SUPERIOR GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2017 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017

OR

For the transition period from ________ to __________

Commission file number: 001-05869

Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter:

SUPERIOR UNIFORM GROUP, INC.

Address of principal executive offices:

10055 Seminole Boulevard

Seminole, Florida 33772-2539

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

727-397-9611

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: ___________________

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

Yes [X]        No [_]  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    

Yes [X]        No [_]  

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the Company is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).               

Yes [_]            No [X]  

As of October 23, 2017, the registrant had 14,862,631 shares of common stock outstanding, which is the registrant's only class of common stock.       

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

SUPERIOR UNIFORM GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated interim financial statements.

See accompanying notes to consolidated interim financial statements.

See accompanying notes to consolidated interim financial statements.

Superior Uniform Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – Summary of Significant Interim Accounting Policies:

a) Basis of presentation

The consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of Superior Uniform Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, The Office Gurus, LLC, SUG Holding, Fashion Seal Corporation, and BAMKO, LLC; The Office Gurus, Ltda., de C.V., The Office Masters, Ltda., de C.V. and The Office Gurus, Ltd., each a subsidiary of Fashion Seal Corporation and SUG Holding; Power Three Web, Ltda. and Superior Sourcing, each a wholly-owned subsidiary of SUG Holding; BAMKO Importação, Exportação e Comércio de Brindes Ltda., a subsidiary of BAMKO, LLC and SUG Holding; Guangzhou Ben Gao Trading Limited, Worldwide Sourcing Solutions Limited, and BAMKO UK, Limited, each a direct or indirect subsidiary of BAMKO, LLC; and BAMKO India Private Limited, a 99%-owned subsidiary of BAMKO, LLC.  All of these entities are referred to collectively as “the Company”.  Intercompany items have been eliminated in consolidation.  The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The interim financial information contained herein is not certified or audited; it reflects all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the operating results for the periods presented, stated on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements.  The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

b) Revenue recognition

The Company records revenue as products are shipped and title passes and as services are provided. A provision for estimated returns and allowances is recorded based on historical experience and current allowance programs.

c) Recognition of costs and expenses

Costs and expenses other than product costs are charged to income in interim periods as incurred, or allocated among interim periods based on an estimate of time expired, benefit received or activity associated with the periods. Procedures adopted for assigning specific cost and expense items to an interim period are consistent with the basis followed by the registrant in reporting results of operations at annual reporting dates. However, when a specific cost or expense item charged to expense for annual reporting purposes benefits more than one interim period, the cost or expense item is allocated to the interim periods.

d) Amortization of other intangible assets

The Company amortizes identifiable intangible assets on a straight line basis over their expected useful lives. Amortization expense for other intangible assets was $570,000 and $607,000 for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Amortization expense for other intangible assets was $1,711,000 and $1,761,000 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

e) Advertising expenses

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $14,000 and $23,000, respectively. Advertising costs for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $53,000 and $55,000, respectively.

f) Shipping and handling fees and costs

The Company includes shipping and handling fees billed to customers in net sales. Shipping and handling costs associated with in-bound and out-bound freight are generally recorded in cost of goods sold. Other shipping and handling costs such as labor and overhead are included in selling and administrative expenses and totaled $2,664,000 and $2,646,000 for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Other shipping and handling costs included in selling and administrative expenses totaled $8,103,000 and $7,798,000 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively

g) Inventories

Inventories at interim dates are determined by using both perpetual records on a first-in, first-out basis and gross profit calculations.

h) Accounting for income taxes

The provision for income taxes is calculated by using the effective tax rate anticipated for the full year.

i) Employee benefit plan settlements

The Company recognizes settlement gains and losses in its financial statements when the cost of all settlements in a year is greater than the sum of the service cost and interest cost components of net periodic pension cost for the plan for the year.

j) Earnings per share

Historical basic per share data is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Historical diluted per share data is reconciled by adding to weighted average shares outstanding the dilutive impact of the exercise of outstanding stock options, stock appreciation rights, unvested shares, and performance shares.

k) Derivative financial instruments

The Company uses certain financial derivatives to mitigate its exposure to volatility in interest rates and foreign currency. The Company records derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value and establishes criteria for designation and effectiveness of hedging relationships. On the date a derivative contract is entered into, the Company may elect to designate the derivative as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or the hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative that is used in the hedging transaction is highly effective. For those instruments that are designated as a cash flow hedge and meet certain documentary and analytical requirements to qualify for hedge accounting treatment, changes in the fair value for the effective portion are reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”), net of related income tax effects, and are reclassified to the income statement when the effects of the item being hedged are recognized in the income statement. The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. In situations in which the Company does not elect hedge accounting or hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative is retained, the Company carries or continues to carry the derivative at its fair value on the balance sheet and recognizes any subsequent changes in its fair value through earnings.

The nature of the Company’s business activities involves the management of various financial and market risks, including those related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes. The Company manages market and credit risks associated with its derivative instruments by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken, and by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties.           

Effective March 3, 2017, in order to reduce the interest rate risk on its future debt, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement that was designed to effectively convert or hedge the variable interest rate on a portion of its future borrowings to achieve a net fixed rate beginning March 1, 2018 with a notional amount of $18,000,000. The previous swap agreement was terminated on February 24, 2017. (See Note 2.)

On January 3, 2017, the Company entered into a foreign exchange forward contract to lock in the exchange rate on the Brazilian real to limit the risk of changes in foreign currency on the expected payment of a customer receivable. The amount of the contract was $1,800,000 and settled on June 29, 2017. A loss of $92,000 on this contract was recognized in the second quarter of 2017, which is included in selling and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

l) Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

m) Comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income represents the change in equity during a period from sources other than transactions with shareholders and, as such, includes net earnings. For the Company, the only other components of total comprehensive income are the change in pension costs, change in fair value of qualifying hedges, and foreign currency translation adjustments.

n) Operating segments

Accounting standards require disclosures of certain information about operating segments and about products and services, geographic areas in which the Company operates, and their major customers. The Company has evaluated its operations and has determined that it has three reportable segments - Uniforms and Related Products, Remote Staffing Solutions and Promotional Products. (See Note 8.)

o) Share-based compensation

The Company awards share-based compensation as an incentive for employees to contribute to the Company’s long-term success. Historically, the Company has granted options, stock-settled stock appreciation rights, and restricted stock. In 2016, the Company began issuing performance shares as well. At September 30, 2017, the Company had 3,659,877 shares of common stock available for grant of awards of share-based compensation under its 2013 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan.

