TWIN DISC INC - Quarter Report: 2017 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION     

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarter ended September 29, 2017

Commission File Number 1-7635

TWIN DISC, INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

1328 Racine Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53403

(Address of principal executive offices)

(262) 638-4000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

Yes √           No          

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, 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 √           No__

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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

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

Yes               No √      

At October 27, 2017, the registrant had 11,592,011 shares of its common stock outstanding.

Part I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.     Financial Statements

TWIN DISC, INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)

(UNAUDITED)

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

TWIN DISC, INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

(UNAUDITED)

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

TWIN DISC, INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN THOUSANDS)

(UNAUDITED)

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

TWIN DISC, INCORPORATED

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

(UNAUDITED)

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Twin Disc, Incorporated (the “Company”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in the opinion of the Company, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for a fair statement of results for each period. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations. The Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for June 30, 2017. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

New Accounting Releases

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance (ASU 2017-07) intended to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement cost. This guidance requires that an employer report the service costs component in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and outside the subtotal of income from operations. The amendments in this guidance are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, (the Company’s fiscal 2019), with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance on the Company’s financial statements and disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance (ASU 2016-16) that changes the recognition of income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. The amendments in this guidance are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 (the Company’s fiscal 2019), with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance on the Company’s financial statements and disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance (ASU 2016-15) that addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The amendments in this guidance are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 (the Company’s fiscal 2019), with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance on the Company’s financial statements and disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance (ASU 2016-09) intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. As a result of the adoption, excess tax benefits or deficiencies associated with stock-based compensation award activity are recognized in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, excess tax benefits associated with award activity is reported as cash flows from operating activities along with all other income tax cash flows. The Company has elected to apply this classification change on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance (ASU 2016-02) which replaces the existing guidance for leases. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (the Company’s fiscal 2020), including interim periods within those fiscal years and requires retrospective application.

In preparation for the adoption of this guidance, the Company gathered all active lease contracts from all its locations to assess whether or not they meet the definition of a lease under the new guidance, specifically, whether there is an identified asset in the contract, and whether or not control thereof lies with the Company. The Company assessed the practical expedients that are allowed under the guidance, including the exclusion of lease contracts with terms of twelve months or less. It assessed each contract for the appropriate lease payment components, discount rate, lease terms (dependent on renewal options) and compiled a preliminary calculation of the right-of-use assets and operating lease liability amounts that would be recognized on the Company’s balance sheet upon adoption of the guidance.

The Company is continuing its assessment, including the potential operational process changes as a result of the new guidance. It plans to early-adopt the guidance, using the modified retrospective approach, to coincide with its adoption of the new revenue recognition guidance, which is the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

In July 2015, the FASB issued guidance (ASU 2015-11) intended to simplify the measurement of inventory and to closely align with International Financial Reporting Standards. Current guidance requires inventories to be measured at the lower of cost or market. Under this new guidance, inventories other than those measured under last in first out (“LIFO”) are to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The Company adopted this guidance, prospectively, in the first fiscal quarter of 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance (ASU 2014-09) on revenue from contracts with customers. This revenue recognition guidance supersedes existing guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of control over 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 guidance identifies steps to apply in achieving this principle. This updated guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 (the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2019).

In preparation for the adoption of this guidance, the Company gathered customer contracts and customer purchase orders of its various locations to assess whether there are separate and distinct performance obligations, as defined by ASU 2014-09, within these agreements. The assessment has included interviews with various functions, including sales, engineering, customer service, and finance, to further analyze those performance obligations, both explicit and implicit (particularly as they relate to services). Under this ASU, revenue is recognized when or as each performance obligation is satisfied. Based upon the preliminary findings, the Company has identified indicators that suggest a deferral of revenue may be required for certain agreements where the performance of services after product delivery may be required. In certain agreements where the products are built to customer specifications, revenue may need to be accelerated. The Company is continuing its assessment, including whether or not these obligations are perfunctory or material to the financial statements. It plans to adopt the guidance, using the modified retrospective approach, on the effective date applicable to the Company, which is the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

The major classes of inventories were as follows:

