UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 24, 2018 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 0-6966

 

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Indiana (State of incorporation)

13-2739290 (I.R.S. EIN)

 

817 Maxwell Ave, Evansville, Indiana (Address of principal executive office)

47711 (Zip Code)

 

812-467-4449

(Registrant's Telephone Number)

 

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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ¨		Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer ¨     (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company ¨ Emerging growth company ¨

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 

Yes ¨ No x

 

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

 

Class	Outstanding at April 18, 2018
Common, no par value	14,415,690

 

 

 

INDEX

 

		Page No.
Part I.	Financial Information:
Item 1 -	Financial Statements:
	Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of March 24, 2018, December 30, 2017, and  March 25, 2017	3
	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 24, 2018 and March 25, 2017	4
	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 24, 2018 and March 25, 2017	5
	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 24, 2018 and March 25, 2017	6
	Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements	7
Item 2 -	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	13
Item 3 -	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	15
Item 4 -	Controls and Procedures	15
Part II.	Other Information	16
Item 2 -	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	16
Item 6 -	Exhibits	17
	Signature	17

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Information		March 24, 2018				December 30, 2017				March 25, 2017
		(Unaudited)				(Audited)				(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,863			$	1,572			$	2,536
Receivables, less allowance of $484; $623; and $1,154; respectively			28,850				39,350				29,265
Inventories			40,114				35,160				37,194
Prepaid expenses			2,866				3,414				2,885
Prepaid income tax			501				764				—
Other current assets			33				—				—
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS			75,227				80,260				71,880
Property, plant and equipment, net			13,903				14,286				13,527
Intangible assets, net			19,368				19,691				20,912
Goodwill			21,548				21,548				21,548
Investments			20,175				20,278				17,358
Other assets			—				42				72
TOTAL ASSETS		$	150,221			$	156,105			$	145,297
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt		$	18,941			$	1,250			$	1,300
Trade accounts payable			5,188				4,295				6,562
Accrued liabilities			8,128				13,997				7,103
Income tax payable			—				—				105
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES			32,257				19,542				15,070
Other Liabilities:
Long-term debt			3,750				21,871				23,000
Deferred income tax liability			2,452				2,469				5,026
Other liabilities			553				553				—
TOTAL LIABILITIES			39,012				44,435				43,096
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock:
Authorized 1,000,000 shares; no par value, none issued
Common stock:
Authorized 30,000,000 shares; no par value, issued and outstanding – 14,415,690; 14,371,586; and 14,345,528; shares respectively			14,416				14,372				14,346
Retained earnings			99,495				99,908				91,586
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(2,702	)			(2,610	)			(3,731	)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY			111,209				111,670				102,201
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		$	150,221			$	156,105			$	145,297

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

  

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

 

		Three Months Ended
All Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Data		March 24, 2018				March 25, 2017
Net sales		$	32,149			$	31,866
Costs and Expenses
Cost of products sold			23,161				23,582
Selling, administrative and general expenses			6,950				5,930
Amortization			323				358
Operating Income			1,715				1,996
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense			(189	)			(167	)
Equity in loss of affiliates			(12	)			(52	)
Gain on bargain purchase			—				256
Other income (loss)			(23	)			4
Income Before Income Taxes			1,491				2,037
Provision for Income Taxes			275				649
Net Income		$	1,216			$	1,388
Earnings Per Share Data:
Basic earnings per share		$	0.085			$	0.097
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.084			$	0.097
Dividends declared		$	0.125			$	0.115

 

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

 

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 

		Three Months Ended
All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Information		March 24, 2018				March 25, 2017
Net Income		$	1,216			$	1,388
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(91	)			549
Comprehensive Income		$	1,125			$	1,937

 

All amounts are net of tax

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

  

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 

		Three Months Ended
All Amounts in Thousands		March 24, 2018				March 25, 2017
Operating Activities:
Net income		$	1,216			$	1,388
Depreciation and amortization			913				901
Gain on disposal of property and equipment			—				(4	)
Stock-based compensation			161				114
Gain on bargain purchase			—				(256	)
Dividends received from equity method investments			—				2,168
Adjustments necessary to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities			1,384				1,558
Net cash provided by operating activities			3,674				5,869
Investing Activities:
Purchase of property and equipment			(206	)			(197	)
Acquisitions			—				(1,401	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment			—				4
Net cash used by investing activities			(206	)			(1,594	)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			12,888				13,954
Payments on long-term debt			(13,318	)			(15,142	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			54				86
Cash dividends paid			(1,801	)			(1,650	)
Net cash used by financing activities			(2,177	)			(2,752	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			1,291				1,523
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			1,572				1,013
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	2,863			$	2,536
Non-Cash Transactions
Note payable for deferred purchase price obligation		$	—			$	50

