ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
As used in this Annual Report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Broadwind,” and the “Company” refer to Broadwind, Inc., a Delaware corporation headquartered in Cicero, Illinois, and its Subsidiaries.
(Dollar amounts are presented in thousands, except per share data and unless otherwise stated)
We booked $101,060 in net new orders in 2023, down from $368,027 in 2022. Heavy Fabrications orders decreased by 83% from the prior year primarily due to the timing of tower orders as a major wind tower customer secured relatively longer-term capacity during the fourth quarter of 2022 instead of ordering in more regular intervals consistent with how orders are typically placed. Partially offsetting this decrease in wind tower orders was a 14% increase in industrial fabrication product line orders primarily due to improved demand for our Pressure Reducing Systems (“PRS”) units. Gearing segment orders decreased 54% from the prior year primarily due to reduced demand from O&G and mining customers. Industrial Solutions segment orders increased by 26% in 2023 from the prior year primarily due to an increase in orders associated with new gas turbine and aftermarket projects.
We recognized revenue of $203,477 in 2023, up 15% from revenue of $176,759 in 2022. Heavy Fabrications segment revenues increased by 14% primarily due to a 18% increase in wind tower revenue as a resultof a 30 section increase in tower sections sold,less customer supplied materials in the current year and increased steel content, which is generally a pass-through to customers. Additionally, industrial fabrication product line revenues increased primarily due to higher shipments of our PRS units in the current year. Gearing segment revenue increased 7% relative to 2022 primarily due to higher shipments for industrial and steel customers, partially offset by a decrease in revenue from mining and O&G customers. Industrial Solutions segment revenue increased 41% from the prior year primarily due to increased demand for new and aftermarket gas turbine content, and increased revenue from international customers.
We reported net income of $7,649, or $0.36 per share in 2023, compared to a net loss of $9,730 or $0.48 per share in 2022 primarily due to higher sales and $14,493 of gross AMP credits (discussed below) recognized in the current year.
In January 2023, we announced that we had entered into a supply agreement for wind tower purchases valued at approximately $175 million with a leading global wind turbine manufacturer. Under the terms of the supply agreement, order fulfillment is to occur beginning in 2023 through year-end 2024. In early November 2023, the parties discussed their joint intent to shift approximately half of the contracted tower section orders initially planned for 2024 into 2025, while maintaining the total number of tower sections stipulated under the supply agreement.
During 2023, we recognized gross AMP credits totaling $14,493, within the Heavy Fabrications segment. These AMP credits were introduced as part of the IRA, which was enacted on August 16, 2022. The IRA includes advanced manufacturing tax credits for manufacturers of eligible components, including wind and solar components. Manufacturers of wind components qualify for the AMP credits based on the total rated capacity, expressed on a per watt basis, of the completed wind turbine for which such component is designed. The credit applies to each component produced and sold in the U.S. beginning in 2023 through 2032. Wind towers within the Company’s Heavy Fabrications segment are eligible for credits of $0.03 per watt for each wind tower produced. In calculating the eligible credit, we relied on the megawatt rating provided by the customer. Manufacturers who qualify for the AMP credits can apply to the Internal Revenue Service for cash refunds of the AMP credits or sell the AMP credits to third parties for cash, or apply the AMP credits against taxable income. We recognized the AMP credits as a reduction to cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. The assets related to the AMP credits are recognized as current assets in the “AMP credit receivable” line item in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023.
On December 21, 2023, we entered into an agreement to sell 2023 and 2024 AMP credits to a third party. At that time, we sold a portion of the gross 2023 credits in the amount of $6,952 and recognized a 6.5% discount on the sale in the amount of $452 which was recognized in cost of sales. In addition, we wrote down the remaining receivable of $7,541 to net realizable value and recorded the expected loss on sale of $490 in cost of sales. The remaining 2023 AMP credit receivable was collected during the first quarter of 2024. We also incurred other miscellaneous administrative costs related to selling the credits in the amount of $254, $197 of which has been recorded as cost of sales, with the remaining capitalized and included in the “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” line item of our consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2023.
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We use our credit facility to fund working capital requirements and believe that our credit facility, together with the operating cash generated by our businesses, and any potential proceeds from access to the public or private debt or equity markets, are sufficient to meet all cash obligations over the next twelve months. On December 31, 2023, we had $4,657 outstanding under our senior secured revolving credit facility, $6,135 outstanding under our senior secured term loan, $1,099 of cash on hand, with the ability to borrow an additional $21,714. For a further discussion of our capital resources and liquidity, including a description of recent amendments and waivers under our credit facility, please see the discussion under “Liquidity, Financial Position and Capital Resources” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
KEY METRICS USED BY MANAGEMENT TO MEASURE PERFORMANCE
In addition to measures of financial performance presented in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we use certain other financial measures to analyze our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures primarily consist of adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation, and other stock payments, restructuring costs, impairment charges, proxy contest-related expenses, and other non-cash gains and losses) and free cash flow which help us evaluate growth trends, establish budgets, assess operational efficiencies, oversee our overall liquidity, and evaluate our overall financial performance.
