ASTRONICS CORP (ATRO) FY 2023 MD&A

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

OVERVIEW

Astronics Corporation, through its subsidiaries, is a leading supplier of advanced technologies and products to the global aerospace and defense industries. Our products and services include advanced, high-performance electrical power generation and distribution systems, seat motion solutions, lighting and safety systems, avionics products, aircraft structures, systems certification, and automated test systems.

We have two reportable segments, Aerospace and Test Systems. Our Aerospace segment has principal operating facilities in the United States, Canada and France. Our Test Systems segment has principal operating facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom. We have engineering offices in Ukraine and India.

Our Aerospace segment designs and manufactures products for the global aerospace industry. Product lines include lighting and safety systems, electrical power generation, distribution and seat motion systems, aircraft structures, avionics products, systems certification, and other products. Our primary Aerospace customers are the airframe manufacturers (“OEM”) that build aircraft for the commercial transport, military and general aviation markets, suppliers to those OEMs, aircraft operators such as airlines, suppliers to the aircraft operators, and branches of the U.S. Department of Defense (“USDOD”). Our Test Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures and maintains automated test systems that support the aerospace and defense and mass transit industries as well as training and simulation devices for both commercial and military applications. In the Test Systems segment, Astronics’ products are sold to a global customer base including OEMs and prime government contractors for both electronics and military products.

Our strategy is to increase our value by developing technologies and capabilities, either internally or through acquisition, and using those capabilities to provide innovative solutions to our targeted markets where our technology can be beneficial.

Important factors affecting our growth and profitability are the rate at which new aircraft are produced, government funding and timing of awards of military programs, our ability to have our products designed into new aircraft, the rates at which aircraft owners, including commercial airlines, refurbish or install upgrades to their aircraft and supply chain and labor market pressures. New aircraft build rates and aircraft owners spending on upgrades and refurbishments is cyclical and dependent on the strength of the global economy. Once one of our products is designed into a new aircraft, the spare parts business associated thereto is also frequently retained by the Company. Future growth and profitability of the Test Systems business is dependent on developing and procuring new and follow-on business. The nature of our Test Systems business is such that it pursues large, often multi-year, projects. There can be significant periods of time between orders in this business, which may result in large fluctuations of sales and profit levels and backlog from period to period. Test Systems segment customers include the USDOD, prime contractors to the USDOD, mass transit operators and prime contractors to mass transit operators.

Each of the markets that we serve presents opportunities that we expect will provide growth for the Company over the long-term. We continue to look for opportunities in all of our markets to capitalize on our core competencies to expand our existing business and to grow through strategic acquisitions.

The main challenges that we continue to face include varying levels of supply chain pressures from the residual impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, material availability and cost increases, labor availability and cost, and improving shareholder value through increasing profitability. Increasing profitability is dependent on many things, primarily sales growth, both acquired and organic, and the Company’s ability to pass cost increases along to customers and control operating expenses, and to identify means of creating improved productivity. Sales are driven by increased build rates for existing aircraft, market acceptance and economic success of new aircraft and our products, continued government funding of defense programs, the Company’s ability to obtain production contracts for parts we currently supply or have been selected to design and develop for new aircraft platforms and continually identifying and winning new business for our Test Systems segment.

Reduced aircraft build rates driven by a weak economy, aircraft groundings, tight credit markets, reduced air passenger travel, and an increasing supply of used aircraft on the market would likely result in reduced demand for our products, which will result in lower profits. Reduction of defense spending may result in fewer opportunities for us to compete, which could result in lower profits in the future. Many of our newer development programs are based on new and unproven technology and at the same time we are challenged to develop the technology on a schedule that is consistent with specific programs. Delays in delivery schedules and incremental costs resulting from supply chain and labor rate pressures have in the past resulted, and could in the future also result in, lower profits. We will continue to address these challenges by working to improve operating efficiencies and focusing on executing on the growth opportunities currently in front of us.

