LSI INDUSTRIES INC - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-K 

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017.

OR

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      TO                     .

Commission File No. 0-13375

LSI INDUSTRIES INC. 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

(513) 793-3200
(Telephone number of principal executive offices)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes ☐ No ☑

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K 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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or 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.

Emerging growth company ☐

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

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. ☐

As of December 31, 2016, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $244,069,995 based upon a closing sale price of $9.74 per share as reported on The NASDAQ Global Select Market.

At August 27, 2017 there were 25,507,466 no par value Common Shares issued and outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed with the Commission for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III, as specified.

LSI INDUSTRIES INC.
2017 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 

This document contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous assumptions, risks or uncertainties.  The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “estimates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should” or the negative versions of those words and similar expressions, and by the context in which they are used.  Such statements, whether expressed or implied, are based upon current expectations of the Company and speak only as of the date made.  Actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of risks and uncertainties over which the Company may have no control.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of competitive products and services, product demand and market acceptance risks, potential costs associated with litigation and regulatory compliance, reliance on key customers, financial difficulties experienced by customers, the cyclical and seasonal nature of our business, the adequacy of reserves and allowances for doubtful accounts, fluctuations in operating results or costs whether as a result of uncertainties inherent in tax and accounting matters or otherwise, failure of an acquisition or acquired company to achieve its plans or objectives generally, unexpected difficulties in integrating acquired businesses, the ability to retain key employees, unfavorable economic and market conditions, the results of asset impairment assessments, the ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, the ability to remediate any material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and any other risk factors that are identified herein.  You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.  In addition to the factors described in this paragraph, the risk factors identified in our Form 10-K and other filings the Company may make with the SEC constitute risks and uncertainties that may affect the financial performance of the Company and are incorporated herein by reference.  The Company does not undertake and hereby disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

PART I 

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS

Our Company 

We are a customer-centric company that positions itself as a value-added, trusted partner in developing superior image solutions through our lighting, graphics, and technology capabilities. Our products and services include digital signage, printed and structural graphics, and electrical signage capabilities, a wide variety of high quality indoor and outdoor lighting products, lighting control systems, and related professional services including engineering, installation, and project management. We also provide graphics and lighting products on a stand-alone basis. Our company is the leading provider of corporate visual image solutions to the petroleum / convenience store industry. We use this leadership position to penetrate national retailers and multi-site retailers, including quick service and casual restaurants, retail chain stores and automobile dealerships, located primarily in the United States. We seek to expand our market share in the traditional commercial / industrial lighting market by combining our LED product innovation and lighting control solutions utilizing the latest technology along with a strong emphasis on high service levels and market focused solutions. Our solutions are targeted at both renovation and new construction markets. We design and develop most aspects of the solid-state LED lighting, from the electronic circuit board, to the software to drive and control the LEDs, to the structure of the LED product. We also provide a variety of lighting control solutions which allow our customers to reduce energy and maintenance costs. In addition to designing and producing printed graphics and structural graphics, we design and integrate our digital signage offering where customers are provided a turnkey solution that includes design, software, hardware content development, implementation, service and support.

We believe that national retailers and other companies in the markets we serve are increasingly seeking single-source suppliers with the project management skills and service expertise necessary to execute a comprehensive visual image program. The integration of our graphics, lighting, and technology coupled with our professional services capabilities allows our customers to outsource to us the development of an entire visual image program from the planning and design stage through installation. Our approach is to combine our lighting products and custom graphics applications utilizing the latest technology along with our professional service capabilities to create complete customer-focused visual image solutions. We also offer our lighting products and graphics elements on a stand-alone basis to service our existing image solutions customers, to establish a presence in a new market or to create a relationship with a new customer. We believe that our ability to combine lighting, graphics, and technology coupled with professional services into a comprehensive visual image solution differentiates us from our competitors who offer only stand-alone products for lighting or graphics and who lack professional services offerings. During the past several years, we have continued to enhance our ability to provide comprehensive corporate visual image solutions by adding additional graphics capabilities such as digital signage and media content management, wireless lighting control systems, new and innovative LED lighting products and professional services through acquisitions and internal development.

Our focus on product development and innovation creates products that are essential components of our customers’ corporate visual image strategy. Our spending on research and development was $5.7 million in fiscal 2017, and $5.5 million in fiscal 2016, and $5.6 million in fiscal 2015. We develop and manufacture lighting including solid-state LED lighting, lighting control systems, and graphics and distribute them through an extensive multi-channel distribution network that allows us to effectively service our target markets. Representative customers include BP, Chevron Texaco, ExxonMobil, Shell, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Best Buy, CVS Caremark, Phillips 66, Target Stores, Wal-Mart Stores, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan, Toyota, Sports Clips, AAA, Panda Express, and SunTrust Bank. We service our customers at the corporate, franchise and local levels.

We also focus on the elimination of non-value added activities throughout our organization through the LSI Business System, a Lean Management System utilizing kaizen events and lean tools to drive continuous improvement in our processes. The LSI Business System improves shareholder value by increasing customer satisfaction and eliminating waste, both of which will improve the bottom line. We are committed to this company-wide initiative through employee education and training with the ultimate goal to make it part of the corporate culture and way of thinking of all employees.

Our business is organized as follows: the Lighting Segment, which represented 72% of our fiscal 2017 net sales; the Graphics Segment, which represented 22% of our fiscal 2017 net sales; and the Technology Segment, which represented 6% of our fiscal 2017 net sales. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page 46 of this Form 10-K for additional information on business segments. Net sales by segment are as follows (in thousands):

Lighting Segment 

Our Lighting Segment manufactures and markets outdoor and indoor lighting and lighting controls for the commercial, industrial and multi-site retail markets including the petroleum / convenience store, quick-service, and automotive markets. Our products are designed and manufactured to provide maximum value and meet the high-quality, competitively-priced product requirements of the markets we serve. We generally avoid specialty or custom-designed, low-volume products for single order opportunities. Our concentration is on our high-volume, standard product lines that meet our customers’ needs. By focusing our product offerings, we achieve significant manufacturing and cost efficiencies.

Our lighting fixtures, poles and brackets are produced in a variety of designs, styles and finishes. Important functional variations include types of mounting, such as pole, bracket and surface, and the nature of the light requirement, such as interior and exterior down-lighting, wall-wash lighting, canopy lighting, flood-lighting, area lighting and security lighting. Our engineering staff performs photometric analyses and wind load safety studies for all light fixtures and also designs our fixtures and lighting systems. Our lighting products utilize a variety of different light sources, with the primary light source being solid-state LED, along with high-intensity discharge and fluorescent. The major products and services offered within our lighting segment include: exterior area lighting, interior lighting, canopy lighting, landscape lighting, lighting controls, light poles, lighting system design, and photometric layouts. All of our products are designed for performance, reliability, ease of installation and service, as well as attractive appearance. The Company also has a focus on designing lighting system solutions and implementing strategies related to energy savings in substantially all markets served.

We offer our customers expertise in developing and utilizing high-performance solid-state LED solutions, which when combined with the Company’s lighting fixture expertise and technology, has the potential to result in a broad spectrum of white light LED fixtures that offer equivalent or improved lighting performance with significant energy and maintenance savings as compared to the present metal halide and fluorescent lighting fixtures.

Lighting Segment net sales of $239,005,000 in fiscal 2017 increased 5.3% from fiscal 2016 net sales of $226,889,000. Fiscal 2017 Lighting Segment net sales include $17.8 million of net sales of Atlas Lighting Products, which was acquired in February 2017. The Lighting Segment’s net sales of light fixtures having solid-state LED technology totaled $186.5 million in fiscal 2017 (78.0% of total lighting net sales), representing a $31.0 million or 20.0% increase from fiscal 2016 net sales of solid-state LED light fixtures of $155.5 million (68.5% of total Lighting net sales). The trend of a reduction in the Company’s traditional lighting sales (metal halide and fluorescent light sources) continued from fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2017 as customers converted from traditional lighting to light fixtures having solid-state LED technology. The market shift from fluorescent lighting to LED lighting was the basis for management’s decision to close its Kansas City facility which produced fluorescent lighting.

Graphics Segment 

Our Graphics Segment manufactures and sells exterior and interior visual image elements related to signage and graphics, including integrated digital signage solutions. These products are used in graphics displays and visual image programs in several markets, including the petroleum / convenience store market, quick-service restaurant, grocery, and multi-site retail operations. Our extensive lighting and graphics expertise, product offering, visual image solution implementation capabilities and other professional services represent significant competitive advantages. We work with corporations and design firms to establish and implement cost effective corporate visual image programs to advance our customer’s brand. Increasingly, we have become the primary supplier of exterior and interior graphics for our customers. We also offer installation management services for those customers who require the installation of interior or exterior products (utilizing pre-qualified independent subcontractors throughout the United States).

Our business can be significantly impacted by participation in a customer’s “image conversion program,” especially if it were to involve a “roll out” of that new image to a significant number of that customer’s and its franchisees’ retail sites. The impact to our business can be very positive with growth in net sales and profitability when we are engaged in an image conversion program. This can be followed in subsequent periods by lesser amounts of business or negative comparisons following completion of an image conversion program, unless we are successful in replacing that completed business with participation in new image conversion programs of similar size with one or more customers. An image conversion program can potentially involve any or all of the following improvements, changes or refurbishments at a customer’s retail site: interior or exterior lighting (see discussion above about our lighting segment), interior or exterior store signage and graphics, and installation of these products in both the prototype and roll out phases of their program.

The major products and services offered within our Graphics Segment include the following: signage and canopy graphics, pump dispenser graphics, building fascia graphics and ACM systems, electrical signage, decals, interior signage and marketing graphics, aisle markers, wall mural graphics, fleet graphics, prototype program graphics, video boards, and digital signage and media content management. Our Company also manages and executes the implementation of large rollout programs.

Graphics Segment net sales of $72,395,000 in fiscal 2017 decreased $5.6 million or 7.1% from fiscal 2016 net sales of $77,968,000.  The $5.6 million decrease in Graphics Segment net sales is primarily the net result of sales to the petroleum / convenience store market ($2.3 million net decrease), sales to the national drug store market ($3.0 million decrease), sales to the quick-service restaurant market ($0.5 million net increase), sales to the retail market ($1.2 million increase), sales to the retail grocery market ($1.5 million decrease), and changes in volume to several other markets ($0.5 million decrease). 