The Company engages in extensive product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of its suppliers. However, its warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, the number of units affected by the failure and the expense involved in satisfactorily addressing the situation. The warranty reserve is established based on our best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date. When evaluating the adequacy of the reserve for warranty costs, management takes into consideration the term of the warranty coverage, historical claim rates and costs of repair, knowledge of the type and volume of new products and economic trends. While we believe the warranty reserve is adequate and that the judgment applied is appropriate, such amounts estimated to be due and payable in the future could differ materially from what actually transpires. The following is a listing of the activity in the warranty reserve for the quarters ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016:

The current portion of the warranty accrual ($1,968 and $2,343 as of September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively) is reflected in accrued liabilities, while the long-term portion ($358 and $693 as of September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively) is included in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company is involved in litigation of which the ultimate outcome and liability to the Company, if any, is not presently determinable. Management believes that final disposition of such litigation will not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

The Company and its subsidiaries are engaged in the manufacture and sale of marine and heavy-duty off-highway power transmission equipment. Principal products include marine transmissions, surface drives, propellers and boat management systems, as well as power-shift transmissions, hydraulic torque converters, power take-offs, industrial clutches and controls systems. The Company sells to both domestic and foreign customers in a variety of market areas, principally pleasure craft, commercial and military marine markets, as well as in the energy and natural resources, government and industrial markets.

The Company has two reportable segments: manufacturing and distribution.  Its segment structure reflects the way management makes operating decisions and manages the growth and profitability of the business. It also corresponds with management’s approach of allocating resources and assessing the performance of its segments. The accounting practices of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Transfers among segments are at established inter-company selling prices.  Management evaluates the performance of its segments based on net earnings.

Information about the Company’s segments is summarized as follows:

Performance Stock Awards (“PSA”)

During the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and 2017, the Company granted a target number of 54.9 and 99.6 PSAs, respectively, to various employees of the Company, including executive officers. The fiscal 2018 PSAs will vest if the Company achieves performance-based target objectives relating to average return on invested capital, average annual sales and average annual Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) (as defined in the PSA Grant Agreement), in the cumulative three fiscal year period ending June 30, 2020. These PSAs are subject to adjustment if the Company’s return on invested capital, net sales, and EPS for the period falls below or exceeds the specified target objective, and the maximum number of performance shares that can be awarded if the target objective is exceeded is 82.3. Based upon favorable actual results to date, but given the Company’s recent history of operating losses, the Company believes that the probability threshold to accrue for these PSAs is not met until it demonstrates additional quarters of operating income to provide evidence that these early signs of recovery are sustainable. Therefore, as of the end of the current quarter, the Company did not accrue compensation expense for these PSAs.

The fiscal 2017 PSAs will vest if the Company achieves performance-based target objectives relating to average return on invested capital, average annual sales and average annual EPS (as defined in the PSA Grant Agreement), in the cumulative three fiscal year period ending June 30, 2019. These PSAs are subject to adjustment if the Company’s return on invested capital, net sales, and EPS for the period falls below or exceeds the specified target objective, and the maximum number of performance shares that can be awarded if the target objective is exceeded is 164.4. Based upon actual results to date and the low probability of achieving the threshold performance levels, the Company is currently not accruing compensation expense for these PSAs.

There were 224.9 and 171.8 unvested PSAs outstanding at September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively. The fair value of the PSAs (on the date of grant) is expensed over the performance period for the shares that are expected to ultimately vest. Compensation expense of $15 was recognized for each of the quarters ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, related to PSAs. The weighted average grant date fair value of the unvested awards at September 29, 2017 was $13.45. At September 29, 2017, the Company had $2,896 of unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested shares that would vest if the specified target objective was achieved for the fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 awards. The total fair value of PSAs vested as of September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016 was $0.

Restricted Stock Awards (“RS”)

The Company has unvested RS awards outstanding that will vest if certain service conditions are fulfilled. The fair value of the RS grants is recorded as compensation expense over the vesting period, which is generally 1 to 3 years. During the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and 2017, the Company granted 65.8 and 101.3 service based restricted shares, respectively, to employees and non-employee directors. There were 309.5 and 218.0 unvested shares outstanding at September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively. Compensation expense of $463 and $326 was recognized for the quarters ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock grants vested as of September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016 was $444 and $265, respectively. As of September 29, 2017, the Company had $2,221 of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock which will be recognized over the next three years.