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Our ABL Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility each subject us to various financial and other affirmative and negative covenants with which we must comply on an ongoing or periodic basis. These include financial covenants pertaining to minimum trailing four-quarter EBITDA requirements, minimum liquidity requirements, minimum fixed charge coverage ratio requirements, and excess cash flow repayment provisions. An unexpected decline in our revenues or operating income, including occurring as a result of events beyond our control, could cause us to violate our financial covenants. Our ability to satisfy the tight financial covenants in our ABL Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility is expected to be challenging in 2024 and is an item that our management team continues to closely monitor. While the Company expects to remain in compliance with the required financial covenants for the duration of the agreements, any unexpected negative impacts to our business, including as a result of additional supply chain pressures, the timing of customer orders, and our ability to meet customer delivery schedules, or labor availability and cost pressures, could result in lower revenues and reduced financial profits, and, as a result thereof, our inability to satisfy the financial covenants in our ABL Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility.

See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, for an additional discussion of risks associated with our potential inability to satisfy the financial and restrictive covenants set forth in the ABL Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility.

In September 2021, the Company was awarded a grant of up to $14.7 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (“USDOT”) under the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program (“AMJP”). The Company received $7.3 million and $7.4 million under the grant in 2022 and 2021, respectively. The grant benefit was recognized ratably over the six-month performance period as a reduction to Cost of Products Sold in proportion to the compensation expense that the award is intended to defray. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $6.0 million and $8.7 million of the award, respectively.

We are monitoring the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the related export controls and financial and economic sanctions imposed on certain industry sectors, including the aviation sector, and parties in Russia by the U.S., the U.K., the European Union and others. Although the conflict has not resulted in a direct material adverse impact on our business to date, the implications of the Russia and Ukraine conflict in the short-term and long-term are difficult to predict at this time. Factors such as increased energy costs, the availability of certain raw materials for aircraft manufacturers, embargoes on flights from Russian airlines, sanctions on Russian companies, and the stability of Ukrainian customers could impact the global economy and aviation sector.

In November 2023, a non-core contract manufacturing customer reported within the Aerospace segment filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11. As a result, the Company recorded a full reserve of $7.5 million for outstanding accounts receivable and a $3.6 million reserve against dedicated inventory. The associated assets existed prior to 2023.

DIVESTITURES

On February 13, 2019, the Company completed a divestiture of its semiconductor test business within the Test Systems segment. The transaction included two elements of contingent earnouts. In the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company agreed to an earnout payment of $10.7 million for the calendar 2020 earnout, which was recorded in 2021 as a separate line item below operating loss and was received by the Company in early January 2022. In March 2022, the Company agreed with the earnout calculation for the calendar 2021 earnout for $11.3 million. The Company recorded the gain and received the payment in the first quarter of 2022. In March 2023, the Company agreed with the final earnout calculation for the calendar 2022 earnout for $3.4 million. The Company recorded the gain and received the payment in the first quarter of 2023. See further information in Note 21 in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report.

On October 6, 2021, the Company sold one of its Aerospace buildings for $9.2 million. Net cash proceeds were approximately $8.8 million and a gain on sale of approximately $5.0 million was recorded. The operation has been integrated into another facility.

MARKETS

Commercial Transport Market

The commercial transport market is our largest end market with sales driven by new aircraft production and aftermarket airline retrofit programs. In the commercial transport market, while many of our key long-term fundamentals remain intact, we continue to see residual, though improving, near-term market pressure due to effects of certain supply chain challenges. We have experienced improvement throughout 2023 driven by the increased production rate of the 737 MAX and improved activity with our airline customers. Aircraft build rates are expected to continue to improve during 2024 and 2025 from current levels as production of the 737 MAX and A-320 is expected to increase, and the aftermarket is expected to strengthen over the course of

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the year as aircraft utilization and load factors increase. International travel utilizing primarily widebody aircraft is close to pre-pandemic levels and we believe widebody aircraft production rates will continue to directionally match air traffic volumes.

Sales to the commercial transport market include sales of lighting and safety systems, electrical power and seat motion systems, aircraft structures, avionics products and systems certification. Sales to this market totaled approximately $432.2 million or 62.8% of our consolidated sales in 2023.