The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense for all awards granted to employees, which is based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant. Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of stock compensation awards requires the input of certain highly complex and subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock compensation awards and the Company’s common stock price volatility, risk free interest rate and dividend rate. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock compensation awards represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company deems it necessary to use different assumptions, stock compensation expense could be materially different from what has been recorded in the current period.

p) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) that will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include the capitalization and amortization of certain contract costs, ensuring the time value of money is considered in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. Additionally, the guidance requires disaggregated disclosures related to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The amendments are required to be adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018. Transition to the new guidance may be done using either a full or modified retrospective method. The Company is still evaluating the impact of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and expects to complete the assessment process by the end of the fourth quarter 2017 prior to the adoption of this ASU on January 1, 2018. Our assessment of the guidance is primarily focused on reviewing our performance obligations in our contract portfolio and related disclosures. For our Uniforms and Related Products and Promotional Products segments, our revenue is generated from the sale of finished products to customers as products are shipped and title passes to the customers.  For certain contracts with customers, the Company does not create an asset with alternative use to the Company, and the Company has enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date.  For these contracts, we expect to move from a point in time model for revenue recognition to an over time model.  We expect this could have a material impact on the timing of our revenue recognition.  We are still assessing the adoption method and the impact to related disclosures.  We expect the new standard will have no cash impact and does not affect the economics our underlying customer contracts.  We do not expect this new guidance to have any other material impacts on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 that amends the accounting guidance on leases. The primary change in this ASU requires lessees to recognize, in the balance sheet, a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing the right to use the underlying asset over the lease term. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied using a modified retrospective approach and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is in the preliminary phases of assessing the effect of this ASU. We have not yet selected a transition date nor have we yet determined the effect of this ASU on our results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. This update was issued as part of FASB’s simplification initiative and affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. The amendment requires that excess tax benefits for share-based payments be recorded as a reduction of income tax expense and reflected within operating cash flows rather than being recorded in paid-in-capital and reflected within financing cash flows. The standard also clarifies that all cash payments when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity on the statement of cash flows and provides for an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures when they occur. The amendments in this update were effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period but must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year. The Company elected to early adopt the standard in the fourth quarter of 2016 which required us to reflect the adjustments as of January 1, 2016. The recognition of excess tax benefits in our provision for income taxes rather than paid-in-capital resulted in an income tax benefit of $97,000 or $0.01 per share and $725,000 or $0.05 per share for the three-month period and nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Additionally, the adoption in the fourth quarter of 2016 resulted in an income tax benefit of $60,000 or $0.01 per share and $476,000 or $0.04 per share for the three-month period and nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, respectively, from the previously reported income tax provisions in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2016. Lastly, the Company has made an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures in compensation cost when they occur. There was no material impact of this election in fiscal 2016 or 2017.

NOTE 2 – Long-Term Debt:

Effective July 1, 2013, the Company entered into an amended and restated 5-year credit agreement with Fifth Third Bank that made available to the Company up to $15,000,000 on a revolving credit basis in addition to a $30,000,000 term loan utilized to finance the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of HPI Direct, Inc.

The remaining scheduled amortization for the Term Loan is as follows: 2017 - $1,500,000; 2018 through 2023 - $6,000,000 per year; and 2024 - $1,500,000. The Term Loan does not include a prepayment penalty. In connection with the Credit Agreement, the Company incurred approximately $48,000 of debt financing costs, which primarily consisted of legal fees. These costs are being amortized over the life of the Credit Agreement as additional interest expense.

The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the operating assets of Superior Uniform Group, Inc. and are guaranteed by all domestic subsidiaries of Superior Uniform Group, Inc. The agreement contains restrictive provisions concerning a maximum funded indebtedness to EBITDA ratio not to exceed (4.0:1) as defined in the agreement and a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least (1.25:1). The Company is in full compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants of the Credit Agreement.

Effective July 1, 2013, in order to reduce interest rate risk on its debt, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Fifth Third Bank, N.A. that was designed to effectively convert or hedge the variable interest rate on a portion of its borrowings to achieve a net fixed rate of 2.53% per annum, beginning July 1, 2014 with a notional amount of $14,250,000. The notional amount of the interest rate swap was reduced by the scheduled amortization of the principal balance of the original term loan of $187,500 per month through July 1, 2015 and $250,000 per month through June 1, 2018 with the remaining notional balance of $3,250,000 to be eliminated on July 1, 2018. Effective March 8, 2016, the fixed rate on the notional amount was reduced to 2.43%. Effective February 24, 2017, this interest rate swap agreement was terminated. On this date the swap agreement had $65,000 in cumulative gains in OCI which was reversed to earnings.

Effective March 3, 2017, in order to reduce the interest rate risk on its future debt, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with BB&T that was designed to effectively convert or hedge the variable interest rate on a portion of its future borrowings to achieve a net fixed rate of 3.12% per annum, beginning March 1, 2018 with a notional amount of $18,000,000. The notional amount of the interest rate swap is reduced by $250,000 per month beginning April 1, 2018 through February 26, 2024. Under the terms of the interest rate swap, the Company will receive variable interest rate payments and make fixed interest rate payments on an amount equal to the notional amount at that time. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap designated as the hedging instrument that effectively offset the variability of cash flows associated with the variable rate, long-term debt obligation are recorded in OCI, net of related income tax effects. As of September 30, 2017, the swap agreement had a negative fair value of $261,000 which is presented within other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

NOTE 3 – Periodic Pension Expense:

The following table details the net periodic pension expense under the Company's plans for the periods presented:

Effective June 30, 2013, the Company no longer accrues additional benefits for future service or for future increases in compensation levels for the Company’s primary defined benefit pension plan.

