Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20212022

OR

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

 

Commission File Number: 001-34382

 

rcky20210331_10qimg001.gif

 

ROCKY BRANDS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Ohio

 

No. 31-1364046

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

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

   

39 East Canal Street, Nelsonville, Ohio 45764

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

   

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (740) 7539100

 

Title of class

 

Trading symbol

 

Name of exchange on which registered

Common Stock – No Par Value

 

RCKY

 

Nasdaq

 

 

Indicate by checkmark 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 the filing requirements for at least the past 90 days. Yes ☒  No ☐

 

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

 

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

 

 ☐ Large accelerated filer☒ Accelerated filer
   
 ☐ Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company
   
  ☐ Emerging growth company

 

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

 

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

 

There were 7,300,1997,326,411 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock outstanding on October 31, 2021.2022.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

   
   
  

Page

PART I

Financial Information

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 20212022 (Unaudited), December 31, 2020,2021, and September 30, 20202021 (Unaudited)

2

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20212022 and 20202021 (Unaudited)

3

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20212022 and 20202021 (Unaudited)

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20212022 and 20202021 (Unaudited)

5

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

6

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

1918

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

2524

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

2524

PARTII

Other Information

 
PARTIIOther Information

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

2524

Item 6.

Exhibits

2625

SIGNATURES 

2726

 

1

 

PART 1 FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

September 30,

  

December 31,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2020

  

2022

  

2021

  

2021

 

ASSETS:

  

CURRENT ASSETS:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 $12,918  $28,353  $19,947  $7,277  $5,909  $12,918 

Trade receivables – net

 80,677  48,010  49,188  118,193  126,807  80,677 

Contract receivables

 1,899  5,170  0  -  1,062  1,899 

Other receivables

 211  364  364  490  242  211 

Inventories – net

 202,199  77,576  80,655  265,082  232,464  202,199 

Income tax receivable

 4,220 0 0  1,633 4,294 4,220 

Prepaid expenses

  7,438   3,713   3,611   4,360   4,507   7,438 

Total current assets

 309,562  163,186  153,765  397,035  375,285  309,562 

LEASED ASSETS

 2,833  1,572  1,399  9,971  11,428  2,833 

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT – net

 57,190  33,750  31,325  60,271  59,989  57,190 

GOODWILL

 49,169 0 0  50,246 50,641 49,169 

IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLES – net

 127,116  30,209  30,216  122,552  126,315  127,116 

OTHER ASSETS

  952   374   355   878   917   952 

TOTAL ASSETS

 $546,822  $229,091  $217,060  $640,953  $624,575  $546,822 
  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

  

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

  

Accounts payable

 $85,100  $20,090  $23,834  $101,683  $114,632  $85,100 

Contract liabilities

 1,899  5,582  0  -  1,062  1,899 

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

 3,250 0 0  3,250 3,250 3,250 

Accrued expenses:

  

Salaries and wages

 6,409  4,463  3,813  3,667  3,668  6,409 

Taxes - other

 585  893  789 

Taxes – other

 1,784  849  585 

Accrued freight

 3,796  911  729  3,842  1,798  3,796 

Commissions

 898  712  544  1,619  2,447  898 

Accrued duty

 5,243  4,270  4,586  8,051  5,469  5,243 

Accrued interest

 2,216 0 0  2,314 2,133 2,216 

Income tax payable

 0  1,019  422 

Other

  4,956   2,043   1,563   5,486   4,828   4,956 

Total current liabilities

 114,352  39,983  36,280  131,696  140,136  114,352 

LONG-TERM DEBT

 235,506  0  0  281,515  266,794  235,506 

LONG-TERM TAXES PAYABLE

 169  169  169  169  169  169 

LONG-TERM LEASE

 1,980  944  833  7,394  8,809  1,980 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

 8,271  8,271  8,108  10,293  10,293  8,271 

DEFERRED LIABILITIES

  503   219   238   558   519   503 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 360,781  49,586  45,628  431,625  426,720  360,781 

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

  

Common stock, no par value;

  

25,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding September 30, 2021 - 7,295,435; December 31, 2020 - 7,247,631; September 30, 2020 - 7,276,379

 67,662  65,971  66,604 

25,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding September 30, 2022 - 7,322,232; December 31, 2021 - 7,302,199; September 30, 2021 - 7,295,435

 68,986  68,061  67,662 

Retained earnings

  118,379   113,534   104,828   140,342   129,794   118,379 

Total shareholders' equity

  186,041   179,505   171,432   209,328   197,855   186,041 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 $546,822  $229,091  $217,060  $640,953  $624,575  $546,822 

 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2

 

 

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

NET SALES

 $125,507  $77,785  $344,776  $189,691  $147,486  $125,507  $476,549  $344,776 

COST OF GOODS SOLD

  78,546   47,952   213,522   121,077   95,556   78,546   308,042   213,522 

GROSS MARGIN

 46,961  29,833  131,254  68,614  51,930  46,961  168,507  131,254 
          
 

OPERATING EXPENSES

  44,208   20,175   113,483   54,344   40,305   44,208   138,089   113,483 
          

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 2,753  9,658  17,771  14,270  11,625  2,753  30,418  17,771 
          

OTHER EXPENSES

  (3,241)  (55)  (7,366)  (112)

INTEREST AND OTHER EXPENSES

  (4,181)  (3,241)  (12,411)  (7,366)
          

(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 (488) 9,603  10,405  14,158 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 7,444  (488) 18,007  10,405 
          

INCOME TAX (BENEFIT) EXPENSE

  (113)  1,992   2,393   2,917 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)

  1,753   (113)  4,057   2,393 
          

NET (LOSS) INCOME

 $(375) $7,611  $8,012  $11,241 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 $5,691  $(375) $13,950  $8,012 
          

(LOSS) INCOME PER SHARE

         

INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

Basic

 $(0.05) $1.04  $1.10  $1.54  $0.78 $(0.05) $1.91 $1.10 

Diluted

 $(0.05) $1.04  $1.08  $1.53  $0.77 $(0.05) $1.89 $1.08 
          

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

          
          

Basic

  7,370   7,306   7,304   7,323   7,319   7,370   7,313   7,304 

Diluted

  7,370   7,336   7,436   7,352   7,349   7,370   7,382   7,436 

 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3

 

 

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders Equity

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Common Stock and

 

Accumulated

      

Common Stock and

 

Accumulated

     

Additional Paid-in Capital

 

Other

   

Total

  

Additional Paid-in Capital

 

Other

   

Total

 

Shares

   

Comprehensive

Retained

 

Shareholders'

  

Shares

   

Comprehensive

 

Retained

 

Shareholders'

 

Outstanding

 

Amount

 

Income

Earnings

 

Equity

  

Outstanding

 

Amount

 

Income

 

Earnings

 

Equity

 
  

BALANCE - December 31, 2019

$7,355 $67,993 $0$96,663 $164,656 
 

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

        

Net income

      $1,188  1,188 

Dividends paid on common stock ($0.14 per share)

       (1,030) (1,030)

Repurchase of common stock

 (50)$(1,000)      (1,000)

Stock issued for options exercised, including tax benefits

 0  -       0 

Stock compensation expense

 4  202       202 

BALANCE - March 31, 2020

 7,309 $67,195 $0$96,821 $164,016 
 

Net income

      $2,442 $2,442 

Dividends paid on common stock ($0.14 per share)

       (1,023) (1,023)

Repurchase of common stock

 0 -       0 

Stock issued for options exercised, including tax benefits

 0  -    -  0 

Stock compensation expense

 3 $194    -  194 

BALANCE - June 30, 2020

 7,312 $67,389 $0$98,240 $165,629 
 

Net income

      $7,611 $7,611 

Dividends paid on common stock ($0.14 per share)

       (1,023) (1,023)

Repurchase of common stock

 (41)$(1,004)      (1,004)

Stock issued for options exercised, including tax benefits

 2  29    -  29 

Stock compensation expense

 3  190    -  190 

BALANCE - September 30, 2020

 7,276 $66,604 $0$104,828 $171,432 
 

BALANCE - December 31, 2020

 7,248 $65,971  0$113,534 $179,505   7,248 $65,971 - $113,534 $179,505 
  

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

                    

Net income

      $4,492 $4,492         $4,492  $4,492 

Dividends paid on common stock ($0.14 per share)

       (1,015) (1,015)

Dividends paid on common stock ($0.14 per share)

        (1,015) (1,015)

Repurchase of common stock

 0  -       0  - -     - - 

Stock issued for options exercised, including tax benefits

 31 $607    -  607  31 $607     - 607 

Stock compensation expense

 2  278    -  278   2 278     - 278 

BALANCE - March 31, 2021

 7,281 $66,856 $0$117,011 $183,867   7,281 $66,856 $- $117,011 $183,867 
  

Net income

      $3,895 $3,895         $3,895  $3,895 

Dividends paid on common stock ($0.14 per share)

       (1,020) (1,020)

Dividends paid on common stock ($0.14 per share)

        (1,020) (1,020)

Repurchase of common stock

 0  -       0  - -     - - 

Stock issued for options exercised, including tax benefits

 1 $24    -  24  1  $24     -  24 

Stock compensation expense

 1  330    -  330   1  330     -  330 

BALANCE - June 30, 2021

 7,283 $67,210 $0$119,886 $187,096   7,283  $67,210  $-  $119,886  $187,096 
  

Net loss

      $(375)$(375)      $(375) $(375)

Dividends paid on common stock ($0.16 per share)

       (1,132) (1,132)

Dividends paid on common stock ($0.155 per share)

      (1,132) (1,132)

Repurchase of common stock

 0  -       0  - -       - 

Stock issued for options exercised, including tax benefits

 9 $125    -  125  9  $125    -  125 

Stock compensation expense

 3  327    -  327   3  327    -  327 

BALANCE - September 30, 2021

 7,295 $67,662 $0$118,379 $186,041   7,295 $67,662 $- $118,379 $186,041 
 

BALANCE - December 31, 2021

  7,302 $68,061 - $129,794 $197,855 
 

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

            

Net income

      $7,338 $7,338 

Dividends paid on common stock ($0.155 per share)

      (1,133) (1,133)

Repurchase of common stock

 - -     - - 

Stock issued for options exercised, including tax benefits

 7 $145    - 145 

Stock compensation expense

  2 248    - 248 

BALANCE - March 31, 2022

 7,311 $68,454 $- $135,999 $204,453 
 

Net income

      $920 $920 

Dividends paid on common stock ($0.155 per share)

      (1,132) (1,132)

Repurchase of common stock

 - -     - 

Stock issued for options exercised, including tax benefits

 - $-    - - 

Stock compensation expense

  2 226    - 226 

BALANCE - June 30, 2022

  7,313 $68,680 $- $135,787 $204,467 
 

Net income

      $5,691 $5,691 

Dividends paid on common stock ($0.155 per share)

      (1,136) (1,136)

Repurchase of common stock

 - -    - - 

Stock issued for options exercised, including tax benefits

 7 79    - 79 

Stock compensation expense

  2 $227    - 227 

BALANCE - September 30, 2022

  7,322 $68,986 $- $140,342 $209,328 

 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4

 

 

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

  

2021

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

  

Net income

 $8,012  $11,241  $13,950  $8,012 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

 

Depreciation and amortization

 8,232  3,805  8,759  8,232 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 462 0  640 462 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 12  0 

Provision for bad debts

 1,935 90 

(Gain) Loss on disposal of assets

 (1,174) 12 

Stock compensation expense

 935  586  701  935 

Change in assets and liabilities:

  

Receivables

 4,219  1,295  6,719  4,129 

Contract receivables

 3,272 0  1,062 3,272 

Inventories

 (83,642) (3,924) (34,667) (83,642)

Other current assets

 (4,127) (1,656) 1,604  (4,127)

Other assets

 (504) (62) 39  (504)

Accounts payable

 41,082  8,989  (14,690) 41,082 

Accrued and other liabilities

 2,482  (2,600) 4,195  2,482 

Income taxes

 (5,239) 422  2,661  (5,239)

Contract liabilities

  (3,684)  0   (1,062)  (3,684)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

  (28,488)  18,096 

Net cash used in operating activities

  (9,328)  (28,488)
  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

  

Purchase of fixed assets

 (15,860) (8,618) (5,677) (15,860)

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

 (206,970) 0  -  (206,970)

Proceeds from sales of fixed assets

  0   3 

Proceeds from the sale of assets

 5,469 - 

Net cash used in investing activities

  (222,830)  (8,615)  (208)  (222,830)
  

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

  

Proceeds from revolving credit facility

 144,685  0  30,531  144,685 

Repayments on revolving credit facility

 (30,500) 0  (11,013) (30,500)

Proceeds from term loan

 130,000 0  - 130,000 

Repayments on term loan

 (1,625) 0  (5,437) (1,625)

Debt issuance costs

 (4,266) 0  -  (4,266)

Proceeds from stock options

 756  29  224  756 

Repurchase of common stock

 0  (2,004)

Dividends paid on common stock

  (3,167)  (3,077)  (3,401)  (3,167)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  235,883   (5,052)

Net cash provided by financing activities

  10,904   235,883 
  

(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 (15,435) 4,429 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 1,368  (15,435)
  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

  

BEGINNING OF PERIOD

  28,353   15,518   5,909   28,353 

END OF PERIOD

 $12,918  $19,947  $7,277  $12,918 

 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5

 

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 


 

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

We are a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium quality footwear and apparel marketed under a portfolio of well recognized brand names including Rocky, Georgia Boot, Durango, Lehigh, The Original Muck Boot Company ("Muck"), XTRATUF, Servus NEOS and Ranger. Our brands have a long history of representing high quality, comfortable, functional and durable footwear and our products are organized around six target markets: outdoor, work, duty, commercial military, military and western. In addition, as part of our strategy of outfitting consumers from head-to-toe, we market complementary branded apparel and accessories that we believe leverage the strength and positioning of each of our brands.

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial results. All such adjustments reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are considered to be of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20212022 and 20202021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the whole year. The December 31, 20202021 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in connection with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20202021, which includes all disclosures required by GAAP.

We report our segment information in accordance with provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 280,Segment Reporting. We evaluate business performance based upon several metrics, using segment profit as the primary financial measure. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, we changed our reporting segments when compared to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, to change our Military reporting segment to "Contract Manufacturing" and to change the composition thereof to continue to include sales to the U.S. Military ("Military Contracts") and to include sales under manufacturing contracts for private label or other specific footwear products sold through our Wholesale and Retail channels ("Private Contracts"). Previously, only Military Contracts were included in this segment. The Private Contract sales have characteristics more like Military Contracts, with similar sales, delivery processes and gross margins. This segment reporting change reflects a corresponding change in how our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, our chief operating decision makers ("CODMs"), review financial information in order to allocate resources and assess performance. Previously, Private Contracts were included in the Wholesale segment, but with our acquisition of the lifestyle and performance business of Honeywell International, Inc., our Wholesale segment has substantially increased in size and our CODMs determined that the change in segment reporting was appropriate at this time to mirror how they evaluate and manage our business.

There has been no change in our total consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or segment information previously reported, as the result of the change in our reportable segments, as we had no Private Contract sales during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 or quarterly period ended March 31, 2021. Each of our reporting segments continue to employ consistent accounting policies. As a result of this assessment, we now report our activities in the following 3 reporting segments: Wholesale, Retail and Contract Manufacturing. Wholesale includes sales of footwear and accessories to several classifications of retailers, including sporting goods stores, outdoor specialty stores, online retailers, marine stores, independent retailers, mass merchants, retail uniform stores, and specialty safety shoe stores. Our Retail business includes direct sales of our products to consumers through our e-commerce websites, marketplaces, our Rocky outlet store, and Lehigh businesses. Contract Manufacturing includes sales to the U.S. Military, private label sales and any sales to customers in which we are contracted to manufacture or source a specific footwear product for a customer. See Note 14 – Segment Information for further information.

 

 

2. ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATES

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

We are currently evaluating the impact of certainthe following Accounting Standards UpdatesUpdate (“ASU”) on itsour Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

Standard

 

Description

 

Anticipated Adoption Period

 

Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters

ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

 

The pronouncement seeks to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date by replacing the incurred loss impairment methodology in current U.S. GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates.

 

Q1 2023

 

We are evaluating the impacts of the new standard on our existing financial instruments, including trade receivables.

 

6

 

Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Year

 

Standard

 

Description

 

Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters

ASU 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value MeasurementThis pronouncement changes the fair value measurement disclosure requirements of ASC 820. The amendments in this ASU are the result of a broader disclosure project called FASB Concepts Statement, Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting — Chapter 8: Notes to Financial Statements.We adopted the new standard in Q12020 and the standard did not have a significant impact on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

 

This pronouncement is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application.

 

We adopted the new standard in Q1 2021 and the standard did not have a significant impact on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

3. FAIR VALUE

 

Generally accepted accounting standards establish a framework for measuring fair value. The fair value accounting standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This standard clarifies how to measure fair value as permitted under other accounting pronouncements.

 

The fair value accounting standard defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. This standard also establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

 

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

 

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

 

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and payables approximated their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Receivables consist primarily of amounts due from our customers, net of allowances, amounts due from employees (sales persons’ advances in excess of commissions earned and employee travel advances), other customer receivables, net of allowances, and expected insurance recoveries. The carrying amounts of our long-term credit facility and other short-term financing obligations also approximate fair value, as they are comparable to the available financing in the marketplace during the year. The fair value of our credit facilities areis categorized as Level 2.

 

We hold assets and liabilities in a separate trust in connection with deferred compensation plans. The fair value of these assets areis based on unadjusted quoted market prices for the funds in active markets with sufficient volume and frequency (Level 1).

 

7

 
 

4. ACQUISITION

 

The Performance and Lifestyle Footwear Business of Honeywell International Inc.

 

On January 24, 2021, we entered into a Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with certain subsidiaries of Honeywell International Inc. (collectively, "Honeywell"), to purchase Honeywell's performance and lifestyle footwear business, including brand names, trademarks, assets and liabilities associated with Honeywell's performance and lifestyle footwear business (the "Acquisition") for an aggregate purchase price of $212 million.

 

On March 15, 2021 (the "Acquisition Date"), pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, we completed the Acquisition for an aggregate preliminary closing price of approximately $207 million, net of cash acquired, based on preliminary working capital and other adjustments. Upon a final agreement of net working capital as of the Acquisition Date, we owed Honeywell an additional $5.4 million. The Acquisition was funded through cash on hand and borrowings under two new credit facilities. See Note 1011 for information regarding the two new credit facilities.