 

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

 

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note A – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Presentation of Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements – The significant accounting policies followed by the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries for interim financial reporting are consistent with the accounting policies followed for its annual financial reporting. All adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature and are in the opinion of management necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods reported have been included in the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements. The consolidated condensed balance sheet of the Company as of December 30, 2017 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of that date. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K annual report for 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Reclassifications – Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year financial statements to conform to the current year financial statement presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.

 

Note B - Seasonal Aspects

 

The results of operations for the three months ended March 24, 2018 and March 25, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

Note C – Inventories

 

In thousands		March 24, 2018				December 30, 2017				March 25, 2017
Raw materials		$	3,466			$	3,462			$	4,206
Work in progress			3,346				2,927				4,068
Finished goods			33,302				28,771				28,920
		$	40,114			$	35,160			$	37,194

 

Note D – Equity Interest Investments

 

The Company has a 50% interest in a joint venture, Stiga Sports AB (Stiga). The joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Stiga, located in Sweden, is a global sporting goods company producing table tennis equipment, snow sleds, and game products. Financial information for Stiga reflected in the table below has been translated from local currency to U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the respective period-end for balance sheet amounts, and using average exchange rates for statement of operations amounts. Certain differences exist between U.S. GAAP and local GAAP in Sweden, and the impact of these differences is not reflected in the summarized information reflected in the table below. The most significant difference relates to the accounting for goodwill for Stiga which is amortized over eight years in Sweden but is not amortized for U.S. GAAP reporting purposes. The goodwill for Stiga was fully amortized as of December 27, 2014. The effect on Stiga’s net assets resulting from the cumulative amortization of goodwill for the periods ended March 24, 2018 and March 25, 2017 are addbacks to Stiga’s consolidated financial information of $10.8 million and $10.1 million, respectively. These net differences are comprised of cumulative goodwill adjustments of $15.1 million offset by the related cumulative tax effect of $4.3 million as of March 24, 2018 and cumulative goodwill adjustments of $14.1 million offset by the related cumulative tax effect of $4.0 million as of March 25, 2017. The Company’s 50% portion of net loss for Stiga for the periods ended March 24, 2018 and March 25, 2017 was ($12) thousand and ($52) thousand, respectively, and is included in equity in loss of affiliates on the Company’s statements of operations.

 

 

Summarized financial information for Stiga Sports AB balance sheets as of March 24, 2018, December 30, 2017, and March 25, 2017 and statements of operations for the three months ended March 24, 2018 and March 25, 2017 is as follows:

 

In thousands		March 24, 2018				December 30, 2017				March 25, 2017
Current assets		$	29,841			$	30,623			$	27,931
Non-current assets			10,560				10,854				9,539
Total assets			40,401				41,477				37,470
Current liabilities			6,020				6,897				3,642
Non-current liabilities			5,429				5,462				5,376
Total liabilities			11,449				12,359				9,018
Net assets		$	28,952			$	29,118			$	28,452

 

		Three Months Ended
		March 24, 2018				March 25, 2017
Net sales		$	6,174			$	5,125
Gross profit			2,677				2,278
Net loss			(23	)			(105	)

 

Note E – Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes was computed based on financial statement income.

 

During the year ended December 30, 2017, the Company calculated its best estimate of the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and as a result, recorded $3.0 million of income tax benefits. Additional work is necessary to determine the amount of accumulated foreign earnings and the corresponding foreign tax credit. The final impact may differ from these provisional amounts, possibly materially, due to, among other things, issuance of additional regulatory guidance, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made, and actions the Company may take as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. No adjustments were made to the provisional estimate during the three months ended March 24, 2018.

 

Note F – Fair Values of Financial Instruments

 

The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of all financial instruments recognized in the accompanying balance sheets at amounts other than fair values.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Fair values of cash and cash equivalents approximate cost due to the short period of time to maturity.

 

Long-term Debt

 

Fair values of long-term debt is estimated based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and maturities and determined through the use of a discounted cash flow model.