The Company has non-contributory, qualified defined benefit plans covering substantially all domestic employees hired prior to October 1, 2003 and certain foreign employees. Additionally, the Company provides health care and life insurance benefits for certain domestic retirees. The components of the net periodic benefit cost for the defined benefit pension plans and the other postretirement benefit plan are as follows:

The Company expects to contribute approximately $2,265 to its pension plans in fiscal 2018. As of September 29, 2017, the amount of $771 in contributions has been made.

The Company has reclassified $474 (net of $278 in taxes) of benefit plan adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive loss during the quarter ended September 29, 2017, and $672 (net of $399 in taxes) during the quarter ended September 30, 2016. These reclassifications are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost.

For the quarters ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company’s effective income tax rate was 371.8% and 28.3% respectively. The release of the valuation allowance in a certain foreign jurisdiction of $3,803 impacted the effective tax rate by 303.5%. Additional tax credits of $308 were generated, which increased the effective tax rate by 20.3%. The mix of earnings by jurisdiction resulted in additional rate benefit of $461, impacting the effective tax rate by 30.5%.

The Company maintains valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in the tax provision in the period of change. In determining whether a valuation allowance is required, the Company takes into account such factors as prior earnings history, expected future earnings, carry-back and carry-forward periods, and tax strategies that could potentially enhance the likelihood of realization of a deferred tax asset. Due to operational changes that have occurred during the quarter, the Company updated its evaluation of the realizability of the net deferred tax assets related to that certain foreign jurisdiction. Based on this evaluation, along with expected future earnings, management has concluded that the valuation allowance is no longer appropriate and it was released during the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

The Company has not provided for additional U.S. income taxes on cumulative earnings of consolidated foreign subsidiaries that are considered to be reinvested indefinitely. The Company reaffirms its position that these earnings remain permanently invested. Such earnings could become taxable upon the sale or liquidation of these foreign subsidiaries or upon dividend repatriation.

Accounting policies for interim reporting require the Company to adjust its effective tax rate each quarter to be consistent with the estimated annual effective tax rate. Under this effective tax rate methodology, the Company applies an estimated annual income tax rate to its year-to-date ordinary earnings to derive its income tax provision each quarter.

The Company has approximately $888 of unrecognized tax benefits, including related interest and penalties, as of September 29, 2017 which, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate. There was no significant change in the total unrecognized tax benefits due to the settlement of audits, the expiration of statutes of limitations or for other items during the quarter ended September 29, 2017. It is possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could change in the next twelve months due to on-going audit activity.

Annually, the Company files income tax returns in various taxing jurisdictions inside and outside the United States. In general, the tax years that remain subject to examination are 2011 through 2017 for the major operations in Italy, Canada, Belgium, and Japan. The tax years open to examination in the U.S. are for years subsequent to fiscal 2015. The state of Wisconsin income tax audit remains ongoing for the fiscal years 2010 through 2015. During the quarter the company finalized a U.S. Federal Income tax audit for the fiscal year 2015 with no adjustment. It is reasonably possible that other audit cycles will be completed during fiscal 2018.

I.     Goodwill and Other Intangibles

The Company reviews goodwill for impairment on a reporting unit basis annually as of the end of the fiscal year, and whenever events or circumstances (“triggering events”) indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. The Company monitors for interim triggering events on an ongoing basis. Such triggering events include unfavorable operating results and macroeconomic trends.

The fair value of reporting units is primarily driven by projected growth rates and operating results under the income approach using a discounted cash flow model, which applies an appropriate market-participant discount rate, and consideration of other market approach data from guideline public companies. If declining actual operating results or future operating results become indicative that the fair value of the Company’s reporting units has declined below their carrying values, an interim goodwill impairment test may need to be performed and may result in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge.

As of September 29, 2017 and June 30, 2017, goodwill pertains solely to the European Industrial reporting unit.

For the quarter ended September 29, 2017, the Company performed a review of potential triggering events, and concluded there were no triggering events that indicated that the fair value of its European Industrial reporting unit had not more likely than not declined to below its carrying value at September 29, 2017. The Company will perform its annual impairment test for this reporting unit on June 30, 2018.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are summarized as follows:

At September 29, 2017, the following acquired intangible assets have definite useful lives and are subject to amortization:               

The weighted average remaining useful life of the intangible assets included in the table above is approximately 13 years.