Technology Segment 

Our Technology Segment designs, engineers, and manufactures electronic circuit boards, assemblies, and lighting controls. Applications for these products include, but are not limited to, OEM, transportation, commercial, industrial, and medical markets.  This segment also has significant inter-segment sales to the Lighting Segment to support that segment’s customer sales of solid-state LED lighting and lighting controls.   

Technology Segment net customer sales of $19,992,000 in fiscal 2017 increased 15.3% from fiscal 2016 net sales of $17,339,000. The $2.7 million increase in Technology Segment net sales is primarily the net result of a $1.7 million increase in sales to the transportation market, a $0.8 million increase in sales to original equipment manufacturers, and a $0.2 million net increase in sales to various other markets. The decrease in net customer sales is due to the cyclic nature of the markets the Company serves in this segment. While net customer sales increased, the Technology Segment inter-company sales of electronic circuit boards and lighting control systems to the Lighting Segment decreased $1.8 million or 4.9%.

Our Competitive Strengths 

Single Source Comprehensive Visual Image Solution Provider. We believe that we are the only company serving our target markets that combines significant graphics capabilities, lighting products and installation implementation capabilities to create comprehensive image solutions. We believe that our position as a single-source provider creates a competitive advantage over competitors who can only address either the lighting or the graphics component of a customer’s corporate visual image program. Using our broad visual image solutions capabilities, our customers can maintain complete control over the creation of their visual image programs while avoiding the added complexity of coordinating separate lighting and graphics suppliers and service providers. We can use high technology software to produce computer-generated virtual prototypes of a customer’s new or improved retail site image. We believe that these capabilities are unique to our target markets and they allow our customers to make educated, cost-effective decisions quickly.

Proven Ability to Penetrate Target Markets. We have grown our business by establishing a leadership position in many of the markets we serve, including petroleum / convenience stores, automobile dealerships and specialty retailers. Although our relationship with our customers may begin with the need for a single product or service, we leverage our broad product and service offering to identify additional products and solutions. We promote the combination of graphics, lighting, and technology, along with image element offerings, and services to create comprehensive solutions for our customers.

Focus on Product Innovation. We believe that our ability to successfully identify, develop and patent new products has allowed us to expand our market opportunity and enhance our market position. Our product innovation initiatives are designed to increase the value of our product offering by addressing the needs of our customers and target markets through retrofit enhancements to existing products or the development of new products. New product development includes developing an expanding portfolio of technology patents related to the design of LED based products. We believe our product innovation process creates value for our customers by producing products that offer energy efficiency, low maintenance requirements and long-term operating performance at competitive prices based upon the latest technologies available.

Strong Relationships with our Customers. We have used our innovative products and high-quality services to develop close, long-standing relationships with a large number of our customers. Many of our customers are recognized among the leaders in their respective markets, including customers such as Wal-Mart, BP, Phillips 66, Exxon Mobil, Carmax, Chevron, CVS Caremark, Stop & Shop, and Burger King. Their use of our products and services raises the visibility of our capabilities and facilitates the acceptance of our products and services in their markets. Within each of these markets, our ability to be a single source provider of image solutions often creates repeat business opportunities through corporate reimaging programs. We have served some of our customers since our inception in 1976.

Well-capitalized Balance Sheet. As part of our long-term operating strategy, we believe the Company maintains a conservative capital structure. With a strong equity base, we are able to preserve operating flexibility in times of industry expansion and contraction. In the current business environment, a strong balance sheet demonstrates financial viability to our existing and targeted customers. In addition, a strong balance sheet enables us to invest in the company through research and development and allows the Company to invest in capital projects that support the Company’s growth.

Aggressive Use of Our Marketing Center. The capabilities of our Image Center, Innovation Center, Inspiration Center and, I-Zone Marketing Center provide us with a distinct competitive advantage to demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating graphics, lighting, and technology into a complete corporate visual image program. These four centers, which demonstrate the depth and breadth of our product and service offerings, have become an effective component of our sales process.

Maintain our Vertically Integrated Business Model. We consider our Company to be a vertically integrated manufacturer rather than just a product assembler. We focus on developing lighting and graphics products coupled with technology, and outsource certain non-core processes and product components as necessary.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement. We are committed to a philosophy of continuous improvement through the LSI Business System, which is a Lean Management System utilizing Kaizen events and lean tools to identify and eliminate waste and increase customer satisfaction with the ultimate goal to improve shareholder value.

Sales, Marketing and Customers 

Sales: Our lighting products including lighting controls, are sold primarily throughout the United States, but also in Canada, Australia, and Latin America (about 3.1% of consolidated net sales are outside the United States) using a combination of regional sales managers and independent sales representatives serving primarily the commercial / industrial market along with several of the other markets we serve. LSI has traditionally been a project based business, quoting and receiving orders as a preferred vendor for product sales to multiple end-users, including customer-owned as well as franchised and licensed dealer operations. With the recent acquisition of Atlas, we now market and sell standard product to stocking distributors, who subsequently provide product to electrical contractors and end users for a variety of lighting applications. Our graphics products, which in many instances are program-driven, are sold primarily through our own sales force. Our marketing approach and means of distribution vary by product line and by type of market.

Sales are developed through a wide variety of contacts such as, but not limited to, national retail marketers, branded product companies, franchise and dealer operations. In addition, sales are also achieved through recommendations from local architects, engineers, petroleum and electrical distributors and contractors. The Company utilizes the latest technology to track sales leads and customer quotes with the ultimate goals to turn them into orders from our customers. Our sales are partially seasonal as installation of outdoor lighting and graphic systems in the northern states decreases during the winter months.

Marketing: The capabilities of our Image Center, Innovation Center, Inspiration Center, and iZone Marketing Center are important parts of our sales process. These four centers, unique within the lighting and graphics industry, are facilities that can produce a computer-generated virtual prototype of a customer’s facility on a large screen through the combination of high technology software and audio/visual presentation. The i-Zone marketing center is a digitally controlled facility containing a large solid-state LED video screen and several displays that showcase our LED technology and LED products. With these capabilities, our customers can instantly explore a wide variety of lighting and graphics alternatives to develop consistent day and nighttime images. These centers give our customers more options, greater control, and more effective time utilization in the development of lighting, graphics and visual image solutions, all with much less expense than traditional prototyping. In addition to being cost and time effective for our customers, we believe that the capabilities of these marketing centers contribute to the development of the best solution for our customers’ needs.

The Image and iZone marketing centers also contain comprehensive indoor and outdoor product display areas that allow our customers to see many of our products and services in one setting. This aids our customers in making quick and effective lighting and graphic design decisions through hands-on product demonstrations and side-by-side comparisons. More importantly, these capabilities allow us to expand our customer’s interest from just a single product into other products and solutions. We believe that the capabilities of these centers have further enhanced our position as a highly qualified outsourcing partner capable of guiding a customer through image alternatives utilizing our lighting and graphics products and services. We believe this capability distinguishes us from our competitors and will become increasingly beneficial in attracting additional customers.

In addition to the capabilities of our Image Center, Innovation Center, Inspiration Center, and iZone Marketing Center, the Company markets its products and service capabilities to end users in multiple channels through a broad spectrum of marketing and promotional methods, including direct customer contact, trade shows, on-site training, print advertising in industry publications, product brochures and other literature, as well as the internet and social media.

Manufacturing and Operations 

We design, engineer and manufacture substantially all of our lighting and graphics products through a vertically integrated business model. By emphasizing high-volume production of standard product lines, we achieve significant manufacturing efficiencies. We periodically invest in new machinery and equipment utilizing the latest technology in order to leverage the manufacturing efficiencies gained from our high-volume production. When appropriate, we utilize alliances with domestic and international vendors to outsource certain products and components. LED products and related software are engineered, designed and final-assembled by the Company, while a portion of the manufacturing has been performed by select qualified vendors. We are not dependent on any one supplier for any of our component parts.

The principal raw materials and purchased components used in the manufacturing of our products are steel, aluminum, aluminum castings, fabrications, LEDs, power supplies, powder paint, steel and aluminum poles, wire harnesses, acrylic and glass lenses, inks, various graphics substrates such as foam board and vinyls, and digital screens.  We source these materials and components from a variety of suppliers.  Although an interruption of these supplies and components could disrupt our operations, we believe generally that alternative sources of supply exist and could be readily arranged.  We strive to reduce price volatility in our purchases of raw materials and components through annual contracts with strategic suppliers.  The Company experienced rapid and significant material price inflation in the range of 5.0% to 6.0% in fiscal 2017 driven by increases in several key commodities. Material inflation has stabilized at these higher price levels in the first few months of fiscal 2018 and we expect these elevated levels to continue in the short term. Our Lighting operations generally carry a certain level of sub-assemblies finished goods inventory to meet quick delivery requirements. Most lighting products are made to order and shipped shortly after they are manufactured. Our Graphics operations manufacture custom graphics products for customers who require us to stock certain amounts of finished goods in exchange for their commitment to that inventory.  In some Graphics programs, customers also give us a cash advance for the inventory that we stock for them.  The Company’s operations dealing with LED products generally carry LED and LED component inventory due to longer lead times. Our Technology Segment operations purchase electronic components from multiple suppliers and manufacture custom electronic circuit boards and lighting control systems. Most products are made to order and, as a result, these operations do not carry very many finished goods.

We currently operate out of ten manufacturing facilities in six U.S. states.

A majority of our operations received ISO 9001:2015 Certification thru ANAB (Cert# 5369-Eagle Registrations Inc.), with plans to seek additional certifications in future years. Our manufacturing operations are subject to various federal, state and local regulatory requirements relating to environmental protection and occupational health and safety. We do not expect to incur material capital expenditures with regard to these matters and believe our facilities are in compliance with such regulations.

Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment 

There was no impairment of the Company’s goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets in fiscal 2016 or 2015. The Company recorded a $479,000 impairment of a finite-lived intangible asset in the Graphics Segment in fiscal 2017.

Competition

We experience strong competition in all segments of our business, and in all markets served by our product lines. Although we have many competitors, some of which have greater financial and other resources, we do not compete with the same companies across our entire product and service offerings. We believe product quality and performance, price, customer service, prompt delivery, and reputation to be important competitive factors. We also have several product and process patents which have been obtained in the normal course of business which provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Additional Information 

Our sales are partially seasonal as installation of outdoor lighting and graphic systems in the northern states lessens during the harshest winter months. We had a backlog of orders, which we believe to be firm, of $30.2 million and $29.1 million at June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. All orders are expected to be shippable or installed within twelve months.

