Unless otherwise specified, as used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Art’s-Way,” and the “Company” refer to Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation headquartered in Armstrong, Iowa, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

The Company began operations as a farm equipment manufacturer in 1956. Since that time, it has become a major worldwide manufacturer of agricultural equipment. Its principal manufacturing plant is located in Armstrong, Iowa.

The Company has organized its business into three operating segments. Management separately evaluates the financial results of each segment because each is a strategic business unit offering different products and requiring different technology and marketing strategies. The agricultural products segment (“Manufacturing”) manufactures farm equipment under the Art’s-Way Manufacturing label and private labels. The modular buildings segment (“Scientific”) manufactures modular buildings for various uses, commonly animal containment and research laboratories, and the tools segment (“Metals”) manufactures steel cutting tools and inserts. During the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company discontinued its pressurized vessels segment (“Vessels”). For more information on discontinued operations, see Note 4 “Discontinued Operations.” For detailed financial information relating to segment reporting, see Note 17 “Segment Information.”

Statement Presentation

The foregoing condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company are unaudited and reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and operating results for the interim periods. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018. The results of operations for the three months ended February 28, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2019.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company liquidated its investment in its Canadian subsidiary (“International”) by selling off remaining inventory and filing dissolution paperwork. Prior to that liquidation and dissolution, the financial books of the Company’s Canadian operations were kept in the functional currency of Canadian dollars and the financial statements were converted to U.S. Dollars for consolidation. When consolidating the financial results of the Company into U.S. Dollars for reporting purposes, the Company used the All-Current translation method. The All-Current translation method requires the balance sheet assets and liabilities to be translated to U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate as of quarter-end. Stockholders’ equity was translated at historical exchange rates and retained earnings were translated at an average exchange rate for the period. Additionally, revenue and expenses were translated at average exchange rates for the periods presented. The resulting cumulative translation adjustment was carried on the balance sheet and was recorded in stockholders’ equity. Following the liquidation and dissolution of International, the cumulative translation adjustment carried on the balance sheet was released into net income under other income (expense), and the financial statements will no longer need translation each period. Since no income tax benefit will be received from liquidation and dissolution, the cumulative translation adjustment has not been tax adjusted.

Lessor Accounting and Sales-Type Leases

Modular buildings held for short term lease by our modular buildings segment are recorded at cost. Amortization of each modular building is calculated over the useful life of the building. Estimated useful life is three to five years. Lease revenue is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease agreement. Lease income for modular buildings is included in sales on the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company accounts for leases of modular buildings to certain customers as sales-type leases. These leases have terms of up to 36 months and are collateralized by a security interest in the related modular building. The lessee has a bargain purchase option available at the end of the lease term. A minimum lease receivable is recorded net of unearned interest income and profit on sale at the time the Company’s obligation to the lessee is complete. Profit related to the sale of the building is recorded upon fulfillment of the Company’s obligation to the lessee.

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the three months ended February 28, 2019. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Effective December 1, 2018 we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). The Company used the modified retrospective adoption of ASC 606.  The adoption of ASC 606 had no impact on prior year or previously disclosed amounts.  In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is measured based on consideration specified in a contract with a customer and recognized when we satisfy the performance obligation specified in each contract.

The Company’s revenues primarily result from contracts with customers. The major sources of revenue for the agricultural products and tools segments are farm equipment, service parts related to farm equipment and steel cutting tools and inserts. The agricultural products and tools segments generally execute short-term contracts that contain a single performance obligation – the delivery of product to the common carrier. The Company recognizes revenue for the production and sale of farm equipment, service parts and cutting tools upon shipment of the good(s). The modular buildings segment executes contracts with customers that can be short- or long-term in nature. These contracts can have multiple performance obligations and revenue from these can be recognized over time or at a point in time depending on the nature of the contracts. Payment terms generally are short-term and vary by customer and segment. The major source of revenue for the modular buildings segment is modular building sales. Sales of modular buildings are generally recognized using input methods to measure progress towards the satisfaction of a performance obligation using the percentage of completion method. Stock modular building sales also occur and are recognized at a point in time when the performance obligation is fulfilled through substantial completion. Substantial completion is achieved through customer acceptance of the completed building. 