Maintaining and growing sales to the commercial transport market will depend not only on continued market recovery post-pandemic, but also on airlines’ capital spending budgets for cabin upgrades as well as the purchase of new aircraft by global airlines. This spending by the airlines is impacted by their profits, cash flow and available financing as well as competitive pressures between the airlines to improve the travel experience for their passengers. We expect that new aircraft will be equipped with more passenger and aircraft connectivity and in-seat power than previous generation aircraft which drives demand for our avionics and power products. This market has historically experienced strong growth from airlines installing in-seat passenger power systems on their existing and newly delivered aircraft. Our ability to maintain and grow sales to this market depends on our ability to maintain our technological advantages over our competitors and maintain our relationships with major in-flight entertainment suppliers and global airlines.

Military Aerospace Market

Sales to the military aerospace market include sales of lighting and safety products, avionics products, electrical power and seat motion products and structures products. Sales to this market totaled approximately 8.9% of our consolidated sales and amounted to $61.6 million in 2023.

The military market is dependent on governmental funding which can change from year to year. Risks are that overall spending may be reduced in the future, specific programs may be eliminated or that we fail to win new business through the competitive bid process. Astronics does not have significant reliance on any one program such that cancellation of a particular program will cause material financial loss. We believe that we will continue to have opportunities similar to past years with respect to this market.

General Aviation Market

Sales to the general aviation market consist mostly of line-fit products driven by aircraft build rates although there are some aftermarket sales as well. We have seen notable improvement in the current year and expect that to continue into 2024 as build rates are expected to increase post-pandemic.

Sales to the general aviation market include sales of lighting and safety products, avionics products, and electrical power and seat motion products. Sales to this market totaled approximately 11.7% of our consolidated sales in 2023 and amounted to $80.8 million.

Sales to the general aviation market are driven by our ship set content on new aircraft and build rates of new aircraft. General aviation OEM build rates are impacted by global wealth creation and corporate profitability. We continue to see opportunities on new aircraft currently in the design phase to employ our lighting and safety, electrical power and avionics technologies in this market. There is risk involved in the development of products for any new aircraft including the risk that the aircraft will not ultimately be produced or that it will be produced in lower quantities than originally expected and thus impacting our return on our engineering and development efforts.

Test Systems Products

Sales by our Test Systems segment accounted for approximately 12.2% of our consolidated sales in 2023 and amounted to $84.4 million. This segment designs, develops, manufactures and maintains automated test systems that support the aerospace and defense, communications and mass transit industries as well as training and simulation devices for both commercial and military applications. Sales to the aerospace and defense market were $48.2 million in 2023. Sales to the mass transit market were $18.9 million and sales to other markets were $17.3 million in 2023.

Sales to the military and mass transit markets are subject to fluctuations resulting from changes in governmental spending, elimination of certain programs, or failure to win new business through the competitive bid process. Consistent with the Aerospace segment, the Test Systems segment does not significantly rely on any one program such that cancellation of a particular program will cause material financial loss, and we believe that we will continue to have opportunities similar to past years regarding this market.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Our financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of the Company’s financial statements requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported. These estimates, assumptions and judgments are affected by management’s application of accounting policies, which are discussed in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 1 in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report. The critical accounting policies have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

Revenue Recognition

Astronics recognizes revenue when it transfers control of a promised good or service to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for the good or service. Our performance obligations are satisfied and control is transferred either at a point-in-time or over-time. The majority of our revenue is recognized at a point-in-time when control is transferred, which is generally evidenced by the shipment or delivery of the product to the customer, a transfer of title, a transfer of the significant risks and rewards of ownership, and customer acceptance. For certain contracts under which we produce products with no alternative use and for which we have an enforceable right to recover costs incurred plus a reasonable profit margin for work completed to date and for certain other contracts under which we create or enhance a customer-owned asset while performing repair and overhaul services, control is transferred to the customer over time. The Company recognizes revenue using an over time recognition model for these types of contracts.

We utilize the cost-to-cost method as a measure of progress for performance obligations that are satisfied over time as we believe this input method best represents the transfer of control to the customer. Under the cost-to-cost method, the extent of progress toward completion is measured based on the proportion of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. These projections require management to make numerous assumptions and estimates relating to items such as the complexity of design and related development costs, performance of subcontractors, availability and cost of materials, labor productivity and cost, overhead, capital costs, and manufacturing efficiency. We review our cost estimates on a periodic basis, or when circumstances change and warrant a modification to a previous estimate. Cost estimates are largely based on negotiated or estimated purchase contract terms, historical performance trends and other economic projections.