Effective December 31, 2014, the Company no longer accrues additional benefits for future service for the Company’s hourly defined benefit plan.

There were $1,520,000 and $500,000 in contributions made to the Company’s defined benefit plans during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

NOTE 4 – Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

Cash paid for income taxes was $5,220,000 and $3,927,000, respectively, for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Cash paid for interest was $523,000 and $512,000, respectively for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, the Company received 43,841 and 12,598 shares of its common stock as payment of the exercise price in the exercise of stock options for 113,143 and 35,984 shares.

NOTE 5 – Contingencies: 

The Company is involved in various legal actions and claims arising from the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial position.

NOTE 6 – Share-Based Compensation:

In 2003, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2003 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan (the “2003 Plan”), authorizing the granting of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARS”), restricted stock, performance shares and other stock based compensation. This plan expired in May of 2013, at which time, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2013 Incentive Stock and Awards Plan (the “2013 Plan”), authorizing the granting of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, SARS, restricted stock, performance shares and other stock based compensation. A total of 5,000,000 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment for expirations and cancellations of options outstanding from the 2003 Plan subsequent to its termination) have been reserved for issuance under the 2013 Plan. All options and SARS under both plans have been or will be granted with exercise prices at least equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. At September 30, 2017, the Company had 3,659,877 shares of common stock available for grant of share-based compensation under the 2013 Plan.

Share-based compensation is recorded in selling and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The following table details the share-based compensation expense by type of award and the total related tax benefit for the periods presented:

Stock options and SARS

The Company grants stock options and stock settled SARS to employees that allow them to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Options are also granted to outside members of the Board of Directors of the Company. The Company determines the fair value of stock options and SARS at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model.

All options and SARS vest immediately at the date of grant. Awards generally expire five years after the date of grant with the exception of options granted to outside directors, which expire ten years after the date of grant. The Company issues new shares upon the exercise of stock options and SARS.

A summary of stock option transactions during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 follows:

At September 30, 2017, options outstanding, all of which were fully vested and exercisable, had an aggregate intrinsic value of $7,438,000. The weighted-average remaining contractual term was 46 months.

Options exercised during the three-month period ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 had intrinsic values of $387,000 and $301,000, respectively. Options exercised during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 had intrinsic values of $2,675,000 and $1,876,000, respectively.

The weighted average fair values of the Company’s 53,970 and 52,530 options granted during each of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $6.40 and $4.53, respectively. The weighted average fair values of the Company’s 155,142 and 172,862 options granted during each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $5.56 and $4.69, respectively.

During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, the Company received $420,000 and $327,000 in cash from stock option exercises. Additionally, during the three-month period ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company received -0- and 2,164 shares of its common stock as payment of the exercise price in the exercise of stock options for -0- and 5,568 shares. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, the Company received $1,218,000 and $1,109,000 in cash from stock option exercises. Additionally, during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company received 43,841 and 12,598 shares of its common stock as payment of the exercise price in the exercise of stock options for 113,143 and 35,984 shares. The tax benefit recognized for these exercises during each of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $97,000 and $60,000, respectively. The tax benefit recognized for these exercises during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $306,000 and $250,000, respectively.

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2017.

At September 30, 2017, SARS outstanding, all of which were fully vested and exercisable, had an aggregate intrinsic value of $2,327,000. The weighted-average remaining contractual term was 28 months.

The weighted average fair values of the Company’s 43,988 and 58,108 SARS granted during each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $4.83 and $4.49, respectively.

There were no SARS exercised during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

There were 128,062 and 75,792 SARS exercised during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. SARS exercised during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 had intrinsic values of $1,544,000 and $928,000. The tax benefit recognized for these exercises during each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $572,000 and $311,000, respectively.

The following table summarizes information about SARS outstanding as of September 30, 2017:

At September 30, 2017 shares available for grant as awards under the plan were 3,659,877. Options and SARS have never been repriced by the Company in any year.

The following table summarizes significant assumptions utilized to determine the fair value of options and SARS.

³The determination of expected stock price volatility for awards granted in each of the periods ending September 30, 2017 and 2016 was based on historical prices of Superior’s common stock over a period commensurate with the expected life.

⁴The dividend yield assumption is based on the history and expectation of the Company’s dividend payouts.

Restricted Stock

The Company has granted restricted stock to directors and certain employees under the terms of the 2013 Plan which vest at a specified future date, generally after three years, or when certain conditions are met. The shares are subject to accelerated vesting under certain circumstances as outlined in the 2013 Plan. Expense for each of these grants is based on the fair value at the date of the grant and is being recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective service period. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had $624,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested grants expected to be recognized over the weighted average service period of 2.0 years.

A summary of restricted stock transactions during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 follows:

Performance Shares

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has approved grants of performance shares under the terms of the 2013 Plan. Under the terms of the grants, certain employees received service-based or service-based and performance-based shares. The service-based awards vest after the service period is met, which is generally three to five years. Expense for these grants is based on the fair value on the date of the grant and is being recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective service period. The performance-based shares generally vest after five years if the performance and service targets are met. The Company evaluates the performance conditions associated with these grants each reporting period to determine the expected number of shares to be issued. Based upon this evaluation, expected expenses for these grants are being recognized based on the fair value on the date of the grant on a straight-line basis over the respective service period. The shares are subject to accelerated vesting under certain circumstances as outlined in the 2013 Plan. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had $1,733,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested grants expected to be recognized over the weighted average service period of 3.2 years.

 A summary of performance share transactions during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 follows:

NOTE 7 – Earnings Per Share:

Historical basic per share data is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Historical diluted per share data is reconciled by adding to weighted average shares outstanding the dilutive impact of the exercise of outstanding stock options, stock appreciation rights, unvested shares, and performance shares.

