artw20131130_10k.htm

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

 

For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013

 

 

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

 

For the transition period from ___________ to ____________

 

Commission file number 000-5131

 

ART’S-WAY MANUFACTURING CO., INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

42-0920725

 
 

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

  

5556 Highway 9

Armstrong, Iowa 50514

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(712) 864-3131

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Common stock $.01 par value

 

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 
 

(Title of each class)

 

(Name of each exchange on which registered)

 

 

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

 

None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ☐ Yes ☒ No

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ☐ Yes ☒ No

 

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

Yes  No 

 

 
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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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer           Accelerated filer       

Non-accelerated filer             Smaller reporting company

 

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

 

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. $15,042,860

 

As of January 30, 2014, there were 4,046,552 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement for the registrant’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed within 120 days of November 30, 2013, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 
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Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Index to Annual Report on Form 10-K 

 

     Page
     
Item 1. BUSINESS  4

Item 1A.

RISK FACTORS

 10
Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 10

Item 2.

PROPERTIES

11

Item 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

11

Item 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

11

Item 5.

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

12

Item 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

12

Item 7.

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

12

Item 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

17

Item 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

18

Item 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

40

Item 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

40

Item 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

40

Item 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

41

Item 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

41

Item 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

41

Item 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

41

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES 41
Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 42

  

 
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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Some of the statements in this report may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current view on future events, future business, industry and other conditions, our future performance, and our plans and expectations for future operations and actions. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “future,” “intend,” “could,” “estimate,” “predict,” “hope,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Our forward-looking statements in this report relate to the following: the expected results for our Modular Building segment’s 2013 contracts; our intentions regarding our international markets; our intended areas of product focus; our expectations regarding fluctuations in backlogs; our beliefs regarding competitive factors and our competitive strengths; our expectations regarding sales, future production levels, delivery capabilities, and demand; our beliefs about the importance of intellectual property; our predictions regarding the impact of seasonality; our beliefs regarding the impact of the farming industry on our business; our expectations regarding the performance of our Pressurized Vessels segment; our beliefs about our working capital, cash position and ability to obtain or renew financing; our expectations regarding improvements to our facilities; our beliefs regarding the impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements on our consolidated financial statements; and our intentions for paying dividends. Many of these forward-looking statements are located in this report under “Item 1. BUSINESS” and “Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS,” but they may appear in other sections as well.

 

You should read this report thoroughly with the understanding that our actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements for many reasons, including events beyond our control and assumptions that prove to be inaccurate or unfounded. We cannot provide any assurance with respect to our future performance or results. Our actual results or actions could and likely will differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the reasons described in this report. These factors include, but are not limited to: obstacles related to the integration of Ohio Metal Working Products Company; economic conditions that affect demand for our products; our ability to maintain compliance with our loan covenants, renew our line of credit and retain sufficient cash; the ability of our suppliers to meet our demands for raw materials and component parts; fluctuations in the price of raw materials, especially steel; our ability to predict and meet the demands of each market in which our segments operate; our ability to predict and respond to any seasonal fluctuations in demand; our ability to maintain intellectual property rights; the existence and outcome of product liability claims and other ordinary course litigation; changes in environmental, health and safety regulations and employment laws; our ability to retain our executive officers; the cost of complying with laws, regulations, and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, and the demand such compliance places on management’s time; and loan covenant restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. We do not intend to update the forward-looking statements contained in this report. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We caution you not to put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. You should read this report and the documents that we reference in this report and have filed as exhibits completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we currently expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

 

 

PART I

 

Item 1. BUSINESS.

 

General

 

Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation (“we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company”), began operations as a farm equipment manufacturer in 1956. Since that time, we have become a worldwide manufacturer of agricultural equipment, specialized modular science buildings, pressurized steel vessels, and steel cutting tools. Our principal manufacturing plant is located in Armstrong, Iowa.

 

We have organized our business into four operating segments. Management separately evaluates the financial results of each segment because each is a strategic business unit offering different products and requiring different technology and marketing strategies. Our agricultural products segment manufactures and distributes farm equipment under our own and private labels and includes the operations of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Universal Harvester by Art’s-Way, Inc., an Iowa corporation, and Art’s Way Manufacturing International LTD, a Canadian company. Our pressurized vessels segment manufactures pressure vessels through our wholly-owned subsidiary Art’s-Way Vessels, Inc., an Iowa corporation. Our modular building segment manufactures modular buildings for various uses, commonly animal containment and research laboratories, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Art’s-Way Scientific, Inc., an Iowa corporation; and our tools segment manufactures standard single point brazed carbide tipped tools as well as PCD (polycrystalline diamond) and CBN (cubic boron nitride) inserts and tools through our wholly-owned subsidiary Ohio Metal Working Products/Art’s Way, Inc., an Ohio corporation. For detailed financial information relating to segment reporting, see Note 16 to our financial statements in Item 8 of this report.

 

 
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Business of Our Segments

 

Agricultural Products

 

Our Agricultural Products segment, which accounted for 82.4% of our net revenue in the 2013 fiscal year, is located primarily in our Armstrong, Iowa facility. The segment manufactures a variety of specialized farm machinery under our own label, including: portable and stationary animal feed processing equipment and related attachments used to mill and mix feed grains into custom animal feed rations; a crop production line that includes grain drill equipment; a line of hay and forage equipment consisting of forage boxes, blowers, running gear, dump boxes and mergers; stalk shredders; a line of portable grain augers; a line of manure spreaders; sugar beet harvesting equipment; a line of land maintenance equipment; moldboard plows; potato harvesters; reels for combines and swathers under UHC by Art’s-Way; and industrial grade snow blowers. We sell our labeled products through independent farm equipment dealers throughout the United States. In addition, we manufacture and supply silage blowers and reels under original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreements. Sales to our OEM customers accounted for 12% of our consolidated sales for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013. We also provide after-market service parts that are available to keep our branded and OEM produced equipment operating to the satisfaction of the end user of our products.

 

Pressurized Vessels

 

Our Pressurized Vessels segment, which accounted for 6.2% of our net revenue in the 2013 fiscal year, is located in Dubuque, Iowa. This segment produces and sells pressurized vessels, both American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) code and non-code. It provides a combination of services as a manufacturer and supplier of steel vessels and steel containment systems. We build in carbon steel and stainless steel, ranging from atmospheric (0 PSI) storage vessels up to any PSI pressure rating required. We provide vessels ranging in size from 4 inches to 168 inches in diameter and in various lengths as our customers require. The vessels are primarily sold to manufacturing facilities that will use the vessel as a component part of their end product. We primarily serve the following industries: water treatment; air receivers; refineries; co-generation; chemical; petrochemical; storage tanks; agriculture; marine; refrigeration; hydro pneumatic; heavy equipment; pharmaceuticals and mining. In addition to our role as a fabricator of vessels, we provide services including: custom CAD drawing; welding; interior linings and exterior finishing; passivation of stainless steel; hydrostatic and pneumatic testing; design, build and finishing of skids; installation of piping; non-destructive examination and heat treating.

 

Modular Buildings

 

Our Modular Buildings segment, which accounted for 9.5% of our net revenue in the 2013 fiscal year, is located in Monona, Iowa. This segment produces and sells modular buildings, which are custom designed to meet the specific research needs of our customers. The buildings we commonly produce range from basic swine buildings to complex containment research laboratories. We plan to continue our focus on providing research facilities for academic research institutions, government research and diagnostic centers, public health institutions and private research and pharmaceutical companies, as those are our primary market sectors. We provide services from start to finish by designing, manufacturing, delivering, installing or renting the building units.

 

Tools

 

On September 30, 2013, the Company acquired the assets of Ohio Metal Working Products Company in Canton, Ohio. The acquired assets and operations will be reported in a new segment called Tools for financial reporting purposes. For financial information related to the acquisition, see Note 13, “Acquisitions”. Our Tools segment accounted for 1.9% of our net revenue in the 2013 fiscal year. This segment produces and sells standard single point brazed carbide tipped tools as well as PCD (polycrystalline diamond) and CBN (cubic boron nitride) inserts and tools. The tools are used by manufacturers in various industries to cut and shape various parts, pipes, and fittings. The marketing of the tools is primarily through independent distributors supplying manufacturers with industrial tools and supplies. We plan to continue our focus on providing cutting tools to industries such as automotive, aerospace, oil and gas piping, and appliances.

 

 
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Our Principal Products

 

Agricultural Products

 

From its beginnings as a producer of portable grinder mixers, our Agricultural Products segment has grown through developing several new products and with our acquisitions. In 2012, we acquired Universal Harvester Co., Inc. in Ames, Iowa. We are now selling reels for combines and swathers as UHC by Art’s-Way. In 2013, we acquired Agro Trend in Clifford, Ontario. We are now selling industrial snow blowers and agricultural trailers as Art’s Way Manufacturing International. Today, our Agricultural Products segment manufactures a wide array of products relating to feed processing, crop production, augers, spreaders, hay and forage, tillage and land management, potato harvesting, and sugar beet harvesting equipment. We primarily manufacture products under the Art’s-Way, Miller Pro, Roda, M&W, Badger, and UHC by Art’s-Way brand names. Our Agricultural Products segment also maintains a small volume of OEM work for the industry’s leading manufacturers.

 

Grinder mixer line. The grinder mixer line represents our original product line. Our founder, Arthur Luscombe, designed the original PTO powered grinder-mixer prior to the Company’s inception. Grinder mixers are used to grind grain and mix in proteins for animal feed. They have several agricultural applications, and are commonly used in livestock operations. Our grinder mixers have wide swing radiuses to allow users to reposition the discharge tube from one side of the tank to the other in one step. Our 6105 grinder mixer offers a 105-bushel tank with a 20-inch hammermill. Our 6530 is the largest in the industry at 165-bushel tank with a 26-inch hammermill. It features self-contained hydraulics, and 10-inch discharge augers, which yields the fastest unload times in the industry. Our Cattle Maxx rollermill mixer products offer consistent feed grain rations for beef and dairy operations and are available in 105-bushel and 165-bushel capacities.

 

Stationary feed grain processing line. We offer stationary hammermills and rollermills. Harvesting leaves various amounts of extraneous materials that must be removed through processing the seeds. Hammermills are aggressive pre-cleaners that are designed to remove appendages, awns and other chaff from seeds by vigorously scraping the seed over and through the screen. The screen has holes that are big enough to let the seed pass through undamaged, but are small enough to catch and remove the appendages. Our rollermills roll the feed grain to minimize dust, and they fracture the outside hull to release the digestive juices more rapidly. Rolling feed provides more palatable and digestible feed for use in animal feeding operations.

 

Crop production line. Art’s-Way shredders assure maximum crop shredding and destroy insect habitats. The shredded crop material allows for faster decomposition and restores nutrients to the soil more quickly while providing ground cover to reduce wind and water erosion.

 

Land management line. Land planes are used to ensure even distribution of rainfall or irrigation by eliminating water pockets, furrows and implement scars in fields. Our land planes have a patented Art’s-Way floating hitch design. We offer pull-type graders to help our customers perform many tasks such as maintaining terraces and waterways, leveling ground, cleaning ditches and removing snow. The pull-type graders follow close to the back of a tractor for leveling uneven areas or for turning in smaller spaces.

 

Moldboard plow line. The Art’s-Way moldboard plows offer conservation tillage choices to match each customer’s preference. Our moldboard plows are designed to slice and invert the soil to leave a rough surface exposed, and they are primarily used on clean-tilled cropland with high amounts of crop residue.

 

Sugar beet harvesting line. Our sugar beet defoliators and harvesters are innovative products in the industry due to our focus on continuous improvement, both in reaction to customer requests and in anticipation of our customers’ needs. Our machines can harvest six, eight, or twelve rows at one time. Along with being the first manufacturer to introduce a larger, 12-row harvester, we have begun to sell a self-propelled unit. Our sugar beet defoliators cut and remove the leaves of the sugar beets without damaging them, and the leaf particles are then incorporated back into the soil.