Key Financial Measures
Year Ended
December 31,
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The following table reconciles our non-GAAP key financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure:
Year Ended
December 31,
Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 7,649 $ (9,730 )
Income tax provision 241 35
Depreciation and amortization 6,383 6,060
Share-based compensation and other stock payments 2,220 2,861
Proxy contest-related expenses 1,780 —
Changes in operating working capital (18,933 ) 18,160
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 21 —
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022
The summary of selected financial data table below should be referenced in connection with a review of the following discussion of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
% of Total % of Total
2023 Revenue 2022 Revenue $ Change % Change
Operating expenses
Other expense, net
Consolidated
Revenues increased by $26,718 during the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to a 14% increase in Heavy Fabrications segment revenues. Wind tower revenue increased 18% from the prior year primarily as a resultof a 30 section increase in tower sections sold, less customer supplied materials in the current year and increased steel content, which is generally a pass-through to customers. Additionally, industrial fabrication product line revenues increased primarily due to higher shipments of our PRS units in the current year. Gearing segment revenue increased 7% relative to 2022 primarily due to higher shipments for industrial and steel customers, partially offset by a decrease in revenue from mining and O&G customers. Industrial Solutions segment revenue increased 41% from the prior year primarily due to increased demand for new and aftermarket gas turbine content, in addition to increased revenue recognized from international customers.
Gross profit improved by $21,798 during the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to the higher sales volumes within all segments and $14,493 recognized from the AMP credits. As a result, our gross margin increased from 6.1% for the year ended December 31, 2022, to 16.0% for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Operating expenses as a percentage of sales increased to 10.5% in 2023 from 9.8% in 2022 primarily due to proxy-contest related expenses, higher medical costs, and increased incentive compensation.
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Net income increased from a net loss of $9,730 for the year ended December 31, 2022 to net income of $7,649 for the year ended December 31, 2023.The increase in net income was primarily due to the factors described above.
Heavy Fabrications Segment
The following table summarizes the Heavy Fabrications segment operating results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Year Ended
December 31,
Operating margin 11.3 % (0.9 )%
Heavy Fabrications orders decreased by 83% versus the prior year primarily due to the timing of tower orders as a major wind tower customer secured relatively longer-term capacity during the fourth quarter of 2022 instead of ordering in more regular intervals consistent with how orders are typically placed. Partially offsetting this decrease in wind tower orders was a 14% increase in industrial fabrication product line orders primarily due to improved demand for our PRS units. Segment revenues increased by 14% primarily due to a 18% increase in wind tower revenue primarily as a resultof a 30 section increase in tower sections sold, less customer supplied materials in the current year and increased steel content, which is generally a pass-through to customers. Additionally, industrial fabrication product line revenues increased primarily due to higher shipments of our PRS units in the current year.
Heavy Fabrications segment operating results improved by $16,050 as compared to the prior year. The improvement in operating performance was primarily a result of reduced wind tower costs as a result of the AMP credits recognized of $14,493 in the current year. Operating profit margin was 11.3% during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to (0.9%) during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Gearing Segment
The following table summarizes the Gearing segment operating results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Year Ended
December 31,
Operating margin 4.1 % 0.1 %
Gearing segment orders for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased 54% compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to reduced demand from O&G and mining customers. Revenues increased 7% during the year ended December 31, 2023 from the prior year primarily due to higher shipments of industrial and steel customers, partially offset by a decrease in revenue from mining and O&G customers.
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The Gearing segment's operating income improved by $1,803during the year ended December 31, 2023 from the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to higher sales, improved operational efficiencies,a more profitable product mix sold, and the absence of ramp-up costs incurred in the prior year. Operating margin was4.1% for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 0.1% during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Industrial Solutions Segment
The following table summarizes the Industrial Solutions segment operating results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Year Ended
December 31,
Operating margin 12.6 % 0.7 %
Industrial Solutions segment orders increased by 26% for the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to an increase in orders associated with new gas turbine and aftermarket projects. Segment revenue increased 41% from the prior year primarily due to increased demand for new and aftermarket gas turbine content, in addition to revenue recognized from international customers. The improvement in operating income during the year ended December 31, 2023 was a result of higher sales and a more profitable mix of product sold. The operating margin improved from 0.7% during the year ended December 31, 2022, to 12.6% during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Corporate and Other
Corporate and Other expenses increased by $3,162 during the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to higher medical costs, increased incentive compensation, and increased professional fees associated with the contested proxy election.
SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The methods, estimates and judgments that we use in applying our critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results that we report in our financial statements. Some of our accounting policies require us to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates regarding matters that are inherently uncertain.
We have identified the accounting policies listed below to be critical to obtain an understanding of our consolidated financial statements. This section should also be read in conjunction with Note 1, “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of these and other significant accounting policies.
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Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Customer deposits and other receipts are deferred and recognized when the revenue is realized and earned. Cash payments to customers, like those made for liquidated damages, are presumed to be classified as reductions of revenue in our statement of operations.
In many instances within our Heavy Fabrications segment, wind towers as well as certain 2023 sales within our Gearing segment, are sold under terms included in bill and hold sales arrangements that result in different timing for revenue recognition versus shipment, due to our customers’ preference to ship products in batches to support efficient construction of wind farms. We recognize revenue under these arrangements when there is a substantive reason for the arrangement (i.e., the buyer requests the arrangement), the ordered goods are segregated from inventory and not available to fill other orders, the goods are currently ready for physical transfer to the customer, and we do not have the ability to use the product or to direct it to another customer. Assuming these required revenue recognition criteria are met, revenue is recognized upon completion of product manufacture and customer acceptance.
During 2023 and 2022, we also recognized revenue over time, versus point in time, when products in the Heavy Fabrications segments had no alternative use to us and we had an enforceable right to payment, including profit, upon termination of the contract by the customer. Since the projects are labor intensive, we use labor hours as the input measure of progress for the contract. Contract assets are recorded when performance obligations are satisfied but we are not yet entitled to payment. We recognize contract assets associated with this revenue which represents our rights to consideration for work completed but not billed at the end of the period.
Warranty Liability
We provide warranty terms that generally range from one to five years for various products relating to workmanship and materials supplied by us. In certain contracts, we have recourse provisions for items that would enable us to seek recovery from third parties for amounts paid to customers under warranty provisions. We estimate the warranty accrual based on various factors, including historical warranty costs, current trends, product mix and sales.
Inventories
Inventories consist of raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods. Raw materials consist of components and parts for general production use. Work-in-process consists of labor and overhead, processing costs, purchased subcomponents, and materials purchased for specific customer orders. Finished goods consist of components purchased from third parties as well as components manufactured by us.
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Where necessary, we have recorded a reserve for the excess of cost over net realizable value in our inventory allowance. Net realizable value of inventory, and management’s judgment concerning the need for reserves, encompasses consideration of many business factors including physical condition, inventory holding period, contract terms and usefulness. Inventories are valued based either on actual cost or using a first-in, first out method.
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Long-Lived Assets
We review property and equipment and other long-lived assets (“long-lived assets”) for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Due to triggering events identified within our segments at various times in the past, we continue to evaluate the recoverability of certain of the long-lived assets. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we did not identify any triggering events within our segments and no impairment expense was recorded.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes based upon an asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax consequences of the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities versus the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Under this method, deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The impact of tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the year that the change is enacted.
In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income tax liability for each of the tax jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating our actual current income tax expense and assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of certain income or expense items for income tax reporting and financial reporting purposes. We also recognize the expected future income tax benefits of NOL carryforwards as deferred income tax assets. In evaluating the realizability of deferred income tax assets associated with NOL carryforwards, we consider, among other things, expected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary reporting differences, and the expected impact of tax planning strategies that may be implemented to prevent the potential loss of future income tax benefits. Changes in, among other things, income tax legislation, statutory income tax rates or future taxable income levels could materially impact our valuation of income tax assets and liabilities and could cause our income tax provision to vary significantly among financial reporting periods.
We also account for the uncertainty in income taxes related to the recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in an income tax return. We follow the applicable pronouncement guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition related to the uncertainty in these income tax positions.
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LIQUIDITY, FINANCIAL POSITION AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
On August 4, 2022, we entered into a credit agreement (as amended, the “2022 Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as lender (“Wells Fargo”), providing the Company and its subsidiaries with a $35,000 senior secured revolving credit facility (which may be further increased by up to an additional $10,000 upon the request of the Company and at the sole discretion of Wells Fargo) and a $7,578 senior secured term loan (collectively, as amended, the “2022 Credit Facility”). The proceeds of the 2022 Credit Facility are available for general corporate purposes, including strategic growth opportunities. As of December 31, 2023, cash totaled $1,099, a decrease of $11,633from December 31, 2022. Debt and finance lease obligations at December 31, 2023 totaled $17,678, and we had the ability to borrow up to $21,714 under the 2022 Credit Facility.