Awards to purchase approximately 150,000 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $18.65 per share were outstanding during the three-month period ending September 30, 2016, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the awards’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares. There were no such awards outstanding during the three-month period ending September 30, 2017.

Awards to purchase approximately 50,000 and 165,000 shares of common stock with weighted average exercise prices of $18.65 and $18.53 per share were outstanding during the nine-month periods ending September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the awards’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares.

NOTE 8 – Operating Segment Information:

The Company classifies its businesses into three operating segments based on the types of products and services provided. The Uniforms and Related Products segment consists of the sale of uniforms and related items. The Promotional Products segment consists of sales to customers of promotional products and other branded merchandise. The Remote Staffing Solutions segment consists of sales of staffing solutions.

The Company evaluates the performance of each operating segment based on several factors of which the primary financial measures are operating segment net sales and income before taxes on income. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in Note 1 entitled Summary of Significant Interim Accounting Policies. Amounts for corporate expenses are included in the Uniforms and Related Products segment totals. Information related to the operations of the Company's operating segments is set forth below.

The amounts presented have been restated for the three-month period and the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016 to reflect the addition of the Promotional Products segment.

NOTE 9 – Acquisition of Businesses:

On March 8, 2016, the Company closed on the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of BAMKO, Inc. (“BAMKO”). The transaction had an effective date of March 1, 2016. BAMKO is a full-service merchandise sourcing and promotional products company based in Los Angeles, CA. With sales offices in the United States and Brazil, as well as support offices in China, Hong Kong, and India, BAMKO serves many of the world’s most successful brands. The purchase price for the asset acquisition consisted of approximately $15,161,000 in cash, net of cash acquired, the issuance of approximately 324,000 restricted shares of Superior’s common stock that vests over a five-year period, the potential future payment of approximately $5,500,000 in additional contingent consideration through 2021, and the assumption of certain liabilities of BAMKO.  The transaction also includes the acquisition of BAMKO’s subsidiaries in Hong Kong, China, Brazil and England as well as an affiliate in India.

The foregoing description of the asset purchase agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 28, 2016.

Fair Value of Consideration Transferred

Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The total purchase price was allocated to the acquired tangible and intangible assets and assumed liabilities of BAMKO based on their estimated fair values as of March 1, 2016. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was allocated to goodwill.

The following table presents the allocation of the total fair value of consideration transferred, as shown above, to the acquired tangible and intangible assets and assumed liabilities of BAMKO based on their fair values as of the effective date of the transaction.

The following is our assignment of the aggregate consideration:

The Company recorded $11,360,000 in identifiable intangibles at fair value, consisting of $2,090,000 in acquired customer relationships, $370,000 in non-compete agreements from the former owners of BAMKO, and $8,900,000 for the acquired trade name.

The estimated fair value for acquisition-related contingent consideration payable was $5,368,000 as of September 30, 2017. The Company will continue to evaluate this liability for remeasurement at the end of each reporting period and any change will be recorded in the Company's consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The carrying amount of the liability may fluctuate significantly and actual amounts paid may be materially different from the estimated value of the liability.

Goodwill was calculated as the difference between the fair value of the consideration and the values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

The intangible assets associated with the customer relationships are being amortized for seven years beginning on March 1, 2016 and the non-compete agreement is being amortized for five years and ten months. The trade name is considered an indefinite-life asset and as such is not being amortized.

The Company recognized amortization expense on these acquired intangible assets of $90,000 for each of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and $271,000 and $211,000 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred and expensed transaction related expenses of approximately $44,000 and $1,116,000, respectively. These amounts are included in selling and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

On a pro forma basis as if the results of this acquisition had been included in our consolidated results for the entire nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, net sales would have increased approximately $6,587,000. Net income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016 would have increased approximately $1,021,000 or $0.07 per share.

On August 21, 2017, BAMKO acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of PublicIdentity, Inc. (“Public Identity”) of Los Angeles, CA. Public Identity is a promotional products and branded merchandise agency that provides innovative, high quality merchandise and promotional products to corporate clients and universities across the country. 

The purchase price for the acquisition consisted of $766,000 in cash, the issuance of approximately 54,000 restricted shares of Superior’s common stock and future payments of approximately $440,000 in additional consideration through 2020. The majority of the shares issued vest over a three-year period. The preliminary estimated fair value of the consideration transferred is approximately $2,300,000. Based upon our preliminary estimates of their acquisition date fair values, we have assigned approximately $2,000,000 to identifiable intangible assets and approximately $300,000 to goodwill. Our final fair value determinations may be significantly different.

ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Certain matters discussed in this Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by use of the words “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “believe”, “intend”, “project”, “potential”, or “plan” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, without limitation: (1) projections of revenue, income, and other items relating to our financial position and results of operations, (2) statements of our plans, objectives, strategies, goals and intentions, (3) statements regarding the capabilities, capacities, market position and expected development of our business operations, and (4) statements of expected industry and general economic trends. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may materially adversely affect the anticipated results. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic conditions, including employment levels, in the areas of the United States in which the Company’s customers are located; changes in the healthcare, industrial, commercial, leisure and public safety industries where uniforms and service apparel are worn; the impact of competition; the price and availability of cotton and other manufacturing materials; our ability to successfully integrate operations following acquisitions; attracting and retaining senior management and key personnel and other factors described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements made herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this Form 10-Q and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of the financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate the estimates that we have made. These estimates are based upon our historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Our critical accounting estimates are those that we believe require our most significant judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. A discussion of our critical accounting estimates, the underlying judgments and uncertainties used to make them and the likelihood that materially different estimates would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions is as follows:

Allowance for Losses on Accounts Receivable

Judgments and estimates are used in determining the collectability of accounts receivable. The Company analyzes specific accounts receivable and historical bad debt experience, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and the age of outstanding balances when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Management judgments and estimates are used in connection with establishing the allowance in any accounting period. Changes in estimates are reflected in the period they become known. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. An additional impairment in value of one percent of net accounts receivable would require an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts and would result in additional expense of approximately $428,000.

