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EX-32.1 - SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION - TANDY LEATHER FACTORY INCexhibit32-1.htm
EX-31.1 - RULE 13A-14(A) CERTIFICATION - CEO - TANDY LEATHER FACTORY INCexhibit31-1.htm
EX-31.2 - RULE 13A-14(A) CERTIFICATION - CFO - TANDY LEATHER FACTORY INCexhibit31-2.htm



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

or

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

For the transition period from _________ to __________

Commission File Number 1-12368
TANDY LEATHER FACTORY, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware
75-2543540
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1900 Southeast Loop 820, Fort Worth, Texas  76140
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(817) 872-3200
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

______________________________________________________________
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):  Large accelerated filer [  ] Accelerated filer [  ] Non-accelerated filer [  ] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company [X]

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class
Shares outstanding as of November 10, 2015
Common Stock, par value $0.0024 per share
9,753,293

 
 

 




TANDY LEATHER FACTORY, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015




 
PAGE NO.
   
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   
  Item 1.  Financial Statements
 
   
  1
  2
  3
  4
  5
  6
   
  11
   
  14
   
  14
   
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
 
   
  15
   
  15
   
  16
   
 
   



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.

 
September 30,  2015
(unaudited)
 
December 31,  2014
(audited)
ASSETS
     
CURRENT ASSETS:
     
 
Cash
$7,243,288
 
$10,636,530
 
Accounts receivable-trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
     
     
of $1,492 and $395 in 2015 and 2014, respectively
585,012
 
625,054
 
Inventory
35,058,012
 
32,875,492
 
Prepaid income taxes
868,582
 
336,828
 
Deferred income taxes
342,763
 
371,491
 
Prepaid expenses
1,659,052
 
1,348,652
 
Other current assets
249,089
 
157,758
       
Total current assets
46,005,798
 
46,351,805
       
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost
23,242,846
 
22,199,943
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
(7,971,654)
 
(7,037,665)
 
15,271,192
 
15,162,278
       
GOODWILL
956,584
 
971,786
OTHER INTANGIBLES, net of accumulated amortization of approximately
     
 
$696,000 and $665,000 in 2015 and 2014, respectively
34,025
 
58,026
OTHER assets
332,881
 
329,979
TOTAL ASSETS
$62,600,480
 
$62,873,874
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
     
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
     
 
Accounts payable-trade
$2,498,058
 
$1,255,218
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
6,396,752
 
5,394,514
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
-
 
3,702,500
       
Total current liabilities
8,894,810
 
10,352,232
       
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
1,361,631
 
1,458,005
       
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities
3,711,224
 
1,940,625
       
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
     
       
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
     
 
Preferred stock, $0.10 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized;
     
   
none issued or outstanding; attributes to be determined on issuance
-
 
-
 
Common stock, $0.0024 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized;
     
   
11,275,641 and 11,239,157 shares issued at 2015 and 2014, respectively;
     
   
9,753,293 and 10,245,534 shares outstanding at 2015 and 2014, respectively
27,062
 
26,984
 
Paid-in capital
6,129,736
 
6,013,325
 
Retained earnings
50,728,476
 
46,664,829
 
Treasury stock at cost (1,522,348 shares at 2015; 993,623 shares at 2014)
(6,602,930)
 
(2,894,068)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
(1,649,529)
 
(688,058)
       
Total stockholders’ equity
48,632,815
 
49,123,012
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$62,600,480
 
$62,873,874





The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


 
 
Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.
(Unaudited)
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014


 
THREE MONTHS
 
NINE MONTHS
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
NET SALES
$19,355,937
 
$19,417,234
 
$59,918,229
 
$58,959,307
               
COST OF SALES
7,523,240
 
7,242,525
 
22,688,223
 
21,289,269
               
          Gross profit
11,832,697
 
12,174,709
 
37,230,006
 
37,670,038
               
OPERATING EXPENSES
9,972,946
 
9,717,782
 
30,647,532
 
29,590,171
               
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
1,859,751
 
2,456,927
 
6,582,474
 
8,079,867
               
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
             
          Interest expense
(228,235)
 
(63,684)
 
(307,160)
 
(154,367)
          Other, net
38,320
 
37,525
 
68,070
 
44,203
               Total other income (expense)
(189,915)
 
(26,159)
 
(239,090)
 
(110,164)
               
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
1,669,836
 
2,430,768
 
6,343,384
 
7,969,703
               
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
558,492
 
802,206
 
2,279,737
 
2,721,244
               
NET INCOME
$1,111,344
 
$1,628,562
 
$4,063,647
 
$5,248,459
               
               
               
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
             
Basic
$0.11
 
$0.16
 
$0.40
 
$0.51
Diluted
$0.11
 
$0.16
 
$0.40
 
$0.51
               
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding:
             
  Basic
10,175,650
 
10,203,711
 
10,199,841
 
10,200,411
  Diluted
10,199,092
 
10,241,410
 
10,226,877
 
10,240,109






















The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.







Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.
(Unaudited)
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014


 
THREE MONTHS
 
NINE MONTHS
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
NET INCOME
$1,111,344
 
$1,628,562
 
$4,063,647
 
$5,248,459
               
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(794,904)
 
(721,916)
 
(961,471)
 
(631,301)
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
$316,440
 
$906,646
 
$3,102,176
 
$4,617,158




































The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.
(Unaudited)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 
2015
 
2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     
 
Net income
$4,063,647
 
$5,248,459
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
     
   
Depreciation and amortization
1,163,116
 
1,088,758
   
(Gain) loss on disposal or abandonment of assets
25,782
 
8,603
   
Non-cash stock-based compensation
106,569
 
48,441
   
Deferred income taxes
(67,646)
 
(227,486)
           
   
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
     
     
Accounts receivable-trade, net
40,042
 
60,403
     
Inventory
(2,182,520)
 
(13,064,374)
     
Prepaid expenses
(310,400)
 
(11,683)
     
Other current assets
(91,331)
 
380,013
     
Accounts payable-trade
1,242,840
 
57,471
     
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
1,002,238
 
131,224
     
Income taxes payable
(531,754)
 
(735,527)
 
Total adjustments
396,936
 
(12,264,157)
 
                            Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
4,460,583
 
(7,015,698)
       
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
     
 
Purchase of property and equipment
(1,339,098)
 
(1,719,465)
 
Proceeds from sale of assets
11,372
 
19,935
 
Purchase of intangible assets
(10,000)
 
-
 
(Increase) decrease  in other assets
(2,902)
 
6,968
       
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,340,628)
 
(1,692,562)
       
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     
 
Net (decrease) increase in revolving credit loans
(3,500,000)
 
6,000,000
 
Proceeds from notes payable and long-term debt
3,711,224
 
-
 
Payment of dividend
-
 
(2,549,683)
 
