Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2023 July (Form 10-Q)

 

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2023

 

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ________ to ________

 

Commission File No. 001-32530

 

Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware	36-3922969
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
24900 Pitkin Road, Suite 309, Spring, Texas	77386
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

 

(847) 966-1000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share	PPIH	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ☒    No ☐

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  Large accelerated filer ☐   Accelerated filer ☐   Non-accelerated filer ☒   Smaller reporting company ☒   Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

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

 

On September 14, 2023, there were 8,063,501 shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PERMA-PIPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

PERMA-PIPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands)

 (Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

PERMA-PIPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

PERMA-PIPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

PERMA-PIPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

PERMA-PIPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2023

(Tabular amounts presented in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Note 1 - Basis of presentation

The interim consolidated financial statements of Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc., and subsidiaries (collectively, "PPIH", "Company", or "Registrant") are unaudited, but include all adjustments that the Company's management considers necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. These adjustments consist of normal recurring adjustments. Information and footnote disclosures have been omitted pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations. The consolidated balance sheet as of  January 31, 2023 is derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet as of that date. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of future or annual results. Interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company's fiscal year ends on January 31. Years and balances described as 2023 and 2022 are for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2024 and for the fiscal year ended  January 31, 2023, respectively.

Significant New Accounting Policies

Refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2023 as filed with the SEC on April 27, 2023 for discussion of the Company's significant accounting policies. During the six months ended July 31, 2023, the following accounting policy was adopted: 

Current Expected Credit Loss

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The new guidance affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. The amended guidance requires the application of a current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model, which measures credit losses based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022.  The Company adopted this guidance effective February 1, 2023, which was not material to the consolidated financial statements for the six months ended July 31, 2023.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through September 14, 2023, the date the financial statements were issued. Any material subsequent events that occurred during this time have been properly recognized and/or disclosed in these consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 - Business segment reporting

The Company is engaged in the manufacture and sale of products in one reportable segment: Piping Systems. The Company engineers, manufactures and sells pre-insulated specialty piping systems, and leak detection systems. Pre-insulated specialty piping systems include: (i) insulated and jacketed district heating and cooling piping systems for efficient energy distribution from central energy plants to multiple locations, (ii) primary and secondary containment piping systems for transporting chemicals, hazardous fluids and petroleum products, (iii) the coating and/or insulation of oil and gas gathering and transmission pipelines, and (iv) liquid and powder based anti-corrosion coatings applied both to the external and internal surfaces of steel pipe, including shapes like bends, reducers, tees, and other spools/fittings used in pipelines for the transportation of oil and gas products and potable water. The Company's leak detection systems are sold with its piping systems or on a stand-alone basis to monitor areas where fluid intrusion may contaminate the environment, endanger personal safety, cause a fire hazard, impair essential services or damage equipment or property.

Note 3 - Accounts receivable

The majority of the Company's accounts receivable consist of geographically dispersed contractors and manufacturing companies. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of a customer's financial condition. In the United States, collateral is not generally required. In the United Arab Emirates ("U.A.E."), Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India, letters of credit are obtained for significant orders. Accounts receivable are due within various time periods specified in the terms applicable to the specific contract and are stated at amounts due from customers net of any allowance for claims and credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is based on specifically identified amounts in customers' accounts, where future collectability is deemed uncertain. Management exercises its judgment in adjusting the provision as a consequence of known items, such as current economic factors and credit trends. Past due trade accounts receivable balances are written off when an amount is deemed uncollectible and all attempts to collect have been exhausted. The write-off is recorded against the allowance for credit losses. 

In 2015, the Company completed a project in the Middle East with billings in the aggregate amount of approximately $41.9 million. The system has not yet been commissioned by the customer. Nevertheless, the Company has settled approximately $39.1 million as of July 31, 2023, with a remaining balance due in the amount of $2.8 million, all of which pertains to retention clauses within the agreements with the Company's customer, and which become payable by the customer when this project is fully tested and commissioned. Of this amount, $1.6 million is classified in other long-term assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

Regardless of the contractual due date for payment, the Company has been actively engaged in ongoing efforts to collect this outstanding balance. The Company continues to engage with the customer to ensure full payment of the open balances, and during  June 2022, a partial payment was received to settle $0.9 million of the customer's outstanding balances. Further, the Company has been engaged by the customer to perform additional work in 2022 and 2023 under customary trade terms that supports the continued cooperation between the Company and the customer. As a result, the Company did not reserve any allowance against the remaining outstanding balances as of July 31, 2023. However, if the Company’s efforts to collect on this account are not successful, the Company may recognize an allowance for all, or substantially all, of any such uncollected amounts.

For the three months ended July 31, 2023, one customer accounted for 18.8% of the Company's consolidated net sales, and during the same period in 2022, no individual customer accounted for greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated net sales. 

As of  July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, one customer accounted for 14.2% and 11.9% of the Company's accounts receivable, respectively.

Note 4 - Revenue recognition 

The Company accounts for its revenues under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

Revenue from contracts with customers

The Company defines a contract as an agreement that has approval and commitment from both parties, defined rights and identifiable payment terms, which ensures the contract has commercial substance and that collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company’s standard revenue transactions are classified into two main categories:

In accordance with ASC 606-10-25-27 through 29, the Company recognizes specialty piping and coating systems revenue over time as the manufacturing process progresses because one of the following conditions exist:

 Products revenue is recognized when goods are shipped or services are performed (ASC 606-10-25-30).

A breakdown of the Company's revenues by revenue class for the three and six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (in thousands):

The input method as noted in ASC 606-10-55-20 is used by certain operating entities to measure revenue by the costs incurred to date relative to the estimated costs to satisfy the contract over time. Generally, these contracts are considered a single performance obligation satisfied over time and due to the custom nature of the goods and services, the "over time" method is the most faithful depiction of the Company’s performance as it measures the value of the goods and services transferred to the customer. Costs include all material, labor, and direct costs incurred to satisfy the performance obligations of the contract. Revenue recognition begins when projects costs are incurred.  

