STARRETT L S CO - Annual Report: 2020 (Form 10-K)

THE L.S. STARRETT COMPANY

FORM 10-K

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

All references in this Annual Report to “Starrett”, the “Company”, “we”, “our” and “us” mean The L.S. Starrett Company and its subsidiaries.

 PART I

Item 1 - Business

General

Founded in 1880 by Laroy S. Starrett and incorporated in 1929, The L.S. Starrett Company (the “Company”) is engaged in the business of manufacturing over 5,000 different products for industrial, professional and consumer markets. The Company has a long history of global manufacturing experience and currently operates 4 major global manufacturing plants. The one domestic location is in Athol, Massachusetts (1880) and the international operations are located in Itu, Brazil (1956), Jedburgh, Scotland (1958) and Suzhou, China (1997). All subsidiaries principally serve the global manufacturing industrial base with concentration in the metalworking, construction, machinery, equipment, aerospace and automotive markets.

The Company offers its broad array of measuring and cutting products to the market through multiple channels of distribution throughout the world. The Company’s products include precision tools, electronic gages, gage blocks, optical vision and laser measuring equipment, custom engineered granite solutions, tape measures, levels, chalk products, squares, band saw blades, hole saws, hacksaw blades, jig saw blades, reciprocating saw blades, M1® lubricant and precision ground flat stock. The Company primarily distributes its precision hand tools, saw and construction products through distributors or resellers both domestically and internationally. Starrett® is brand recognized around the world for precision, quality and innovation.

In accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 280, Segment Reporting, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 (fiscal 2020), we determined that we have two reportable operating segments (North America and International). Refer to Note 17, Financial Information by Segment & Geographical Area, contained in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for more information on our reportable segments.

Products

The Company’s tools and instruments are sold throughout North America and in over 100 other countries. The largest consumer of these products is the manufacturing industry including metalworking, aerospace, medical, oil and gas, government and automotive. Other important consumers are marine and farm equipment shops, do-it-yourselfers and tradesmen such as builders, carpenters, plumbers and electricians.

For 140 years, the Company has been a recognized leader in providing measurement and cutting solutions to industry. Measurement tools consist of precision instruments such as micrometers, vernier calipers, height gages, depth gages, electronic gages, dial indicators, steel rules, combination squares, custom, non-contact gaging such as vision, optical and laser measurement systems. The Company believes advanced, non-contact systems with easy-to use software will be attractive to industry to reduce measurement and inspection time and are ideal for quality assurance, inspection labs, manufacturing and research facilities. Skilled personnel, superior products, manufacturing expertise, innovation and unmatched service has earned the Company its reputation as the “Best in Class” provider of measuring application solutions for industry.

The Company’s saw and hand tool product lines enjoy strong global brand recognition and market share. These products encompass a breadth of uses. The Company introduced several new products in the recent past including a new line of hand tools for measuring, marking and layout that include tapes, levels, chalk lines and other products for the building trades. The Company also introduced new products to its hand tool portfolio to extend its reach into the construction and retail trades. The continued focus on high performance, production band saw applications has resulted in the development of two new ADVANZ carbide tipped products MC5 and MC7 ideal for cutting ferrous materials (MC7) and non-ferrous metals and castings (MC5). These actions are aimed at positioning the Company for global growth in wide band products for production applications.

Over the last couple of years, the Company has launched new products such as abrasive cut-off wheels and butcher knives amongst others, to become more product diverse as well as investing in new distribution channels and industries such as the Food Industry with, in addition to meat and fish cutting blades, a variety of products such as butter knives, skinner and slicer blades, bandsaw machines and related products. The Company has also invested in new channels taking its traditional products such as Bi-metal bandsaws and its Power Tool Accessories product lines into welding and eCommerce channels.

As one of the premier industrial brands, the Company continues to be focused on every touch point with its customers. To that end, the Company now offers modern, easy-to-use interfaces for distributors and end-users including interactive catalogs and several online applications. 

Personnel

At June 30, 2020, the Company had 1,485 employees, approximately 48% of whom were domestic. This represents a net decrease from June 30, 2019 of 118 employees. The headcount change included a decrease of 114 domestically and 4 internationally. The Company expects to reduce headcount in fiscal 2021 consistent with the restructuring plan discussed in Note 9 “Restructuring Cost” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

None of the Company’s operations are subject to collective bargaining agreements. In general, the Company considers relations with its employees to be excellent. Domestic employees hold shares of Company stock resulting from various stock purchase plans and employee stock ownership plans. The Company believes that this dual role of owner-employee has strengthened employee morale over the years.

Competition

The Company competes on the basis of its reputation as the best in class for quality, precision and innovation combined with its commitment to customer service and strong customer relationships. To that end, Starrett is increasingly focusing on providing customer centric solutions. Although the Company is generally operating in highly competitive markets, the Company’s competitive position cannot be determined accurately in the aggregate or by specific market since none of its competitors offer all of the same product lines offered by the Company or serve all of the markets served by the Company.

The Company is one of the largest producers of mechanics’ hand measuring tools and precision instruments. In the United States, there are three major foreign competitors and numerous small companies in the field. As a result, the industry is highly competitive. During fiscal 2020, there were no material changes in the Company’s competitive position. The Company’s products for the building trades, such as tape measures and levels, are under constant margin pressure due to a channel shift to large national home and hardware retailers. The Company has responded to such challenges by expanding its manufacturing operations in China. Certain large customers also offer their own private labels “own brand” that compete with Starrett branded products. These products are often sourced directly from low cost countries.

Saw products encounter competition from several domestic and international sources. The Company’s competitive position varies by market and country. Continued research and development, new patented products and processes, strategic acquisitions and investments and strong customer support have enabled the Company to compete successfully in both general and performance applications.

Foreign Operations

The operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are consolidated in its financial statements. The subsidiaries located in Brazil, Scotland and China are actively engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of precision measuring tools, saw blades, optical and vision measuring equipment and hand tools. Subsidiaries in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and Singapore are engaged in distribution of the Company’s products. The Company expects its foreign subsidiaries to continue to play a significant role in its overall operations. A summary of the Company’s foreign operations is contained in Note 17 “Financial Information by Segment & Geographic Area” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Orders and Backlog

The Company generally fills orders from finished goods inventories on hand. Sales order backlog to fulfillment for the Company is shorter than many industries. As of June 30, 2020, backorders in our U.S. Precision Tools and Saws Manufacturing “Core U.S.” business were approximately $3.7 million or $2.9 million below fiscal 2019. Total Company inventories amounted to $53.0 million at June 30, 2020 and $61.8 million at June 30, 2019. 

Intellectual Property

When appropriate, the Company applies for patent protection on new inventions and currently owns a number of patents. Its patents are considered important in the operation of the business, but no single patent is of material importance when viewed from the standpoint of its overall business. The Company relies on its continuing product research and development efforts, with less dependence on its current patent position. The Company has, for many years, maintained engineers and supporting personnel engaged in research, product development and related activities. The expenditures for these activities during fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018 were approximately $3.8 million, $3.7 million, and $3.6 million, respectively.

The Company uses trademarks with respect to its products and considers its trademark portfolio to be one of its most valuable assets. All of the Company’s important trademarks are registered and rigorously enforced.

Environmental

Compliance with federal, state, local, and foreign provisions that have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to protection of the environment is not expected to have a material effect on the capital expenditures, earnings and competitive position of the Company. The Company seeks to reduce, control and treat water discharges and air emissions.

Strategic Activities

Globalization has had a profound impact on product offerings and buying behaviors of industry and consumers in North America and around the world, resulting in the Company revising its strategy to fit this, highly competitive business environment. The Company continuously evaluates most aspects of its business, aiming for new ideas to set itself apart from its competition.

The Company’s strategic concentration is to continue building a global brand and providing unique customer value propositions through technically supported application solutions for our customers. The Company’s job is to recommend and produce the best suited standard product or to design and build custom solutions. The combination of the right tool for the job with value added service maintains the Company’s a competitive advantage. The Company continues its focus on lean manufacturing, plant consolidations, global sourcing, new software and hardware technologies, and improved logistics to optimize its value chain.

