UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period endedMarch 31, 20192020

 

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

 

For the transition period from ________________________ to ______________________

 

Commission File Number000-51372

 

Omega Flex, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Pennsylvania 23-1948942

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

451 Creamery Way, Exton, PA 19341
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(610) 524-7272

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [x][X] No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [x][X] No [  ]

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer [  ] Accelerated filer [x][X] Non-accelerated filer [  ] Smaller reporting Company [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of The Exchange Act). Yes [  ] No [x][X]

Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per shareOFLXNASDAQ Global Market

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS

DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 12 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by the courts.

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 31, 20192020 was 10,091,822.10,094,322.

 

 

 

 

 

OMEGA FLEX, INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 20192020

 

INDEX

 

Page No.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
  
Item 1 – Financial Statements3
  
Condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 20192020 (unaudited) and December 31, 201820193
 
Condensed consolidated statements of income for the three-months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and 2018 (unaudited)4
 

Condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three-months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and 2018 (unaudited)

5
 
Condensed consolidated statements of shareholder’s equity for the three-months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and 2018 (unaudited)6
  
Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three-months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and 2018 (unaudited)7
  
Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited)8
  
Item 2-2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2425
  
Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Information About Market Risks3739
  
Item 4 – Controls and Procedures3739
  
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION 
  
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings3740
  
Item 1A – Risk Factors3841
  
Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds3941
  
Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities3941
  
Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures3941
  
Item 5 – Other Information3941
  
Item 6 - Exhibits3942
  
SIGNATURES4043

 

-2-

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1 - Financial Statements

OMEGA FLEX, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

  March 31, 2019  December 31, 2018 
  (unaudited)    
ASSETS        
Current Assets:        
Cash and Cash Equivalents $20,951  $32,392 
Accounts Receivable - less allowances of $975 and $985, respectively  17,006   16,451 
Investments  22,760   14,944 
Inventories-Net  8,839   7,976 
Other Current Assets  1,446   1,859 
         
Total Current Assets  71,002   73,622 
         
Right-Of-Use Assets  666    
Property and Equipment - Net  8,530   8,378 
Goodwill - Net  3,526   3,526 
Deferred Taxes  3   3 
Other Long Term Assets  1,360   1,307 
         
Total Assets $85,087  $86,836 
         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current Liabilities:        
Accounts Payable $2,024  $2,775 
Accrued Compensation  1,296   5,295 
Accrued Commissions and Sales Incentives  2,974   4,246 
Dividends Payable     2,422 
Taxes Payable  686   58 
Lease Liability  322    
Other Liabilities  4,134   3,591 
         
Total Current Liabilities  11,436   18,405 
         
Lease Liability  364    
Deferred Taxes  421   566 
Long Term Taxes Payable  690    
Other Long Term Liabilities  1,336   1,544 
         
Total Liabilities  14,247   20,515 
         
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5)        
         
Shareholders’ Equity:        
Omega Flex, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity:        
Common Stock – par value $0.01 share: authorized 20,000,000 shares:        
10,153,633 shares issued and 10,091,822 outstanding at both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018  102   102 
Treasury Stock  (1)  (1)
Paid-in Capital  10,808   10,808 
Retained Earnings  60,492   56,110 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss  (868)  (950)
Total Omega Flex, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity  70,533   66,069 
Noncontrolling Interest  307   252 
         
Total Shareholders’ Equity  70,840   66,321 
         
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $85,087  $86,836 

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

-3-

OMEGA FLEX, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Amounts in Thousands except Earnings per Common Share)

  For the three-months ended 
  March 31, 
  2019  2018 
  (unaudited) 
Net Sales $26,788  $25,397 
         
Cost of Goods Sold  9,842   10,364 
         
Gross Profit  16,946   15,033 
         
Selling Expense  4,510   4,414 
General and Administrative Expense  5,504   4,089 
Engineering Expense  1,341   1,030 
         
Operating Profit  5,591   5,500 
         
Interest Income  220   51 
Other Income  38   36 
         
Income Before Income Taxes  5,849   5,587 
         
Income Tax Expense  1,418   1,384 
         
Net Income  4,431   4,203 
Less: Net Income attributable to the Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax  (49)  (40)
         
Net Income attributable to Omega Flex, Inc. $4,382  $4,163 
         
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share $0.43  $0.41 
         
Basic and Diluted Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding  10,092   10,092 
  March 31,  December 31, 
  2020  2019 
  (unaudited)    
ASSETS        
Current Assets:        
Cash and Cash Equivalents $13,834  $16,098 
Accounts Receivable - less allowances of $1,103 and $1,433, respectively  15,524   17,047 
Inventories - Net  11,222   11,078 
Other Current Assets  1,503   2,097 
         
Total Current Assets  42,083   46,320 
         
Right-Of-Use Assets - Operating  664   771 
Property and Equipment - Net  8,830   8,909 
Goodwill - Net  3,526   3,526 
Deferred Taxes  4   4 
Other Long Term Assets  1,411   1,454 
         
Total Assets $56,518  $60,984 
         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current Liabilities:        
Accounts Payable $2,156  $2,383 
Accrued Compensation  1,422   4,618 
Accrued Commissions and Sales Incentives  3,006   4,461 
Dividends Payable  2,826   2,826 
Taxes Payable  1,534   423 
Lease Liability - Operating  355   369 
Other Liabilities  3,551   5,404 
         
Total Current Liabilities  14,850   20,484 
         
Lease Liability – Operating, net of current portion  323   418 
Deferred Taxes  542   331 
Long Term Taxes Payable  559    
Other Long Term Liabilities  1,304   2,175 
         
Total Liabilities  17,578   23,408 
         
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5)        
         
Shareholders’ Equity:        
Omega Flex, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity:        
Common Stock – par value $0.01 share: authorized 20,000,000 shares: 10,153,633 shares issued and 10,094,322 outstanding at both March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019  102   102 
Treasury Stock  (1)  (1)
Paid-in Capital  11,025   11,025 
Retained Earnings  28,683   27,165 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss  (1,073)  (909)
Total Omega Flex, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity  38,736   37,382 
Noncontrolling Interest  204   194 
         
Total Shareholders’ Equity  38,940   37,576 
         
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $56,518  $60,984 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

-4--3-

 

OMEGA FLEX, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Amounts in Thousands)Thousands except Earnings per Common Share)

 

  For the three-months ended 
  March 31, 
  2019  2018 
  (unaudited) 
Net Income $4,431  $4,203 
         
Other Comprehensive Income:        
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment  88   430 
Other Comprehensive Income  88   430 
         
Comprehensive Income  4,519   4,633 
         
Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to the Noncontrolling Interest  (55)  (63)
         
Total Other Comprehensive Income $4,464  $4,570 
  For the three-months ended 
  March 31, 
  2020  2019 
  (unaudited) 
       
Net Sales $25,266  $26,788 
         
Cost of Goods Sold  9,497   9,842 
         
Gross Profit  15,769   16,946 
         
Selling Expense  4,551   4,510 
General and Administrative Expense  4,253   5,504 
Engineering Expense  1,120   1,341 
         
Operating Profit  5,845   5,591 
         
Interest Income  45   220 
Other Income (Loss)  (108)  38 
         
Income Before Income Taxes  5,782   5,849 
         
Income Tax Expense  1,416   1,418 
         
Net Income  4,366   4,431 
Less: Net Income attributable to the Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax  (22)  (49)
         
Net Income attributable to Omega Flex, Inc. $4,344  $4,382 
         
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share $0.43  $0.43 
         
Basic and Diluted Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding  10,094   10,092 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

-5--4-

 

OMEGA FLEX, INC.

OMEGA FLEX, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITYCOMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

  Common Stock Outstanding  

Common

Stock

  

Treasury

Stock

  Paid In Capital  Retained Earnings  

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

  

Noncontrolling

Interest

  

Shareholders’

Equity

 
January 1, 2019  10,091,822  $102  $(1) $10,808  $56,110  $(950) $252  $66,321 
                                 
Net Income                  4,382       49   4,431 
Cumulative Translation Adjustment                      82   6   88 
                                 
March 31, 2019  10,091,822  $102  $(1) $10,808  $60,492  $(868) $307  $70,840 

  Common Stock Outstanding  

Common

Stock

  

Treasury

Stock

  Paid In Capital  Retained Earnings  

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

  

Noncontrolling

Interest

  

Shareholders’

Equity

 
January 1, 2018  10,091,822  $102  $(1) $10,808  $45,457  $(908) $611  $56,069 
                                 
Net Income                  4,163       40   4,203 
Cumulative Translation Adjustment                      407   23   430 
                                 
March 31, 2018  10,091,822  $102  $(1) $10,808  $49,620  $(501) $674  $60,702 

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

-6-

OMEGA FLEX, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in Thousands)

  For the three-months ended 
  March 31, 
  2019  2018 
  (unaudited) 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:        
Net Income $4,431  $4,203 
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to        
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities:        
Non-Cash Compensation  746   (63)
Depreciation and Amortization  150   124 
Provision for Losses on Accounts Receivable, net of
write-offs and recoveries
  (13)  (15)
Deferred Taxes  (145)  83 
Provision for Inventory Reserves  (70)  (215)
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:        
Accounts Receivable  (503)  327 
Inventories  (764)  268 
Right-Of-Use Assets  (666)   
Other Assets  362   539 
Accounts Payable  (762)  (560)
Accrued Compensation  (4,007)  (3,599)
Accrued Commissions and Sales Incentives  (1,293)  (1,410)
Lease Liability  686    
Other Liabilities
  892   211 
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities  (956)  (107)
         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:        
Purchase of Investments  (22,816)   
Net Proceeds from Sale of Investments  15,000    
Capital Expenditures  (299)  (397)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities  (8,115)  (397)
         
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:        
Dividend Paid  (2,422)  (2,220)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities  (2,422)  (2,220)
         
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents  (11,493)  (2,724)
Translation effect on cash  52   365 
Cash and Cash Equivalents – Beginning of Period  32,392   37,938 
Cash and Cash Equivalents – End of Period $20,951  $35,579 
         
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:        
         
Cash paid for Income Taxes $245  $336 
         
Cash paid for Interest $  $ 
  For the three-months ended 
  March 31, 
  2020  2019 
  (unaudited) 
       
Net Income $4,366  $4,431 
         
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):        
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment  (176)  88 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)  (176)  88 
         
Comprehensive Income  4,190   4,519 
         
Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to the Noncontrolling Interest  (10)  (55)
         
Total Other Comprehensive Income $4,180  $4,464 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

-7--5-

 

OMEGA FLEX, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Amounts in Thousands)

(unaudited)

  Common Stock Outstanding  

Common

Stock

  

Treasury

Stock

  Paid In Capital  Retained Earnings  

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

  

Noncontrolling

Interest

  

Shareholders’

Equity

 
January 1, 2020  10,094,322  $102  $(1) $11,025  $27,165  $(909) $194  $37,576 
                                 
Net Income                  4,344       22   4,366 
Cumulative Translation Adjustment                      (164)  (12)  (176)
                                 
Dividends Declared                  (2,826)          (2,826)
                                 
March 31, 2020  10,094,322  $102  $(1) $11,025  $28,683  $(1,073) $204  $38,940 

  Common Stock Outstanding  

Common

Stock

  

Treasury

Stock

  Paid In Capital  Retained Earnings  

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

  

Noncontrolling

Interest

  

Shareholders’

Equity

 
January 1, 2019  10,091,822  $102  $(1) $10,808  $56,110  $(950) $252  $66,321 
                                 
Net Income                  4,382       49   4,431 
Cumulative Translation Adjustment                      82   6   88 
                                 
March 31, 2019  10,091,822  $102  $(1) $10,808  $60,492  $(868) $307  $70,840 

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

-6-

OMEGA FLEX, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in Thousands)

  For the three-months ended 
  March 31, 
  2020  2019 
  (unaudited) 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:        
Net Income $4,366  $4,431 
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to        
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities:        
Non-Cash Compensation  (467)  746 
Depreciation and Amortization  211   150 
Provision for Losses on Accounts Receivable, net of write-offs and recoveries  (320)  (13)
Deferred Taxes  211   (145)
Provision for Inventory Reserves  (127)  (70)
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:        
Accounts Receivable  1,733   (503)
Inventories  (112)  (764)
Right-Of-Use Assets  89   (666)
Other Assets  634   362 
Accounts Payable  (206)  (762)
Accrued Compensation  (3,177)  (4,007)
Accrued Commissions and Sales Incentives  (1,444)  (1,293)
Lease Liabilities  (91)  686 
Other Liabilities  (549)  892 
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities  751   (956)
         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:        
Purchase of Investments     (22,816)
Net Proceeds from Sale of Investments     15,000 
Capital Expenditures  (145)  (299)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities  (145)  (8,115)
         
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:        
Dividends Paid  (2,826)  (2,422)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities  (2,826)  (2,422)
         
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents  (2,220)  (11,493)
Translation effect on cash  (44)  52 
Cash and Cash Equivalents – Beginning of Period  16,098   32,392 
Cash and Cash Equivalents – End of Period $13,834  $20,951 
         
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:        
         
Cash paid for Income Taxes $207  $245 
         
Declared Dividend $2,826  $ 

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

-7-

OMEGA FLEX, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Omega Flex, Inc. (Omega) and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”). The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 20192020 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), and with the instructions of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest shareholders’ annual report (Form 10-K). All material inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. It is Management’s opinion that all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been made, and that all adjustments are of a normal recurring nature or a description is provided for any adjustments that are not of a normal recurring nature.

 

Description of Business

 

The Company’s business is controlled as a single operating segment that consists of the manufacture and sale of flexible metal hose (also described as corrugated tubing), as well as the sale of the Company’s related proprietary fittings and a vast array of accessories.

 

The Company is a leading manufacturer of flexible metal hose, which is used in a variety of waysapplications to carry gases and liquids within their particular applications. SomeThe Company’s business is controlled as a single operating segment that consists of the more prominent usesmanufacture and sale of flexible metal hose and accessories. These applications include carrying liquefied gases in certain processing applications, fuel gases within residential and commercial buildings, the transfer of liquefiedmedical gases in certain processing applications,health care facilities, and vibration absorbers in high vibration applications,applications. The Company’s flexible metal piping is also used to carry other types of gases and fluids in a number of industrial applications where the customer requires the piping to have both a degree of flexibility and/or an ability to carry corrosive compounds or mixtures, or to carry at both very high and very low (cryogenic) temperatures, and the Company’s corrugated tubing can also be used in the healthcare industry to carry various medical related gases.temperatures.

 

The Company manufactures flexible metal hose at its facilities in Exton, Pennsylvania and Houston, Texas, in the United States, and in Banbury, Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom,UK, and primarily sells its products through distributors, wholesalers and to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) throughout North America, and Europe, and to a lesser extent other globalin certain European markets.

 

-8-

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The most significant estimates and assumptions relate to revenue recognition and related sales incentives, accounts receivable allowances, investment valuations, inventory valuations, goodwill valuation, product liability reserve, stock-based compensation valuations and accounting for income taxes. Actual amounts could differ significantly from these estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the requirements ofAccording to Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The standard is a comprehensive new, the Company recognizes revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services.

 

The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the modified retrospective approach). The Company selected the modified retrospective approach however there was no material impact which required a cumulative effect adjustment.

The principle of Topic 606 wasis achieved through applying the following five-step approach:

 

Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer — a contract with a customer exists when the Company enters into an enforceable contract with a customer, typically a purchase order initiated by the customer, that defines each party’s rights regarding the goods to be transferred and identifies the payment terms related to these goods.

Identification of the performance obligations in the contract —performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the goods that will be transferred to the customer that are distinct, whereby the customer can benefit from the goods on their own or together with other resources that are readily available from third parties or from us. Persuasive evidence of an arrangement for the sale of product must exist. The Company ships product in accordance with the purchase order and standard terms as reflected within the Company’s order acknowledgments and sales invoices.

 -9- 
 

Determination of the transaction price —the transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which the Company will be entitled in exchange for transferring goods to the customer. This would be the agreed upon quantity and price per product type in accordance with the customer purchase order, which is aligned with the Company’s internally approved pricing guidelines.

 

-9-

Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract— if the contract contains a single performance obligation, the entire transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation. This applies to the Company as there is only one performance obligation to ship the goods.

Recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation — the Company satisfies performance obligations at a point in time when control of the goods transfers to the customer. Determining the point in time when control transfers requires judgment. Indicators considered in determining whether the customer has obtained control of a good include:

 

 The Company has a present right to payment
 
The customer has legal title to the goods
 
The Company has transferred physical possession of the goods
 
The customer has the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods
 
The customer has accepted the goods

 

It is important to note that the indicators are not a set of conditions that must be met before the Company can conclude that control of the goods has transferred to the customer. The indicators are a list of factors that are often present if a customer has control of the goods.

 

The Company has typical, unmodified FOB shipping point terms. As the seller, the Company can determine that the shipped goods meet the agreed-upon specifications in the contract or customer purchase order (e.g. items, quantities, and prices) with the buyer, so customer acceptance would be deemed a formality, as noted in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”)ASC 606-10-55-86. As a result, the Company has a legal right to payment upon shipment of the goods.

 

Based upon the above, the Company has concluded that transfer of control substantively transfers to the customer upon shipment.

 

Other considerations of Topic 606 include the following:

 

Contract Costs -costs to obtain a contract (e.g. customer purchase order) include sales commissions. Under Topic 606, these costs may be expensed as incurred for contracts with a duration of one year or less. The majority of the Company’s customer purchase orders are fulfilled (e.g. goods are shipped) within two days of receipt.
   
Warranties- the Company does not offer customers to purchase a warranty separately. Therefore, there is not a separate performance obligation. The Company does account for warranties as a cost accrual and the warranties do not include any additional distinct services other than the assurance that the goods comply with agreed-upon specifications. There is no impact of warranties under Topic 606 upon the financial reporting of the Company.

 -10- 
 

Returned Goods - from time to time, the Company provides authorization to customers to return goods. If deemed to be material, the Company would record a “right of return” asset for the cost of the returned goods which would reduce cost of sales. Upon implementation of Topic 606, the Company will monitor pending authorized returns of goods and, if deemed appropriate, record the right of return asset accordingly.

-10-

 
Volume Rebates (Promotional Incentives)- volume rebates are variable (dependent upon the volume of goods purchased by our eligible customers) and, under Topic 606, must be estimated and recognized as a reduction of revenue as performance obligations are satisfied (e.g. upon shipment of goods). Also under Topic 606, to ensure that revenue recognized would not be probable of a significant reversal, the four following factors are considered:

 

The amount of consideration is highly susceptible to factors outside the company’sCompany’s influence.

The uncertainty about the amount of consideration is not expected to be resolved for a long period of time.

The Company’s experience with similar types of contracts is limited.

The contract has a large number and broad range of possible consideration amounts.

 

If it was concluded that the above factors were in place for the Company, it would support the probability of a significant reversal of revenue. However, as none of the four factors apply to the Company, promotional incentives are recorded as a reduction of revenue based upon estimates of the eligible products expected to be sold.

 

Regarding disaggregated revenue disclosures, as previously noted, the Company’s business is controlled as a single operating segment that consists of the manufacture and sale of flexible metal hose. Most of the Company’s transactions are very similar in nature, contract, terms, timing, and transfer of control of goods. As indicated within Note 2, under the caption “Significant Concentration”, the majority of the Company’s sales were geographically contained within North America, with the remainder scattered internationally. All performance assessments and resource allocations are generally based upon the review of the results of the Company as a whole.

 

Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include investments in an institutional money market fund, which invests in U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and/or repurchase agreements, backed by such obligations. Carrying value approximates fair value. Cash and cash equivalents are deposited at various area banks, which at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company monitors the viability of the banking institutions carrying its assets on a regular basis, and has the ability to transfer cash to various institutions during times of risk. The Company has not experienced any losses related to these cash balances, and believes its credit risk to be minimal.

 

-11-

 

Accounts Receivable and Provision for Doubtful AccountsCredit Losses

 

Accounts receivableAll accounts receivables are reduced bystated at amortized cost, net of allowances for credit losses, and adjusted for any write-offs. The Company maintains allowances for credit losses, which represent an allowanceestimate of expected losses over the remaining contractual life of its receivables considering current market conditions and estimates for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future.supportable forecasts when appropriate. The estimated allowance for uncollectible amountsestimate is based primarily on specific analysis of accounts in the receivable portfolio and historical write-off experience. While management believes the allowance to be adequate, if the financial conditiona result of the Company’s customers wereongoing assessments and evaluations of collectability, historical loss experience, and future expectations in estimating credit losses in its receivable portfolio. For accounts receivables, the Company uses historical loss experience rates and applies them to deteriorate, resulting in their inabilitya related aging analysis while also considering customer and/or economic risk where appropriate. Determination of the proper amount of allowances requires management to make payments, additionalexercise judgment about the timing, frequency and severity of credit losses that could materially affect the provision for credit losses and, as a result, net earnings. The allowances may be required.consider numerous quantitative and qualitative factors that include receivable type, historical loss experience, delinquency trends, collection experience, current economic conditions, estimates for supportable forecasts, when appropriate, and credit risk characteristics.

 

The allowancereserve for doubtful accounts reflects the Company’s best estimate of probablecredit losses, inherent in the accounts receivable balance. The Company determines the allowance based on any known collection issues, historical experience, and other currently available evidence. The reserve forwhich include future credits, discounts, and doubtful accounts, was $975,000$1,103,000 and $985,000$1,433,000 as of March 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively. In regards to identifying uncollectible accounts, the Company reviews an aging report on a consistent basis to determine past due accounts, and utilizes a well-established credit rating agency. The Company charges off those accounts that are deemed uncollectible once all collection efforts have been exhausted.

 

Investments

 

The Company invests excess funds in liquid interest earning instruments including USU.S. Treasury bills and bank time deposits.deposits, with maturities typically of one year or less. These investments are stated at fair value, which approximates amortized cost, and are classified as available-for-sale in accordance with ASC 320,Investments – Debt and Equity Securities. Investments were $22,760,000 and $14,944,000The Company did not have any investments as of March 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively. Maturities, from the date of purchase, were six months or less.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of inventories is determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The Company generally considers inventory quantities beyond two-years usage, measured on a historical usage basis, to be excess inventory and reduces the carrying value of inventory accordingly.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are initially recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, for leasehold improvements, the life of the lease, if shorter. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in other income or expense for the period. The cost of maintenance and repairs is expensed as incurred; significant improvements are capitalized.

 

Goodwill

 

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 350,Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, the Company performed an annual impairment test in accordance with this guidance as of December 31, 2018.2019. This analysis did not indicate any impairment of goodwill. There were no circumstances that indicate that goodwill might be impaired at March 31, 2019.

 

-12-

However, the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic could result in future goodwill impairment charges. While we have concluded that a triggering event did not occur during the quarter ended March 31, 2020, a prolonged pandemic could impact the Company’s results of operations in a manner significant enough to trigger an interim impairment test.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

 

In 2006, the Company adopted a Phantom Stock Plan (the “Plan”), which allows the Company to grant phantom stock units (“Units”) to certain key employees, officers or directors. The Units each represent a contractual right to payment of compensation in the future based upon the market value of the Company’s common stock. The Units follow a vesting schedule of three years from the grant date, and are then paid upon maturity. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718,Compensation - Stock Compensation(“Topic 718”), the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model as its method for determining the fair value of the Units.Units and are accordingly recorded as liabilities. Additionally, the liabilities for the Units are adjusted to market value over time from the grant dates to the related maturity dates. Further details of the Plan are provided in Note 6.

 

Product Liability Reserves

 

Product liability reserves represent the estimated unpaid amounts under the Company’s insurance policies with respect to existing claims. The Company uses the most current available data to estimate claims. As explained more fully under Note 5, Commitments and Contingencies, for various product liability claims covered under the Company’s general liability insurance policies, the Company must pay certain defense and settlement costs within its deductible or self-insured retention limits, ranging primarily from $25,000 to $1,000,000 per claim, depending on the terms of the policy in the applicable policy year, up to an aggregate amount. The Company is vigorously defending against all known claims.

 

Leases

 

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the requirements of FASB ASU 2016-02,Leases (Topic 842) which defines a lease as any contract that conveys the right to use a specific asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Leases are classified as a finance lease, formerly called a capital lease, if any of the following criteria are met:

 

1.The lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term.
 
2.The lease grants the lessee an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise.
 
3.The lease term is for the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset.
 
4.The present value of the sum of lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset.
 
5.The underlying asset is of such a specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term.

 

-13-

For any leases that do not meet the criteria identified above for finance leases, the Company treats such leases as operating leases. As of March 31, 2019,2020, each of the Company’s leases are classified as operating leases.

 

-13-

Under the new guidance, bothBoth finance and operating leases are reflected on the balance sheet as lease or “right-of-use” assets and lease liabilities. It should be noted that under previous guidance operating leases (non-capital leases) were not required to be recorded as an asset on the balance sheet.

 

There are some exceptions, which the Company has elected in its accounting policies. For leases with terms of twelve months or less, or below the Company’s general capitalization policy threshold, the Company electshas elected an accounting policy to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for all asset classes. The Company recognizes lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

The Company determines if a contract is a lease at the inception of the arrangement. The Company reviews all options to extend, terminate, or purchase its right-of-use assets at the inception of the lease and accounts for these options when they are reasonably certain to be exercised. Certain leases contain non-lease components, such as common area maintenance, which are generally accounted for separately. In general, the Company will assess if non-lease components are fixed and determinable, or variable, when determining if the component should be included in the lease liability. For purposes of calculating the present value of the lease obligations, the Company utilizes the implicit interest rate within the lease agreement when known and/or determinable, and otherwise utilizes its incremental borrowing rate at the time of the lease agreement.

 

As permitted under ASU 2018-11, the Company elected the optional transition method to adopt the new leases standard. Under this new transition method, the Company initially applied the new leases standard at the adoption date of January 1, 2019 and would have recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment, if appropriate, to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. No cumulative-effect adjustment was recognized. The Company’s reporting for the comparative periods prior to 2019 in the financial statements will be presented in accordance with existing GAAP in effect for 2018 and earlier (ASC Topic 840,Leases).

 

The impact of the adoption of this new standard resulted in an increase to the Company’s operating lease assets and liabilities on January 1, 2019 of approximately $800,000. The implementation did not have a material impact on our consolidated statements of income and statements of cash flows.

 

Fair Value of Financial and Nonfinancial Instruments

 

The Company measures financial instruments in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820,Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The accounting standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined 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 on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The standard creates a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company relies upon Level 1 inputs in determining the fair value of investments and the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit in its annual impairment test as described in the FASB ASC Topic 350,Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.

 

-14-

 

Earnings per Common Share

 

Basic earnings per share have been computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. For the periods presented, there are no dilutive securities. Consequently, basic and dilutive earnings per share are the same.

 

Currency Translation

 

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, most of which relate to the Company’s United Kingdom subsidiary whose functional currency is British pound sterling, are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet dates. The statements of income are translated into U.S. dollars at average exchange rates for the period. Adjustments resulting from the translation of financial statements are excluded from the determination of income and are accumulated in a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Exchange gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the statements of income (other expense) in the period in which they occur.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for tax liabilities in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 740,Income Taxes.Taxes. Under this method the Company recorded tax expense, related deferred taxes and tax benefits, and uncertainties in tax positions.

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that these items will either expire before the Company is able to realize the benefit, or that future deductibility is uncertain.

 

The FASB ASC Topic 740,Income Taxes,, clarifies the criteria that an individual tax position must satisfy for some or all of the benefits of that position to be recognized in a company’s financial statements. This guidance prescribes a recognition threshold of more-likely than-not, and a measurement attribute for all tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, in order for those tax positions to be recognized in the financial statements.

 

-15-

 

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 740-10 relative to accounting for uncertainties in tax positions. These provisions provide guidance on the recognition, de-recognition and measurement of potential tax benefits associated with tax positions.

 

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law making several changes to the Internal Revenue Code. The Company reflectedchanges include, but are not limited to: increasing the effectslimitation on the amount of deductible interest expense, allowing companies to carryback certain net operating losses, and increasing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) in its financial statements during the 2017 enactment period. This included the effectsamount of the changenet operating loss carryforwards that corporations can use to offset taxable income. The tax law changes in the US Corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%Act have not had an effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities, and a provision related to previously deferred taxes on earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiary. The Company’sincome tax expenseprovision for the periodsquarter ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 included the continuing effect of the reduction in the U.S. federal tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective for those respective tax years. The Company’s tax provision also reflects other changes as a result of the Act, including the impact of the Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (“GILTI”) provisions, and changes effecting the deductibility of certain executive compensation.2020.

 

Other Comprehensive Income

 

For the quarters ended March 31, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively, the components of other comprehensive income consisted solely of foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

Significant Concentration

 

The Company has one significant customer which represented more than 10% of the Company’s Accounts Receivable at March 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018.2019. That same customer represented more than 10% of the Company’s total Net Sales for the first quarter of 20192020 and 2018.2019. Geographically, the Company has a significant amount of sales in the United States versus internationally. These concentrations are consistent with those discussed in detail in the Company’s December 31, 20182019 Form 10-K.

 

Subsequent Events

 

The Company evaluates all events or transactions through the date of the related filing that may have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 10 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2017, the FASB amended ASC Topic 350,Intangibles – Goodwill and Other(issued under ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”). This amendment simplifies the test for goodwill impairment by only requiring an entity to perform an annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount that the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. Any loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The amendment requires adoption on January 1, 2020. TheIn compliance, the Company does not expect that the adoption ofadopted ASU 2017-04 will have aas required during the first quarter of 2020 and determined that there was no material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 replaced the incurred loss impairment methodology under current 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. ASU 2016-13 requires use of a forward-looking expected credit loss model for accounts receivables, loans, and other financial instruments. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of the standard requires using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date to align existing credit loss methodology with the new standard. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses. ASU 2019-11 requires entities that did not adopt the amendments in ASU 2016-13 as of November 2019 to adopt ASU 2019-11. This ASU contains the same effective dates and transition requirements as ASU 2016-13. We adopted ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2019-11 effective January 1, 2020. The impact of adoption of these standards on our condensed consolidated financial statements was not material.

 

3. INVENTORIES

 

Inventories, net of reserves of $298,000$217,000 and $363,000$355,000 at March 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively, consisted of the following:

 

 March 31, December 31, 
 2020 2019 
 March 31, 2019  December 31, 2018  (dollars in thousands) 
 (dollars in thousands)      
Finished Goods $5,279  $4,756  $5,625  $5,409 
Raw Materials  3,560   3,220   5,597   5,669 
                
Inventories - Net $8,839  $7,976  $11,222  $11,078 

 

4. LINE OF CREDIT

 

On December 1, 2017, the Company agreed to a new Amended and Restated Revolving Line of Credit Note and Third Amendment to the Loan Agreement with Santander Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”). The Company established a line of credit facility in the maximum amount of $15,000,000, maturing on December 1, 2022, with funds available for working capital purposes and other cash needs. The loan is unsecured. The loan agreement provides for the payment of any borrowings under the agreement at an interest rate range of either LIBOR plus 0.75% to plus 1.75% (for borrowings with a fixed term of 30, 60, or 90 days), or, Prime Rate up to Prime Rate plus 0.50% (for borrowings with no fixed term other than the December 1, 2022 maturity date), depending upon the Company’s then existing financial ratios. Currently, the Company’s ratio would allow for the most favorable rate under the agreement’s range, which would be a rate of 3.24%1.74%. The Company is also required to pay on a quarterly basis an unused facility fee of 10 basis points of the average unused balance of the note. The Company may terminate the line at any time during the five yearfive-year term, as long as there are no amounts outstanding.

 

As of March 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, the Company had no outstanding borrowings on its line of credit, and was in compliance with all debt covenants.

Subsequent to March 31, 2020, in an effort to ensure liquidity and secure all available resources during the COVID-19 crisis, the Company borrowed the full amount of its capacity on the line of $15,000,000 at the prime rate of 3.50%. Repayment of the line will depend upon future developments, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable, including new information concerning the severity of the coronavirus and actions to contain or treat its impact, among others, as well as the Company’s own operational needs.

-17-

 

5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Commitments:

 

Under a number of indemnity agreements between the Company and each of its officers and directors, the Company has agreed to indemnify each of its officers and directors against any liability asserted against them in their capacity as an officer or director, or both. The Company’s indemnity obligations under the indemnity agreements are subject to certain conditions and limitations set forth in each of the agreements. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company is contingently liable for costs which may be incurred by the officers and directors in connection with claims arising by reason of these individuals’ roles as officers and directors. The Company has obtained directors’ and officers’ insurance policies to fund certain obligations under the indemnity agreements.

 

-17-

The Company has salary continuation agreements with one current employee, and one former employee who retired at the end of 2010.and/or past employees. These agreements provide for monthly payments to each of the employees or their designated beneficiary upon the employee’s retirement or death. The payment benefits range from $1,000 per month to $3,000 per month with the term of such payments limited to 15 years after the employee’s retirement. The agreements also provide for survivorship benefits if the employee dies before attaining age 65, and severance payments if the employee is terminated without cause; the amount of which is dependent on the length of company service at the date of termination. The net present value of the retirement payments associated with these agreements is $467,000$500,000 at March 31, 2019,2020, of which $455,000$488,000 is included in Other Long Term Liabilities, and the remaining current portion of $12,000 is included in Other Liabilities, associated with thea retired employee previously noted who is now receiving benefit payments. The December 31, 20182019 liability of $462,000$492,000 had $450,000$480,000 reported in Other Long Term Liabilities, and a current portion of $12,000 in Other Liabilities.

 

The Company has obtained and is the beneficiary of three life insurance policies with respect to the two employees discussed above, and one other employee policy.current and/or past employees. The cash surrender value of such policies (included in Other Long Term Assets) amounts to $1,356,000$1,362,000 at March 31, 20192020 and $1,296,000$1,417,000 at December 31, 2018.2019.

 

In addition to the above, the Company has other contractual employment and or change of control agreements in place with key employees, as previously disclosed and noted in the Exhibit Index to the Company’s December 31, 2019 Form 10-K. There are no current payment obligations related to these arrangements, and any future obligations are currently indeterminable due to the variable nature and timing of possible events required to incur such obligations.

As disclosed in detail in Note 7, and in the Company’s December 31, 2018 Form 10-K, Note 8, under the caption “Leases”,Leases, the Company has several lease obligations in place that will be paid out over time. Most notably,

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Lastly, as provided in Item 7 of the Company’s December 31, 2019 Form 10-K, under the “Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements”, the Company leases a facilityhas numerous purchase obligations in Banbury, England that servesplace for the manufacturing, warehousing and distribution functions.

forthcoming year, largely related to the Company’s core material inventory components.

 

Contingencies:

 

In the ordinary and normal conduct of the Company’s business, it is subject to periodic lawsuits, investigations and claims (collectively, the “Claims”). Most of the Claims, including a putative class-action claim, relate to potential lightning damage to the Company’sour flexible gas piping products, which impact legal and product liability related expenses. The Company does not believe the Claims have legal merit, and therefore has commenced a vigorous defense in response to the Claims. It is possible that the Company may incur increased litigation costs in the future due to a variety of factors, including a higher number of Claims, higher legal costs, and higher insurance deductibles or retentions.

 

In 2010, the Company took its first Claim to trial in Pennsylvania, and the jury returned a verdict that the Company was not negligent in designing and selling the TracPipe® product, but also returned a verdict for plaintiff on strict liability. The Company appealed that portion of the verdict, and in December 2014, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of the Company, and returned the case to the trial court for further hearings. The cash bond of $1,600,000, which was previously included in Other Long Term Assets and posted as security for a subsequent appeal, was returned to the Company in May 2018. This case was finally settled and closed on August 7, 2018.

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In March 2017, a putative class action case was re-filed against the Company and other parties in Missouri state court after the predecessor case was dismissed without prejudice by the federal court. The Company successfully removed the case to federal court and is currently vigorously defending the case.

In February 2020, the Company was made aware of a potential legal liability regarding a legal dispute in the United Kingdom, in which the Company was the claimant. After reviewing currently available information and a range of possible scenarios, the potential loss, if any, is estimated to be between $200,000 and $500,000. No amounts have been recorded for the potential liability at this time, as the ultimate outcome could potentially result in the Company being awarded some amount of money if successful, and the potential loss is not deemed probable.

 

The Company has in place commercial general liability insurance policies that cover most Claims, which are subject to deductibles or retentions, ranging primarily from $25,000 to $1,000,000 per claim (depending on the terms of the policy and the applicable policy year), up to an aggregate amount. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties and management is unable to predict the outcome of the pending suits and claims. The potential liability for a given claim could range from zero to a maximum of $1,000,000, depending upon the circumstances, and insurance deductible or retention in place for the respective claim year. The aggregate maximum exposure for all current open Claims, excluding the Missouri class action case, as of March 31, 20192020 is estimated to not exceed approximately $2,400,000,$3,500,000, which represents the potential costs that may be incurred over time for the Claims within the applicable insurance policy deductibles or retentions. From time to time, depending upon the nature of a particular case, the Company may decide to spend in excess of a deductible or retention to enable more discretion regarding the defense, although this is not common. It is possible that the results of operations or liquidity of the Company, as well as the Company’s ability to procure reasonably priced insurance, could be adversely affected by the pending litigation, potentially materially. The Company is currently unable to estimate the ultimate liability, if any, that may result from the pending litigation, or potential litigation from future claims or claims that have not yet come to our attention, and accordingly, the liability in the consolidated financial statements primarily represents an accrual for legal costs for services previously rendered, and outstanding or anticipated settlements for Claims. The liabilities recorded on the Company’s books at March 31, 20192020 and December 31, 20182019 were $180,000$175,000 and $150,000,$215,000, respectively, and are included in Other Liabilities.

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6. STOCK BASED PLANS

 

Phantom Stock Plan

 

Plan Description.On April 1, 2006, the Company adopted the Omega Flex, Inc. 2006 Phantom Stock Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan authorizes the grant of up to one million units of phantom stock to employees, officers or directors of the Company. The phantom stock units (“Units”) each represent a contractual right to payment of compensation in the future based on the market value of the Company’s common stock. The Units are not shares of the Company’s common stock, and a recipient of the Unitsdoes not receive any of the following:

 

 ownership interest in the Company
 
shareholder voting rights
 
other incidents of ownership to the Company’s common stock

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The Units are granted to participants upon the recommendation of the Company’s CEO, and the approval of the Compensation Committee. Each of the Units that are granted to a participant will be initially valued by the Compensation Committee, at an amount equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date, but are recorded at fair value using the Black-Sholes method as described below. The Units follow a vesting schedule, with a maximum vesting of three years after the grant date. Upon vesting, the Units represent a contractual right of payment for the value of the Unit.Unit and therefore are stated as liabilities in accordance with Topic 718. The Units will be paid on their maturity date, one year after all of the Units granted in a particular award have fully vested, unless an acceptable event occurs under the terms of the Plan prior to one year, which would allow for earlier payment. The amount to be paid to the participant on the maturity date is dependent on the type of UnitUnit granted to the participant.

 

The Units may beFull Value, in which the value of each Unit at the maturity date, will equal the closing price of the Company’s common stock as of the maturity date; orAppreciation Only, in which the value of each Unit at the maturity date will be equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock at the maturity dateminus the closing price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date.

 

On December 9, 2009, the Board of Directors authorized an amendment to the Plan to pay an amount equal to the value of any cash or stock dividend declared by the Company on its common stock to be accrued to the phantom stock units outstanding as of the record date of the common stock dividend. The dividend equivalent will be paid at the same time the underlying phantom stock units are paid to the participant.

 

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In certain circumstances, the Units may be immediately vested upon the participant’s death or disability. All Units granted to a participant are forfeited if the participant is terminated from his relationship with the Company or its subsidiary for “cause,” which is defined under the Plan. If a participant’s employment or relationship with the Company is terminated for reasons other than for “cause,” then any vested Units will be paid to the participant upon termination. However, Units granted to certain “specified employees” as defined in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code will be paid approximately 181 days after termination.

 

Grants of Phantom Stock Units.As of December 31, 2018,2019, the Company had 17,80515,493 unvested units outstanding, all of which were granted atFull Value. On February 15, 2019,28, 2020, the Company granted an additional 6,0504,875Full ValueUnits with a fair value of $65.40$74.52 per unit on grant date, using historical volatility. In February 2019,2020, the Company paid $746,000$968,000 for the 10,460 fully vested and matured units that were granted during 2015,2016, including their respective earned dividend values. As of March 31, 2019,2020, the Company had 15,63513,618 unvested units outstanding.

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model as its method for determining fair value of the Units. The Company uses the straight-line method of attributing the value of the stock-based compensation expense relating to the Units. The compensation expense (including adjustment of the liability to its fair value) from the Units is recognized over the vesting period of each grant or award.

 

The FASB ASC Topic 718Compensation - Stock Compensation, requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates in order to derive the Company’s best estimate of awards ultimately to vest.

-20-

 

Forfeitures represent only the unvested portion of a surrendered Unit and are typically estimated based on historical experience. Based on an analysis of the Company’s historical data, which has limited experience related to any stock-based plan forfeitures, the Company applied a 0% forfeiture rate to Plan Units outstanding in determining its Plan Unit compensation expense as of March 31, 2019.2020.

 

The total Phantom Stock related liability as of March 31, 20192020 was $1,691,000$1,766,000 of which $812,000$949,000 is included in Other Liabilities, as it is expected to be paid in February 2020,within the next twelve months, and the balance of $879,000$817,000 is included in Other Long Term Liabilities. At December 31, 2018,2019, the total Phantom Stock liability was $1,692,000,$3,201,000, with $599,000$1,508,000 in Other Liabilities, and $1,093,000$1,693,000 included in Other Long Term Liabilities.

 

Related to the Phantom Stock Plan, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718,Compensation - Stock Compensation, the Company recorded compensation expenseincome of approximately $746,000$467,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, and compensation incomeexpense of $63,000$746,000 for the first quarter of 2018.2019. Compensation income or expense for a given period largely depends upon fluctuations in the Company’s stock price.

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The following table summarizes information about the Company’s nonvested phantom stock Units at March 31, 2019:2020:

 

 Units  Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
  Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value 
Number of Phantom Stock Unit Awards:                
Nonvested at December 31, 2018  17,805  $46.08 
Nonvested at December 31, 2019  15,493  $59.65 
Granted  6,050  $65.40   4,875  $74.52 
Vested  (8,220) $39.94   (6,750) $52.38 
Forfeited            
Canceled            
Nonvested at March 31, 2019  15,635  $56.79 
Nonvested at March 31, 2020  13,618  $68.58 
Phantom Stock Unit Awards Expected to Vest  15,635  $56.79   13,618  $68.58 

 

The total unrecognized compensation costs calculated at March 31, 20192020 are $1,014,000$995,000 which will be recognized through February of 2022.2023. The Company will recognize the related expense over the weighted average period of 1.61.7 years.

 

7. LEASES

 

In the United States, the Company owns its two main operating facilities located in Exton, PA.PA, which provide manufacturing, warehousing and distribution space. In addition to the owned facilities, the Company also has operations in other locations that are leased, as well as other leased assets. In conjunction with the new guidance for leases, as defined by the FASB with ASU 2016-02,Leases (Topic 842), the Company has described the existing leases, which are all classified as operating, pursuant to the below.

 

Facility leasesWith regards to leased facilities within the United States, includethe Company leases its corporate office space in Middletown, CT, with the lease term expiring in 2022. Additionally, the Company leases a warehousing and distribution center in Houston, Texas, which currently provides manufacturing, stocking and sales operations, with thea 5-year lease term running through October 2019. Additionally, the Company leases its corporate office space in Middletown, CT, with the lease term expiring in 2022.2024.

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In the United Kingdom, the Company leases a facility in Banbury, England, which serves sales, warehousing and operational functions with thefunctions. The lease in Banbury has a 15-year term ending in March 2021.

 

In addition to the above property leases,rentals, the Company also has lease agreements in place for various fleet vehicles and equipment with various lease terms.

 

In the March 31, 20192020 condensed consolidated balance sheet, the Company has recorded right-of-use assets of $666,000,$664,000, and a lease liability of $686,000,$678,000, of which $322,000$355,000 is reported as a current liability. The respective weighted average remaining lease term and discount rate are approximately 2.302.58 years and 3.81%3.43%.

 

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As

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of March 31, 2019, payment of the lease liability over the next five years, which includes the related interest, is2020, are as follows:

 

Twelve Months Ending
March 31,
 Lease Liability Payments  Operating Leases 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
2020 $322 
2021  276  $355 
2022  72   163 
2023  16   89 
2024     44 
2025  27 
Thereafter      
    
Total Lease Payments  686 
Total Minimum Lease Payments $678 

 

A similar description of the lease obligations for the previous year is disclosed in the Company’s December 31, 20182019 Form 10-K.

 

Lease expense for the operating leases was approximately $75,000 for the first quarterquarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Lease expense is allocated to each portion of the business generally based upon use, with the majority absorbed by manufacturing (cost of goods sold), and the remainder apportioned to selling, administrative and engineering.

 

8. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

As of March 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, the Company had authorized 20,000,000 common stock shares with par value of $0.01 per share. At these dates, the number of shares issued was 10,153,633, andFor both periods, the total number of outstanding shares was 10,091,822, with the 61,811 variance representing10,094,322, shares held in Treasury.Treasury was 59,311, and total shares issued was 10,153,633.

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During 20192020 and 2018,2019, upon approval of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) the Company has madedeclared and paid regular quarter dividend payments,quarterly dividends, as well as special dividends, as set forth in the following table:

 

Dividend Declared Dividend Paid on or Before
Date Price Per Share  Date Amount 
December 13, 2018 $0.24  January 3, 2019 $2,422,000 
September 11, 2018 $0.24  October 2, 2018 $2,422,000 
June 6, 2018 $0.24  July 3, 2018 $2,422,000 
April 10, 2018 $0.22  April 30, 2018 $2,220,000 
December 13, 2017 $0.22  January 3, 2018 $2,220,000 
Dividend Declared Dividend Paid 
Date Price Per Share  Date Amount 
March 31, 2020 $0.28  April 17, 2020* $2,826,000 
December 16, 2019(S) $3.50  December 30, 2019* $35,330,000 
December 14, 2019 $0.28  January 3, 2020* $2,826,000 
September 6, 2019 $0.28  October 2, 2019* $2,826,000 
June 13, 2019 $0.28  July 2, 2019* $2,826,000 
April 9, 2019 $0.24  April 29, 2019** $2,422,000 
December 13, 2018 $0.24  January 3, 2019** $2,422,000 

 

The number of shares outstanding during eachon the dividend periodpayment date was *10,094,322 and **10,091,822.

(S)indicates special dividend

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In addition to the above dividend amounts, there was a dividend that was paidwere dividends approved by the Company’s foreign subsidiary during April 2018, which amounted to an outlayJuly and December of 2019, with the cash of $491,000distribution to the foreign subsidiary’s noncontrolling interest. interest of $137,000 and $65,000, respectively, paid during those respective months.

It should also be noted that from time to time, the Board may elect to pay special dividends, in addition to or in lieu of the regular quarterly dividends, depending upon the financial condition of the Company. Special dividends are indicated in the above schedule as(S).

 

During 2018, theThe Board approved and granted a total of 2,0002,500 restricted stock unit awards (the “Awards”) to be allocated to the existing non-employee directors of the Company. The Awards must bewere approved by the shareholders’shareholders of the Company at the annual meeting scheduled foron June 11, 2019, or the Awards will be forfeited.and distributed on June 20, 2019. A Form S-8 registration statement, and the restricted stock unit award agreements, were filed with the SEC on December 13, 2018. No2018 (2,000 units) and May 24, 2019 (500 units). The related director compensation cost has beenof approximately $217,000 was recognized related to the Awards through March 31,during June 2019.

 

On April 4, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an extension of its stock repurchase program without expiration, up to a maximum amount of $1,000,000. The original program established in December 2007 authorized the purchase of up to $5,000,000 of its common stock. The purchases may be made from time-to-time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market and business conditions. The Board retained the right to cancel, extend, or expand the share buyback program, at any time and from time-to-time. Since inception, the Company has purchased a total of 61,811 shares for approximately $932,000, or approximately $15 per share.share, which were held as treasury shares. The Company has not made any stock repurchases since 2014.2014; however, as stated above, there were 2,500 shares distributed from treasury to non-employee directors during June 2019.

 

9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

From time to time the Company may have related party transactions (“RPTs”). In short, RPTs represent any transaction between the Company and any Company employee, director or officer, or any related entity, or relative, etc. The Company performs a review of transactions each year to determine if any RPTs exist.exist, and if so, determines if the related parties act independently of each other in a fair transaction. Through this investigation the Company noted a limited number of RPTs which are disclosed hereto. Legal services were performed by a firm which formerly employed one member of the board. On occasion the Company shares a small amount of services with its former parent Mestek, Inc., mostly related to board meeting expenses. The Company is aware of transactions between a few service providers which employ individuals indirectly associated to Omega Flex employees. In all cases, these transactions have been determined to be independent transactions with no indication that they are influenced by the related relationships. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company had both provided and subsequently collected $5,000 of note agreement assets with related parties. Other than as disclosed above, the Company is currently not aware of any RPTs between the Company and any of its current directors or officers outside the scope of their normal business functions or expected contractual duties. The Company does on occasion share a small amount of services with its former parent Mestek, Inc., mostly related to board meeting expenses. Additionally, the Company is aware of transactions between a few service providers which employ individuals indirectly associated to Omega Flex employees, but these have been determined to be independent transactions with no indication that they are influenced by the related relationships. The Company had note agreement assets with related parties amounting to approximately $5,000 at December 31, 2018, which were contractually secured by the Company. In February 2019, the amounts due from related parties were collected.

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10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020 in the United States. On April 7, 2020, the Company received a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to fund the Company’s request for a loan under the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP” and “PPP Loan”) created as part of the recently enacted CARES Act administered by the SBA. In connection with the PPP Loan, the Company entered into the promissory note attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Form 10-Q. Pursuant to the terms of the PPP Loan, the Company received total proceeds of $2,453,000 from the Bank. After the issuance of the PPP Loan, the U.S. Treasury Department issued new guidance on the PPP program, and advised that publicly traded companies that had access to other sources of financing may not be appropriate candidates for the PPP Loans, and provided a grace period until May 7, 2020 for such companies to repay the previously issued PPP Loans. Accordingly, in light of this new guidance, the Company intends to repay the PPP Loan by May 7, 2020.

 

The Company evaluated all events or transactions that occurred through the date of this filing. During this period,No events other than as discussed above came to the Company did not have any material subsequent eventsCompany’s attention that impacted itswould impact the condensed consolidated condensed financial statements.statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

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Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

This report contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to inherent uncertainties. These uncertainties include, but are not limited to, variations in weather, changes in the regulatory environment, customer preferences, general economic conditions, increased competition, the outcome of outstanding litigation, and future developments affecting environmental matters. All of these are difficult to predict, and many are beyond the ability of the Company to control.

 

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts, but rather reflect the Company’s current expectations concerning future results and events, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believes”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “hopes”, “likely”, “will”���will”, and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to differ materially from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

 

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s view only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, conditions or circumstances.

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OVERVIEW

 

The Company is a leading manufacturer of flexible metal hose (also described as corrugated tubing), and is currently engaged in a number of different markets, including construction, manufacturing, transportation, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, healthcare and other industries.

 

The Company’s business is managed as a single operating segment that consists of the manufacture and sale of flexible metal hose, as well as the sale of the Company’s related proprietary fittings and a vast array of accessories. The Company’s products are concentrated in residential and commercial construction, and general industrial markets, with a comprehensive portfolio of intellectual property and patents issued in various countries around the world. The Company’s primary product, flexible gas piping, is used for gas piping within residential and commercial buildings. Through its flexibility and ease of use, the Company’s TracPipe® and TracPipe®CounterStrike® flexible gas piping, along with its fittings distributed under the trademarks AutoSnap® and AutoFlare®, allows users to substantially cut the time required to install gas piping, as compared to traditional methods. The Company’s products are manufactured at its Exton, Pennsylvania facilities in the United States, and in Banbury, Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. Through the use of its broad network of independent outside sales organizations, such as sales representatives, the Company primarily sells its products to distributors, wholesalers and OEM’s, mostly throughout North America, and to a lesser extent in other global markets.

 

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The emergence of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States and around the world presents significant risks to the Company, not all of which the Company is able to fully evaluate or even to foresee at the current time. While the COVID-19 pandemic did not materially adversely affect the Company’s financial results and business operations in the Company’s first quarter ended March 31, 2020, economic conditions in the United States and across most of the globe have changed rapidly since the end of the quarter. Most of the Company’s sales are derived from its TracPipe® and CounterStrike® flexible gas piping products, which are used primarily in residential construction. The construction industry has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by the closing of non-essential businesses and government offices, and social distancing regimes imposed on open work sites. The impact of the rules is particularly severe on our European markets. The impact began in March 2020 and will likely continue for several months into the second quarter ending June 30, 2020, and perhaps beyond as the economy begins to open but under new social distancing protocols. On the other hand, sales of our MediTrac® flexible medical gas piping are increasing strongly as demand for rapid deployment of medical gases in temporary or retro-fitted medical facilities expand to treat patients affected by the COVID-19 virus. Sales of our other industrial products are also rising, particularly flexible hose assemblies used in pharmaceutical applications. However, at present the increased sales of these products are not of a sufficient magnitude to completely offset the loss of sales in residential construction. The levels of construction activity, and increased demand for MediTrac®may not continue and/or demand may decrease depending on the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the length of time it takes for normal economic and operating conditions to resume, additional governmental actions that may be taken and/or extensions of time for restrictions that have been imposed to date, and numerous other uncertainties.

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The Company has responded to the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic by taking measures to reduce exposure to our employees. Production in the United States continues, with appropriate precautions, such as social distancing in the workplace, use of personal protective equipment, increased cleaning and disinfecting of work spaces, and employees working remotely. Our facility in the United Kingdom is continuing to operate with a reduced staff, with most production workers furloughed under a government program. We have continued support from our suppliers, with no significant disruptions in our supply chain. The Company has also drawn on its credit facility to assure sufficient liquidity. The scope and nature of these impacts, most of which are beyond the Company’s control, continue to evolve and the outcomes are uncertain.

Due to the above circumstances and as described generally in this Form 10-Q, the Company’s results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Management cannot predict the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations. The ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company is highly uncertain and will depend on future developments, and such effects could exist for an extended period of time.

 

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

For the period ended March 31, 20192020 vs. December 31, 20182019

 

The Company’s cash balance of $20,951,000$13,834,000 at March 31, 2019,2020, decreased $11,441,000 (35.3%$2,264,000 (14.1%) from the $32,392,000$16,098,000 balance at December 31, 2018. The Company made a net purchase of investments of $7,816,000 and paid a regular quarterly dividend of $2,422,000 during the first quarter of 2019 which was accrued at December 31, 2018. Additionally, consistent2019. Consistent with prior years, the Company paid a significant amount of cash during the first quarter for obligations that were accrued as of the end of the preceding year, such as sales promotional incentive programs and various incentive related compensation. Additionally, the Company paid a dividend of $2,826,000 during the first quarter of 2020. Those cash outflows were partially offset by income generated from operations and net cash collections from accounts receivables during 2019.2020.

 

Investments were $22,760,000Accounts Receivable was $15,524,000 and $14,944,000$17,047,000 as of March 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively, increasing $7,816,000decreasing $1,523,000 or 52.3%8.9%. DuringThis is mostly timing related, associated with greater cash collections resulting from higher sales during the fourth quarter of the year versus the first quarter 2019, the Company invested excess funds in various liquid interest earning instruments including US Treasury bills. These investments are stated at fair value, which approximates amortized cost, and are classified as available-for-sale in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 320,Investments – Debt and Equity Securities(or “ASC 320”). Maturities, from the date of purchase, were six months or less.quarter.

 

Accrued Compensation was $1,296,000$1,422,000 at March 31, 2019,2020, compared to $5,295,000$4,618,000 at December 31, 2018,2019, decreasing $3,999,000 (75.5%$3,196,000 (69.2%). A significant portion of the liability that existed at the previous year end related to incentive compensation earned in 2018.2019. As is customary, the liability was then paid during the first quarter of the following year, or 2019,2020, thus diminishing the balance. The liability now represents amounts earned during the current year.

 

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Dividends Payable was $2,422,000

Accrued Commissions and Sales Incentives were $3,006,000 at March 31, 2020, compared to $4,461,000 at December 31, 2019, decreasing $1,455,000 (32.6%). A portion of the decrease relates to a customary trend of a lower level of sales during first quarter of the year in comparison to the fourth quarter, and the resulting commissions and sales incentives that are earned. Additionally, a portion of the sales incentives have an annual component which accumulates during the year and are then paid during the first quarter of the following year.

Other Liabilities were $3,551,000 at March 31, 2020 and $5,404,000 at the end of 2018,2019, reflecting a decrease of $1,853,000 or 34.3%. The majority of this decrease relates to the $0.24 regular quarterly dividend declared byfirst quarter 2020 payment of the Board duringphantom stock component of incentive compensation in-line with the maturity schedule outlined in the agreement, which was accrued at December 2018. This dividend was then paid to shareholders’ in January of 2019, thus reducing the balance to zero at March 31, 2019. ThisFurther details related to phantom stock are contained in Note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, Stock Based Plans. Annual payments were also reducedmade related to the Company’s cash balance, as described above.profit sharing plan and other non-executive incentive compensation.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three-months ended March 31, 20192020 vs. March 31, 20182019

 

The Company reported comparative results from continuing operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 20192020 and 20182019 as follows:

 

 

Three-months ended March 31,

 
 (in thousands)  Three-months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
  2019   2019   2018   2018  2020 2020 2019 2019 
 ($000)  %  ($000)  %  ($000) % ($000) % 
Net Sales $26,788   100.0% $25,397   100.0% $25,266   100.0% $26,788   100.0%
Gross Profit $16,946   63.3% $15,033   59.2% $15,769   62.4% $16,946   63.3%
Operating Profit $5,591   20.9% $5,500   21.7% $5,845   23.1% $5,591   20.9%

 

Net Sales. The Company’s 20192020 first quarter sales of $26,788,000 increased $1,391,000$25,266,000 decreased $1,522,000 or 5.5% over5.7% compared to the first quarter of 2018,2019, which generated sales of $25,397,000.$26,788,000. The increasedecrease in sales resulted mostly from a combination of increaseddecrease in unit volume, andpartially offset by pricing actions which the Company took to offset material cost pressure and to protect margins.

 

Gross Profit. The Company’s gross profit margins were 63.3%62.4% and 59.2%63.3% for the three-months ended March 31, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively.

 

Selling Expenses. Selling expenses consist primarily of employee salaries and associated overhead costs, commissions, and the cost of marketing programs such as advertising, trade shows and related communication costs, and freight. Selling expense was $4,510,000$4,551,000 and $4,414,000$4,510,000 for the three-months ended March 31, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively, representing an increasea decrease of $96,000$41,000 or 2.2%0.9%. Selling expenses increased as a percent of net sales compared to last year, werebeing 18.0% for the three-months ended March 31, 2020, and 16.8% for the three-months ended March 31, 2019, and 17.4% for the three-months ended March 31, 2018, decreasing slightly.2019.

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General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of employee salaries, benefits for administrative, executive and finance personnel, legal and accounting, and corporate general and administrative services. General and administrative expenses were $5,504,000$4,253,000 and $4,089,000$5,504,000 for the three-months ended March 31, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively, thus increasingdecreasing by $1,415,000$1,251,000 or 34.6%22.7%. The Company experienced a surge in its stock price during the first quarter of 2019, in contrast to a decrease in stock price during the same period in 2018,first quarter of 2020, which increaseddecreased the phantom stock portion of incentive compensation expense between years, and was a primary factor in an overall $842,000 increase$1,138,000 decrease in incentive compensation between periods. The Company also had additionala reduction in legal and product liability related defense costs in 2019 of $592,0002020 mostly related to a slow-down in the ongoing class action case which is being rigorouslyvigorously defended. As a percentage of sales, general and administrative expenses increaseddecreased to 20.6%16.8% for the three months ended March 31, 20192020 from 16.1%20.6% for the three-months ended March 31, 2018.2019.

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Engineering Expense. Engineering expenses consist of development expenses associated with the development of new products and enhancements to existing products, and manufacturing engineering costs. Engineering expenses were $1,341,000$1,120,000 and $1,030,000$1,341,000 for the three-months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, and 2018, respectively, increasingdecreasing by $311,000$221,000 or 30.2%16.5%, partially associated with a reduction in experimental materials previously required for the progression of the Company’s new MediTrac® corrugated medical tubing product, as well as othervarious promising applications pertaining to the DoubleTrac® offerings.applications. Engineering expenses increaseddecreased as a percentage of sales, being 5.0%4.4% for the three-months ended March 31, 2019,2020, and 4.1%5.0% for the same period in 2018.2019.

 

Operating Profits. Reflecting all of the factors mentioned above, operating profits were $5,591,000$5,845,000 and $5,500,000$5,591,000 for the quarters ending March 31, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively, increasing by $91,000$254,000 or 1.7%4.5%.

 

Interest Income (Expense)-Net. Interest income is recorded on cash investments, and interest expense is recorded at times when the Company has debt amounts outstanding on its line of credit. The Company recorded $220,000$45,000 and $51,000$220,000 of interest income during the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The reduction in interest income was largely due to the lower cash balance and 2018, respectively.thus lack of investment, mostly resulting from the $35,330,000 special dividend paid in December 2019.

 

Other Income (Expense)-Net. Other Income (Expense)-net primarily consists of foreign currency exchange gains (losses) on transactions with Omega Flex Limited, oursettled in currencies other than the Company’s local currency, typically related to the Company’s foreign UK subsidiary.subsidiaries. There was incomeexpense of $38,000$108,000 recorded during the first quarter 2019, and2020, but income of $36,000$38,000 during the first quarter of 2018.2019.

 

Income Tax Expense. Income Tax Expense was $1,418,000$1,416,000 for the first three months of 2019,2020, compared to $1,384,000$1,418,000 for the same period in 2018. The $34,0002019, decreasing $2,000 or 2.5% increase in the tax expense was largely0.1%, mostly the result of the increasedecrease in income before taxes. A lower rate was in effect during the first quarter of both 2019 and 2018 attributable to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted at the end of 2017. The Act reduced the U.S. federal tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective for the Company’s 2018 tax year. The Company’s tax provision also reflects other changes as a result of the Act, including the impact of the Global Intangible Low Taxed Income provisions, and changes effecting the deductibility of certain executive compensation.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND USE OF ESTIMATES

 

Financial Reporting Release No. 60, released by the Securities and Exchange Commission, requires all companies to include a discussion of critical accounting policies or methods used in the preparation of financial statements. Note 2 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. The following is a discussion of the Company’s significant accounting policies.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The most significant estimates and assumptions relate to revenue recognition and related sales incentives, accounts receivable valuations, investment valuations, inventory valuations, goodwill valuation, product liability reserve, stock-based compensation valuations and accounting for income taxes. Actual amounts could differ significantly from these estimates.

 

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Our critical accounting policies and significant estimates and assumptions are described in more detail as follows:

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the requirements ofAccording to Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The standard is a comprehensive new, the Company recognizes revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services.

 

The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the modified retrospective approach). The Company selected the modified retrospective approach however there was no material impact which required a cumulative effect adjustment.

The principle of Topic 606 wasis achieved through applying the following five-step approach:

 

 Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer — a contract with a customer exists when the Company enters into an enforceable contract with a customer, typically a purchase order initiated by the customer, that defines each party’s rights regarding the goods to be transferred and identifies the payment terms related to these goods.
   
 Identification of the performance obligations in the contract —performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the goods that will be transferred to the customer that are distinct, whereby the customer can benefit from the goods on their own or together with other resources that are readily available from third parties or from us. Persuasive evidence of an arrangement for the sale of product must exist. The Company ships product in accordance with the purchase order and standard terms as reflected within the Company’s order acknowledgments and sales invoices.