The output method as noted in ASC 606-10-55-17 is used by all other operating entities to measure revenue by the direct measurement of the outputs produced relative to the remaining goods promised under the contract. Due to the types of end customers, generally these contracts require formal inspection protocols or specific export documentation for units produced, or produced and shipped, therefore, the output method is the most faithful depiction of the Company’s performance. Depending on the conditions of the contract, revenue may be recognized based on units produced, inspected and held by the Company prior to shipment or on units produced, inspected and shipped. 

Some of the Company’s operating entities invoice and collect milestones or other contractual obligations prior to the transfer of goods and services, but do not recognize revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied under the methods discussed above.

Contract modifications that occur prior to the start of the manufacturing process will supersede the original contract and revenue is recognized using the modified contract value. Contract modifications that occur during the manufacturing process (changes in scope of work, job performance, material costs, and/or final contract settlements) are recognized in the period in which the revisions are known. Provisions are made for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts in the contract liabilities account in the period in which such losses are determined.

Contract assets and liabilities

Contract assets represent revenue recognized in excess of amounts billed for contract work in progress for which the Company has a valid contract and an enforceable right to payment for work completed. Contract liabilities represent billings in excess of costs for contract work in progress for which the Company has a valid contract and an enforceable right to payment for work completed. Both customer billings and the satisfaction (or partial satisfaction) of the performance obligation(s) occur throughout the manufacturing process and impact the period end balances in these accounts.

The following table shows the reconciliation of costs in excess of billings and billings in excess of costs: 

The Company anticipates that substantially all costs incurred on uncompleted contracts as of  July 31, 2023 will be billed and collected within one year, and all billings on uncompleted contracts as of  July 31, 2023 will be satisfied and collected within one year. 

Unbilled accounts receivable

The Company has recorded $11.6 millionof unbilled accounts receivable on the consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, from revenues generated by certain of its subsidiaries. The Company has fulfilled all performance obligations and has recorded revenue under the respective contracts. The deliverables under these contracts have been accepted by the customer and billing will be made once the customer takes possession of or arranges shipping for the products over time. The Company anticipates that substantially all of the amounts included in unbilled accounts receivable as of  July 31, 2023 will be billed within one year.

Practical expedients

Costs to obtain a contract are not considered to be incremental or material, and project duration generally does not span more than one year. Accordingly, the Company applies the practical expedient for these types of costs and as such, are expensed in the period incurred.

As the Company's contracts are generally less than one year, the Company has applied the practical expedient regarding disclosure of the aggregate amount and future timing of performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially satisfied as of the end of the reporting period.

Note 5 - Income taxes 

The determination of the consolidated provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowances requires management to make judgments and estimates. As a company with subsidiaries in foreign jurisdictions, the process of calculating income taxes involves estimating current tax obligations and exposures in each jurisdiction as well as making judgments regarding the future recoverability of deferred tax assets. Income earned in the U.A.E. is not subject to local country income tax. Additionally, the relative proportion of taxable income earned domestically versus internationally can fluctuate significantly from period to period. Changes in the estimated level of annual pre-tax income, tax laws and the results of tax audits can affect the overall effective income tax rate, which impacts the level of income tax expense and net income. Judgments and estimates related to the Company's projections and assumptions are inherently uncertain; therefore, actual results could differ materially from projections. 

The Company's worldwide effective tax rates ("ETR") for the three months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022 were 45.2% and 32.2%, respectively. The change in the ETR is due primarily to the inability to recognize tax benefits on losses in the United States due to a full valuation allowance and changes in the mix of income and loss in various jurisdictions.

The Company expects that future distributions from foreign subsidiaries will not be subject to incremental U.S. federal tax as they will either be remittances of previously taxed earnings and profits or eligible for a full dividends received deduction. Current and future earnings in the Company's subsidiaries in Canada and Egypt are not permanently reinvested. The earnings from these subsidiaries are subject to tax in their local jurisdiction, and withholding taxes in these jurisdictions are considered. The Company's liability was $0.6 million as of July 31, 2023 related to these taxes.

Note 6 - Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company's assessment of long-lived assets, and other identifiable intangibles is based upon factors that market participants would use in accordance with the accounting guidance for the fair value measurement of assets. At July 31, 2023, the Company assessed whether there were any triggering events that may have occurred which could indicate that more likely than not that the fair values of the Company's long-lived assets exceeded their carrying values, and an impairment may exist. Based on this assessment, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that the fair values of the Company's long-lived assets exceeded their carrying values, and no impairment indicator exists with respect to the Company's long-lived assets for the three and six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company will continue testing for potential impairment at least annually or as otherwise required by applicable accounting standards.

Goodwill. The purchase price of an acquired company is allocated between intangible assets and the net tangible assets of the acquired business with the residual of the purchase price recorded as goodwill. All identifiable goodwill as of July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023 was attributable to the purchase of the remaining 50% interest in Perma-Pipe Canada, Ltd., which occurred in 2016.

The Company performs an impairment assessment of goodwill annually as of January 31, or more frequently if triggering events occur, based on the estimated fair value of the related reporting unit or intangible asset. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. At July 31, 2023, the Company assessed potential triggering events that may have occurred which could indicate that more likely than not that the fair value of recognized goodwill exceeded its carrying value, and an impairment may exist. In performing this assessment, the Company determined that the fair value exceeded its carrying value, and no potential impairment exists with respect to the Company's goodwill for the three or six months ended July 31, 2023. The Company will continue testing for potential impairment at least annually or as otherwise required by applicable accounting standards.

Note 7 - Stock-based compensation 

The Company has prior incentive plans under which previously granted awards remain outstanding but under which no new awards may be granted. At July 31, 2023 the Company had reserved a total of 307,446 shares for grants and issuances under these incentive stock plans, which includes a reserve for issuances pursuant to unvested or unexercised prior awards.

The Company's prior incentive plans provided for the grant of deferred shares, non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted shares, restricted stock units, and performance-based restricted stock units intended to qualify under section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. The prior incentive plans authorized awards to officers, employees, consultants, and independent directors.