Inventories

Superior’s Uniforms and Related Products segment markets itself to its customers as a “stock house”. Therefore, Superior carries substantial inventories of raw materials (principally piece goods) and finished garments at all times. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Judgments and estimates are used in determining the likelihood that new goods on hand can be sold to customers. Historical inventory usage and current revenue trends are considered in estimating both excess and obsolete inventories. If actual product demand and market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required, which may be material.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually as of December 31 and/or when an event occurs or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that impairment may exist. Examples of such events and circumstances that the Company would consider include the following:

Goodwill is tested at a level of reporting referred to as the “reporting unit.” The Company's reporting units are defined as each of its three reporting segments. As of September 30, 2017, goodwill of $4,135,000 was included in the Uniforms and Related Products segment and $7,484,000 was included in the Promotional Products segment.

An entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the impairment test is unnecessary. The Company completed its assessment of the qualitative factors as of December 31, 2016 and determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit was less than its carrying value.

Insurance

The Company self-insures for certain obligations related to health insurance programs. The Company also purchases stop-loss insurance policies to protect itself from catastrophic losses. Judgments and estimates are used in determining the potential value associated with both reported claims and for losses that have occurred, but have not been reported. The Company's estimates consider historical claim experience and other factors. The Company's liabilities are based on estimates, and, while the Company believes that the accrual for loss is adequate, the ultimate liability may be in excess of or less than the amounts recorded. Changes in claim experience, the Company's ability to settle claims or other estimates and judgments used by management could have a material impact on the amount and timing of expense for any period.

Pensions 

The Company is the sponsor of two noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plans, providing for normal retirement at age 65, covering all eligible employees (as defined). Periodic benefit payments on retirement are determined based on a fixed amount applied to service or determined as a percentage of earnings prior to retirement. The Company is also the sponsor of an unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) in which several of its employees are participants. Pension plan assets for retirement benefits consist primarily of fixed income securities and common stock equities. Effective June 30, 2013, the Company no longer accrues additional benefits for future service or for future increases in compensation levels for the company’s primary defined benefit pension plans. Effective December 31, 2014, the Company no longer accrues additional benefits for future service for the Company’s hourly defined benefit plan.

The Company’s pension obligations are determined using estimates including those related to discount rates and asset values. The discount rates used for the Company’s pension plans were determined based on the Citigroup Pension Yield Curve.  This rate was selected as the best estimate of the rate at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled on the measurement date taking into account the nature and duration of the benefit obligations of the plans using high-quality fixed-income investments currently available (rated AA or better) and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the benefits. The 8% expected return on plan assets was determined based on historical long-term investment returns as well as future expectations given target investment asset allocations and current economic conditions.

Income Taxes

The Company is required to estimate and record income taxes payable for federal, state and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates. This process involves estimating actual current tax expense and assessing temporary differences resulting from differing accounting treatments between tax and book that result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. In addition, accruals are also estimated for federal and state tax matters for which deductibility is subject to interpretation. Taxes payable and the related deferred tax differences may be impacted by changes to tax laws, changes in tax rates and changes in taxable profits and losses. Federal income taxes are not provided on that portion of unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are expected to be reinvested indefinitely. Reserves are also estimated for uncertain tax positions that are currently unresolved. The Company routinely monitors the potential impact of such situations and believes that it is properly reserved. We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense, and the related liability is included in other long-term liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2016-09 “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. The amendment requires that excess tax benefits for share-based payments be recorded as a reduction of income tax expense. The recognition of excess tax benefits in our provision for income taxes rather than paid-in-capital resulted in an income tax benefit of $97,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and $60,000 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2016. The recognition of excess tax benefits in our provision for income taxes rather than paid-in-capital resulted in an income tax benefit of $725,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and $475,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016. For additional information please refer to “Note 1(p) – Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Share-based Compensation

The Company recognizes expense for all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, in the financial statements based on their fair values. Share-based compensation expense that was recorded in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 includes the compensation expense for the share-based payments granted in those periods. In the Company’s share-based compensation strategy we utilize a combination of stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARS”) that fully vest on the date of grant and restricted shares and performance shares of common stock that vest over time or if performance targets are met. The fair value of the options and SARS granted is recognized as expense on the date of grant. The Company used the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model to value any share-based compensation. Option valuation methods, including Black-Scholes-Merton, require the input of highly complex and subjective assumptions including the risk free interest rate, dividend rate, expected term and common stock price volatility rate. The Company determines the assumptions to be used based upon current economic conditions. While different assumptions may result in materially different stock compensation expenses, changing any one of the individual assumptions by 10% would not have a material impact on the recorded expense. Expense for unvested shares of restricted stock and performance shares is recognized over the required service period.

Recent Acquisitions

On March 8, 2016, the Company closed on the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of BAMKO with an effective date of March 1, 2016. BAMKO is a full-service merchandise sourcing and promotional products company based in Los Angeles, CA. The purchase price for the asset acquisition consisted of approximately $15,161,000 cash, net of cash acquired, the issuance of approximately 324,000 restricted shares of Superior’s common stock that will vest over a five-year period, the potential future payment of approximately $5,500,000 in additional contingent consideration through 2021, and the assumption of certain liabilities of BAMKO.

On August 21, 2017, BAMKO acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of Public Identity of Los Angeles, CA. Public Identity is a promotional products and branded merchandise agency that provides innovative, high quality merchandise and promotional products to corporate clients and universities across the country. Public Identity has established itself as an industry leader in the sales and marketing of collegiate licensed products. The purchase price for the acquisition consisted of $766,000 in cash, the issuance of approximately 54,000 restricted shares of Superior’s common stock and future payments of approximately $440,000 in additional consideration through 2020. The majority of the shares issued vest over a three-year period.