 

The Acquisition expanded our brand portfolio to include The Original Muck, Boot Company, XTRATUF, Servus, NEOS and Ranger brands (the "Acquired Brands"). We acquired 100% of the voting interests of certain subsidiaries and additional assets comprising the performance and lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell with the Acquisition. On September 30, 2022, we completed the sale of the NEOS brand and the related assets. See Note 5 - Asset Sale for additional information.

 

WithThrough the Acquisition, we willhave greatly enhanceenhanced our powerful portfolio of footwear brands and significantly increaseincreased our sales and profitability.sales. We acquired a well-run business with a corporate culture and a customer base similar to ours, which provides meaningful growth opportunities within our existing product categories as well as an entry into new market segments. Its innovative and authentic product collections complement our existing offering with minimal overlap, which will allow us to strengthen our wholesale relationships and serve a wider consumer audience. At the same time, we plan to leverage our existing advanced fulfillment capabilities to improve distribution of the Acquired Brands to wholesale customers and accelerate direct-to-consumer penetration.

 

In connection with the Acquisition, we also entered into employment agreements with seven key employees from the performance and lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell, pursuant to which, among other things, we agreed to grant 25,000 non-qualified stock options in the aggregate to the seven employees as an inducement for continuing their employment with us.

 

In connection withWe acquired multiple leases through the Acquisition Honeywell will provide certain services to us underincluding the Transition Service Agreement ("TSA"). The costs associated with the TSA are both fixedlease of our Rock Island, Illinois and variable. We expect these costs to continue decline over time as we integrate the businesses.China manufacturing facilities and an office building in Westwood, Massachusetts.

 

The Acquisition contributed net sales of $37.2 of $62.0 million and $37.2 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, and net sales of $193.2 million and $94.4 million, respectively, to the unaudited condensed consolidated operating results for thenine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021. The Acquisition contributed net income of $1.9 million and net loss of $3.8 million, respectively, to the unaudited condensed consolidated operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021,. The Acquisition contributed and net lossincome of $3.8 million and net loss of $3.1 million, respectively, to the unaudited condensed consolidated operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20212022 .and 2021.

 

Acquisition-related costs

 

Costs incurred to complete and integrate the Acquisition are expensed as incurred and included in "operating expenses"operating expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the three months ended September 30,2022and 2021, there were approximately $0.8 million and $2.9 million, respectively, of acquisition-related costs recognized. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, there were approximately $2.8$2.7 million and $10.3 million, respectively,respectively, of acquisition-related costs recognized. These acquisition-related costs represent investment banking fees, legal and professional fees, transaction fees, integration costs, amortization, and consulting fees and restructuring costs associated with the Acquisition.

 

8

 

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

 

The Acquisition has been accounted for under the business combinations accounting guidance. As a result, we have applied acquisition accounting, which requires, among other things, that assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair values as of the Acquisition Date. The aggregate closing price noted above was allocated to the major categories of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the Acquisition Date using primarily Level 2 and Level 3 inputs. These Level 2 and Level 3 valuation inputs include an estimate of future cash flows and discount rates. Additionally, estimated fair values are based, in part, upon outside valuation for certain assets, including specifically identified intangible assets.

 

The allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including the residual amount allocated to goodwill is notfinalized and is no longer subject to adjustment untilas the final valuation related to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is obtained (up to one year from the Acquisition Date).has been obtained.

 

The following table summarizes the consideration paid and estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the Acquisition Date.

 

($ in thousands)

 

Fair Value

  

Fair Value

 

Cash

 $2,655  $2,655 

Accounts receivable (1)

 36,734  36,734 

Inventories (2)

 40,981  41,057 

Property, plant and equipment

 16,240  16,243 

Goodwill (3)

 49,169  50,246 

Intangible assets

 98,620  98,620 

Other assets

 933  1,250 

Accounts payable

 (17,526) (18,108)

Accrued expenses

  (12,807)  (13,634)

Total identifiable net assets

 214,999  215,063 

Cash acquired

 (2,655)  (2,655)

Payable to Seller (4)

  (5,374)

Total cash paid, net of cash acquired

 $206,970  $212,408 

 

(1) The recorded amount for accounts receivable considers expected uncollectible amounts of approximatelyapproximat $0.2 ely $0.6 million in its determination of fair value.

 

(2) Fair value of finished goods inventories included a preliminary step up value of approximately $3.5$3.5 million, of which approximately $0.9 million and $3.5 million, wererespectively, was expensed during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2021,, respectively, and are included in "Costcosts of Goods Sold"goods solds in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

(3) Goodwill consists largely consists of the acquired workforce, expected cost synergies and economies of scale resulting from the Acquisition.

 

(4) Represents the amount owed to the seller, Honeywell, based on the final working capital true-up and is included in "Accounts Payable" in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet atSeptember 30, 2021.

9

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

 

The following unaudited pro forma results of operations assume that the Acquisition occurred at the beginning of the periods presented. These unaudited pro forma results are presented for information purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of what the results of operations would have been if the Acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented, nor are they indicative of the future results of operations. The pro forma results presented below are adjusted for the removal of acquisition-related costs of approximately $2.8$0.8 million and $2.9 million, for the three months ended September 30,2022 and 2021, respectively, and approximately $2.7 million and $10.3 million, respectively, for thethe three and nine months ended September 30,2022 and 2021.

  

Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

($ in thousands, except per share amount)

 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Net sales

 $147,486  $125,507  $476,549  $383,454 

Net income

 $6,289  $2,517  $16,075  $22,620 

Diluted earnings per share

 $0.86  $0.34  $2.18  $3.04 

5. ASSET SALE

On September 30, 20212022, , respectively. There were 0 suchwe completed the sale of the NEOS brand and related assets to certain entities controlled by SureWerx pursuant to terms of an asset purchase agreement dated September 30, 2022. Total consideration for this transaction expenseswas approximately $5.8 million, of which $5.5 million was received at closing. The remaining $0.3 million was deposited in escrow and shall be managed and paid out in accordance with the terms of the asset purchase agreement and the escrow agreement. The sale of NEOS brand included the sale of inventory, fixed assets, customer relationships, tradenames, all of which related to our Wholesale segment. This transaction resulted in the sale of inventory of approximately $3.6 million recorded in net sales and approximately $2.4 million recorded in costs of goods sold in the accompanying condensed consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20202022. .Fixed assets, customer relationships and tradenames sold in connection with the sale of NEOS resulted in reduction of operating expenses of approximately $0.7 million recorded in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. 

  

Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

($ in thousands, expect per share amount)

 

2021

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

 

Net sales

 $125,507  $133,104  $383,454  $317,898 

Net income

 $2,517  $14,153  $22,620  $19,734 

Diluted earnings per share

 $0.34  $1.93  $3.04  $2.68 

 

 

5.6. REVENUE

 

Nature of Performance Obligations

 

Our products are distributed through 3three distinct channels, which represent our business segments: Wholesale, Retail, and Contract Manufacturing. In our Wholesale business, we distribute our products through a wide range of distribution channels representing over ten thousand retail store locations in the U.S., Canada, and internationally. Our Wholesale channels vary by product line and include sporting goods stores, outdoor specialty stores, online retailers, marine stores, independent retailers, mass merchants, retail uniform stores, and specialty safety shoe stores. Our Retail business includes direct sales of our products to consumers through our e-commerce websites, marketplaces, our Rocky outlet store, and Lehigh businesses. Under our Contract Manufacturing segment, we sell footwear under the Rocky label to the U.S. Military and manufacture private label footwear and other footwear as contracted by a customer.customers.

 

Significant Accounting Policies and Judgements

 

Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied; this generally occurs upon shipment of our product to our customer, which is when the transfer of control of our products passes to the customer. The duration of our arrangements with our customers are typically one year or less. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for the transfer of our products at a point in time and consists of either fixed or variable consideration or a combination of both.

 

Revenues from sales are recorded at the net sales price, which includes estimates of variable consideration for which reserves are established. Components of variable consideration include prompt payment discounts, volume rebates, and product returns. These reserves, as detailed below, are based on the amounts earned, or to be claimed on the related sales, and are classified as reductions of accounts receivable (if the amount is payable to the customer) or a current liability (if the amount is payable to a party other than a customer).

 

The amount of variable consideration which is included in the transaction price may be constrained and is included in the net sales price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized under the contract will not occur in a future period. Our analyses also contemplated application of the constraint in accordance with the guidance, under which it determined a material reversal of revenue would not occur in a future period for the estimates detailed below as of September 30, 20212022. Actual amounts of consideration ultimately received may differ from our estimates. If actual results in the future vary from our estimates, we will adjust these estimates, which would affect net revenue and earnings in the period such variances become known.

 

When a customer has a right to a prompt payment discount, we estimate the likelihood that the customer will earn the discount using historical data and adjust our estimate when the estimate of the likelihood that a customer will earn the discount changes or the consideration becomes fixed, whichever occurs earlier. The estimated amount of variable consideration is recognized as a credit to trade receivables and a reduction in revenue until the uncertainty of the variable consideration is alleviated. Because most of our customers have payment terms of less than six months, there is not a significant financing component in our contracts with customers.