The Company's 2021 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan dated  May 26, 2021 was approved by the Company's stockholders in  May 2021 ("2021 Plan"). The 2021 Plan will expire in  May 2024. The 2021 Plan authorizes awards to officers, employees, consultants and independent directors. Grants were made to the Company's employees, officers and independent directors under the 2021 Plan, as described below.

Stock-based compensation expense

The Company has granted stock-based compensation awards to eligible employees, officers or independent directors. The Company recognized the following stock-based compensation expense for the periods presented:

Stock Options

The Company did not grant any stock options during the three or six months ended July 31, 2023. The following table summarizes the Company's stock option activity:

There was no vesting, expiration or forfeiture of previously unvested stock options during the six months ended July 31, 2023. As of July 31, 2023, there were no remaining unvested stock options outstanding, and therefore no unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options.

Restricted stock

The following table summarizes the Company's restricted stock activity for the six months ended July 31, 2023:

As of July 31, 2023, there was $1.5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years.

Note 8 - Earnings (loss) per share

Note 9 - Debt

Debt totaled $29.2 million and $24.3 million at July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, respectively.

Revolving lines - North America. On September 20, 2018, the Company and certain of its U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries (collectively, together with the Company, the “North American Loan Parties”) entered into a Revolving Credit and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank, National Association ("PNC"), as administrative agent and lender, providing for a three-year $18 million senior secured revolving credit facility, subject to a borrowing base including various reserves (the “Senior Credit Facility”).

On September 17, 2021, the North American Loan Parties executed an extension of the Credit Agreement with PNC, providing for a new five-year $18 million senior secured revolving credit facility, subject to a borrowing base including various reserves (the “Renewed Senior Credit Facility”). The Company's obligations under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility are currently guaranteed by Perma-Pipe Canada, Inc. Each of the North American Loan Parties other than Perma-Pipe Canada, Inc. (collectively, the "Borrowers") is a borrower under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility.

The Borrowers have used and will continue to use borrowings under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility (i) to fund future capital expenditures; (ii) to fund ongoing working capital needs; and (iii) for other corporate purposes, including potentially additional stock repurchases. Borrowings under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to an alternate base rate or the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (as defined in the Renewed Senior Credit Facility, "SOFR"), plus, in each case, an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on a fixed charge coverage ratio ("FCCR") range. Interest on alternate base rate borrowings is the alternate base rate (as defined in the Renewed Senior Credit Facility) plus an applicable margin, ranging from 1.00% to 1.50%, based on the FCCR in the most recently reported period. Interest on SOFR borrowings is SOFR plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.00% to 2.50%, based on the FCCR in the most recently reported period, as well as an additional SOFR adjustment ranging from 0.10% to 0.25%, based on the term of the interest period. Additionally, the Borrowers pay a 0.25% per annum facility fee on the unused portion of the Renewed Senior Credit Facility. 

Subject to certain exceptions, borrowings under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of the North American Loan Parties’ assets. The Renewed Senior Credit Facility matures on September 20, 2026. Subject to certain qualifications and exceptions, the Renewed Senior Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the North American Loan Parties’ ability to create liens, merge or consolidate, consummate acquisitions, make investments, dispose of assets, incur debt, and pay dividends and other distributions. In addition, the North American Loan Parties may not make capital expenditures in excess of $5.0 million annually, plus a limited carryover of any unused amounts. Further, the North American Loan Parties may not make repurchases of the Company's common stock in excess of $3.0 million. 

The Renewed Senior Credit Facility also contains financial covenants requiring the North American Loan Parties to achieve a ratio of its EBITDA (as defined in the Renewed Senior Credit Facility) to the sum of scheduled cash principal payments on indebtedness for borrowed money and interest payments on the advances under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility of not less than 1.10 to 1.00 for any five consecutive days in which the undrawn availability is less than $3.0 million or any day in which the undrawn availability is less than $2.0 million. As of July 31, 2023, the calculated ratio was less than 1.10 to 1.00. In order to cure any future breach of these covenants by the North American Loan Parties, the Company may repatriate cash from any of its foreign subsidiaries that are otherwise not a party to the Renewed Senior Credit Facility in an amount which, when added to the amount of the North American Loan Parties' EBITDA, would result in compliance on a pro forma basis. The Company was in compliance with respect to these covenants as of  July 31, 2023.

The Renewed Senior Credit Facility contains customary events of default. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, then PNC may terminate all commitments to extend further credit and declare all amounts outstanding under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility due and payable immediately. In addition, if any of the North American Loan Parties or certain of their subsidiaries become the subject of voluntary or involuntary proceedings under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, then any outstanding obligations under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility will automatically become immediately due and payable. Loans outstanding under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility will bear interest at a rate of 2.00% per annum in excess of the otherwise applicable rate (i) while a bankruptcy event of default exists or (ii) upon the lender's request, during the continuance of any other event of default.

As of July 31, 2023, the Company had borrowed an aggregate of $7.2 million at a rate of 10.0% and had $5.3 million available under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility. As of January 31, 2023, the Company had borrowed an aggregate of $4.4 million and had $9.9 million available under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility.

Finance obligation - buildings and land. On April 14, 2021, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement (the "Purchase and Sale Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Company sold its land and buildings in Lebanon, Tennessee (the "Property") for $10.4 million. The transaction generated net cash proceeds of $9.1 million. Concurrently with the sale, the Company paid off the approximately $0.9 million mortgage note on the Property to its lender.  The Company used the remaining proceeds to repay its borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility, for strategic investments, and for general corporate needs. Concurrent with the sale of the Property, the Company entered into a fifteen-year lease agreement (the “Lease Agreement”), whereby the Company leases back the Property at an annual rental rate of approximately $0.8 million, subject to annual rent increases of 2.0%. Under the Lease Agreement, the Company has four consecutive options to extend the term of the lease by five years for each such option.  