Intangible amortization expense was $44 and $43 for the quarters ended September 29, 2017, and September 30, 2016, respectively. Estimated intangible amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 2018 and each of the next five fiscal years is as follows:

The gross carrying amount of the Company’s intangible assets that have indefinite lives and are not subject to amortization as of September 29, 2017 and June 30, 2017 was $209 and $205, respectively. These assets are comprised of acquired trade names.

Long-term debt at September 29, 2017 and June 30, 2017 consisted of the following:

The revolving loan agreement pertains to the revolving loan facility which the Company entered into on April 22, 2016 with Bank of Montreal (the “BMO Agreement”). The BMO Agreement is secured by substantially all of the Company’s personal property, including accounts receivable, inventory, and certain machinery and equipment of its primary manufacturing facility in Racine, Wisconsin, and the personal property of Mill-Log Equipment Co., Inc., a wholly-owned domestic subsidiary of the Company.  The BMO Agreement provides for a borrowing base calculation to determine borrowing capacity.  This capacity will be based upon eligible domestic inventory, eligible accounts receivable and machinery and equipment, subject to certain adjustments.  As of September 29, 2017, the Company’s borrowing capacity under the terms of the BMO Agreement was approximately $27,174, and the Company had approximately $18,033 of available borrowings. As of September 29, 2017, the interest rate under this agreement was 2.99%. 

The Company’s revolving loan agreement approximates fair value at September 29, 2017 and June 30, 2017. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, long-term debt (including the current portion) would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The Company from time to time makes open market purchases of its common stock under authorizations given to it by the Board of Directors, of which 315 shares as of September 29, 2017 remain authorized for purchase.  The Company did not make any open market purchases of its shares during the quarters ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s equity balances for the first fiscal quarters of 2018 and 2017:

Reconciliations for the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, by component for the quarters ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016 are as follows:

Reconciliation for the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax for the quarter ended September 29, 2017 are as follows:

Reconciliation for the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 is as follows:

The Company has implemented various restructuring programs in response to unfavorable macroeconomic trends in certain of the Company’s markets since the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. These programs primarily involved the reduction of workforce in several of the Company’s manufacturing locations, under a combination of voluntary and involuntary programs.

During the current quarter, the Company implemented additional actions to reduce personnel costs in its Belgian operations and reorganize for productivity in its European operations. These actions, together with the costs associated with the India manufacturing operations exit, resulted in a restructuring charge of $1,218 in the quarter ended September 29, 2017. For the quarter ended September 30, 2016, restructuring charges of $258 pertained to the employee termination costs under voluntary programs in Belgium and Italy.

Restructuring activities since June 2015 have resulted in the elimination of 162 full-time employees in the manufacturing segment. Accumulated costs to date under these programs within the manufacturing segment through September 29, 2017 were $7,093.

The following is a roll-forward of restructuring activity:

The Company calculates basic earnings per share based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, while the calculation of diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding during the period.  The calculation of diluted earnings per share excludes all potential common shares if their inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect.  Restricted stock award recipients have a non-forfeitable right to receive dividends declared by the Company, and are therefore included in computing earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. 

The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows:

For the quarters ended September 29, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the calculation of diluted earnings per share excluded 9,906 and 16,800 stock options, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive.

Item 2.     Management Discussion and Analysis

In the financial review that follows, we discuss our results of operations, financial condition and certain other information. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements as of September 29, 2017, and related notes, as reported in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.

Some of the statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include the Company’s description of plans and objectives for future operations and assumptions behind those plans. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” and “expects,” or similar anticipatory expressions, usually identify forward-looking statements. In addition, goals established by Twin Disc, Incorporated should not be viewed as guarantees or promises of future performance. There can be no assurance the Company will be successful in achieving its goals.