The agricultural products segment offers variable consideration in the form of discounts depending on participation in yearly early order programs. This variable consideration is allocated to the transaction price of all products in a sales arrangement and is not contingent on future outcomes. The agricultural products segment does not offer rebates or credits. The tools segment offers quantity discounts that are allocated to the transaction price of each product once the quantity break is achieved. The tools segment does not offer rebates or credits. The modular buildings segment does not offer discounts, rebates or credits.

Warranties for the agricultural products and modular buildings segments require the Company to repair or replace defective products during the warranty period at no cost to the customer.  Product warranty is included in the price of the product to provide assurance that the product will function in accordance with agreed-upon specifications.  Warranty expense is recorded at the time of sale and does not represent a separate performance obligation under ASC 606.  The tools segment maintains a small reserve to warrant their products are free from workmanship defects. 

The following table displays revenue by reportable segment from external customers, disaggregated by major source. The Company believes disaggregating by these categories depicts how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.

The following table provides information about contract receivables, contract assets, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers included on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The amount of revenue recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 that was included in a contract liability at November 30, 2018 was $185,013 compared to $252,769 in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

Effective October 31, 2016, the Company discontinued the operations of its Vessels segment in order to focus its efforts and resources on the business segments that have historically been more successful and that are expected to present greater opportunities for meaningful long-term shareholder returns. On March 29, 2018, the remaining assets of Vessels, consisting of real estate assets, were disposed of at a selling price of $1,500,000.

As Vessels was a unique business unit of the Company, its liquidation was a strategic shift. In accordance with ASC Topic 360, the Company has classified Vessels as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before tax in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is comprised of the following:

There were no components of discontinued operations in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 28, 2019 or November 30, 2018.

Basic net income (loss) per share of common stock has been computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income (loss) per share has been computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus equivalent shares assuming exercise of stock options. Potential shares of common stock that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share.

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share have been computed based on the following as of February 28, 2019 and February 28, 2018:

Major classes of inventory are:

Major components of accrued expenses are:

Major components of assets held for lease are:

Rents recognized from assets held for lease included in sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the first quarter of fiscal 2019 were $179,043 compared to $48,960 in 2018.  Rents recognized in sales were related to the leasing of modular buildings as a part of the normal course of business operations of the modular building segment.  Rents recognized from assets held for lease included in other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the first quarter of fiscal 2019 were $2,500 compared to $38,180 in 2018.  Rents related to the West Union facility in the agricultural products segment were recognized in other income as such income was outside of the scope of this segment’s normal business operations.  The West Union facility was sold on December 14, 2018 for $900,000.

Future minimum lease receipts from assets held for lease are as follows:

The Company offers warranties of various lengths to its customers depending on the specific product and terms of the customer purchase agreement.  The average length of the warranty period is one year from the date of purchase. The Company’s warranties require it to repair or replace defective products during the warranty period at no cost to the customer. Product warranty is included in the price of the product and provides assurance that the product will function in accordance with agreed-upon specifications.  It does not represent a separate performance obligation under ASC 606.  The Company records a liability for estimated costs that may be incurred under its warranties. The costs are estimated based on historical experience and any specific warranty issues that have been identified.  Although historical warranty costs have been within expectations, there can be no assurance that future warranty costs will not exceed historical amounts. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liability and adjusts the balance as necessary. The accrued warranty balance is included in accrued expenses as shown in Note 7 “Accrued Expenses.” Changes in the Company’s product warranty liability for the three months ended February 28, 2019 and February 28, 2018 are as follows:

The Company maintains two revolving lines of credit and a term loan with Bank Midwest, as well as a term loan with The First National Bank of West Union. The Company previously maintained a second term loan with Bank Midwest.