 

The following table presents estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall in accordance with FASB ASC 825 at March 24, 2018, December 30, 2017 and March 25, 2017.

 

  

						Fair Value Measurements Using
March 24, 2018 In thousands		Carrying Amount				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,863			$	2,863			$	—			$	—
Financial liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt		$	18,941			$	—			$	18,941			$	—
Long-term debt		$	3,750			$	—			$	3,750			$	—

 

						Fair Value Measurements Using
December 30, 2017 In thousands		Carrying Amount				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,572			$	1,572			$	—			$	—
Financial liabilities
Current portion of  long-term debt		$	1,250			$	—			$	1,250			$	—
Long-term debt		$	21,871			$	—			$	21,871			$	—

 

						Fair Value Measurements Using
March 25, 2017 In thousands		Carrying Amount				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,536			$	2,536			$	—			$	—
Financial liabilities
Current portion of  long-term debt		$	1,300			$	—			$	1,300			$	—
Long-term debt		$	23,000			$	—			$	23,000			$	—

 

Note G – Stock Compensation

 

The fair value of stock-based compensation is recognized in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718, Stock Compensation.

 

During the three months ended March 24, 2018, the Company awarded 14,250 restricted stock units to directors and 40,278 restricted stock units to employees. The restricted stock units awarded to directors time vest over two years (one-half one year from grant date and one-half two years from grant date) provided that the director is still a director of the Company at the vest date. Director restricted stock units are subject to forfeiture, except for termination of services as a result of retirement, death or disability, if on the vesting date the director no longer holds a position with the Company. The 2018 restricted stock units awarded to employees fully vest over four years (one-third two years from grant date, one-third three years from grant date and one-third four years from grant date) provided that the employee is still employed by the Company on each applicable vesting date and that the performance criteria related to the market price of the Company’s stock is satisfied. The performance criteria is for any 30 consecutive trading days on the NASDAQ Stock Market (or such other principal securities exchange on which the Company’s shares of common stock are then traded) during the period beginning on the grant date and ending on the fourth anniversary thereof, the cumulative average Volume Weighted Average Price per share is at least 15% higher than the closing price per share on the grant date plus any incremental dividends paid above the current quarterly dividend rate of $0.125 per share by the Company during such four year period. If the performance criteria is not satisfied as of an applicable vesting date, then one-half of the RSUs eligible to vest on that date will vest and the remaining one-half will vest if, and only if, the performance criteria is met prior to the end of the four year vesting period. The Company utilizes the Monte Carlo technique to determine the fair value of restricted stock units granted for awards with market conditions.

 

 

For the three months ended March 24, 2018 and March 25, 2017, the Company recognized stock based compensation expense of $161 thousand and $114 thousand, respectively. At March 24, 2018 and March 25, 2017, respectively, there was $1.0 million and $1.0 million in unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards.

 

Note H - Segment Information

 

		As of and for the Three Months Ended March 24, 2018
In thousands		Sporting Goods				Corp.				Total
Revenues from external customers		$	32,149			$	—			$	32,149
Operating income (loss)			2,093				(378	)			1,715
Net income (loss)			1,384				(168	)			1,216
Total assets		$	124,354			$	25,867			$	150,221

 

		As of and for the Three Months Ended March 25, 2017
In thousands		Sporting Goods				Corp.				Total
Revenues from external customers		$	31,866			$	—			$	31,866
Operating income (loss)			2,359				(363	)			1,996
Net income (loss)			1,394				(6	)			1,388
Total assets		$	125,023			$	20,274			$	145,297

 

Note I – Dividend Payment

 

On March 19, 2018, the Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per common share to all shareholders of record on March 12, 2018. The total amount of the dividend was approximately $1.8 million and was charged against retained earnings.

 

Note J - Earnings Per Share

 

The shares used in computation of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per common share are as follows:

 

		Three Months Ended
In thousands		March 24, 2018				March 25, 2017
Weighted average common shares outstanding			14,383				14,317
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units			24				40
Weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution			14,407				14,357

 

Stock options that are anti-dilutive as to earnings per share and unvested restricted stock units which have a market condition for vesting that has not been achieved are ignored in the computation of dilutive earnings per share. The number of stock options and restricted stock units that were excluded in 2018 and 2017 were 96,481 and 84,200, respectively.

 

  

Note K – New Accounting Standards and Changes in Accounting Principles

 

With the exception of that discussed below, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the three months ended March 24, 2018, as compared to the recent accounting pronouncements described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017, that are of significance, or potential significance to the Company.

 

In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU) 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, which provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. ASU 2017-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted, including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company adopted this standard on December 31, 2017. The adoption of this ASU did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805) to clarify the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this standard on December 31, 2017. As we did not have any business acquisitions during the three months ended March 24, 2018, our adoption did not have any impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The new standard is in response to current diversity in practice and will make eight targeted changes to how cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this standard on December 31, 2017. The adoption of this ASU did not have any impact on our consolidated condensed statements of cash flows.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which outlines a single comprehensive revenue model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The guidance supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance, and requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective method). In 2016, the FASB issued further guidance that offers narrow scope improvements and clarifies certain implementation issues related to revenue recognition, including principal versus agent considerations and the identification of performance obligations and licensing. These additional updates have the same effective date as the new revenue guidance.

 

The Company adopted this standard on December 31, 2017 using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of this standard did not impact the timing of revenue recognition for our customer sales. We do not incur significant costs to obtain or to fulfill revenue contracts. For the Company, the most significant impact of the new standard is the requirement for enhanced footnote disclosures. Refer to Note L for disclosure requirements related to the adoption of this standard.

 

Note L – Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

Revenue Recognition – Effective December 31, 2017, we adopted ASC 606. The adoption of this standard did not impact the timing of revenue recognition for customer sales. Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied; generally this occurs with the transfer of control of our goods at a point in time based on shipping terms and transfer of title. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods. Sales, value add, and other taxes we collect concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. Shipping and handling fees charged to customers are reported within revenue.

 

 

Gross-to-net sales adjustments – We recognize revenue net of various sales adjustments to arrive at net sales as reported on the statement of operations. These adjustments are referred to as gross-to-net sales adjustments and primarily fall into one of three categories; returns, warranties and customer allowances.

 

Returns – The Company records an accrued liability and reduction in sales for estimated product returns based upon historical experience. An accrued liability and reduction in sales is also recorded for approved return authorizations that have been communicated by the customer.

 

Warranties – Limited warranties are provided on certain products for varying periods. We record an accrued liability and reduction in sales for estimated future warranty claims based upon historical experience and management’s estimate of the level of future claims. Changes in the estimated amounts recognized in prior years are recorded as an adjustment to the accrued liability and sales in the current year.

 

Customer Allowances – Customer allowances are common practice in the industries in which the Company operates. These agreements are typically in the form of advertising subsidies, volume rebates and catalog allowances and are accounted for as a reduction to gross sales. The Company reviews such allowances on an ongoing basis and accruals are adjusted, if necessary, as additional information becomes available.

 

Disaggregation of Revenue – We generate revenue from the sale of widely recognized sporting goods brands in basketball goals, archery, indoor and outdoor game recreation and fitness products. These products are sold through multiple sales channels that include; mass merchants, specialty dealers, key on-line retailers (“E-commerce”) and international. The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue according to sales channel:

 

		Three Months Ended
All Amounts in Thousands		March 24, 2018				March 25, 2017
Gross Sales by Channel:
Mass Merchants		$	13,112			$	12,689
Specialty Dealers			12,935				13,224
E-commerce			7,573				7,445
International			1,903				916
Other			78				844
Total Gross Sales			35,601				35,118
Less: Gross-to-Net Sales Adjustments
Returns			926				803
Warranties			307				259
Customer Allowances			2,219				2,190
Total Gross-to-Net Sales Adjustments			3,452				3,252
Total Net Sales		$	32,149			$	31,866

 

Note M – Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is involved in litigation arising in the normal course of business. The Company does not believe that the disposition or ultimate resolution of existing claims or lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Company.

The revolving credit facility has a due date within one year of the issuance of these financial statements. The Company utilizes the financing for long-term operating purposes and does not have liquid funds available to repay the balance at its maturity date. Management intends to renew the revolving credit facility on comparable terms at or before the maturity date and believes it is probable that such renewal will be successful.