In accordance with ASC 842, Leases, this transaction was recorded as a failed sale and leaseback as the present value of lease payments exceeded substantially the fair value of the underlying assets. The Company utilized an incremental borrowing rate of 8.0% to determine the finance obligation to record for the amounts received and will continue to depreciate the assets. The current portion of the finance obligation of $0.1 million is recognized in current maturities of long-term debt and the long-term portion of $9.1 million is recognized in long-term finance obligation on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2023. The net carrying amount of the financial liability and remaining assets will be zero at the end of the lease term.

Revolving lines - foreign. The Company also has credit arrangements used by its Middle Eastern subsidiaries in the U.A.E., Egypt and Saudi Arabia as discussed further below.

United Arab Emirates

The Company has a revolving line for 8.0 million U.A.E. Dirhams (approximately $2.2 million at July 31, 2023) from a bank in the U.A.E. As of July 31, 2023 the facility has an interest rate of approximately 8.4% and is set to expire in May 2024.

The Company has a revolving line for 17.5 million U.A.E. Dirhams (approximately $4.8 million at July 31, 2023) from a bank in the U.A.E. As of July 31, 2023 the facility has an interest rate of approximately 8.5% and is set to expire in May 2024.

The Company has a credit agreement for capital expenditure financing with a bank in the U.A.E. for 2.0 million U.A.E. Dirhams (approximately $0.5 million at July 31, 2023). As of July 31, 2023 the facility has an interest rate of approximately 8.5% and is expected to expire in October 2023.

Egypt

In June 2021, the Company's Egyptian subsidiary entered into a credit arrangement with a bank in Egypt for a revolving line of 100.0 million Egyptian Pounds (approximately $3.2 million at July 31, 2023). This credit arrangement is in the form of project financing at rates competitive in Egypt. The line is secured by certain assets (such as accounts receivable) of the Company's Egyptian subsidiary. Among other covenants, the credit arrangement established a maximum leverage ratio allowable and restricted the Company's Egyptian subsidiary's ability to undertake any additional debt. As of July 31, 2023 the facility has an interest rate of approximately 8.0% and expired in June 2022, however the Company has started the renewal process for this credit arrangement. The Company is in regular communication with the bank throughout the renewal process and the facility has continued without interruption or penalty.

In December 2021, the Company entered into a credit arrangement for project financing with a bank in Egypt for 28.2 million Egyptian Pounds. As this project has progressed and the Company has made collections, the facility has decreased to a current amount of 8.9 million Egyptian Pounds (approximately $0.3 million at July 31, 2023). This credit arrangement is in the form of project financing at rates competitive in Egypt. The line is secured by the contract for a project being financed by the Company's Egyptian subsidiary. The facility has an interest rate of approximately 20.8% and, as of  November 2022, is no longer available for borrowings by the Company. The facility will expire in connection with final customer balance collections and the completion of the project. 

In August 2022, the Company's Egyptian subsidiary entered into a credit arrangement with a bank in Egypt for a revolving line of 100.0 million Egyptian Pounds (approximately $3.2 million at July 31, 2023). This credit arrangement is in the form of project financing at rates competitive in Egypt. The line is secured by certain assets (such as accounts receivable) of the Company's Egyptian subsidiary. Among other covenants, the credit arrangement established a maximum leverage ratio allowable, to be tested annually at fiscal year-end. As of July 31, 2023 the facility has an interest rate of approximately 20.8% and is set to expire in August 2023.

Saudi Arabia

In March 2022, the Company's Saudi Arabian subsidiary entered into a credit arrangement with a bank in Saudi Arabia for a revolving line of 37.0 million Saudi Riyal (approximately $9.9 million at  July 31, 2023). This credit arrangement is in the form of project financing at rates competitive in Saudi Arabia. The line is secured by certain assets (such as accounts receivable) of the Company's Saudi Arabian subsidiary. The facility was renewed in May 2023, and the line was increased to 37.0 million Saudi Riyal (approximately $9.9 million at July 31, 2023). As of   July 31, 2023, the facility has an interest rate of approximately 9.3% and is set to expire in May 2024.

These credit arrangements are in the form of overdraft facilities and project financing at rates competitive in the countries in which the Company operates. The lines are secured by certain equipment, certain assets (such as accounts receivable and inventory), and a guarantee by the Company. Some credit arrangement covenants require a minimum tangible net worth to be maintained, including maintaining certain levels of intercompany subordinated debt. In addition, some of the revolving credit facilities restrict payment of dividends or undertaking of additional debt. The Company guarantees only a portion of the subsidiaries' debt, including foreign debt. As of July 31, 2023, the amount of foreign subsidiary debt guaranteed by the Company was approximately $0.7 million. 

The Company was in compliance with the covenants under the credit arrangements in the U.A.E., Egypt and Saudi Arabia as of July 31, 2023, with the exception of those arrangements that have expired and have not yet been renewed. Although certain of the arrangements have expired and the borrowings could be required to be repaid immediately by the banks, the Company is in regular communication with the respective banks throughout the renewal process and all of the arrangements have continued without interruption or penalty. On July 31, 2023, interest rates were based on (i) the Emirates Inter Bank Offered Rate plus 3.0% to 3.5% per annum for the U.A.E. credit arrangements, two of which have a minimum interest rate of 4.5% per annum; (ii) either the Central Bank of Egypt corporate loan rate plus 1.5% to 3.5% per annum or the stated interest rate in the agreements for the Egypt credit arrangements; and (iii) the Saudi Inter Bank Offered Rate plus 3.5% for the Saudi Arabia credit arrangement. Based on these base rates, as of July 31, 2023, the Company's interest rates ranged from 8.0% to 20.8%, with a weighted average rate of 12.3%, and the Company had facility limits totaling $24.4 million under these credit arrangements. As of July 31, 2023, $2.9 million of availability was used to support letters of credit to guarantee amounts committed for inventory purchases and for performance guarantees. Additionally, as of July 31, 2023, the Company had borrowed $8.1 million and had an additional $13.7 million of borrowing remaining available under the foreign revolving credit arrangements. The foreign revolving lines balances as of July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, were included as current maturities of long-term debt in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. 