See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report for a further description of revenue recognition under ASC 606.

Reviews for Impairment of Goodwill

Our goodwill is the result of the excess of purchase price over net assets acquired from acquisitions. We had approximately $58.2 million of goodwill as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

We identify our reporting units by assessing whether the components of our operating segments constitute businesses for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of those components. The Test Systems operating segment is its own reporting unit while the other reporting units are one level below our Aerospace operating segment.

The Company tests goodwill at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.

We use the discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of each of our reporting units. The discounted cash flow method incorporates various assumptions, the most significant being projected sales growth rates, operating profit margins and cash flows, the terminal growth rate and the discount rate. Management projects sales growth rates, operating margins and cash flows based on each reporting unit’s current business, expected developments and operational strategies. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and the impairment loss is recorded for the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill.

The Company’s four reporting units remaining with goodwill as of the first day of our fourth quarter were subject to the annual goodwill impairment test. Based on our quantitative assessments of our reporting units, we concluded that goodwill was not impaired in 2023, 2022 or 2021.

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CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND PERFORMANCE

A discussion by segment can be found at “Segment Results of Operations” in this MD&A.

CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW OF OPERATIONS

2023 Compared With 2022

Consolidated sales were up $154.3 million, or 28.8%, to $689.2 million compared to the prior year. Aerospace sales increased $143.6 million, or 31.1%, driven by increased demand across our range of aerospace product lines. Test System sales increased $10.7 million, due primarily to the reversal of a $5.8 million deferred revenue liability assumed with an acquisition and associated with a customer program which is no longer expected to occur, and higher radio test product revenue.

Consolidated Cost of Products Sold in 2023 was $568.4 million, compared with $463.4 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to higher volume as well a $3.6 million inventory reserve charge associated with the bankruptcy of a customer and $1.4 million in non-cash stock bonuses reinstated in the current year. The prior-year period benefited from the AMJP Program grant which provided a $6.0 million offset to Cost of Products Sold. Research and development expenses increased $5.2 million due to higher innovation spend. Margins remained under pressure in the year because of inflation and supply chain workarounds. We are passing on increased costs where we can although it will take time to be reflected in sales. We are expecting continued improvement in pricing as well as stabilization in certain input costs as we advance into 2024.

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $127.5 million in 2023 compared with $101.6 million in the prior-year period primarily due to increased wages and benefits, an accounts receivable reserve charge of $7.5 million associated with the bankruptcy of a customer, a net increase of $7.9 million in litigation-related legal expenses and reserve adjustments, and a $2.8 million increase of incentive compensation expenses recorded in SG&A. The prior-year period reflects $2.6 million in expense related to a customer accommodation dispute and a lease termination settlement.

In 2023, the Company recognized a final earnout of $3.4 million for the 2019 sale of its semiconductor test business, compared with $11.3 million recognized in the prior year. Other Income in 2023 included $1.8 million associated with the reversal of a liability related to an equity investment.

Interest expense was $23.3 million in the current year, compared with $9.4 million in the prior year, primarily driven by higher interest rates on credit facilities entered into in January 2023.

Consolidated net loss was $26.4 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, compared with net loss of $35.7 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, in the prior year.

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At December 31, 2023, our consolidated backlog was $592.3 million. At December 31, 2022, our backlog was $571.4 million. Backlog in the Aerospace segment was $517.2 million at December 31, 2023. Backlog in the Test Systems segment was $75.0 million at December 31, 2023.

Income Taxes

Our effective tax rates for 2023 and 2022 were (0.4)% and (20.0)%, respectively. In the past, research and development costs were deducted as incurred. However, beginning with the 2022 tax year, these costs are required to be capitalized for tax purposes and amortized over 5 years. While this would typically result in the creation of an associated deferred tax asset, due to our cumulative three-year pre-tax loss, a valuation allowance was applied against the deferred tax asset. In addition to state income taxes, the following items had the most significant impact on the difference between our statutory U.S. federal income tax rate (21% in 2023 and 2022) and our effective tax rate:

2023:

•Recognition of approximately $6.8 million of valuation allowance against federal deferred tax assets. See Note 11 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report for additional information.

•Recognition of approximately $3.4 million of 2023 U.S. R&D tax credits.