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt
(2,143,125)
 
(405,000)
 
Repurchase of common stock (treasury stock)
(3,708,862)
 
-
 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
9,920
 
52,722
       
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(5,630,843)
 
3,098,039
       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(882,354)
 
(606,442)
NET CHANGE IN CASH
(3,393,242)
 
(6,216,663)
       
CASH, beginning of period
10,636,530
 
11,082,679
       
CASH, end of period
$7,243,288
 
$4,866,016
       
       
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
     
Interest paid during the period
$307,160
 
$154,367
Income tax paid during the period, net of (refunds)
$2,883,552
 
$3,690,817
       














The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.
(Unaudited)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 
Number
of Shares
 
 
Par Value
 
 
Paid-in Capital
 
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
 
 
Total
BALANCE, December 31, 2013
10,198,733
 
$26,862
 
$5,892,907
 
$(2,894,068)
 
$41,507,592
 
$88,249
 
$44,621,542
                           
Shares issued – stock option exercise
12,200
 
29
 
52,693
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
52,722
Stock-based compensation
34,601
 
88
 
48,353
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
48,441
Net  income
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
5,248,459
 
-
 
5,248,459
Cash dividend
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
(2,549,684)
     
(2,549,684)
Translation adjustment
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
(631,301)
 
(631,301)
BALANCE, September 30, 2014
10,245,534
 
$26,979
 
$5,993,953
 
$(2,894,068)
 
$44,206,367
 
$(543,052)
 
$46,790,179
                           
                           
                           
 
Number
of Shares
 
 
Par Value
 
 
Paid-in Capital
 
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other
 Comprehensive Income
 
 
Total
BALANCE, December 31, 2014
10,245,534
 
$26,984
 
$6,013,325
 
$(2,894,068)
 
$46,664,829
 
$(688,058)
 
$49,123,012
                           
Shares issued – stock option exercise
2,000
 
5
 
9,915
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
9,920
Stock-based compensation
34,484
 
73
 
106,496
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
106,569
Purchase of treasury stock
(528,725)
 
-
 
-
 
(3,708,862)
 
-
 
-
 
(3,708,862)
Net  income
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
4,063,647
 
-
 
4,063,647
Translation adjustment
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
(961,471)
 
(961,471)
BALANCE, September 30, 2015
9,753,293
 
$27,062
 
$6,129,736
 
$(6,602,930)
 
$50,728,476
 
$(1,649,529)
 
$48,632,815






























The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


TANDY LEATHER FACTORY, INC.

 
 
1.  
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND CERTAIN SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements for Tandy Leather Factory, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly its financial position as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and its results of operations and cash flows for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.  Operating results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Inventory.  Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market and is accounted for on the “first in, first out” method.  Based on negotiations with vendors, title generally passes to us when merchandise is put on board.  Merchandise to which we have title but which have not yet received is recorded as inventory in transit.  In addition, the value of inventory is periodically reduced for slow-moving or obsolete inventory based on management’s review of items on hand compared to their estimated future demand.

The components of inventory consist of the following:

 
As of
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Inventory on hand:
     
Finished goods held for sale
$32,295,201
 
$31,257,820
Raw materials and work in process
1,230,577
 
1,118,506
Inventory in transit
1,532,234
 
499,166
 
$35,058,012
 
$32,875,492

Goodwill and Other Intangibles.  Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is required to be evaluated for impairment on an annual basis, absent indicators of impairment during the interim.  Application of the goodwill impairment test requires exercise of judgment, including the estimation of future cash flows, determination of appropriate discount rates and other important assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or goodwill impairment for each reporting unit.

A two-step process is used to test for goodwill impairment.  The first phase screens for impairment, while the second phase (if necessary) measures the impairment.  We have elected to perform the annual analysis during the fourth calendar quarter of each year.  As of December 31, 2014, management determined that the present value of the discounted estimated future cash flows of the stores associated with the goodwill is sufficient to support their respective goodwill balances.  No indicators of impairment were identified during the first nine months of 2015.

A summary of changes in our goodwill for the periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

 
Leather Factory
Tandy Leather
Total
Balance, December 31, 2013
$598,579
$383,406
$981,985
Acquisitions and adjustments
-
-
-
Foreign exchange gain/loss
(6,328)
-
(6,328)
Impairments
-
-
-
Balance, September 30, 2014
$592,251
$383,406
$975,657
 
 
Leather Factory
 
Tandy Leather
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2014
$588,380
$383,406
$971,786
Acquisitions and adjustments
-
-
-
Foreign exchange gain/loss
(15,202)
-
(15,202)
Impairments
-
-
-
Balance, September 30, 2015
$573,178
$383,406
$956,584

Other intangibles consist of the following:

 
As of September 30, 2015
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
Gross
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
 
 
Gross
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Trademarks, Copyrights
$554,369
$541,427
$12,942
 
$544,369
$518,426
$25,943
Non-Compete Agreements
175,403
154,320
21,083
 
178,882
146,799
32,083
 
$729,772
$695,747
$34,025
 
$723,251
$665,225
$58,026

We recorded amortization expense of $34,001 during the first nine months of 2015 compared to $33,924 during the same period of 2014.  All of our intangible assets are subject to amortization under U.S. GAAP.  Based on the current amount of intangible assets subject to amortization, the estimated amortization expense for each of the succeeding 5 years is as follows:

 
Wholesale Leathercraft
Retail Leathercraft
Total
2015
$27
$6,549
$6,576
2016
108
6,333
6,441
2017
90
1,667
1,757
2018
-
1,417
1,417
2019
-
667
667
2020
-
667
667
Thereafter
-
6,500
6,500

Revenue Recognition.  Our sales generally occur via two methods:  (1) at the counter in our stores, and (2) shipment by common carrier.  Sales at the counter are recorded and title passes as transactions occur.  Otherwise, sales are recorded and title passes when the merchandise is shipped to the customer.  Our shipping terms are FOB shipping point.

We offer an unconditional satisfaction guarantee to our customers and accept all product returns.  Net sales represent gross sales less negotiated price allowances, product returns, and allowances for defective merchandise.