In addition to the 2022 Credit Facility, we also utilize supply chain financing arrangements as a component of our funding for working capital, which accelerates receivable collections and helps to better manage cash flow. Under these agreements, we have agreed to sell certain of our accounts receivable balances to banking institutions who have agreed to advance amounts equal to the net accounts receivable balances due, less a discount as set forth in the respective agreements. The balances under these agreements are accounted for as sales of accounts receivable, as they are sold without recourse. Cash proceeds from these agreements are reflected as operating activities included in the change in accounts receivable in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Fees incurred in connection with the agreements are recorded as interest expense.
On September 22, 2023, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on October 12, 2023 (the “Form S-3”) and which will expire on October 12, 2026, replacing a prior shelf registration statement which expired on October 12, 2023. This shelf registration statement, which includes a base prospectus, allows us to offer any combination of securities described in the prospectus in one or more offerings. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement accompanying the base prospectus, we would use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered pursuant to the shelf registration statement for general corporate purposes.
On September 12, 2022, we entered into a Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Roth Capital Partners, LLC and HC Wainwright & Co., LLC (collectively, the “Agents”). Pursuant to the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may sell from time to time through the Agents shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share with an aggregate sales price of up to $12,000. We will pay a commission to the Agents of 2.75% of the gross proceeds of the sale of the shares sold under the Sales Agreement and reimburse the Agents for the expenses incident to the performance of their obligations under the Sales Agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we issued 100,379 shares of our common stock under the Sales Agreement and the net proceeds (before upfront costs) to us from the sale of our common stock were approximately $323 after deducting commissions paid of approximately $9 and before deducting other expenses of $93. No shares of our common stock were issued under the Sales Agreement during the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, shares of our common stock having a value of approximately $11,667 remained available for issuance under the Sales Agreement. Any additional shares offered and sold under the Sales Agreement are to be issued pursuant to the Form S-3 and a 424(b) prospectus supplement.
We anticipate that we will be able to satisfy the cash requirements associated with, among other things, working capital needs, capital expenditures and lease commitments through at least the next twelve months primarily through cash generated from operations, available cash balances, our Credit Facility, sales of shares under the Sales Agreement, additional equipment financing, and access to the public or private debt and/or equity markets, including the option to raise additional capital from the sale of our securities under the Form S-3, and proceeds from sales of AMP credits.
Other
We have outstanding notes payable for capital expenditures in the amount of $1,361 and $1,094 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, with $163 and $88 included in the “Line of credit and current maturities of long-term debt” line item of our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The notes payable have monthly payments that range from $3 to $15 and an interest rate of6%. The equipment purchased is utilized as collateral for the notes payable. The outstanding notes payable have maturity dates in September 2028.
Sources and Uses of Cash
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Year Ended
December 31,
Total cash (used in) provided by :
Net (decrease) increase in cash $ (11,633 ) $ 11,880
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Operating Cash Flows
During the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash used in operating activities was $6,946 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $16,643 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to the new AMP credit receivable and a decrease in customer deposits in 2023, versus an increase in the prior year. Partially offsetting this was a decrease in inventory during 2023 as compared to an increase in the prior year.
Investing Cash Flows
During the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash used in investing activities was $6,384 compared to net cash used in investing activities of $3,098 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in net purchases of property and equipment.
Financing Cash Flows
During the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash provided by financing activities totaled $1,697 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $1,665 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to increased net borrowings under the 2022 Credit Facility in the current year period.
Contractual Obligations
We enter into a variety of contractual obligations as part of our normal operations in addition to capital expenditures. As of December 31, 2023, we have (i) debt obligations related to our Credit Facility and other notes payable as described in Note 10, “Debt and Credit Agreements” of our consolidated financial statements (ii) cash payments for operating and finance lease obligations that are described in Note 11, “Leases” of our consolidated financial statements and (iii) purchase obligations made in the normal course of business. We expect to fund these cash requirements primarily through cash generated from operations, available cash balances, our 2022 Credit Facility, sales of shares under the Sales Agreement, additional equipment financing, proceeds from sales of AMP credits, and access to the public or private debt and/or equity markets, including the option to raise additional capital from the sale of our securities under a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and as such are not required to provide information under this item.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial information required by Item 8 is contained in Part IV, Item 15 “EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES” of this Annual Report.
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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We seek to maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. This information is also accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the most recent fiscal year reported on herein. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2023.
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
(c) Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management, including our CEO and CFO, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act).
Our management, including our CEO and CFO, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. Management based this assessment on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in “Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management determined that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements
None of our directors or executive officers adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K) during the fourth quarter of 2023.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
None.
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
With the exception of the description of our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct below, the information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the headings “Directors and Director Compensation,” “Corporate Governance,” and “Executive Officers” in our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2024 Proxy Statement”).
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
We have adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code”) that applies to all of our directors, executive officers and senior financial officers (including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, and any person performing similar functions). The Code is available on our website at www.bwen.com under the caption “Investors” and is available in print, free of charge, to any stockholder who sends a request for a paper copy to Broadwind, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 3240 South Central Avenue, Cicero, IL 60804. We intend to include on our website any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the Code that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information regarding director and executive compensation is incorporated by reference from the discussion under the headings “Directors and Director Compensation,” “Executive Officers” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in the 2024 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Certain of the information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Holders and Management” in the 2024 Proxy Statement.
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The following table provides information as of December 31, 2023, with respect to shares of our common stock that may be issued under our existing equity compensation plans:
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
(a) (b) (c)
Number of securities
remaining available for
Number of securities future issuances under
to be issued upon Weighted‐average equity compensation
exercise of exercise price of plans (excluding
outstanding options, outstanding options, securities reflected in
Plan Category warrants, and rights warrants, and rights column (a))
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the headings “Certain Transactions and Business Relationships” and “Corporate Governance” in the 2024 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the heading “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the 2024 Proxy Statement.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
1. Financial Statements
The financial statements listed on the Index to Financial Statements (page 34) are filed as part of this Annual Report.
2. Financial Statement Schedules
These schedules have been omitted because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto or because they are not applicable or not required.
3. Exhibits
The exhibits listed on the Index to Exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 49) 35
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 37
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 41
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Broadwind, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Broadwind, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical AuditMatter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
35
Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credits
As described in Note 7 of the financial statements, in 2023, the Company recognized gross Advanced Manufacturing Production tax credits (AMP Credits) totaling $14,493, within the Heavy Fabrications segment. These AMP Credits were introduced as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was enacted on August 16, 2022. Eligible manufacturers of wind components qualify for the AMP Credits based on the total rated capacity, expressed on a per watt basis, of the completed wind turbine for which such component is designed. The credit applies to each component produced and sold in the U.S. beginning in 2023 through 2032. Wind towers within the Company’s Heavy Fabrications segment are eligible for credits of $0.03 per watt for each wind tower produced. In calculating the eligible credit, the Company relied on the megawatt rating provided by the customer. Manufacturers who qualify for the AMP Credits can apply to the Internal Revenue Service for cash refunds of the AMP Credits, sell the AMP Credits to third parties for cash, or apply the AMP Credits against taxable income. The Company recognized the AMP Credits as a reduction to cost of sales in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. The assets related to the AMP credits are recognized as current assets in the “AMP credit receivable” line item in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023.
On December 21, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement to sell 2023 and 2024 AMP Credits to a third party. At that time, the Company sold a portion of the gross 2023 credits in the amount of $6,952 and recognized a 6.5% discount on the sale in the amount of $452, which was recognized in cost of sales. In addition, the Company wrote down the remaining receivable of $7,541 to net realizable value and recorded the expected loss on sale of $490 in cost of sales. The remaining 2023 AMP credit receivable was collected during the first quarter of 2024. The Company also incurred other miscellaneous administrative costs related to selling the credits in the amount of $254, $197 of which has been recorded as cost of sales, with the remaining capitalized and included in the “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” line item of the Company's consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2023.
The evaluation of the initial accounting, and subsequent sale of the AMP Credits involves judgement as there is no direct authoritative guidance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP). Additionally, current IRS and Department of the Treasury regulations are in the proposed stages.
Changes in IRS and Department of the Treasury, or US GAAP guidance could have a significant impact on the accounting and presentation of AMP Credits in future periods.
We identified accounting for the AMP Credits as a critical audit matter because of the high degree of judgement and subjectivity involved in auditing management’s assertions related to the initial accounting for the AMP Credits, the subsequent sale of the AMP Credits, and the presentation and disclosure of the transactions related to the AMP Credits in the consolidated financial statements.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
The audit procedures performed related to the evaluation of Company management’s assertions regarding the initial accounting for the AMP Credits, the subsequent sale of the AMP Credits, and the presentation and disclosure the AMP Credits, included the following, among others:
/S/ RSM US LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2016.