2022:

•Recognition of approximately $13.2 million of valuation allowance against federal deferred tax assets. See Note 11 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report for additional information.

•Recognition of approximately $2.6 million of 2022 U.S. R&D tax credits.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Our business continues to face varying levels of supply chain pressures from the residual impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Domestic air travel has recovered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and international travel utilizing primarily widebody aircraft is close to pre-pandemic levels. As economic activity continues to recover, we will continue to monitor the situation, assessing further possible implications on our operations, supply chain, liquidity, cash flow and customer orders.

See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, for an additional discussion of risk related to supply chain disruptions.

2022 Compared With 2021

For a comparison of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 10, 2023.

SEGMENT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Operating profit (loss), as presented below, is sales less cost of products sold and other operating expenses, excluding interest expense, other corporate expenses and other non-operating sales and expenses. Cost of products sold and other operating expenses are directly identifiable to the respective segment. Operating profit (loss) is reconciled to loss before income taxes in Note 20 of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report.

We do not have material off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material future effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

AEROSPACE SEGMENT

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2023 Compared With 2022

Aerospace segment sales increased $143.6 million, or 31.1%, to $604.8 million. The improvement was driven by a 37.4%, or $117.6 million, increase in commercial transport sales. Sales to this market were $432.2 million, or 62.8% of consolidated sales in 2023, compared with $314.6 million, or 58.8% of consolidated sales in 2022. Higher airline spending and increasing OEM build rates drove the increased demand.

General Aviation sales increased $17.4 million, or 27.5%, to $80.8 million due in part to higher demand in the business jet market for electrical power and motion and avionics products. The Company expects strong demand in the business jet industry to drive higher OEM production rates in the near future, resulting in further increases in demand for its products.

Military Aircraft sales increased $7.1 million, or 13.0%, to $61.6 million from increased production of higher sales of lighting and safety and avionics products.

Aerospace segment operating profit improved to $24.6 million compared with an operating loss of $1.9 million last year, which included an Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection (“AMJP”) Program grant offset to Cost of Products Sold of $6.0 million. Operating margin expansion reflects the leverage gained on higher volume, partially offset by the $11.1 million in charges related to the customer bankruptcy, an increase in litigation-related legal expenses and reserve adjustments of $2.9 million, and an increase in incentive compensation expense of $2.8 million.

Aerospace bookings in 2023 were $664.3 million, for a book-to-bill ratio of 1.10:1. The book-to-bill ratio is calculated as total orders received during the period compared with total revenue recognized during the period. The Aerospace segment’s backlog at December 31, 2023 was $517.2 million, compared to $477.7 million at December 31, 2022. Approximately $474.5 million of the December 31, 2023 backlog is expected to be recognized as revenue over the next twelve months.

2022 Compared With 2021

For a comparison of Aerospace segment results for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 10, 2023.

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TEST SYSTEMS SEGMENT

2023 Compared With 2022

Test Systems segment sales were $84.4 million, up $10.7 million compared with the prior year as a result of the reversal of a $5.8 million deferred revenue liability recorded with a previous acquisition and higher radio test revenue.

Test Systems operating loss was $8.7 million compared with operating loss of $8.1 million in 2022. Absent the non-operating sales adjustment resulting from the reversal of the deferred revenue liability, Test Systems operating loss for the current period was $14.5 million and continued to be negatively affected by mix and under absorption of fixed costs due to volume, a $5.0 million increase in litigation-related legal expenses, and $0.7 million of non-cash bonuses. The Test Systems segment has been investing in significant new development programs which are expected to result in more profitable business in the near future.

Bookings for the Test Systems segment in 2023 were $59.9 million, for a book-to-bill ratio of 0.76:1 for the year. Backlog in the Test Systems segment was $75.0 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $93.7 million at December 31, 2022. The Test Systems segment expects to recognize $52.1 million of backlog as revenue in 2024.

2022 Compared With 2021

For a comparison of Test Systems segment results for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, see Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 10, 2023.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS

For further information on our contractual obligations and other commitments as of December 31, 2023 and estimated timing thereof, see the notes referenced below, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report.