In addition to the assumptions and information referred to specifically in the forward-looking statements, other factors, including but not limited to those factors discussed under Item 1A, Risk Factors, of the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for June 30, 2017 could cause actual results to be materially different from what is expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the First Quarter of Fiscal 2018 with the First Quarter of Fiscal 2017

Net sales for the first quarter increased 25.8%, or $9.2 million, to $45.1 million from $35.8 million in the same period a year ago. The increase is primarily the result of increasing demand in North America for the Company’s oil and gas related products. This market recovery began in the Company’s third fiscal quarter of fiscal 2017 and has continued through the current quarter. The increased demand reflects positive movements in both forward market and after market activity, and represents a broadening customer base compared to the early stages of market recovery seen in fiscal 2017. Global demand for industrial products had remained relatively flat through the first fiscal quarter. While there have been some positive signs of increased activity in North American and European commercial marine and global patrol craft, Asian commercial marine activity has not shown signs of recovery to date. The sales increase, as noted, was seen most heavily in North America, as the percentage of sales to this region increased to 59% of total consolidated net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to 53% for the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Currency translation had a favorable impact on fiscal 2018 sales compared to the prior year totaling $0.4 million primarily due to the strengthening of the Euro and Australian dollar against the U.S. dollar.

Sales at our manufacturing segment increased 30.7%, or $9.4 million, versus the same period last year. In the current fiscal quarter, our U.S. manufacturing operation, the largest, experienced a 45.7%, or $8.8 million, increase in sales versus the first fiscal quarter of 2017. The primary driver for this increase was improving demand for the Company’s oil and gas related products. The Company’s Belgian operation also saw a significant increase over the prior year (62.1% or $2.3 million), largely due to improving North American demand for its marine transmissions. The Company’s Italian manufacturing operations, which continue to be hampered by the softness in the European mega yacht and industrial markets, experienced a 5.9% ($0.3 million) decrease compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company’s Swiss manufacturing operation, which supplies customized propellers for the global mega yacht and patrol boat markets, also experienced a slight decrease (3.6%), primarily due to timing of projects for the global pleasure craft and patrol boat markets.

Our distribution segment experienced a 14.7%, or $2.3 million, increase in sales compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company’s Asian distribution operations in Singapore, China and Japan saw a combined 18.2% increase in sales compared to the prior fiscal year’s first quarter. This increase reflects improved patrol craft activity in the region, while the ongoing challenges in the Asian economy continue to hamper demand for the Company’s commercial marine transmissions in the Asian market. The Company’s distribution operation in the Northwest of the United States and Southwest of Canada experienced an increase in sales of 39.9% ($1.3 million). The year over year increase was driven by improved sales of aftermarket service and components for the Canadian oil and gas markets. The Company’s distribution operation in Australia, which provides boat accessories, propulsion and marine transmission systems for the pleasure craft market, also saw a solid increase in sales (28.6%) primarily due to a favorable trend in the Australian pleasure craft market.    

Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased 520 basis points to 30.8% of sales, compared to 25.6% of sales for the same period last year. This favorable movement is due to a positive volume impact ($4.1 million) and favorable mix associated with the Company’s oil and gas related products ($1.0 million). These positive items were partially offset by a volume-driven increase to warranty expense ($0.4 million). The first quarter result marks the first time in Company history that a 30% gross profit was achieved on sales below $50 million. This reflects a combination of successful cost reduction actions over the past several quarters, improving manufacturing efficiencies and a positive product mix profile.

For the fiscal 2018 first quarter, marketing, engineering and administrative (ME&A) expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 30.3%, compared to 34.8% for the fiscal 2017 first quarter. ME&A expenses increased $1.2 million versus the same period last fiscal year. The increase in ME&A expenses for the quarter is the result of increases to bonus expense ($0.7 million), stock based compensation ($0.3 million), salary expense ($0.3 million) and a currency exchange impact ($0.1 million). These increases were partially offset by a reduction to global audit fees ($0.2 million) and lower pension expense ($0.1 million).

The Company incurred $1.2 million in restructuring charges during the first quarter of fiscal 2018, primarily associated with cost reduction actions at its European operations. The Company continues to focus on actively managing its cost structure and reducing fixed costs in light of the ongoing market challenges.

Interest expense remains relatively immaterial at less than $0.1 million for the first quarter of both the current and prior fiscal year. The Company has focused on controlling debt and managing cash flow through this down cycle in many of its markets.