Primarily as a result of its acquisition of BAMKO, Superior realigned its organizational structure and updated its reportable operating segments. A new Promotional Products segment has been created and consists of sales to customers of promotional products. Superior is now comprised of three reportable business segments: (1) Uniforms and Related Products, (2) Remote Staffing Solutions, and (3) Promotional Products.

Business Outlook

Uniforms and Related Products

Historically, we have manufactured and sold a wide range of uniforms, career apparel and accessories, which comprises our Uniforms and Related Products segment. Our primary products are provided to workers employed by our customers and, as a result, our business prospects are dependent upon levels of employment and overall economic conditions, among other factors. Our revenues are impacted by our customers’ opening and closing of locations and reductions and increases in headcount. Additionally, voluntary employee turnover at our customers can have a significant impact on our business. The current economic environment in the United States is continuing to see moderate improvement in the employment environment and voluntary employee turnover has been increasing.  We also continue to see an increase in the demand for employees in the healthcare sector.

We have continued our efforts to increase penetration of the health care market. We were awarded our first group purchasing organization contracts in 2015 and increased the number of healthcare facilities that we are able to pursue for direct sales significantly. We are strategically working to acquire these potential customers and to grow our healthcare business over the next several years. We continue to refine our approach to this market as we gain additional experience and data in the market.

We continue to pursue acquisitions to increase our market share in the Uniforms and Related Products segment.

Remote Staffing Solutions

This business segment, which operates in El Salvador, Belize and the United States, was initially started to provide remote staffing services for the Company at a lower cost structure in order to improve our own operating results.   It has in fact enabled us to reduce our operating expenses in our Uniforms and Related Products segment and to more effectively service our customers’ needs in that segment.  We began selling remote staffing services to other companies at the end of 2009. We have grown this business from approximately $1,000,000 in net sales to outside customers in 2010 to approximately $14,407,000 in net sales to outside customers in 2016.  We have spent significant effort over the last several years improving the depth of our management infrastructure and expanding our facilities in this segment to support significant growth in this segment in 2017 and beyond.  

Promotional Products

We have been involved in the sale of promotional products, on a limited basis, to our Uniforms and Related Products customers for over a decade.  However, we lacked the scale and expertise needed to be a recognized name in this market prior to our acquisition of substantially all of the assets of BAMKO effective March 1, 2016.  BAMKO has been operating in the promotional products industry for more than 15 years and we believe that BAMKO’s strong back office and support systems located in India, China and Hong Kong, as well as their “direct to factory” sourcing operations provide us with a competitive advantage.  We believe that BAMKO has well developed systems and processes that can serve as a platform for additional acquisitions that we expect to complete in this highly fragmented market, such as the recent acquisition of Public Identity  We formed the Promotional Products segment in 2016 as a result of the BAMKO  acquisition; and we expect to strengthen our position in the promotional products and branded merchandise market as we believe this product line is a synergistic fit with our uniform business.

Net Sales

Net sales increased 3.8% from $65,282,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 to $67,773,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017.   The aggregate increase in net sales is driven by an increase in net sales after intersegment eliminations from our Remote Staffing Solutions segment (contributing 2.1%), an increase in net sales from our Promotional Products segment (contributing 7.0%), partially offset by a reduction in net sales of our Uniforms and Related Products segment (contributing a decrease of 5.3%).

Uniforms and Related Products net sales decreased 6.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. One of our larger customers was acquired by one of their competitors in 2016. The acquiring company was serviced by a different uniform provider that has taken over this account. We will continue to service them at a reduced rate. The net reduction from this customer was approximately $2,000,000. Additionally, one of our large customers elected not to repeat a large promotional uniform program in the third quarter that has been a part of their business for several years now. This resulted in a decrease in net sales of approximately $1,400,000. Finally, Hurricane Irma delayed some of our shipments in the month of September. While it is difficult to determine precisely what was hurricane related, we can specifically identify over $2 million in programs that would have delivered in the third quarter, which were delayed at the request of our customers. These decreases were partially offset by our continued market penetration and increases in voluntary turnover.

Remote Staffing Solutions net sales increased 30.5% before intersegment eliminations and 37.1% after intersegment eliminations for the three months ended September 30, 2017. These increases are attributed to continued market penetration in 2017, with respect to both new and existing customers.

Promotional Products net sales increased 73.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase is primarily due to new customer acquisitions and expanded programs with existing customers. As we have noted in the past, net sales in this segment will tend to fluctuate more significantly than our Uniforms and Related Products segment from quarter to quarter. In addition, the Public Identity acquisition on August 21, 2017 contributed 7.7%.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold consists primarily of direct costs of acquiring inventory, including cost of merchandise, inbound freight charges, purchasing costs, and inspection costs for our Uniforms and Related Products and Promotional Products segments. Cost of goods sold for our Remote Staffing Solutions segment includes salaries and payroll related benefits for agents. The Company includes shipping and handling fees billed to customers in net sales. Shipping and handling costs associated with out-bound freight are generally recorded in cost of goods sold. Other shipping and handling costs are included in selling and administrative expenses.

As a percentage of net sales, cost of goods sold for our Uniforms and Related Products segment was 64.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 65.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease as a percentage of net sales is primarily attributed to a decrease in direct product cost as a percentage of net sales during the three months ended September 30, 2017.

As a percentage of net sales, cost of goods sold for our Remote Staffing Solutions segment was 45.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and 46.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The percentage increase in 2017 as compared to 2016 is primarily attributed to a change in customer mix.

As a percentage of net sales, cost of goods sold for our Promotional Products segment was 67.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 64.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue for this segment can fluctuate in quarterly comparisons based on the service requirements of individual contracts that shipped during the quarter.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses for our Uniforms and Related Products segment approximated 25.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 24.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to lower net sales in 2017 to cover operating expenses (contributing 1.7%) and higher pension settlement costs in 2017 (contributing 0.1%) These increases were partially offset by decreased salaries, wages and benefits exclusive of retirement plan expenses and medical costs (contributing 0.1%), lower computer software maintenance expense (contributing 0.2%), and lower medical claims (contributing 0.3%).