Long-term Debt and Interest Payments — Refer to Note 8, Long-Term Debt, in this report. The Company completed a financing transaction totaling $205 million on January 19, 2023, which refinanced its previous revolving credit facility that was scheduled to mature in November 2023. The new financing consists of a $90 million asset-based Term Loan Facility and a $115 million asset-based revolving credit facility, which was later amended to temporarily increase the limit to $120 million until January 31, 2024 and then returning to the original $115 million. The maturity date of the Term Loan Facility is the earlier of the stated maturity date of the ABL Revolving Credit Facility or January 19, 2027, provided the ABL Revolving Credit Facility is extended beyond that date. The Term Loan Facility has an interest rate of SOFR plus 8.75% and is collateralized primarily by real estate, fixed assets and intellectual property. Amortization of the term loan principal has a monthly amortization rate of 0.833% until maturity, at which time the remaining outstanding balance is due. Scheduled principal payments of $9.0 million are due under the Term Loan Facility during 2024. The Term Loan Facility required a commitment fee of $4.5 million, $0.9 million of which is due in the second quarter of 2024. The ABL Revolving Credit Facility has a scheduled maturity of January 19, 2026, an interest rate of SOFR plus 2.25% to 2.75% and is collateralized primarily by inventory and accounts receivable. The ABL Revolving Credit Facility requires payment of a quarterly commitment fee of 0.25% or 0.375% based on the Company’s average excess availability. Future interest payments under the two credit facilities of approximately $35.5 million have been estimated using the applicable interest rate of each debt facility based on expected future borrowings and scheduled term loan repayments. Actual future ABL borrowings and rates may differ from those used to estimate the amounts discussed above.

Purchase Obligations — Purchase obligations are comprised of the Company’s commitments for goods and services in the normal course of business and amount to approximately $191.1 million payable over the next twelve months.

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Supplemental Retirement Plan and Post Retirement Obligations — Anticipated payments related with the Company’s defined benefit plans are detailed in Note 13, Retirement Plans and Related Post Retirement Benefits in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report.

Lease Obligations — Refer to Note 10, Leases in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report for details on obligations and timing of expected future lease payments, including a five-year maturity schedule.

Legal Reserves — Refer to Note 19, Legal Proceeding in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report for management’s estimate of damages to be paid related to our ongoing litigation with Lufthansa Technik and timing thereof.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

(1) Working capital is calculated as the difference between Current Assets and Current Liabilities.

Our cash flow from operations, available borrowing capacity, and proceeds under our ATM Program (as defined below) are expected to provide us with the financial resources needed to run our operations and reinvest in our business for at least the next 12 months.

Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity is highly dependent upon achieving expected operating results. Failure to achieve expected operating results could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, our ability to obtain financing or access our existing financing, and our operations in the future.

Operating Activities

Cash used for operating activities totaled $24.0 million in 2023, as compared with $28.3 million cash used for operating activities in 2022. Cash flow from operating activities improved compared with 2022 primarily related to improvement in our financial results, coupled with accounts receivable and inventory using less cash as supply chain challenges have improved, partially offset by increased outflows related to accounts payable. The $3.4 million and $11.3 million earnouts in 2023 and 2022, respectively, from the sale of the semiconductor business are treated as investing activities and thus are shown as non-cash gains removed from the calculation of cash flow from operations. Additional non-cash items in 2023 include $12.6 million incremental provisions for inventory and receivables, primarily the result of the customer bankruptcy previously discussed, and a $5.8 million deferred liability recovery. Operating cash flows in 2022 benefited from the receipt of income tax refunds and AMJP grant proceeds.

Our cash flows from operations are primarily dependent on our net loss adjusted for non-cash expenses and income and the timing of collections of receivables, inventory levels and payments to suppliers and employees. Sales and operating results of our Aerospace segment are influenced by build rates of new aircraft, which are subject to general economic conditions, airline passenger travel and spending for government and military programs. Our Test Systems segment sales depends in part on capital expenditures of the aerospace and defense industry which, in turn, depend on current and future demand for those products. A reduction in demand for our customers’ products would adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.

Investing Activities

Cash used for investing activities in 2023 was $4.1 million compared to $14.4 million cash provided by investing activities in 2022. Investing cash flows in 2023 were positively impacted by the receipt of $3.4 million related to the calendar 2022 earnout from the sales of the semiconductor business compared to the receipt of $10.7 million and $11.3 million related to the calendar 2020 and 2021 earnouts, respectively, in 2022.

