness, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, bankruptcy and insolvency events, material judgements and material adverse change. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the Lender may terminate all loan commitments, declare all outstanding indebtedness owing under the Loan Agreement and related documents to be immediately due and payable, and may exercise its other rights and remedies provided for under the Loan Agreement.

In connection with the Loan Agreement, the Company entered into with the Lender (i) a security agreement dated June 25, 2020, pursuant to which the Company granted to the Lender a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all of the personal property and the intangibles of the Company, and (ii) a pledge agreement, dated June 25, 2020, pursuant to which the Company granted to the Lender a first priority perfected security interest in the stock of its subsidiaries (limited to 65% of those subsidiaries that are considered “controlled foreign subsidiaries” as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code and regulations). The Company’s obligations to the Lender under the Loan Agreement are also secured by a negative pledge evidenced by a Non-encumbrance Agreement covering the real property owned by the Company in Decatur, Alabama

As of January 31, 2021, the Company had no borrowings outstanding on the letter of credit sub-facility and no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

Prior to the execution of the Loan Agreement with Bank of America, the Company repaid a $1.2 million term loan that was outstanding under a similar agreement with SunTrust Bank. The Company has terminated the borrowing agreement with SunTrust Bank.

Borrowings in UK

On December 31, 2014, the Company and Lakeland Industries Europe, Ltd, (“Lakeland UK”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, amended the terms of its existing line of credit facility with HSBC Bank to provide for (i)a one-year extension of the maturity date of the existing financing facility to December 19, 2016, (ii) an increase in the facility limit from £1,250,000 (approximately USD $1.9 million, based on exchange rates at time of closing) to £1,500,000 (approximately USD $2.3 million, based on exchange rates at time of closing), and (iii) a decrease in the annual interest rate margin from 3.46% to 3.0%. In addition, pursuant to a letter agreement dated December 5, 2014, the Company agreed that £400,000 (approximately USD $0.6 million, based on exchange rates at time of closing) of the note payable by the UK subsidiary to the Company shall be subordinated in priority of payment to the subsidiary’s obligations to HSBC under the financing facility. On December 31, 2016, Lakeland UK entered into an extension of the maturity date of its existing facility with HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Ltd. to December 19, 2017. Other than the extension of the maturity date and a reduction of the service charge from 0.9% to 0.85%, all other terms of the facility remained the same. On December 4, 2017 the facility was extended to March 31, 2018 for the next review period. On March 9, 2019 the facility was extended to March 31, 2020 and on March 6, 2020 further extended to March 31, 2021 with no additional changes to the terms. There were no borrowings outstanding under this facility at January 31, 2021 and January 31, 2020. The amounts due from HSBC of $2.0 million and $0.1 million as of January 31, 2021, and January 31, 2020, respectively, is included in other current assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

5. CONCENTRATION OF RISK

Credit Risk

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, and trade receivables. Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables is generally diversified due to the large number of entities comprising the Company’s customer base and their dispersion across geographic areas principally within the United States. The Company routinely addresses the financial strength of its customers and, as a consequence, believes that its receivable credit risk exposure is limited. The Company does not require customers to post collateral.

The Company’s foreign financial depositories are Bank of America; China Construction Bank; Bank of China; China Industrial and Commercial Bank; HSBC (UK); Rural Credit Cooperative of Shandong; Postal Savings Bank of China; Punjab National Bank; HSBC in India, Argentina and UK; Raymond James in Argentina; TD Canada Trust; Banco Itaú S.A., Banco Credito Inversione in Chile; Banco Mercantil Del Norte SA in Mexico; ZAO KB Citibank Moscow in Russia, and JSC Bank Centercredit in Kazakhstan. The Company monitors its financial depositories by their credit rating which varies by country. In addition, cash balances in banks in the United States of America are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation subject to certain limitations. There was approximately $14.3 million total included in the U.S. bank accounts and approximately $38.2 million total in foreign bank accounts as of January 31, 2021, of which $51.9 million was uninsured.

Major Customer

No customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales during FY21 and FY20.