Comprehensive Income (loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss). Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-stockholder sources and includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by and dividends to stockholders.  Our comprehensive income (loss) consists of our net income and foreign currency translation adjustments from our international operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements.  In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ( "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. Under the new guidance, a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations only if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. This guidance also changes an entity’s requirements when presenting, for each comparative period, the assets and liabilities of a disposal group that includes a discontinued operation. A discontinued operation may include a component of an entity, or a business or nonprofit activity. The guidance was effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of the new requirements did not have a material impact on our consolidated earnings, financial position or cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, which amends ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in this ASU are intended to provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, improve comparability of revenue recognition practices and improve disclosure requirements. The amendments in this accounting standard update are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-24, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date which proposed a deferral of the effective date by one year, and on July 7, 2015, the FASB decided to delay the effective date by one year. The deferral results in the new revenue standard being effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. We are therefore required to apply the new revenue guidance beginning in our 2018 interim and annual financial statements. This ASU can be adopted either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. Entities reporting under U.S. GAAP are not permitted to adopt this standard earlier than the original effective date for public entities (that is, no earlier than 2017 for calendar year-end entities.) We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, which amends ASC Topic 718, Compensation–Stock Compensation. The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and should not be reflected in the estimate of the grant-date fair value of the award. The guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The guidance can be applied prospectively for all awards granted or modified after the effective date or retrospectively to all awards with performance targets outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. We do not expect that our adoption will have a material impact on our financial statements or disclosures in our financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern. This ASU codifies management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter, and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect that our adoption will have a material impact on our financial statements or disclosures in our financial statements.

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items. This ASU simplifies income statement classification by removing the concept of extraordinary items from U.S. GAAP. As a result, items that are both unusual and infrequent will no longer be separately reported net of tax after continuing operations. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect that our adoption will have a material impact on our financial statements or disclosures in our financial statements.

 
2.  
NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT

On September 18, 2015, we executed a Promissory Note and Business Loan Agreement with BOKF, NA dba Bank of Texas (“BOKF”), pursuant to which BOKF agreed to provide us with a line of credit facility of up to $6,000,000.  It has a two-year term and is secured by our inventory.   The Business Loan Agreement contains covenants that we will maintain a funded debt to EBITDA ratio of no greater than 1.5 to 1, and that we will maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio greater than or equal to 1.2 to 1.  Both ratios are calculated quarterly and are based on a trailing four quarter basis.
 
Also on September 18, 2015, we executed a Promissory Note with BOKF, pursuant to which BOKF agreed to provide us with a line of credit facility of up to $10,000,000 for the purpose of purchasing our common stock.  Under the terms of the Promissory Note, we can borrow sums up to the lesser of $10,000,000 or the purchase price of a maximum of 1.2 million shares of our common stock from the period September 18, 2015 and ending on the earlier of September 18, 2016 or the date on which the entire amount is drawn.  During this time, we will make interest only payments monthly, at which time the principal balance will be rolled into a 4-year term note.  This Promissory Note is secured by a Deed of Trust on the real estate located at 1900 SE Loop 820, Fort Worth, Texas.  We drew approximately $3.7 million on this line of credit in September 2015 which was used to purchase approximately 529,000 shares of our common stock.
 
Amounts drawn under either Promissory Note accrue interest at the London interbank Eurodollar market rate for U.S. dollars (commonly known as “LIBOR”) plus 1.85% (2.04% at September 30, 2015).

On July 31, 2007, we entered into a Credit Agreement and Line of Credit Note with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., pursuant to which the bank agreed to provide us with a credit facility of up to $5,500,000 to facilitate our purchase of real estate consisting of a 191,000 square foot building situated on 30 acres of land located at 1900 SE Loop 820 in Fort Worth, Texas.  Proceeds in the amount of $4,050,000 were used to fund the purchase of the property that is our corporate headquarters.  On April 30, 2008, the principal balance was rolled into a 10-year term note with an interest rate of 7.10% per annum.  We paid this note in full in September 2015.  As a result of the early payoff, we incurred a prepayment penalty in the amount of $200,000 which is included in interest expense.

On July 12, 2012, we executed a Line of Credit Note with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., pursuant to which the bank agreed to provide us with a revolving credit facility of up to $4 million, which was subsequently increased to $6 million.  The note expired on September 30, 2015.

At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the amount outstanding under the above agreements consisted of the following:
 
September 30,  2015
 
December 31, 2014
Business Loan Agreement with BOKF, NA – collateralized by real estate; payable as follows:
     
Line of Credit Note dated September 18, 2015, in the maximum principal amount of $10,000,000 with features as more fully described above – interest due monthly at LIBOR plus 1.85%; matures September 18, 2020
 
$3,711,224
 
 
-
       
Line of Credit Note dated September 18, 2015, in the maximum principal amount of $6,000,000 with revolving features as more fully described above – interest due monthly at LIBOR plus 1.85%; matures September 18, 2017
 
-
 
 
-
       
       
Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank – collateralized by real estate; payable as follows:
     
Line of Credit Note dated July 31, 2007, converted to a 10-year term note on April 30, 2008; $16,875 monthly principal payments plus interest at 7.1% per annum; matures April 30, 2018, retired
 
 -
 
 
$2,143,125
       
   Line of Credit Note dated July 12, 2012, as amended on June 23, 2014, in the maximum principal amount of $6,000,000 with revolving features as more fully described above – interest due monthly at LIBOR plus 2%; expired September 30, 2015
 
-
 
 
3,500,000
 
$3,711,224
 
$5,643,125
Less current maturities
-
 
3,702,500
 
$3,711,224
 
$1,940,625


3.  
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 
We have one stock option plan which permits annual stock option grants to non-employee directors with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant.  Options outstanding and exercisable were granted at a stock option price which was not less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date the option was granted and no option has a term in excess of ten years.  Under this plan, no options were awarded to directors during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and therefore, no share based compensation expense was recorded for those periods.
 
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the stock option activity under our stock option plans was as follows:
 

 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
# of
shares
Weighted Average Remaining
Contractual Term (in years)
Aggregate
 Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, January 1, 2014
$5.04
84,600
   
Granted
-
-
   
Cancelled
-
-
   
Exercised
4.32
(12,200)
   
Outstanding, September 30, 2014
$5.78
72,400
6.42
$89,840
Exercisable, September 30, 2014
$5.78
72,400
6.42
$89,840
         
Outstanding, January 1, 2015
$5.16
72,400
   
Granted
-
-
   
Cancelled
(4.96)
(2,000)
   
Exercised
(4.96)
(2,000)
   
Outstanding, September 30, 2015
$5.17
68,400
5.70
$83,933
Exercisable, September 30, 2015
$5.17
68,400
5.70
$83,933

Other information pertaining to option activity during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

 
September 30, 2015
September 30, 2014
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted
N/A
N/A
Total fair value of stock options vested
N/A
N/A
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised
$2,953
N/A

There was no unrecognized compensation cost pertaining to stock option grants as of September 30, 2015 and 2014.

We have a restricted stock plan that was adopted by our Board of Directors in January 2013 and approved by our stockholders in June 2013.  The plan reserves up to 300,000 shares of our common stock for restricted stock awards to our executive officers, non-employee directors and other key employees.  Awards granted under the plan may be stock awards or performance awards, and may be subject to a graded vesting schedule with a minimum vesting period of four years, unless otherwise determined by the committee that administers the plan.
 