Chicago, Illinois
March 5, 2024
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BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
As of December 31,
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
AMP credit receivable 7,051 —
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,500 3,291
LONG-TERM ASSETS:
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Line of credit and current maturities of long-term debt $ 5,903 $ 1,170
Current portion of finance lease obligations 2,153 2,008
Current portion of operating lease obligations 1,851 1,882
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt, net of current maturities 6,250 7,141
Long-term finance lease obligations, net of current portion 3,372 4,226
Long-term operating lease obligations, net of current portion 15,888 16,696
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 135,156 $ 144,540
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
37
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
For the Years Ended December 31,
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Intangible amortization 664 725
OTHER EXPENSE, net:
Total other expense, net (3,249 ) (3,088 )
Net income (loss) before provision for income taxes 7,890 (9,695 )
Provision for income taxes 241 35
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE—BASIC:
Net income (loss) $ 0.36 $ (0.48 )
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING—BASIC 21,189 20,299
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE—DILUTED:
Net income (loss) $ 0.36 $ (0.48 )
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING—DILUTED 21,491 20,299
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
38
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data)
Common Stock Treasury Stock
Shares Issued Issued Additional Accumulated
Issued Amount Shares Amount Paid-in Capital Deficit Total
Stock issued for restricted stock 818,956 — — — — — —
Share-based compensation — — — — 944 — 944
Share-based compensation — — — — 877 — 877
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
39
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Adjustments to reconcile net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense 6,383 6,060
Deferred income taxes (10 ) (13 )
Change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements — (27 )
Stock-based compensation 877 944
Allowance for doubtful accounts 82 (30 )
Common stock issued under defined contribution 401(k) plan 1,336 1,244
Loss on disposal of assets 42 3
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
AMP credit receivable (7,051 ) —
Employee retention credit receivable — 497
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (210 ) (629 )
Other non-current assets and liabilities 175 135
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (6,946 ) 16,643
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment (6,405 ) (3,098 )
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment 21 —
Net cash used in investing activities (6,384 ) (3,098 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from (payments on) line of credit, net 4,705 (6,368 )
Payments for deferred financing costs (48 ) (452 )
Payments on long-term debt (1,872 ) (863 )
Principal payments on finance leases (1,409 ) (1,776 )
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net — 230
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 1,697 (1,665 )
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid $ 17 $ 23
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Equipment additions via finance lease $ 719 $ 3,882
Non-cash purchases of property and equipment $ 482 $ 134
Settlement of incentive compensation liability with stock $ 619 —
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
40
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of Business
Broadwind, Inc. (the “Company”) is a precision manufacturer of structures, equipment and components for clean tech and other specialized applications. The Company provides technologically advanced high value products to customers with complex systems and stringent quality standards that operate in energy, mining and infrastructure sectors, primarily in the United States of America (the “U.S.”). The Company’s most significant presence is within the U.S. wind energy industry, although the Company has increasingly diversified into other industrial markets. Within the U.S. wind energy industry, the Company provides products primarily to turbine manufacturers. The Company also provides precision gearing and heavy fabrications to a broad range of industrial customers for oil and gas (“O&G”), mining, steel and other industrial applications, in addition to supplying components for natural gas turbines. The Company has three reportable operating segments: Heavy Fabrications, Gearing, and Industrial Solutions.
Heavy Fabrications
The Company provides large, complex and precision fabrications to customers in a broad range of industrial markets. The Company’s most significant presence is within the U.S. wind energy industry, although it has diversified into other industrial markets in order to improve capacity utilization, reduce customer concentrations, and reduce exposure to uncertainty related to governmental policies currently impacting the U.S. wind energy industry. Within the U.S. wind energy industry, the Company provides steel towers and adapters primarily to wind turbine manufacturers. Production facilities, located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Abilene, Texas, are situated in close proximity to the primary U.S. domestic wind energy and equipment manufacturing hubs. The two facilities have a combined annual tower production capacity of up to approximately 550 towers (1650 tower sections), sufficient to support turbines generating more than 1,100 MW of power. The Company has expanded its production capabilities and leveraged manufacturing competencies, including welding, lifting capacity and stringent quality practices, into aftermarket and original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) components utilized in surface and underground mining, construction, material handling, O&G and other infrastructure markets. The Company has designed and manufactures a mobile, modular pressure reducing system for the compressed natural gas virtual pipeline market. The Company manufactures components for buckets, shovels, car bodies, drill masts and other products that support mining and construction markets. In other industrial markets, the Company provides crane components, pressure vessels, frames and other structures.