 

Hay and forage line. We offer highly productive hay and forage tools for the full range of producers. This product line includes high capacity forage boxes for transporting hay from the field with optional running gear to provide superior stability and tracking. High velocity, high volume forage blowers are able to fill the tallest silos with lower power requirements. Cam action rotary rakes and power mergers will gently lift the crop, carry it to the windrow and release it, saving more leaves and forming a faster drying, fluffier windrow. High performance V-style and carted finger wheel rakes offer growers value and include such features as large capacity and high clearance with ease of adjustment and operation. The M&W balers are ideal for the dairy and equine segments that serve niche markets in the East North Central and the East South Central regions of the United States. The primary use of these balers is efficiently turning grass, alfalfa, clover, corn stalks, silage, peanut and straw hay into storable bales to save space and extend the life of these harvested feed sources.

 

 
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Augers line. Our portable grain auger models are available painted white or hot dipped galvanized. Rolling hopper augers are constructed from 12 gauge tube and ¼” flighting. These augers feature an internal drive with externally mounted gear boxes for proper venting and easier maintenance. Driveline augers are also available with either power take-off unit (PTO) or electric drive. These heavy-duty augers have a reversible gear box which permits PTO operation from either side.

 

Manure spreaders line. Roda manure spreaders are a well-known name with a rich tradition in the West North Central region of the United States with the origin of the spreaders dating back to the 1950s. We offer vertical and horizontal beaters and rear discharge manure spreaders in both truck-mount and pull-type configurations. Our products are ideal for spreading livestock manure, compost and lime. We offer a scale system, and a scale system with GPS for proper nutrient placement. These spreaders boast a heavy-duty and rugged design with one of the best spread patterns in the industry, allowing for efficient and consistent nutrient and land management.

 

Reels line. In May of 2012 we purchased the assets of Universal Harvester Co., Inc. and began selling reels as UHC by Art’s-Way. These reels have a unique flip over action for self-cleaning in adverse conditions. They are manufactured with extruded aluminum creating a light weight yet strong reel.

 

Snow blowers line. In June of 2013 we purchased certain assets of Agro Trend, a division of Rojac Industries, Inc. of Clifford, Ontario, Canada and began selling snow blowers, agricultural trailers, and dump boxes as Art’s-Way Manufacturing International LTD. We offer snow blowers in 28 models ranging from 54” wide to 120” wide. The styles also range from compact to heavy duty. Trailers range in sizes from 1.5 ton to 8 ton and we offer two versions of dump boxes.

 

Pressurized Vessels

 

We build vessels in carbon steel and stainless steel, ranging from atmospheric (0 PSI) storage vessels up to any PSI pressure rating required. Sizes range from 4” to 168” diameter and larger and to any length of vessel the customer requires.

 

Modular Buildings

 

We supply laboratories for bio-containment, animal science, public health, and security requirements. We custom design, manufacture, deliver, and install laboratories and research facilities to meet customers’ critical requirements. In addition to selling these facilities, we also offer a lease option to customers in need of temporary facilities.

 

Tools

 

We supply standard single point brazed carbide tipped tools as well as PCD (polycrystalline diamond) and CBN (cubic boron nitride) inserts and tools. Our customers use the tools for various steel cutting applications.

 

Product Distribution and Markets

 

We distribute goods for our Agricultural Products segment primarily through a network of approximately 1,800 U.S. and Canadian independent dealers, as well as overseas dealers in the U.K., and Australia, whose customers require specialized agricultural machinery. We have sales representation in 47 states and seven Canadian provinces; however, many dealers sell only service parts for our products. Our dealers sell our products to various agricultural and commercial customers. We also maintain a local sales force in our Armstrong, Iowa facility to provide oversight services for our distribution network, communicate with end users, and recruit and train dealers on the uses of our products. Our local service parts staff is available to help customers and dealers with their service parts needs. Our Pressurized Vessels and Modular Building segments traditionally sell products customized to the end-users’ requirements directly to the end-users. Our Tools segment distributes products through manufacturers’ representatives, direct sales, and OEM sales channels.

 

 
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We currently export products to four foreign countries. We have been shipping grinder mixers abroad since 2006, and have exported portable rollermills as well. We look forward to strengthening these relationships and developing new international markets as well.

 

Backlog. Our backlogs of orders vary on a daily basis. As of January 31, 2014, our Tools segment had approximately $639,000 of backlog, our Pressurized Vessels segment had approximately $558,000 of backlog, our Modular Buildings segment had approximately $493,000 of backlog and our Agricultural Products segment had a net backlog of approximately $9,168,000. Because we expect that our order backlogs will continue to fluctuate as orders are received, filled, or cancelled, and due to dealer discount arrangements we may enter into from time to time, these figures are not necessarily indicative of future revenue.

 

Recent Product Developments

 

During 2013, development in our Agricultural Products segment consisted of a newly designed frame for our V-180 manure spreader. We are also in the process of updating our 6105 series grinder mixer.

 

Our Pressurized Vessels and Modular Building segments complete projects based on customer specifications. Pressurized Vessels did not engage in significant product development during 2013. Our Modular Building segment introduced a small combination farrowing/nursery swine building featured at the 2013 World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa.

 

Our Tools segment worked with two of our largest customers to provide a seamless pipe cutting solution. The project was completed in the fall of 2013.

 

Competition

 

In addition to the competitive strengths of each of our segments described below, we believe our diversified revenue base helps to provide protection against competitive factors in any one industry. Our Pressurized Vessels, Modular Buildings, and Tools segments provide us with diversified revenues rather than solely relying on the agricultural machinery sector. We are also diversified on the basis of our sales presence and customer base.

 

Agricultural Products

 

Our Agricultural Products segment competes in a highly competitive agricultural equipment industry. We compete with larger manufacturers and suppliers that have broader product offerings and significant resources at their disposal; however, we believe that our competitive strengths allow us to compete effectively in our market.

 

Management believes that grain and livestock producers, as well as those who provide services to grain and livestock operations, are the primary purchasers of agricultural equipment. Many factors influence a buyer’s choice for agricultural equipment. Any one or all factors may be determinative, but they include brand loyalty, the relationship with dealers, product quality and performance, product innovation, product availability, parts and warranty programs, price and customer service.

 

While our larger competitors may have resources greater than ours, we believe we compete effectively in the farm equipment industry by serving smaller markets in specific product areas rather than directly competing with larger competitors across an extensive range of products. Our Agricultural Products segment caters to niche markets in the agricultural industry. We do not have a direct competitor that has the same product offerings that we do. Instead, each of our product lines competes with similar products of many other manufacturers. Some of our product lines face greater competition than others, but we believe that our products are competitively priced with greater diversity than most competitor product lines. Other companies produce feed processing equipment, sugar beet harvesting and defoliating equipment, grinders, shredders and other products similar to ours; therefore, we focus on providing the best product available at a reasonable price. Overall, we believe our products are competitively priced with above average quality and performance, in a market where price, product performance and quality are principal elements.

 

In addition, in order to capitalize on brand recognition for our Agricultural Products segment, we have numerous product lines produced under our labels and private labels, and have made strategic acquisitions to strengthen our dealer base. We also provide aftermarket service parts which are available to keep our branded and OEM-produced equipment operating to the satisfaction of the customer. We sell products to customers in the United States and four foreign countries through a network of approximately 1,800 independent dealers in the United States and Canada, as well as overseas dealers in the United Kingdom and Australia.

 

 
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We believe that our competitive pricing, product quality and performance, a network of worldwide and domestic distributors and our strong market share for many of our products allow us to compete effectively in the agricultural products market.

 

Pressurized Vessels

 

Competition in the pressurized vessel industry is intense. It is critical in this business to deliver a quality product on a timely basis. We worked diligently during 2013 to deliver a quality product and improve our reputation in the industry. Our sales are increasing and we have more repeat customers. We believe we are positioned to have a profitable year in 2014.

 

We believe the main competitive strength of our Pressurized Vessels segment is our ability to provide products and services under one entity. Often, the services provided by this segment are handled by two or more of our competing suppliers. We have the ability to fabricate pressurized vessels to our customers’ specifications, and we also provide a variety of services before and after installation. Our high quality products and services save our customers time in an industry where time and quality are of utmost importance.

 

Modular Buildings

 

We expect continued competition from our Modular Buildings segment’s existing competitors as well as competition from new entrants into the modular building market. To some extent, we believe barriers to entry in the modular building industry limit the competition we face in the industry. Barriers to entry in the market consist primarily of access to capital, access to a qualified labor pool, and the bidding process that accompanies many jobs in the health and education markets. Despite these barriers, manufacturers who have a skilled work force and adequate production facilities could adapt their manufacturing facilities to produce modular structures.

 

We believe the competitive strength of our Modular Buildings segment is our ability to design and produce high-tech modular buildings more quickly than conventional design/build firms. Conventional design/build construction may take two to five years, while our modular laboratories can be delivered in as little as six months. As one of the few companies in the industry to supply turnkey modular buildings and laboratories, we believe we provide high quality buildings at reasonable prices that meet our customers’ time, flexibility and security expectations.

 

Tools

 

We expect competition in our Tools segment from off shore products which have gained market share over the last twenty years. Our greatest threat continues to be emerging technologies that replace the need for brazed tools. These competitive threats are countered by our ability to offer the widest range of standard carbide tipped brazed tool inventories to be found in North America. These inventories are strategically located in four warehouses across the U.S. enabling our customers to receive product quickly with minimal shipping costs. Our ability to produce special, engineered, value added products in volume with short lead times sets us apart from our competitors. This is most evident in certain segments of the pipe processing industry, where we have been able to establish and maintain market share despite efforts from companies significantly larger than ourselves.

 

Raw Materials, Principal Suppliers and Customers

 

Raw materials for our various segments are acquired from domestic and foreign sources and normally are readily available. Currently, we purchase the lifter wheels used to manufacture our sugar beet harvesters from a supplier located in China. We also purchase rake tines and gearboxes from a supplier in Italy. However, these suppliers are not principal suppliers and there are alternative sources for these materials.

 

We have an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supplier agreement with Case New Holland (CNH) for our Agricultural Products segment. Under the OEM agreement, we have agreed to supply CNH’s requirements for certain feed processing and service parts, primarily blowers, under CNH’s label. The agreement has no minimum requirements and can be cancelled upon certain conditions. The initial term of the agreement with CNH ran through September 2006, but the agreement continues in force until terminated or cancelled. We have not terminated or cancelled the agreement as of November 30, 2013. We also sell reels to Honey Bee and Agco under an OEM agreement. For the years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, sales to OEM customers were approximately 12% and 11% of consolidated sales, respectively.

 

 
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We do not rely on sales to one customer or a small group of customers. During the year ended November 30, 2013, no one customer accounted for more than 6% of consolidated revenues. However, during the year ended November 30, 2012, one customer did account for approximately 25% of consolidated revenues. This was a customer of our Modular Building segment. During the year ended November 30, 2012, another customer accounted for approximately 12% of consolidated revenues. This was a customer of our Agricultural Products segment.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We maintain manufacturing rights on several products, including those purchased from Miller-St. Nazianz in 2007, which cover unique aspects of design. We also have trademarks covering product identification. We believe our trademarks and licenses help us to retain existing business and secure new relationships with customers. We currently have no pending applications for intellectual property rights.

 

We pay royalties for our use of certain manufacturing rights. Under our OEM and royalty agreement with CNH, CNH sold us the license to manufacture, sell and distribute certain plow products designed by CNH and their replacement and component parts. We pay semi-annual royalty payments based on the invoiced price of each licensed product and service part we sell. Under our royalty agreement with Roda, we pay annual royalty payments based on the invoiced price for each product and service part we sell. Our royalty agreement with M&W requires us to pay royalties on a quarterly basis.

 

Research and Development Activities

 

Our Agricultural Products segment is continually engaged in research and development activities to improve and enhance our existing products. We perform research and development activities internally, and the cost of our research and development activities is not borne by our customers. Our research and development expenses are cyclical; they may be high in one year, but would tend to be lower the next, with an increase in production expenses as our new ideas are manufactured. Research and development expenses during our 2013 fiscal year accounted for $174,000 of our total consolidated engineering expenses, compared to $125,000 during our 2012 fiscal year.