 
In February 2014, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President were awarded restricted stock grants consisting of 9,375 shares each. In addition, four of our independent directors were awarded restricted stock grants consisting of 1,619 shares each. The grants will vest in equal annual amounts over a four-year period.  The fair value of non-vested restricted common stock awards is the market value of our common stock on the date of grant.  Compensation costs for these awards will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the four year vesting period.

In February 2015, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President were awarded restricted stock grants consisting of 9,344 shares each. In addition, four of our independent directors were awarded restricted stock grants consisting of 1,613 shares each. The grants will vest in equal annual amounts over a four-year period.  The fair value of non-vested restricted common stock awards is the market value of our common stock on the date of grant.  Compensation costs for these awards will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the four year vesting period.

A summary of the activity for non-vested restricted common stock awards as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 is presented below:

 
 
Shares
Award
Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 2014
-
-
Granted
34,601
$8.96
Forfeited
-
-
Vested
-
-
Unvested Balance, September 30, 2014
34,601
$8.96
     
Balance, January 1, 2015
34,601
$8.96
Granted
34,484
$8.99
Forfeited
   
Vested
(8,652)
$8.96
Unvested Balance, September 30, 2015
60,433
$8.97

Pertaining to restricted stock awards, we recognized share based compensation expense of $106,569 and $48,441, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 as a component of operating expenses.

Total unrecognized compensation expense for the non-vested restricted stock awards as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 totals $445,650 and $261,584, respectively.  As of September 30, 2015, compensation expense is expected to be recognized in equal annual amounts over a period of four years as follows:

 
2015 Award
2014 Award
Total
2015
$19,376
$19,377
$38,753
2016
$77,503
$77,506
$155,009
2017
$77,503
$77,506
$155,009
2018
$77,503
$9,688
$87,191
2019
$9,688
-
$9,688
 
$261,573
$184,077
$445,650
 
 
 
4.  
EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
   
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Numerator:
               
 
Net  income
$1,111,344
 
$1,628,562
 
$4,063,647
 
$5,248,459
 
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share
1,111,344
 
1,628,562
 
4,063,647
 
5,248,459
Denominator:
               
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding-basic
10,175,650
 
10,203,711
 
10,199,841
 
10,200,411
                 
Effect of dilutive securities:
               
 
Stock options
23,442
 
36,294
 
27,036
 
38,133
    Restricted stock
 
-
 
1,405
 
-
 
1,565
Dilutive potential common shares
 
23,442
 
37,699
 
27,036
 
39,698
 
Denominator for diluted earnings per share- weighted-average shares
10,199,092
 
10,241,410
 
10,226,877
 
10,240,109
                 
 
Basic earnings per share
$0.11
 
$0.16
 
$0.40
 
$0.51
 
Diluted earnings per share
$0.11
 
$0.16
 
$0.40
 
$0.51

The net effect of converting stock options and restricted stock awards of 128,833 and 119,201 shares of common stock at exercise prices less than the average market prices has been included in the computations of diluted earnings per share for the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

5.  
CASH DIVIDEND
 
On June 9, 2014, our Board of Directors authorized a $0.25 per share special one-time cash dividend to be paid to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 7, 2014. The cash dividend, totaling $2.5 million, was paid to stockholders on August 8, 2014. Our Board will determine future cash dividends after giving consideration to our then existing levels of profit and cash flow, capital requirements, current and forecasted liquidity, as well as financial and other business conditions existing at the time.

6.  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings.  On March 16, 2011, two former employees of ours filed a lawsuit, entitled Mark Barnes and Jerry Mercante on behalf of themselves and all other similarly situated v. Tandy Leather Company, Inc., Tandy Leather Factory, and Does 1-50, in the US District Court for the District of Nevada.  The lawsuit was subsequently transferred to the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division (“Court”), and an amended complaint was filed on May 9, 2011 by plaintiffs to add another former employee, Donna Cavota, as a third named plaintiff.  The suit alleged that we violated requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as well as various state wage laws.  Plaintiffs sought to represent themselves and all similarly situated U.S. current and former store managers of ours.   A Settlement Agreement was reached between the parties, and on September 24, 2012, the Court issued an Order Preliminarily Approving the Settlement of all federal and state claims asserted by the plaintiffs in the litigation.  We continue to deny any violation of any statute, law, rule or regulation, any liability or wrongdoing, and the truth of plaintiffs’ allegations. We agreed to enter into the Settlement Agreement to avoid further expense and inconvenience, end the disruption and burden of the litigation, avoid any other present or future litigation arising out of the facts that gave rise to the litigation, avoid the risk inherent in uncertain complex litigation, and to put to rest the controversy underlying the litigation.

The Settlement Agreement preliminarily approved by the Court required us to establish a fund designated as a Qualified Settlement Fund (Escrow Account) in the amount of $993,386 to fund (1) settlement payments to the plaintiffs, (2) settlement payments to the other members of the settlement class who joined the case, (3) plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and expenses, and (4) the claim administrator (Escrow Agent’s) fees and expenses.   The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Settlement Agreement which was attached as Exhibit 10.1 to a Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 2012.
 
The deadline established by the Court for any persons employed by us as store managers between November 23, 2008 and September 24, 2012 to join the lawsuit as class members expired on May 24, 2013.  On June 28, 2013, the Court issued two orders: (1) an Order Approving Class and Collective Action Settlement and Dismissing Case with Prejudice, and (2) a Final Judgment, Approving Class and Collective Action Settlement and Dismissing Case with Prejudice.  Pursuant to the Court’s June 28, 2013 orders, the claims administrator (Escrow Agent) was required to make payments to the plaintiffs and those existing and former store managers who joined the lawsuit by signing and returning Consent to Join Forms, which contained a release of us from the claims asserted in plaintiffs’ lawsuit.
 
The settlement payments to the class members and the plaintiffs were made from the Escrow Account pursuant to the formula set forth in the Settlement Agreement by the claims administrator, as well as the payment of the plaintiffs’ attorney’s fees and the fees and expenses of the claims administrator (Escrow Agent).  The total payment from the Escrow Account, including our required FICA payments based on the settlement payments, was $744,273 from the total Escrow Account of $993,386.  All payments were made by the claims administrator and the balance of the Escrow Account (approximately $249,000) was returned to us in the first quarter of 2014.
 
We are periodically involved in various other litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of our business and operations.  There are no such matters pending that we expect will have a material impact on our financial position and operating results.  Legal costs associated with the resolution of claims, lawsuits and other contingencies are expensed as incurred.