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Future requirements for PP&E depend on numerous factors, including expansion of existing product lines and introduction of new products. Management believes that our cash flow from operations and current borrowing arrangements will provide for these capital expenditures. We expect to continue to evaluate acquisition opportunities in the future.

Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities totaled $25.4 million for 2023, as compared with cash used for financing activities of $1.4 million for 2022. The Company received proceeds from our at-the-market equity offering program (the “ATM Program”) of $21.3 million in 2023. Additionally, the Company made net borrowings under our credit facilities of $8.5 million in 2023 compared with net repayments of $1.0 million in 2022, partially offset by an increase in costs associated with amending and refinancing our credit facilities.

The Company amended the existing revolving credit facility on January 19, 2023 by entering into the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “ABL Revolving Credit Facility”). The ABL Revolving Credit Facility set the maximum aggregate amount that the Company can borrow under the revolving credit line at $115 million, with borrowings subject to a borrowing base determined primarily by certain domestic inventory and accounts receivable. The maturity date of borrowings under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility is January 19, 2026. Under the terms of the ABL Revolving Credit Facility, the Company pays interest on the unpaid principal amount of the facility at a rate equal to SOFR (which is required to be at least 1.00%) plus 2.25% to 2.75%. The Company must pay a quarterly commitment fee under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility in an amount equal to 0.25% or 0.375% based on the Company’s average excess availability.

On June 28, 2023, the Company amended the ABL Revolving Credit Facility, temporarily increasing the maximum aggregate amount that the Company can borrow under the revolving credit line by $5 million from $115 million to $120 million until October 31, 2023, at which time the limit was to return to $115 million. On October 31, 2023, the Company executed a second amendment to extend the temporary limit of $120 million until January 31, 2024 at which time the limit returned to $115 million. Under the provisions of the ABL Revolving Credit Facility, the Company has a cash dominion arrangement with the lead banking institution whereby eligible daily cash receipts are contractually utilized to pay down outstanding borrowings and any ending cash balances subject to the dominion arrangement collateralize the outstanding borrowings under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility. Eligible cash receipts that have not yet been applied to outstanding debt balances are classified as restricted cash in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company is also required to maintain minimum liquidity of $20 million through the date of delivery of the compliance certificate for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, and $10 million thereafter. On December 31, 2023, there was $87.0 million outstanding on the ABL Revolving Credit Facility and there remained $32.7 million available, net of outstanding letters of credit (though subject to the minimum liquidity requirement).

The Company also entered into a $90 million asset-based Term Loan Facility on January 19, 2023. The Term Loan Facility is secured primarily by fixed assets, real estate and intellectual property. The maturity date of the Term Loan Facility is the earlier of the stated maturity date of the ABL Revolving Credit Facility or January 19, 2027, if the ABL Revolving Credit Facility is extended beyond that date. The Company pays interest under the Term Loan Facility at a rate equal to SOFR (which is required to be at least 2.50%) plus 8.75%. The Company must pay a commitment fee under the Term Loan Facility of 5% of the total aggregate commitment, or $4.5 million, $1.8 million of which was paid on the closing date, $1.8 million of which was paid on June 19, 2023 and $0.9 million of which is due in the second quarter of 2024.

Amortization of the principal under the Term Loan Facility began in April with a monthly amortization rate of 0.292% of the outstanding term loan principal balance for the period April 1, 2023 through June 1, 2023, increasing to 0.542% per month for the period July 1, 2023 through September 1, 2023 and 0.833% monthly thereafter. Total scheduled principal payments of $9.0 million are payable in 2024 and as such, have been classified as current in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023. The interest rate on current maturities of long-term debt is variable at SOFR plus 8.75%, and was 14.2% at December 31, 2023. The remaining balance of $76.5 million as of December 31, 2023, is recorded as long-term in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Pursuant to the ABL Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facility, the Company was required to comply with a minimum trailing four quarter Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the ABL Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility Agreements, of $51.7 million in the Company’s fourth quarter of 2023, increasing to $57.6 million in the first quarter of 2024, $65.2 million in the second quarter of 2024 and $70 million thereafter. The non-cash accounts receivable reserve associated with the customer bankruptcy recorded in 2023 was not required to be included in the calculation of EBITDA pursuant to our ABL Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facility. Mandatory prepayment of a portion of excess cash flow, as defined by the Term Loan Facility, is payable towards the principal amount outstanding on an annual basis. No such amounts are payable for the year ended December 31, 2023. Any voluntary prepayments made are subject to a prepayment fee, as defined by the Term Loan Facility. Beginning with the first quarter of 2024, the Company is subject to a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00. Further, the Company is subject to excess cash flow repayment provisions, restrictions on