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 Determination of the transaction price —the transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which the Company will be entitled in exchange for transferring goods to the customer. This would be the agreed upon quantity and price per product type in accordance with the customer purchase order, which is aligned with the Company’s internally approved pricing guidelines.

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 Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract— if the contract contains a single performance obligation, the entire transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation. This applies to the Company as there is only one performance obligation to ship the goods.
   
 Recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation — the Company satisfies performance obligations at a point in time when control of the goods transfers to the customer. Determining the point in time when control transfers requires judgment. Indicators considered in determining whether the customer has obtained control of a good include:

 

 The Company has a present right to payment
 
The customer has legal title to the goods
 
The Company has transferred physical possession of the goods
 
The customer has the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods
 
The customer has accepted the goods

 

It is important to note that the indicators are not a set of conditions that must be met before the Company can conclude that control of the goods has transferred to the customer. The indicators are a list of factors that are often present if a customer has control of the goods.

 

The Company has typical, unmodified FOB shipping point terms. As the seller, the Company can determine that the shipped goods meet the agreed-upon specifications in the contract or customer purchase order (e.g. items, quantities, and prices) with the buyer, so customer acceptance would be deemed a formality, as noted in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”)ASC 606-10-55-86. As a result, the Company has a legal right to payment upon shipment of the goods.

 

Based upon the above, the Company has concluded that transfer of control substantively transfers to the customer upon shipment.

 

Other considerations of Topic 606 include the following:

 

 Contract Costs -costs to obtain a contract (e.g. customer purchase order) include sales commissions. Under Topic 606, these costs may be expensed as incurred for contracts with a duration of one year or less. The majority of the Company’s customer purchase orders are fulfilled (e.g. goods are shipped) within two days of receipt.
   
 Warranties- the Company does not offer customers to purchase a warranty separately. Therefore, there is not a separate performance obligation. The Company does account for warranties as a cost accrual and the warranties do not include any additional distinct services other than the assurance that the goods comply with agreed-upon specifications. There is no impact of warranties under Topic 606 upon the financial reporting of the Company.

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 Returned Goods - from time to time, the Company provides authorization to customers to return goods. If deemed to be material, the Company would record a “right of return” asset for the cost of the returned goods which would reduce cost of sales. Upon implementation of Topic 606, the Company will monitor pending authorized returns of goods and, if deemed appropriate, record the right of return asset accordingly.

 -29- 

 Volume Rebates (Promotional Incentives)- volume rebates are variable (dependent upon the volume of goods purchased by our eligible customers) and, under Topic 606, must be estimated and recognized as a reduction of revenue as performance obligations are satisfied (e.g. upon shipment of goods). Also under Topic 606, to ensure that revenue recognized would not be probable of a significant reversal, the four following factors are considered:

 

 The amount of consideration is highly susceptible to factors outside the company’sCompany’s influence.
 
The uncertainty about the amount of consideration is not expected to be resolved for a long period of time.
 
The Company’s experience with similar types of contracts is limited.
 
The contract has a large number and broad range of possible consideration amounts.

 

If it was concluded that the above factors were in place for the Company, it would support the probability of a significant reversal of revenue. However, as none of the four factors apply to the Company, promotional incentives are recorded as a reduction of revenue based upon estimates of the eligible products expected to be sold.

 

Regarding disaggregated revenue disclosures, as previously noted, the Company’s business is controlled as a single operating segment that consists of the manufacture and sale of flexible metal hose. Most of the Company’s transactions are very similar in nature, contract, terms, timing, and transfer of control of goods. As indicated within Note 2, under the caption “Significant Concentration”, the majority of the Company’s sales were geographically contained within North America, with the remainder scattered internationally. All performance assessments and resource allocations are generally based upon the review of the results of the Company as a whole.

 

Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include investments in an institutional money market fund, which invests in U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and/or repurchase agreements, backed by such obligations. Carrying value approximates fair value. Cash and cash equivalents are deposited at various area banks, which at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company monitors the viability of the banking institutions carrying its assets on a regular basis, and has the ability to transfer cash to various institutions during times of risk. The Company has not experienced any losses related to these cash balances, and believes its credit risk to be minimal.

 

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Accounts Receivable and Provision for Doubtful AccountsCredit Losses

 

Accounts receivableAll accounts receivables are reduced bystated at amortized cost, net of allowances for credit losses, and adjusted for any write-offs. The Company maintains allowances for credit losses, which represent an allowanceestimate of expected losses over the remaining contractual life of its receivables considering current market conditions and estimates for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future.supportable forecasts when appropriate. The estimated allowance for uncollectible amountsestimate is based primarily on specific analysis of accounts in the receivable portfolio and historical write-off experience. While management believes the allowance to be adequate, if the financial conditiona result of the Company’s customers wereongoing assessments and evaluations of collectability, historical loss experience, and future expectations in estimating credit losses in its receivable portfolio. For accounts receivables, the Company uses historical loss experience rates and applies them to deteriorate, resulting in their inabilitya related aging analysis while also considering customer and/or economic risk where appropriate. Determination of the proper amount of allowances requires management to make payments, additionalexercise judgment about the timing, frequency and severity of credit losses that could materially affect the provision for credit losses and, as a result, net earnings. The allowances may be required.consider numerous quantitative and qualitative factors that include receivable type, historical loss experience, delinquency trends, collection experience, current economic conditions, estimates for supportable forecasts, when appropriate, and credit risk characteristics.

 

The allowancereserve for doubtful accounts reflects the Company’s best estimate of probablecredit losses, inherent in the accounts receivable balance. The Company determines the allowance based on any known collection issues, historical experience, and other currently available evidence. The reserve forwhich include future credits, discounts, and doubtful accounts, was $975,000$1,103,000 and $985,000$1,433,000 as of March 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively. In regards to identifying uncollectible accounts, the Company reviews an aging report on a consistent basis to determine past due accounts, and utilizes a well-established credit rating agency. The Company charges off those accounts that are deemed uncollectible once all collection efforts have been exhausted.

 

Investments

 

The Company invests excess funds in liquid interest earning instruments including USU.S. Treasury bills and bank time deposits.deposits, with maturities typically of one year or less. These investments are stated at fair value, which approximates amortized cost, and are classified as available-for-sale in accordance with ASC 320,Investments – Debt and Equity Securities. Investments were $22,760,000 and $14,944,000The Company did not have any investments as of March 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively. Maturities, from the date of purchase, were six months or less.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of inventories is determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The Company generally considers inventory quantities beyond two-years usage, measured on a historical usage basis, to be excess inventory and reduces the carrying value of inventory accordingly.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are initially recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, for leasehold improvements, the life of the lease, if shorter. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in other income or expense for the period. The cost of maintenance and repairs is expensed as incurred; significant improvements are capitalized.

 

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Goodwill

 

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 350,Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, the Company performed an annual impairment test in accordance with this guidance as of December 31, 2018.2019. This analysis did not indicate any impairment of goodwill. There were no circumstances that indicate that goodwill might be impaired at March 31, 2018.

 

However, the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic could result in future goodwill impairment charges. While we have concluded that a triggering event did not occur during the quarter ended March 31, 2020, a prolonged pandemic could impact the Company’s results of operations in a manner significant enough to trigger an interim impairment test.

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Stock-Based Compensation Plans

 

In 2006, the Company adopted a Phantom Stock Plan (the “Plan”), which allows the Company to grant phantom stock units (“Units”) to certain key employees, officers or directors. The Units each represent a contractual right to payment of compensation in the future based upon the market value of the Company’s common stock. The Units follow a vesting schedule of three years from the grant date, and are then paid upon maturity. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718,Compensation - Stock Compensation, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model as its method for determining the fair value of the Units.Units and are accordingly recorded as liabilities. Additionally, the liabilities for the Units are adjusted to market value over time from the grant dates to the related maturity dates. Further details of the Plan are provided in Note 6.

 

Product Liability Reserves

 

Product liability reserves represent the estimated unpaid amounts under the Company’s insurance policies with respect to existing claims. The Company uses the most current available data to estimate claims. As explained more fully under Note 5, Commitments and Contingencies, for various product liability claims covered under the Company’s general liability insurance policies, the Company must pay certain defense and settlement costs within its deductible or self-insured retention limits, ranging primarily from $25,000 to $1,000,000 per claim, depending on the terms of the policy in the applicable policy year, up to an aggregate amount. The Company is vigorously defending against all known claims.

 

Leases

 

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the requirements of FASB ASU 2016-02,Leases (Topic 842) which defines a lease as any contract that conveys the right to use a specific asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Leases are classified as a finance lease, formerly called a capital lease, if any of the following criteria are met:

 

 1.The lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term.
 
2.The lease grants the lessee an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise.

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 3.The lease term is for the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset.
 4.The present value of the sum of lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset.
 5.The underlying asset is of such a specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term.

 

For any leases that do not meet the criteria identified above for finance leases, the Company treats such leases as operating leases. As of March 31, 2019,2020, each of the Company’s leases are classified as operating leases.

 

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Under the new guidance, bothBoth finance and operating leases are reflected on the balance sheet as lease or “right-of-use” assets and lease liabilities. It should be noted that under previous guidance operating leases (non-capital leases) were not required to be recorded as an asset on the balance sheet.

 

There are some exceptions, which the Company has elected in its accounting policies. For leases with terms of twelve months or less, or below the Company’s general capitalization policy threshold, the Company electshas elected an accounting policy to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for all asset classes. The Company recognizes lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

The Company determines if a contract is a lease at the inception of the arrangement. The Company reviews all options to extend, terminate, or purchase its right-of-use assets at the inception of the lease and accounts for these options when they are reasonably certain to be exercised. Certain leases contain non-lease components, such as common area maintenance, which are generally accounted for separately. In general, the Company will assess if non-lease components are fixed and determinable, or variable, when determining if the component should be included in the lease liability. For purposes of calculating the present value of the lease obligations, the Company utilizes the implicit interest rate within the lease agreement when known and/or determinable, and otherwise utilizes its incremental borrowing rate at the time of the lease agreement.

 

As permitted under ASU 2018-11, the Company elected the optional transition method to adopt the new leases standard. Under this new transition method, the Company initially applied the new leases standard at the adoption date of January 1, 2019 and would have recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment, if appropriate, to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. No cumulative-effect adjustment was recognized. The Company’s reporting for the comparative periods prior to 2019 in the financial statements will be presented in accordance with existing GAAP in effect for 2018 and earlier (ASC Topic 840,Leases).

 

The impact of the adoption of this new standard resulted in an increase to the Company’s operating lease assets and liabilities on January 1, 2019 of approximately $800,000. The implementation did not have a material impact on our consolidated statements of income and statements of cash flows.

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Fair Value of Financial and Nonfinancial Instruments

 

The Company measures financial instruments in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820,Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The accounting standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined 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 on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The standard creates a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company relies upon Level 1 inputs in determining the fair value of investments and the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit in its annual impairment test as described in the FASB ASC Topic 350,Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.