Mortgages. On July 28, 2016, the Company entered into a mortgage agreement secured by the Company's manufacturing facility located in Alberta, Canada that matures on December 23, 2042. As of July 31, 2023, the remaining balance on the mortgage in Canada is approximately CAD 6.2 million (approximately $4.7 million at July 31, 2023). The interest rate is variable, and was 9.1% at July 31, 2023. Principal payments began in January 2018.

Note 10 - Leases

Operating Leases. In August 2020, the Company entered into a new lease in Abu Dhabi for land upon which the Company intends to build a facility. The initial annual payments were approximately 1.2 million U.A.E. Dirhams (approximately $0.8 million at  July 31, 2023), inclusive of rent, escalation clauses, and other common charges contained in the agreement. Rent payments previously deferred until August 2022 have commenced, and the lease expires in August 2050. 

In March and December 2022, the Company served Notices of Termination to its lessor for the Company's lease of land and buildings in Fujairah in the U.A.E. The Company served the Notices of Termination in connection with the Company's intended relocation to a different facility in Abu Dhabi. The Company vacated portions of the leased space in December 2022 and expects to vacate the remaining space in 2023. The first Notice of Termination required that the Company pay an additional amount equal to three months' rent after that termination to enable the lessor to prepare the assets for lease by another party. As a result of the termination, the Company has recognized adjustments to the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements as of July 31, 2023. The termination resulted in decreases of $0.3 million, $4.0 million and $3.6 million to operating lease liability short-term, operating lease liability long-term and operating lease right-of-use asset, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2023. The termination also resulted in a decrease in rent expense of $1.1 million in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended January 31, 2023. 

Finance Leases. The Company has several significant operating lease agreements, with lease terms of one to thirty years, which consist of real estate, vehicles and office equipment leases. These leases do not require any contingent rental payments, impose any financial restrictions or contain any residual value guarantees.  Certain of the Company’s leases include renewal options and escalation clauses; renewal options have not been included in the calculation of the lease liabilities and right-of-use ("ROU") assets as the Company is not reasonably certain to exercise the options.  The Company does not have any arrangements where it acts as a lessor, other than one sub-lease arrangement. 

At July 31, 2023, the Company had total operating lease liabilities of $8.1 million and operating ROU assets of $7.4 million, which are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets. At July 31, 2023, the Company also had total finance lease liabilities of $0.2 million included in current maturities of long-term debt, and total finance ROU assets of $0.5 million which were included in property plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation in the consolidated balance sheets.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows (in thousands): 

Total lease costs consist of the following (in thousands): 

(1) Includes variable lease costs, which are immaterial.

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows (in thousands):

Weighted-average lease terms and discount rates are as follows: 

Maturities of lease liabilities as of July 31, 2023, are as follows (in thousands):

Rent expense on operating leases, which is recorded on straight-line basis, was $0.7 million and $0.9 millionfor the three months ended  July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Note 11 - Restricted cash

Note 12 - Fair value

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are reasonable estimates of their fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying amount of the Company's short-term debt, revolving lines of credit and long-term debt approximate fair value because the majority of the amounts outstanding accrue interest at variable market rates.

Note 13 - Recent accounting pronouncements

The Company evaluated recent accounting pronouncements and does not expect any to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

Note 14 - Treasury stock

The repurchase program approved on October 4, 2021 authorized the Company to use up to $3.0 million for the purchase of its outstanding shares of common stock. Stock repurchases were permitted to be executed through open market or privately negotiated transactions, depending upon current market conditions and other factors. On December 7, 2022 the Board of Directors authorized the use of $1.0 million remaining under the share repurchase program previously approved on October 4, 2021 that expired on October 3, 2022. Share repurchases may be executed through open market or in privately negotiated transactions over the course of the 12 months following the Board of Directors authorization. During the three months ended  July 31, 2023 the Company used $0.3 million of the $1.0 million authorized to repurchase its outstanding shares of common stock.

The following table sets forth the repurchase activity with respect to the Company's shares of common stock during the three months ended July 31, 2023 (in thousands, except per share information):

On  July 26, 2022, the Company retired 239,168 shares of treasury stock previously repurchased under the stock repurchase program. The retirement was recorded as a reduction to common stock based on the par value of the shares, and the excess over par value was recorded as a decrease to retained earnings in accordance with ASC 505-30, Equity - Treasury Stock.

Note 15 - Noncontrolling interests

Net income attributable to GIG was $0.1 million and $0.0 million for the three months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. 

In connection with the joint venture, at the formation of the JV Agreement, the Company agreed to a promissory note in the principal amount $2.7 million payable to the related party contained in this agreement. The principal amount is presented within the other long-term liabilities caption in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. 

The statements contained in this MD&A and other information contained elsewhere in this quarterly report, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "continue," "remains," "intend," "aim," "should," "prospects," "could," "future," "potential," "believes," "plans," "likely" and "probable" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These statements should be considered as subject to the many risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company's operations and business environment. Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to, those under the heading Item 1A. Risk Factors included in the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company's fiscal year ends on January 31. Years and balances described as 2023 and 2022 are for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2024 and the fiscal year ended January 31, 2023, respectively.

This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, contained elsewhere in this report. Percentages set forth below in this MD&A have been rounded to the nearest percentage point. 

Supply Chain Constraints and Inflationary Impacts

Due to the current inflationary environment, raw material supply shortages and transportation delays, the Company may experience delays and increased prices for raw materials used in the production processes. To mitigate these impacts, the Company has implemented several strategies, including purchasing from alternative suppliers and planning for material purchases further in advance to ensure the Company has materials when needed. The Company has also updated its pricing to customers to offset the impacts of the raw material price increases. These impacts are expected to continue throughout 2023.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company is engaged in the manufacture and sale of products in one reportable segment. Since the Company focuses on discrete projects, operating results can be significantly impacted as a result of large variations in the level of project activity in reporting periods.

Gross profit:

Gross profit was $9.5 million, or 27% of net sales, and $9.9 million, or 28% of net sales, in the three months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease of $0.4 million was primarily driven by lower sales volumes.