 

Our Tools segment produces standard cutting tools and inserts and special tools per customer specifications. Our Pressurized Vessels segment produces custom tanks and vessels that are manufactured in accordance with specifications provided by our customers. Similarly, our Modular Buildings segment designs modular buildings in accordance with customer specifications.

 

Government Relationships and Regulations; Environmental Compliance

 

Our Modular Buildings segment must design, manufacture and install its modular buildings in accordance with state building codes, and the company has been able to achieve the code standards in all instances. In addition, we are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to environmental protection and the discharge of materials into the environment.

 

Employees

 

As of November 30, 2013, we employed approximately one-hundred forty-five employees in our Agricultural Products segment, four of whom were employed on a part-time basis. As of the same date, we had approximately fifteen full-time employees in our Pressurized Vessels segment and thirty-two full-time employees in our Tools segment. In addition, our Modular Buildings segment employed approximately sixteen employees, two of whom worked on a part-time basis. We experience immaterial fluctuations in employee levels based upon demand for our product lines, and the numbers provided above do not necessarily represent our peak employment during our 2013 fiscal year.

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS.

 

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide disclosure pursuant to this item.

 

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

 

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide disclosure pursuant to this item.

 

 
10

 

 

Item 2. PROPERTIES.

 

Our executive offices, as well as the primary production and warehousing facilities for our Agricultural Products segment, are located in Armstrong, Iowa. These facilities were constructed after 1965 and remain in fair condition. The facilities in Armstrong contain approximately 249,000 square feet of usable space. We have engaged in several building improvement projects during the last several years and plan to complete a reroofing project over the next several years. In addition, we own approximately 127 acres of land west of Armstrong, on which the factory and inventory storage space is situated for our Agricultural Products segment. We had been leasing approximately 88 acres of excess land to third parties for farming. We sold this excess land in December of 2012.

 

To better utilize our production facilities, our auger production for our Agricultural Products segment was moved from our Salem, South Dakota facility to our West Union, Iowa production facility in July 2011. The Salem, South Dakota facility was sold in December 2012.

 

We purchased an office, production and warehousing facility for our Agricultural Products segment located in West Union, Iowa on approximately 29 acres in fiscal 2010. The property is in good condition and contains approximately 190,000 square feet of usable space.

 

In connection with the acquisition of certain assets of Universal Harvester Co., Inc. (UHC) in May 2012, we also purchased the land and building used for manufacturing of the products sold by UHC, located in Ames, Iowa. The building contains approximately 41,640 square feet of usable space and is in good condition. The purchased land is approximately 10 acres and is used in connection with our Agricultural Products segment.

 

In connection with the acquisition of certain assets of Agro Trend in June of 2013, we assumed the lease on an 8,500 square foot facility in Clifford, Ontario, Canada, in order to continue the manufacturing, marketing and sales of Agro Trend products from Canada. The lease on this facility is for a term of 2 years and expires on June 21, 2015. This facility is used in connection with our Agricultural Products segment.

 

We completed construction on a new facility for our Pressurized Vessels segment in Dubuque, Iowa as of February 2008. The facility is 34,450 square feet, steel-framed, with a crane that runs the length of the building. A paint booth and a blast booth were installed in the first quarter of 2009. The facility provides the capacity needed to increase production, and we expect that production levels will continue to increase in the future.

 

We completed construction in November 2007 of our facility in Monona, Iowa, which houses the manufacturing for our Modular Buildings segment. The new facility was custom-designed to meet our production needs. It has approximately 50,000 square feet and accommodates a sprinkler system and crane.

 

In connection with the acquisition of certain assets of Ohio Metal Working Products Company (Ohio Metal) in September 2013, we also purchased the land and building used for manufacturing of the products sold by Ohio Metal, located in Canton, Ohio. The building contains approximately 39,000 square feet of usable space and is in good condition. The purchased land is approximately 4.50 acres and is used in connection with our Tools segment. Our owned real property in West Union, Iowa is subject to a mortgage granted to The First National Bank of West Union (n/k/a Bank 1st) as security for a term loan. All of our remaining owned real property is subject to mortgages granted to U.S. Bank as security for our long-term debt and our line of credit. See “Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Capital Resources and Credit Facilities” for more information.

 

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

From time to time in the ordinary course of business, we may be named as a defendant in legal proceedings incidental to the business, including without limitation, workers’ compensation claims, tort claims, or contractual disputes. We are not currently involved in any material legal proceedings, directly or indirectly, and we are not aware of any claims pending or threatened against us or any of the directors that could result in the commencement of material legal proceedings.

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE.

 

Not applicable.

 

 
11

 

  

PART II

 

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

 

Market Information

 

Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market® under the symbol “ARTW.” The ranges of high and low sales prices for each quarter, as reported by NASDAQ, are shown below.

 

 

   

Common Stock High and Low Sales Prices Per Share by Quarter

 
   

Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2013

   

Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2012

 
   

High

   

Low

   

High

   

Low

 

First Quarter

  $ 7.65     $ 5.35     $ 9.69     $ 5.06  

Second Quarter

  $ 8.44     $ 5.53     $ 7.99     $ 6.40  

Third Quarter

  $ 7.76     $ 6.60     $ 8.80     $ 6.15  

Fourth Quarter

  $ 7.10     $ 5.40     $ 7.00     $ 5.23  

 

Stockholders

 

We have two classes of stock, undesignated preferred stock and $0.01 par value common stock. No shares of preferred stock have been issued or are outstanding. As of February 19, 2014, we had 89 common stock stockholders of record, which number does not include stockholders who hold our common stock in street name. As of February 7, 2013, we had 98 common stock stockholders of record.

 

Dividends

 

On November 14, 2013, we announced a dividend of $0.10 per share that was paid on November 29, 2013 to stockholders of record as of November 25, 2013. On November 9, 2012 we announced a dividend of $0.10 per share that was paid on November 30, 2012 to stockholders of record as of November 19, 2012. We expect that the payment of and the amount of any future dividends will depend on our financial condition at that time.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

 

None.

 

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company

 

None.

 

Equity Compensation Plans

 

For information on our equity compensation plans, refer to Item 12, “SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.”

 

Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

 

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide disclosure pursuant to this item.

 

Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

This report contains forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties. The following discussion, which focuses on our results of operations, contains forward-looking information and statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those indicated or anticipated, as discussed in the section entitled “Forward Looking Statements.” The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should also be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes to financial statements contained in Item 8 of this report.

 

 
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Financial Position

 

We believe that our consolidated balance sheet indicates a strong financial position. During fiscal year 2013, we increased our current liabilities by 20.2%, and decreased long-term liabilities by 12.1% for a total increase of approximately $208,000. We accessed $3,350,000 on our line of credit primarily to acquire the assets of Ohio Metal Working Products Company in Canton, Ohio (see below). We also decreased net term debt by $985,000. Total current assets decreased by approximately 2.4%, or $483,000. We expect our access to capital will continue to provide future cash for equipment investments, acquisitions, or debt pay down. We believe our working capital is strong as we move into 2014, because we currently have $3,800,000 available on our line of credit as of November 30, 2013. We also expect to obtain permanent financing in connection with the purchase of Ohio Metal Working Products Company as discussed under the heading “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

 

On June 25, 2013, we acquired the inventory and equipment of Agro Trend, a division of Rojac Industries, Inc. of Clifford, Ontario, Canada. Agro Trend distributes agricultural equipment and manufactures commercial snow blowers and agricultural trailers. Most of the existing Agro Trend operational team was retained to continue the manufacture of snow blowers and trailers. The acquired assets and operations are reported with our Agricultural Products segment. For additional information on this acquisition, please see Note 13 to “Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.”

 

Additionally, on September 30, 2013, we acquired the inventory, equipment, land, and building of Ohio Metal Working Products Company in Canton, Ohio. Ohio Metal Working Products Company is a domestic manufacturer and distributor of standard single point brazed carbide tipped tools as well as PCD (polycrystalline diamond) and CBN (cubic boron nitride) inserts and tools. The existing Ohio Metal Working Products Company operational team was retained to continue the manufacturing of the carbide, PCD, and CBN tipped tools and inserts. The acquired assets and operations will be reported in a new segment called Tools for financial reporting purposes. For additional information on this acquisition, please see Note 13 to “Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.”

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this report, which were prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Critical accounting policies are those that we believe are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

 

We believe that the following discussion represents the most critical accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, although it is not inclusive.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, and cost is determined using the standard costing method. Management monitors the carrying value of inventories using inventory control and review processes that include, but are not limited to, sales forecast review, inventory status reports, and inventory reduction programs. We record inventory write downs to market based on expected usage information for raw materials and historical selling trends for finished goods. If the assumptions made by management do not occur, we may need to record additional write downs.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. In assessing the reliability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is entirely dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

 

 
13

 

  

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue is recognized when risk of ownership and title pass to the buyer, generally upon the shipment of the product. All sales are made to authorized dealers whose application for dealer status has been approved and who have been informed of general sales policies. Any changes in Company terms are documented in the most recently published price lists. Pricing is fixed and determinable according to the Company’s published equipment and parts price lists. Title to all equipment and parts sold shall pass to the buyer upon delivery to the carrier and is not subject to a customer acceptance provision. Proof of the passing of title is documented by the signing of the delivery receipt by a representative of the carrier. Post shipment obligations are limited to any claim with respect to the condition of the equipment or parts. A provision for warranty expenses, based on sales volume, is included in the financial statements. Our returns policy allows for new and saleable parts to be returned, subject to inspection and a restocking charge which is included in net sales. Whole goods are not returnable. Shipping costs charged to customers are included in net sales. Freight costs incurred are included in cost of goods sold.

 

In certain circumstances, upon the customer’s written request, we may recognize revenue when production is complete and the good is ready for shipment. At the buyer’s request, we will bill the buyer upon completing all performance obligations, but before shipment. The buyer dictates that we ship the goods per their direction from our manufacturing facility, as is customary with this type of agreement, in order to minimize shipping costs. The written agreement with the customer specifies that the goods will be delivered on a schedule to be determined by the customer, with a final specified delivery date, and that we will segregate the goods from our inventory, such that they are not available to fill other orders. This agreement also specifies that the buyer is required to purchase all goods manufactured under this agreement. Title of the goods will pass to the buyer when the goods are complete and ready for shipment, per the customer agreement. At the transfer of title, all risks of ownership have passed to the buyer, and the buyer agrees to maintain insurance on the manufactured items that have not yet been shipped. We have operated using bill and hold agreements with certain customers for many years, with consistent satisfactory results for both buyer and seller. The credit terms on this agreement are consistent with the credit terms on all other sales. All risks of loss are shouldered by the buyer, and there are no exceptions to the buyer’s commitment to accept and pay for these manufactured goods. Revenues recognized at the completion of production in 2013 and 2012 were approximately $788,000 and $937,000, respectively.

 

Our Modular Buildings segment is in the construction industry, and, as such, accounts for long-term contracts on the percentage-of-completion method. Revenue and gross profit are recognized as work is performed based on the relationship between actual costs incurred and total estimated costs at completion. Contract losses are recognized when current estimates of total contract revenue and contract cost indicate a loss. Estimated contract costs include any and all costs appropriately allocable to the contract. The provision for these contract losses will be the excess of estimated contract costs over estimated contract revenues.

 

Costs and profit in excess of amounts billed are classified as current assets and billings in excess of cost and profit are classified as current liabilities.

 

Results of Operations

 

Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2013 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2012

 

Our consolidated net sales totaled $34,227,000 for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013, which represents a 6.1% decrease from our consolidated net sales of $36,457,000 in 2012. Our consolidated gross profit decreased from 27.5% of net sales in 2012 to 24.4% of net sales in 2013 or from $10,032,000 to $8,366,000, respectively. Our consolidated expenses increased by 14.8%, from $5,704,000 in 2012 to $6,549,000 in 2013. Because the majority of our corporate general and administrative expenses are borne by our Agricultural Products segment, that segment represented $5,275,000 of our total consolidated operating expenses, while our Pressurized Vessels segment represented $360,000, our Modular Buildings segment represented $769,000, and our Tools segment represented $145,000 of the total.