Major Supplier

No vendor accounted for more than 10% of purchases during FY21 and FY20.

6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The 2017 Plan

On June 21, 2017, the stockholders of the Company approved the Lakeland Industries, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”) at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The executive officers and all other employees and directors of the Company, including its subsidiaries, are eligible to participate in the 2017 Plan. The 2017 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”), except that with respect to all non-employee directors, the Committee shall be deemed to include the full Board. The 2017 Plan provides for the grant of equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, or stock appreciation rights (“SARS”).

The Committee has the authority to determine the type of award, as well as the amount, terms and conditions of each award, under the 2017 Plan, subject to the limitations and other provisions of the 2017 Plan. An aggregate of 360,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are authorized for issuance under the 2017 Plan, subject to adjustment as provided in the 2017 Plan for stock splits, dividends, distributions, recapitalizations and other similar transactions or events. If any shares subject to an award are forfeited, expire, lapse or otherwise terminate without issuance of such shares, such shares shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration, lapse or termination, again be available for issuance under the 2017 Plan.

The Company recognizes expense related to performance-based restricted share awards over the requisite performance period using the straight-line attribution method based on the most probable outcome (Minimum, Target, Maximum, Cap or Zero) at the end of the performance period and the price of the Company’s common stock price at the date of grant. During FY20. The 2017 grants actually expired unvested on January 31, 2020 (described above) that will be earned for the designated performance period. Based on actual EBITDA achieved by the Company in FY20, it was deemed improbable that such performance would meet even the Minimum level required for the 2017 and 2018 grants to vest. As a result, stock-based compensation expense for the 2017 and 2018 grants was adjusted to account for the change in estimate.The total amount of previously recognized stock-based compensation attributable to the 2017 and 2018 grants that was reversed was approximately $0.8 million. Due to significantly increased profitability during FY21, the Company has determined that it is probable that the 2018 grants will now vest and has recorded approximately $0.8 million in stock based compensation expense in FY21. The 2017 grants expired unvested on January 31, 2020.

The Company recognized total stock-based compensation costs, which are reflected in operating expenses:

Restricted Stock

Under the 2017 Plan, as described above, the Company awarded performance-based shares and service-based restricted stock units to eligible employees and directors. The following table summarizes the activity under the 2017 Plan for the year ended January 31, 2021. This table reflects the amount of awards granted at the number of shares that would be vested if the Company were to achieve the cap performance level under the June 2018 grants and maximum performance level under the December 2019 and April 2020 grants. 

The actual number of shares of common stock of the Company, if any, to be earned by the award recipients is determined over a three year performance measurement period based on measures that include Earnings Before Interest Taxes Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) with respect to the June 7, 2018 grant and revenue growth, EBITDA margin, and cash flow for the December 4, 2019 and April 8,2020 grants. The performance targets have been set for each of the Minimum, Target, and Maximum levels. The actual performance amount achieved is determined by the Board and may be adjusted for items determined to be unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence, at the discretion of the Board.

The compensation cost is based on the fair value at the grant date, is recognized over the requisite performance/service period using the straight-line method, and is periodically adjusted for the probable number of shares to be awarded. As of January 31, 2021, unrecognized stock-based compensation expense totaled $1.3 million pursuant to the 2017 Plan based on outstanding awards under the Plan. This expense is expected to be recognized over approximately two years.

Stock Repurchase Program

On July 19, 2016, the Company’s board of directors approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $2,500,000 of its outstanding common stock. During the year ended January 31, 2021, the Company did not repurchase any shares. The Company has repurchased 152,801 shares of stock under this program as of January 31, 2021 for $1,671,188, inclusive, of commissions. On February 17, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $5,000,000 of its outstanding common stock. This new program replaced the prior program which had approximately $800,000 remaining for repurchases.

Warrant

In October 2014, the Company issued a five-year warrant that is immediately exercisable to purchase up to 55,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $11.00 per share. During FY20, such warrant expired.

7. INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes is based on the following pretax income (loss):

The following is a reconciliation of the effective income tax rate to the Federal statutory rate: