LAKELAND INDUSTRIES INC (LAKE) FY 2024 MD&A

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

You should read the following summary together with the more detailed business information and consolidated financial statements and related notes that appear elsewhere in this Form 10-K and in the documents that we incorporate by reference into this Form 10-K. This document may contain certain “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. In this Form 10-K, (a) “FY” means fiscal year; thus for example, FY24 refers to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2024, and (b) “Q” refers to a quarter; thus, for example, Q4 FY24 refers to the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended January 31, 2024.

Overview

We manufacture and sell a comprehensive line of industrial protective clothing and accessories for the industrial and public protective clothing market. Our products are sold globally by our in-house sales teams, our customer service group, and authorized independent sales representatives to a network of over 2,000 global safety and industrial supply distributors. Our authorized distributors supply end users, such as integrated oil, chemical/petrochemical, automobile, steel, glass, construction, smelting, cleanroom, janitorial, pharmaceutical, and high technology electronics manufacturers, as well as scientific, medical laboratories and the utilities industry. In addition, we supply federal, state and local governmental agencies and departments, such as fire and law enforcement, airport crash rescue units, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control. Internationally, we sell to a mixture of end users directly and to industrial distributors depending on the particular country and market. In addition to the United States, sales are made to more than 50 foreign countries, the majority of which were in China, countries within the European Economic Community (“EEC”), Canada, Chile, Argentina, Russia, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, India, Middle East and countries within Southeast Asia.

We had net sales of $124.7 million in FY24 and $112.8 million in FY23.

We have operated facilities in Mexico since 1995 and in China since 1996. Beginning in 1995, we moved the labor-intensive sewing operation for our limited use/disposable protective clothing lines to these facilities. Our facilities and capabilities in China and Mexico allow our access to a labor pool that is less expensive than that available in the United States and permits us to purchase certain raw materials at a lower cost than they are available domestically. During FY24, the Company was impacted by tariff costs on certain products imported from China. The Company has been able to pass along a portion of these costs to its customers. We added manufacturing operations in Vietnam and India in fiscal 2019 to offset increasing manufacturing costs in China and further diversify our manufacturing capabilities. Our China operations will continue primarily manufacturing for the Chinese market and other markets where duty advantages exist. Manufacturing expansion is not only necessary to control rising costs, it is also necessary for Lakeland to achieve its growth objectives.

Our net sales attributable to customers outside the United States were $69.4 million and $63.9 million for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

On November 30, 2023, we acquired New Zealand-based Pacific Helmets NZ Limited ("Pacific") in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $8.6 million, subject to post-closing adjustments and customary holdback provisions. Pacific is a leading designer and manufacturer of helmets for the structural firefighting, wildland firefighting, and rescue markets. The company has 70 employees and is headquartered in Whanganui, New Zealand. Pacific provides differentiated product offerings through its innovative and premium solutions. The existing staff and the majority of the management team will remain in place and will continue to service customer needs.

On December 2, 2022, we acquired UK-based Eagle Technical Products Limited (“Eagle”) in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $10.5 million, net of net working capital acquired, subject to post-closing adjustments and potential future earnout payments. The acquisition enhances Lakeland’s product portfolio, particularly within fire service protective clothing and expands its sales presence in the Middle East and Europe.  Headquartered in Manchester, UK, Eagle is a leading designer and provider of protective apparel to the fire and industrial sectors. Eagle provides differentiated product offerings through its innovative and technical solutions.

The cost to manufacture and distribute our products is influenced by the cost of raw materials, finished goods, labor, and transportation. During FY24, we have experienced continued inflationary pressure and higher costs as a result of the increasing cost of raw materials, finished goods, labor, transportation, and other administrative costs associated with the normal course of business. The increase in the cost of raw materials and finished goods is due in part to a shortage in the availability of certain products, the higher cost of shipping, and inflation. We can only pass elevated costs onto customers in an effort to offset inflationary pressures on a limited basis. Future volatility of general price inflation and the impact of inflation on costs and availability of materials, costs for shipping and warehousing and other operational overhead could adversely affect our financial results.

Impact of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine on Our Business

The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine is creating substantial uncertainty about the role Russia will play in the global economy in the future. Although the length, impact, and outcome of the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine are highly unpredictable, this conflict could lead to significant market disruptions and other disruptions. The escalation or continuation of this conflict presents heightened risks and has resulted and could continue to result in volatile commodity markets, supply chain disruptions, increased risk of cyber incidents or other disruptions to information systems, heightened risks to employee safety, significant volatility of the Russian ruble, limitations on access to credit markets, increased operating costs (including fuel and other input costs), the frequency and volume of failures to settle securities transactions, inflation, potential for increased volatility in commodity, currency and other financial markets, safety risks, and restrictions on the transfer of funds to and from Russia. We cannot predict how and the extent to which the conflict will affect our customers, operations or business partners or the demand for our products and our global business. Depending on the actions we take or are required to take, the ongoing conflict could also result in loss of cash, assets or impairment charges. Additionally, we may also face negative publicity and reputational risk based on the actions we take or are required to take as a result of the conflict, which could damage our brand image or corporate reputation. We are continually monitoring the potential financial impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on our operations.

Our business in Russia accounted for approximately 3.0% and 2.4% of our consolidated net revenues for the years ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our assets in Russia were approximately 2.6% and 2.5% of our consolidated assets at January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The net book value of our assets in Russia on January 31, 2024 was approximately $4.0 million, of which $0.3 million is cash. We currently have not recognized any impairment charges related to the assets of our Russian business. However, the extent, severity, duration and outcome of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and related sanctions could potentially impact the value of our assets in Russia as the conflict continues. Our Russian business is part of our Other Foreign segment.

Our sales in Ukraine were not significant.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Revenue Recognition. Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is derived from product sales, which consist of sales of the Company’s personal protective wear products to distributors. The Company considers purchase orders to be a contract with a customer. Contracts with customers are considered to be short-term when the time between order confirmation and satisfaction of the performance obligations is equal to or less than one year, and virtually all of the Company’s contracts are short-term. The Company recognizes revenue for the transfer of promised goods to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods. The Company typically satisfies its performance obligations in contracts with customers upon shipment of the goods. Generally, payment is due from customers within 30 to 90 days of the invoice date, and the contracts do not have significant financing components. The Company elected to account for shipping and handling activities as a fulfillment cost rather than a separate performance obligation. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are included in operating expenses, and for FY24 and FY23 aggregated approximately $3.4 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Taxes collected from customers relating to product sales and remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from revenue.

The transaction price includes estimates of variable consideration related to rebates, allowances, and discounts that are reductions in revenue. All estimates are based on the Company's historical experience, anticipated performance, and the Company's best judgment at the time the estimate is made. Estimates for variable consideration are reassessed each reporting period and are included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur upon resolution of uncertainty associated with the variable consideration. All the Company’s contracts have a single performance obligation satisfied at a point in time and the transaction price is stated in the contract, usually as quantity times price per unit.

Inventories. Inventories include freight-in, materials, labor and overhead costs and are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out or moving average basis) or net realizable value. Allowances are recorded for slow-moving, obsolete or unusable inventory.  We assess our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory and write down the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated net realizable value based upon assumptions about future sales and supply on hand, if necessary.  If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. The Company recorded approximately $3.4 million and $1.3 million in inventory adjustments in FY24 and FY23, respectively.  The inventory adjustments in FY24 included $2.3 million in adjustments for certain products that the Company decided to discontinue or no longer support from a sales and marketing perspective.

Income Taxes. The Company is required to estimate its income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates as part of preparing the consolidated financial statements. This involves estimating the actual current tax in addition to assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatments for tax and financial accounting purposes. These differences, together with net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits, are recorded as deferred tax assets or liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. A judgment must then be made of the likelihood that any deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. A valuation allowance may be required to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event the Company determines that it may not be able to realize all or part of its deferred tax asset in the future or that new estimates indicate that a previously recorded valuation allowance is no longer required, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset is charged or credited to income in the period of such determination. In FY24 and FY23, we recorded a change in our valuation allowance of approximately $3.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

The Company recognizes tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” minimum recognition threshold. If necessary, the Company recognizes interest and penalties associated with tax matters as part of the income tax provision and would include accrued interest and penalties with the related tax liability in the consolidated balance sheets.

Business combinations. In accordance with the accounting guidance for business combinations, the Company uses the acquisition method of accounting to allocate costs of acquired businesses to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Assigning fair market values to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of an acquisition requires knowledge of current market values and the values of assets in use and often requires the application of judgment regarding estimates and assumptions. While the ultimate responsibility resides with management, for material acquisitions, we retain the services of certified valuation specialists to assist with assigning estimated values to certain acquired assets and assumed liabilities, including intangible assets, tangible long-lived assets, and contingent consideration. Acquired intangible assets, excluding goodwill, are valued using certain discounted cash flow methodologies based on future cash flows specific to the type of intangible asset purchased. Several significant assumptions and estimates were involved in the application of these valuation methods, including forecasted sales volumes and prices, royalty rates, costs to produce, tax rates, discount rates, attrition rates and working capital changes.

If the contingent consideration is deemed significant or absent an agreed-upon payout amount, the initial measurement of contingent consideration and the corresponding liability is evaluated using the Monte Carlo Method. For this valuation method, management develops projections during the contingent consideration period utilizing various potential pay-out scenarios. Probabilities are applied to each potential scenario, and the resulting values are discounted using a rate that considers weighted average cost of capital as well as a specific risk premium associated with the riskiness of the contingent consideration itself, the related projections, and the overall business. Should actual results increase or decrease as compared to the assumption used in our analysis, the fair value of the contingent consideration obligations will increase or decrease, up to the contracted limit, as applicable. Changes in the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration could cause a material impact and volatility in our operating results.

Refer to Note 1, “Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” and Note 5, “Acquisitions,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the Company’s business acquisitions.

Equity Method Investments. Investments in which the Company can exercise significant influence but do not control, are accounted for using the equity method and are presented on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s share of the net earnings or losses of the investee is presented within the consolidated statements of operations as other income (expense). The Company evaluates its equity method investments whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may be impaired.  The primary factors the Company considers in its determination are the length of time that the fair value of the investment is below the Company's carrying value; the severity of the decline; and the financial condition, operating performance and near-term prospects of the investee.  If the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, the security is written down to fair value. In situations where the fair value of an investment is not evident due to a lack of a public market price or other factors, the Company estimates fair value based on a discounted cash flow model and a market-based approach using inputs which include expected cash flows and a discount rate representative of the risks within the underlying business and forecasts to arrive at the estimated fair value of such investment. The Company's assessment of the foregoing factors involves a high degree of judgment and accordingly, actual results may differ materially from the Company's estimates and judgments.

Net Income Per Share. Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding without consideration of common stock equivalents. Diluted net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares and common stock equivalents. The diluted net income per share calculation takes into account unvested restricted shares and the shares that may be issued upon the exercise of stock options and warrants, reduced by shares that may be repurchased with the funds received from the exercise, based on the average price during the fiscal year.

Recent Developments

On February 1, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend.  The quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share or approximately $0.2 million, was paid on February 22, 2024, to stockholders of record as of February 15, 2024.

On February 5, 2024, the "Company acquired Italy and Romania-based Jolly Scarpe S.p.A. and Jolly Scarpe Romania S.R.L. (collectively, "Jolly") in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $9.3 million subject to post-closing adjustments and customary holdback provisions.  The Company drew down $12.3 million on its credit line to fund the acquisition, with a portion of the funds used to paydown Jolly’s existing debt.  Jolly is a leading designer and manufacturer of professional footwear for the firefighting, military, police, and rescue markets. The company is headquartered in Montebelluna, Italy, with manufacturing operations in Bucharest, Romania, and has 150 employees.  Jolly’s primary customers are based in Europe.

On February 13, 2024, the Company made an additional funding investment of £500,000 ($0.6 million on the date of investment) in Bodytrak’s convertible notes.

On March 28, 2024, the Company entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Loan Agreement by and between Bank of America, N.A. (the “Lender”) and the Company (the “Fourth Amendment”).  Pursuant to the Fourth Amendment, the Lender and the Company agreed to, among other things, (i) extend the expiration date of the credit facility to March 28, 2029, (ii) increase the availability under the revolving credit facility to $40.0 million with an accordion feature providing for the potential funding of an additional $10.0 million, (iii) remove the borrowing base component of the credit facility; and (iv) modify the interest rate based on Daily SOFR plus the Applicable Rate. The Applicable Rate is based upon a Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio and includes four (4) different levels constituting a SOFR margin range from 1.25% to 2.00%.  In addition, the Fourth Amendment (i) modified the Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio covenant so as not to exceed 3.5x (with step-downs to 3.25 and 3.0 in 2025 and 2026), (ii) modified the Basic Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio covenant to a minimum of 1.20x, (iii) includes a springing Asset Coverage Ratio covenant of at least 1.10x, but only to the extent that the maximum Total Leverage Ratio exceeds 3.00x at any reporting period, (iv) increases the sublimit for letters of credit to $10.0 million, and (v) imposes a floor to Daily SOFR of one percent (1.00%). The Fourth Amendment provides for additional indebtedness or the assumption of existing indebtedness for acquisitions of foreign subsidiaries (not to exceed $10.0 million in USD) and increases the size of Permitted Acquisitions, without prior approval from the Lender, to $17.5 million per occurrence and $35.0 million in the aggregate.

Significant Balance Sheet Fluctuation January 31, 2024, as Compared to January 31, 2023

Cash increased by $0.7 million, primarily as a result of $10.8 million of cash provided by operations coupled with $4.6 million in proceeds from the sale of our Canada warehouse facility.  The Company invested $5.4 million in the Pacific acquisition and $2.2 million in Bodytrak and $2.0 million in capital expenditures.  The Company used $3.5 million in financing activities including paying down $1.4 million in debt acquired from Pacific, $0.4 million in the UK credit facility, $0.3 million in stock repurchases and $0.9 million in dividends. Operating cash flow changes were driven by $7.6 million in inventory reductions, increases in accruals of $2.5 million and increases in accounts receivables and prepayments of $1.5 million.

Results of Operations

The following tables set forth our external sales by our product lines and geographic regions and our historical results of continuing operations as a percentage of our net sales from operations, for the years and three-months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023.

Net Sales.  Net sales increased to $124.7 million for the year ended January 31, 2024 compared to $112.8 million for the year ended January 31, 2023, an increase of $11.9 million. Sales in the U.S. increased $6.2 million or 12.7%, primarily due to increased sales of fire services gear and improvements in direct container sales. Sales to the Asian market decreased by $10.9 million or 44.1% due to the reduction in COVID-19 driven demand coupled with slow improvement in the Chinese industrial sector.  Sales to the European market increased by $8.0 million or 96.4%.  Eagle was the primary driver with an increase in fire services sales of $7.2 million in FY24.  Eagle was acquired on December 2, 2022 and contributed $1.3 million in sales in FY23.  The remaining increase was due to strengthening in European demand, primarily in the industrial sector.  Canada sales increased by $0.3 million or 3.3% due to improvements in the industrial markets. Latin America sales increased $5.3 million or 49.1% due to stronger sales in Argentina as many competitors have exited the market due to the weakening Argentine peso and high inflation.  Sales into Uruguay increased $1.1 million or 1.0% due to increased fire services orders.  Sales into the Mexican market increased by $0.3 million or 8.1%, driven by the strengthening Mexican peso against the US dollar.  Sales in our other foreign markets increased $2.2 million, including $1.0 million in sales from Pacific acquired in November, and a $1.0 million increase in sales to the Russian market.  Sales of our disposable and chemical product line were impacted due to a reduction in COVID-19 demand, primarily in Asia offset by improving demand in our industrial markets. Other product lines, such as fire services, high performance, and wovens, increased by $18.7 million due to strengthening demand in those markets and the impact of Eagle’s sales during FY24.

Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $5.4 million, or 11.8%, to $51.2 million for the year ended January 31, 2024, from $45.8 million for the year ended January 31, 2023. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 41.1% for the year ended January 31, 2024 from 40.6% for the year ended January 31, 2023. Gross profit performance in FY24 benefited from higher volumes including direct container shipments, related factory utilization and an improving product mix with pricing power.  These improvements were offset by $2.3 million in inventory adjustments for certain end-of-life products and planned disposal of certain products that were constraining manufacturing operations.

Operating Expense.  Operating expenses increased 12.2% from $40.3 million for the year ended January 31, 2023 to $45.2 million for the year ended January 31, 2024. Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales were 36.3% for the year ended January 31, 2024, as compared to 35.7% for the year ended January 31, 2023.  Operating expenses increased primarily due to increases in currency translation expense of $1.7 million driven by the devaluation of the Argentine peso in December 2023, restructuring costs of $1.3 million, administrative costs associated with the Monterrey, Mexico facility of $0.7 million, acquisition-related expenses of $0.5 million, and increases in professional expenses, primarily legal and accounting, to support future initiatives.  The remaining increase was due to increases in compensation, professional fees and intangibles amortization.  The Company evaluated the earnout consideration accrual related to the Eagle acquisition and reduced the accrual by $2.5 million, which was recorded during FY24 as a reduction in operating expenses.

Operating Profit. Operating profit increased to $6.0 million for the year ended January 31, 2024, from $5.5 million for the year ended January 31, 2023, due to the impacts detailed above. Operating margin decreased to 4.8% for the year ended January 31, 2024, compared to 4.9% for the year ended January 31, 2023.

Interest Expense. Interest expense was less than $0.1 million for the years ended January 31, 2024 and 2023.

Other Income.  On November 27, 2023, the Company sold its office and warehouse facility in Brantford, Ontario to an unrelated party for $4.9 million.  The sale resulted in a pre-tax gain, after selling expenses, of approximately $3.8 million.  Going forward, the Company will utilize third party logistics providers for customer fulfillment in Canada.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense consists of federal, state and foreign income taxes. Income tax expense was $3.9 million and included $0.8 million associated with the GILTI component of the Tax Act of 2017 for the year ended January 31, 2024, as compared to an income tax expense of $3.6 million and included $0.2 million associated with the GILTI component of the Tax Act of 2017 for the year ended January 31, 2023. All international subsidiaries impacted the GILTI component of income tax expense. The Company changed its permanent reinvestment assertions for its Chinese operations during the second quarter of FY23 due to increased volatility of the Chinese yuan and an updated evaluation of investment strategies.  The Company recorded $2.0 million in withholding taxes for a planned repatriation during FY23.

Net Income.  Net income increased to $5.4 million for the year ended January 31, 2024 from $1.9 million for the year ended January 31, 2023.

Fourth Quarter Results

Net sales and net loss were $31.2 million and ($1.0) million, respectively, for Q4 FY24, as compared to sales of $29.0 million and net income of $0.6 million, for Q4 FY23.

Factors affecting Q4 FY24 results of operations included:

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At January 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents were approximately $25.2 million and working capital was approximately $83.2 million. Cash and cash equivalents increased $0.5 million and working capital decreased $3.8 million from January 31, 2023 reflecting the impact of the Company’s purchase of Pacific and additional investment in Bodytrak offset by the sale of our Canadian facility.

Of the Company’s total cash and cash equivalents of $25.2 million as of January 31, 2024, cash held in Latin America of $4.1 million, cash held in Hong Kong of $1.7 million, cash held in the UK of $1.7 million, cash held in Vietnam of $0.8 million, cash held in India of $0.6 million and cash held in Canada of $4.5 million would not be subject to additional US income tax in the event such cash was repatriated due to the change in the U.S. tax law as a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”).  The Company monitors its financial depositories by their credit rating, which varies by country. In addition, cash balances in banks in the United States are insured by the FDIC subject to certain limitations. There was approximately $3.3 million included in U.S. bank accounts and approximately $21.9 million in foreign bank accounts as of January 31, 2024, of which $24.4 million was uninsured. These balances could be impacted if one or more of the financial institutions with which the Company deposits its funds fails or is subject to other adverse conditions in the financial or credit markets. To date, the Company has experienced no loss of principal or lack of access to invested cash or cash equivalents; however, we can provide no assurance that access to our invested cash and cash equivalents will not be affected if the financial institutions that hold the Company’s cash and cash equivalents fail. See Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, including events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults or non-performance by financial institutions or transactional counterparties, could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.”

The Company strategically employs an intercompany dividend plan subject to subsidiary profitability, cash requirements and withholding taxes.  During FY23 the Company changed its’ permanent reinvestment assertions for its Chinese operations due to the increased volatility of the Chinese yuan and an updated evaluation of investment strategies.  During FY24 the Company’s subsidiaries in Canada and China declared and paid dividends of $4.5 million and $7.0 million, respectively.

Net cash provided by operating activities of $10.9 million for the year ended January 31, 2024 was primarily due to a decrease in net inventories of $7.7 million and an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $2.4 million offset by an increase in accounts receivable and prepaids of $1.6 million due to stronger Q4 FY24 sales.  Net non-cash income items were $3.0 million due to the gain on the sale of our Canadian facility of $3.8 million and the revaluation of the Eagle earnout of $2.5 million.  These items were partially offset by the impact of depreciation and amortization and equity compensation expense.  Net cash used in investing activities of $5.1 million for the year ended January 31, 2024 includes the $5.5 million Pacific acquisition and reflects the Company’s further investment of $2.2 million in Bodytrak®.  Property and equipment purchases totaled $2.1 million primarily for equipment purchases in Mexico and Vietnam.  These investments were offset by $4.6 million in proceeds from the sale of the Canadian facility.  Net cash used in financing activities was $3.5 million for the year ended January 31, 2024 due to $0.9 million in dividends, $1.8 million in net debt repayments, primarily $1.4 million of debt acquired with the Pacific acquisition, $0.3 million of stock repurchases and $0.4 million in shares returned to pay taxes for our restricted stock programs.

Net cash used in operating activities of $5.5 million for the year ended January 31, 2023 was primarily due to an increase in net inventories of $9.7 million and an increase in accounts receivable of $2.3 million due to stronger Q4 FY23 sales, partially offset by non-cash expenses of $3.6 million for deferred taxes, depreciation and amortization, and stock compensation.  Net cash used in investing activities of $16.5 million for the year ended January 31, 2023 includes the $10.5 million Eagle acquisition and reflects the Company’s $3.1 million investment in Bodytrak®.  Purchases of property and equipment were $2.0 million as the Company increased capital expenditures in the year for the ERP project and equipment purchases in Mexico and Vietnam.  Net cash used in financing activities was $5.9 million for the year ended January 31, 2023 primarily due to the purchase of $5.4 million of our common stock.

On June 25, 2020, we entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Bank of America (“Lender”). The Loan Agreement provides the Company with a secured $12.5 million revolving credit facility, which includes a $5.0 million letter of credit sub-facility. The Company may request from time to time an increase in the revolving credit loan commitment of up to $5.0 million (for a total commitment of up to $17.5 million). Borrowing pursuant to the revolving credit facility is subject to a borrowing base amount calculated as (a) 80% of eligible accounts receivable, as defined, plus (b) 50% of the value of acceptable inventory, as defined, minus (c) certain reserves as the Lender may establish for the amount of estimated exposure, as reasonably determined by the Lender from time to time, under certain interest rate swap contracts. The borrowing base limitation only applies during periods when the Company’s quarterly funded debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined, exceeds 2.00 to 1.00. The credit facility was to mature on June 25, 2025. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the LIBOR Daily Floating Rate (“LIBOR”), plus 125 basis points. LIBOR is subject to a floor of 100 basis points. On March 3, 2023 the Company changed the benchmark interest rate in our credit facility from the LIBOR to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). All outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest under the revolving credit facility is due and payable on the maturity date. On a one-time basis, and subject to there not existing an event of default, the Company may elect to convert up to $5.0 million of the then outstanding principal of the revolving credit facility to a term loan facility with an assumed amortization of 15 years and the same interest rate and maturity date as the revolving credit facility. The Loan Agreement provides for an annual unused line of credit commitment fee, payable quarterly, of 0.25%, based on the difference between the total credit line commitment and the average daily amount of credit outstanding under the facility during the preceding quarter.

On June 18, 2021, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 to Loan Agreement (the “Amendment”) with the Lender, which modified certain terms of the Company’s existing Loan Agreement with the Lender. The Amendment increased the credit limit under the Loan Agreement’s senior secured revolving credit facility from $12.5 million to $25.0 million. The Amendment also amended the covenant in the Loan Agreement that restricts acquisitions by the Company or its subsidiaries in order to allow, without the prior consent of the Lender, acquisitions of a business or its assets if there is no default under the Loan Agreement and the aggregate consideration does not exceed $7.5 million for any individual acquisition or $15.0 million on a cumulative basis for all such acquisitions.

The Loan Agreement requires the Company to maintain a Funded Debt to EBITDA (as each such term is defined in the Loan Agreement) ratio of 3.0 to 1.0 or less and a Basic Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Loan Agreement) of at least 1.15 to 1.0. The Loan Agreement also contains customary covenants, including covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict the Company’s and/or the Company’s subsidiaries ability, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, to incur liens or indebtedness, or merge, consolidate or sell or otherwise transfer assets.

On November 30, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Loan Agreement by and between Bank of America, N.A. (the “Lender”) and the Company (the “Third Amendment”).  Pursuant to the Third Amendment, the Lender consented to the Company’s acquisition of one hundred percent (100%) of the equity interests of Pacific.  The Third Amendment further provided for certain amendments to the Loan Agreement to permit additional indebtedness to be made available to Pacific, to exempt Pacific from certain requirements of the Loan Agreement pertaining to subsidiary guaranty and asset pledges that would otherwise be required under the Loan Agreement and to waive the Company’s borrowing base limitations through January 31, 2024.  The Third Amendment also provided for the reaffirmation of representations, warranties and covenants under the Loan Agreement as are customary in connection with similar amendments of credit documents.

As of January 31, 2024, the Company had no borrowings under the Loan Agreement, and there was $25 million of additional available credit under the Loan Agreement.

On February 5, 2024, the Company acquired Italy and Romania-based Jolly Scarpe S.p.A. and Jolly Scarpe Romania S.R.L. (collectively, "Jolly") in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $9.3 million subject to post-closing adjustments and customary holdback provisions.  The Company drew down $12.3 million on its credit line to fund the acquisition which included paydown of existing Jolly debt.  Jolly is a leading designer and manufacturer of professional footwear for the firefighting, military, police, and rescue markets. The company is headquartered in Montebelluna, Italy, with manufacturing operations in Bucharest, Romania, and has 150 employees.

On March 28, 2024, the Company entered into Amendment No. 4 to Loan Agreement by and between Bank of America, N.A. (the “Lender”) and the Company (the “Fourth Amendment”).    Pursuant to the Fourth Amendment, the Lender and the Company agreed to, among other things, (i) extend the expiration date of the credit facility to March 28, 2029, (ii) increase the availability under the revolving credit facility to $40.0 million with an accordion feature providing for the potential funding of an additional $10.0 million, (iii) remove the borrowing base component of the credit facility; and (iv) modify the interest rate based on Daily SOFR plus the Applicable Rate. The Applicable Rate is based upon a Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio and includes four (4) different levels constituting a SOFR margin range from 1.25% to 2.00%.  In addition, the Fourth Amendment (i) modified the Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio covenant so as not to exceed 3.5x (with step-downs to 3.25 and 3.0 in 2025 and 2026), (ii) modified the Basic Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio covenant to a minimum of 1.20x, (iii) includes a springing Asset Coverage Ratio covenant of at least 1.10x, but only to the extent that the maximum Total Leverage Ratio exceeds 3.00x at any reporting period, (iv) increases the sublimit for letters of credit to $10.0 million, and (v) imposes a floor to Daily SOFR of one percent (1.00%). The Fourth Amendment provides for additional indebtedness or the assumption of existing indebtedness for acquisitions of foreign subsidiaries (not to exceed $10.0 million in USD) and increased the size of Permitted Acquisitions, without prior approval from the Lender, to $17.5 million per occurrence and $35.0 million in the aggregate.

We believe that our current cash, cash equivalents, borrowing capacity under our Loan Agreement and the cash to be generated from expected product sales will be sufficient to meet our projected operating and investing requirements for at least the next twelve months. However, our liquidity assumptions may prove to be incorrect, and we could utilize our available financial resources sooner than we currently expect.  We were in compliance with all financial covenants of the Loan Agreement as of January 31, 2024.

Stock Repurchase Program. On February 17, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $5 million of its outstanding common stock. On July 6, 2021, the Board of Directors authorized an increase in the Company’s then-current stock repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to an additional $5 million of its outstanding common stock.  On April 7, 2022, the Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $5 million of its outstanding common stock which became effective upon the completion of the prior share repurchase program.  On December 1, 2022, the Board of Directors authorized an increase in the share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to an additional $5 million of its outstanding common stock.  The share repurchase program has no expiration date but may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.

The common shares available for repurchase under the authorizations currently in effect may be purchased from time to time, with consideration given to the market price of the common shares, the nature of other investment opportunities, cash flows from operations, general economic conditions and other relevant considerations.  Repurchases may be made on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions.

Shares repurchased in FY24 totaled 27,514 shares at a cost of $0.3 million, leaving $5.0 million remaining under the share repurchase program at January 31, 2024.  The share repurchase program has no expiration date but may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.

Capital Expenditures. Our capital expenditures for FY24 of $2.1 million principally relate to our capital purchases for our manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and Mexico.  We anticipate FY25 capital expenditures to be approximately $3.0 million to replace existing equipment in the normal course of operations and expand our fire services products manufacturing capabilities.  We expect to fund the capital expenditures from our cash flow from operations.

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Income Taxes

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” This guidance requires a public entity to disclose in their rate reconciliation table additional categories of information about federal, state and foreign income taxes and to provide more details about the reconciling items in some categories if the items meet a quantitative threshold. The guidance also requires all entities to disclose annually income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal (national), state and foreign taxes and to disaggregate the information by jurisdiction based on a quantitative threshold. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted, and this guidance should be applied prospectively but there is the option to apply it retrospectively. The Company plans to adopt the provisions of this guidance in conjunction with our Form 10-K for our fiscal year ending January 31, 2026.

Segment Reporting

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” This guidance requires a public entity to disclose for each reportable segment, on an interim and annual basis, the significant expense categories and amounts that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) and included in each reported measure of a segment’s profit or loss. Additionally, it requires a public entity to disclose the title and position of the individual or the name of the group or committee identified as the CODM. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted and the guidance should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements, unless it is impracticable. The Company plans to adopt the provisions of this guidance in conjunction with our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2025.

OECD and Pillar Two

In 2021, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced an Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting including Pillar Two Model Rules defining the global minimum tax, which calls for the taxation of large multinational corporations at a minimum rate of 15%. Subsequently multiple sets of administrative guidance have been issued. Many non-U.S. tax jurisdictions have either recently enacted legislation to adopt certain components of the Pillar Two Model Rules beginning in 2024 with the adoption of additional components in later years or announced their plans to enact legislation in future years. Although we expect increased tax compliance efforts as a result of new legislation, we do not expect Pillar Two to have a significant impact on our effective tax rate or our consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.