The minor unfavorable movement in other expense (income) compared to the prior year is primarily due to currency movements and a prior year gain on the sale of fixed assets.

The fiscal 2018 first quarter tax benefit was primarily the result of the reversal of the valuation allowance ($3.8 million) in a certain foreign jurisdiction that had been subject to a full valuation allowance. Improvement in operating results, along with tax planning opportunities, allowed for the reversal of this valuation allowance during the fiscal 2018 first quarter. Excluding the reversal of the valuation allowance, the Company’s effective tax rate was 68.2%. This is higher than the prior year first quarter effective tax rate of 39.6%, adjusting for non-deductible losses in the prior year. The increase from the prior year is primarily related to the reversal of a reserve for uncertain tax positions brought upon by the successful conclusion of an Internal Revenue Service audit.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Comparison between September 29, 2017 and June 30, 2017

As of September 29, 2017, the Company had net working capital of $87.3 million, which represents an increase of $2.4 million, or 2.9%, from the net working capital of $84.9 million as of June 30, 2017.

Cash decreased $0.9 million to $15.5 million as of September 29, 2017, versus $16.4 million as of June 30, 2017. The majority of the cash as of September 29, 2017 is at the Company’s overseas operations in Europe ($7.1 million) and Asia-Pacific ($7.8 million).

Trade receivables of $27.5 million were down $3.9 million, or approximately 12.4%, when compared to last fiscal year-end. The impact of foreign currency translation was to increase accounts receivable by $0.6 million versus June 30, 2017. The net remaining decrease is driven by volume and the timing of sales within the quarter. As a percent of sales, trade receivables finished at 61.1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to 71.9% for the comparable period in fiscal 2017 and 58.6% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

Inventories increased by $3.8 million, or 5.8%, versus June 30, 2017 to $70.0 million. The impact of foreign currency translation was to increase inventories by $1.7 million versus June 30, 2017. The remaining increase is volume driven, as the Company experienced recovery primarily in its products serving the North American oil and gas market. On a consolidated basis, as of September 29, 2017, the Company’s backlog of orders to be shipped over the next six months approximates $62.7 million, compared to $46.4 million at June 30, 2017 and $33.1 million at September 30, 2016. The increase versus the end of the prior fiscal year is being experienced at the Company’s domestic manufacturing location. As a percentage of six-month backlog, inventory has decreased from 143% at June 30, 2017 to 112% at September 29, 2017.

Net property, plant and equipment (PP&E) increased $0.1 million versus June 30, 2017. This includes the addition of $1.5 million in capital expenditures, primarily at the Company’s U.S. and Belgian-based manufacturing operations, which was essentially offset by depreciation of $1.6 million. The net remaining increase is due to foreign currency translation effects. In total, the Company expects to invest between $7 and $9 million in capital assets in fiscal 2018. These anticipated expenditures reflect the Company’s plans to continue investing in modern equipment and facilities, its global sourcing program and new products. The Company continues to review its capital plans based on overall market conditions and availability of capital, and may make changes to its capital plans accordingly. The Company’s capital program is focused on modernizing key core manufacturing, assembly and testing processes and improving efficiencies at its facilities around the world.

Accounts payable as of September 29, 2017 of $19.5 million were down $1.8 million, or 8.5%, from June 30, 2017. The impact of foreign currency translation was to increase accounts payable by $0.4 million versus June 30, 2017. The remaining decrease is consistent with the reduced volume in comparison to the fiscal 2017 fourth quarter, balanced by the Company’s persistent focus on effective working capital management.

Total borrowings and long-term debt as of September 29, 2017 increased by $1.9 million, or approximately 30%, to $8.2 million versus June 30, 2017. Cash needs were driven primarily by volume driven working capital requirements. During the first quarter, the Company incurred negative free cash flow (defined as operating cash flow less acquisitions of fixed assets) of ($2.9) million and ended the quarter with total debt, net of cash, of ($7.2) million, compared to ($10.0) million at June 30, 2017, for a net change of $2.8 million.

Total equity increased $6.5 million, or 5.3%, to $130.1 million as of September 29, 2017. Retained earnings increased by $3.4 million, reflecting the net profit for the first fiscal quarter. Net favorable foreign currency translation of $2.5 million was reported. The net remaining increase in equity of $0.6 million primarily represents the amortization of net actuarial loss and prior service cost on the Company’s defined benefit pension plans.