General and administrative expenses:

General and administrative expenses were $5.3 million and $5.2 million in the three months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase of $0.1 million, or 2%, was due to higher payroll costs in the quarter.  

Selling expenses:

Interest expense:

Net interest expense remained consistent and was $0.6 million and $0.5 million in the three months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.  

Other income (expense):

Other income was consistent and less than $0.1 million for the three months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. 

Income tax expense:

The Company's worldwide effective tax rates ("ETR") were 45.2% and 32.2% in the three months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change in the ETR is due primarily to the inability to recognize tax benefits on losses in the United States due to a full valuation allowance and changes in the mix of income and loss in various jurisdictions.

For further information, see Note 5 - Income taxes, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net income attributable to common stock:

Net income attributable to common stock was $1.0 million and $1.9 million in the three months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease of $0.9 million was mainly due to lower sales activity in the quarter. 

Gross profit:

Gross profit was $16.2 million, or 25% of net sales, and $16.9 million, or 26% of net sales, in the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease of $0.7 million was driven by lower sales volumes.

General and administrative expenses:

General and administrative expenses were $10.7 million and $10.9 million in the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease of $0.2 million, or 2% was due to lower payroll costs.  

Selling expenses:

Selling expenses were $2.7 million and $2.6 million in the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase of $0.1 million was due to higher payroll costs.       

Interest expense:

Net interest expense remained consistent and was $1.1 million and $0.9 million in the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.  The increase of $0.2 million was attributable to rate increases during the year.

Other income (expense):

Other income (expense) was consistent and less than $0.2 million for the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.                                                      

Income tax expense:

The Company's worldwide effective tax rates ("ETR") were 45.2% and 32.2% in the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change in the ETR is due primarily to the inability to recognize tax benefits on losses in the United States due to a full valuation allowance and changes in the mix of income and loss in various jurisdictions.

For further information, see Note 5 - Income taxes, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net income (loss) attributable to common stock:

Net income (loss) attributable to common stock was $(0.1) million and $1.0 million in the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.  The decrease of $1.1 million was mainly due to a reduction in gross profit as a result of lower sales volumes.

Liquidity and capital resources

Cash and cash equivalents as of July 31, 2023 were $6.1 million compared to $5.8 million on January 31, 2023. On July 31, 2023, $0.3 million was held in the United States, and $5.8 million was held at the Company's foreign subsidiaries. The Company's working capital was $35.8 million on July 31, 2023 compared to $41.9 million on January 31, 2023. Of the working capital components, accounts receivable increased by $9.8 million and cash and cash equivalents increased by $0.3 million as the result of the movements discussed below. As of July 31, 2023, the Company had $5.3 million of borrowing capacity under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility in North America and $13.7 million of borrowing capacity under its foreign revolving credit agreements. The Company had $7.2 million borrowed under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility and $8.1 million borrowed under its foreign revolving credit agreements at July 31, 2023.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $3.5 million and net cash used in operating activities was $11.2 million in the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase of $14.7 million was due primarily attributable to decreases in unbilled accounts receivable, inventory and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, partially offset by changes to accounts receivable and accounts payable. 

Net cash used in investing activities in the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022 was $6.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively. The increase of $4.8 million was due primarily to investments in the Middle East and Canada.

Net cash provided by financing activities in the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022 was $3.7 million and $10.7 million, respectively. The main source of cash from financing activities during the six months ended July 31, 2023 was net proceeds from borrowings of approximately $4.8 million under the Company's credit facilities, as compared to the six months ended July 31, 2022, when net proceeds were approximately $11.3 million. Debt totaled $29.2 million and $24.3 million as of July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, respectively. See Note 9 - Debt, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion relating to this topic.

Treasury stock. On December 7, 2022 the Board of Directors authorized the use of $1.0 million remaining under the share repurchase program previously approved on October 4, 2021 that expired on October 3, 2022. Share repurchases may be executed through open market or in privately negotiated transactions over the course of the 12 months following the Board of Directors authorization. See Note 14 - Treasury stock, for further discussion relating to this topic.

Revolving lines - North America. On September 20, 2018, the Company and certain of its U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries (collectively, together with the Company, the “North American Loan Parties”) entered into a Revolving Credit and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank, National Association ("PNC"), as administrative agent and lender, providing for a three-year $18 million senior secured revolving credit facility, subject to a borrowing base including various reserves (the “Senior Credit Facility”).

On September 17, 2021, the North American Loan Parties executed an extension of the Credit Agreement with PNC, providing for a new five-year $18 million senior secured revolving credit facility, subject to a borrowing base including various reserves (the “Renewed Senior Credit Facility”). The Company's obligations under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility are currently guaranteed by Perma-Pipe Canada, Inc. Each of the North American Loan Parties other than Perma-Pipe Canada, Inc. (collectively, the "Borrowers") is a borrower under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility.

The Borrowers have used and will continue to use borrowings under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility (i) to fund future capital expenditures; (ii) to fund ongoing working capital needs; and (iii) for other corporate purposes, including potentially additional stock repurchases. Borrowings under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to an alternate base rate or the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (as defined in the Renewed Senior Credit Facility, "SOFR"), plus, in each case, an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on a fixed charge coverage ratio ("FCCR") range. Interest on alternate base rate borrowings is the alternate base rate (as defined in the Renewed Senior Credit Facility) plus an applicable margin, ranging from 1.00% to 1.50%, based on the FCCR in the most recently reported period. Interest on SOFR borrowings is SOFR plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.00% to 2.50%, based on the FCCR in the most recently reported period, as well as an additional SOFR adjustment ranging from 0.10% to 0.25%, based on the term of the interest period. Additionally, the Borrowers pay a 0.25% per annum facility fee on the unused portion of the Renewed Senior Credit Facility. 