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BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Gearing
The Company provides gearing, gearboxes and precision machined components to a broad set of customers in diverse markets including; surface and underground mining, wind energy, steel, material handling, infrastructure, onshore and offshore O&G fracking and drilling, marine, and other industrial markets. The Company has manufactured loose gearing, gearboxes and systems, and provided heat treat services for aftermarket and OEM applications for a century. The Company uses an integrated manufacturing process, which includes machining and finishing processes in addition to gearbox repair in Cicero, Illinois, and heat treatment and gearbox repair in Neville Island, Pennsylvania.
Industrial Solutions
The Company provides supply chain solutions, light fabrication, inventory management, kitting and assembly services, primarily serving the combined cycle natural gas turbine market. The Company has recently expanded into the U.S. wind power generation market, by providing tower internals kitting solutions for on-site installations, as OEMs domesticate their supply chain due to lead time and reliability issues. The Company leverages a global supply chain to provide instrumentation & controls, valve assemblies, sensor devices, fuel system components, electrical junction boxes & wiring, energy storage services and electromechanical devices. The Company also provides packaging solutions and fabricates panels and sub-assemblies to reduce customers’ costs, improve manufacturing velocity and reliability.
Liquidity
The Company meets its short term liquidity needs through cash generated from operations, its available cash balances, through its 2022 Credit Facility (as defined and further discussed in Note 10 “Debt and Credit Agreements” of these consolidated financial statements), equipment financing, access to the public and private debt and/or equity markets, and has the option to raise capital under the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (as discussed below), and proceeds from sales of Advanced Manufacturing Production tax credits (“AMP credits”) (discussed in Note 7 “AMP Credits” of these consolidated financial statements). The Company uses the 2022 Credit Facility to fund working capital requirements. Under the 2022 Credit Facility, borrowings are continuous and all cash receipts are usually applied to the outstanding borrowed balance. As of December 31, 2023, cash totaled $1,099, a decrease of $11,633 from December 31, 2022. The Company had the ability to borrow up to $21,714 under the 2022 Credit Facility as of December 31, 2023.
The Company also utilizes supply chain financing arrangements as a component of its funding for working capital, which accelerates receivable collections and helps to better manage cash flow. Under these agreements, the Company has agreed to sell certain of its accounts receivable balances to banking institutions who have agreed to advance amounts equal to the net accounts receivable balances due, less a discount as set forth in the respective agreements. The balances under these agreements are accounted for as sales of accounts receivable, as they are sold without recourse. Cash proceeds from these agreements are reflected as operating activities included in the change in accounts receivable in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows. Fees incurred in connection with the agreements are recorded as interest expense by the Company.
During the years ended December 31,2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company sold account receivables totaling $40,343and $93,245, respectively, related to supply chain financing arrangements, of which customers’ financial institutions applied discount fees totaling $858 and $1,431, respectively.
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BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Debt and finance lease obligations at December 31, 2023 totaled $17,678, which includes current outstanding debt and finance lease obligations totaling $8,056. The Company's outstanding debt includes $6,135outstanding from the senior secured term loan under the 2022 Credit Facility. The Company had $4,657 drawn on the senior secured revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2023.
On September 22, 2023, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on October 12, 2023 (the “Form S-3”), replacing a prior shelf registration statement which expired on October 12, 2023. This shelf registration statement, which includes a base prospectus, allows the Company to offer any combination of securities described in the prospectus in one or more offerings. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement accompanying the base prospectus, the Company would use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered pursuant to the shelf registration statement for general corporate purposes.
On September 12, 2022, the Company entered into a Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Roth Capital Partners, LLC and HC Wainwright & Co., LLC (collectively, the “Agents”). Pursuant to the terms of the Sales Agreement, the Company may sell from time to time through the Agents shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share with an aggregate sales price of up to $12,000. The Company will pay a commission to the Agents of 2.75% of the gross proceeds of the sale of the shares sold under the Sales Agreement and reimburse the Agents for the expenses incident to the performance of their obligations under the Sales Agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued 100,379 shares of the Company’s common stock under the Sales Agreement and the net proceeds (before upfront costs) to the Company from the sale of the Company’s common stock were approximately $323 after deducting commissions paid of approximately $9 and before deducting other expenses of $93. No shares of the Company’s common stock were issued under the Sales Agreement during the year ended December 31,2023. As of December 31,2023, shares of the Company’s common stock having a value of approximately $11,667 remained available for issuance under the Sales Agreement. Any additional shares offered and sold under the Sales Agreement are to be issued pursuant to the Form S-3 and a 424(b) prospectus supplement.
In January 2023, the Company announced that it had entered into a supply agreement for wind tower purchases valued at approximately $175 million with a leading global wind turbine manufacturer. Under the terms of the supply agreement, order fulfillment is to occur beginning in 2023 through year-end 2024. In early November 2023, the parties discussed their joint intent to shift approximately half of the contracted tower section orders initially planned for 2024 into 2025, while maintaining the total number of tower sections stipulated under the supply agreement.