On April 22, 2016, the Company entered into a revolving Credit Agreement (the “BMO Agreement”) with Bank of Montreal (“BMO”). This agreement permits the Company to enter into loans up to $40 million. This maximum may be increased under the BMO Agreement by an additional $10 million so long as there exists no default and certain other conditions specified in the BMO Agreement are satisfied.

In general, each revolving loan under the BMO Agreement will bear interest at a Eurodollar Rate, as defined. This rate as of September 29, 2017 was 2.99%. In addition to monthly interest payments, the Company will be responsible for paying a quarterly unused fee equal to 0.15% of the average daily unused portion of the revolving credit commitment. The Company may prepay loans subject to certain limitations. Borrowings under the BMO Agreement are secured by substantially all of the Company’s personal property, including accounts receivable, inventory, certain machinery and equipment, and intellectual property, and the personal property of Mill-Log Equipment Co., Inc. (“Mill-Log”), a wholly-owned domestic subsidiary of the Company. The Company has also pledged 100% of its equity interests in certain domestic subsidiaries and 65% of its equity interests in certain foreign subsidiaries. The Company has entered into a security agreement, IP security agreement and pledge agreement with BMO, and Mill-Log has entered into a guaranty agreement, guarantor security agreement and pledge agreement with BMO, which collectively grant BMO a security interest in these assets and holdings as administrative agent for itself and other lenders that may enter into the BMO Agreement. The Company has also entered into a negative pledge agreement with BMO, pursuant to which it has agreed not to sell, lease or otherwise encumber real estate that it owns except as permitted by the BMO Agreement and the negative pledge agreement. Within thirty days upon the occurrence of an event of default (as defined) that is not cured within the prescribed cure period, or if availability under the BMO Agreement is less than the greater of 15% of the aggregate revolving credit commitments and $6.0 million, the Company and Mill-Log will execute and deliver mortgages to BMO on all real estate owned by them at such time to further secure borrowings under the BMO Agreement.

The Company’s balance sheet remains very strong, there are no material off-balance-sheet arrangements, and it continues to have sufficient liquidity for near-term needs. The Company had approximately $18.0 million of available borrowings under the BMO Agreement as of September 29, 2017. The Company expects to continue to generate enough cash from operations, as well as its credit facilities, to meet its operating and investing needs. As of September 29, 2017, the Company also had cash of $15.5 million, primarily at its overseas operations. These funds, with some restrictions and tax implications, are available for repatriation as deemed necessary by the Company. In fiscal 2018, the Company expects to contribute $2.3 million to its defined benefit pension plans, the minimum contribution required.

Net working capital increased $2.4 million, or 2.9%, during the first quarter of fiscal 2018, and the current ratio increased to 3.1 at September 29, 2017 compared to 2.9 at June 30, 2017. The increase in net working capital was primarily driven by a volume related increase to inventory and reduced accruals following the payment of the fiscal 2017 global bonus during the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

The Company expects capital expenditures to be approximately $7 million - $9 million in fiscal 2018. These anticipated expenditures reflect the Company’s plans to invest in modern equipment and facilities, its global sourcing program and new products.

Management believes that available cash, the BMO credit facility, and potential access to debt markets will be adequate to fund the Company’s capital requirements for the foreseeable future.

As of September 29, 2017, the Company has obligations under non-cancelable operating lease contracts and loan agreements for certain future payments.

The Company has approximately $0.9 million of unrecognized tax benefits, including related interest and penalties, as of September 29, 2017, which, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate. See Note H of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosures surrounding uncertain income tax positions.

The Company maintains defined benefit pension plans for some of its operations in the United States and Europe. The Company has established the Benefits Committee (a non-Board management committee) to oversee the operations and administration of the defined benefit plans. The Company estimates that fiscal 2018 contributions to all defined benefit plans will total $2.3 million. As of September 29, 2017, $0.8 million in contributions have been made.

New Accounting Releases

See Note A, Basis of Presentation, to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting standards.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of this Quarterly Report requires management’s judgment to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.