 

10

 

When a customer is offered a rebate on purchases retroactively, this is accounted for as variable consideration because the consideration for the current and past purchases is not fixed until it is known if the discount is earned. We estimate the expected discount the customer will earn at contract inception using historical data and projections and update our estimates when projections materially change or consideration becomes fixed. The estimated rebate is recognized as a credit to trade receivables and offset against revenue until the rebate is earned or the earning period has lapsed.

 

When a right of return is part of the arrangement with the customer, we estimate the expected returns based on an analysis using historical data. We adjust our estimate either when the most likely amount of consideration we expect to receive changes or when the consideration becomes fixed, whichever occurs earlier. See Note 67 and Note 78 for additional information.

Trade receivables represent our right to unconditional payment that only relies on the passage of time.

 

Contract receivables represent contractual minimum payments required under non-cancellable contracts with the U.S. Military and other customers with a duration of one year or less.

 

Contract liabilities are performance obligations that we expect to satisfy or relieve within the next twelve months, advance consideration obtained prior to satisfying a performance obligation, or unconditional obligations to provide goods or services under non-cancellable contracts before the transfer of goods or services to the customer has occurred. Our contract liability represents unconditional obligations to provide goods under non-cancellable contracts with the U.S. Military and other customers.

 

Items considered immaterial within the context of the contract are recognized as an expense.

 

Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue producing transaction, that are collected from customers, are excluded from revenue.

 

Costs associated with our manufacturer’s warranty continue to be recognized as expense when the products are sold in accordance with guidance surrounding product warranties.

 

Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control over a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as a fulfillment cost and are included in operating expenses.

 

Costs associated with obtaining a contract are expensed as incurred in accordance with the practical expedient in ASC 340-40 in instances where the amortization period is one year or less. We anticipate substantially all of our costs incurred to obtain a contract would be subject to this practical expedient.

 

Contract Balances

 

The following table provides information about contract liabilities from contracts with our customers.

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

 

2020

 

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

2021

 

Contract liabilities

 $1,899  $5,582  $0  $-  $1,062  $1,899 

 

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Significant changes in the contract liabilities balance during the period are as follows:

 

($ in thousands)

 

Contract liabilities

  

Contract liabilities

 

Balance, December 31, 2020

 $5,582 

Balance, December 31, 2021

 $1,062 

Non-cancelable contracts with customers entered into during the period

 2,017  - 

Revenue recognized related to non-cancelable contracts with customers during the period

  (5,700)  (1,062)

Balance, September 30, 2021

 $1,899 

Balance, September 30, 2022

 $- 

 

Disaggregation of Revenue

 

All revenues are recognized at a point in time when control of our products pass to the customer at point of shipment. Because all revenues are recognized at a point in time and are disaggregated by channel, our segment disclosures are consistent with ASC 606 disaggregation requirements. See Note 1415for segment disclosures.

 

 

6.7. TRADE RECEIVABLES

 

Trade receivables are presented net of the related allowance for uncollectible accounts of approximately $332,000, $242,000$2,548,000, $613,000 and $192,000$332,000 at September 30, 20212022December 31, 20202021 and September 30, 20202021, respectively. We record the allowance based on historical experience, the age of the receivables, and identification of customer accounts that are likely to prove difficult to collect due to various criteria including pending bankruptcy. However, estimates of the allowance in any future period are inherently uncertain and actual allowances may differ from these estimates. If actual or expected future allowances were significantly greater or less than established reserves, a reduction or increase to bad debt expense would be recorded in the period this determination was made. Our credit policy generally provides that trade receivables will be deemed uncollectible and written-off once we have pursued all reasonable efforts to collect on the account.

 

In accordance with ASC 606, the return reserve liability netted against trade receivables was approximately $1,583,000, $1,348,000$2,204,000, $1,670,000 and $1,198,000$1,583,000 at September 30, 20212022December 31, 20202021 and September 30, 20202021, respectively.

 

 

7.8. INVENTORY

 

Inventories are comprised of the following:

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

 

2020

 

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

2021

 

Raw materials

 $23,639  $12,875  $12,967  $18,959  $20,933  $23,639 

Work-in-process

 1,760  1,128  1,367  1,412  1,316  1,760 

Finished goods

  176,800   63,573   66,321   244,711   210,215   176,800 

Total

 $202,199  $77,576  $80,655  $265,082  $232,464  $202,199 

 

In accordance with ASC 606, the return reserve assetallowance included within inventories was approximately $647,000, $744,000$1,192,000, $902,000 and $654,000$647,000 at September 30, 20212022December 31, 20202021 and September 30, 20202021, respectively.

 

12

 
 

8.9. GOODWILL

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fairfair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill arose from the Acquisition and largely consists of the workforce acquired, expected cost synergies and economies of scale resulting from the business combination. We are evaluatingcombination. The amount of goodwill that is expected to be deductible for taxestax purposes and a detailed analysis of the domestic and international goodwill tax treatment will occur in subsequent quarters.is $49.4 million.

 

GAAP has established guidance for reporting information about a company's operating segments, including disclosures related to a company's products and services, geographic areas and major customers. We monitor and review our segment reporting structure in accordance with authoritative guidance to determine whether any changes have occurred that would impact our reportable segments, as well as our reporting units. As previously stated, our operations represent 3three reporting segments,segments: Wholesale, Retail and Contract Manufacturing. Goodwill impairment analysis will be performed for our Wholesale and Retail reporting segments. There is 0no goodwill allocated to our Contract Manufacturing segment. The amount ofOf total goodwill, $25.4 million was allocated to our wholesaleWholesale segment and retail reporting segments will be determined upon completion of the valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.$24.8 million was allocated to our Retail segment.

 

Goodwill is subject to impairment tests at least annually. We review the carrying amounts of goodwill by reporting unit at least annually, or when indicators of impairment are present, to determine if goodwill may be impaired. We include assumptions about the expected future operating performance as part of a discounted cash flow analysis to estimate fair value. If the carrying value of these assets is not recoverable, based on the discounted cash flow analysis, management compares the fair value of the assets to the carrying value. Goodwill is considered impaired if the recorded value exceeds the fair value.

 

We may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value. We would not be required to quantitatively determine the fair value of goodwill unless we determine, based on the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than the carrying value. Future cash flows of the individual indefinite-lived intangible assets are used to measure their fair value after consideration of certain assumptions, such as forecasted growth rates and cost of capital, which are derived from internal projection and operating plans. We perform our annual testing for goodwill at the beginning of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, starting with our fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

year.

 

 

9.10. IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

A schedule of identified intangible assets is as follows:

  

Gross

  

Accumulated

  

Carrying

 

($ in thousands)

 

Amount

  

Amortization

  

Amount

 

September 30, 2022

            

Trademarks

            

Wholesale (1)

 $71,981   -  $71,981 

Retail (2)

  9,220   -   9,220 

Patents

  895  $821   74 

Customer relationships (3)

  46,006   4,729   41,277 

Total Intangibles

 $128,102  $5,550  $122,552 

(1) $45.4 million of the total resulted from our Acquisition that occurred on March 15, 2021. NEOS trademarks were reduced from approximately $0.6 million to zero at September 30, 2022 as a result of the sale of the NEOS brand (see Note 5).

(2) $6.3 million of the total resulted from our Acquisition that occurred on March 15, 2021.

(3) Resulted from our Acquisition that occurred on March 15, 2021. Customer relationships relating to the NEOS brand of approximately $0.9 million and related amortization of approximately $0.1 million was reduced to zero at September 30, 2022 as a result of the sale of the NEOS brand (see Note 5).

13

 
  

Gross

  

Accumulated

  

Carrying

 

($ in thousands)

 Amount  Amortization  Amount 

December 31, 2021

            

Trademarks

            

Wholesale (1)

 $72,579   -  $72,579 

Retail (2)

  9,220   -   9,220 

Patents

  895  $804   91 

Customer relationships (3)

  46,900   2,475   44,425 

Total Intangibles

 $129,594  $3,279  $126,315 

(1) $45.4 million of the total resulted from our Acquisition that occurred on March 15, 2021.

(2) $6.3 million of the total resulted from our Acquisition that occurred on March 15, 2021.

(3) Resulted from our Acquisition that occurred on March 15, 2021.

 

  

Gross

  

Accumulated

  

Carrying

 

($ in thousands)

 Amount  Amortization  Amount 

September 30, 2021

            

Trademarks

            

Wholesale (1)

 $72,592   -  $72,592 

Retail (2)

  9,220   -   9,220 

Patents

  895  $797   98 

Customer relationships (3)

  46,900   1,694   45,206 

Total Intangibles

 $129,607  $2,491  $127,116 

 

(1) $45.4 million of the total resulted from our Acquisition that occurred on March 15, 2021.

 

(2) $6.3 million of the total resulted from our Acquisition that occurred on March 15, 2021.

 

(3) Resulted from our Acquisition that occurred on March 15, 2021.

 

13

 
  

Gross

  

Accumulated

  

Carrying

 

($ in thousands)

 Amount  Amortization  Amount 

December 31, 2020

            

Trademarks

            

Wholesale

 $27,192  $0  $27,192 

Retail

  2,900   0   2,900 

Patents

  895   778   117 

Total Intangibles

 $30,987  $778  $30,209 

  

Gross

  

Accumulated

  

Carrying

 

($ in thousands)

 Amount  Amortization  Amount 

September 30, 2020

            

Trademarks

            

Wholesale

 $27,192   0  $27,192 

Retail

  2,900   0   2,900 

Patents

  895  $771   124 

Total Intangibles

 $30,987  $771  $30,216 

The weighted average life for our patents is 3.17.2 years.

 

A schedule of approximate amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20212022 and 20202021 is as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Amortization expense

 $788  $8  $1,713  $24  $788  $788  $2,362  $1,713 

 

Updated to include the amortization of our acquired intangible assets, aA schedule of approximate expected remaining amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets for the years ending December 31, is as follows:

 

 

Amortization

  

Amortization

 

($ in thousands)

 

Expense

  

Expense

 

2021

 $788 

2022

 3,149  $770 

2023

 3,147  3,011 

2024

 3,143  3,074 

2025

 3,139  3,070 

2026+

 31,938 

2026

  3,067 

2027

 3,064 

2028+

 25,295 

 

14

 

10.11.LONG-TERM DEBT

 

On March 15, 2021, we entered into a senior secured term loan facility ("Term Facility") with TCW Asset Management Company, LLC (TCW), as agent, for the lenders party thereto in the amount of $130 million. The Term Facility providesprovided for quarterly payments of principal and bearsbore interest of LIBOR plus 7.00% through June 30, 2021. After this date, interest will be assessed quarterly based on our total leverage ratio. The total leverage ratio is calculated as (a) Total Debt to (b) EBITDA. If our total leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 3.25,3.50, the effective interest rate will be LIBORSOFR plus 7.50% (or at our option, Prime Rate plus 6.50%). If our total leverage ratio is less than 3.50 but greater than 3.00, the effective interest rate will be SOFR plus 7.00% (or at our option, Prime Rate plus 6.00%). If our total leverage ratio is less than 3.25,3.00, the effective interest rate will be LIBORSOFR plus 6.50% (or at our option, Prime Rate plus 5.50%). The Term Facility also has a LIBORSOFR floor rate of 1.00%. In June 2022, we entered into a second amendment with TCW to further amend our Term Facility to consent to the modifications in our borrowing capacity under the ABL Facility as described below, and to adjust certain pricing and prepayment terms, among other things. The second amendment also modified the interest index whereas SOFR will be used to calculate interest rather than LIBOR. The effective interest rate was increased to SOFR plus 7.50% through November 2022. In November 2022, the Term Facility was amended to increase the effective interest rate to LIBOR plus 7.00% until June 2023 and to provide certain EBITDA adjustments with respect to financial covenants, among other things.

 

Our Term Facility is collateralized by a second-lien on accounts receivable, inventory, cash and related assets and a first-lien on substantially all other assets. The Term Facility matures on March 15, 2026.

 

On March 15, 2021, we also entered into a senior secured asset-based credit facility ("ABL Facility") with Bank of America, N.A. ("Bank of America") as agent, for the lenders party thereto. The ABL Facility provides a new senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility up to a principal amount of $150 million, which includes a sub-limit for the issuance of letters of credit up to $5 million. The ABL Facility may be increased up to an additional $50 million at the Borrowers’ request and the Lenders’ option, subject to customary conditions. TheIn June 2022, we further amended our ABL Facility to temporarily increase our borrowing capacity by $25 million to $200 million through December 31, 2022, which thereafter will be reduced to $175 million. In November 2022, we entered into a third amendment to our ABL Facility to provide certain EBITDA adjustments with respect to our financial covenants. The ABL Facility includes a separate first in, last out (FILO) tranche, which allows the Company to borrow at higher advance rates on eligible accounts receivables and inventory balances. As of September 30, 20212022, we had borrowing capacity of $35.8$34.3 million.

 

The ABL Facility is collateralized by a first-lien on accounts receivable, inventory, cash and related assets and a second-lien on substantially all other assets. The ABL Facility matures on March 15, 2026. Interest on the ABL Facility is based on the amount available to be borrowed as set forth on the following chart:

 

 

Average Availability as a

          

Average Availability as a

         

Revolver Pricing Level(1)

 

Percentage of Commitments

 

Base Rate

  

LIBOR Rate

  

Base Rate for FILO

  

LIBOR Rate for FILO

  

Percentage of Commitments

 

Base Rate

  

Term SOFR Loan

  

Base Rate for FILO

  

Term SOFR FILO Loans

 

I

 

> 66.7%

 0.00% 1.25% 0.50% 1.75% 

> 66.7%

 0.00% 1.25% 0.50% 1.75%

II

 

>33.3% and < or equal to 66.7%

 0.00% 1.50% 0.50% 2.00% 

>33.3% and < or equal to 66.7%

 0.00% 1.50% 0.50% 2.00%

III

 

< or equal to 33.3%

 0.25% 1.75% 0.75% 2.25% 

< or equal to 33.3%

 0.25% 1.75% 0.75% 2.25%

 

(1) Until June 30, 2021, Tier II applied.

 

In connection with the Term Facility and ABL Facility, we had to pay certain fees that were capitalized and will be amortized over the life of each respective loan. In addition, the ABL Facility requires us to pay an annual collateral management fee in the amount of $75,000 due on each anniversary of the ABL Facility issuance date, until it matures.

 

15

 

Current and long-term debt consisted of the following:

 

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2021

 

Term Facility that matures in 2026 with an effective interest rate of 7.50%

 $128,375 

Term Facility that matures in 2026 with an effective interest rate of 9.06%, 8.00% and 7.50% as of September 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively

 $122,125  $127,563  $128,375 

ABL Facility that matures in 2026:

    

LIBOR borrowings with an effective interest rate of 1.63%

 110,000 

Prime borrowings with an effective interest rate of 3.25%

  4,185 

LIBOR borrowings with an effective interest rate of 5.52%, 1.88% and 1.63% September 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively

 162,839 140,000 110,000 

Prime borrowings with an effective interest rate of 6.50%, 3.50% and 3.25% as of September 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively

  2,752   6,072   4,185 

Total debt

 242,560  287,716  273,635  242,560 

Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs

  (3,804)  (2,951)  (3,591)  (3,804)

Total debt, net of debt issuance costs

 238,756  284,765  270,044  238,756 

Less: Debt maturing within one year

  (3,250)  (3,250)  (3,250)  (3,250)

Long-term debt

 $235,506  $281,515  $266,794  $235,506 

 

Credit Facility Covenants

 

The Term Facility contains restrictive covenants which requiresrequire us to maintain a maximum total leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the agreement. We believe we are in compliance with all credit facility covenants as ofSeptember 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021.

 

Our ABL Facility contains a restrictive covenant which requires us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio upon a triggering event taking place (as defined in the ABL Facility agreement). During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, there were no triggering events and the covenant was not in effect.

 

Both the Term Facility and the ABL Facility contain restrictions on the amount of dividend payments.

 

Huntington Credit Facility

On February 13, 2019, we entered into a Revolving Credit, Guaranty, and Security Agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with the Huntington National Bank (“Huntington”) as administrative agent. The Credit Agreement provided for a new senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility up to a principal amount of $75 million, which included a sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit up to $7.5 million (the “Huntington Credit Facility”). The Huntington Credit Facility permitted increases up to an additional $25 million at our request and the lenders’ option, subject to customary conditions.

        

Applicable

 
        

Spread Rates for

 
    

Applicable Spread Rates

  

Domestic Rate

 
  

Average Excess Revolver Availability

 

for Eurodollar Rate

  

Revolving

 

Revolver Pricing Level

 

for Previous Quarter

 

Revolving Advances

  

Advances

 

I

 

$25,000,000+

  1.00%  0.50%

II

 

$17,500,000 to < 25,000,000

  1.25%  0.50%

III

 

$10,000,000 to < 17,500,000

  1.50%  2.50%

IV

 

$< 10,000,000

  1.75%  0.00%

The total amount available under the Huntington Credit Facility was subject to a borrowing base calculation based on various percentages of accounts receivable and inventory.

As of  December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2021 we had 0 outstanding borrowings against the Huntington Credit Facility. The Huntington Credit Facility was paid off and closed as part of the Acquisition and new ABL Facility with Bank of America.

16

Credit Facility Covenants

The Huntington Credit Facility contained restrictive covenants which required us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio. These restrictive covenants were only in effect upon a triggering event taking place. The Huntington Credit Facility contained restrictions on the amount of dividends that may be paid. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, there were no triggering events and the covenant was not in effect.

 

11.12. TAXES

 

We are subject to tax examinations in various taxing jurisdictions. The earliest years open for examination are as follows:

 

 

Earliest Exam Year

Taxing Authority Jurisdiction:

 

U.S. Federal

20172018

China2017

Various U.S. States

20162017

Puerto Rico (U.S. Territory)

20152017

Canada

2018

China

2015

2019
Mexico2021
United Kingdom2021
Australia2021

 

Our policy is to accrue interest and penalties on any uncertain tax position as a component of income tax expense. NaNNo such expenses were recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20212022 and 20202021. We do not believe there will be any material changes in our uncertain tax positions over the next 12 months.

 

Accounting for uncertainty in income taxes requires financial statement recognition, measurement and disclosure of uncertain tax positions recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements.  Under this guidance, income tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the effective date to be recognized upon the adoption of the standard.  We did not have any unrecognized tax benefits and there was no effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Our estimatedestimated effective tax rates for the the three and nine months ended September 30, 20212022 and 20202021 are as follows:

 

  

Three Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
  

2021

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

 

Effective Tax Rate

  23.2

%

  20.7

%

  23.0

%

  20.6

%

  

Three Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Effective Tax Rate

  23.5

%

  23.2

%

  22.5

%

  23.0

%

 

 

12.13. EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. The diluted earnings per share computation includes common share equivalents, when dilutive.