 

Our consolidated operating income for the 2013 fiscal year was $1,817,000, which represents a 58.0% decrease from our consolidated operating income of $4,328,000 for the 2012 fiscal year. The decrease is primarily the result of the 2012 completion of a major project in our Modular Buildings segment as described below. Our Agricultural Products segment provided operating income of $1,234,000, our Modular Buildings segment provided operating income of $672,000, and our Tools segment provided operating income of $38,000 in 2013. Our Pressurized Vessels segment had an operating loss of $(127,000).

 

 
14

 

 

Consolidated net income for the 2013 fiscal year was $1,551,000, compared to $2,665,000 in the 2012 fiscal year, a decrease of $1,114,000, or 41.8%. This decrease is primarily a result of the decrease in net sales and operating income in the Modular Buildings segment, as discussed below. Our effective tax rates for the years ending November 30, 2013 and 2012 were 29.7% and 33.2%, respectively, a decrease of 3.5%. The 3.5% decrease was due primarily to a production tax credit not recognized in fiscal year 2012 and higher research and development credits in the prior fiscal year.

 

Agricultural Products. Our Agricultural Products segment’s sales revenue for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 was $28,199,000, compared to $24,720,000 during the same period of 2012, an increase of $3,479,000, or 14.1%. The increase was due to additional sales in our beet harvester and Miller Pro box product lines, the acquisition of Universal Harvester Co., Inc. (UHC) and the associated product lines, and the acquisition of Agro Trend and the associated product lines. The sales increase in our beet harvester and Miller Pro box product lines totaled $2,489,000. The incremental revenue from our first full year of production at UHC was $996,000. Total sales revenue from the new Agro Trend brand, Art’s-Way International (AWI), starting at our purchase date of June 25, 2013 to November 30, 2013, was $394,000. Offsetting these increases was a $365,000 decrease in revenue in our service parts. Gross profit for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 was 23.1%, compared to 28.1% for the same period in 2012. This decrease in margin was due to changes in product mix, the absorption of the new acquisitions into the Company, the reduction of sales at UHC due to research and development at our OEMs, OEM inventory draw-downs at UHC, and labor inefficiencies.

 

Our Agricultural Products segment’s operating expenses for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 were $5,275,000, compared to $4,572,000 for the same period in 2012, an increase of $703,000 or 15.4%. This segment’s operating expenses for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 were 18.7% of sales, compared to 18.5% of sales for the same period in 2012. The increases in operating expenses are due to an increase in selling expenses, as well as increased operating expenses due to the addition of UHC and AWI. Total income from operations for our Agricultural Products segment during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 was $1,234,000, compared to $2,373,000 for the same period in 2012, a decrease of $1,139,000 or 48.0%.

 

Pressurized Vessels. Our Pressurized Vessels segment’s net sales for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 were $2,137,000, compared to $2,092,000 for the same period in 2012, an increase of $45,000, or 2.2%. This increase is attributable to higher sales volume. We have been working diligently to improve the consistency of our quality of goods and delivery of product. These improvements have helped us to capture additional sales as well as retain repeat customers. Fiscal year 2013 gross margin was 10.9% compared to 7.0% as of November 30, 2012. The additional sales have been the main contributor to the improved margins.

 

Modular Buildings. Our Modular Buildings segment’s net sales for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 were $3,240,000 compared to $9,645,000 for the same period in 2012, a decrease of $6,405,000, or 66.4%. Late in 2011 we secured a large job with Whiting Turner to produce a facility for Stanford University for approximately $9,000,000. That project significantly increased our sales in 2012. Gross profit for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 was $1,441,000 compared to $2,941,000 during the same period of 2012, a decrease of $1,500,000, or 51.0%. The decrease was primarily attributable to the completion in 2012 of an approximately $7,000,000 fabrication and delivery contract executed in January 2012 and an approximately $1,700,000 installation contract executed in April 2012. Art’s-Way Scientific was hired to design, fabricate, and install twenty-four modular units over the course of approximately one year for one of the world’s leading research and teaching institutions. Most of the revenue for the contract was recognized during 2012. Operating expenses for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 were $769,000 compared to $859,000 for the same period in 2012, a decrease of $90,000, or 10.5%. This decrease is primarily attributable to the decrease in production activity. As a percentage of sales our operating expenses were 23.7% in 2013 compared to 8.9% in 2012. Income from operations for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 was $672,000 compared to $2,082,000 for the same period in 2012, a decrease of $1,410,000, or 67.7%, which is a result of the 2012 completion of the contract mentioned above.

 

Tools. On September 30, 2013, the Company acquired the assets of Ohio Metal Working Products Company. For financial reporting purposes, a new segment called Tools was created. Total sales revenue from the new brand, Ohio Metal Working Products/Art’s-Way, Inc., starting at our purchase date of September 30, 2013 to November 30, 2013 was $651,000. Gross margin for that period was 28.1%.

 

 
15

 

 

Trends and Uncertainties

 

We are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that may affect our short-term or long-term liquidity, sales revenues and operations. Similar to other farm equipment manufacturers, we are affected by items unique to the farm industry, including fluctuations in farm income resulting from the change in commodity prices, crop damage caused by weather and insects, government farm programs, interest rate fluctuations, and other unpredictable variables. Other uncertainties include our OEM customers and the decisions they make regarding their current supply chain structure, inventory levels, and overall business conditions. Management believes that our business is dependent on the farming industry for the bulk of our sales revenues. As such, our business tends to reap the benefits of increases in farm net income, as farmers tend to purchase equipment in lucrative times and forgo purchases in less profitable years. Direct government payments are declining and costs of agricultural production are increasing; therefore, we anticipate that further increases in the value of production will benefit our business, while any future decreases in the value of production will decrease farm net income and may harm our financial results.

 

As with other farm equipment manufacturers, we depend on our network of dealers to influence customers’ decisions, and dealer influence is often more persuasive than a manufacturer’s reputation or the price of the product.

 

Seasonality

 

Sales of our agricultural products are seasonal; however, we have tried to decrease this impact of seasonality through the development of beet harvesting machinery coupled with private labeled products, as the peak periods for these different products occur at different times.

 

We believe that our pressurized vessel sales are not seasonal. Our modular building sales are somewhat seasonal, and we believe that this is due to the budgeting and funding cycles of the universities that commonly purchase our modular buildings. We believe that this cycle can be offset by building backlogs of inventory and by increasing sales to other public and private sectors.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

    A main source of funds during fiscal 2013 was proceeds from the sale of the land near Armstrong, Iowa which totaled $836,000 for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013. Accounts receivable, including allowance for doubtful accounts, increased by $222,000 and inventory decreased by $770,000, exclusive of acquisitions. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased by $2,082,000 primarily as the result of income tax payments and advance payments received in fiscal 2012 on the Modular Building segment’s job for Stanford University. Art’s-Way used $842,000 of cash to update facilities and equipment.

 

We have an $8,000,000 revolving line of credit with US Bank, pursuant to which we had borrowed $3,350,000 as of November 30, 2013 to acquire the Ohio Metal Working Products Company. We expect to obtain permanent financing for the acquisition in the future. In addition, we have five term loans from US Bank, which had outstanding principal balances of $2,115,000, $708,000, $1,693,000, $956,000, and $1,085,000 as of November 30, 2013.  We also have a loan relating to our production facility in West Union, Iowa, from the Iowa Finance Authority, which had an outstanding balance of$905,000 as of November 30, 2013.

 

Our loans require us to comply with various covenants, including maintaining certain financial ratios and obtaining prior written consent from US Bank for any investment in, acquisition of, or guaranty relating to another business or entity. We were in compliance with all covenants as of November 30, 2013 except for the US Bank Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. US Bank has issued a waiver for the non-compliance as of November 30, 2013 and no event of default occurred.

 

For additional information about our financing activities, please refer to Note 9 to the audited consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 
16

 

 

The following table represents our working capital and current ratio for the past two fiscal years:

 

   

Fiscal Year Ended

 
   

November 30, 2013

   

November 30, 2012

 

Current Assets

  $ 19,751,372     $ 20,080,591  

Current Liabilities

    7,268,872       5,959,004  

Working Capital

  $ 12,482,500     $ 14,121,587  
                 

Current Ratio

    2.72       3.37  

 

We believe that our current financing arrangements provide sufficient cash to finance operations for the next 12 months. We expect to continue to rely on cash from financing activities to supplement our cash flows from operations in order to meet our liquidity and capital expenditure needs in the near future. We expect to continue to be able to procure financing upon reasonable terms.

 

Contractual Obligations Table as of November 30, 2013

 

Contractual Obligations  
   

Total

   

Less than 1

year

   

1-3 years

   

3-5 years

   

More Than 5

years

 

Long-Term Debt Obligations

  $ 11,471,675     $ 4,790,009     $ 2,834,493     $ 3,610,381     $ 236,792  

Capital Lease Obligations

    -       -       -       -       -  

Operating Lease Obligations

    38,000       24,000       14,000       -       -  

Purchase Obligations

    -       -       -       -       -  

Other Long-Term Liabilities

    -       -       -       -       -  
Totals   $ 11,509,675     $ 4,814,009     $ 2,848,493     $ 3,610,381     $ 236,792  

 

Amounts in table include principle and interest.

 

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

None.

 

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide disclosure pursuant to this item.

 

 
17

 

 

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Art's-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Armstrong, Iowa

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Art's-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries as of November 30, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. Art's-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries’ management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Art's-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries as of November 30, 2013 and 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ Eide Bailly LLP

 

Fargo, North Dakota

February 26, 2014

 

 
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ART’S-WAY MANUFACTURING CO., INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

November 30,

2013

   

November 30,

2012

 
Assets                

Current assets:

               
Cash   $ 207,950     $ 1,546,609  

Accounts receivable-customers, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $35,474 and $27,958 in 2013 and 2012, respectively

    2,999,903       2,778,007  
Inventories, net     14,922,525       14,327,482  
Deferred taxes     1,228,097       1,061,806  
Cost and Profit in Excess of Billings     42,238       102,058  
Income taxes receivable     108,513       -  
Other current assets     242,146       309,800  

Total current assets

    19,751,372       20,125,762  

Property, plant, and equipment, net

    11,900,202       9,562,698  

Assets held for lease, net

    122,318       340,979  

Assets held for sale, net

    -       205,508  

Goodwill

    993,729       993,729  

Total assets

  $ 32,767,621     $ 31,228,676  

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

               

Current liabilities:

               
Line of credit   $ 3,350,000     $ -  
Current portion of term debt     1,228,964       1,165,177  
Accounts payable     806,207       654,322  
Customer deposits     147,505       232,300  
Billings in Excess of Cost and Profit     17,721       1,125,666  
Accrued expenses     1,718,475       1,960,240  
Income taxes payable     -       821,300  

Total current liabilities

    7,268,872       5,959,005  

Long-term liabilities

               

Deferred taxes

    952,645       897,492  

Long Term debt, excluding current portion

    6,251,959       7,300,957  

Total liabilities

    14,473,476       14,157,454  

Stockholders’ equity:

               

Undesignated preferred stock - $0.01 par value. Authorized 500,000 shares in 2013 and 2012; issued and outstanding 0 shares in 2013 and 2012.