7.  SEGMENT INFORMATION

We identify our segments based on the activities of three distinct operations:

a.  
Wholesale Leathercraft, which consists of a chain of wholesale stores operating under the name, The Leather Factory, located in North America;

b.  
Retail Leathercraft, which consists of a chain of retail stores operating under the name, Tandy Leather Company, located in North America; and

c.  
International Leathercraft, which sells to both wholesale and retail customers.  We have three stores operating in this segment:  one in Northampton, United Kingdom, one in Sydney, Australia, and one in Jerez, Spain.  These stores carry the same products as our North American stores.
 
Our reportable operating segments have been determined as separately identifiable business units, and we measure segment earnings as operating earnings, defined as income before interest and income taxes.
 

 
Wholesale Leathercraft
Retail Leathercraft
International Leathercraft
Total
For the quarter ended September 30, 2015
       
Net sales
$6,114,793
$12,328,599
$912,545
$19,355,937
Gross profit
4,180,181
7,118,111
534,405
11,832,697
Operating earnings
682,461
1,122,222
55,068
1,859,751
Interest (expense)
(228,235)
-
-
(228,235)
Other income (expense), net
9,408
-
28,912
38,320
Income before income taxes
463,634
1,122,222
83,980
1,669,836
         
     Depreciation and amortization
200,147
141,582
11,931
353,660
     Fixed asset additions
122,549
124,502
3,816
250,867
     Total assets
$40,209,669
$18,113,696
$4,277,115
$62,600,480
         
For the quarter ended September 30, 2014
       
Net sales
$6,294,745
$12,068,832
$1,053,657
$19,417,234
Gross profit
4,283,949
7,167,486
723,274
12,174,709
Operating earnings
1,000,329
1,270,884
185,714
2,456,927
Interest expense
(63,684)
-
-
(63,684)
Other income (expense), net
19,556
-
17,969
37,525
Income before income taxes
956,201
1,270,884
203,683
2,430,768
         
     Depreciation and amortization
241,264
114,516
17,058
372,838
     Fixed asset additions
489,660
279,829
893
770,382
     Total assets
$44,943,519
$16,439,542
$2,578,444
$63,961,505

 
Wholesale Leathercraft
Retail Leathercraft
International Leathercraft
Total
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015
       
Net sales
$19,234,375
$37,970,423
$2,713,431
$59,918,229
Gross profit
13,076,723
22,512,736
1,640,547
37,230,006
Operating earnings
2,602,868
3,862,343
117,263
6,582,474
Interest (expense)
(307,160)
-
-
(307,160)
Other income (expense), net
46,570
-
21,500
68,070
Income before income taxes
2,342,278
3,862,343
138,763
6,343,384
         
     Depreciation and amortization
714,401
412,179
36,536
1,163,116
     Fixed asset additions
706,995
608,817
23,286
1,339,098
     Total assets
$40,209,669
$18,113,696
$4,277,115
$62,600,480
         
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014
       
Net sales
$19,576,180
$36,226,810
$3,156,317
$58,959,307
Gross profit
13,588,209
21,973,975
2,107,854
37,670,038
Operating earnings
3,479,908
4,171,500
428,459
8,079,867
Interest expense
(154,367)
-
-
(154,367)
Other income (expense), net
44,730
-
(527)
44,203
Income before income taxes
3,370,271
4,171,500
427,932
7,969,703
         
     Depreciation and amortization
705,902
332,276
50,580
1,088,758
     Fixed asset additions
886,719
781,795
50,951
1,719,465
     Total assets
$44,943,519
$16,439,542
$2,578,444
$63,961,505

Net sales for geographic areas were as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:
 
Three months ended September 30,
2015
2014
United States
$16,558,873
$16,219,193
Canada
1,693,958
1,908,966
All other countries
1,103,106
1,289,075
 
$19,355,937
$19,417,234
     
Nine months ended September 30,
2015
2014
United States
$51,144,236
$49,298,035
Canada
5,432,724
5,835,776
All other countries
3,341,269
3,825,496
 
$59,918,229
$58,959,307

Geographic sales information is based on the location of the customer.  No single foreign country, except for Canada, accounted for any material amount of our consolidated net sales for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.  We do not have any significant long-lived assets outside of the United States.


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

Our Business

We are the world’s largest specialty retailer and wholesale distributor of leather and leathercraft related items.  We market our products to our growing list of customers through company-owned retail and wholesale stores.  We are a Delaware corporation, and our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “TLF.”  We operate our business in three segments:  Wholesale Leathercraft, which operates wholesale stores in North America under the trade name, The Leather Factory, Retail Leathercraft, which operates retail stores in North America under the trade name, Tandy Leather Company, and International Leathercraft, which operates combination retail/wholesale stores outside of North America under the trade name, Tandy Leather Factory.  See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information concerning our segments, as well as our foreign operations.

Our Wholesale Leathercraft segment operates 28 company-owned wholesale stores in 18 states and three Canadian provinces.  These stores are engaged primarily in the wholesale distribution and retail sales of leather and related items, including leatherworking tools, buckles and belt adornments, leather dyes and finishes, saddle and tack hardware, and do-it-yourself kits, to retailers, manufacturers, and end users.  Our Wholesale Leathercraft segment previously included our National Account sales group, whose only customers were national craft chains.  We ended sales through this group in April 2014.
 
 
Our Retail Leathercraft segment operates company-owned Tandy Leather Company retail stores in 38 states and six Canadian provinces.  Tandy Leather Company, one of the best-known suppliers of leather and related supplies used in the leathercraft industry, has been a primary leathercraft resource for decades.  Tandy Leather Company’s products include quality tools, leather, accessories, kits and teaching materials.  In 2002, we began expanding our industry presence by opening retail stores.  As of November 1, 2015, we were operating 82 Tandy Leather Company retail stores located throughout North America.

Our International Leathercraft segment operates company-owned stores located outside of North America, which operate as combination retail / wholesale stores.  As of November 1, 2015, we were operating 4 international stores with two located in the United Kingdom, one located in Australia, and one located in Spain.  We expect to continue opening international stores in the future, but do not have a specific timeline.

Critical Accounting Policies

A description of our critical accounting policies appears in Item 7 “Management's Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this report and other materials we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by us, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “budgeted,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “potential,” “estimate,” “continue,” or “future” variations thereof or other similar statements. There are certain important risks that could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by some of the forward-looking statements. Some, but not all, of the important risks, including, without limitation, those described below, could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements.  Please refer also to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 for additional information concerning these and other uncertainties that could negatively impact the Company. Potential factors, which could cause our actual results of operations to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others:

Ø  
General economic conditions in the United States and abroad;
Ø  
Increased pressure on margins;
Ø  
Increases in the cost of the products we sell or a reduction in availability of those products;
Ø  
Challenges in implementing our planned international expansion;
Ø  
Failure to open additional stores in North America;
Ø  
Failure to hire and train qualified personnel to operate new and existing stores;
Ø  
Failure to protect our trademarks and other proprietary intellectual property rights;
Ø  
Negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations on our financial condition and results of operations; and
Ø  
Damage to our brand image.