We have 1,232 full-time employees and 113 agency employees as of June 30, 2017. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program to most employees, including competitive wages, a cash-based incentive plan that is based upon the achievement of the Company’s business plan goals, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, a nonqualified deferred compensation plan (for certain employees), an equity compensation plan, and medical and dental insurance.

We file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. You may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at its public reference room at 100 F. Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain that information by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding us. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov. Our internet address is http://www.lsi-industries.com. We make available free of charge through our internet website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file them with the SEC. LSI is not including the other information contained on its website as part of or incorporating it by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

LSI Industries Inc. is an Ohio corporation, incorporated in 1976.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the following factors which could materially affect our business, financial condition, cash flows or future results. Any one of these factors could cause the Company’s actual results to vary materially from recent results or from anticipated future results. The risks described below are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Lower levels of economic activity in our end markets could adversely affect our operating results. 

Our businesses operate in several market segments including, but not limited to, commercial, industrial, retail, petroleum / convenience store and automotive. Operating results can be negatively impacted by volatility in these markets. Future downturns in any of the markets we serve could adversely affect our overall sales and profitability.

The markets in which we operate are subject to competitive pressures that could affect selling prices, and therefore could adversely affect our operating results. 

Our businesses operate in markets that are highly competitive, and we compete on the basis of price, quality, service and/or brand name across the industries and markets served. Some of our competitors for certain products, primarily in the Lighting Segment, have greater sales, assets and financial resources. Some of our competitors are based in foreign countries and have cost structures and prices in foreign currencies. Accordingly, currency fluctuations could cause our U.S. dollar-priced products to be less competitive than our competitors’ products which are priced in other currencies. Competitive pressures could affect prices we charge our customers or demand for our products, which could adversely affect our operating results. Additionally, customers for our products may attempt to reduce the number of vendors from which they purchase in order to reduce the size and diversity of their inventories and their transaction costs. To remain competitive, we will need to invest continuously in research and development, manufacturing, marketing, customer service and support, and our distribution networks. We may not have sufficient resources to continue to make such investments and we may be unable to maintain our competitive position.

Our operating results may be adversely affected by unfavorable economic, political and market conditions. 

Economic and political conditions worldwide have from time to time contributed to slowdowns in our industry at large, as well as to the specific segments and markets in which we operate. When combined with ongoing customer consolidation activity and periodic manufacturing and inventory initiatives, an uncertain macro-economic and political climate, including but not limited to the effects of possible weakness in domestic and foreign financial and credit markets, could lead to reduced demand from our customers and increased price competition for our products, increased risk of excess and obsolete inventories and uncollectible receivables, and higher overhead costs as a percentage of revenue. If the markets in which we participate experience further economic downturns, as well as a slow recovery period, this could negatively impact our sales and revenue generation, margins and operating expenses, and consequently have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Price increases or significant shortages of raw materials and components could adversely affect our operating margin. 

The Company purchases large quantities of raw materials and components — mainly steel, aluminum, LEDs, electronic components, light bulbs and fluorescent tubes, lighting ballasts, sockets, wire harnesses, plastic lenses, glass lenses, vinyls, inks, and corrugated cartons. Materials comprise the largest component of costs, representing approximately 60% and 58% of the cost of sales in 2017 and 2016, respectively. While we have multiple sources of supply for most of our material requirements, significant shortages could disrupt the supply of raw materials. Further significant increases in the price of these raw materials and components could further increase the Company’s operating costs and materially adversely affect margins. Although the Company attempts to pass along increased costs in the form of price increases to customers, the Company may be unsuccessful in doing so for competitive reasons. Even when price increases are successful, the timing of such price increases may lag significantly behind the incurrence of higher costs. On occasion, there are selected electronic component parts and certain other parts shortages in the market place, some of which have affected the Company’s manufacturing operations and shipment schedules even though multiple suppliers may be available. The lead times of these suppliers can increase and the prices of some of these parts have increased during periods of shortages.

We have a concentration of net sales to the petroleum / convenience store market, and any substantial change in this market could have an adverse effect on our business. 

Approximately 30% of our net sales in fiscal year 2017 are concentrated in the petroleum / convenience store market. Sales to this market segment are dependent upon the general conditions prevailing in and the profitability of the petroleum and convenience store industries and general market conditions. Our petroleum market business can be subject to reactions by the petroleum industry to world political events, particularly those in the Middle East, and to the price and supply of oil. Major disruptions in the petroleum industry generally result in a curtailment of retail marketing efforts, including expansion and refurbishing of retail outlets, by the petroleum industry and adversely affect our business. Any substantial change in purchasing decisions by one or more of our larger customers whether due to actions by our competitors, customer financial constraints, industry factors or otherwise, could have an adverse effect on our business.

Difficulties with integrating acquisitions could adversely affect operating costs and expected benefits from those acquisitions. 

We have pursued and may continue to seek potential acquisitions to complement and expand our existing businesses, increase our revenues and profitability, and expand our markets. We cannot be certain that we will be able to identify, acquire or profitably manage additional companies or successfully integrate such additional companies without substantial costs, delays or other problems. Also, companies acquired recently and in the future may not achieve revenues, profitability or cash flows that justify our investment in them. We expect to spend significant time and effort in expanding our existing businesses and identifying, completing and integrating acquisitions. We expect to face competition for acquisition candidates which may limit the number of acquisition opportunities available to us, possibly leading to a decrease in the rate of growth of our revenues and profitability, and may result in higher acquisition prices. The success of these acquisitions we do make will depend on our ability to integrate these businesses into our operations. We may encounter difficulties in integrating acquisitions into our operations, retaining key employees of acquired companies and in managing strategic investments. Therefore, we may not realize the degree or timing of the benefits anticipated when we first enter into a transaction.

Goodwill and intangible assets that are recorded on the balance sheet from a previous or future acquisition could be written off if circumstances arise whereby the goodwill or intangible assets have been impaired.

We have pursued and will continue to seek potential acquisitions, at the appropriate time, to complement and expand our existing businesses, increase our revenues and profitability, and expand our markets. As a result of acquisitions, we have significant goodwill and intangible assets recorded on our balance sheet. We will continue to evaluate the recoverability of the carrying amount of our goodwill and intangible assets on an ongoing basis, and we may incur substantial non-cash impairment charges, which would adversely affect our financial results. There can be no assurance that the outcome of such reviews in the future will not result in substantial impairment charges. Impairment assessment inherently involves judgment as to assumptions about expected future cash flows and the impact of market conditions on those assumptions. Future events and changing market conditions may impact our assumptions as to prices, costs, holding periods or other factors that may result in changes in our estimates of future cash flows. Although we believe the assumptions we used in testing for impairment are reasonable, significant changes in any one of our assumptions could produce a significantly different result. If there were to be a decline in our market capitalization and/or a decline in estimated forecasted discounted cash flows, there could be an impairment of the goodwill and intangible assets. A non-cash impairment charge could be material to the earnings of the reporting period in which it is recorded.

If we do not develop the appropriate new products or if customers do not accept new products, we could experience a loss of competitive position which could adversely affect future revenues. 

The Company is committed to product innovation on a timely basis to meet customer demands. Development of new products for targeted markets requires the Company to develop or otherwise leverage leading technologies in a cost-effective and timely manner. Failure to meet these changing demands could result in a loss of competitive position and seriously impact future revenues. Products or technologies developed by others may render the Company’s products or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive. A fundamental shift in technologies in key product markets could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operating results and competitive position within the industry. More specifically, the development of new or enhanced products is a complex and uncertain process requiring the anticipation of technological and market trends. Rapidly changing product technologies could adversely impact operating results due to potential technological obsolescence of certain inventories or increased warranty expense related to newly developed LED lighting products. We may experience design, manufacturing, marketing or other difficulties, such as an inability to attract a sufficient number of experienced engineers that could delay or prevent our development, introduction or marketing of new products or enhancements and result in unexpected expenses. Such difficulties could cause us to lose business from our customers and could adversely affect our competitive position. In addition, added expenses could decrease the profitability associated with those products that do not gain market acceptance.  

Our business is cyclical and seasonal, and in downward economic cycles our operating profits and cash flows could be adversely affected. 

Historically, sales of our products have been subject to cyclical variations caused by changes in general economic conditions. Our revenues in our third quarter ending March 31 are also affected by the impact of weather on construction and installation programs and the annual budget cycles of major customers. The demand for our products reflects the capital investment decisions of our customers, which depend upon the general economic conditions of the markets that our customers serve, including, particularly, the petroleum and convenience store industries. During periods of expansion in construction and industrial activity, we generally have benefited from increased demand for our products. Conversely, downward economic cycles in these industries result in reductions in sales and pricing of our products, which may reduce our profits and cash flow. During economic downturns, customers also tend to delay purchases of new products. The cyclical and seasonal nature of our business could at times adversely affect our liquidity and financial results.

A loss of key personnel or inability to attract qualified personnel could have an adverse effect on our operating results. 

The Company’s future success depends on the ability to attract and retain highly skilled technical, managerial, marketing and finance personnel, and, to a significant extent, upon the efforts and abilities of senior management. The Company’s management philosophy of cost-control results in a lean workforce. Future success of the Company will depend on, among other factors, the ability to attract and retain other qualified personnel, particularly management, research and development engineers and technical sales professionals. The loss of the services of any key employees or the failure to attract or retain other qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

The costs of litigation and compliance with environmental regulations, if significantly increased, could have an adverse effect on our operating profits. 

We are, and may in the future be, a party to any number of legal proceedings and claims, including those involving patent litigation, product liability, employment matters, and environmental matters, which could be significant. Given the inherent uncertainty of litigation, we can offer no assurance that existing litigation or a future adverse development will not have a material adverse impact. We are also subject to various laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and the discharge of materials into the environment, and it could potentially be possible we could incur substantial costs as a result of the noncompliance with or liability for clean up or other costs or damages under environmental laws.

The turnover of commissioned sales representatives could cause a significant disruption in sales volume.

Commissioned sales representatives are critical to generating business in the Lighting Segment. From time to time, commissioned sales representatives representing a particular region resign or are terminated and replaced with new commissioned sales representatives. During this period of transition from the previous agency to the new one, sales in the particular region will likely fall as business is disrupted. It may take several months for the new sales representative to generate sales that will equal or exceed the previous sales representative. There is also the risk that the new sales agency will not attain the sales volume of the previous agency. These sales representative changes may occur individually as one agency is replaced due to lack of performance. On the other hand, these sales representative changes can be widespread as a result of the competitive nature of the lighting industry as LSI and its competition vie for the strongest sales agency in a particular region.