As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses for our Remote Staffing Solutions segment approximated 33.5% for the three months periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Higher net sales to cover operating expenses (contributing 10.2%), was offset by higher facilities costs and depreciation due to our expanded facility in El Salvador (contributing 1.4%), higher broker fees (contributing 1.0%), higher payroll related costs (contributing 2.1%) and other minor increases (contributing 5.7%).

As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses for our Promotional Products segment were 27.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 38.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease is primarily related higher net sales to cover operating costs, partially offset by a lower gain on foreign currency (contributing 2.1%).

Interest Expense and Tax

Interest expense increased to $213,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $172,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

The effective income tax rate was 27.5% and 26.0% in the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The 1.5% increase in the effective tax rate is attributed primarily to a decrease in the benefit related to federal tax credits (1.7%), an increase in the state tax rate (1.5%), a decrease in the benefit of other items (2.2%), partially offset by an increase in the benefit of foreign sourced income (3.9%).

Net Sales

Net sales increased 3.4% from $187,910,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $194,365,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.   The aggregate increase in net sales is driven by the acquisitions of BAMKO effective March 1, 2016 and Public Identity on August 21, 2017 (contributing 4.7%), increases in net sales after intersegment eliminations from our Remote Staffing Solutions segment (contributing 1.4%), partially offset by a reduction in net sales of our Uniforms and Related Products segment (contributing a decrease of 2.6%).

Uniforms and Related Products net sales decreased 3.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in net sales in this segment is attributed to several factors. One of our larger customers was acquired by one of their competitors in 2016. The acquiring company was serviced by a different uniform provider that has taken over this account. We will continue to service them at a reduced rate. The net reduction from this customer was approximately $4,000,000. The reduction of recurring sales to this customer was partially offset by sales of remaining inventory in the second quarter. Finally, one of our large customers elected not to repeat two large promotional uniform programs that have been a part of their business for several years now. This resulted in a decrease in net sales of approximately $2,900,000. These decreases were partially offset by continued market penetration and increases in voluntary employee turnover.

Remote Staffing Solutions net sales increased 20.6% before intersegment eliminations and 24.6% after intersegment eliminations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. These increases are attributed to continued market penetration in 2017, both with respect to new and existing customers.

Promotional Products net sales increased 44.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the period from the BAMKO acquisition date of March 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016. The increase is partially due to two additional months of sales in 2017 (contributing 32.2%) and the acquisition of Public Identity on August 21, 2017 (contributing 2.4%). The balance of the increase is primarily due to new customer acquisitions and expanded programs with existing customers

Cost of Goods Sold

As a percentage of net sales, cost of goods sold for our Uniforms and Related Products segment was 64.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 66.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease as a percentage of net sales is primarily attributed to a decrease in direct product cost as a percentage of net sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

As a percentage of net sales, cost of goods sold for our Remote Staffing Solutions segment was 45.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 46.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The percentage decrease in 2017 as compared to 2016 is primarily attributed to customer mix.

As a percentage of net sales, cost of goods sold for our Promotional Products segment was 66.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 65.7% for the period from March 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in direct product cost as a percentage of net sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses for our Uniforms and Related Products segment approximated 26.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 25.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to lower net sales in 2017 to cover operating expenses (contributing 0.8%) and increased salaries, wages and benefits exclusive of medical costs (contributing 0.7%) and higher bad debt expense due to a customer bankruptcy (contributing 0.4%). These increases were partially offset by lower medical claims in 2017 (contributing 0.3%), lower computer software maintenance expense (contributing 0.1%), and other minor decreases (contributing 0.3%).

As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses for our Remote Staffing Solutions segment approximated 33.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 33.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase as a percentage of net sales is attributed primarily to higher facilities costs and depreciation due to our expanded facility in El Salvador (contributing 2.3%), higher broker fees (contributing 0.9%), higher payroll related costs (contributing 1.1%) and other minor increases (contributing 3.4%). These increases were partially offset by higher net sales to cover operating expenses (contributing 6.9%).

As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses for our Promotional Products segment were 29.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 38.2% from the BAMKO acquisition date of March 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016 Included within these expenses for 2016 was approximately $1,116,000 of expenses associated with the BAMKO acquisition. Net of these acquisition related expenses, selling and administrative expenses would have been 32.6% of net sales in 2016. The decrease is primarily related to higher sales to cover operating costs, partially offset by a lower gain on foreign currency (contributing 1.1%).

Gain on Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment

In the quarter ended March 31, 2017, we sold our former call center and related assets in El Salvador in our Remote Staffing Solutions segment for net proceeds of $2,808,000 and realized a gain on sale of $1,020,000.

Interest Expense and Tax

Interest expense increased to $593,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $512,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. This increase is attributed primarily to higher average borrowings outstanding primarily due to the BAMKO acquisition.

The effective income tax rate was 26.8% and 27.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The 0.5% decrease in the effective tax rate is attributed primarily to an increase in the benefit of foreign sourced income (1.3%), partially offset by an increase in the state tax rate (0.5%) and a decrease in the benefit of other items (0.3%).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Accounts receivable - trade increased 2.2% from $41,823,000 on December 31, 2016 to $42,765,000 on September 30, 2017. The increase is primarily due to higher revenues in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the fourth quarter of 2016, partially offset by improved collection efforts and a higher allowance for doubtful accounts due to a customer bankruptcy.

Inventories decreased 4.7% from $69,240,000 on December 31, 2016 to $65,960,000 as of September 30, 2017. The decrease is primarily due to sales of remaining inventory to a customer which will not be replenished.

Other intangible assets increased 1.2% from $23,238,000 on December 31, 2016 to $23,527,000 on September 30, 2017. This increase is attributed to the Public Identity acquisition partially offset by routine amortization.