The execution of these strategic initiatives has expanded the Company’s manufacturing and distribution in developing economies, resulting in international sales revenues totaling 43% of consolidated sales for fiscal 2020.

SEC Filings and Certifications

The Company makes its public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission “SEC”, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all exhibits and amendments to these reports, available free of charge at its website, www.starrett.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company files such material with the SEC. Information contained on the Company’s website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 1A – Risk Factors

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s 2020 Annual Report to Stockholders, including the President’s letter, contain forward-looking statements about the Company’s business, competition, sales, gross margins, capital expenditures, foreign operations, plans for reorganization, interest rate sensitivity, debt service, liquidity and capital resources, and other operating and capital requirements. In addition, forward-looking statements may be included in future Company documents and in oral statements by Company representatives to security analysts and investors. The Company is subject to risks that could cause actual events to vary materially from such forward-looking statements, including the following risk factors:

Risks Related to Our Company and Financial Position

We operate in a highly competitive environment, which could adversely affect our sales and pricing if we fail to compete effectively in the future.

We operate in a highly competitive environment. We compete on the basis of a variety of factors, including product performance, customer service, quality and price. Additionally, the Company’s products for the building trades, such as tape measures and levels, are under constant margin pressure due to a channel shift to large national home and hardware retailers. Certain large customers also offer their own private labels “own brand” that compete with Starrett branded products. There can be no assurance that our products will be able to compete successfully with other companies’ products. Thus, our share of industry sales could be reduced due to aggressive pricing or product strategies pursued by competitors, unanticipated product or manufacturing difficulties, our failure to price our products competitively or our failure to produce our products at a competitive cost. Lack of customer acceptance of price increases we announce from time to time, changes in customer requirements for price discounts, changes in our customers’ behavior or a weak pricing environment could have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, our results and ability to compete may be impacted negatively by changes in our geographic and product mix of sales.

Economic weakness in the industrial manufacturing sector could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

The market for most of the Company’s products is subject to economic conditions affecting the industrial manufacturing sector, including the level of capital spending by industrial companies and the general movement of manufacturing to low cost foreign countries where the Company does not have a substantial market presence. Accordingly, economic weakness in the industrial manufacturing sector may, and in some cases has, resulted in decreased demand for certain of the Company’s products, which adversely affects sales and performance. Economic weakness in the consumer market will also adversely impact the Company’s performance. In the event that demand for any of the Company’s products declines significantly, the Company could be required to recognize certain costs as well as asset impairment charges on long-lived assets related to those products.

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is expected to have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted consumer spending and global supply chains, and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. We expect the COVID-19 pandemic to have a material adverse impact on our business and financial performance. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and financial performance, including our ability to execute our near-term and long-term business strategies and initiatives in the expected time frame, will depend on future developments, including the duration and severity of the pandemic, which are uncertain and cannot be predicted.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and in response to government mandates or recommendations, we have initiated several measures to protect the health and safety of our employees, consumers and communities that has negatively impacted our business, including following state guidelines for social distancing such as, but not limited to, modifying shift schedules, supporting office-base employees working remotely, educating employees and making accommodations related to personal and workplace hygiene, mandating the wearing of masks, daily monitoring of employee’s temperature and regularly communicating accordingly. To immediately address the immediate financial crisis management implemented plans globally in an effort to control variable cost and to preserve cash. These actions included, but are not limited to, wage and salary reductions, furloughs, reduced work weeks and layoffs.

Adverse global economic conditions and world events could affect our operating results, industry and business.

The Company’s results of operations have been and may continue to be materially affected by the conditions in the global economy. The demand for our products and services has in the past and continues to be significantly reduced in periods of economic weakness characterized by lower levels of government and business investment, lower levels of business confidence, lower corporate earnings, high real interest rates, lower credit activity or tighter credit conditions, perceived or actual industry overcapacity, higher unemployment and lower consumer spending. During the June quarter 2020 the Company initiated restructuring plans and recorded an impairment of goodwill and intangible assets at two of its reporting units due in large part to the pandemic. Economic conditions vary across regions and countries, and demand for our products and services generally increases in those regions and countries experiencing economic growth and investment. Slower economic growth or a change in the global mix of regions and countries experiencing economic growth and investment could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The metalworking, construction, machinery, equipment, aerospace and automotive industries are major users of our products. Customers in these industries frequently base their decisions to purchase our products and services on the expected future performance of these industries, which in turn are dependent in part on commodity prices. Prices of commodities in these industries are frequently volatile and can change abruptly and unpredictably in response to general economic conditions and trends, government actions, regulatory actions, commodity inventories, production and consumption levels, technological innovations, commodity substitutions, market expectations and any disruptions in production or distribution or changes in consumption. Economic conditions affecting the industries we serve have in the past and may in the future also lead to reduced capital expenditures by our customers. Reduced capital expenditures by our customers are likely to lead to a decrease in the demand for our products and services and may also result in a decrease in demand for aftermarket parts as customers are likely to extend preventative maintenance schedules and delay major overhauls when possible. The rates of infrastructure spending and commercial construction also play a significant role in our results. Our products are an integral component of these activities, and as these activities decrease, demand for our products may be significantly impacted, which could negatively impact our results.

Sustained increases in funding obligations under the pension plans may impair our liquidity or financial condition.

The Company maintains certain defined benefit pension plans in both the United States and the United Kingdom for the benefit of its employees. Defined benefit pension plans impose certain funding obligations on the Company. The Company froze the domestic defined benefit pension plan as of December 31, 2016, and therefore no future benefits will accrue to employees under that plan. Additionally, the Company limited eligibility under the postretirement benefit plan as of December 31, 2013, reducing the liability for the plan. Nevertheless, the Company expects to be required to provide more funding to the domestic pension (and postretirement) plan in the future.

The Company’s U.S. defined benefit pension plan is underfunded primarily due to lower discount rates which increase the Company’s liability. The Company made contributions of $6.8 million in fiscal 2020, and $4.4 million in fiscal 2019 and will be required to make additional contributions in fiscal 2021 of $7.0 million for the U.S. defined benefit pension plan. The Company’s United Kingdom pension plan, which is also underfunded, required Company contributions of $0.9 million and $1.0 million during fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company expects to make a $0.9 million contribution to its United Kingdom pension plan in fiscal 2021.

In determining our future payment obligations under the plans, we assume certain rates of return on the plan assets and a certain level of future benefit payments. Significant adverse changes in credit or capital markets could result in actual rates of return being materially lower than projected and result in increased contribution requirements. Our assumptions for future benefit payments may also change over time, and could be materially higher than originally projected.

We expect to make contributions to our pension plans in the future, and may be required to make contributions that could be material. We may fund contributions through the use of cash on hand, the proceeds of borrowings, shares of our common stock, or a combination of the foregoing, as permitted by applicable law. We may also explore other strategic alternatives in order to address expected pension liability, including de-risking options or acquisitions or sales of assets or divestitures, in order to meet the Company’s liquidity needs. Divestitures could result in decreased future revenues and profits, and an obligation to make contributions to our pension plans could reduce the cash available for working capital and other corporate uses, and may have an adverse impact on our operations, financial condition and liquidity.

We are subject to certain risks as a result of our financial borrowings.

As of June 30, 2020, our total indebtedness was $30.9 million as compared to indebtedness of $21.6 million as of June 30, 2019.

As previously disclosed in The L.S. Starrett Company’s (the “Company”) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as a result of a decrease in sales related to the COVID-19 epidemic, the Company anticipated potential non-compliance with its fixed charge coverage ratio for the year ended June 30, 2020 under its Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) by and among the Company and its U.S. operating companies (collectively, the “Borrowers”) and TD Bank, N.A. (“TD Bank”). On June 25, 2020, the Borrowers and TD Bank entered into an amendment and restatement (the “Amendment and Restatement”) of the Loan Agreement. The Amendment and Restatement waived the fixed charge coverage ratio for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. In addition, the Amendment and Restatement clarifies that certain non-cash adjustments to the definition of EBITDA are permitted under the Loan Agreement, as amended In addition, the Amendment and Restatement increases the permitted borrowings from a foreign bank from $5.0 million to $15.0 million and permits the Company to draw the remainder of the outstanding balance under the Loan Agreement, which was approximately $7.2 million as of June 30, 2020.

Pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement of June 25, 2020, the “First Amendment” to this loan agreement was executed on September 17, 2020, which include, among other things, (i) pause testing of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio until September 30, 2021  and (ii) establishment of a new minim um cumulative EBITDA and minimum liquidity covenants in lieu thereof.  TD Bank perfected its security interests in the Company’s U.S. based assets, increased the maximum interest charged on the Line Of Credit from and annual interest rate of 2.25% plus Libor to 3.50% plus Libor, and amended the borrowing base for the line of credit from 80% of Qualified AR and 50% of the lower of Cost or Market of US inventory values to 80% of qualified AR plus 85% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value (NOLV) of US Inventory plus 62.5% of total appraised US real estate values.  As a result of this change, the Company is projected to maintain its current borrowing capacity of $25,000,000 under the Line of Credit. The Company underwent a series of appraisals and field exams in all US locations as part of restructuring this agreement.  In addition, the Company will provide additional reporting to TD Bank, including monthly profit and loss statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements and forecasting. This minimum adjusted EBITDA covenant is based on the Company’s plan for a slow pandemic recovery throughout FY21 and the impact of the Company’s restructuring plan initiatives.  The Company will apply certain proceeds from the sale of US real estate assets against the principle balance of the term loans under the TD Bank loan agreement.  The Agreement will revert to the existing covenant package for the quarter ending September 30, 2021 and every quarter thereafter.

Our operational results are dependent on how well we can scale our manufacturing capacity and resources to the level of our customers’ demand.

We sell our products in industries that require manufacturers to make highly efficient use of manufacturing capacity. Insufficient or excess capacity threatens our ability to generate competitive profit margins and may expose us to liabilities such as contractual commitments. Although from time to time we close or consolidate facilities, adapting or modifying our capacity is difficult, as modifications take substantial time to execute, are inherently disruptive and costly and, in some cases, may require regulatory approval. Additionally, delivering products during process or facility modifications requires special coordination. The cost and resources required to adapt our capacity, such as through facility acquisitions, facility closings or process moves between facilities, may negate any planned cost reductions or may result in costly delays, product quality issues or material shortages, all of which could adversely affect our operational results and our reputation with our customers.

We may not realize all of the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions or divestitures, or these benefits may take longer to realize than expected.

Acquisitions involve special risks, including the potential assumption of unanticipated liabilities and contingencies, difficulty in assimilating the operations and personnel of the acquired businesses, disruption of the Company’s existing business, dissipation of the Company’s limited management resources, and impairment of relationships with employees and customers of the acquired business as a result of changes in ownership and management.

In pursuing our business strategy, we routinely evaluate targets and enter into agreements regarding possible acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures. To be successful, we conduct due diligence to identify valuation issues and potential loss contingencies and manage post-closing matters such as the integration of acquired businesses. Further, while we seek to mitigate risks and liabilities of such transactions through due diligence, among other things, there may be risks and liabilities that our due diligence efforts fail to discover that are not accurately or completely disclosed to us or that we inadequately assess. We may incur unanticipated costs or expenses following a completed acquisition, including post-closing asset impairment charges, expenses associated with eliminating duplicate facilities, litigation, and other liabilities. Risks associated with our past or future acquisitions also include the following:

Many of these factors will be outside of our control and any one of them could result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues and diversion of management’s time and attention. They may also delay the realization of the benefits we anticipate when we enter into a transaction. Failure to successfully integrate and realize the expected benefits of such acquisitions or to implement our acquisition strategy, including successfully integrating acquired businesses, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Furthermore, we consider strategic divestitures from time to time, including divestures of underperforming or non-core assets or divestitures designed to generate cash to extinguish or reduce our liabilities. In the case of divestitures, we may agree to indemnify acquiring parties for certain liabilities arising from our former businesses. These divestitures may also result in continued financial involvement in the divested businesses following the transaction, including through guarantees or other financial arrangements. Lower performance by those divested businesses could affect our future financial results and divestitures of profitable operations to generate cash could reduce our future revenues and profits. (See Note 6 “Goodwill and Intangibles” to the Consolidated Financial Statements regarding impairment)

If we do not meet customers’ product quality, reliability standards and expectations, we may experience increased or unexpected product warranty claims and other adverse consequences to our business.

Product quality and reliability are significant factors influencing customers' decisions to purchase our products. Inability to maintain the high quality of our products relative to the perceived or actual quality of similar products offered by competitors could result in the loss of market share, loss of revenue, reduced profitability, an increase in warranty costs, government investigations and/or damage to our reputation.

Product quality and reliability are determined in part by factors that are not entirely within our control. We depend on our suppliers for parts and components that meet our standards. If our suppliers fail to meet those standards, we may not be able to deliver the quality of products that our customers expect, which may impair our reputation, resulting in lower revenue and higher warranty costs.

We provide our customers a warranty covering workmanship, and in some cases materials, on products we manufacture. Our warranty generally provides that products will be free from defects for 1 year. If a product fails to comply with the warranty, we may be obligated, at our expense, to correct any defect by repairing or replacing the defective product. Although we maintain warranty reserves in an amount based primarily on the number of units shipped and on historical and anticipated warranty claims, there can be no assurance that future warranty claims will follow historical patterns or that we can accurately anticipate the level of future warranty claims. While the Company has historically not incurred significant warranty expense, an increase in the rate of warranty claims or the occurrence of unexpected warranty claims, for which we are not insured or where we cannot recover from our vendors to the extent their materials or workmanship were defective, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

If our manufacturing processes and products do not comply with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, or if we manufacture products containing design or manufacturing defects, demand for our products may decline and we may be subject to product liability claims.

Our designs, manufacturing processes and facilities need to comply with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. We may also have the responsibility to ensure that products we design satisfy safety and regulatory standards including those applicable to our customers and to obtain any necessary certifications. As a result, products that we manufacture may at times contain manufacturing or design defects, and our manufacturing processes may be subject to errors or not be in compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements or demands of our customers. Potential defects in the products we manufacture or design, whether caused by a design, manufacturing or component failure or error, or deficiencies in our manufacturing processes, may result in delayed shipments to customers, replacement costs or reduced or canceled customer orders. If these defects or deficiencies are significant, our business reputation may also be damaged. The failure of the products that we manufacture or our manufacturing processes and facilities to comply with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements may subject us to legal fines or penalties and, in some cases, require us to shut down or incur considerable expense to correct a manufacturing process or facility.

Any manufacturing or design defects may also result in product liability claims. Furthermore, customers use some of our products in potentially hazardous applications that can cause injury or loss of life and damage to property, equipment or the environment. We may be named as a defendant in product liability or other lawsuits asserting potentially large claims if an accident occurs at a location where our equipment and services have been or are being used. We also maintain certain insurance policies which may limit our financial exposures. Any significant liabilities which are not covered by insurance could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operation and cash flows. Likewise, a substantial increase in the number of claims that are made against us or the amounts of any judgments or settlements could materially and adversely affect our reputation and our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Volatility in the price of energy and raw materials, large or rapid increases in the cost of raw materials or components parts, substantial decreases in their availability, or our dependence on particular suppliers of raw materials and component parts could materially and adversely affect our operating results. 

Steel is the principal raw material used in the manufacture of the Company’s products. Historically, market prices of some of our key raw materials have fluctuated on a cyclical basis and have often depended on a variety of factors over which the Company has no control, including as a result of tariffs or other trade barriers. If in the future we are not able to reduce product costs in other areas or pass raw material price increases on to our customers, our margins could be adversely affected. In addition, because we maintain limited raw material and component inventories, even brief unanticipated delays in delivery by suppliers—including those due to capacity constraints, labor disputes, impaired financial condition of suppliers, weather emergencies, global pandemics, such as COVID-19, or other natural disasters— may impair our ability to satisfy our customers and could adversely affect our financial performance. The cost of producing the Company’s products is also sensitive to the price of energy. If we are unable to manage pricing from these suppliers effectively or pass future cost increases through to our customers, our financial performance could be adversely affected. Likewise, if our suppliers terminate these agreements and we are unable to procure alternate products at substantially similar competitive pricing, our financial performance could be adversely affected.