    -       -  

Common stock – $0.01 par value. Authorized 9,500,000 shares in 2013 and 2012; issued and outstanding 4,046,552 in 2013 and 4,035,052 in 2012

    40,466       40,351  
Additional paid-in capital     2,616,407       2,540,320  
Retained earnings     15,637,272       14,490,551  

Total stockholders’ equity

    18,294,145       17,071,222  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 32,767,621     $ 31,228,676  

 

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
19

 

 

ART’S-WAY MANUFACTURING CO., INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations  

 

 

   

Years Ended

 
   

November 30, 2013

   

November 30, 2012

 

Net sales

  $ 34,226,553     $ 36,456,830  

Cost of goods sold

    25,860,107       26,424,567  

Gross profit

    8,366,446       10,032,263  

Expenses:

               

Engineering

    514,086       331,061  

Selling

    2,155,640       1,611,215  

General and administrative

    3,879,580       3,762,162  

Total expenses

    6,549,306       5,704,438  

Income from operations

    1,817,140       4,327,825  

Other income (expense):

               

Interest expense

    (296,640 )     (413,594 )

Other

    685,344       73,796  

Total other income (expense)

    388,704       (339,798 )

Income before income taxes

    2,205,844       3,988,027  

Current tax expense

    654,468       1,322,940  

Net income

  $ 1,551,376     $ 2,665,087  
                 

Net income per share:

               

Basic net income per share

  $ 0.38     $ 0.66  

Diluted net income per share

  $ 0.38     $ 0.66  

Weighted average outstanding shares used to compute basic net income per share

    4,039,530       4,032,643  

Weighted average outstanding shares used to compute diluted net income per share

    4,049,791       4,049,516  

  

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
20

 

  

ART’S-WAY MANUFACTURING CO., INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

   

Years Ended

 
   

November 30, 2013

   

November 30, 2012

 

Cash flows from operations:

               

Net income

  $ 1,551,376     $ 2,665,087  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

               

Stock based compensation

    29,812       34,519  

Impairment of Asset Available for Sale

    -       94,647  

Gain on disposal of property, plant, and equipment

    (601,678 )     -  

Depreciation expense

    704,457       792,910  

Amortization expense

    -       60,000  

Bad debt expense (recovery)

    7,516       (7,654 )

Deferred income taxes

    (111,138 )     (41,721 )

Changes in assets and liabilities net of Universal Harvester, Agro Trend, and Ohio Working Metals acquisitions:

               

(Increase) decrease in:

               

Accounts receivable

    (229,412 )     (739,984 )

Inventories

    769,641       (130,617 )

Income taxes receivable

    (108,513 )     -  

Other current assets

    67,652       (110,870 )

Increase (decrease) in:

               

Accounts payable

    151,885       312,584  

Contracts in progress, net

    (1,048,125 )     1,114,286  

Customer deposits

    (84,795 )     (106,184 )

Income taxes payable

    (821,301 )     470,304  

Accrued expenses

    (279,721 )     596,964  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    (2,344 )     5,004,271  

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

    (842,124 )     (799,598 )

Return of asset held for lease

    146,902       -  

Purchase of assets of Universal Harvester

    -       (3,003,565 )

Proceeds from sale of Armstrong, IA land and Salem, SD building

    835,534       -  

Purchase of assets of Ohio Metal Working Products

    (3,171,805 )     -  

Purchase of assets of Agro Trend

    (311,346 )     -  

Net cash (used in) investing activities

    (3,342,839 )     (3,803,163 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Net change in line of credit

    3,350,000       (1,388,965 )

Proceeds from term debt

    228,339       2,880,000  

Repayment of term debt

    (1,213,550 )     (869,987 )

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

    46,390       9,110  

Dividends paid to stockholders

    (404,655 )     (403,585 )

Net cash provided by financing activities

    2,006,524       226,573  

Net increase/(decrease) in cash

    (1,338,659 )     1,427,681  

Cash at beginning of period

    1,546,609       118,928  

Cash at end of period

  $ 207,950     $ 1,546,609  
                 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

               

Cash paid during the period for:

               

Interest

  $ 296,640     $ 411,737  

Income taxes

    1,644,520       1,045,614  
                 

Acquisitions:

 

Agro Trend

   

Universal Harvester

 

Inventories

  $ 223,172     $ 947,760  

Equipment, tools and dies

    88,174       364,053  

Goodwill and intangible assets

    -       618,729  

Land and Building

    -       1,108,573  

Non-Cash Activity: Stock issued for purchase of assets

    -       (35,550 )

Cash paid

  $ 311,346     $ 3,003,565  
   

Ohio Working Metals

         

Inventories

  $ 1,141,512          

Equipment, tools and dies

    868,250          

Goodwill and intangible assets

    -          

Land and Building

    1,200,000          

Non-Cash Activity: Assumed vacation liability

    (37,957 )        

Cash paid

  $ 3,171,805          

  

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
21

 

  

ART’S-WAY MANUFACTURING CO., INC.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

Years Ended November 30, 2013 and 2012

 

   

Common Stock

   

Additional

                 
   

Number of

shares

   

Par value

   

paid-in

capital

   

Retained

earnings

   

Total

 
                                         

Balance, November 30, 2011

    4,025,852     $ 40,259     $ 2,461,233     $ 12,229,049     $ 14,730,541  

Exercise of stock options

    2,000       20       9,090       -       9,110  

Stock based compensation

    2,200       22       34,497       -       34,519  

Shares issued for purchase of UHC

    5,000       50       35,500       -       35,550  

Dividends paid, $0.10 per share

    -       -       -       (403,585 )     (403,585 )

Net income

    -       -       -       2,665,087       2,665,087  

Balance, November 30, 2012

    4,035,052     $ 40,351     $ 2,540,320     $ 14,490,551     $ 17,071,222  

Exercise of stock options

    9,000       90       46,300       -       46,390  

Stock based compensation

    2,500       25       29,787       -       29,812  

Dividends paid, $0.10 per share

    -       -       -       (404,655 )     (404,655 )

Net income

    -       -       -       1,551,376       1,551,376  

Balance, November 30, 2013

    4,046,552     $ 40,466     $ 2,616,407     $ 15,637,272     $ 18,294,145  

 

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
22

 

   

Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(1)          Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

(a)       Nature of Business

 

Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. is primarily engaged in the fabrication and sale of specialized farm machinery in the agricultural sector of the United States. Primary product offerings include: portable and stationary animal feed processing equipment; hay and forage equipment; sugar beet harvesting equipment; land maintenance equipment; a line of portable grain augers; a line of manure spreaders; moldboard plows and a line of reels. The Company sells its labeled products through independent farm equipment dealers throughout the United States. In addition, the Company manufactures and supplies hay blowers to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The Company also provides after-market service parts that are available to keep its branded and OEM produced equipment operating to the satisfaction of the end user of the Company’s products.

 

On June 25, 2013, the Company acquired the fixed assets, raw material inventory, work-in-progress inventory and select finished goods inventory of Agro Trend, a division of Rojac Industries, Inc. of Clifford, Ontario, Canada. Agro Trend distributes agricultural equipment and manufactures commercial snow blowers and agricultural trailers. Most of the existing Agro Trend operational team was retained to continue the manufacture of snow blowers and trailers. The acquired assets and operations are reported with our agricultural products segment. For financial information related to the acquisition, see Note 13, “Acquisitions”.

 

Our Pressurized Vessels segment is primarily engaged in the fabrication and sale of pressurized vessels and tanks through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Art’s-Way Vessels, Inc. This segment provides a combination of services as a manufacturer and supplier of steel vessels and steel containment systems. The vessels are primarily sold to manufacturing facilities that will use the vessel as a component part of their end product. In addition to its role as a fabricator of vessels, it provides services including: custom CAD drawing; welding; interior linings and exterior finishing; passivation of stainless steel; hydrostatic and pneumatic testing; design, build and finishing of skids; installation of piping; non-destructive examination and heat treating.

 

Our Modular Buildings segment is primarily engaged in the construction of modular laboratories and animal housing facilities through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Art’s-Way Scientific, Inc. Buildings commonly produced range from basic swine buildings to complex containment research laboratories. This segment also provides services relating to the design, manufacturing, delivering, installation and renting of the building units that it produces.

 

On September 30, 2013, the Company acquired the assets of Ohio Metal Working Products Company in Canton, Ohio consisting of inventory, equipment, land, and building. Ohio Metal Working Products Company is a domestic manufacturer and distributor of standard single point brazed carbide tipped tools as well as PCD (polycrystalline diamond) and CBN (cubic boron nitride) inserts and tools. The existing Ohio Metal Working Products Company operational team was retained to continue the manufacturing of the carbide, PCD, and CBN tipped tools and inserts. The acquired assets and operations will be reported in a new segment for financial reporting purposes. For financial information related to the acquisition, see Note 13, “Acquisitions”.

 

(b)      Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Universal Harvester by Art’s-Way, Inc., Art’s-Way Vessels, Inc., Art’s-Way Scientific, Inc., Art’s-Way Manufacturing International LTD, and Ohio Metal Working Products/Art’s-Way, Inc. Art’s-Way Vessels became active in October 2005 after purchasing certain assets of Vessel Systems, Inc., while Art’s-Way Scientific, Inc. became active in August 2006 after purchasing certain assets of Tech Space, Inc. Universal Harvester by Art’s-Way was formed in 2012 in connection with the Company’s acquisition of certain assets of Universal Harvester Co., Inc. Art’s-Way Manufacturing International LTD was formed in June 2013 when the Company acquired certain assets of Agro Trend while Ohio Metal Working Products/Art’s-Way, Inc. was formed in September 2013 when the Company acquired certain assets of Ohio Metal Working Products Company. All material inter-company accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

  

 
23

 

 

The financial books of Art’s-Way Manufacturing International LTD are kept in the functional currency of Canadian dollars and the financial statements are converted to U.S. Dollars for consolidation. When consolidating the financial results of the Company into U.S. Dollars for reporting purposes, the Company uses the All-Current translation method. The All-Current method requires the balance sheet assets and liabilities be translated to U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate as of quarter end. Owner’s equity is translated at historical exchange rates and retained earnings are translated at an average exchange rate for the period. Additionally, revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the periods presented. The Company monitors the resulting cumulative translation adjustment and considers it to be immaterial.

 

(c)       Cash Concentration

 

The Company maintains several different accounts at four different banks, and balances in these accounts are periodically in excess of federally insured limits. However, management believes the risk of loss to be low.

 

(d)      Customer Concentration

 

During the year ended November 30, 2013, no one customer accounted for more than 6% of consolidated revenues. During the year ended November 30, 2012, one customer did account for approximately 25% of consolidated revenues. This was a customer of our Modular Buildings segment. In addition, during the year ended November 30, 2012, another customer accounted for approximately 12% of consolidated revenues. This was a customer of our Agricultural Products segment.

 

(e)       Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a monthly basis. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by identifying troubled accounts and by using historical experience applied to an aging of accounts. Accounts receivable are written-off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written-off are recorded when received. Accounts receivable are generally considered past due 60 days past invoice date, with the exception of international sales which primarily are sold with a letter of credit for 120 day terms.

 

Trade receivables due from customers are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment within 30 days from the invoice date. Trade receivables are stated at the amount billed to the customer. The Company charges interest on overdue customer account balances at a rate of 1.5% per month. Payments of trade receivables are allocated to the specific invoices identified on the customer's remittance advice or, if unspecified, are applied to the earliest unpaid invoices.

 

(f)        Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, and cost is determined using the standard costing method. Management monitors the carrying value of inventories using inventory control and review processes that include, but are not limited to, sales forecast review, inventory status reports, and inventory reduction programs. The Company records inventory write downs to market based on expected usage information for raw materials and historical selling trends for finished goods. Additional write downs may be necessary if the assumptions made by management do not occur.

 

   (g)        Property, Plant, and Equipment

 

Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation of plant and equipment is provided using the straight-line method, based on the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from three to forty years.

  

 
24

 

 

(h)      Lessor Accounting

 

Modular buildings held for short term lease by our Modular Buildings segment are recorded at cost. Amortization of the property is calculated over the useful life of the building. Estimated useful life is five years. Lease revenue is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease agreement.

 

    (i)       Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Impairment

 

Goodwill represents costs in excess of the fair value of net tangible and identifiable net intangible assets acquired in business combinations. Art’s-Way performs an annual test for impairment of goodwill during the fourth quarter.

 

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which is five years.

 

(j)        Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating losses. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates as recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is entirely dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

 

The Company shall classify interest and penalties to be paid on an underpayment of taxes as income tax expense. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and Canada. The company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years ended before November 30, 2009.