 

A reconciliation of the shares used in the basic and diluted income per common share computation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20212022 and 20202021 is as follows:

 

Three Months Ended
  

Three Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

(shares in thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 
                 

Basic - weighted average shares outstanding

  7,319   7,370   7,313   7,304 

Dilutive stock options

  30   -(1)  69   132 

Diluted - weighted average shares outstanding

  7,349   7,370(2)  7,382   7,436 

Anti-dilutive securities

  236   25   117   25 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

(shares in thousands)

2021

2020

2021

2020

Basic - weighted average shares outstanding

7,3707,3067,3047,323

Dilutive stock options

-

(1)

3013229

Diluted - weighted average shares outstanding

7,370

(2)

7,3367,4367,352

Anti-dilutive securities

2515425184

 

(1) Due to a loss for the period, 0zero dilutive stock options are included because the effect would be antidilutive.

 

(2) Due to a loss for the period, 0zero dilutive sharesstock options are included because the effect would be antidilutive.

 

1716

   
 

13.14. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

Supplemental cash flow information for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021was as follows:

 

 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

  

2021

 
  

Interest paid

 $4,736  $132  $11,625  $4,736 
  

Federal, state, and local income taxes paid, net

 $7,591  $479  $4,191  $7,591 
  

Change in contract receivables, net

 $3,271  $4,746  $1,062  $3,272 
  

Change in contract liabilities, net

 $(3,683) $(4,746) $(1,062) $(3,684)
  

Property, plant, and equipment purchases in accounts payable

 $2,129  $1,530  $1,742  $2,129 
  

Preliminary working capital true-up related to acquired business

 $5,374 $0 

Working capital true-up related to acquired business

 $-  $5,374 

 

 

14.15. SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2021, we changed our reporting segments when compared to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, to change our Military reporting segment to "Contract Manufacturing" and to change the composition thereof to continue to include Military Contracts and to include sales under manufacturing contracts for private label or other Private Contracts. Previously, only Military Contracts were included in this segment. The Private Contract sales have characteristics more like Military Contracts, with similar sales, delivery processes and gross margins. This segment reporting change reflects a corresponding change in how our CODMs review financial information in order to allocate resources and assess performance. Previously, Private Contracts were included in the Wholesale segment, but with our Acquisition, our Wholesale segment has substantially increased in size and our CODMs determined that the change in segment reporting was appropriate at this time to mirror how they evaluate and manage our business.

There has been no change in our total consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or segment information previously reported, as the result of the change in our reportable segments, as we had no Private Contract sales during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 or quarterly period ended March 31, 2021.

We have identified 3three reportable segments: Wholesale, Retail and Contract Manufacturing. Our Wholesale segment includes sales of footwear and accessories to several classifications of retailers, including sporting goods stores, outdoor specialty stores, online retailers, marine stores, independent retailers, mass merchants, retail uniform stores, and specialty safety shoe stores. Our Retail businesssegment includes direct sales of our products to consumers through our e-commerce websites, marketplaces, our Rocky outlet store, and Lehigh businesses. Our Contract Manufacturing segment includes sales to the U.S. Military, private label sales and any sales to customers in which we are contracted to manufacture or source a specific footwear product for a customer. The following is a summary of segment results for the Wholesale, Retail, and Contract Manufacturing segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20212022 and 20202021.

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

 

NET SALES:

          

Wholesale

 $95,980  $56,347  $256,242  $125,614  $120,742  $95,980  $385,858  $256,242 

Retail

 21,840  16,141  68,168  49,359  23,429  21,840  78,070  68,168 

Contract Manufacturing

  7,687   5,297   20,366   14,718   3,315   7,687   12,621   20,366 

Total Net Sales

 $125,507  $77,785  $344,776  $189,691  $147,486  $125,507  $476,549  $344,776 
                  

GROSS MARGIN:

          

Wholesale

 $34,609  $20,891  $93,139  $42,908  $40,007  $34,609  $128,775  $93,139 

Retail

 10,907  7,531  33,551  22,838  11,413  10,907  37,991  33,551 

Contract Manufacturing

  1,445   1,411   4,564   2,868   510   1,445   1,741   4,564 

Total Gross Margin

 $46,961  $29,833  $131,254  $68,614  $51,930  $46,961  $168,507  $131,254 

16. GAIN CONTINGENCY

In June 2022, we became aware of a misclassification of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes filed with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. Customs) on certain products imported into the U.S. associated with the Acquired Brands during 2021 and 2022. As a result of the misclassification of HTS codes we have paid duties in excess of the required amount. We are in the process of filing multiple post summary corrections with U.S. Customs to seek refunds of duties paid in excess of the correct HTS codes. As of September 30, 2022, we have the potential to recover the total amount of overpaid duties resulting in a potential refund of approximately $7.7 million. We are accounting for these post summary corrections as a gain contingency, and as such have not recorded these potential refunds within the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet due to uncertainty of collection. Any refunds received will be recognized as a reduction to the cost of goods sold when and if the refunds are received.

17. RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

In June 2022, we completed a cost savings review aimed at operating efficiencies to better position us for profitable growth. Following the integration of the Acquired Brands, we identified a number of operational synergies and cost savings opportunities, including a reduction in workforce.

During the three months ended September 30, 2022, the following activity was recorded:

  

Employee Severance, Benefits and

 

($ in thousands)

 

Related Costs

 

Accrued expenses, July 1, 2022

 $1,101 

Restructuring charges

  - 

Cash payments

  (553)

Accrued expenses, September 30, 2022

 $548 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the following activity was recorded:

  

Employee Severance, Benefits and

 

($ in thousands)

 Related Costs 

Accrued expenses, January 1, 2022

  - 

Restructuring charges

 $1,201 

Cash payments

  (653)

Accrued expenses, September 30, 2022

 $548 

 

 

1817

    

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

OVERVIEW

During the third quarter of 2022, we experienced strong sales growth for our brands and saw a decrease in gross margin compared to the year ago period due to rising product costs and shipping expenses. Operating expenses decreased in the third quarter 2022 due to a decrease in our discretionary spending and increased efficiencies at our distribution centers. The combination of increased sales and a decrease in operating costs has allowed us to better capitalize on the market opportunities we are creating through our product and focus on continued operational excellence.

We also completed the sale of the NEOS brand during the third quarter 2022. The sale of NEOS inventory is recorded within net sales and cost of goods sold within the Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. The gain on sale of the all other NEOS assets is recorded as a reduction of operating expenses within the Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. 

 

During the first quarter inof 2021, we closed on the acquisitionAcquisition of the performance and lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell International Inc., which we refer to herein as the Acquisition. We have incurred significant expenses associated with the Acquisition for the three and we expect to continue to incur expenses related to the Acquisition as we fully integrate the businesses.nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

COVID-19- We are monitoring and responding to the evolving nature of the global novel coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19” or “pandemic”) and its impact to our global business. The health and safety of our team members is our top priority and to protect our employees, we are implementing all measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”). We will continue to proactively manage the Company and its operations through the pandemic, however we cannot predict the ultimate impact that COVID-19 will have on our short-term and long-term demand at this time, as it will depend on, among other things, the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The further spread of COVID-19, and the requirements to take action to help limit the spread of the illness, may impact our ability to carry out our business as usual and may materially adversely impact global economic conditions, our business, results of operations and financial condition. Our liquidity is expected to be adequate to continue to run our operations and meet our obligations as they become due.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, information derived from our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, expressed as a percentage of net sales. The discussion that follows each table should be read in conjunction with our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as well as our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.2021.

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Net sales

 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Cost of goods sold

  62.6   61.6   61.9   63.8   64.8  62.6  64.6  61.9 

Gross margin

 37.4  38.4  38.1  36.2  35.2 37.4 35.4 38.1 

Operating expenses

  35.2   25.9   32.9   28.6   27.3  35.2  29.0  32.9 

Income from operations

 2.2% 12.4% 5.2% 7.5

%

 7.9% 2.2% 6.4% 5.2%

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Compared2022 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 20202021

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

  

2022

  

2021

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

 

NET SALES:

          

Wholesale

 $95,980  $56,347  $39,633  70.3% $120,742  $95,980  $24,762  25.8%

Retail

 21,840  16,141  5,699  35.3  23,429  21,840  1,589  7.3 

Contract Manufacturing

  7,687   5,297   2,390   45.1   3,315   7,687   (4,372)  (56.9)

Total Net Sales

 $125,507  $77,785  $47,722   61.4% $147,486  $125,507  $21,979   17.5%

 

Included in wholesaleWholesale net sales is $32.5 million that was attributed to the newly acquired brands of The Original Muck Boot Company, XTRATUF, Servus, NEOS and Ranger, which we refer to as the Acquired Brands that were associated with the Acquisition, which was completed on March 15, 2021. While we did see an increase in sales with our legacy brands in the third quarter of 2021, we experienced temporary constraints at our distribution center that hindered our ability to fulfill all orders timely resulting in less sales for the quarterthree months ended September 30, 2021.2022 was approximately $3.6 million of sales related to the sale of the NEOS inventory. The increase in net sales on an adjusted basis is due to increased demand supported by a healthy inventory position.