We assume no obligation to update or otherwise revise our forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results, express or implied, will not be realized.
.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

The following tables present selected financial data of each of our three segments for the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 
Quarter Ended September 30, 2015
 
Quarter Ended September 30, 2014
 
Sales
 
Income from Operations
 
Sales
 
Income from Operations
Wholesale Leathercraft
$6,114,793
 
$682,461
 
$6,294,745
 
$1,000,329
Retail Leathercraft
12,328,599
 
1,122,222
 
12,068,832
 
1,270,884
Int’l Leathercraft
912,545
 
55,068
 
1,053,657
 
185,714
Total Operations
$19,355,937
 
$1,859,751
 
$19,417,234
 
$2,456,927

Consolidated net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 decreased approximately $61,000, or 0.3%, compared to the same period in 2014.  Retail Leathercraft reported a 2.2% sales gain.  Wholesale Leathercraft and International Leathercraft reported sales decreases of 3% and 13%, respectively.  Income from operations on a consolidated basis for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 decreased 24%, or approximately $597,000, from the third quarter of 2014 due to an decrease in gross profit margin and an increase in operating expenses.

The following table shows in comparative form our consolidated net income for the third quarters of 2015 and 2014:
 
2015
 
2014
% change
Net income
$1,111,344
 
$1,628,562
(31.8)%

All segments were profitable in the third quarter of 2015 and therefore, contributed to our consolidated net income.  Additional information appears below for each segment.

Wholesale Leathercraft

Our Wholesale Leathercraft operation consists of 28 stores.  The following table presents the combined sales mix by customer categories for the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 
Quarter ended
Customer Group
09/30/15
 
09/30/14
  RETAIL (end users, consumers, individuals)
46%
 
41%
  INSTITUTION (prisons, prisoners, hospitals, schools, youth organizations, etc.)
3%
 
4%
  WHOLESALE (resellers & distributors, saddle & tack shops, authorized dealers, etc.)
44%
 
48%
  MANUFACTURERS
7%
 
7%
 
100%
 
100%

Net sales decreased 3%, or approximately $180,000, for the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014 as follows:

 
# Stores
Qtr Ended 09/30/15
 
# Stores
Qtr Ended 09/30/14
 
$ Change
% Change
Same store sales
28
$6,114,793
 
28
$6,172,348
 
$(57,555)
(1.0)%
Closed store sales
-
  -  
1
122,397
 
(122,397)
(100)%
Total sales
28
$6,114,793
 
29
$6,294,745
 
$(179,952)
(2.9)%

Sales to our retail and manufacturing customers increased in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter of 2014, while sales to our wholesale and institution group customers were down.  Income from operations for Wholesale Leathercraft during the current quarter decreased by approximately $318,000 from the comparative 2014 quarter, a decline of 32%.

A decrease in gross profit of approximately $104,000, along with an increase in operating expenses of approximately $214,000, contributed to the reduction in income from operations compared to last year’s third quarter.  Gross profit as a percentage of sales in the third quarter of 2015 increased minimally to 68.4% compared to 68.1% in the third quarter of 2014. Operating expenses increased by 7%, increasing $214,000 compared to last year’s comparable period.  The most significant expense increase occurred in employee benefits, licenses and fees, other outside services, advertising and marketing, and dues and subscriptions.

Retail Leathercraft

Our Retail Leathercraft operation consists of 82 Tandy Leather Company retail stores at September 30, 2015 compared to 80 stores at September 30, 2014.  Net sales increased 2.2% for the third quarter of 2015 over the same quarter last year.  A store is categorized as “new” until it is operating for the full comparable period in the prior year.

 
# Stores
Qtr Ended 09/30/15
 
# Stores
Qtr Ended 09/30/14
 
$ Change
% Change
Same store sales
80
$12,135,174
 
80
$12,068,832
 
$66,342
0.6%
New store sales
2
193,425
 
-
-
 
193,425
N/A
Total sales
80
$12,328,599
 
80
$12,068,832
 
$259,767
2.2%

The following table presents sales mix by customer categories for the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 for our Retail Leathercraft operation:

 
Quarter ended
Customer Group
09/30/15
 
09/30/14
  RETAIL (end users, consumers, individuals)
56%
 
58%
  INSTITUTION (prisons, prisoners, hospitals, schools, youth organizations, etc.)
3%
 
3%
  WHOLESALE (resellers & distributors, saddle & tack shops, authorized dealers, etc.)
39%
 
37%
  MANUFACTURERS
2%
 
2%
 
100%
 
100%

Sales to our retail, wholesale and manufacturer customer groups increased over the third quarter of 2014, while sales to our institution customer group declined slightly over the same period.

Income from operations decreased approximately $149,000, in the quarter ended September 30, 2015, or 11.7%, from the comparative 2014 quarter due to a decrease in gross profit margin and an increase in operating expenses.  Our gross profit decreased by approximately $49,000 from the comparable 2014 quarter due to a larger increase in sales to wholesale customers than to retail customers.  Operating expenses as a percentage of sales fell slightly from 48.9% in the third quarter of 2014 to 48.6% in the third quarter of 2015.  The increase in operating expenses of approximately $99,000 in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter of 2014 was caused by increases in advertising and marketing, rent and utilities, and depreciation.

International Leathercraft

International Leathercraft consists of all stores located outside of North America.  As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, the segment contained three stores, with one each located in United Kingdom, Australia, and Spain. This segment’s sales totaled approximately $912,000 for the third quarter of 2015, compared to approximately $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2014, a decrease of 13%.  The decline in sales is primarily the result of the change in currency exchange rates from the third quarter of 2015 compared to the rates in the third quarter of 2014.  If the 2015 exchange rates had matched the 2014 exchange rates, this segment would have achieved a 2% sales increase compared to last year’s third quarter.  Gross profit margin decreased $188,000, while operating expenses decreased by $58,000.  Operating expenses totaled $479,000 in the third quarter of 2015, down from $538,000 in the third quarter of 2014.  Employee compensation is this segment’s largest expense, followed by advertising and marketing expenses, rent and utilities, and shipping costs to customers.