We may not be able to maintain our engineering, technological and manufacturing expertise.

The markets for our products are characterized by changing technology and evolving process development. The continued success of our business will depend upon our ability to:

We cannot be certain that we will develop the capabilities required by our customers in the future. The emergence of new technologies, industry standards or customer requirements may render our equipment, inventory or processes obsolete or uncompetitive. We may have to acquire new technologies and equipment to remain competitive. The acquisition and implementation of new technologies and equipment may require us to incur significant expense and capital investment, which could reduce our margins and affect our operating results. When we establish new facilities, we may not be able to maintain or develop our engineering, technological and manufacturing expertise due to a lack of trained personnel, effective training of new staff or technical difficulties with machinery. Failure to anticipate and adapt to customers’ changing technological needs and requirements or to hire and retain a sufficient number of engineers and maintain engineering, technological and manufacturing expertise may have a material adverse effect on our business.

Increased information technology security threats and more sophisticated computer crime pose a risk to our systems, networks, products and services. Any inadequacy, interruption, integration failure or security failure with respect to our information technology could harm our ability to effectively operate our business.

The efficient operation of the Company's business is dependent on its information systems, including its ability to operate them effectively and to successfully implement new technologies, systems, controls and adequate disaster recovery systems. In addition, the Company must protect the confidentiality of data of its business, employees, customers and other third parties. Information technology security threats -- from user error to cybersecurity attacks designed to gain unauthorized access to our systems, networks and data – are increasing in frequency and sophistication. Cybersecurity attacks may range from random attempts to coordinated and targeted attacks, including sophisticated computer crime and advanced persistent threats. These threats pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our data. Cybersecurity attacks could also include attacks targeting customer data or the security, integrity and/or reliability of the hardware and software installed in our products. It is possible that our information technology systems and networks, or those managed by third parties, could have vulnerabilities, which could go unnoticed for a period of time. The failure of the Company's information systems to perform as designed or its failure to implement and operate them effectively could disrupt the Company's business or subject it to liability and thereby harm its profitability. While the Company continues to enhance the applications contained in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system as well as improvements to other operating systems, there can be no guarantee that the actions and controls we have implemented and are implementing, or which we cause or have caused third party service providers to implement, will be sufficient to protect our systems, information or other property.

If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights or maintain our rights to use licensed intellectual property, our business could be adversely affected.

Our intellectual property, including our patents, trade secrets, trademarks and licenses are important in the operation of our business. Although we intend to protect our intellectual property rights vigorously, we cannot be certain that we will be successful in doing so. Third parties may assert or prosecute infringement claims against us in connection with the services and products that we offer, and we may or may not be able to successfully defend these claims. Litigation, either to enforce our intellectual property rights or to defend against claimed infringement of the rights of others, could result in substantial costs and in a diversion of our resources.

In addition, if a third party would prevail in an infringement claim against us, then we would likely need to obtain a license from the third party on commercial terms, which would likely increase our costs. Our failure to maintain or obtain necessary licenses or an adverse outcome in any litigation relating to patent infringement or other intellectual property matters could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory

International operations and our financial results in those markets may be affected by legal, regulatory, political, currency exchange and other economic risks.

During the fiscal year 2020, revenue from sales outside of the United States was $87.5 million, representing approximately 43 % of consolidated sales. In addition, a significant amount of our manufacturing and production operations are located, or our products are sourced from, outside the United States. As a result, our business is subject to risks associated with international operations. These risks include the burdens of complying with foreign laws and regulations, unexpected changes in tariffs, taxes or regulatory requirements, changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies, and political unrest and corruption. Regulatory changes could occur in the countries in which we sell, produce or source our products or significantly increase the cost of operating in or obtaining materials originating from certain countries. Restrictions imposed by such changes can have a significant impact on our business.

In addition, the functional currency for most of our foreign operations is the applicable local currency. As a result, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates affect the results of our operations and the value of our foreign assets and liabilities, which in turn may adversely affect results of operations and cash flows and the comparability of period-to-period results of operations. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates may also affect the relative prices at which we and foreign competitors sell products in the same market. Foreign governmental policies and actions regarding currency valuation could result in actions by the United States and other countries to offset the effects of such fluctuations. Given the unpredictability and volatility of foreign currency exchange rates, ongoing or unusual volatility may adversely impact our business and financial conditions.

Countries in which our products are manufactured or sold may from time to time impose additional new regulations, or modify existing regulations, including:

In addition, political and economic changes or volatility, geopolitical regional conflicts, terrorist activity, political unrest, civil strife, acts of war, public corruption and other economic or political uncertainties could interrupt and negatively affect our business operations. All of these factors could result in increased costs or decreased revenues and could materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to comply with laws, rules and regulations could negatively affect our business operations and financial performance.

Due to the international scope of our operations, we are subject to a complex system of federal, state, local and international laws, rules and regulations, such as state and local wage and hour laws, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), the False Claims Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”), securities laws, import and export laws (including customs regulations) and many others. We may also be subject to investigations or audits by governmental authorities and regulatory agencies, which can occur in the ordinary course of business or which can result from increased scrutiny from a particular agency towards an industry, country or practice. Such investigations or audits may subject us to increased government scrutiny, investigation and civil and criminal penalties, and may limit our ability to import or export our products or to provide services outside the United States.

Furthermore, embargoes and sanctions imposed by the United States and other governments restricting or prohibiting sales to specific persons or countries or based on product classification may expose us to potential criminal and civil sanctions. We cannot predict the nature, scope or effect of future regulatory requirements to which our operations might be subject or in certain locations the manner in which existing laws might be administered or interpreted.

In addition, as a result of operating in multiple countries, we must comply with multiple foreign laws and regulations that may differ substantially from country to country and may conflict with corresponding U.S. laws and regulations. The FCPA and similar foreign anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments or providing anything of value to improperly influence foreign government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, or obtaining an unfair advantage. Recent years have seen a substantial increase in the global enforcement of anti-corruption laws. Our operations outside the United States, including in developing countries, expose us to the risk of such violations. If we fail to comply with laws, rules and regulations or the manner in which they are interpreted or applied, we may be subject to government enforcement action, class action litigation or other litigation, damage to our reputation, civil and criminal liability, damages, fines and penalties, and increased cost of regulatory compliance, any of which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial performance.

Costs associated with lawsuits or investigations or adverse rulings in enforcement or other legal proceedings may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

From time to time, we are involved in various claims and lawsuits that arise in and outside of the ordinary course of our business. The industries in which we operate are also periodically reviewed or investigated by regulators, which could lead to enforcement actions, fines and penalties or the assertion of private litigation claims. It is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of claims, investigations and lawsuits, and we could in the future incur judgments, fines or penalties or enter into settlements of lawsuits and claims that could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, results of operations or financial condition in any particular period. The global and diverse nature of our operations means that legal and compliance risks will continue to exist and additional legal proceedings and other contingencies, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with certainty, may arise from time to time. In addition, subsequent developments in legal proceedings may affect our assessment and estimates of loss contingencies recorded as a reserve and require us to make payments in excess of our reserves, which could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business and results of operations or financial condition.

Our tax rate is dependent upon a number of factors, a change in any of which could impact our future tax rates and net income.

Our future tax rates may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the enactment of certain tax legislation being considered in the United States and other countries; other changes in tax laws or the interpretation of such tax laws; changes in the estimated realization of our net deferred tax assets; the jurisdictions in which profits are determined to be earned and taxed; the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings for which we have not previously provided for U.S. income and non-U.S. withholding taxes; adjustments to estimated taxes upon finalization of various tax returns; increases in expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes, including impairment of goodwill in connection with acquisitions; changes in available tax credits; and the resolution of issues arising from tax audits with various tax authorities. Losses for which no tax benefits can be recorded could materially impact our tax rate and its volatility from one quarter to another. Any significant change in our jurisdictional earnings mix or in the tax laws in those jurisdictions could impact our future tax rates and net income in those periods. 