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additional indebtedness, share repurchases and dividend payments, and a limitation on capital expenditures. The Company was in compliance with debt covenants under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company was in compliance with debt covenants under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The Company incurred $8.8 million in incremental debt issuance costs related to the new facilities, allocated between the ABL Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facility. All costs are amortized to interest expense over the term of the respective agreement. Unamortized deferred debt issuance costs associated with the ABL Revolving Credit Facility ($2.0 million as of December 31, 2023) are recorded within Other Assets and those associated with the Term Loan Facility ($4.3 million as of December 31, 2023) are recorded as a reduction of the carrying value of the debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are borrowers or guarantors under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facility.

In the event of voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy of the Company or any subsidiary, all unpaid principal and other amounts owing under the credit facilities automatically become due and payable. Other events of default, such as failure to make payments as they become due and breach of financial and other covenants, change of control, cross default under other material debt agreements, and a going concern qualification for any reason other than loan maturity date give the agent the option to declare all such amounts immediately due and payable.

On June 5, 2023, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC, which allows us to issue shares of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts and debt securities in one or more offerings up to an aggregate offering price of $150 million and on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. On August 8, 2023, the Company initiated an at-the-market equity offering program (the “ATM Program”) for the sale from time to time of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share having an aggregate offering price of up to $30 million. Shares of Common Stock under the ATM Program are offered using Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., as sales agents (the “Sales Agents” and each a “Sales Agent”), pursuant to the equity distribution agreement, dated August 8, 2023, by and among the Company and the Sales Agents.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company sold 1,334,228 shares of our common stock under the ATM Program, generating aggregate net proceeds of $21.3 million after deducting related expenses. The Company currently is obligated to use the net proceeds from any sale of shares of common stock pursuant to the ATM Program to pay down the outstanding principal amount of, and any unpaid interest on, the ABL Revolving Credit Facility. However, any principal amount paid down on our ABL Revolving Credit Facility using the proceeds of the ATM Program will be, subject to compliance with the requirements and conditions set forth in the ABL Revolving Credit Facility, available to be reborrowed by the Company and used for, among other items, working capital and general corporate purposes. If the outstanding principal amount balance of the ABL Revolving Credit Facility has been reduced to zero, then the Company intends to use the net proceeds of the ATM Program for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had remaining capacity under the ATM Program to sell shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price up to approximately $8.2 million.

Cash on hand at the end of the year was $11.3 million. Net debt was $161.2 million, compared with $150.2 million at the end of 2022.

The Company expects its cash flow from operations will provide sufficient cash flows to fund operations. However, the Company may also evaluate various actions and alternatives to enhance its profitability and cash generation from operating activities, which could include manufacturing efficiency initiatives, cost-reduction measures, working with vendors and suppliers to reduce lead times and expedite shipment of critical components, and working with customers to expedite receivable collections. The Company may also utilize available capacity under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility and sales proceeds from the ATM Program.

Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity and comply with financial debt covenants is highly dependent upon achieving expected operating results. Failure to achieve expected operating results could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, our ability to obtain financing or access our existing financing, and our operations in the future and could allow our debt holders to demand payment of all outstanding amounts. Refer to Item 1A, Risk Factors, for further discussion.

Refer to Note 8 of our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, Financial Statement and Supplementary Data, of this report for additional information regarding our credit facility.

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DIVIDENDS

Management believes that it should retain the capital generated from operating activities for investment in advancing technologies, acquisitions and debt retirement. Accordingly, there are no plans to institute a cash dividend program. Further, we are precluded from payment of dividends under our credit facilities.

RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions is incorporated herein by reference to the information included in the Company’s 2024 Proxy Statement which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2023 fiscal year.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this report.