Bank Midwest Revolving Lines of Credit and Term Loans

On September 28, 2017, the Company entered into a credit facility with Bank Midwest, which superseded and replaced in its entirety the Company’s previous credit facility with U.S. Bank. The Bank Midwest credit facility initially consisted of a $5,000,000 revolving line of credit (the “2017 Line of Credit”), a $2,600,000 term loan due October 1, 2037, and a $600,000 term loan due October 1, 2019. The 2017 Line of Credit is being used for working capital purposes. On March 29, 2018, the Company paid in full the $600,000 term loan due October 1, 2019 using proceeds from the sale of the Company’s Dubuque, Iowa property. The payment consisted of $596,563 in principal and $2,328 in interest.

On February 28, 2019, the balance of the 2017 Line of Credit was $3,641,530 with $1,358,470 remaining available, limited by the borrowing base calculation.  The 2017 Line of Credit borrowing base is an amount equal to 75% of accounts receivable balances (discounted for aged receivables), plus 50% of inventory, less any outstanding loan balance on the 2017 Line of Credit.  At February 28, 2019, the 2017 Line of Credit was not limited by the borrowing base calculation.  Any unpaid principal amount borrowed on the 2017 Line of Credit accrues interest at a floating rate per annum equal to 1.00% above the Wall Street Journal rate published from time to time in the money rates section of the Wall Street Journal.  The interest rate floor is set at 4.25% per annum and the current interest rate is 6.50% per annum.  The 2017 Line of Credit was renewed on March 30, 2018 and again on March 30, 2019.  The 2017 Line of Credit is payable upon demand by Bank Midwest, and monthly interest-only payments are required. If no earlier demand is made, the unpaid principal and accrued interest is due on March 30, 2020.

The $2,600,000 term loan accrues interest at a rate of 5.00% for the first sixty months. Thereafter, this loan will accrue interest at a floating rate per annum equal to 0.75% above the Wall Street Journal rate published from time to time in the money rates section of the Wall Street Journal. The interest rate floor is set at 4.15% per annum and the interest rate may only be adjusted by Bank Midwest once every five years. Monthly payments of $17,271 for principal and interest are required. This loan is also guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), which required an upfront guarantee fee of $62,400 and an annual fee of 0.5% of the unpaid balance. As part of the USDA guarantee requirements, shareholders owning more than 20% are required to personally guarantee a portion of the loan as well, in an amount equal to their stock ownership percentage. J. Ward McConnell Jr., the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and a shareholder owning more than 20% of the Company’s outstanding stock, is guaranteeing approximately 38% of this loan, for an annual fee of 2% of the personally guaranteed amount. The initial guarantee fee will be amortized over the life of the loan, and the annual fees and personally guaranteed amounts are expensed monthly. Prior to repayment, the $600,000 term loan accrued interest at a rate of 5.00%, and monthly payments of $3,249 for principal and interest were required.

On February 13, 2019, the Company opened a $4,000,000 revolving line of credit (the “2019 Line of Credit”) with Bank Midwest in connection with bonding obligations for the Company’s performance of a large modular laboratory construction project. Funds under the 2019 Line of Credit will be undisbursed to the Company and will be held by Bank Midwest in connection with an Irrevocable Letter of Credit issued by Bank Midwest for the project. The 2019 Line of Credit accrues interest at a floating rate per annum equal to 1.00% above the Wall Street Journal rate published from time to time in the money rates section of the Wall Street Journal. The interest rate floor is set at 4.25% per annum and the current interest rate is 6.50% per annum. The 2019 Line of Credit is payable upon demand by Bank Midwest. If no earlier demand is made, the unpaid principal and accrued interest will be payable in one payment, due on February 13, 2020. As of February 28, 2019, the funds on the 2019 Line of Credit remain undisbursed and are held by Bank Midwest.  

Each of the 2017 Line of Credit and the $2,600,000 term loan are governed by the terms of a separate Promissory Note, dated September 28, 2017, entered into between the Company and Bank Midwest. The $600,000 term loan was also governed by the terms of a separate Promissory Note, dated September 28, 2017, entered into between the Company and Bank Midwest. The 2019 Line of Credit is governed by the terms of a Promissory Note, dated February 13, 2019, entered into between the Company and Bank Midwest.