 

(k)      Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue is recognized when risk of ownership and title pass to the buyer, generally upon the shipment of the product. All sales are made to authorized dealers whose application for dealer status has been approved and who have been informed of general sales policies. Any changes in Company terms are documented in the most recently published price lists. Pricing is fixed and determinable according to the Company’s published equipment and parts price lists. Title to all equipment and parts sold shall pass to the Buyer upon delivery to the carrier and is not subject to a customer acceptance provision. Proof of the passing of title is documented by the signing of the delivery receipt by a representative of the carrier. Post shipment obligations are limited to any claim with respect to the condition of the equipment or parts. Applicable sales taxes imposed on our revenues are presented on a net basis on the consolidated statements of operations and therefore do not impact net revenues or cost of goods sold. A provision for warranty expenses, based on sales volume, is included in the financial statements. The Company’s return policy allows for new and saleable parts to be returned, subject to inspection and a restocking charge which is included in net sales. Whole goods are not returnable. Shipping costs charged to customers are included in net sales. Freight costs incurred are included in cost of goods sold.

 

In certain circumstances, upon the customer’s written request, we may recognize revenue when production is complete and the good is ready for shipment. At the buyer’s request, we will bill the buyer upon completing all performance obligations, but before shipment. The buyer dictates that we ship the goods per their direction from our manufacturing facility, as is customary with this type of agreement, in order to minimize shipping costs. The written agreement with the customer specifies that the goods will be delivered on a schedule to be determined by the customer, with a final specified delivery date, and that we will segregate the goods from our inventory, such that they are not available to fill other orders. This agreement also specifies that the buyer is required to purchase all goods manufactured under this agreement. Title of the goods will pass to the buyer when the goods are complete and ready for shipment, per the customer agreement. At the transfer of title, all risks of ownership have passed to the buyer, and the buyer agrees to maintain insurance on the manufactured items that have not yet been shipped. The Company has operated using bill and hold agreements with certain customers for many years. The credit terms on this agreement are consistent with the credit terms on all other sales. All risks of loss are shouldered by the buyer, and there are no exceptions to the buyer’s commitment to accept and pay for these manufactured goods. Revenues recognized at the completion of production in 2013 and 2012 were approximately $788,000 and $937,000, respectively.

  

 
25

 

 

Our Modular Buildings segment is in the construction industry, and as such accounts for long-term contracts on the percentage of completion method. Revenue and gross profit are recognized as work is performed based on the relationship between actual costs incurred and total estimated costs at completion. Contract losses are recognized when current estimates of total contract revenue and contract cost indicate a loss. Estimated contract costs include any and all costs appropriately allocable to the contract. The provision for these contract losses will be the excess of estimated contract costs over estimated contract revenues.

 

Costs and profit in excess of amounts billed are classified as current assets and billings in excess of cost and profit are classified as current liabilities.

 

(l)       Research and Development

 

Research and development costs are expensed when incurred. Such costs approximated $174,000 and $125,000 for the years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

(m)     Advertising

 

Advertising costs are expensed when incurred. Such costs approximated $479,000 and $256,000 for the years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

(n)       Income Per Share

 

Basic net income per common share has been computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share has been computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus equivalent shares assuming exercise of stock options.

 

Basic and diluted earnings per common share have been computed based on the following as of November 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

 

   

For the twelve months ended

 
   

November 30, 2013

   

November 30, 2012

 

Basic:

               

Numerator: net income

  $ 1,551,376     $ 2,665,087  

Denominator: average number of common shares outstanding

    4,039,530       4,032,643  

Basic earnings per common share

  $ 0.38     $ 0.66  
                 

Diluted:

               

Numerator: net income

  $ 1,551,376     $ 2,665,087  

Average number of common shares outstanding

    4,039,530       4,032,643  

Effect of dilutive stock options

    10,261       16,873  

Denominator: dilutive average number of common shares outstanding

    4,049,791       4,049,516  

Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 0.38     $ 0.66  

  

 
26

 

 

(o)      Stock Based Compensation

 

Stock-based compensation expense reflects the fair value of stock-based awards measured at the grant date and recognized over the relevant vesting period. We estimate the fair value of each stock-based award on the measurement date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model which incorporates assumptions as to stock price volatility, the expected life of the options, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. Restricted stock is valued at market value at the day of grant.

 

(p)      Use of Estimates

 

Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions related to the reported amount of assets and liabilities, reported amount of revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These estimates include the valuation of the Company’s accounts receivable, inventories, percent completion, warranty accrual and realizability of the deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

(q)      Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

Fair Value Measurements Update

 

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS’s” that amends the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and disclosing information about fair value measurements. The amendments in this update achieve the objective of developing common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, as well as improving consistency and understandability. Some of the requirements clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements while other amendments change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with no early adoption permitted. The company has completed the adoption of this standard and the standard does not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Comprehensive Income

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income” that improves the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and increases the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income by eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statements of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments in this standard require that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Under either method, adjustments must be displayed for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income (“OCI”) to net income, in both net income and OCI. The standard does not change the current option for presenting components of OCI gross or net of the effect of income taxes, provided that such tax effects are presented in the statement in which OCI is presented or disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. Additionally, the standard does not affect the calculation or reporting of earnings per share. For public entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and are to be applied retrospectively, with early adoption permitted. The Company has completed the adoption of this standard and the standard does not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU (Accounting Standards Update) No. 2011-12 which stated that the new presentation requirements about reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income would be difficult for preparers and may add unnecessary complexity to financial statements. In addition it is difficult for some stakeholders to change systems in time to gather the information for the new presentation requirements by the effective date of Update 2011-05. Given these issues, they asked the Board to reconsider whether it is necessary to require entities to present reclassification adjustments by component in both the statement where net income is presented and the statement where other comprehensive income is presented for both interim and annual financial statements. Because those pending paragraphs are effective on a retrospective basis for public entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and interim periods within those years, those stakeholders asked the Board, at a minimum, to defer the effective date pertaining to reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income in Accounting Standards Update 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income, until the Board is able to reconsider those paragraphs.

  

 
27

 

 

In order to defer only those changes in Update 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments, the paragraphs in this Update supersede certain pending paragraphs in Update 2011-05. The amendments are being made to allow the Board time to confirm whether to present on the face of the financial statements the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income for all periods presented. While the Board is considering the operational concerns about the presentation requirements for reclassification adjustments and the needs of financial statement users for additional information about reclassification adjustments, entities should continue to report reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income consistent with the presentation requirements in effect before Update 2011-05. All other requirements in Update 2011-05 are not affected by this Update, including the requirement to report comprehensive income either in a single continuous financial statement or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. Public entities must apply these requirements for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company has completed the adoption of this standard and the standard does not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02. After reviewing the presentation requirements about the effect of reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income on each line item of net income that were deferred by Update 2011-12, the FASB decided to not move forward with the requirement. Instead, the FASB decided that the reporting as described above is to be completed in one location, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes. The Company has completed the adoption of this standard and the standard does not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit

 

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” that clarifies how an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists; as a reduction to a deferred tax asset or as a liability. The amendments are meant to eliminate the diversity that exists in the financial statement presentation of the unrecognized tax benefits. The amendments in this ASU do not require new recurring disclosures and are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. The effective date for the Company will be the fiscal year beginning December 1, 2014. The Company currently has no unrecognized tax benefits that are impacted by the amendment and the Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

(2)          Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

A summary of the Company’s activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows: 

 

   

For the 12 months ended

 
   

November 30, 2013

   

November 30, 2012

 

Balance, beginning

  $ 27,958     $ 49,583  

Provision charged to expense

    7,516       (7,654 )

Less amounts charged-off

    -       (13,971 )

Balance, ending

  $ 35,474     $ 27,958  

  

 
28

 

 

(3)           Inventories

 

Major classes of inventory are: 

 

   

November 30, 2013

   

November 30, 2012

 

Raw materials

  $ 10,322,014     $ 8,466,060  

Work in process

    511,016       632,969  

Finished goods

    7,305,301       7,694,528  
    $ 18,138,331       16,793,557  

Less: Reserves

    (3,215,806 )     (2,466,075 )
    $ 14,922,525     $ 14,327,482  

 

(4)          Contracts in Progress

 

Amounts included in the consolidated financial statements related to uncompleted contracts are as follows:

 

The amounts billed on these long term contracts are due 30 days from invoice date. All amounts billed are expected to be collected within the next 12 months. Retainage was $0 and $173,360 as of November 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. 

 

   

Cost and Profit in

Excess of Billings

   

Billings in Excess of

Costs and Profit

 

November 30, 2013

               

Costs

  $ 326,560     $ 115,789  

Estimated earnings

    106,848       21,470  
      433,408       137,259  

Less: amounts billed

    (391,170 )     (154,980 )
    $ 42,238     $ (17,721 )
                 

November 30, 2012

               

Costs

  $ 127,858     $ 4,994,950  

Estimated earnings

    42,200       2,932,023  
      170,058       7,926,973  

Less: amounts billed

    (68,000 )     (9,052,639 )
    $ 102,058     $ (1,125,666 )

 

(5)           Property, Plant, and Equipment

 

Major classes of property, plant, and equipment are:

 

   

November 30, 2013

(1)  

November 30, 2012

 

Land

  $ 1,188,155     $ 1,038,154  

Buildings and improvements

    10,315,222       9,178,964  

Construction in Progress

    404,016       444,221  

Manufacturing machinery and equipment

    13,555,073       11,872,993  

Trucks and automobiles

    436,367       396,308  

Furniture and fixtures

    149,022       147,013  
      26,047,855       23,077,653  

Less accumulated depreciation

    (14,147,653 )     (13,514,955 )

Property, plant and equipment

  $ 11,900,202     $ 9,562,698  

 

(1) Includes assets purchased with Ohio Metal and Agro Trend acquisitions

 

Depreciation expense totaled $673,681 and $668,970 for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

 
29

 

 

(6)           Assets Available for Sale

 

Major components of assets available for sale are: 

 

   

November 30, 2013

   

November 30, 2012

 

Salem, SD production facility

  $ -     $ 87,500  

Armstrong, IA farm and pasture land

    -       118,008  
    $ -     $ 205,508  

 

The Company had been leasing approximately 88 acres of excess land to third parties for farming. In December of 2012, we sold this excess land as 3 separate tracts. Tract 1 was farmland northwest of the Armstrong Manufacturing plant located at 5556 Highway 9 in Armstrong, Iowa. Tract 2 was farmland north of railroad tracks that run on the north side of the Armstrong Manufacturing plant located at 5556 Highway 9 in Armstrong, Iowa. Tract 3 was pasture land east of the Armstrong Manufacturing plant located at 5556 Highway 9 in Armstrong, Iowa. The net gain on the sale of the three parcels totaled $639,000.

 

To better utilize our production facilities, our auger production was moved from our Salem, South Dakota facility to our West Union, Iowa production facility in July 2011. The Salem, South Dakota facility was sold in December 2012. An impairment of $95,000 was recognized in fiscal year 2012 on the production facility due to the Company’s carrying value exceeding the bid price. A net loss of $9,000 was recognized in December 2012, which consisted of the closing costs associated with the sale.

 

The net gain for the year ended November 30, 2013 on the sale of the Salem, South Dakota facility and the three tracts of land in Iowa totaled $630,000. The gain is recorded as an Other Income item in the accompanying statement of operations for the year ended November 30, 2013.

 

(7)           Accrued Expenses

 

Major components of accrued expenses are:

 

   

November 30, 2013

   

November 30, 2012

 

Salaries, wages, and commissions

  $ 836,200     $ 924,123  

Accrued warranty expense

    220,719       578,864  

Other

    661,556       457,253  
    $ 1,718,475     $ 1,960,240  

 

(8)           Product Warranty

 

The Company offers warranties of various lengths to its customers depending on the specific product and terms of the customer purchase agreement. The average length of the warranty period is 1 year from date of purchase. The Company’s warranties require it to repair or replace defective products during the warranty period at no cost to the customer. The Company records a liability for estimated costs that may be incurred under its warranties. The costs are estimated based on historical experience and any specific warranty issues that have been identified. Although historical warranty costs have been within expectations, there can be no assurance that future warranty costs will not exceed historical amounts. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liability and adjusts the balance as necessary.