Changes in a customer’s demands and commitment to proprietary inventory could result in significant inventory write-offs.

Upgrading or replacing a customer’s current image requires the manufacture of inventory that is specific to the particular customer. This is particularly true in the Graphics Segment. In as many instances as possible, we require a commitment from the customer before the inventory is produced. Our request for a commitment can range from a single site or store to a large roll-out program involving many sites or stores. The risk does exist that a customer cannot or will not honor its commitment to us. The reasons a customer cannot or will not honor its commitment can range from the bankruptcy of the customer, to the change in the image during the roll-out program, to canceling the program before its completion and before the inventory is sold to the customer. In each of these instances, we could be left with significant amounts of inventory required to support the customer’s re-imaging. While all efforts are made to hold the customer accountable for its commitment, there is the risk that a significant amount of inventory could be deemed obsolete or no longer usable which could result in significant inventory write-offs.

If we are unable to adequately protect our intellectual property, we may lose some of our competitive advantage.

Our success is determined in part by our ability to obtain United States and foreign patent protection for our technology and to preserve our trade secrets. Our ability to compete and the ability of our business to grow could suffer if our intellectual property rights are not adequately protected. There can be no assurance that our patent applications will result in patents being issued or that current or additional patents will afford protection against competitors. We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secret protection and contractual rights to establish and protect our intellectual property. Failure of our patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secret protection, non-disclosure agreements and other measures to provide protection of our technology and our intellectual property rights could enable our competitors to more effectively compete with us and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our trade secrets and proprietary know-how may otherwise become known or be independently discovered by others. No guarantee can be given that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information or techniques, or otherwise gain access to our proprietary technology.

Sudden or unexpected changes in a customer’s creditworthiness could result in significant accounts receivable write-offs.

The Company takes a conservative approach when extending credit to its customers. Customers are granted an appropriate credit limit based upon the due diligence performed on the customer which includes, among other things, the review of the company’s financial statements and banking information, various credit checks, and payment history the customer has with the Company. At any given time, the Company can have a significant amount of credit exposure with its larger customers. While the Company is frequently monitoring its outstanding receivables with its customers, the likelihood does exist that a customer with large credit exposure is unable to make payment on its outstanding receivables which could result in a significant write-off of accounts receivable.

Failure of the Company’s operating or information system or a compromise of security with respect to its operating system or portable electronic devices could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition or the effectiveness of internal controls over operations and financial reporting.

Information technology system failures, network disruptions and breaches of data security caused by such factors, including, but not limited to, earthquakes, fire, theft, fraud, malicious attack or other causes could disrupt the Company’s operations by causing delays or cancellation of customer orders, negatively affecting the Company’s online offerings and services, impeding the manufacture or shipment of products, processing transactions and reporting financial results, resulting in the unintentional disclosure of customer or Company information, or damage to the Company’s reputation. While management has taken steps to address these concerns by implementing network security and internal control measures, there can be no assurance that a system failure or loss or data security breach will not materially adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and operating results.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.     PROPERTIES

The Company operates ten facilities and has one vacant facility held for sale:

The Company considers these ten operating facilities, excluding the Woonsocket facility (total of 1,398,000 square feet) adequate for its current level of operations.

ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 See Note 13 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page 60 of this Form 10-K

ITEM 4.   MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 

 None.

PART II 

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

The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted a dividend policy which indicates that dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors in its discretion based upon its evaluation of earnings, cash flow requirements, financial condition, debt levels, stock repurchases, future business developments and opportunities, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. The Company has paid annual cash dividends beginning in fiscal 1987 through fiscal 1994, and quarterly cash dividends since fiscal 1995. The Company’s indicated annual rate for payment of a cash dividend at the end of fiscal 2017 was $0.20 per share.

At August 30, 2017, there were approximately 630 shareholders of record. The Company believes this represents approximately 3,000 beneficial shareholders.

In connection with the acquisition of Atlas on February 21, 2017 LSI issued to sellers of Atlas warrants to purchase an aggregate of 200,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $9.95 per share expiring February 2022. The warrants were issued pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, under Section 4(2) thereof.

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s common shares during the five fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 with a cumulative total return on the NASDAQ Stock Market Index (U.S. companies) and the Dow Jones Electrical Equipment Index. The comparison assumes $100 was invested June 30, 2012 in the Company’s Common Shares and in each of the indexes presented; it also assumes reinvestment of dividends.

The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

“Selected Financial Data” begins on page 66 of this Form 10-K.

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” appears on pages 19 through 33 of this Form 10-K.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in variable interest rates, changes in prices of raw materials and component parts, and changes in foreign currency translation rates. Each of these risks is discussed below.

Interest Rate Risk 

The Company earns interest income on its cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments (if any) and pays interest expense on its debt (if any). Because of variable interest rates, the Company is exposed to the risk of interest rate fluctuations, which impact interest income, interest expense, and cash flows.

The Company’s $100,000,000 line of credit is subject to interest rate fluctuations, should the Company borrow certain amounts on this line of credit. Additionally, the Company expects to generate cash from its operations that will subsequently be used to pay down as much of the debt (if any is outstanding) as possible or invest cash in short-term investments (if no debt is outstanding), while still funding the growth of the Company.

Raw Material Price Risk

The Company purchases large quantities of raw materials and components, mainly steel, aluminum, castings, fabrications, LEDs, electronic components, power supplies, powder paint, wire harnesses, plastic and glass lenses, vinyls, inks, and corrugated cartons. The Company’s operating results could be affected by the availability and price fluctuations of these materials. The Company’s strategic sourcing plans include mitigating risk by utilizing multiple suppliers for a commodity to avoid significant dependence on any single supplier. Other than the possibility of industry-wide supply shortages, the Company has not experienced any significant supply problems in recent years.   Price risk for these materials is related to price increases in commodity items that affect all users of the materials, including the Company’s competitors.  For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, the raw material component of cost of goods sold subject to price risk was approximately $150 million. The Company does not actively hedge or use derivative instruments to manage its risk in this area. The Company does, however, seek and qualify new suppliers, negotiate with existing suppliers, and arranges stocking agreements to mitigate risk of supply and price increases. On occasion, the Company’s Lighting Segment has announced price increases with customers in order to offset raw material price increases. In fiscal 2017, the Company announced price increases for all lighting and pole products in order to attempt to offset the rapid and significant material price inflation across several commodities. While the Company experienced material price inflation of 5% to 6%, price increases with customers has not fully offset the commodity price increases. The Company’s Graphics Segment generally establishes new sales prices, reflective of the then current raw material prices, for each custom graphics program as it begins.

Foreign Currency Translation Risk 

The Company has essentially no foreign currency risk as all operations are conducted in U.S. dollars.

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 Index to Financial Statements

Schedules other than those listed above are omitted for the reason(s) that they are either not applicable or not required or because the information required is contained in the financial statements or notes thereto. Selected quarterly financial data is found in Note 19 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, except as otherwise described in this Item 9A. See Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting on page 34.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEMS 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III are incorporated by reference to the LSI Industries Inc. Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held November 16, 2017, as filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

The description of equity compensation plans required by Regulation S-K, Item 201(d) is incorporated by reference to the LSI Industries Inc. Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held November 16, 2017, as filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A.

The following table presents information about the Company’s equity compensation plans (LSI Industries Inc. 2003 Equity Compensation Plan and the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan) as of June 30, 2017.

PART IV 

ITEM 15.EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

LSI will provide shareholders with any exhibit upon the payment of a specified reasonable fee, which fee shall be limited to LSI’s reasonable expenses in furnishing such exhibit. The exhibits identified herein as being filed with the SEC have been so filed with the SEC but may not be included in this version of the Annual Report to Shareholders.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

We, the undersigned directors and officers of LSI Industries Inc. hereby severally constitute Dennis W. Wells and James E. Galeese, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to them and each of them to sign for us, in our names in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

Not included.

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

The Company’s “forward looking statements” and disclosures as presented earlier in this Form 10-K in the “Safe Harbor” Statement, as well as the Company’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes presented later in this Form 10-K should be referred to when reading Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Net Sales by Business Segment 

Operating Income (Loss) by Business Segment 

Summary Comments 

Fiscal 2017 net sales of $331,392,000 increased $9.2 million or 2.9% as compared to fiscal 2016 net sales of $322,196,000. Net sales were favorably influenced by increased net sales of the Lighting Segment (up $12.1 million or 5.3%) and the Technology Segment (up $2.7 million or 15.3%). Net sales were unfavorably influenced by net sales of the Graphics Segment (down $5.6 million or 7.1%). The Company acquired Atlas Lighting Products, Inc. (Atlas) on February 21, 2017. Atlas is a manufacturer of high-quality LED lighting products sold in the electrical distribution market. The operating results of Atlas beginning February 21, 2017 have been included in the Company’s consolidated operating results in the Lighting Segment results. Atlas contributed $17.8 million to net sales during fiscal 2017 since the date of acquisition.

Fiscal 2017 operating income of $3,609,000 decreased 74.1% from operating income of $13,956,000 in fiscal 2016. The $10.3 million decrease in operating income was the net result of increased net sales, a decrease in gross profit and a decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales from 26.0% in fiscal 2016 to 24.7% in fiscal 2017, an increase in selling and administrative expenses, restructuring and plant closure costs as well as acquisition deal costs in fiscal 2017 with no comparable events in fiscal 2016, and an intangible asset impairment in fiscal 2017.

Fiscal 2016 net sales of $322,196,000 increased $14.3 million or 4.7% as compared to fiscal 2015 net sales of $307,857,000. Net sales were favorably influenced by increased net sales of the Lighting Segment (up $7.0 million or 3.2%), the Graphics Segment (up $10.8 million or 16.1%) and the Technology Segment (down $3.4 million or 16.4%).  

Fiscal 2016 operating income of $13,956,000 increased 85.3% from operating income of $7,533,000 in fiscal 2015. The $6.4 million increase in operating income was the net result of increased net sales, an increase in gross profit and an increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales from 24.2% in fiscal 2015 to 26.0% in fiscal 2016, an increase in selling and administrative expenses, and the net effect of the gain on the sale of a facility more than offset by the loss on the sale of a subsidiary in fiscal 2015 with no comparable events in fiscal 2016.

The Company recorded intangible asset impairment expense in the Graphics Segment in fiscal 2017 totaling $479,000. There was no intangible asset impairment expense in fiscal 2015 or 2016. There was no goodwill impairment expense in fiscal 2015, 2016, or 2017.