 

  

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains forward-looking statements relating to present or future trends or factors that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product demand and market acceptance, new product development, Escalade’s ability to achieve its business objectives, especially with respect to its Sporting Goods business on which it has chosen to focus, Escalade’s ability to successfully achieve the anticipated results of strategic transactions, including the integration of the operations of acquired assets and businesses and of divestitures or discontinuances of certain operations, assets, brands, and products, the continuation and development of key customer, supplier, licensing and other business relationships, the ability to successfully negotiate the shifting retail environment and changes in consumer buying habits, the financial health of our customers, disruptions or delays in our supply chain, Escalade’s ability to control costs, general economic conditions, fluctuation in operating results, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in the securities market, Escalade’s ability to obtain financing and to maintain compliance with the terms of such financing, the availability, integration and effective operation of information systems and other technology, and the potential interruption of such systems or technology, risks related to data security of privacy breaches, and other risks detailed from time to time in Escalade’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Escalade’s future financial performance could differ materially from the expectations of management contained herein. Escalade undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements after the date of this report.

 

Overview

 

Escalade, Incorporated (Escalade, the Company, we, us or our) is focused on growing its Sporting Goods business through organic growth of existing categories, strategic acquisitions, and new product development. The Sporting Goods business competes in a variety of categories including basketball goals, archery, indoor and outdoor game recreation and fitness products. Strong brands and on-going investment in product development provide a solid foundation for building customer loyalty and continued growth.

 

Within the sporting goods industry, the Company has successfully built a robust market presence in several niche markets. This strategy is heavily dependent on expanding our customer base, barriers to entry, strong brands, excellent customer service and a commitment to innovation. A key strategic advantage is the Company’s established relationships with major customers that allow the Company to bring new products to market in a cost effective manner while maintaining a diversified portfolio of products to meet the demands of consumers. In addition to strategic customer relations, the Company has substantial manufacturing and import experience that enable it to be a low cost supplier.

 

To enhance growth opportunities, the Company has focused on promoting new product innovation and development and brand marketing. In addition, the Company has embarked on a strategy of acquiring companies or product lines that complement or expand the Company's existing product lines or provide expansion into new or emerging categories in sporting goods. A key objective is the acquisition of product lines with barriers to entry that the Company can take to market through its established distribution channels or through new market channels. Significant synergies are achieved through assimilation of acquired product lines into the existing Company structure. The Company also sometimes divests or discontinues certain operations, assets, brands, and products that do not perform to the Company's expectations or no longer fit with the Company's strategic objectives.

 

The Company is working to overcome the industry-wide downturn in the archery category, a reduction in contribution from our joint venture with Stiga Sports, AB, and bankruptcies that have plagued the retail industry. We believe these conditions have masked improvements in our other existing and acquired businesses and the expansion of our online distribution channels. The Company’s balance sheet is strong and we continue to reduce our long-term debt. Management believes that key indicators in measuring the success of these strategies are revenue growth, earnings growth, new product introductions, and the expansion of channels of distribution.

 

 

Results of Operations

 

The following schedule sets forth certain consolidated statement of operations data as a percentage of net revenue:

 

		Three Months Ended
		March 24, 2018				March 25, 2017
Net revenue			100.0	%			100.0	%
Cost of products sold			72.0	%			74.0	%
Gross margin			28.0	%			26.0	%
Selling, administrative and general expenses			21.6	%			18.6	%
Amortization			1.0	%			1.1	%
Operating income			5.4	%			6.3	%

 

Revenue and Gross Margin

 

Net sales increased by $0.3 million or 0.9% for the first three months of 2018, compared with the same period in the prior year.

 

The overall gross margin percentage increased to 28.0% for the first quarter of 2018, compared to 26.0% for 2017. Gross profit was $9.0 for the first quarter of 2018 compared to $8.3 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $0.7 million or 8.5%. The improvement in gross margin was driven by product mix and stability within the Archery category.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $7.0 million for the first quarter of 2018 compared to $5.9 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $1.1 million or 17.2%. SG&A as a percent of sales is 21.6% for the first quarter of 2018 compared with 18.6% for the same period in the prior year. The increase in SG&A was due to expenses associated with our acquisition of Lifeline Products, LLC completed during the first quarter of 2017, start-up costs related to our new Vuly trampoline distribution agreement, and our continued investment in the e-commerce channel.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

The effective tax rate for the first three months of 2018 was 18.4% compared to 31.9% for the same period last year. The effective tax rate for 2018 is lower than 2017 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 effective for 2018 calendar year.