Other Expenses

We paid approximately $228,000 in interest on our bank debt in the third quarter of 2015, which includes the prepayment penalty of $200,000 for paying off the debt with JPMorgan Chase Bank, compared to approximately $63,000 in the third quarter of 2014.  We recorded income of approximately $29,000 for currency fluctuations in the third quarter of 2015.  Comparatively, in the third quarter of 2014, we recorded income of approximately $18,000 for currency fluctuations.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

The following table presents selected financial data of each of our three segments for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Sales
 
Operating Income
 
Sales
 
Operating Income
Wholesale Leathercraft
$19,234,375
 
$2,602,868
 
$19,576,180
 
$3,479,908
Retail Leathercraft
37,970,423
 
3,862,343
 
36,226,810
 
4,171,500
International Leathercraft
2,713,431
 
117,263
 
3,156,317
 
428,459
Total Operations
$59,918,229
 
$6,582,474
 
$58,959,307
 
$8,079,867

Consolidated net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were up 1.6% compared to the same period in 2014, increasing approximately $959,000.  Retail Leathercraft contributed $1.7 million to the increase, offset partially with sales declines by Wholesale Leathercraft and International Leathercraft of $342,000 and $443,000, respectively.  Operating income on a consolidated basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was down 19% compared to the first nine months of 2014, decreasing approximately $1.5 million.

The following table shows in comparative form our consolidated net income for the first three quarters of 2015 and 2014:

 
2015
 
2014
% change
Net income
$4,063,647
 
$5,248,459
(22.6)%


Wholesale Leathercraft

Net sales decreased 1.8%, or approximately $342,000, for the first three quarters of 2015 as follows:

 
# Stores
Nine Months Ended 09/30/15
 
Nine Months Ended 09/30/14
 
$ Change
% Change
Same store sales
28
$19,234,375
 
$18,859,252
 
$375,123
2.0%
Closed store sales
-
-
 
368,278
 
(368,278)
(100)%
National account group
-
-
 
348,650
 
(348,650)
(100)%
Total sales
28
$19,234,375
 
$19,576,180
 
$(341,805)
(1.8)%

Sales to our national account customers have been declining over time due to the elimination of certain products from our product line that these customers were buying (as these products have not historically provided an acceptable gross profit margin).  Our final sale to this customer group occurred in April 2014.

 The following table presents the combined sales mix by customer categories for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 
Nine Months Ended
Customer Group
09/30/15
 
09/30/14
  RETAIL (end users, consumers, individuals)
46%
 
44%
  INSTITUTION (prisons, prisoners, hospitals, schools, youth organizations, etc.)
3%
 
4%
  WHOLESALE (resellers & distributors, saddle & tack shops, authorized dealers, etc.)
44%
 
42%
  MANUFACTURERS
7%
 
6%
  NATIONAL ACCOUNTS
-
 
4%
 
100%
 
100%

Operating income for Wholesale Leathercraft for the first three quarters of 2015 decreased by approximately $877,000 from the comparative 2014 period, a 25% decline, due to an increase in operating expenses and a reduction in gross profit.  Compared to the first nine months of 2014, operating expenses increased approximately $366,000 for the first nine months of 2015, increasing to 54.5% of sales compared to 51.6% of sales in the first nine months of 2014.

Retail Leathercraft

Net sales were up 4.8% for the first nine months of 2015 over the same period last year.

 
# Stores
Nine Months Ended 09/30/15
Nine Months Ended 09/30/14
$ Change
% Change
Same (existing) store sales
79
$37,062,412
$36,001,323
$1,061,089
3.0%
New store sales
3
908,011
225,487
682,524
N/A
Total sales
82
$37,970,423
$36,226,810
$1,743,613
4.8%

The following table presents sales mix by customer categories for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 for our Retail Leathercraft operation:

 
Nine Months Ended
Customer Group
09/30/15
 
09/30/14
  RETAIL (end users, consumers, individuals)
56%
 
59%
  INSTITUTION (prisons, prisoners, hospitals, schools, youth organizations, etc.)
3%
 
4%
  WHOLESALE (resellers & distributors, saddle & tack shops, authorized dealers, etc.)
38%
 
35%
  MANUFACTURERS
3%
 
2%
 
100%
 
100%

The retail stores averaged approximately $52,000 in sales per month in the first nine months of 2015.  By comparison, these stores averaged $50,000 in sales per month in the first nine months of 2014.

Operating income for the first nine months of 2015 decreased approximately $309,000 from the comparative 2014 period, decreasing as a percentage of sales from 11.5% in the first three quarters of 2014 to 10.2% in the first three quarters of 2015.  Gross margin decreased from 60.7% to 59.3% due to the customer and product mix.  The ratio of retail sales, which brings a higher margin, to non-retail sales, which brings a lower margin, can affect gross profit margin positively or negatively.  Similarly, the ratio of leather sales, which brings a lower margin, to non-leather sales, which brings a higher margin, can cause gross profit to rise or fall. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales were 49.1% for the first three quarters of 2015, matching that of the first three quarters of 2014.

International Leathercraft

International Leathercraft consists of all stores located outside of North America.  As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, the segment contained three stores with one each located in United Kingdom, Australia, and Spain. Net sales decreased 14% for the first nine months of 2015 over the same period last year.

 
# Stores
Nine Months Ended 09/30/15
 
Nine Months Ended 09/30/14
 
$ Change
% Change
Same store sales
3
$2,713,431
 
$3,156,317
 
$(442,886)
(14.0)%
New store sales
-
-
 
-
 
-
-
Total sales
3
$2,713,431
 
$3,156,317
 
$(442,886)
(14.0)%

The decline in sales is primarily the result of the change in currency exchange rates from 2014 compared to 2015.  In their local currencies, this segment reported sales equal to that of the same period last year.  Gross profit margin as a percentage of sales decreased from 66.8% in the first three quarters of 2014 to 60.5% in the first three quarters of 2015.  Operating expenses totaled approximately $1.5 million in the first nine months of 2015, down approximately $156,000 from approximately $1.7 million in the first nine months of 2014.  The most significant expense decreases were advertising, employee compensation, legal and professional fees, and freight out.
 
 Other Expenses

We paid approximately $307,000 in interest on our bank debt in the first nine months of 2015, compared to approximately $154,000 in the first nine months of 2014.  We recorded approximately $2,900 in interest income on our cash balances in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to approximately $3,500 in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  We recorded income of $34,000 for currency fluctuations in the first three quarters of 2015.  Comparatively, in the first three quarters of 2014, we recorded an expense of approximately $300 for currency fluctuations.

Capital Resources, Liquidity and Financial Condition

On our consolidated balance sheet, total assets decreased from approximately $62.9 million at year-end 2014 to approximately $62.6 million at September 30, 2015.  Total stockholders’ equity decreased from approximately $49.1 million at December 31, 2014 to approximately $48.6 million at September 30, 2015, the decrease being attributable to the increase in treasury stock partially offset by our net income earned in the first three quarters of 2015.  Our current ratio increased from 4.5 at December 31, 2014 to 5.2 at September 30, 2015 due primarily to the increase in Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses from year-end 2014 and the reduction in current maturities of long-term debt.