In connection with the 2017 Line of Credit, the Company, Art’s-Way Scientific Inc. and Ohio Metal Working Products/Art’s-Way Inc. each entered into a Commercial Security Agreement with Bank Midwest, dated September 28, 2017, pursuant to which each granted to Bank Midwest a first priority security interest in certain inventory, equipment, accounts, chattel paper, instruments, letters of credit and other assets to secure the obligations of the Company under the line of credit. Each of Art’s-Way Scientific Inc. and Ohio Metal Working Products/Art’s-Way Inc. also agreed to guarantee the obligations of the Company pursuant to the 2017 Line of Credit, as set forth in Commercial Guaranties, each dated September 28, 2017. The 2019 Line of Credit is also secured by these existing security documents.

To further secure the 2017 Line of Credit, the Company granted Bank Midwest a second mortgage on its West Union, Iowa property and Ohio Metal Working Products/Art’s-Way Inc. granted Bank Midwest a mortgage on its property located in Canton, Ohio. The mortgage on the West Union property was released in conjunction with the sale of that property on December 14, 2018. The 2019 Line of Credit is also secured by the mortgage on the Canton, Ohio property. The $2,600,000 term loan is secured by a mortgage on the Company’s Armstrong, Iowa and Monona, Iowa properties, and the $600,000 term loan was secured by a mortgage on the Company’s Dubuque, Iowa property. The mortgage on the Dubuque property was released in conjunction with the sale of that property in March 2018. Each mortgage is governed by the terms of a separate Mortgage, dated September 28, 2017, and each property is also subject to a separate Assignment of Rents, dated September 28, 2017.

If the Company or its subsidiaries (as guarantors pursuant to the Commercial Guaranties) commits an event of default with respect to the promissory notes and fails or is unable to cure that default, Bank Midwest may immediately terminate its obligation, if any, to make additional loans to the Company and may accelerate the Company’s obligations under the promissory notes. Bank Midwest shall also have all other rights and remedies for default provided by the Uniform Commercial Code, as well as any other applicable law and the various loan agreements. In addition, in an event of default, Bank Midwest may foreclose on the mortgaged property.

Bank Midwest Loan Covenants

Compliance with Bank Midwest covenants is measured annually at November 30. The terms of the Bank Midwest loan agreements require the Company to maintain a minimum working capital ratio of 1.75, while maintaining a minimum of $5,100,000 of working capital. Additionally, a maximum debt to worth ratio of 1 to 1 must be maintained, with a minimum of 40% tangible balance sheet equity, with variations subject to mutual agreement. The Company is also required to maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.25, with a 0.10 tolerance. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of November 30, 2018 other than the debt service coverage ratio. Bank Midwest issued a waiver forgiving the noncompliance, and no event of default has occurred. The next measurement date is November 30, 2019. The Company is also required to provide audited financial statements within 120 days of its fiscal year end.

Iowa Finance Authority Term Loan

On May 1, 2010, the Company obtained a $1,300,000 loan to finance the purchase of an additional facility located in West Union, Iowa to be used as a distribution center, warehouse facility, and manufacturing plant for certain products under the Art’s-Way brand. The loan was secured by a mortgage on the Company’s West Union Facility, pursuant to a Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Financing Statement dated May 1, 2010 between the Company and The First National Bank of West Union.

On December 14, 2018, the Company repaid this loan in full in connection with the sale of the West Union, Iowa facility.    

A summary of the Company’s term debt is as follows:

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating losses.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017 was enacted, which reduces the top corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. This law is generally effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. The application of this new rate was recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Tax expense from continuing operations for the three months ended February 28, 2018 includes an adjustment of approximately $298,000 related to the revaluation of the Company’s net deferred tax asset at the new statutory rate.

From time to time, the Company purchases various supplies from related parties, which are companies owned by J. Ward McConnell, Jr., the Company’s Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.  Also, J. Ward McConnell, Jr. as a shareholder owning more than 20% of the Company’s outstanding stock, was required to guarantee a portion of the Company’s term debt in accordance with the USDA guarantee on the Company’s term loan.  Mr. McConnell is paid a monthly fee for his guarantee.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company recognized expenses of $8,148 for transactions with a related party, compared to $5,001 in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.  The accrued expenses balance as of February 28, 2019 contains $1,452 due to a related party, compared to $1,663 for the same period 2018.