The Company’s critical accounting policies are described in Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for June 30, 2017. There have been no significant changes to those accounting policies subsequent to June 30, 2017.

Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risks from changes in interest rates, commodities and foreign exchange. To reduce such risks, the Company selectively uses financial instruments and other pro-active management techniques. All hedging transactions are authorized and executed pursuant to clearly defined policies and procedures, which prohibit the use of financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest rate risk - The Company’s earnings exposure related to adverse movements of interest rates is primarily derived from outstanding floating rate debt instruments that are indexed to a Eurodollar Rate. In accordance with BMO Agreement expiring April 22, 2021, the Company has the option of borrowing at a Eurodollar Rate plus an additional “Add-On” of 1.75%. Due to the relative stability of interest rates, the Company did not utilize any financial instruments at September 29, 2017 to manage interest rate risk exposure. A 10 percent increase or decrease in the applicable interest rate would result in a change in annual pretax interest expense of approximately $25,000.

Commodity price risk - The Company is exposed to fluctuation in market prices for such commodities as steel and aluminum. The Company does not utilize commodity price hedges to manage commodity price risk exposure.

Currency risk - The Company has exposure to foreign currency exchange fluctuations. Approximately 28% of the Company’s revenues in the quarter ended September 29, 2017 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Of that total, approximately 53% was denominated in euros with the balance composed of Japanese yen, the Swiss franc, Indian rupee and the Australian and Singapore dollars. The Company does not hedge the translation exposure represented by the net assets of its foreign subsidiaries. Foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of shareholders’ equity. Forward foreign exchange contracts are occasionally used to hedge the currency fluctuations on significant transactions denominated in foreign currencies.

Derivative financial instruments - The Company has written policies and procedures that place all financial instruments under the direction of the Company’s corporate treasury group and restrict derivative transactions to those intended for hedging purposes. The use of financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes is prohibited. The Company occasionally uses financial instruments to manage the market risk from changes in foreign exchange rates.

The Company primarily enters into forward exchange contracts to reduce the earnings and cash flow impact of non-functional currency denominated receivables and payables. These contracts are highly effective in hedging the cash flows attributable to changes in currency exchange rates. Gains and losses resulting from these contracts offset the foreign exchange gains or losses on the underlying assets and liabilities being hedged. The maturities of the forward exchange contracts generally coincide with the settlement dates of the related transactions. Gains and losses on these contracts are recorded in Other expense, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as the changes in the fair value of the contracts are recognized and generally offset the gains and losses on the hedged items in the same period. The primary currency to which the Company was exposed in fiscal 2018 and 2017 was the euro. At September 29, 2017, one of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries had three outstanding forward exchange contracts to purchase U.S. dollars in the notional value of $1,050,000 with a weighted average maturity of 15 days. The fair value of the Company’s contract was a loss of $9,000 at September 29, 2017. At June 30, 2017, the same subsidiary had three outstanding forward exchange contracts to purchase U.S. dollars in the notional value of $1,050,000 with a weighted average maturity of 53 days. The fair value of the Company’s contract was a loss of $29,000 at June 30, 2017.

Item 4.     Controls and Procedures

(a)     Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“the Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing, and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely discussions regarding required disclosure.

(b)     Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). During the most recent fiscal quarter, no changes were made which have materially affected, or which are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II.     OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

The Company is a defendant in several product liability or related claims which are considered either adequately covered by appropriate liability insurance or involving amounts not deemed material to the business or financial condition of the Company.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in response to Item 1A to Part I of our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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

There were no securities of the Company sold by the Company during the quarter ended September 29, 2017, which were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, in reliance upon an exemption from registration provided by Section 4 (2) of the Act.

Not applicable.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The amounts shown in Column (a) above represent shares of common stock delivered to the Company as payment of withholding taxes due on the vesting of restricted stock issued under the Twin Disc, Incorporated 2010 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.

Under authorizations granted by the Board of Directors on February 1, 2008 and July 27, 2012, the Company was authorized to purchase 500,000 shares of its common stock.  This authorization has no expiration, and as of September 29, 2017, 315,000 may yet be purchased under these authorizations. The Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock during the quarter ended September 29, 2017.

Item 3.     Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 5.     Other Information

None.

Item 6.     Exhibits

SIGNATURE

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.

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