Item 1B – Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2 - Properties

The Company’s principal plant and its corporate headquarters are located in Athol, MA on approximately 15 acres of Company-owned land. The plant consists of 25 buildings, mostly of brick construction of varying dates, with approximately 535,000 square feet.

The Company’s Webber Gage Division in Cleveland, OH, owns and occupies two buildings totaling approximately 50,000 square feet.

The Company-owned facility in Mt. Airy, NC consists of a complex of interconnected buildings totaling approximately 320,000 square feet. It is occupied by the Company’s Saw Division and a distribution center.

The Company’s subsidiary in Itu, Brazil owns and occupies several buildings totaling 209,000 square feet.

The Company’s subsidiary in Jedburgh, Scotland owns and occupies a 175,000 square foot building.

A wholly owned manufacturing subsidiary in The People’s Republic of China leases a 133,000 square foot building in Suzhou and leases a sales office in Shanghai.   

The Tru-Stone Division owns and occupies a 106,000 square foot facility in Waite Park, MN.

The Kinemetric Engineering Division occupies an 18,000 square foot leased facility in Laguna Hills, CA.

The Bytewise Division occupies a 22,000 square foot leased facility in Columbus, GA.

In addition, the Company operates warehouses and/or sales-support offices in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Singapore and Japan.  

In the Company’s opinion, all of its property, plant and equipment are in good operating condition, well maintained and adequate for its current and foreseeable needs.

Item 3 - Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved from time to time in litigation that is not considered material to its financial condition or operations.

Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5 - Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company’s Class A common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Quarterly high/low closing market price information is presented in the table below. The Company’s Class B common stock is generally nontransferable, except to lineal descendants of stockholders, and thus has no established trading market, but it can be converted into Class A common stock at any time. The Class B common stock was issued on October 5, 1988, and the Company has paid the same dividends thereon as have been paid on the Class A common stock since that date. On June 30, 2020, there were approximately 1,085 registered holders of Class A common stock and approximately 875 registered holders of Class B common stock. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, there were zero Class A shares and 2,762 Class B shares repurchased.

The Company’s dividend policy is subject to periodic review by the Board of Directors. Based upon economic conditions, the Board of Directors suspended its quarterly dividend of $0.10 as of the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph sets forth information comparing the cumulative total return to holders of the Company’s Class A common stock based on the market price of the Company’s Class A common stock over the last five fiscal years with (1) the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index (“Russell 2000”) and (2) a peer group index (the “Peer Group”) reflecting the cumulative total returns of certain small cap manufacturing companies as described below. The peer group is comprised of the following companies: Acme United, Q.E.P. Co. Inc., Badger Meter, National Presto Industries, Regal-Beloit Corp., Tennant Company, The Eastern Company and WD-40.

Item 6 - Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data have been derived from and should be read in conjunction with “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Items 7 and 7A- Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Fiscal 2020 Compared to Fiscal 2019

COVID-19 pandemic

After a strong and encouraging financial performance in Fiscal 2019, Fiscal 2020 has presented challenges unlike any other encountered in Starrett’s 140-year history. This storied history includes two World Wars, the 1918 pandemic, the Great Depression of the 1930’s, and the more recent financial crisis of 2009, amongst other recessions and events. Despite the challenges presented by the current pandemic situation, we have remained open and operational across the globe.

Globally, Starrett is deemed an “essential business”, as our measuring products are critical criteria in essential manufacturing, including the defense, aerospace, transportation, supply chain and medical industries. The Company meets the criterial outlined in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (“CISA”) guidance, Department of Homeland Security as an “essential business”. Furthermore, our products are used in the food industry which is critical to the supply chain.

Throughout the pandemic crisis, our main focus has been on protecting the health and well-being of our employees, and the long-term financial health of the Company. As anticipated, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on global sales. The impact was felt as early as January 2020 in our operation in Suzhou, China and most significantly since March 2020 in North America, the UK, Europe and Brazil. We were very quick to take austerity measures, reducing payroll and managing variable operational spending globally to help mitigate this shortfall in sales and preserve cash.

It remains very difficult for management to predict when this crisis will have reached its peak and when revenues and order intake will begin to resume their normal course. Because of this remaining uncertainty, management has conducted several scenario planning exercises and is prepared to take additional necessary steps to preserve the longer-term financial health of the Company.

As previously disclosed in our filings, and as a result of a decrease in sales related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we anticipated potential non-compliance with our fixed charge coverage ratio for the year ended June 30, 2020 under our Loan and Security Agreement with our main lender, TD Bank, and we notified them accordingly. On June 25, 2020, we entered in into an amendment and restatement of the Loan Agreement with TD Bank, waiving the fixed charge coverage ratio for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. Without this covenant relief, we may have been in default of the fixed charge coverage ratio or other covenants under the Loan Agreement for the quarter ending September 30, 2020, as well.

Pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement of June 25, 2020, the “First Amendment” to this loan agreement was executed on September 17, 2020, which include, among other things, (i) pause testing of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio until September 30, 2021  and (ii) establishment of a new minimum cumulative EBITDA and minimum liquidity covenants in lieu thereof.  TD Bank perfected its security interests in the Company’s U.S. based assets, increased the maximum interest charged on the Line Of Credit from and annual interest rate of 2.25% plus Libor to 3.50% plus Libor, and amended the borrowing base for the line of credit from 80% of Qualified AR and 50% of the lower of Cost or Market of US inventory values to 80% of qualified AR plus 85% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value (NOLV) of US Inventory plus 62.5% of total appraised US real estate values.  As a result of this change, the Company is projected to maintain its current borrowing capacity of $25,000,000 under the Line of Credit. The Company underwent a series of appraisals and field exams in all US locations as part of restructuring this agreement.  In addition, the Company will provide additional reporting to TD Bank, including monthly profit and loss statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements and forecasting. This minimum adjusted EBITDA covenant is based on the Company’s plan for a slow pandemic recovery throughout FY21 and the impact of the Company’s restructuring plan initiatives.  The Company will apply certain proceeds from the sale of US real estate assets against the principle balance of the term loans under the TD Bank loan agreement.  The Agreement will revert to the existing covenant package for the quarter ending September 30, 2021 and every quarter thereafter.

Overview

For the first half of fiscal year 2020 sales were 0.5% above fiscal year 2019 at $109.0 million with Operating Income of $4.2 million. As previously mentioned, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on global sales in the second half of fiscal 2020. This impact was felt as early as January 2020 in our operation in Suzhou, China and most significantly since March 2020 in North America and in the UK. The March quarter sales of $50.0 million and the June quarter sales of $42.5 of fiscal 2020 (cumulatively $92.5 million) compares unfavorably to the $58.5 in the March quarter and $61.1 million in the June quarter of fiscal year 2019 (cumulatively $119.6 million). Although overall Sales for fiscal 2020 are down 11.6% compared to fiscal 2019, it should be noted that second half sales for fiscal 2020 declined 22.6% from fiscal 2019, and fourth quarter sales declined over 30% from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2020.

Overall, fiscal year 2020 sales were $201.5 million and fiscal year 2019 sales were $228.0 million.

Gross margins decreased $12.7 million or 17% from $74.9 million to $62.2 million. As a percent of sales, gross margins decreased from 33% in fiscal 2019 to 31% in fiscal 2020. We have taken austerity measures, reducing payroll and managing variable operational spending to help mitigate the shortfall in sales, and we are investing in restructuring programs going forward in order to improve upon the utilization of our manufacturing capacity and lower per unit costing globally.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $4.3 million from $63.7 million in fiscal 2019 to $59.4 million in fiscal 2020 or 7% also as part of cost containment in the second half of fiscal year 2020. Much of the cost reduction was achieved in Q4 of fiscal year 2020.

In the quarter ending June 30, 2020 the Company took a restructuring charge related to headcount reductions and saw manufacturing consolidation.  The Company recorded a $1.6 million restructuring charge, of which $1.1 million remains unpaid at June 30, 2020.  The Company also expects, during fiscal 2021, an additional $2.4 million of expense associated with restructuring as a period cost at the time incurred. In addition, $6.5 million in goodwill and intangibles were impaired There were neither restructuring nor impairment charges in fiscal 2019.