Subject to certain exceptions, borrowings under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of the North American Loan Parties’ assets. The Renewed Senior Credit Facility matures on September 20, 2026. Subject to certain qualifications and exceptions, the Renewed Senior Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the North American Loan Parties’ ability to create liens, merge or consolidate, consummate acquisitions, make investments, dispose of assets, incur debt, and pay dividends and other distributions. In addition, the North American Loan Parties may not make capital expenditures in excess of $5.0 million annually, plus a limited carryover of any unused amounts. Further, the North American Loan Parties may not make repurchases of the Company's common stock in excess of $3.0 million.

The Renewed Senior Credit Facility also contains financial covenants requiring the North American Loan Parties to achieve a ratio of its EBITDA (as defined in the Renewed Senior Credit Facility) to the sum of scheduled cash principal payments on indebtedness for borrowed money and interest payments on the advances under the Renewed Senior Credit Facility of not less than 1.10 to 1.00 for any five consecutive days in which the undrawn availability is less than $3.0 million or any day in which the undrawn availability is less than $2.0 million. As of July 31, 2023, the calculated ratio was less than 1.10 to 1.00. In order to cure any future breach of these covenants by the North American Loan Parties, the Company may repatriate cash from any of its foreign subsidiaries that are otherwise not a party to the Renewed Senior Credit Facility in an amount which, when added to the amount of the North American Loan Parties' EBITDA, would result in compliance on a pro forma basis. The Company was in compliance with respect to these covenants as of July 31, 2023.

United Arab Emirates

The Company has a revolving line for 8.0 million U.A.E. Dirhams (approximately $2.2 million at July 31, 2023) from a bank in the U.A.E. As of July 31, 2023 the facility has an interest rate of approximately 8.4% and is set to expire in May 2024.

The Company has a revolving line for 17.5 million U.A.E. Dirhams (approximately $4.8 million at July 31, 2023) from a bank in the U.A.E. As of July 31, 2023 the facility has an interest rate of approximately 8.5% and is set to expire in May 2024.

The Company has a credit agreement for capital expenditure financing with a bank in the U.A.E. for 2.0 million U.A.E. Dirhams (approximately $0.5 million at July 31, 2023). As of July 31, 2023 the facility has an interest rate of approximately 8.5% and is expected to expire in October 2023.

Egypt

In June 2021, the Company's Egyptian subsidiary entered into a credit arrangement with a bank in Egypt for a revolving line of 100.0 million Egyptian Pounds (approximately $3.2 million at July 31, 2023). This credit arrangement is in the form of project financing at rates competitive in Egypt. The line is secured by certain assets (such as accounts receivable) of the Company's Egyptian subsidiary. Among other covenants, the credit arrangement established a maximum leverage ratio allowable and restricted the Company's Egyptian subsidiary's ability to undertake any additional debt. As of July 31, 2023 the facility has an interest rate of approximately 8.0% and expired in June 2022, however the Company has started the renewal process for this credit arrangement. The Company is in regular communication with the bank throughout the renewal process and the facility has continued without interruption or penalty.

In December 2021, the Company entered into a credit arrangement for project financing with a bank in Egypt for 28.2 million Egyptian Pounds. As this project has progressed and the Company has made collections, the facility has decreased to a current amount of 8.9 million Egyptian Pounds (approximately $0.3 million at July 31, 2023). This credit arrangement is in the form of project financing at rates competitive in Egypt. The line is secured by the contract for a project being financed by the Company's Egyptian subsidiary. The facility has an interest rate of approximately 20.8% and, as of November 2022, is no longer available for borrowings by the Company. The facility will expire in connection with final customer balance collections and the completion of the project. 

In August 2022, the Company's Egyptian subsidiary entered into a credit arrangement with a bank in Egypt for a revolving line of 100.0 million Egyptian Pounds (approximately $3.2 million at July 31, 2023). This credit arrangement is in the form of project financing at rates competitive in Egypt. The line is secured by certain assets (such as accounts receivable) of the Company's Egyptian subsidiary. Among other covenants, the credit arrangement established a maximum leverage ratio allowable, to be tested annually at fiscal year-end. As of July 31, 2023 the facility has an interest rate of approximately 20.8% and is set to expire in August 2023.

Saudi Arabia

In March 2022, the Company's Saudi Arabian subsidiary entered into a credit arrangement with a bank in Saudi Arabia for a revolving line of 37.0 million Saudi Riyal (approximately $9.9 million at July 31, 2023) This credit arrangement is in the form of project financing at rates competitive in Saudi Arabia. The line is secured by certain assets (such as accounts receivable) of the Company's Saudi Arabian subsidiary. The facility was renewed in May 2023, and the line was increased to 37.0 million Saudi Riyal (approximately $9.9 million at July 31, 2023). As of July 31, 2023 the facility has an interest rate of approximately 9.3% and is set to expire in May 2024.

These credit arrangements are in the form of overdraft facilities and project financing at rates competitive in the countries in which the Company operates. The lines are secured by certain equipment, certain assets (such as accounts receivable and inventory), and a guarantee by the Company. Some credit arrangement covenants require a minimum tangible net worth to be maintained, including maintaining certain levels of intercompany subordinated debt. In addition, some of the revolving credit facilities restrict payment of dividends or undertaking of additional debt. The Company guarantees only a portion of the subsidiaries' debt, including foreign debt. As of July 31, 2023, the amount of foreign subsidiary debt guaranteed by the Company was approximately $0.7 million. 

The Company was in compliance with the covenants under the credit arrangements in the U.A.E., Egypt and Saudi Arabia as of July 31, 2023, with the exception of those arrangements that have expired and have not yet been renewed. Although certain of the arrangements have expired and the borrowings could be required to be repaid immediately by the banks, the Company is in regular communication with the respective banks throughout the renewal process and all of the arrangements have continued without interruption or penalty. On July 31, 2023, interest rates were based on (i) the Emirates Inter Bank Offered Rate plus 3.0% to 3.5% per annum for the U.A.E. credit arrangements, two of which have a minimum interest rate of 4.5% per annum; (ii) either the Central Bank of Egypt corporate loan rate plus 3.5% per annum or the stated interest rate in the agreements for the Egypt credit arrangements; and (iii) the Saudi Inter Bank Offered Rate plus 3.5% for the Saudi Arabia credit arrangement. Based on these base rates, as of July 31, 2023, the Company's interest rates ranged from 8.0% to 20.8%, with a weighted average rate of 12.3%, and the Company had facility limits totaling $24.4 million under these credit arrangements. As of July 31, 2023, $2.9 million of availability was used to support letters of credit to guarantee amounts committed for inventory purchases and for performance guarantees. Additionally, as of July 31, 2023, the Company had borrowed $8.1 million and had an additional $13.7 million of borrowing remaining available under the foreign revolving credit arrangements. The foreign revolving lines balances as of July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, were included as current maturities of long-term debt in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. 