As of September 30, 2015, our investment in inventory increased by approximately $2.2 million from year-end 2014.  Inventory turnover reached an annualized rate of 2.4 times during the first three quarters of 2015, equal of that in the first three quarters of 2014.  Inventory turnover was 2.8 times for all of 2014.  We compute our inventory turns as sales divided by average inventory.  

Trade accounts receivable was approximately $585,000 at September 30, 2015, down approximately $40,000 from approximately $625,000 at year-end 2014.  The average days to collect accounts for the first nine months of 2015 were 33 days, improving slightly from 34 days for the first nine months of 2014.  We monitor our customer accounts very closely in an effort to minimize the risk of uncollectible accounts.

Accounts payable increased approximately $1.2 million to approximately $2.5 million at September 30, 2015 compared to $1.3 million at year-end 2014 due to the increase in inventory purchases during the third quarter of 2015 compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.  Accrued expenses increased from approximately $5.4 million at December 31, 2014 to approximately $6.4 million at September 30, 2015.  The increase in the inventory in transit at September 30, 2015 compared to that at December 31, 2014 accounted for the increase.

During the first nine months of 2015, cash flow provided by operating activities was approximately $4.5 million.  Net income of approximately $4.0 million, depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $1.1 million, the increase in Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses totaling $2.2 million, offset by the decrease in inventory of $2.2 million accounts for the operating cash provided during the first three quarters of 2015.

By comparison, during the first nine months of 2014, cash flow used by operating activities was approximately $7.0 million. The increase in inventory of approximately $13.1 million, partially offset by net income of approximately $5.2 million accounted for the operating cash used.

Cash flow used in investing activities totaled approximately $1.3 million in the first nine months of 2015, consisting primarily of the purchase of store fixtures and computer equipment.  Cash flow used in investing activities totaled approximately $1.7 million in the first nine months of 2014, consisting primarily of the purchase of store fixtures and computer equipment.

Cash flow used in financing activities totaled approximately $5.6 million in the first nine months of 2015, consisting of net debt repayments and the repurchase of stock into treasury. Cash flow provided by financing activities totaled approximately $3.1 million in the first nine months of 2014, consisting of borrowings against our line of credit of $6 million, partially offset by bank debt repayments totaling $405,000 and the payment of a special dividend totaling approximately $2.5 million.

We expect to fund our operating and liquidity needs as well as our store growth from a combination of current cash balances, internally generated funds, and occasional borrowings on our line of credit with Bank of Texas.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

For disclosures about market risk affecting us, see Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.  We believe that our exposure to market risks has not changed significantly since December 31, 2014.  We expect that our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk will increase as our international presence increases.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management team, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the last day of the fiscal period covered by this report, September 30, 2015. The term disclosure controls and procedures means our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2015 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

The information contained in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Report is hereby incorporated into this Item 1 by reference.

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

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
 
The following table provides information about purchases we have made of our common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2015:

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period
(a) Total Number of Shares  Purchased
(b) Average Price Paid per Share
(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs
(d) Maximum Number of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
July 1 – July 31
-
-
-
1,200,000
August 1- August 31
-
-
-
1,200,000
September 1 – September 30
528,725 (1)
$7.01
528,725
671,275
Total
528,725
$7.01
528,725
671,275
 
(1)  
Represents shares purchased through a stock repurchase program permitting us to repurchase up to 1.2 million shares of our common stock at prevailing market prices.  We announced the program on August 10, 2015. Purchases under the program commenced on August 24, 2015 and will terminate on August 9, 2016.


Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of The Leather Factory, Inc., and Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of The Leather Factory, Inc. filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
3.2
Bylaws of The Leather Factory, Inc. (n/k/a Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.), filed as Exhibit 3.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-12368) filed by Tandy Leather Factory, Inc (f/k/a The Leather Factory, Inc.) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 14, 2004 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
3.3
Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Tandy Leather Factory, Inc. filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Tandy Leather Factory Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 10, 2013 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
4.1
Rights Agreement dated as of June 6, 2013 between Tandy Leather Factory, Inc. and Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., as Rights Agent (including the Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Preferred Stock attached thereto as Exhibit A, the form of Right Certificate attached thereto as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights attached thereto as Exhibit C), filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Tandy Leather Factory Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 10, 2013 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
10.1
2007 Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit A to Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
10.2
First Amendment to 2007 Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan dated May 3, 2010, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Tandy Leather Factory Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
10.3
Second Amendment to 2007 Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan dated October 7, 2010, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Tandy Leather Factory Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 12, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
10.4
Third Amendment to 2007 Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan dated February 11, 2014, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Tandy Leather Factory Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
10.5
Business Loan Agreement, dated September 18, 2015, by and between Tandy Leather Factory, Inc. and BOKF, NA dba Bank of Texas, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Tandy Leather Factory’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2015 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
10.6
$6,000,000 Promissory Note, dated September 18, 2015, by and between Tandy Leather Factory, Inc. and BOKF, NA dba Bank of Texas, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Tandy Leather Factory’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2015 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
10.7
$10,0000,000 Promissory Note, dated September 18, 2015, by and between Tandy Leather Factory, Inc. and BOKF, NA dba Bank of Texas, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Tandy Leather Factory’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2015 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
10.8
Deed of Trust, dated as of September 18, 2015, by and among Tandy Leather Factory, Inc., Jeffrey L Seasor and BOKF, NA dba Bank of Texas, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Tandy Leather Factory’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2015 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
10.9
Settlement Agreement, dated September 24, 2012, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Tandy Leather Factory’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2012 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
10.10
Form of Change of Control Agreement between the Company and each of Jon Thompson, Shannon Greene and Mark Angus, each effective as of December 3, 2012, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Tandy Leather Factory’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 2012 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
10.11
Tandy Leather Factory, Inc. 2013 Restricted Stock Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Tandy Leather Factory’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2013 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
10.12
Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Agreement under Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.’s 2013 Restricted Stock Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
10.13
Form of Employee Restricted Stock Agreement under Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.’s 2013 Restricted Stock Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
*31.1
13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) Certification by Jon Thompson, Chief Executive Officer and President.
 
*31.2
13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) Certification by Shannon Greene, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
 
*32.1
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 101.INS
XBRL Instance Document.
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Document.
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Document.
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Document.
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Document.
 
____________
 
*Filed herewith.
 
 

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

 
TANDY LEATHER FACTORY, INC.
 
(Registrant)
   
Date:  November 13, 2015
By:  /s/ Jon Thompson
 
Jon Thompson
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
   
Date:  November 13, 2015
By:  /s/ Shannon L. Greene
 
Shannon L. Greene
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Chief Accounting Officer)