Fiscal 2017 net sales of LED lighting products of $186,532,000 in the Lighting Segment were up $31.0 million or 20.0% from the fiscal 2016 net sales of LED lighting products. Fiscal 2016 net sales of LED lighting products of $155,485,000 in the Lighting Segment were up $24.1 million or 18.4% from the fiscal 2015 net sales of LED lighting products.  

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 

The Company believes it is appropriate to evaluate its performance after making adjustments to net income for the 2017, 2016 and 2015 fiscal years reported in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). We adjusted operating income, net income and earnings per share, which exclude the impact of restructuring and plant closure costs, along with severance costs, intangible asset impairment expense, acquisition deal costs, and fair market value inventory adjustments, are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that these adjusted supplemental measures are useful in assessing the operating performance of our business. These supplemental measures are used by our management, including our chief operating decision maker, to evaluate business results. We exclude these items because they are not representative of the ongoing results of operations of our business. Below is a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to operating income, net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per share for the periods indicated.

The income tax effects of the adjustments in the tables above were calculated using the estimated U.S. effective income tax rates for the periods indicated. The income tax effects were as follows (in thousands):

Results of Operations 

2017 Compared to 2016

The Company acquired Atlas Lighting Products, Inc. (Atlas) on February 21, 2017. Atlas is a manufacturer of high-quality LED lighting products sold in the electrical distribution market. The operating results of Atlas beginning February 21, 2017 have been included in the Company’s consolidated operating results and in the Lighting Segment results. Atlas contributed $17.8 million to net sales during fiscal 2017 since the date of acquisition.

Lighting Segment net sales of $239,005,000 in the fiscal 2017 increased 5.3% from fiscal 2016 net sales of $226,889,000. While Lighting Segment net sales increased, net sales excluding Atlas decreased $5.7 million or 2.5% from fiscal 2016. The overall market for lighting products is soft, particularly in the second half of fiscal 2017. The softness in the lighting market has continued into the first few months of fiscal 2018. The Lighting Segment’s net sales of light fixtures having solid-state LED technology totaled $186.5 million in fiscal 2017, representing a $31.0 million or 20.0% increase from fiscal 2016 net sales of solid-state LED light fixtures of $155.5 million. Net sales of light fixtures having solid-state LED technology accounted for 78.0% of total Lighting Segment net sales in fiscal 2017 compared to 68.5% of total Lighting Segment net sales in fiscal 2016. There was a reduction in the Company’s traditional lighting sales (metal halide and fluorescent light sources) from fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2017 as customers converted from traditional lighting to light fixtures having solid-state LED technology.

Lighting Segment total net sales of solid-state LED technology in light fixtures have been recorded as indicated in the table below.

Gross profit of $57,241,000 in fiscal 2017 increased $0.6 million or 1.0% from fiscal 2016, and decreased from 24.7% to 23.7% as a percentage of Lighting Segment net sales (customer plus inter-segment net sales). The Company incurred restructuring and plant closure costs, including the write-down of inventory, that were recorded in cost of sales related to the closure of the Kansas City, Kansas manufacturing facility of $1,325,000 in fiscal 2017 with no comparable costs in fiscal 2016. The Lighting Segment’s gross profit was also influenced by the net effect of increased product net sales, improved manufacturing efficiencies as a result of the Company’s lean initiatives, competitive pricing pressures, product mix, and rapid and significant inflationary pressures including the rising cost of steel, aluminum, copper, and other commodities. In fiscal 2017, the Company announced price increases for all lighting and pole products in order to attempt to offset the rapid and significant material price inflation across several commodities. While the Company experienced material price inflation of 5% to 6%, price increases with customers has not fully offset the commodity price increases. Also contributing to the net change in gross profit is decreased employee compensation and benefits expense ($1.2 million), decreased warranty costs ($0.3 million), increased customer relations expense ($0.5 million), increased depreciation expense ($0.6 million), increased rent expense ($0.5 million), decreased supplies expense ($0.1 million), and decreased outside service expense ($0.4 million).

Selling and administrative expenses of $47,932,000 in fiscal 2017 increased $7.0 million or 17.2% from fiscal 2016. The $7.0 million increase is primarily the result of increased employee compensation and benefits expense ($1.5 million), increased intangible asset amortization expense due to the increase in intangible assets resulting from the acquisition of Atlas ($0.8 million), increased samples expense ($0.2 million), increased outside service expense ($0.2 million), increased sales commission expense ($3.1 million), increased bad debt expense ($0.2 million), increased supplies expense ($ 0.1 million), decreased convention expense ($0.1 million), an increase in audit fees ($0.1 million), a loss on the sale of fixed assets ($0.1 million), an increase in research and development expense ($0.3 million), use tax recorded on current and prior year purchases as a result of a use tax audit ($0.2 million), and small net increases in several other categories ($0.3 million). Also contributing to the increase in selling and administrative expenses are restructuring and plant closure costs of $104,000 related to the closure of the Kansas City, Kansas manufacturing facility that were recorded in fiscal 2017 with no comparable costs in fiscal 2016, and a gain on the sale of the Kansas City facility of $1,361,000 with no comparable gain in fiscal 2016.

The Lighting Segment fiscal 2017 operating income of $10,566,000 decreased $5.2 million or 33.1% from operating income of $15,785,000 in fiscal 2016.   The decrease of $5.2 million was the net result of increased net sales, an increase in gross profit, increased selling and administrative expenses, restructuring and plant closure costs, and related inventory write-downs of $1.4 million with no comparable costs in fiscal 2016, and a gain on the sale of the Kansas City facility of $1.4 million with no comparable gain in fiscal 2016.

Graphics Segment net sales of $72,395,000 in fiscal 2017 decreased $5.6 million or 7.1% from fiscal 2016 net sales of $77,968,000.  The markets that the Graphics Segment serves were soft as evidenced by the decline in several key markets described below. The softness in these markets has continued into the first few months of fiscal 2018. The $5.6 million decrease in Graphics Segment net sales is primarily the net result of sales to the petroleum / convenience store market ($2.3 million net decrease), sales to the national drug store market ($3.0 million decrease), sales to the quick-service restaurant market ($0.5 million net increase), sales to the retail market ($1.2 million increase), sales to the retail grocery market ($1.5 million decrease), and changes in volume to several other markets ($0.5 million decrease). 

Gross profit of $17,113,000 in fiscal 2017 decreased $2.4 million or 12.4% from fiscal 2016, and decreased from 24.5% to 23.3% as a percentage of Graphics Segment net sales (customer plus inter-segment net sales). The Company incurred restructuring and plant closure costs that were recorded in cost of sales related to the closure of the Woonsocket, Rhode Island manufacturing facility of $444,000. The remaining $1.9 million decrease in the amount of gross profit is due to the net effect of decreased net product sales (customer plus inter-segment net product sales were down $6.2 million or 7.8%), significant inflationary pressures in several key commodities, a drop in customer installation sales related to the Company’s traditional graphics of $5.5 million partially offset by higher margins on installation sales, slightly decreased freight expense as a percentage of shipping and handling revenue, increased depreciation expense ($0.3 million), decreased real estate taxes ($0.1 million), decreased supplies expense ($0.2 million), decreased repair and maintenance expense ($0.1 million), decreased rent expense ($0.1 million), decreased outside services ($0.1 million), and decreased compensation and benefits expense ($0.6 million). Material inflation has stabilized at these higher price levels in the first few months of fiscal 2018 and are likely to remain at these levels in the short term.

Selling and administrative expenses of $14,187,000 in fiscal 2017 increased $0.1 million or 0.7% from fiscal 2016 primarily as a result of decreased compensation and benefits expense ($0.5 million), increased outside services expense ($0.4 million), increased convention and shows expense ($0.1 million), increased travel expense ($0.1 million), increased supplies expense ($0.1 million), decreased commissions expense ($0.1 million), decreased rent expense ($0.1 million), increased depreciation expense ($0.1 million), and other small net decreases in other categories ($0.2 million). Also contributing to the higher selling and administrative expense in fiscal 2017 was intangible asset impairment expense of $479,000 related to a customer relationship intangible asset that was determined to be fully impaired with no comparable expenses in the prior period of fiscal 2016.

Graphics Segment fiscal 2017 operating income of $2,439,000 decreased $2.8 million or 53.5% from fiscal 2016 and is the net result of decreased net sales, decreased gross profit and decreased gross profit as a percentage of net sales, restructuring and plant closure costs of $448,000 with no comparable costs in fiscal 2016, and intangible asset impairment expense of $479,000 with no comparable cost in fiscal 2016, and a decrease in other selling and administrative expenses.

Technology Segment net customer sales of $19,992,000 in fiscal 2017 increased $2.7 million or 15.3% from fiscal 2016 net sales of $17,339,000. The $2.7 million increase in Technology Segment net sales is primarily the net result of a $1.7 million increase in sales to the transportation market, a $0.8 million increase in sales to original equipment manufacturers, and a $0.1 million net increase in sales to various other markets. The increase in net customer sales is due to the cyclic nature of the markets the Company serves in this segment. While net customer sales increased, the Technology Segment inter-company sales of electronic circuit boards and lighting control systems to the Lighting Segment decreased $1.8 million or 4.9% due to demand and the outsourcing of some products.

Gross profit of $7,359,000 in the fiscal 2017 decreased $0.3 million or 3.4% from the same period of fiscal 2016, and decreased from 14.4% to 13.6% as a percentage of Technology Segment net sales (customer plus inter-segment net sales). The Company incurred restructuring charges of $0.2 million related to the consolidation of its Beaverton, Oregon facility into other LSI facilities, with no comparable costs in fiscal 2016. The remaining $0.1 million decrease in amount of gross profit is due to the net effect of increased customer net sales, partially offset by decreased inter-segment sales, increased employee compensation and benefits expense ($0.3 million), increased warranty expense ($0.3 million), decreased rent expense ($0.1 million), and decreased outside services expense ($0.2 million).

Selling and administrative expenses of $3,441,000 in fiscal 2017 decreased $151,000 or 4.2% from the same period of fiscal 2016. The decrease in selling and administrative expenses is primarily the net result of an increase in employee compensation and benefits expense ($0.1 million), an increase in bad debt expense ($0.1 million), a decrease in research and development expense ($0.3 million), a decrease in the amortization expense ($0.1 million), and other changes to selling and administrative expenses ($0.1 million decrease).