Finance obligation - buildings and land. On April 14, 2021, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement (the "Purchase and Sale Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Company sold the Property for $10.4 million. The transaction generated net cash proceeds of $9.1 million. Concurrently with the sale of the Property, the Company paid off the approximately $0.9 million remaining on the mortgage note on the Property to its lender.  The Company used the remaining proceeds to repay its borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility, for strategic investments, and for general corporate needs. Concurrent with the sale of the Property, the Company entered into a 15-year lease agreement (the “Lease Agreement”), whereby the Company leases back the Property at an annual rental rate of approximately $0.8 million, subject to annual rent increases of 2.0%. Under the Lease Agreement, the Company has four consecutive options to extend the term of the lease by five years for each such option.  

In accordance with ASC 842, Leases, this transaction was recorded as a failed sale and leaseback as the present value of lease payments exceeded substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset. The Company utilized an incremental borrowing rate of 8.0% to determine the finance obligation to record for the amounts received and will continue to depreciate the assets. The current portion of the finance obligation of $0.1 million is recognized in current maturities of long-term debt and the long-term portion of $9.1 million is recognized in long-term finance obligation on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2023. The net carrying amount of the financial liability and remaining assets will be zero at the end of the lease term.

Accounts receivable: 

In 2015, the Company completed a project in the Middle East with billings in the aggregate amount of approximately $41.9 million. The system has not yet been commissioned by the customer. Nevertheless, the Company has settled approximately $39.1 million as of July 31, 2023, with a remaining balance due in the amount of $2.8 million, all of which pertains to retention clauses within the agreements with the Company's customer, and which become payable by the customer when this project is fully tested and commissioned. Of this retention amount, $1.6 million is classified in a long-term receivable account.

Regardless of the contractual due date for payment, the Company has been actively engaged in ongoing efforts to collect the outstanding amount. The Company continues to engage with the customer to ensure full payment of open balances, and during June 2022, a partial payment was received to settle $0.9 million of the customer's outstanding balances. Further, the Company has been engaged by the customer to perform additional work in 2022 and 2023 under customary trade terms that supports the continued cooperation between the Company and the customer. As a result, the Company did not reserve any allowance against the remaining outstanding balances as of July 31, 2023. However, if the Company’s efforts to collect on this account are not successful, the Company may recognize an allowance for all, or substantially all, of any such uncollected amounts.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Critical accounting policies are described in Item 7. MD&A and in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended January 31, 2023 contained in the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any new accounting policies or updates to existing accounting policies as a result of new accounting pronouncements have been discussed in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The application of critical accounting policies may require management to make assumptions, judgments and estimates about the amounts reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Management uses historical experience and all available information to make these estimates and judgments, and different amounts could be reported using different assumptions and estimates.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of July 31, 2023. This evaluation included consideration of the controls, processes and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, the certifying officers have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of the material weakness described below. 

Management has previously reported on a material weakness in the Company's internal control over financial reporting regarding the design and operating effectiveness of controls related to the existence of inventory during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2023. Specifically, the Company failed to appropriately perform cycle count procedures at one of the Company's operating facilities, resulting in a significant adjustment during the full physical inventory count at period end. Further, management review of the process and resulting adjustments on a periodic basis failed to identify the issue. These deficiencies led management to conclude that a material weakness existed with respect to the Company's internal control over financial reporting. The material weakness did not result in any material misstatements to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As a result, at January 31, 2023, the Company's internal control over financial reporting was not effective. Subsequent to the fiscal year end, the Company established a plan to remediate the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting. As of  July 31, 2023, and on the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company's remediation plan is ongoing. 

Notwithstanding the material weakness described above, the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has concluded that the financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q present fairly, in all material respects, the Company's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Management identified a material weakness in the Company's internal control over financial reporting regarding the design and operating effectiveness of controls related to the existence of inventory during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2023. As a result of the material weakness identified, the Company has begun updating its internal control over financial reporting as discussed in its remediation plan update below.

Remediation Plan for the Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. To address the material weakness, the Company has implemented its remediation plan. Specifically, the Company has:

The Company anticipates the actions described above and resulting improvements in controls will strengthen the Company's processes, procedures and controls related to inventory management and will address the related material weakness described above. However, the material weakness cannot be considered fully remediated until the remediation processes have been in operation for a period of time, are successfully tested and management concludes that these processes and controls are operating effectively. The Company will continue to monitor the effectiveness of its remediation measures in connection with its future assessments of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, and management will make any changes to the design of the Company's plan and take such other actions deemed appropriate given the circumstances.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

The repurchase program approved on October 4, 2021 authorized the Company to use up to $3.0 million for the purchase of its outstanding shares of common stock. Stock repurchases were permitted to be executed through open market or privately negotiated transactions, depending upon current market conditions and other factors. On December 7, 2022 the Board of Directors authorized the use of $1.0 million remaining under the share repurchase program previously approved on October 4, 2021 that expired on October 3, 2022. Share repurchases may be executed through open market or in privately negotiated transactions over the course of the 12 months following the Board of Directors authorization. During the three months ended July 31, 2023 the Company used $0.3 million of the $1.0 million authorized to repurchase its outstanding shares of common stock.

The following table sets forth the repurchase activity with respect to the Company's shares of common stock during the three months ended July 31, 2023 (in thousands, except per share information):

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.