 

Changes in the Company’s product warranty liability included in “accrued expenses” for the years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

 

   

November 30, 2013

   

November 30, 2012

 

Balance, beginning

  $ 578,864     $ 201,630  

Settlements / adjustments

    (605,281 )     (436,096 )

Warranties issued

    247,136       813,330  

Balance, ending

  $ 220,719     $ 578,864  

 

 
30

 

 

(9)           Loan and Credit Agreements

 

On May 1, 2013, the Company began to move all banking arrangements previously held through West Bank to U.S. Bank. The relationship with U.S. Bank now includes an $8,000,000 revolving line of credit (the “Line of Credit”) which is scheduled to mature on May 1, 2014. The Line of Credit is renewable annually with advances funding the Company’s working capital needs and is secured by real property and fixed asset collateral. The interest rate is U.S. Bank’s prime interest rate, adjusted each time that the Federal prime rate changes, with a minimum rate of 3.50%. As of November 30, 2013, the interest rate was the minimum of 3.50%. Monthly interest-only payments are required and the unpaid principal is due on the maturity date. However, any principal balance remaining at maturity may be rolled over to the next annual renewal. As of November 30, 2013, the Company had a principal balance of $3,350,000 outstanding against the Line of Credit. The Line of Credit states that the borrowing base will be an amount equal to the sum of 75% of accounts receivable (discounted for aged accounts and customer balances exceeding 20% of aggregate receivables), plus 50% of inventory (this component cannot exceed $6,000,000 and only includes finished goods and raw materials deemed to be in good condition and not obsolete), less any outstanding loan balance of the Line of Credit, and less undrawn amounts of outstanding letters of credit issued by U.S. Bank or any affiliate. The Company’s obligations under the Line of Credit are evidenced by a Revolving Credit Note effective May 1, 2013, a Revolving Credit Agreement dated May 1, 2013 and certain other ancillary documents.

 

In addition to the Line of Credit, on May 1, 2013, the Company refinanced all outstanding West Bank term loans with U.S. Bank. The West Bank long-term debt, which had outstanding principal balances of $4,342,000 at a fixed interest rate of 4.75% and $1,749,000 at a fixed interest rate of 4.50%, was paid off with four U.S. Bank loans totaling $6,319,000 at a fixed interest rate of 2.98% (the “2013 U.S. Bank Term Loans”). As detailed in the Company’s long-term debt summary below, monthly principal and interest payments in the aggregate amount of $93,850 are required, with final payments of principal and accrued interest on the four loans, in the aggregate amount of $1,372,000, due on May 1, 2018.

 

As a result of paying off the West Bank loans, the Company incurred $130,000 worth of prepayment penalties which were financed by the U.S. Bank loans. The penalties were booked to fixed costs on the income statement for the quarter ended May 31, 2013. Closing costs amounted to $9,000 and will be amortized over the life of the loans.

 

Except for the U.S. Bank UHC Loan (as defined below), each of the Company’s term loans from U.S. Bank is governed by a Term Note and a Term Loan Agreement. Each Term Loan Agreement and the Revolving Credit Agreement require the Company to provide monthly internally prepared financial reports, year-end audited financial statements, and a monthly aging of accounts receivable. The Company, as of the end of each fiscal quarter, must maintain a debt to tangible net worth ratio of not more than 1.5 to 1.0 and a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.15 to 1.00. The loans are secured by a first position security interest on the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including but not limited to, inventories, machinery, equipment and real estate, in accordance with the Business Security Agreements entered into by the Company and its subsidiaries and the Pledge Agreements entered into by the subsidiaries. Additionally, the Company has mortgaged certain real property in favor of U.S. Bank to secure the new loans, as documented by the Mortgage, Security Agreement and Assignment of Rents between U.S. Bank and the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

If the Company or its subsidiaries (as guarantors pursuant to continuing guaranties) commits an event of default under the Term Loan Agreements, Business Security Agreements, Pledge Agreements or Revolving Credit Agreement and fails or is unable to cure that default, the interest rate on each of the loans and Line of Credit could increase by 5.0% per annum and U.S. Bank can immediately terminate its obligation, if any, to make additional loans to the Company. In addition, U.S. Bank may collect any and all money due or to become due and shall have all other rights and remedies for default provided by the Uniform Commercial Code, as well as any other applicable law and the various loan agreements, including, without limitation, the right to repossess, render unusable and/or dispose of the collateral without judicial process.

 

The Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Term Loan Agreements and the Revolving Credit Agreement as measured on November 30, 2013, other than its covenant to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.15 to 1.00. The fixed charge coverage ratio is based on a rolling 12 month calculation and measures the Company’s ability to cover fixed expenses such as loan payments, tax payments, rental payments, and dividends. The timing of tax payments was the main reason for the non-compliance result as of November 30, 2013. US Bank has issued a waiver forgiving the non-compliance for the fourth quarter and no event of default occurred. The next measurement date is February 28, 2014.

  

 
31

 

 

On May 10, 2012, the Company obtained $880,000 in long-term debt from U.S. Bank issued to acquire the building and property of Universal Harvester Co., Inc. located in Ames, Iowa (the “U.S. Bank UHC Loan”). The maturity date of this loan is May 10, 2017, with a final payment of principal and accrued interest in the amount of $283,500 due May 10, 2017. This loan is secured by a mortgage on the building and property acquired from Universal Harvester Co., Inc. in Ames, Iowa, pursuant to a Mortgage, Security Agreement and Assignment of Rents between the Company and U.S. Bank, dated May 10, 2012. On May 1, 2013, the U.S. Bank UHC Loan and the Mortgage were amended to extend the mortgage to secure the 2013 U.S. Bank Term Loans in addition to the U.S. Bank UHC Loan.

 

If the Company or its subsidiaries (as guarantors) commits an event of default under the agreement governing the U.S. Bank UHC Loan, the lender may cause the entire amount of the loan to be immediately due and payable, may foreclose on the property, or may increase the interest rate to a rate of 5.00% per annum, plus the interest rate otherwise payable under the U.S. Bank UHC Loan.

  

On May 1, 2010, the Company obtained a loan to finance the purchase of an additional facility located in West Union, Iowa to be used as a distribution center, warehouse facility, and manufacturing plant for certain products under the Art’s-Way brand. The funds for this loan were made available by the Iowa Finance Authority by the issuance of tax exempt bonds. This loan had an original principal amount of $1,300,000 and an interest rate of 3.5%. On February 1, 2013, the interest rate was decreased to 2.75%. The other terms of the loan remain unchanged.

 

This loan from the Iowa Finance Authority, which has been assigned to The First National Bank of West Union (n/k/a Bank 1st), is governed by a Manufacturing Facility Revenue Note dated May 28, 2010 as amended February 1, 2013 and a Loan Agreement dated May 1, 2010 and a First Amendment to Loan Agreement dated February 1, 2013 (collectively, “the IFA Loan Agreement”), which requires the Company to provide quarterly internally prepared financial reports and year-end audited financial statements and to maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.5 to 1.0, which is measured at November 30 of each year. Among other covenants, the IFA Loan Agreement also requires the Company to maintain proper insurance on, and maintain in good repair, the West Union Facility, and continue to conduct business and remain duly qualified to do business in the State of Iowa. The loan is secured by a mortgage on the Company’s West Union Facility, pursuant to a Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Financing Statement dated May 1, 2010 between the Company and The First National Bank of West Union (the “West Union Mortgage”).

 

If the Company commits an event of default under the IFA Loan Agreement and does not cure the event of default within the time specified by the IFA Loan Agreement, the lender may cause the entire amount of the loan to be immediately due and payable and take any other action that it is lawfully permitted to take or in equity to enforce the Company’s performance.

 

The Company was in compliance with all covenants under the IFA Loan Agreement as measured on November 30, 2013. The next measurement date is November 30, 2014.

 

 
32

 

 

A summary of the Company’s term debt is as follows: 

 

   

November 30, 2013

   

November 30, 2012

 
                 

U.S. Bank loan payable in monthly installments of $42,500 including interest at 2.98%, due May 1, 2018 (November 30, 2012 is West Bank loan amount)

  $ 2,114,675     $ 2,435,359  
                 

U.S. Bank loan payable in monthly installments of $11,000 including interest at 2.98%, due May 1, 2018 (November 30, 2012 is West Bank loan amount)

    955,507       1,027,330  
                 

U.S. Bank loan payable in monthly installments of $12,550 including interest at 2.98%, due May 1, 2018 (November 30, 2012 is West Bank loan amount)

    1,085,350       1,167,725  
                 

U.S. Bank loan payable in monthly installments of $27,800 including interest at 2.98%, due May 1, 2018 (November 30, 2012 is West Bank loan amount)

    1,693,752       1,875,120  
                 

U.S. Bank loan payable in monthly installments of $11,700 including interest at 3.15%, due May 10, 2017

    707,719       823,555  
                 

Iowa Finance Authority loan payable in monthly installments of $12,500 including interest at 2.75%, due June 1, 2020

    904,662       1,027,366  
                 

IDED loan payable in monthly installments of $2,437 including interest at 6%, due June 1, 2014

    14,375       41,866  
                 

IDED loan payable in monthly installments of $813 including interest at 0%, due June 1, 2014

    4,883       14,649  
                 

IDED loan payable in monthly installments of $0 including interest at 0% originally due July 1, 2014, forgiven in full July 31, 2013

    -       48,830  
                 

West Union Community Development Corporation loan payable in annual installments of $4,333 including interest at 0% originally due September 1, 2013, repaid in full August 21, 2013

    -       4,334  
                 

Total term debt

  $ 7,480,923     $ 8,466,134  

Less current portion of term debt

    1,228,964       1,165,177  
                 

Term debt, excluding current portion

  $ 6,251,959     $ 7,300,957  

 

  

A summary of the minimum maturities of term debt follows for the years ending November 30: 

 

Year:

 

Amount

 

2014

    1,228,964  

2015

    1,246,624  

2016

    1,284,323  

2017

    1,529,360  

2018

    1,959,912  

2019 and thereafter

    231,740  
    $ 7,480,923  

  

 
33

 

 

(10)         Employee Benefit Plans

 

The Company sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) savings plan which covers substantially all full-time employees who meet eligibility requirements. Participating employees may contribute as salary reductions any amount of their compensation up to the limit prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company makes a 25% matching contribution to employees contributing a minimum of 4% of their compensation, up to 1% of eligible compensation. The Company recognized an expense of $38,145 and $31,763 related to this plan during the years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

(11)         Equity Incentive Plan

 

On November 30, 2013, the Company had one equity incentive plan, which is described below. The compensation cost charged against income was $29,812 and $34,519 for 2013 and 2012, respectively. The total income tax deductions for share-based compensation arrangements were $17,210 and $8,900 for 2013 and 2012, respectively. No compensation cost was capitalized as part of inventory or fixed assets.

 

On January 27, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized and approved the Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”), subject to approval by the stockholders on or before January 27, 2012. The 2011 Plan was approved by the stockholders on April 28, 2011. It replaced the Employee Stock Option Plan and the Directors’ Stock Option Plan (collectively, the “Prior Plans”), and no further stock options will be awarded under the Prior Plans. Awards to directors and executive officers under the 2011 Plan will be governed by the forms of agreement approved by the Board of Directors. The 2011 Plan permits the plan administrator to award nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance awards, and stock appreciation rights to employees (including officers), directors, and consultants. The Board of Directors has approved a director compensation policy pursuant to which non-employee directors are automatically granted non-qualified stock options to purchase 2,000 shares of common stock annually or initially upon their election to the Board, which are fully vested.

 

Stock options granted prior to January 27, 2011 are governed by the applicable Prior Plan and the forms of agreement adopted thereunder.

 

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black Scholes option-pricing model. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors. The Company uses historical option exercise and termination data to estimate the expected term the options are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected dividend yield is calculated using historical dividend amounts and the stock price at the option issuance date.  