Operating income in fiscal 2020 of $2.8 million, exclusive of adjustments related to goodwill and intangibles impairment of a combined $6.5 million and restructuring of $1.6 million, decreased by $8.4 million, compared to an operating income of $11.2 million in fiscal 2019. Operating income including adjustments was a loss of $5.3 million in fiscal 2020 or $16.5 million lower than fiscal year 2019. 

Net Sales

Net sales in North America decreased $14.6 million or 11% from $136.4 million in fiscal 2019 to $121.8 million in fiscal 2020, principally due to a $13.3 million or 19% decrease in precision hand tools. International sales decreased $12.0 million or 13% from $91.6 million in fiscal 2019 to $79.6 million in fiscal 2020 driven by a 22% reduction in sales in the UK and a 18% decrease in China. Brazilian sales were adversely affected by exchange rate decline versus last year that cost an estimated $7.7 million. This means Brazil was $5.1 million below last year in USD sales but holding currency neutral would affect a $2.6 million increase (improvement) in fiscal 2020 vs fiscal 2019, a swing of $7.7 million.

 Gross Margin

Gross margin in fiscal 2020 was $62.2 million or 31% of sales and in fiscal 2019 $74.9 million or 33% of sales. Gross margin was $12.7 million below fiscal 2019, of which $3.4 million was foreign exchange related. The Brazilian Real declined to the U.S. dollar during fiscal year 2020.  The Company’s Brazilian operations saw a decline in gross margin in fiscal year 2020 vs fiscal year 2019 of $1.6 million but at exchange neutral would have seen a gain of $1.5 million.

North America gross margin decreased $8.1 million from $40.7 million in fiscal 2019 to $32.6 million in fiscal 2020 primarily due to the decreased net sales, although management did take austerity measures managing variable spending to help mitigate the shortfall. International gross margins decreased $4.6 million from $34.2 million in fiscal 2019 to $29.6 million in fiscal 2020.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses 

Selling, general and administrative expenses, including Corporate expenses, decreased in fiscal year 2020 vs prior fiscal year $4.3 million or 7% due to austerity measures as a result of lower sales. North American selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $3.5 million or 11% and International selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1.6 million or 6%.

Operating Profit

During the first half of fiscal 2020, in comparison to fiscal 2019, net sales were better by $0.3 million or 0.5% and operating profit was down 4.0% or $0.2 million. Fiscal 2019 ended with operating income of $11.2 million or 5% of net sales. Fiscal year 2020 ended at a loss of $5.3 million which was a $16.5 million decline to fiscal year 2019. This downward change in the second half of fiscal 2020 is predominately related to the pandemic.

Operating income in fiscal 2020 was $2.8 million, exclusive of $8.1 million of adjustments related to impairment and restructuring. Fiscal year 2019 had neither asset impairment nor restructuring charges. As reported, operating income in fiscal year 2020 was a loss of $5.3 million versus operating income of $11.2 million in fiscal year 2019.

Other Income (Expense)

Other Income (Expense) was ($14.7) million in fiscal 2020 as compared to ($1.6) million in fiscal 2019. The financial markets had an adverse impact on earnings in fiscal 2020 as the increased demand for bonds and the associated decrease in interest rates significantly contributed to a $16.7 million mark-to-market non-cash pension expense due to higher liabilities. The pension liability is based upon the ten-year Corporate Bond Rate and is set on the last day of the fiscal year. This generally accepted accounting principle coupled with the historically low interest rates are beyond the control of management. The discount rate to determine net cost for the US pension liability was lowered from 3.56% in June 2019 to 2.73% in June 2020. The Amortization of the net pension loss was $256 thousand in fiscal year 2019 compared to $16.7 million in fiscal 2020.

Income Taxes

The tax rate of (9.2%) on pre-tax losses of ($20.0) million in the year ended June 30, 2020 is lower than the U.S. statutory rate primarily as a result of the Global Intangible Low Taxed Income” GILTI” provisions, non-deductible goodwill impairment, as well as changes in the jurisdictional mix of earnings, particularly Brazil with a statutory tax rate of 34%. The tax rate was also negatively impacted by the write-off of the long-term receivable previously established for competent authority relief for historic transfer pricing adjustments which the Company has determined is no longer feasible to pursue and an increase in the valuation allowance against foreign tax credits which the Company has determined are more likely than not to expire unutilized.

The income tax rate for fiscal 2019 was 36.7% on pre-tax income of $9.6 million. The tax rate is higher than the U. S. statutory rate as a result of the “GILTI” provisions, which became effective in fiscal 2019 as well as changes in the international mix of earnings, particularly in Brazil with a statutory rate of 34%.

The Company continues to recognize the benefit of most U.S. deferred tax assets as, after weighing the positive and negative evidence, it believes it is more likely than not that those benefits will be recognized.

Fiscal 2019 Compared to Fiscal 2018

Overview

 Net sales for fiscal 2019 increased $11.7 million or 5% compared to fiscal 2018. Excluding the effects of foreign currency of $10 million, sales revenue increased $21.7 million or 10%. Unit volume, new products and price increases, represented $13.6, $4.8 and $3.3 million, respectively of the sales growth.

Gross margins increased $5.3 million or 8% from $69.6 million to $74.9 million. As a percent of sales, gross margins increased 0.7%. North America and International increased $1.4 million and $3.9 million, respectively. 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.3 million from $64.0 million in fiscal 2018 to $63.7 million in fiscal 2019 as a $2.4 million increase in constant currency was offset by a $2.7 currency decline due to a weaker Brazilian Real and British Pound.

Operating income more than doubled, increasing $5.7 million from $5.5 million in fiscal 2018 to $11.2 million in fiscal 2019.

Net Sales

Net sales in North America increased $8.0 million or 6% from $128.4 million in fiscal 2018 to $136.4 million in fiscal 2019, principally due to a $7.3 million or 12% increase in precision hand tools. International sales increased $3.7 million or 4% from $87.9 million in fiscal 2018 to $91.6 million in fiscal 2019 as a recovery from recession in Brazil resulted in a $4.5 million revenue improvement offsetting a $10 million reduction related to foreign currency losses. Excluding the aforementioned foreign currency impacts international sales increased $13.7 million.

Gross Margin

Gross margin in North America increased $1.4 million from $39.4 million in fiscal 2018 to $40.8 million in fiscal 2019 primarily due to increased revenue and improved margins for precision hand tools. International gross margins increased $3.9 million from $30.2 million in fiscal 2018 to $34.1 million in fiscal 2019 based upon increased sales and reduced cost in Brazil.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

North American selling, general and administrative expenses, including Corporate expenses, increased $1.4 million or 4% principally due to higher selling and incentive pay expenses. International selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1.7 million or 6% due lower foreign exchange in Brazilian expenses.

Operating Profit

Operating profit improved $5.7 million as a result of increased sales revenues and lower costs in both North America and International.

Other Income (Expense)

As outlined in Notes 10 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, pension expense, excluding service cost, was reclassified to Other Income (Expense) for fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017. Other expense increased $1.0 million from $0.6 million in fiscal 2018 to an expense of $1.6 million in fiscal 2019 due primarily to income related to an international tax settlement of $1.1 million and the settlement of patent litigation of $0.7 in fiscal 2019.

Income Taxes

The income tax rate for fiscal 2019 was 36.7% on pre-tax income of $9.6 million. The tax rate is higher than the U. S. statutory rate as a result of the Global Intangible Low Taxed Income “GILTI” provisions, which became effective in fiscal 2019 as well as changes in the international mix of earnings, particularly in Brazil with a statutory rate of 34%.

The income tax rate for fiscal 2018 was 174.7% on pre-tax income of $4.9 million. This rate compares to a normalized statutory U.S. federal and state rate of 32%. The primary reason for the higher effective tax rate is due to the reduction of the deferred tax asset due to the change in tax rates enacted in the United States.