 

19

Retail sales increased as we have continued to see strong growth in our Lehigh business in the third quarter of 2021 over the third quarter 2020 as businesses continue to re-open and get back to full capacity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in retail sales for the third quarter of 2021 was approximately $4.2 million in net sales attributed to the Acquired Brands.

Contract Manufacturing sales increased in the third quarter of 2021 as we continued to fulfill our military contracts and start to fulfill two new private label programs.

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

 

GROSS MARGIN:

            

Wholesale Margin $'s

 $34,609  $20,891  $13,718 

Margin %

  36.1%  37.1%  -0.9%

Retail Margin $'s

 $10,907  $7,531  $3,376 

Margin %

  49.9%  46.7%  3.3%

Contract Manufacturing Margin $'s

 $1,445  $1,411  $34 

Margin %

  18.8%  26.6%  -7.8%

Total Margin $'s

 $46,961  $29,833  $17,128 

Margin %

  37.4%  38.4%  -0.8%

Wholesale gross margin decreased in the third quarter of 2021 due to an increase to cost of goods sold of approximately $0.9 million for a fair market value inventory adjustment related to the purchase accounting tied to the Acquisition. On an adjusted basis, 2021 third quarter margins were 37.0%. The 10 basis point adjusted decrease was due to an increase in capitalized manufacturing and sourcing costs associated with the Acquired Brands.

Retail gross margin increased as our direct to consumer business accounted for a higher percentage of total retail sales, which carry higher margins. A large portion of the increase in the direct to consumer business was associated with the Acquired Brands.

Contract Manufacturing gross margin decreased in the third quarter of 2021 due to some lower margin private contracts as well as some inefficiencies in our Puerto Rico manufacturing facility.

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                

Operating Expenses

 $44,208  $20,175  $24,033   119.1%

% of Net Sales

  35.2%  25.9%  9.3%    

2018

 

The increaseincreases in operating expenses forRetail sales was attributable to a strong growth in our Lehigh business in the third quarter of 2021 was due to an increase2022 in variable expenses tied to the sales increaseboth existing accounts and approximately $2.8 million dollars of acquisition related expenses tied to the Acquisition. The purchase of this business also added increased operating expenses that we did not incur during the three months ended September 30, 2020. On an adjusted basis to remove the expenses tied to the Acquisition, the operating expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were $41.3 million or 32.9% of net sales. 

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

 

INCOME TAXES:

                

Income Tax Expense

 $(113) $1,992  $(2,105)  -105.7%

Effective Tax Rate

  23.2%  20.7%  2.5%    

Due to our Acquisition, we estimate that our tax rate will increase to 23.0% based on our actual results and a preliminary estimate of our tax rate post acquisition.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

 

NET SALES:

                

Wholesale

 $256,242  $125,614  $130,628   104.0%

Retail

  68,168   49,359   18,809   38.1 

Contract Manufacturing

  20,366   14,718   5,648   38.4 

Total Net Sales

 $344,776  $189,691  $155,085   81.8%

Wholesale sales increased as we continue to see a high demand with our Rocky, Georgia and Durango products as we have benefited from strong new collections and healthier stock positions. This has allowed us to obtain incremental shelf space with many of our key wholesale partners and experience better sell-through to the end consumer. Included in wholesale sales for the first nine months of 2021 was approximately $88.6 million in net sales attributed to the Acquired Brands.

Retail sales increased as we have continued to see strong growth in our direct to consumer e-commerce and marketplace businesses which we believe was attributable to both recent investments aimed at increasing traffic and conversion rates as well as an increase in online shopping due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in retail sales for the first nine months of 2021 was approximately $9.0 million in net sales attributed to the Acquired Brands. We have also seen an increase in our Lehigh businessaccounts as businesses continuecontinued to re-open and get back to full capacity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Contract Manufacturing sales decreased in the third quarter of 2022 due to the expiration of certain contracts with the U.S. Military. 

 

Three Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

2022

 

2021

 

Inc./ (Dec.)

 

GROSS MARGIN:

         

Wholesale Margin $'s

$40,007 $34,609 $5,398 

Margin %

 33.1% 36.1% -3.0%

Retail Margin $'s

$11,413 $10,907 $506 

Margin %

 48.7% 49.9% -1.2%

Contract Manufacturing Margin $'s

$510 $1,445 $(935)

Margin %

 15.4% 18.8% -3.4%

Total Margin $'s

$51,930 $46,961 $4,969 

Margin %

 35.2% 37.4% -2.2%

Excluding $1.1 million of gross margin relating to the sale of NEOS inventory and $1.4 million of duties paid in excess of the correct HTS code (see Note 16), Wholesale gross margins in the third quarter of 2022 were 34.4%. Excluding $0.8 million inventory purchase accounting adjustment, Wholesale gross margin for the third quarter 2021 were 38.1%. The decrease in gross margin was due to an increase in product costs, inbound freight and logistics costs.

Retail gross margin decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period a year ago due to increased product costs and freight costs. 

Contract Manufacturing gross margin decreased in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the prior year period due to increased product costs.

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                

Operating Expenses

 $40,305  $44,208  $(3,903)  -8.8%

% of Net Sales

  27.3%  35.2%  -7.9%    

19

On an adjusted based to exclude $0.8 million of acquisition-related amortization and expenses relating to the disposition of assets, operating expenses were $39.5 million and 27.4% of adjusted net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2022. On an adjusted basis to exclude $2.9 million acquisition-related integration and amortization costs, operating expenses were $41.3 million and 32.9% of adjusted net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease in operating expenses was due to a decrease in discretionary spending and increased efficiencies at our distribution centers.

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

 

INCOME TAXES:

                

Income Tax Expense

 $1,753  $(113) $1,866   1651.3%

Effective Tax Rate

 

23.5

%  23.2% 

0.3

%    

The effective tax rate increased in the firstthird quarter of 2022 compared to the same year ago period due to an increase in our projected tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2022 which is estimated to be 22.5%.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 

($ in thousands)

 2022  2021  Inc./ (Dec.)  Inc./ (Dec.) 

NET SALES:

                

Wholesale

 $385,858  $256,242  $129,616   50.6%

Retail

  78,070   68,168   9,902   14.5 

Contract Manufacturing

  12,621   20,366   (7,745)  (38.0)

Total Net Sales

 $476,549  $344,776  $131,773   38.2%

Included in Wholesale net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was approximately $3.6 million of 2021sales related to the sale of the NEOS inventory. The increase in net sales on an adjusted based was due to increased demand supported by a temporary closurehealthy inventory position.

20

The increase in Retail sales was partially attributable to a strong growth in our manufacturing facilityLehigh business in Puerto Ricothe first three quarters of 2022 as businesses continued to re-open and get back to full capacity in 2020the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our e-commerce business also increased sales in the first three quarters of 2022.

Contract Manufacturing sales decreased in the first three quarters of 2022 due to the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, we entered into two new private label programsexpiration of certain contracts with the U.S. Military.

  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 

($ in thousands)

 2022  2021  Inc./ (Dec.) 

GROSS MARGIN:

            

Wholesale Margin $'s

 $128,775  $93,139  $35,636 

Margin %

  33.4%  36.3%  -2.9%

Retail Margin $'s

 $37,991  $33,551  $4,440 

Margin %

  48.7%  49.2%  -0.5%

Contract Manufacturing Margin $'s

 $1,741  $4,564  $(2,823)

Margin %

  13.8%  22.4%  -8.6%

Total Margin $'s

 $168,507  $131,254  $37,253 

Margin %

  35.4%  38.1%  -2.7%

Excluding $1.1 million of gross margin relating to the sale of NEOS inventory and $4.7 million of duties paid in excess of the correct HTS code (see Note 16), Wholesale gross margins in the third quarter of 2022 was 34.6%. Excluding $3.5 million inventory purchase accounting adjustment, Wholesale gross margin for the third quarter 2021 was 39.1%. The decrease in gross margin was due to an increase in product costs, inbound freight costs and logistics costs.

Retail gross margin decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period a new Private Contract.year ago due to increased product costs and freight costs. 
Contract Manufacturing gross margin decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the prior year period due to increased product costs.

  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 

($ in thousands)

 2022  2021  Inc./ (Dec.)  Inc./ (Dec.) 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                

Operating Expenses

 $138,089  $113,483  $24,606   21.7%

% of Net Sales

  29.0%  32.9%  -3.9%    

 

21

 

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

 

GROSS MARGIN:

            

Wholesale Margin $'s

 $93,139  $42,908  $50,231 

Margin %

  36.3%  34.2%  2.2%

Retail Margin $'s

 $33,551  $22,838  $10,713 

Margin %

  49.2%  46.3%  2.9%

Contract Manufacturing Margin $'s

 $4,564  $2,868  $1,696 

Margin %

  22.4%  19.5%  2.9%

Total Margin $'s

 $131,254  $68,614  $62,640 

Margin %

  38.1%  36.2%  1.8%

 

Wholesale gross margin increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 due to stronger initial margins on some of our newer products, less discounting and improved efficiencies at our manufacturing facilities as we have seen production increase over the first nine months of the year. The first nine months of 2021 also included an increase to cost of goods sold of approximately $3.5 million for a fair market value inventory adjustment related to the purchase accounting tied to the Acquisition.