Other assets increased 71.1% from $2,997,000 on December 31, 2016 to $5,128,000 on September 30, 2017. The increase is primarily due to higher investments in our Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation plan due to higher employee contributions to the plan. There is a corresponding increase in other long-term liabilities. In addition, we made a contribution to the rabbi trust to support our supplemental executive retirement plan.

Accounts payable increased 1.3% from $13,507,000 on December 31, 2016 to $13,677,000 on September 30, 2017. This increase is not considered significant.

Other current liabilities decreased 5.9% from $10,716,000 on December 31, 2016 to $10,088,000 on September 30, 2017. This decrease is primarily due to the timing of payments for customer rebates.

Long-term pension liability decreased 18.6% from 9,467,000 on December 31, 2016 to $7,702,000 on September 30, 2017. The decrease is primarily due to $1,520,000 in contributions in the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Long-term acquisition-related contingent liabilities decreased 42.1% from $7,238,000 on December 31, 2016 to $4,193,000 on September 30, 2017. This reduction was due to the final payment for the HPI acquisition and the first payment for the BAMKO acquisition being moved to current liabilities. 

Other long-term liabilities increased 95.6% from $1,462,000 on December 31, 2016 to $2,860,000 on September 30, 2017. The increase is primarily due to higher employee contributions to our Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation plan and the additional liability due to the Public Identity acquisition.

Cash and cash equivalents increased by $9,660,000 from $3,649,000 on December 31, 2016 to $13,309,000 as of September 30, 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company generated cash of $17,431,000 from operating activities, used cash of $426,000 for investing activities, (including $2,808,000 of proceeds from the sale of our building in El Salvador, more than offset by $2,518,000 used for additions to property, plant and equipment and $766,000 for the acquisition of a business) and used $7,391,000 for financing activities.

In the foreseeable future, the Company will continue its ongoing capital expenditure program designed to maintain and improve its facilities.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company paid cash dividends of $3,874,000 and $3,487,000, respectively.

Effective February 28, 2017, the Company entered into a new 7-year credit agreement with BB&T (the “Credit Agreement”) that provides a new revolving credit facility of $35,000,000 (the “Credit Facility”) which terminates on February 25, 2022 and provides a new term loan of $42,000,000 (the “Term Loan”) which matures on February 26, 2024. Both loans are based upon the one-month LIBOR rate for U.S. dollar based borrowings. Interest is payable for each loan at LIBOR (rounded up to the next 1/100^th of 1%) plus 0.75% (1.98% at September 30, 2017). The Company pays a commitment fee of 0.10% per annum on the average unused portion of the commitment under the Credit Facility. The available balance under the Credit Facility is reduced by outstanding letters of credit. As of September 30, 2017, there were no amounts due under the Credit Facility and no outstanding letters of credit.

The remaining scheduled amortization for the Term Loan is as follows: 2017 - $1,500,000; 2018 through 2023 - $6,000,000 per year; and 2024 - $1,500,000.  The Term Loan does not include a prepayment penalty. The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the operating assets of Superior Uniform Group, Inc. and are guaranteed by all domestic subsidiaries of Superior Uniform Group, Inc.  The agreement contains restrictive provisions concerning a maximum funded indebtedness to EBITDA ratio not to exceed (4.0:1) as defined in the agreement and a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least (1.25:1). See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for a description of the related interest rate swap agreement.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not engage in any off-balance sheet financing arrangements. In particular, the Company does not have any interest in variable interest entities, which include special purpose entities and structured finance entities.

ITEM 3.          Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

We are subject to market risk exposure related to changes in interest rates on our debt. Interest on our Term Loan and Credit Facility are based upon the one-month LIBOR rate. In order to reduce the interest rate risk on our debt, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement on a portion of its borrowings. A hypothetical increase in the LIBOR rate of 100 basis points as of January 1, 2017 would have resulted in approximately $290,000 in additional pre-tax interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

Sales to clients outside of the United States are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.  Approximately 1% of our sales are outside of the United States. As the prices at which we sell our products are not routinely adjusted for exchange rate changes, the gross profit on our orders may be negatively affected.  We cannot predict the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on our operating results.  In certain cases, we may enter into foreign currency cash flow hedges to reduce the variability of cash flows associated with our sales and expenses denominated in foreign currency.  As of September 30, 2017, we have no foreign currency exchange hedging contracts. See Note 1(k) to our consolidated financial statements. There can be no assurance that our strategies will adequately protect our operating results from the effect of exchange rate fluctuations.

Our foreign subsidiaries in the Promotional Products segment are denominated in their local currencies which include the Hong Kong dollar, the Chinese renminbi, the British pound, the Indian rupee, and the Brazilian real. Changes in exchange rates for intercompany payables and receivables not considered to be long-term are reported as transaction gains (losses) in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, transaction losses were approximately $65,000 pre-tax.

ITEM 4.          Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company conducted an evaluation, under supervision and with the participation of the Company’s principal executive officer, Michael Benstock, and the Company’s principal financial officer, Andrew D. Demott, Jr., of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on such evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information the Company is required to disclose in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.        Legal Proceedings

None.

ITEM 1A.     Risk Factors

We are exposed to certain risks and uncertainties that could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results. There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors described in Part I, Item 1A-Risk Factors in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

ITEM 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, that were not previously reported in a current report on Form 8-K.

The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of Superior Uniform Group, Inc. or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act) of our common shares during the three months ended September 30, 2017.

(1)     On August 1, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase to the outstanding authorization to allow for the repurchase of 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. There is no expiration date or other restriction governing the period over which the Company can make share repurchases under the program. All such purchases were open market transactions.

Under our Credit Agreement with Branch Banking and Trust Company, if an event of default exists, we may not make distributions to our shareholders. The Company is in full compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants of the Credit Agreement.

ITEM 3.      Defaults upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

ITEM 4.      Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.      Other Information

None.

ITEM 6.      Exhibits

See Exhibit Index

SIGNATURES

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