Technology Segment fiscal 2017 operating income of $3,885,000 decreased $0.1 million or 0.4% from operating income of $4,028,000 in the same period of fiscal 2016. The decrease of $0.1 million was the net result of increased net customer sales, decreased inter-segment sales, restructuring costs in fiscal 2017 of $0.3 million with no comparable costs in fiscal 2016, decreased gross profit, and decreased operating expenses.

In September 2016, the Company announced the consolidation of the Beaverton, Oregon facility into other LSI facilities. The light assembly of products in the Beaverton facility was moved to the Company’s Columbus, Ohio facility, and administration and engineering functions were moved to the Company’s Cincinnati, Ohio facility. This consolidation was completed September 30, 2016.

The gross profit (loss) relates to the intercompany profit in inventory elimination.

Administrative expenses of $11,712,000 in fiscal 2017 increased $0.8 million or 6.9% from the same period of the prior year. The $0.8 million change in administrative expenses is primarily the net result of decreased employee compensation and benefits expense ($0.6 million), an increase in legal expense ($0.1 million), decreased depreciation expense ($0.1 million), increased research and development expense ($0.3 million), increased telephone expense ($0.1 million), increased outside services expense ($0.5 million), a change in the allocation of corporate expense to the operating units ($0.2 million increase), and several small net increases in various other expenses ($0.3 million). Also contributing to the increased administrative expenses are acquisition costs of $1,608,000 recorded in fiscal 2017 and restructuring costs of $0.1 million recorded in fiscal 2017 related to the consolidation of its Beaverton, Oregon facility into other LSI facilities, with no comparable costs in fiscal 2016. These restructuring expenses were primarily for severance costs for employees located in the Beaverton, Oregon facility that were previously included in corporate research and development expenses.

Consolidated Results

The Company reported net interest expense of $529,000 in fiscal 2017 as compared to net interest income of $48,000 in the same period of fiscal 2016. The change from interest income in fiscal 2016 to interest expense in fiscal 2017 is the result of borrowing against the Company’s line of credit to acquire Atlas. Commitment fees related to the unused portion of the Company’s line of credit and interest income on invested cash are included in both fiscal years. The Company was in a positive cash position and was debt free for approximately the first eight and a half months of fiscal 2017 and generated interest income on invested cash. The Company was in a borrowing position beginning on February 21, 2017 primarily as a result of the Atlas Lighting Products acquisition.

The $80,000 income tax expense in fiscal 2017 represents a consolidated effective tax rate of 2.6% influenced by certain permanent book-tax differences, by a benefit related to uncertain income tax positions, a tax benefit related to disqualifying dispositions, and the reduction of the valuation reserve related to the sale of the Kansas City facility. The $4,522,000 income tax expense in fiscal 2016 represents a consolidated effective tax rate of 32.3%, influenced by certain permanent book-tax differences, an $111,000 tax benefit related to the R&D tax credit, and by a tax benefit related to uncertain income tax positions.

The Company reported net income of $3,000,000 in fiscal 2017 compared to net income of $9,482,000 in the prior year.  The $6.5 million decrease in net income is primarily the net result of increased net sales, decreased gross profit, increased operating expenses, restructuring and plant closure costs in fiscal 2017 with no comparable costs in fiscal 2016, intangible asset impairment expense in fiscal 2017 with no comparable cost in fiscal 2016, and lower income tax expense in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016.  Diluted earnings per share of $0.12 was reported in fiscal 2017 as compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.37 in fiscal 2016. The weighted average common shares outstanding for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2017 was 25,988,000 shares as compared to 25,592,000 shares in the prior year.

Results of Operations 

2016 Compared to 2015          

Lighting Segment net sales of $226,889,000 in fiscal 2016 increased 3.2% from fiscal 2015 net sales of $219,920,000. The Lighting Segment’s net sales of light fixtures having solid-state LED technology totaled $155,485,000 in fiscal 2016, representing a $24.1 million or 18.4% increase from fiscal 2015 net sales of solid-state LED light fixtures of $131.3 million. Net sales of light fixtures having solid-state LED technology accounted for 68.5% of total Lighting Segment net sales. There was a reduction in the Company’s traditional lighting sales (metal halide and fluorescent light sources) from fiscal 2015 to fiscal 2016 as customers converted from traditional lighting to light fixtures having solid-state LED technology.

Gross profit of $56,674,000 in fiscal 2016 increased $2.1 million or 3.9% from fiscal 2015, and increased from 24.5% to 24.7% as a percentage of Lighting Segment net sales (customer plus inter-segment net sales).  The increase in amount of gross profit is due to the net effect of increased net sales, the improved procurement of material, competitive pricing pressures, and improved manufacturing efficiencies as a result of the Company’s lean initiatives. Also contributing to the changes in gross profit is increased employee compensation and benefits expense ($0.8 million), increased supplies expense ($0.2 million), increased repair and maintenance expense ($0.2 million), increased outside services ($0.1 million), decreased utilities ($0.1 million), increased depreciation expense ($0.1 million), increased rent expense ($0.2 million), increased customer relations expense ($0.3 million), and increased warranty expense ($1.8 million). The Company experienced a higher than normal level of warranty claims in the third quarter of fiscal 2016, primarily driven by older generation LED drivers.

Selling and administrative expenses of $40,889,000 in fiscal 2016 increased $1.1 million or 2.8% from fiscal 2015 primarily as the net result of increased employee compensation and benefits expense ($0.3 million), increased travel and entertainment expenses ($0.2 million), increased samples expense ($0.3 million), decreased convention and show expense ($0.1 million), decreased literature expense ($0.1 million), decreased outside services ($0.1 million), decreased depreciation expense ($0.2 million), decreased bad debt expense ($0.1 million), increased sales commissions at a slightly higher commission rate due to higher net sales ($0.7 million), decreased lease expense ($0.1 million), an increase in corporate shared service costs ($1.8 million), and a decrease in research and development expenses ($1.4 million).

The Lighting Segment fiscal 2016 operating income of $15,785,000 increased $1.0 million or 6.8% from operating income of $14,775,000 in fiscal 2015.  This increase of $1.0 million was the net result of increased net sales, an increase in gross profit and an increase in the gross margin as a percentage of net sales, and increased selling and administrative expenses.

Graphics Segment net sales of $77,968,000 in fiscal 2016 increased $10.8 million or 16.1% from fiscal 2015 net sales of $67,152,000.  The $10.8 million increase in Graphics Segment net sales is primarily the net result of sales to the petroleum / convenience store market ($16.9 million net increase), sales to the national drug store market ($0.8 million decrease), sales to the quick-service restaurant market ($4.0 million net decrease), sales to the banking industry ($0.4 million decrease), sales to the retail grocery market ($1.7 million increase), sales to the sports market ($1.3 million decrease), and changes in volume to several other markets ($1.3 million decrease). The Graphics Segment net sales of graphic identification products that contain solid-state LED light sources and LED lighting for signage totaled $3.4 million in fiscal 2016, representing a $0.2 million increase from fiscal 2015 net sales of $3.6 million.

Gross profit of $19,526,000 in fiscal 2016 increased $6.4 million or 48.6% from fiscal 2015, and increased from 19.4% to 24.5% as a percentage of Graphics Segment net sales (customer plus inter-segment net sales). The increase in the amount of gross profit is due to the net effect of increased net sales, customer and product mix related to large petroleum/convenience store rollout programs, lower margins on installation sales, increased freight expense on higher sales, increased property and real estate taxes ($0.3 million), increased outside service expense ($0.2 million), decreased utility expense ($0.1 million), an increase in corporate shared services ($0.2 million), and increased compensation and benefits expense ($0.6 million). 

Selling and administrative expenses of $14,280,000 in fiscal 2016 increased $1.8 million or 14.0% from fiscal 2015 primarily as a result of increased compensation and benefits expense ($1.4 million), increased travel and entertainment expense ($0.2 million), increased convention and show expense ($0.1 million), and increased commission expense ($0.1 million). In fiscal 2015, the Graphics Segment recorded a gain on the sale of one of its facilities in Woonsocket, Rhode Island of $343,000 with no comparable event in fiscal 2016.

Graphics Segment fiscal 2016 operating income of $5,246,000 increased $4.3 million or 451% from fiscal 2015 and is the net result of increased net sales, increased gross profit and increased gross profit as a percentage of net sales, increased selling and administrative expenses, and a gain on the sale of a facility in fiscal 2015 with no corresponding event in fiscal 2016.

Technology Segment net customer sales of $17,339,000 in fiscal 2016 decreased 16.4% from fiscal 2015 net sales of $20,744,000. The $3.4 million decrease in Technology Segment net sales is primarily the net result of a $2.4 million decrease in sales to the transportation market, a $0.3 million decrease in sales to original equipment manufacturers, a $0.8 million decrease in sales to the medical markets, and a $0.1 million net increase in sales to various other markets. The decrease in sales is due to the cyclic nature of the markets the Company serves in this segment. While net customer sales decreased, the Technology Segment inter-segment sales increased $6.3 million or 21.5%. The increase in inter-segment sales is the direct result of the Lighting Segment’s increase in net sales of light fixtures having solid-state LED technology along with light fixtures with integrated controls. The Technology Segment’s intercompany support of electronic circuit boards and lighting control systems to the Lighting Segment is core to the strategic growth of the Company.

Gross profit of $7,620,000 in fiscal 2016 increased $0.9 million or 12.6% from fiscal 2015, and increased from 13.5% to 14.4% as a percentage of Technology Segment net sales (customer plus inter-segment net sales). The $0.9 million increase in amount of gross profit is due to the net effect of decreased customer net sales more than offset by increased inter-segment sales, an improvement in operational efficiencies, decreased employee compensation and benefits expense ($0.4 million), decreased supplies ($0.2 million), and increased depreciation expense ($0.1 million).

Selling and administrative expenses of $3,592,000 in fiscal 2016 decreased slightly from fiscal 2015 primarily as the net result of decreased research and development expense ($0.4 million) and increased compensation and benefits expenses ($0.3 million).

Technology Segment fiscal 2016 operating income of $4,028,000 increased $0.9 million or 27.8% from operating income of $3,153,000 in fiscal 2015. The increase of $0.9 million was the net result of decreased net customer sales more than offset by increased inter-segment sales, increased gross profit from the net increase in total net sales (customer and intersegment net sales), and decreased selling and administrative expenses.

Due to the sale of LSI Saco on September 30, 2014, there is no longer comparable data for the All Other Category.