The components related to sales-type leases at February 28, 2019 and November 30, 2018 are as follows:

Gross revenue recognized in sales from continuing operations on the consolidated statements of operations from commencement of sales-type leases for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 was $0 compared to $426,542 for the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

Future minimum lease receipts from sales-type leases are as follows:

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”, which requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on its balance sheet for all leases with terms of twelve months or greater. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. The Company will adopt this guidance for its 2020 fiscal year, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company has a moderate amount of leasing activity and is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

On January 27, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized and approved the Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”). The 2011 Plan was approved by the stockholders on April 28, 2011. It replaced the Employee Stock Option Plan and the Directors’ Stock Option Plan (collectively, the “Prior Plans”), and no further stock options will be awarded under the Prior Plans. Awards to directors and executive officers under the 2011 Plan are governed by the forms of agreement approved by the Board of Directors.

The 2011 Plan permits the plan administrator to award nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance awards, and stock appreciation rights to employees (including officers), directors, and consultants. The Board of Directors has approved a director compensation policy pursuant to which non-employee directors are automatically granted restricted stock awards of 1,000 shares of fully vested common stock annually or initially upon their election to the Board and another 1,000 shares of fully vested common stock on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. During the first three months of fiscal 2019, restricted stock awards of 67,053 shares were issued to various employees, directors, and consultants, which vest over the next three years, and restricted stock awards of 6,000 were issued to directors as part of the director compensation policy, which vested immediately upon grant.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, 1,400 shares of restricted stock were forfeited upon departure of certain employees.

Stock options granted prior to January 27, 2011 are governed by the applicable Prior Plan and the forms of agreement adopted thereunder.

Stock-based compensation expense reflects the fair value of stock-based awards measured at the grant date and recognized over the relevant vesting period. The Company estimates the fair value of each stock-based option award on the measurement date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model which incorporates assumptions as to stock price volatility, the expected life of the options, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors. The Company uses historical option exercise and termination data to estimate the expected term the options are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected dividend yield is calculated using historical dividend amounts and the stock price at the option issuance date. No stock options were granted during the three months ended February 28, 2019 or in the same respective period of fiscal 2018. The Company incurred a total of $65,546 of stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock awards during the three months ended February 28, 2019, compared to $49,558 of stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock awards for the same respective period of fiscal 2018.

The fair value of a financial instrument is defined as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. At February 28, 2019 and November 30, 2018, the carrying amount approximated fair value for cash, accounts receivable, net investment in sale-type leases, accounts payable, notes payable to bank, and other current and long-term liabilities. The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of the net investment in sales-type leases also approximates recorded value as that is based on discounting future cash flows at rates implicit in the lease. The rates implicit in the lease do not materially differ from current market rates. The fair value of the Company’s installment term loans payable also approximates recorded value because the interest rates charged under the loan terms are not substantially different than current interest rates.

There are three reportable segments: agricultural products, modular buildings and tools. The agricultural products segment fabricates and sells farming products as well as related equipment and replacement parts for these products in the United States and worldwide. The modular buildings segment manufactures and installs modular buildings for animal containment and various laboratory uses. The tools segment manufactures steel cutting tools and inserts.

The accounting policies applied to determine the segment information are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Management evaluates the performance of each segment based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes, exclusive of nonrecurring gains and losses.

Approximate financial information with respect to the reportable segments is as follows. The tables below exclude income and balance sheet data from discontinued operations. See Note 4 “Discontinued Operations.”

*The consolidated total in the table is a sum of segment figures and may not tie to actual figures in the condensed consolidated financial statements due to rounding.

Management evaluated all other activity of the Company and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in the condensed consolidated financial statements other than those previously described in Note 10 “Loan and Credit Agreements” related to the line of credit extension on March 30, 2019.