 

    2013     2012  

Expected Volatility

    53.71 %     68.42 %

Expected Dividend Yield

    1.063 %     1.007 %

Expected Term (in years)

    2       2  

Risk-Free Rate

    3.25 %     3.25 %

 

 
34

 

 

Summary of activity under the plans as of November 30, 2012 and 2013, and changes during the years then ended as follows: 

 

2013 Option Activity

 

Options

 

Shares

   

Weighted-Average

Exercise

Price

   

Weighted-Average

Remaining

Contractual

Term

   

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

 

Options outstanding at beginning of period

    163,000     $ 9.16       -       -  

Granted

    14,000     $ 6.40       -       -  

Exercised

    (9,000 )   $ 5.15       -     $ 13,970  

Options Expired or Forfeited

    (25,000 )   $ 10.04       -       -  

Options outstanding at end of period

    143,000     $ 9.00       5.71     $ 48,400  

Options exercisable at end of period

    143,000     $ 9.00       5.71     $ 48,400  

 

 

2012 Option Activity

 

Options

 

Shares

   

Weighted-Average

Exercise

Price

   

Weighted-Average

Remaining

Contractual

Term

   

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

 

Options outstanding at beginning of period

    153,000     $ 9.32       -       -  

Granted

    14,000     $ 6.75       -       -  

Exercised

    (2,000 )   $ 4.56       -     $ 5,660  

Options Expired or Forfeited

    (2,000 )   $ 8.66       -       -  

Options outstanding at end of period

    163,000     $ 9.16       5.60     $ 34,700  

Options exercisable at end of period

    163,000     $ 9.16       5.60     $ 34,700  

 

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the year 2013 and 2012 was $0.15 and $1.26, respectively.

 

A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested shares as of November 30, 2013, and changes during the year ended November 30, 2013, is presented below:

 

 

Non-vested Shares

 

Shares

   

Weighted-Average

Grant-Date Fair Value

 

Non-vested at beginning of period

    -     $ 0.00  

Granted

    14,000     $ 0.15  

Vested

    (14,000 )   $ 0.15  

Forfeited

    -     $ 0.00  

Non-vested at end of period

    0          

 

 

As of November 30, 2013, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements under the plans. The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012 was $2,100 and $17,640 respectively.

 

The cash received from the exercise of options during fiscal year 2013 was $46,390, compared to $9,110 in 2012.

 

During fiscal year 2013 the Company issued 2,500 shares of restricted stock under the 2011 Plan. During fiscal year 2013, 1300 shares of restricted stock became unrestricted. The Company issued 3,000 shares of restricted stock in fiscal year 2012 of which 800 were subsequently forfeited. Compensation expense of $8,554 and $16,200 was recognized in 2013 and 2012, respectively, for shares of restricted stock.

 

 
35

 

 

(12)         Income Taxes

 

Total income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended November 30, 2013 and 2012 consists of the following:

 

   

November 30

 
   

2013

   

2012

 

Current expense

  $ 765,606     $ 1,364,661  

Deferred expense(benefit)

    (111,138 )     (41,721 )
    $ 654,468     $ 1,322,940  

 

The reconciliation of the statutory Federal income tax rate is as follows:

 

   

November 30

 
   

2013

   

2012

 

Statutory federal income tax rate

    34.0 %     34.0%  

R & D tax credits

    (1.0 )     (2.0 )

Permanent Differences and Other

    (3.3 )     1.2  
                 
      29.7 %     33.2

%

 

Tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets (liabilities) at November 30, 2013 and 2012 are presented below:

 

   

November 30

 
   

2013

   

2012

 

Current deferred tax assets (liabilities):

               

Accrued expenses

  $ 168,000     $ 254,000  

Inventory capitalization

    24,000       8,000  

Asset reserves

    1,036,000       800,000  

Total current deferred tax assets

  $ 1,228,000     $ 1,062,000  

Non-current deferred tax assets (liabilities):

               

Property, plant, and equipment

  $ (953,000 )   $ (897,000 )

Total non-current deferred tax assets (liabilities)

  $ (953,000 )   $ (897,000 )

 

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.

 

(13)        Acquisitions

 

On May 10, 2012, the Company acquired the assets of Universal Harvester Co., Inc. consisting of inventory, equipment, land, building goodwill and intangible assets. The acquisition-date fair value of the total consideration transferred was approximately $3,066,000 consisting of $3,030,450 of current and future cash to be paid and $35,550 of common stock. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, cash in the amount $3,003,565 was paid on May 11, 2012 and $27,427 of cash was paid on real estate taxes accrued but due on the land and building in future periods. The company issued 5,000 shares of common stock valued at $35,550 based on the closing market price as of May 10, 2012.

 

The operating results of the acquired business are reflected in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations from the acquisition date forward. The acquisition was made to continue the Company’s growth strategy and diversify its product offerings inside the agricultural industry. The purchase price was determined based on an arms-length negotiated value. The transaction is being accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, with the purchase price allocated to the individual assets acquired. The purchase price allocation has been finalized and no longer subject to change.

 

 
36

 

  

The consideration has been allocated as follows: 

 

   

Initially

   

Adjustments

   

Final

 

Inventories

  $ 902,589     $ 45,171     $ 947,760  

Equipment, tools and dies

    364,053       -       364,053  

Goodwill and intangible assets

    699,900       (81,171 )     618,729  

Land and building

    1,100,000       36,000       1,136,000  

Total

  $ 3,066,542     $ -     $ 3,066,542  

 

The unaudited pro forma information for the periods set forth below gives effect to the acquisition as if it had occurred at the beginning of fiscal year starting December 1, 2011. The pro forma information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that actually would have been achieved had the acquisition been consummated as of that time or that may result in the future:

 

 

Year Ended

November 31, 2013

Year Ended

November 30, 2012

Net Sales from Continuing Operations:

               

As Reported

  $ 34,226,553     $ 36,456,830  

Pro Forma

  $ 34,226,553     $ 38,710,922  
                 

Net Income from Continuing Operations:

               

As Reported

  $ 1,551,376     $ 2,665,087  

Pro Forma

  $ 1,551,376     $ 2,756,182  
                 

Basic Net income per Share:

               

As Reported

  $ 0.38     $ 0.66  

Pro Forma

  $ 0.38     $ 0.68  
                 

Diluted Net income per Share:

               

As Reported

  $ 0.38     $ 0.66  

Pro Forma

  $ 0.38     $ 0.68  
                 

Weighted average outstanding shares used to compute basic net income per share

    4,039,530       4,032,643  

Weighted average outstanding shares used to compute diluted net income per share

    4,049,791       4,049,516  

 

On June 25, 2013, the Company acquired the fixed assets, raw material inventory, work-in-process inventory, and select finished good inventory of Agro Trend, a division of Rojac Industries, Inc. of Clifford, Ontario, Canada. A new entity was formed, Art's Way Manufacturing International LTD (“International”), which is included in the agricultural products segment for financial reporting purposes. International will lease the facility in Clifford, Ontario and is continuing manufacturing, marketing and sales from the Canadian location. The amount paid in US dollars for the acquisition of assets totaled $311,000 ($88,000 in fixed assets and $223,000 in inventory). The purchase price allocation has been reviewed and is final. The operating results of the acquired business are reflected in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations from the acquisition date forward. The acquisition was made to continue the Company’s growth strategy and diversify its product offerings inside the agricultural industry.

 

The acquisition also includes a consignment arrangement regarding $600,000 of select finished good inventory. As part of the arrangement, International agreed to use reasonable efforts to sell the inventory including providing a sales and marketing plan with projections within 60 days of the closing date and meeting with the consignor quarterly to discuss progress. On a monthly basis, International agreed to pay the consignor an amount equal to the cost base of the inventory sold that month. As of November 30, 2013, International had sold $159,000 of the consigned inventory.

 

The financial books of the operation are kept in the functional currency of Canadian dollars and the financial statements are converted to U.S. Dollars for consolidation. When consolidating the financial results of the Company into U.S. Dollars for reporting purposes, the Company uses the All-Current translation method. The All-Current method requires the balance sheet assets and liabilities be translated to U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate as of quarter end. Owner’s equity is translated at historical exchange rates and retained earnings are translated at an average exchange rate for the period. Additionally, revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the periods presented. The Company monitors the resulting cumulative translation adjustment and considers it to be immaterial.

  

 
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On September 30, 2013, the Company acquired the assets of Ohio Metal Working Products Company in Canton, Ohio consisting of inventory, equipment, real property, and intangible assets. A new entity was formed, Ohio Metal Working Products/Art’s-Way, Inc. A new segment called Tools has been created for financial reporting purposes. Ohio Metal Working Products/Art’s-Way, Inc. is a domestic manufacturer and distributor of standard single point brazed carbide tipped tools as well as PCD (polycrystalline diamond) and CBN (cubic boron nitride) inserts and tools. The amount paid for the acquisition totaled approximately $3,172,000 ($1,142,000 in inventory, $1,200,000 in land and building, $868,000 in fixed assets, and a reduction for assumed vacation liability of $38,000). The Company has a year to review and assess the purchase price allocation. Upon completion of the review, adjustments will be made if necessary. The acquisition was financed by accessing the line of credit available through US Bank. The acquired assets are not subject to a security interest. We expect to obtain permanent financing for the acquisition in the future. The operating results of the acquired business are reflected in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations from the acquisition date forward. The acquisition was made to continue the Company’s growth strategy and diversify its product offerings.

 

(14)        Disclosures About the Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The fair value of a financial instrument is defined as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. At November 30, 2013 and 2012, the carrying amount approximates fair value for cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable to bank, and other current liabilities. The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s installment term loans payable also approximate recorded value because the interest rates charged under the loan terms are not substantially different than current interest rates.

 

(15)        Litigation and Contingencies

 

Various legal actions and claims that arise in the normal course of business are pending against the Company. In the opinion of management adequate provisions have been made in the accompanying financial statements for all pending legal actions and other claims.

 

(16)        Segment Information

 

There are four reportable segments: agricultural products, pressurized vessels, modular buildings, and tools. The agricultural products segment fabricates and sells farming products as well as replacement parts for these products in the United States and worldwide. The pressurized vessel segment produces and services pressurized tanks. The modular building segment produces modular buildings for animal containment and various laboratory uses. The tools segment manufactures steel cutting tools and inserts.

 

The accounting policies applied to determine the segment information are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Management evaluates the performance of each segment based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes.

  

 
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Approximate financial information with respect to the reportable segments is as follows.  

 

   

Twelve Months Ended November 30, 2013

         
                               
   

Agricultural Products

   

Pressurized Vessels

   

Modular Buildings

   

Tools

   

Consolidated

 

Revenue from external customers

  $ 28,199,000     $ 2,137,000     $ 3,240,000     $ 651,000     $ 34,227,000  

Gross Profit

    6,508,000       234,000       1,441,000       183,000     $ 8,366,000  

Operating Expense

    5,275,000       360,000       769,000       145,000     $ 6,549,000  

Income (loss) from operations

    1,234,000       (127,000 )     672,000       38,000     $ 1,817,000  

Income (loss) before tax

    1,718,000       (221,000 )     680,000       29,000     $ 2,206,000  

Total Assets

    23,279,000       2,758,000       3,092,000       3,639,000     $ 32,768,000  

Capital expenditures

    776,000       41,000       20,000       5,000     $ 842,000  

Depreciation & Amortization

    413,000       105,000       158,000       28,000     $ 704,000  

 

   

Twelve Months Ended November 30, 2012

         
                               
   

Agricultural Products

   

Pressurized Vessels

   

Modular Buildings

   

Tools

   

Consolidated

 

Revenue from external customers

  $ 24,720,000     $ 2,092,000     $ 9,645,000     $ -     $ 36,457,000  

Gross Profit

    6,945,000       146,000       2,941,000       -     $ 10,032,000  

Operating Expense

    4,572,000       273,000       859,000       -     $ 5,704,000  

Income (loss) from operations

    2,373,000       (127,000 )     2,082,000       -     $ 4,328,000  

Income (loss) before tax

    2,326,000       (355,000 )     2,017,000       -     $ 3,988,000  

Total Assets

    24,155,000       2,846,000       4,228,000       -     $ 31,229,000