The negative gross profit relates to the intercompany profit in inventory elimination.

Selling and administrative expenses of $10,954,000 in fiscal 2016 increased $0.3 million or 3.5% from fiscal 2015. The increase in expense is primarily the result of increased employee compensation and benefits expense ($0.1 million), a decrease in legal fee expense ($0.3 million), increased outside service expense ($0.3 million), increased depreciation expense ($0.2 million), an increase in telephone expense ($0.2 million), and an increase in repair and maintenance expense ($0.2 million), an increase in corporate shared service costs allocated to the segments (favorable change of $2.5 million), and an increase in research and development expense ($2.0 million). The increase in research and development spending is the result of the creation of a corporate research and development department with its sole purpose to develop leading edge products utilizing: 1) the latest energy saving controls; 2) LED light source technology; and 3) the “internet of things” connectivity. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized a $565,000 loss on the sale of its Montreal subsidiary, LSI Saco, with no corresponding event in fiscal 2016.

Consolidated Results

The Company reported net interest income of $48,000 in fiscal 2016 as compared to net interest expense of $19,000 in fiscal 2015.  Commitment fees related to the unused portions of the Company’s lines of credit and interest income on invested cash are included in the net interest expense amounts in both fiscal 2016 and 2015. The change from net interest expense in fiscal 2015 to net interest income in fiscal 2016 is the result of the growth in invested cash.

The $4,522,000 income tax expense in fiscal 2016 represents a consolidated effective tax rate of 32.3%, influenced by certain permanent book-tax differences, an $111,000 tax benefit related to the retroactive reinstatement of the R&D tax credit, and by a tax benefit related to uncertain income tax positions. The $2,363,000 income tax expense in fiscal 2015 represents a consolidated effective tax rate of 31.4% influenced by certain permanent book-tax differences, by certain U.S. federal tax credits, by a benefit related to uncertain income tax positions, and a $136,000 tax benefit related to the retroactive reinstatement of the R&D tax credit.

The Company reported net income of $9,482,000 in fiscal 2016 as compared to net income of $5,151,000 in fiscal 2015. This represents an 84.1% increase in net income in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015. The increase in net income is primarily the net result of increased net sales, increased gross profit, increased operating expenses, the gain on the sale of a facility more than offset by the loss on the sale of a subsidiary in fiscal 2015 with no comparable events in fiscal 2016, and increased income tax expense. Diluted earnings per share were $0.37 in fiscal 2016 as compared to diluted earnings per share of $ 0.21 in fiscal 2015. The weighted average common shares outstanding for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2016 were 25,592,000 shares as compared to 24,638,000 shares in fiscal 2015.

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

The Company considers its level of cash on hand, borrowing capacity, current ratio and working capital levels to be its most important measures of short-term liquidity.  For long-term liquidity indicators, the Company believes its ratio of long-term debt to equity and its historical levels of net cash flows from operating activities to be the most important measures.

At June 30, 2017, the Company had working capital of $61.7 million, compared to $88.5 million at June 30, 2016. The large decrease in the Company’s working capital is primarily the result of the $31 million in cash used to acquire Atlas lighting. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 2.36 to 1 as compared to a ratio of 3.26 to 1 at June 30, 2016.  The $26.8 million decrease in working capital from June 30, 2016 to June 30, 2017 was primarily related to the net effect of decreased cash and cash equivalents ($30.8 million), increased net accounts receivable ($1.9 million), increased net inventory ($5.9 million), an increase in accrued expenses ($0.9 million), an increase in other current assets ($0.2 million), an increase in refundable income taxes ($0.8 million), an increase in accounts payable ($5.5 million), and assets held for sale of $1.5 million at June 30, 2017. The Company has a strategy of aggressively managing working capital, including reduction of the accounts receivable days sales outstanding (DSO) and reduction of inventory levels, without reducing service to its customers.

 The Company generated $21.0 million of cash from operating activities in fiscal 2017 as compared to $17.8 million in fiscal 2016. This $3.2 million increase in net cash flows from operating activities is primarily the net result of a decrease rather than an increase in net accounts receivable (unfavorable change of $8.6 million), an increase rather than a decrease in accounts payable (favorable change of $3.4 million), an increase rather than a decrease in customer prepayments (favorable change of $0.3 million), a decrease rather than an increase in net inventory (unfavorable change of $3.7 million), a decrease rather than an increase in accrued expenses and other (unfavorable change of $7.3 million), an increase rather than a decrease in refundable income taxes (unfavorable change of $0.9 million), a smaller increase in net deferred tax assets (favorable change of $0.3 million), an increase in stock compensation expense (favorable change of $0.1 million), an increase in the deferred compensation liability (favorable change of $0.1 million), an increase in depreciation and amortization expense (favorable change of $1.6 million), fixed asset impairment and accelerated depreciation with no comparable events in the prior year (favorable change of $0.4 million), intangible asset impairment with no comparable events in the prior year (favorable change of $0.5 million), a gain on the sale of a building (the Kansas City facility) in fiscal 2017 with no comparable event in fiscal 2016 (unfavorable change of$1.4 million), a loss compared to a gain on the sale of several fixed assets other than the sale of a building (favorable change of $0.1 million), and a decrease in net income (unfavorable change of $6.5 million).

Net accounts receivable were $48.9 million and $47.0 million at June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  The increase of $1.9 million in net receivables is primarily due to the net effect of a higher amount of net sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and higher days sales outstanding (DSO).  The DSO increased to 52 days at June 30, 2017 from 47 days at June 30, 2016. The Company believes that its receivables are ultimately collectible or recoverable, net of certain reserves, and that aggregate allowances for doubtful accounts are adequate.

Net inventories of $50.0 million at June 30, 2017 increased $5.9 million from June 30, 2016 levels. The increase of $5.9 million is the result of an increase in gross inventory of $6.3 million partially offset by an increase in inventory obsolescence reserves of $0.4 million. Based on a strategy of balancing inventory reductions with customer service and the timing of shipments, net inventory increases occurred in fiscal 2017 in the Lighting Segment of approximately $3.5 million (fiscal 2017 includes $9.4 million of net inventory at Atlas for which there was no comparable inventory as of June 30, 2016), in the Graphics Segment of approximately $0.6 million and in the Technology Segment of approximately $1.5 million.

Cash generated from operations and borrowing capacity under the Company’s line of credit is the Company’s primary source of liquidity. The Company has a secured $100 million revolving line of credit with its bank, with $49.9 million of the credit line available as of August 25, 2017. This line of credit is a $100 million five year credit line expiring in the third quarter of fiscal 2022. The Company believes that its $100 million line of credit plus cash flows from operating activities are adequate for the Company’s fiscal 2018 operational and capital expenditure needs. The Company is in compliance with all of its loan covenants.

The Company used cash of $98.6 million related to investing activities in fiscal 2017 as compared to a use of $10.1 million in fiscal 2016, resulting in an unfavorable change of $88.5 million. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2017 decreased $3.6 million to $6.6 million from fiscal 2016. The largest components of the fiscal 2017 capital expenditures are equipment and building improvements related to the Company’s Lighting and Graphics Segments and computer hardware and software related to Corporate Administration. The Company acquired Atlas Lighting Products in the third quarter of fiscal 2017, which used cash of $95.1 million of which $66 million was funded by the Company’s line of credit. Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets increased by $3.0 million due to the sale of the Kansas City manufacturing facility in the third quarter of fiscal 2017.

The Company provided $46.8 million of cash related to financing activities in fiscal 2017 compared to a use of cash of $0.2 million in fiscal 2016. The $47.0 million favorable change in cash flow was primarily the net result of borrowings in excess of payments of long term debt of $49.5 million, an increase in dividends paid to shareholders (unfavorable change of $0.8 million), and a decrease in the exercise of stock options in fiscal 2017 (unfavorable change of $1.4 million).

The Company has, or could have, on its balance sheet financial instruments consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, revolving lines of credit, and long-term debt.  The fair value of these financial instruments approximates carrying value because of their short-term maturity and/or variable, market-driven interest rates.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has no financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk and has no off-balance sheet arrangements except for the operating leases identified in the table below.  

Cash Dividends

In August 2017, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share payable September 6, 2017 to shareholders of record as of August 28, 2017. The indicated annual cash dividend rate for fiscal 2017 was $0.20 per share. The Board of Directors has adopted a policy regarding dividends which indicates that dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors in its discretion based upon its evaluation of earnings, cash flow requirements, financial condition, debt levels, stock repurchases, future business developments and opportunities, and other factors deemed relevant.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company is required to make estimates and judgments in the preparation of its financial statements that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related footnote disclosures.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.  The Company continually reviews these estimates and their underlying assumptions to ensure they remain appropriate.  The Company believes the items discussed below are among its most significant accounting policies because they utilize estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and therefore are based on management’s judgment.  Significant changes in the estimates or assumptions related to any of the following critical accounting policies could possibly have a material impact on the financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when title to goods and risk of loss have passed to the customer, there is persuasive evidence of a purchase arrangement, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, and collectability is reasonably assured. Sales are recorded net of estimated returns, rebates and discounts.  Amounts received from customers prior to the recognition of revenue are accounted for as customer pre-payments and are included in accrued expenses.

The Company has five sources of revenue:  revenue from product sales; revenue from installation of products; service revenue generated from providing integrated design, project and construction management, site engineering and site permitting, and commissioning of lighting controls; revenue from the management of media content and digital hardware related to active digital signage; and revenue from shipping and handling.

Product revenue is recognized on product-only orders upon passing of title and risk of loss, generally at time of shipment. In certain arrangements with customers, as is the case with the sale of some of our solid-state LED video screens, revenue is recognized upon customer acceptance of the video screen at the job site. Product revenue related to orders where the customer requires the Company to install the product is recognized when the product is installed.  The company provides product warranties and certain post-shipment service, support and maintenance of certain solid state LED video screens and billboards.

Installation revenue is recognized when the products have been fully installed.  The Company is not always responsible for installation of products it sells and has no post-installation responsibilities, other than normal warranties.

Service revenue from integrated design, project and construction management, and site permitting is recognized when all products at a customer site have been installed.

Revenue from the management of media content and digital hardware related to active digital signage is recognized evenly over the service period with the customer. Media content service periods with most customers range from 1 month to 1 year.

Shipping and handling revenue coincides with the recognition of revenue from the sale of the product.