The Company continues to recognize the benefit of most U.S. deferred tax assets as, after weighing the positive and negative evidence, it believes it is more likely than not that those benefits will be recognized.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the potential change in a financial instrument’s value caused by fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates, and equity and commodity prices. The Company’s operating activities expose it to risks that are continually monitored, evaluated and managed. Proper management of these risks helps reduce the likelihood of earnings volatility.

The Company does not engage in tracking, market-making or other speculative activities in derivatives markets. The Company does enter into long-term supply contracts with either fixed prices or quantities. The Company engages in an immaterial amount of hedging activity to minimize the impact of foreign currency fluctuations but has no forward currency contracts outstanding at June 30, 2020. Net foreign monetary assets are approximately $7.0 million as of June 30, 2020 and $12.9 million as of June 30, 2019.

A 10% change in interest rates would not have a significant impact on the aggregate net fair value of the Company’s interest rate sensitive financial instruments or the cash flows or future earnings associated with those financial instruments. A 10% increase in interest rates would not have a material impact on our borrowing costs. See Note 13 “Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details concerning the Company’s long-term debt outstanding of $30.9 million.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company has a working capital ratio of 3.7 as of June 30, 2020 and 3.7 as of June 30, 2019 as lower accounts receivable of $7.0 million and lower inventory balances of $8.8 million were partially offset by decreased accounts payable, and accrued expenses. Cash, accounts receivable and inventories represent 92% and 94% of current assets fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively. The Company had accounts receivable turnover of 6.2 in fiscal 2020 and 6.6 in fiscal 2019 and an inventory turnover ratio of 2.5 in both fiscal 2020 and in fiscal 2019.

Net cash used by operations was $1.2 million in fiscal 2020. Cash used in investing of $10.6 million included $9.3 million invested in property, plant and equipment and $1.3 million invested in software development. The Company had $9.3 million provided principally by net borrowing activities.

Effects of translation rate changes on cash primarily result from the movement of the U.S. dollar against the British Pound, the Euro and the Brazilian Real.

Liquidity and Credit Arrangements

In addition to its cash and short-term investments, the Company has available a $25.0 million line of credit, of which, $0.8 million is reserved for letters of credit and $20.4 million was outstanding as of June 30, 2020.  

During 2020 we implemented a restructuring plan to address changes in our business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan included reducing payroll, consolidation of certain operations and managing variable costs.  In addition, we worked with TD Bank to amend the current loan agreement which resulted in a number of changes such as amendments to the financial covenants through June 2021. We believe that existing cash and cash expected to be provided by future operating activities, augmented by the plans highlighted above, are adequate to satisfy our working capital, capital expenditure requirements and other contractual obligations for at least the next 12 months. If our expectations are incorrect or the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic worsens then we may need to take advantage of unanticipated strategic opportunities to strengthen our financial position, which could result in material impacts to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in future reporting periods .

During the period ended March 31, 2020, as a result of a decrease in sales related to the COVID-19 epidemic, the Company anticipated potential non-compliance with its fixed charge coverage ratio for the year ended June 30, 2020 under its Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) by and among the Company and its U.S. operating companies (collectively, the “Borrowers”) and TD Bank, N.A. (“TD Bank”). On June 25, 2020, the Borrowers and TD Bank entered into an amendment and restatement (the “Amendment and Restatement”) of the Loan Agreement. The Amendment and Restatement waived the fixed charge coverage ratio for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.

Pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement of June 25, 2020, the “First Amendment” to this loan agreement was executed on September 17, 2020, which include, among other things, (i) pause testing of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio until September 30, 2021  and (ii) establishment of a new minimum cumulative EBITDA and minimum liquidity covenants in lieu thereof.  TD Bank perfected its security interests in the Company’s U.S. based assets, increased the maximum interest charged on the Line Of Credit from and annual interest rate of 2.25% plus Libor to 3.50% plus Libor, and amended the borrowing base for the line of credit from 80% of Qualified AR and 50% of the lower of Cost or Market of US inventory values to 80% of qualified AR plus 85% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value (NOLV) of US Inventory plus 62.5% of total appraised US real estate values.  As a result of this change, the Company is projected to maintain its current borrowing capacity of $25,000,000 under the Line of Credit. The Company underwent a series of appraisals and field exams in all US locations as part of restructuring this agreement.  In addition, the Company will provide additional reporting to TD Bank, including monthly profit and loss statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements and forecasting. This minimum adjusted EBITDA covenant is based on the Company’s plan for a slow pandemic recovery throughout FY21 and the impact of the Company’s restructuring plan initiatives.  The Company will apply certain proceeds from the sale of US real estate assets against the principle balance of the term loans under the TD Bank loan agreement.  The Agreement will revert to the existing covenant package for the quarter ending September 30, 2021 and every quarter thereafter.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company does not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements as defined under the Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Note 2 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

Judgments, assumptions, and estimates are used for, but not limited to, the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable and returned goods; inventory allowances; income tax reserves; long lived assets and goodwill impairment; as well as employee turnover, discount and return rates used to calculate pension obligations.

Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The following sections describe the Company’s critical accounting policies.

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable: On July 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and all the related amendments “ASC Topic 606”, using the modified retrospective method. In addition, the Company elected to apply certain of the permitted practical expedients within the revenue recognition guidance and make certain accounting policy elections, including those related to significant financing components, sales taxes and shipping and handling activities. Most of the changes resulting from the adoption of ASC Topic 606 on July 1, 2018 were changes in presentation within the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Therefore, while the Company made adjustments to certain opening balances on its July 1, 2018 Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Company made no adjustment to opening Retained Earnings. The impact of the adoption of ASC Topic 606 has been immaterial to its net income on an ongoing basis; however, adoption did increase the level of disclosures concerning net sales. Results for reporting periods beginning July 1, 2018 are presented under the new guidance, while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previous guidance without revision.

The core principle of ASC Topic 606 is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. The application of the FASB’s guidance on revenue recognition requires the Company to recognize as revenue the amount of consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for goods and services transferred to our customers. To do this, the Company applies the five-step model prescribed by the FASB, which requires us to: (1) identify the contract with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation.

The Company accounts for a contract or purchase order when it has approval and commitment from both parties, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance and collectability of consideration is probable. Revenue is recognized when control of the product passes to the customer, which is upon shipment, unless otherwise specified within the customer contract or on the purchase order as delivery, and is recognized at the amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive for the products sold, including various forms of discounts. When revenue is recorded, estimates of returns are made and recorded as a reduction of revenue. Contracts with customers are evaluated to determine if there are separate performance obligations related to timing of product shipment that will be satisfied in different accounting periods. When that is the case, revenue is deferred until each performance obligation is met. No performance obligation related amounts were deferred as of June 30, 2020. Purchase orders are of durations less than one year. As such, the Company applies the practical expedient in ASC paragraph 606-10-50-14 and does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less, for which work has not yet been performed.

Certain taxes assessed by governmental authorities on revenue producing transactions, such as value added taxes, are excluded from revenue and recorded on a net basis. Cooperative advertising payments made to customers are included as advertising expense in selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.7 million at the end of fiscal 2020 compared to $0.7 million at the end of fiscal 2019 is based on our assessment of the collectability of specific customer accounts and the aging of our accounts receivable. While the Company believes that the allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate, if there is a deterioration of a major customer’s credit worthiness, actual write-offs are higher than our previous experience, or actual future returns do not reflect historical trends, the estimates of the recoverability of the amounts due the Company could be adversely affected.

Inventory Valuation:  The Company values inventories at the lower of the cost of inventory or net realizable value, with cost determined by either the last-in, first-out "LIFO" method for most U.S. inventories or the first-in, first-out "FIFO" method for all other inventories. The Company establishes reserves for excess, slow moving, and obsolete inventory based on inventory levels, expected product life, and forecasted sales demand. In assessing the ultimate realization of inventories, we are required to make judgments as to future demand requirements compared with inventory levels. Reserve requirements are developed according to our projected demand requirements based on historical demand, competitive factors, and technological and product life cycle changes. It is possible that an increase in our reserve may be required in the future if there is a significant decline in demand for our products and we do not adjust our production schedules accordingly.

Warranty expense: The Company’s warranty obligation is generally one year from shipment to the end user and is affected by product failure rates, material usage, and service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. Historically, the Company has not incurred significant warranty expense and consequently its warranty reserves are not material.