 

Financial Condition and Liquidity

 

Total debt at the end of the first three months of 2018 was $22.7 million, a decrease of $0.4 million from December 30, 2017. The following schedule summarizes the Company’s total debt:

 

In thousands		March 24,  2018				December 30, 2017				March 25, 2017
Current portion long-term debt		$	18,941			$	1,250			$	1,300
Long term debt			3,750				21,871				23,000
Total		$	22,691			$	23,121			$	24,300

 

As a percentage of stockholders’ equity, total debt was 20.4%, 20.7% and 23.8% at March 24, 2018, December 30, 2017, and March 25, 2017 respectively.

 

The Company funds working capital requirements through operating cash flows and revolving credit agreements with its bank. Based on working capital requirements, the Company expects to have access to adequate levels of revolving credit to meet growth needs.

 

 

Item 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company is exposed to financial market risks, including changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Company attempts to minimize these risks through regular operating and financing activities and, when considered appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. During the quarter there were no derivatives in use. The Company does not purchase, hold or sell derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

 

Interest Rates
The Company’s exposure to market-rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to its revolving variable rate bank debt which is based on LIBOR interest rates. A hypothetical 1% or 100 basis point change in interest rates would not have a significant effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operation.

 

Foreign Currency
The Company conducts business in various countries around the world and is therefore subject to risks associated with fluctuating foreign exchange rates. The Sporting Goods foreign currency transactions are denominated primarily in Mexican Peso and Chinese Yuan. The Company has a 50% interest in a joint venture, Stiga, which is denominated in Swedish Krona.

 

The geographic areas outside the United States in which the Company operates are generally not considered by management to be highly inflationary. Nonetheless, the Company’s foreign operations are sensitive to fluctuations in currency exchange rates arising from, among other things, certain inter-company transactions that are denominated in currencies other than the respective functional currency.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries conduct substantially all of their business in their respective currencies to avoid the effects of cross-border transactions. The functional currency for the foreign operations of Escalade is the U.S. dollar. To protect against reductions in value and the volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in currency exchange rates, the Company carefully considers the use of transaction and balance sheet hedging programs such as matching assets and liabilities in the same currency. Such programs reduce, but do not entirely eliminate the impact of currency exchange rate changes. The Company has evaluated the use of currency exchange hedging financial instruments, but has determined that it would not use such instruments under the current circumstances. Changes in currency exchange rates may be volatile and could affect the Company’s performance.

 

Item 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Escalade maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based closely on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, could provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Also, the Company has investments in certain unconsolidated entities. As the Company does not control or manage these entities, its disclosure controls and procedures with respect to such entities are necessarily substantially more limited than those it maintains with respect to its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management of the Company has evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the first quarter of 2018.

 

There have been no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred since the beginning of the Company’s first quarter of 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

None.

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS.

 

Not required.

 

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

 

c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period

(a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased

(b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)

(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs

(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs

Share purchases prior to 12/30/2017 under the current repurchase program.

982,916

$

8.84

982,916

$

2,273,939

First quarter purchases:

12/31/2017–1/27/2018

None

None

No Change

No Change

1/28/2018-2/24/2018

None

None

No Change

No Change

2/25/2018-3/24/2018

None

None

No Change

No Change

Total share purchases under the current program

982,916

$

8.84

982,916

$

2,273,939

 

The Company has one stock repurchase program which was established in February 2003 by the Board of Directors and which initially authorized management to expend up to $3,000,000 to repurchase shares on the open market as well as in private negotiated transactions. In February 2005, February 2006, August 2007 and February 2008 the Board of Directors increased the remaining balance on this plan to its original level of $3,000,000. The repurchase plan has no termination date and there have been no share repurchases that were not part of a publicly announced program.

 

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

 

None.

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

 

None.

 

  

Item 6. EXHIBITS

 

Number		Description
3.1		Articles of Incorporation of Escalade, Incorporated.  Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2007 First Quarter Report on Form 10-Q.
3.2		Amended By-laws of Escalade, Incorporated, as amended April 22, 2014.  Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2014 First Quarter Report on Form 10-Q.
31.1		Chief Executive Officer Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.
31.2		Chief Financial Officer Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.
32.1		Chief Executive Officer Section 1350 Certification.
32.2		Chief Financial Officer Section 1350 Certification.
101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.INS		XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED
Date: April 19, 2018	/s/ Stephen R. Wawrin
	Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (On behalf of the registrant and in his  capacities as Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)