In situations where the Company is responsible for re-imaging programs with multiple sites, each site is viewed as a separate unit of accounting and has stand-alone value to the customer. Revenue is recognized upon the Company’s complete performance at the location, which may include a site survey, graphics products, lighting products, and installation of products. The selling price assigned to each site is based upon an agreed upon price between the Company and its customer and reflects the estimated selling price for that site relative to the selling price for sites with similar image requirements.

The Company also evaluates the appropriateness of revenue recognition in accordance with the accounting standard on software revenue recognition. Our solid-state LED video screens, billboards and active digital signage contain software elements which the Company has determined are incidental.

Income Taxes

 The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the accounting guidance for income taxes. Accordingly, deferred income taxes are provided on items that are reported as either income or expense in different time periods for financial reporting purposes than they are for income tax purposes.  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are reported on the Company’s balance sheet.  Significant management judgment is required in developing the Company’s income tax provision, including the estimation of taxable income and the effective income tax rates in the multiple taxing jurisdictions in which the Company operates, the estimation of the liability for uncertain income tax positions, the determination of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation allowances that might be required against deferred tax assets. The Company has adopted ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.” As a result of early adoption of this accounting guidance, prior periods have been re-classified, which only affected the financial statement presentation and not the measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets.

The Company operates in multiple taxing jurisdictions and is subject to audit in these jurisdictions.  The Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities routinely review the Company’s tax returns.  These audits can involve complex issues which may require an extended period of time to resolve.  In management’s opinion, adequate provision has been made for potential adjustments arising from these audits.

The Company is recording estimated interest and penalties related to potential underpayment of income taxes as a component of tax expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The reserve for uncertain tax positions is not expected to change significantly in the next twelve months.

Asset Impairment

Carrying values of goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are reviewed at least annually for possible impairment in accordance with the accounting guidance on goodwill and intangible assets. The Company may first assess qualitative factors in order to determine if goodwill is impaired. If through the qualitative assessment it is determined that it is more likely than not that goodwill is not impaired, no further testing is required. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, or if the Company elects not to first assess qualitative factors, the Company’s impairment testing continues at the reporting unit level with the estimation of the fair value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets using a combination of a market approach and an income (discounted cash flow) approach.The estimation of the fair value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets requires significant management judgment with respect to revenue and expense growth rates, changes in working capital and the selection and use of an appropriate discount rate.  The estimates of fair value of reporting units are based on the best information available as of the date of the assessment.  The use of different assumptions would increase or decrease estimated discounted future operating cash flows and could increase or decrease an impairment charge.  Company management uses its judgment in assessing whether assets may have become impaired between annual impairment tests.  Indicators such as adverse business conditions, a sustained drop in the Company’s stock price, economic factors and technological change or competitive activities may signal that an asset has become impaired.  

Carrying values for long-lived tangible assets and definite-lived intangible assets, excluding goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for possible impairment as circumstances warrant. Impairment reviews are conducted at the judgment of Company management when it believes that a change in circumstances in the business or external factors warrants a review.  Circumstances such as the discontinuation of a product or product line, a sudden or consistent decline in the forecast for a product, changes in technology or in the way an asset is being used, a history of negative operating cash flow, or an adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, among others, may trigger an impairment review.  The Company’s initial impairment review to determine if a potential impairment charge is required is based on an undiscounted cash flow analysis at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exist.  The analysis requires judgment with respect to changes in technology, the continued success of product lines and future volume, revenue and expense growth rates, and discount rates.

Credit and Collections

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts receivable for probable estimated losses resulting from either customer disputes or the inability of its customers to make required payments.  If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make the required payments, the Company may be required to record additional allowances or charges against income.  The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by first considering all known collectability problems of customers’ accounts, and then applying certain percentages against the various aging categories based on the due date of the remaining receivables.  The resulting allowance for doubtful accounts receivable is an estimate based upon the Company’s knowledge of its business and customer base, and historical trends.  The amount ultimately not collected may differ from the reserve established, particularly in the case where percentages are applied against aging categories.  In all cases, it is management’s goal to carry a reserve against the Company’s accounts receivable which is adequate based upon the information available at that time so that net accounts receivable is properly stated. The Company also establishes allowances, at the time revenue is recognized, for returns and allowances, discounts, pricing and other possible customer deductions.  These allowances are based upon contractual terms and historical trends.

Warranty Reserves

The Company offers a limited warranty that its products are free from defects in workmanship and materials.  The specific terms and conditions vary somewhat by product line, but generally cover defective products returned within one to five years, with some exceptions where the terms extend to 10 years, from the date of shipment.  The Company records warranty liabilities to cover the estimated future costs for repair or replacement of defective returned products as well as products that need to be repaired or replaced in the field after installation.  The Company calculates its liability for warranty claims by applying estimates based upon historical claims as a percentage of sales to cover unknown claims, as well as estimating the total amount to be incurred for known warranty issues.  The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary.

Inventory Reserves

The Company maintains an inventory reserve for probable obsolete and excess inventory. The Company first determines its obsolete inventory reserve by considering specific known obsolete items, and then by applying certain percentages to specific inventory categories based upon inventory turns. The Company uses various tools, in addition to inventory turns, to identify which inventory items have the potential to become obsolete. Judgment is used to establish excess and obsolete inventory reserves and management adjusts these reserves as more information becomes available about the ultimate disposition of the inventory item.  Management values inventory at lower of cost or market.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” This amended guidance supersedes and replaces all existing U.S. GAAP revenue recognition guidance. The guidance established a new revenue recognition model, changes the basis for deciding when revenue is recognized, provides new and more detailed guidance on specific revenue topics, and expands and improves disclosures about revenue. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing.” In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients.” In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” These three standards clarify or improve guidance from ASU 2014-09 and are effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, or the Company’s fiscal year 2019. The Company will adopt these standards no later than July 1, 2018. The Company is reviewing accounting policies and evaluating disclosures in the financial statements related to the new standard. The Company is also assessing potential changes to the business processes, internal controls, and information systems related to the adoption of the new standard. While the Company is currently assessing the impact of the new standard, the Company’s revenue is primarily generated from the sale of finished products to customers. Those sales predominantly contain a single delivery element and revenue is recognized at a single point in time when ownership, risks, and rewards transfer. The recognition of revenue from most product sales is largely unaffected by the new standard. However, with respect to certain product sales requiring installation, revenue is currently not recognized until the installation is complete. While the Company does not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on the amount of overall sales recognized, the timing of recognition of revenues from sales on certain projects may be affected. Our initial conclusions may change as we finalize our assessment and select a transition method during the next six to nine months.

In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” The amended guidance requires an entity to measure in scope inventory at lower of cost and net realizable value. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, or the Company’s fiscal year 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact the amended guidance will have on its financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes,” which eliminates the current requirement to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in the statement of financial position. This update requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent. This update is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning April 1, 2017. This update may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. However, early adoption is permitted and the Company has chosen to adopt the standard retrospectively as of June 30, 2016. As a result, prior periods have been adjusted to reflect this change. This update affected the presentation, but not the measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets.

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases.” The amended guidance requires an entity to recognize assets and liabilities that arise from leases. The amended guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, or the Company’s fiscal year 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not yet determined the impact the amended guidance will have on its financial statements.  

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2016-08, “Principal versus Agent Considerations.” The amendment is intended to improve the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. The amended guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, or the Company’s fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has determined the amended guidance will have an immaterial impact on its financial statements.

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” This amended guidance simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions. The amended guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, or the Company’s fiscal year 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company has determined the amended guidance will have an immaterial impact on its financial statements. 

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This amendment provides additional guidance on the measurement of expected credit losses for financial assets based on historical experience, current conditions, and supportable forecasts. The amended guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, or the Company’s fiscal year 2021. The Company is evaluating the impact of the amended guidance and the anticipated impact to the financial statements is not material.

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments,” which provides cash flow classification guidance for certain cash receipts and cash payments. This standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, or the Company’s fiscal year 2019. The Company is evaluating the impact the amended guidance will have on its financial statements.

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, which simplifies the testing for goodwill impairment by eliminating a previously required step. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, or the Company’s fiscal year 2021. The Company is evaluating the impact the amended guidance will have on its financial statements.

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Management of LSI Industries Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “LSI”) is responsible for the preparation and accuracy of the financial statements and other information included in this report. LSI’s Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of Management, including LSI’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, based on the criteria set forth in “the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the reality that judgments in decision making can be faulty, the possibility of human error, and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures.

In meeting its responsibility for the reliability of the financial statements, the Company depends upon its system of internal accounting controls. The system is designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and that transactions are properly authorized and recorded. The system is supported by policies and guidelines, and by careful selection and training of financial management personnel. The Company also has a Disclosure Controls Committee, whose responsibility is to help ensure appropriate disclosures and presentation of the financial statements and notes thereto. Additionally, the Company has an Internal Audit Department to assist in monitoring compliance with financial policies and procedures.

The Board of Directors meets its responsibility for overview of the Company’s financial statements through its Audit Committee which is composed entirely of independent Directors who are not employees of the Company. The Audit Committee meets periodically with Management and Internal Audit to review and assess the activities of each in meeting their respective responsibilities. Grant Thornton LLP has full access to the Audit Committee to discuss the results of their audit work, the adequacy of internal accounting controls, and the quality of financial reporting.

Based upon LSI’s evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2017. We reviewed the results of Management’s assessment with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. Additionally, our independent registered public accounting firm audited and independently assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Grant Thornton LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which is presented in the financial statements.

Dennis W. Wells
Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)

James E. Galeese
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

Board of Directors and Shareholders

LSI Industries Inc.

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of LSI Industries Inc. (an Ohio corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2017, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). 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. Our audit of, and opinion on, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting does not include the internal control over financial reporting of Atlas Lighting Products, Inc. (“Atlas”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, whose financial statements reflect total assets and revenues constituting 39 percent and 5 percent, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended June 30, 2017. As indicated in Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, Atlas was acquired during fiscal year 2017. Management’s assertion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting excluded internal control over financial reporting of Atlas.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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.

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.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended June 30, 2017, and our report dated September 8, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Cincinnati, Ohio

September 8, 2017

Board of Directors and Shareholders

LSI Industries Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of LSI Industries Inc. (an Ohio corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2017. Our audits of the basic consolidated financial statements included the financial statement schedule appearing under Item 8. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of LSI Industries Inc. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated September 8, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Cincinnati, Ohio

September 8, 2017

LSI INDUSTRIES INC. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the years ended June 30, 2017, 2016, and 2015

(In thousands, except per share data)