Property Plant and Equipment:  The Company accounts for property, plant and equipment (PP&E) at historical cost less accumulated depreciation. PP&E is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such an asset may not be recoverable. Such events or circumstances include, but are not limited to, a significant decrease in the fair value of the underlying business or change in utilization of property and equipment.

Recoverability of the net book value of PP&E is determined by comparison of the carrying amount to estimated future undiscounted net cash flows the asset group is expected to generate. Those cash flows may include an estimated salvage value based on a hypothetical sale at the end of the assets' depreciation period. Estimating these cash flows and terminal values requires management to make judgments about the growth in demand for our products, sustainability of gross margins, and our ability to achieve economies of scale. If assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.

Depreciation is included in cost of goods sold or selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations based upon the function or use of the specific asset. Depreciation of equipment used in the manufacturing process is a component of inventory cost and included in costs of goods sold upon sale.  Depreciation of equipment used for office and administrative functions is an expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Intangible Assets: Identifiable intangible assets are recorded at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over a 5-20 year period. The estimated useful lives of the intangible assets subject to amortization are: 10-15 years for patents, 14-20 years for trademarks and trade names, 5-10 years for completed technology, 8 years for non-compete agreements, 8-16 years for customer relationships and 5 years for software development. The Company in accordance with ASC 350 (Intangibles- Goodwill and Other), tested as a result of a triggering events identified at the private software company and Bytewise, due to lower sales “whether it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting units long lived assets exceeded its carrying amount and determined intangibles were impairment at the private software company. The Company took a charge of $2.8 million during the June 2020 quarter for the impairment of intangible assets at its private software reporting unit.  See Note 6 “Goodwill and Intangibles” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for goodwill impairment charge details.

Recoverability of the net book value of intangible assets is determined by comparison of the carrying amount to estimated future undiscounted net cash flows the asset group is expected to generate. Estimating these cash flows requires management to make judgments about the growth in demand for our products, sustainability of gross margins, and our ability to achieve economies of scale. If assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.

Goodwill: Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is tested for impairment annually and at any time when events suggest impairment may have occurred. The Company annually tests the goodwill of two reporting units associated with the November 2011 acquisition of Bytewise and the February 2017 acquisition of a private software company. Bytewise is tested in October and the software reporting unit is tested in February. The Company contracted with a professional valuation firm “the firm” to perform a quantitative analysis (commonly referred to as “Step One”) for its February 1, 2020 annual assessment of goodwill associated with its purchase of a private software company. The firm assisted the Company in estimating fair value using an income approach based on the present value of future cash flows. The Company believes this approach yields the most appropriate evidence of fair value.  During the March quarter fiscal year 2020, it determined the fair value assessment of the software development company’s goodwill exceeded the carrying amount.  

The Company performed a qualitative analysis of its Bytewise reporting unit for its October 1, 2019 annual assessment of goodwill (commonly referred to as “Step Zero”). From a qualitative perspective, in evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, relevant events and circumstances are taken into account, with greater weight assigned to events and circumstances that most affect the fair value or the carrying amounts of its assets. Items that were considered included, but were not limited to, the following: macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance and changes in management or key personnel. 

During the June quarter fiscal year 2020 the Company, considering the COVID-19 pandemic a triggering event at the private software company and Bytewise due to lower sales, tested the Goodwill at both reporting units and concluded that the fair value, on a discounted cash flow basis, was less than the carrying value and took a goodwill impairment charge of $3.7 million. See Note 6 “Goodwill and Intangibles” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for impairment charges.

Income Taxes:  Accounting for income taxes requires estimates of future benefits and tax liabilities. Due to temporary differences in the timing of recognition of items included in income for accounting and tax purposes, deferred tax assets or liabilities are recorded to reflect the impact arising from these differences on future tax payments. With respect to recorded tax assets, the Company assesses the likelihood that the asset will be realized by evaluating the positive and negative evidence to determine whether realization is more likely than not to occur. Realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets is primarily dependent on future taxable income, the timing and amount of which are uncertain, in part, due to the variable profitability of certain subsidiaries. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is “more likely than not” that some or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In the event that we were to determine that we would not be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future, an increase in the valuation allowance would be required. In the event we were to determine that we are able to realize our deferred tax assets and a valuation allowance had been recorded against the deferred tax assets, a decrease in the valuation allowance would be required. Should any significant changes in the tax law or the estimate of the necessary valuation allowance occur, the Company would record the impact of the change, which could have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations. (See also Note 11 “Income Taxes” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)

Defined Benefit Plans: The Company has two defined benefit pension plans, one for U.S. employees and another for U.K. employees. The Company also has a postretirement medical and life insurance benefit plan for U.S. employees.

On December 21, 2016, the Company amended the U.S. defined benefit pension plan to freeze benefit accruals effective December 31, 2016. Consequently, the Plan is closed to new participants and current participants no longer earn additional benefits after December 31, 2016.

Under our current accounting method, both plans use fair value as the market-related value of plan assets and continue to recognize actuarial gains or losses within the corridor in other comprehensive income but instead of amortizing net actuarial gains or losses in excess of the corridor in future periods, excess gains and losses are recognized in net periodic benefit cost as of the plan measurement date, which is the same as the fiscal year end of the Company. This mark-to market (MTM adjustment) accounting method is a permitted option which results in immediate recognition of excess net actuarial gains and losses in net periodic benefit cost instead of in other comprehensive income. Immediate recognition in net periodic benefit cost could potentially increase the volatility of net periodic benefit cost. The MTM adjustments to net periodic benefit cost for fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $16.9 million, $0.3 million, and $0.1 million, respectively. During Fiscal year 2020 the Company recorded a $16.8 million non-cash pension expense due to higher liabilities. The pension liability is based upon the ten-year Corporate Bond Rate and is set on the last day of the fiscal year. This generally accepted accounting principle coupled with the historically low interest rates are driven by financial markets, economic policy and financial conditions. The discount rate to determine net cost for the US pension liability was lowered from 3.56% in June 2019 to 2.73% in June 2020.

Calculation of pension and postretirement medical costs and obligations are dependent on actuarial assumptions. These assumptions include discount rates, healthcare cost trends, inflation, salary growth, long-term return on plan assets, employee turnover rates, retirement rates, mortality and other factors. These assumptions are made based on a combination of external market factors, actual historical experience, long-term trend analysis, and an analysis of the assumptions being used by other companies with similar plans. Significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions would affect pension and other postretirement benefit costs and obligations. Effective December 31, 2013, the Company terminated eligibility for employees 55-64 years old in the Postretirement Medical Plan. (See also Note 12 “Employee Benefit Plans” to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table summarizes future estimated payment obligations by period.

Estimated interest on debt obligations is based on a standard 10-year loan amortization schedule for the $10.0 million term loan, and the current outstanding balance of the Company's credit line at the current effective interest rate through April 2022 when the current credit line agreement ends. (See Note 13 “Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details).

While our purchase obligations are generally cancellable without penalty, certain vendors charge cancellation fees or minimum restocking charges based on the nature of the product or service. The Company’s Brazilian subsidiary has entered into a long-term, volume-based purchase agreement for electricity. Under this agreement the Company is committed to purchase a minimum monthly amount of energy at a fixed price per kilowatt hour. Cancellation of this contract would incur a significant penalty. 

Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

The L.S. Starrett Company

Opinion on the financial statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The L.S. Starrett Company (a Massachusetts corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule included under Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2020, 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 22, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion.

Basis for opinion

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

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

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2006.

Boston, Massachusetts

September 22, 2020

 THE L.S. STARRETT COMPANY

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands except share data)  

See notes to consolidated financial statements

THE L.S. STARRETT COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 (in thousands except per share data)

See notes to consolidated financial statements

THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss)

(in thousands)

See notes to consolidated financial statements

THE L.S. STARRETT COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

 (in thousands except per share data)

See notes to consolidated financial statements 

THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 (in thousands)

See notes to consolidated financial statements

THE L.S. STARRETT COMPANY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2020 and 2019