 

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Earnings per Common Share

 

Basic earnings per share have been computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. For the periods presented, there are no dilutive securities. Consequently, basic and dilutive earnings per share are the same.

 

Currency Translation

 

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, most of which relate to the Company’s United Kingdom subsidiary whose functional currency is British pound sterling, are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet dates. The statements of income are translated into U.S. dollars at average exchange rates for the period. Adjustments resulting from the translation of financial statements are excluded from the determination of income and are accumulated in a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Exchange gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the statements of income (other expense) in the period in which they occur.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for tax liabilities in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 740,Income Taxes.Taxes. Under this method the Company recorded tax expense, related deferred taxes and tax benefits, and uncertainties in tax positions.

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that these items will either expire before the Company is able to realize the benefit, or that future deductibility is uncertain.

 

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The FASB ASC Topic 740,Income Taxes,, clarifies the criteria that an individual tax position must satisfy for some or all of the benefits of that position to be recognized in a company’s financial statements. This guidance prescribes a recognition threshold of more-likely than-not, and a measurement attribute for all tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, in order for those tax positions to be recognized in the financial statements.

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The Company follows the provisions of ASC 740-10 relative to accounting for uncertainties in tax positions. These provisions provide guidance on the recognition, de-recognition and measurement of potential tax benefits associated with tax positions.

 

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law making several changes to the Internal Revenue Code. The Company reflectedchanges include, but are not limited to: increasing the effectslimitation on the amount of deductible interest expense, allowing companies to carryback certain net operating losses, and increasing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) in its financial statements during the 2017 enactment period. This included the effectsamount of the changenet operating loss carryforwards that corporations can use to offset taxable income. The tax law changes in the US Corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%Act have not had an effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities, and a provision related to previously deferred taxes on earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiary. The Company’sincome tax expenseprovision for the periodsquarter ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 included the continuing effect of the reduction in the U.S. federal tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective for those respective tax years. The Company’s tax provision also reflects other changes as a result of the Act, including the impact of the Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (“GILTI”) provisions, and changes effecting the deductibility of certain executive compensation.2020.

 

Other Comprehensive Income

 

For the quarters ended March 31, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively, the components of other comprehensive income consisted solely of foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

Significant Concentration

 

The Company has one significant customer which represented more than 10% of the Company’s Accounts Receivable at March 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018.2019. That same customer represented more than 10% of the Company’s total Net Sales for the first quarter of 20192020 and 2018.2019. Geographically, the Company has a significant amount of sales in the United States versus internationally. These concentrations are consistent with those discussed in detail in the Company’s December 31, 20182019 Form 10-K.

 

Subsequent Events

 

The Company evaluates all events or transactions through the date of the related filing that may have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 10 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2017, the FASB amended ASC Topic 350,Intangibles – Goodwill and Other(issued under ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”). This amendment simplifies the test for goodwill impairment by only requiring an entity to perform an annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount that the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. Any loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The amendment requires adoption on January 1, 2020. TheIn compliance, the Company does not expect that the adoption ofadopted ASU 2017-04 will have aas required during the first quarter of 2020 and determined that there was no material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

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In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 replaced the incurred loss impairment methodology under current 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. ASU 2016-13 requires use of a forward-looking expected credit loss model for accounts receivables, loans, and other financial instruments. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of the standard requires using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date to align existing credit loss methodology with the new standard. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses. ASU 2019-11 requires entities that did not adopt the amendments in ASU 2016-13 as of November 2019 to adopt ASU 2019-11. This ASU contains the same effective dates and transition requirements as ASU 2016-13. We adopted ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2019-11 effective January 1, 2020. The impact of adoption of these standards on our condensed consolidated financial statements was not material.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Historically, the Company’s primary cash needs have been related to working capital items, which the Company has largely funded through cash generated from operations.

 

As of March 31, 2019,2020, the Company had a cash balance of $20,951,000.$13,834,000. Additionally, the Company has a $15,000,000 line of credit available, as discussed in detail in Note 4, which had no borrowings outstanding upon it at March 31, 2019.2020. At December 31, 2018,2019, the Company had a cash balance of $32,392,000,$16,098,000, with no borrowings against the line of credit.

 

Subsequent to March 31, 2020, in an effort to ensure liquidity and secure all available resources during the COVID-19 crisis, the Company did borrow the full amount of its capacity on the line of $15,000,000 at the prime rate of 3.50%. Repayment of the line will depend upon future developments, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable, including new information concerning the severity of the coronavirus and actions to contain or treat its impact, among others, as well as the Company’s own operational needs.

We believe our existing cash and cash equivalents, along with our borrowing capacity, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next twelve months. Our future capital requirements will depend upon many factors including our rate of revenue growth, the timing and extent of any expansion efforts, and the potential for investments in, or the acquisition of any complementary products, businesses or supplementary facilities for additional capacity.capacity, and the COVID-19 crisis. The details of our operating, investing and financing activities are provided below.

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Operating Activities

 

Cash used in operating activities is net income adjusted for certain non-cash items and changes in certain assets and liabilities, such as those included in working capital.

 

For the first three months of 2019,2020, the Company’s operating activities usedprovided cash of $956,000,$751,000, compared to the first quarter of 20182019 which used cash of $107,000,$956,000, a difference of $849,000.$1,707,000. For details of the operating cash flows refer to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows in Part I – Financial Information on page seven.

 

Investing Activities

 

Cash used in investing activities during the first three months of 2020 and 2019 was $145,000 and 2018 was $8,115,000, and $397,000, respectively. During 2020, cash was used for capital expenditures. For 2019, cash was used to purchase short-term investments of $22,816,000, which was partially offset by cash received from net proceeds from the sale of short-term investments of $15,000,000. There were also capital expenditures during 2019 amounting to $299,000. All of the investing activities during the first quarter of 2018 were capital in nature. The capital spending during both 2019 and 2018 related to various projects, with prominent spending designated for the new MediTrac products.

 

Financing Activities

 

A dividend was declared in both December of 20182019 and 2017,2018, amounting to $2,422,000$2,826,000 and $2,220,000$2,422,000 respectively, with payment due and paid during January of the following year.

 

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND GUARANTEES

 

See Note 5 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

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OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

None

 

Item 3.3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Information about Market Risks

 

The Company does not engage in the purchase or trading of market risk sensitive instruments. The Company does not presently have any positions with respect to hedge transactions such as forward contracts relating to currency fluctuations. No market risk sensitive instruments are held for speculative or trading purposes.

 

Item 4 – Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

 

At the end of the fiscal first quarter of 2019,2020, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the Company records, processes, summarizes and reports in a timely manner the information required to be disclosed in the periodic reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company’s management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures as defined in the Rule 13a-15(e) of Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the date of this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance of achieving the purposes described in Rule 13a-15(e), and no changes are required at this time.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Controls.

 

There was no change in the Company’s “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that occurred during the three-month period covered by this Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting subsequent to the date the chief executive officer and chief financial officer completed their evaluation.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings

 

In the ordinary and normal conduct of the Company’s business, it is subject to periodic lawsuits, investigations and claims (collectively, the “Claims”). Most of the Claims, including a putative class-action claim, relate to potential lightning damage to our flexible gas piping products, which impact legal and product liability related expenses. The Company does not believe the Claims have legal merit, and therefore has commenced a vigorous defense in response to the Claims. It is possible that the Company may incur increased litigation costs in the future due to a variety of factors, including a higher number of Claims, higher legal costs, and higher insurance deductibles or retentions.

 

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In 2010, the Company took its first Claim to trial in Pennsylvania, and the jury returned a verdict that the Company was not negligent in designing and selling the TracPipe® product, but also returned a verdict for plaintiff on strict liability. The Company appealed that portion of the verdict, and in December 2014, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of the Company, and returned the case to the trial court for further hearings. The cash bond of $1,600,000, which was previously included in Other Long Term Assets and posted as security for a subsequent appeal, was returned to the Company in May 2018. This case was finally settled and closed on August 7, 2018.

In March 2017, a putative class action case was re-filed against the Company and other parties in Missouri state court after the predecessor case was dismissed without prejudice by the federal court. The Company successfully removed the case to federal court and is currently vigorously defending the case.

In February 2020, the Company was made aware of a potential legal liability regarding a legal dispute in the United Kingdom, in which the Company was the claimant. After reviewing currently available information and a range of possible scenarios, the potential loss, if any, is estimated to be between $200,000 and $500,000. No amounts have been recorded for the potential liability at this time, as the ultimate outcome could potentially result in the Company being awarded some amount of money if successful, and the potential loss is not deemed probable.

-40-

 

The Company has in place commercial general liability insurance policies that cover most Claims, which are subject to deductibles or retentions, ranging primarily from $25,000 to $1,000,000 per claim (depending on the terms of the policy and the applicable policy year), up to an aggregate amount. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties and management is unable to predict the outcome of the pending suits and claims. The potential liability for a given claim could range from zero to a maximum of $1,000,000, depending upon the circumstances, and insurance deductible or retention in place for the respective claim year. The aggregate maximum exposure for all current open Claims, excluding the Missouri class action case, as of March 31, 20192020 is estimated to not exceed approximately $2,400,000,$3,500,000, which represents the potential costs that may be incurred over time for the Claims within the applicable insurance policy deductibles or retentions. From time to time, depending upon the nature of a particular case, the Company may decide to spend in excess of a deductible or retention to enable more discretion regarding the defense, although this is not common. It is possible that the results of operations or liquidity of the Company, as well as the Company’s ability to procure reasonably priced insurance, could be adversely affected by the pending litigation, potentially materially. The Company is currently unable to estimate the ultimate liability, if any, that may result from the pending litigation, or potential litigation from future claims or claims that have not yet come to our attention, and accordingly, the liability in the consolidated financial statements primarily represents an accrual for legal costs for services previously rendered, and outstanding or anticipated settlements for Claims. The liabilities recorded on the Company’s books at March 31, 20192020 and December 31, 20182019 were $180,000$175,000 and $150,000,$215,000, respectively, and are included in Other Liabilities.

 

Item 1A – Risk Factors

 

Risk factors are discussed in detail in the Company’s December 31, 20182019 Form 10-K. There are no additional risks attributable to the quarter.

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

 

None.

 

Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 5 – Other Information

 

None.

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Item 6 - Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.
 Description
   
10.1 Form of Indemnification Agreement
10.2Promissory Note to JPMorgan Chase, N.A. Under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program
   
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Omega Flex, Inc. pursuant to Rule 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
   
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Omega Flex, Inc. pursuant to 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
   
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Omega Flex, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 OMEGA FLEX, INC.
 (Registrant)
  
Date: May 6, 20194, 2020By:/S/s/ Paul J. Kane
  Paul J. Kane
  Vice President – Finance
  and Chief Financial Officer

 

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