On an adjusted basis gross margins were 39.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, adjusted gross margins were 35.2%, which included approximately $1.3to exclude $4.0 million of adjustmentsacquisition-related integration expenses and amortization, restructuring costs and expenses related to overhead and payroll expenses incurred during the temporary closuredisposition of our manufacturing facilities due to COVID-19. 

Retail gross margin increased as a higher percentage of our total retail sales were tied to our direct to consumer business which carries higher margins than our Lehigh businesses.

Contract Manufacturing gross margin increased in the first nine months of 2021 due to a COVID related adjustment during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Adjusted gross margins for the first nine months 2020 were 23.9%, which included approximately $654,000, net of adjustments due to adjustments related to overhead and payroll expenses incurred during the temporary closure of our manufacturing facility due to COVID-19 that were partially offset by the employee retention credit tied to the CARES Act of 2020. On an adjusted basis, Contract Manufacturing gross margin decreased in the first nine months of 2021 due to some lower margin private contracts and inefficiencies in our Puerto Rico manufacturing facility.

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                

Operating Expenses

 $113,483  $54,344  $59,139   108.8%

% of Net Sales

  32.9%  28.6%  4.3%    

The increase in operating expenses for the first nine months of 2021 was due to an increase in variable expenses tied to the sales increase and approximately $10.3 million dollars of acquisition related expenses tied to the Acquisition. The Acquisition also resulted in increased operating expenses that we did not incur during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. On an adjusted basis,assets, operating expenses were 29.9%$134.1 million and 28.4% of adjusted net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. On an adjusted basis to exclude $10.3 million a cquisition-related integration and amortization costs, operating expenses were $103.1 million and 29.9% of adjusted net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

 The decrease in operating expenses as a percent of net sales was due to a decrease in discretionary spending and increased efficiencies at our distribution centers.

 

 

Nine Months Ended

  Nine Months Ended 
 

September 30,

  September 30, 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

  

Inc./ (Dec.)

  2022 2021 Inc./ (Dec.) Inc./ (Dec.) 

INCOME TAXES:

          

Income Tax Expense

 $2,393  $2,917  $(524) -18.0% $4,057  $2,393  $1,664  69.5%

Effective Tax Rate

  23.0%  20.6%  2.4%      22.5%  23.0%  -0.5%    

 

Due to our Acquisition, weWe estimate that our tax rate will increasewill decrease to 23.0%22.5% for the year ended December 31, 2022 based on our actual results and additional foreign tax credits as a preliminary estimateresult of our tax rate post acquisition.the Acquisition.

 

22

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Overview

 

Our principal sources of liquidity have been our income from operations and borrowings under our credit facility and other indebtedness.facilities.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 20212022, our primary usesource of cash was to partly fund the Acquisition and for working capital and capital expenditures to supportfrom borrowings under our growth. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we primarily used cash for only working capital and capital expenditures to support our growth.credit facilities. Our working capital consists primarily of trade receivables and inventory, offset by debt and accounts payable. Our working capital fluctuates throughout the year as a result of our seasonal business cycle and business expansion and is generally lowest in the months of January through March of each year and highest during the months of May through October of each year. We typically utilize our revolving credit facility to fund our seasonal working capital requirements. As a result, balances on our revolving credit facility can fluctuate significantly throughout the year.

 

Our capital expenditures relate primarily to projects relating to our corporate offices, property, merchandising fixtures, molds and equipment associated with our manufacturing and distribution operations and for information technology. Capital expenditures were $13.9were $7.4 million and $7.7 m$13.9 millillionion for the nine months ended September 30, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively.

 

We lease certain machinery, twoone shoe centers,center, distribution centers in Lancaster, Ohio, Reno, Nevada Canada and Australia and manufacturing facilities under operating leases that generally provide for renewal options.

 

We believe that our ABL Facility, with the option to expand our borrowing capacity, coupled with cash generated from operations will provide sufficient liquidity to fund our operations and debt obligations for at least the next twelve months. Our continued liquidity, however, is contingent upon future operating performance, cash flows and our ability to meet financial covenants under our credit facility. For more information regarding our credit facility seeNote 1011.

 

Cash Flows

 

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

($ in millions)

 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

  

2021

 

Operating activities

 $(28.5) $18.1  $(9.3) $(28.5)

Investing activities

 (222.8) (8.6) (0.2) (222.8)

Financing activities

  235.9  (5.1)  10.9  235.9 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 $(15.4) $4.4  $1.4 $(15.4)

 

Operating Activities. Cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was primarily used to purchase inventories and to pay down accounts payable. Cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily impacted by an increase in inventory,used to purchase inventories, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable. Cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily impacted by an increase in accounts payable and decrease in accounts receivable, partially offset by an increase in inventory.

 

Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 20212022 was primarily related to our Acquisition. See Note 4 for additional information regarding the Acquisition. Cash used in investing activities primarily related to investments in molds andpurchase of equipment associated with our manufacturing operations, for upgrades to information technology and for improvements to our distribution facility, partially offset by the proceeds from the sale of the NEOS brand (see Note 5). Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.2021 was used to fund the Acquisition. See Note 4 for additional information regarding the Acquisition. 

 

Financing Activities. Cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was primarily related to proceeds from our revolving credit facility. Cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily related to proceeds from our term loancredit facility and revolving credit facility, partially offset by repayments on our revolving credit facility and debt issuance costs paid in connection with our recent Acquisition. Cash used in financing activities was primarily related to the payments of dividends on our common stock and repurchases of common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.facility.

 

2322

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates these estimates. Estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Historically, actual results have not been materially different from the Company’s estimates. However, actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

We have identified the critical accounting policies used in determining estimates and assumptions in the amounts reported in our Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.2021.

 

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES REFORM ACT OF 1995

 

This report, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Those statements include, but may not be limited to, all statements regarding our and management’s intent, belief, and expectations, such as statements concerning our future profitability and our operating and growth strategy. Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “would,” “could” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties including, without limitations, dependence on sales forecasts, changes in consumer demand, seasonality, impact of weather, competition, reliance on suppliers, risks inherent to international trade, changing retail trends, the loss or disruption of our manufacturing and distribution operations, cybersecurity breaches or disruption of our digital systems, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, economic changes, as well as other factors set forth under the caption “Item 1A, Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20202021 (filed March 16, 2021)15, 2022) and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 (filed May 9, 2022), and June 30, 2022 (filed August 9, 2022), and other factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included herein will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

 

2423

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

There have been no material changes to our market risk as disclosed in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.2021.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Based upon this evaluation, our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2021,2022, our disclosure controls and procedures were (1) designed to ensure that material information relating to our Company is accumulated and made known to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, in a timely manner, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared, and (2) effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

 

Management believes, however, that a controls system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

 

Changes in Internal Controls There have been no material changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act) during our fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2021,2022, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. We have made the necessary and appropriate updates to our internal controls as it relates to financial reporting over our Acquired Brands, none of which were material. We are currently evaluating the  business processes, information technology systems, and other components over internal controls of financial reporting related to the Acquired Brands as a part of our integration activities which may result in periodic control changes. Such changes will be disclosed as required by applicable SEC guidance. 

 

PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 2 - UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

 

None.

 

Use of Proceeds

 

Not applicable.

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the Company’s purchases of common stock for the periods indicated:

          

Maximum number (or

 
          

approximate dollar value) of

 
  

Total number of

  

Average price

  

shares (or units) that may yet

 
  

shares (or units)

  

paid per share (or

  

be purchased under the plans

 

Period

 

purchased

  

units)

  

or programs (1)

 
             

July 1, 2021 - July 31, 2021

  -   -  $7,500,000 

August 1, 2021 - August 31, 2021

  -   -   7,500,000 

September 1, 2021 - September 30, 2021

  -   -   7,500,000 

Total

  -   -  $7,500,000 

(1)

The number shown represents, as of the end of each period, the maximum number of shares (approximate dollar value) of Common Stock that may yet be purchased under publicly announced stock repurchase authorizations. The shares may be purchased, from time-to-time, depending on market conditions.

On March 8, 2021, we announced a new $7,500,000 shareOur shareholder repurchase program that will terminateexpired on March 4, 2022. This program is replacing the $7,500,000 share repurchase program that was announced on March 2, 2020, which expired on February 27, 2021.

 

2524

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number

Description

10.1***Third Amendment to ABL Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 2, 2022, between the Company, Bank of America, N.A. and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 2, 2022 and filed on November 3, 2022).
10.2***Third Amendment to Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 2, 2022, between the Company, TCW Asset Management Company, LLC and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 2, 2022 and filed on November 3, 2022).

31.1*

Certification Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Principal Executive Officer.

  

31.2*

Certification Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Principal Financial Officer.

  

32**

Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer/Principal Financial Officer.

  

101*

Attached as Exhibits 101 to this report are the following financial statements from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 20212022 formatted in Inline XBRL (“eXtensible Business Reporting Language”): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) related notes to these financial statements.

104*Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101

 

 

* Filed with this Report.

** Furnished with this Report.

*** Exhibits and schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The registrant hereby undertakes to furnish copies of any omitted schedules or exhibits upon request of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2625

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

 

ROCKY BRANDS, INC.

   

Date: November 9, 20218, 2022

By:

/s/THOMAS D. ROBERTSON

  

Thomas D. Robertson

  Executive Vice President,Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)

 

2726