The Company anticipates that current cash resources, amounts available under the 2022 Credit Facility, sales of shares under the Sales Agreement, cash to be generated from operations and equipment financing, any potential proceeds from the sale of further Company securities under the Form S-3, and proceeds from sales of AMP credits will be adequate to meet the Company’s liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts, which are not material, have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation in the consolidated financial statements and the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Management’s Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Significant estimates, among others, include inventory reserves, warranty reserves, impairment of long-lived assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, and valuation allowances on deferred taxes. Although these estimates are based upon management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future, actual results could differ from these estimates.
43
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Cash
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, cash totaled $1,099 and $12,732, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, interest income was $8and $0, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Customer deposits, deferred revenue and other receipts are deferred and recognized when the revenue is realized and earned. Cash payments to customers are presumed to be classified as reductions of revenue in the Company’s statement of operations.
For substantially all tower sales within the Company’s Heavy Fabrications segment, as well as certain 2023 sales within our Gearing segment, products are sold under terms included in bill and hold sales arrangements that result in different timing for revenue recognition versus shipment. The Company recognizes revenue under these arrangements only when there is a substantive reason for the agreement, the ordered goods are identified separately as belonging to the customer and not available to fill other orders, the goods are currently ready for physical transfer to the customer, and the Company does not have the ability to use the product or to direct it to another customer. Assuming these required revenue recognition criteria are met, revenue is recognized upon completion of product manufacture and customer acceptance.
During2023 and 2022, the Company also recognized revenue over time, versus point in time, when products in the Heavy Fabrications segments had no alternative use to the Company and the Company had an enforceable right to payment, including profit, upon termination of the contract by the customer. Since the projects are labor intensive, the Company uses labor hours as the input measure of progress for the contract. Contract assets are recorded when performance obligations are satisfied but the Company is not yet entitled to payment. The Company recognizes contract assets associated with this revenue which represents its rights to consideration for work completed but not billed at the end of the period.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales represents all direct and indirect costs associated with the production of products for sale to customers. These costs include operation, repair and maintenance of equipment, materials, direct and indirect labor and benefit costs, rent and utilities, maintenance, insurance, equipment rentals, freight, and depreciation. AMP credits and related discounts and administrative fees are also recognized in cost of sales. See “AMP Credits” discussion below in this “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for further details.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses include all corporate and administrative functions such as sales and marketing, legal, human resource management, finance, investor and public relations, information technology and senior management. These functions serve to support the Company’s current and future operations and provide an infrastructure to support future growth. Major expense items in this category include management and staff wages and benefits, share-based compensation and professional services.
44
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Accounts Receivable (A/R)
The Company generally grants uncollateralized credit to customers on an individual basis based upon the customer’s financial condition and credit history. Credit is typically on net 30 day terms and customer deposits are frequently required at various stages of the production process to finance customized products and minimize credit risk.
Historically, the Company’s A/R is highly concentrated with a select number of customers. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s five largest customers accounted for 65% of its consolidated revenues and 27% of outstanding A/R balances, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 when the Company’s five largest customers accounted for 69% of its consolidated revenues and 43% of its outstanding A/R balances.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Beginning January 1, 2023, the Company assessed and recorded an allowance for credit losses using the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The adjustment for credit losses to management’s current estimate is recorded in net income as credit loss expense. All credit losses were on trade receivables and/or contract assets arising from the Company’s contracts with customers.
The Company selected a loss-rate method for the CECL model based on the relationship between historical write-offs of receivables and the underlying sales by major customers. Utilizing this model, a historical loss-rate is applied against the amortized cost of applicable assets, at the time the asset is established. The loss rate reflects the Company’s current estimate of the risk of loss (even when that risk is remote) over the expected remaining contractual life of the assets. The Company’s policy is to deduct write-offs from the allowance for credit losses account in the period in which the financial assets are deemed uncollectible. The adjustment for credit losses using this CECL model on accounts receivable and contract assets during the year ended December 31,2023 was not material.
The allowance for credit losses for prior periods was prepared in accordance with legacy GAAP. Based upon past experience and judgment, the Company established an allowance for doubtful accounts with respect to accounts receivable. The Company’s standard allowance estimation methodology considered a number of factors that, based on its collections experience, the Company believed would have an impact on its credit risk and the collectability of its accounts receivable. These factors included individual customer circumstances, history with the Company, the length of the time period during which the account receivable had been past due and other relevant criteria.
The Company monitors its collections and write-off experience to assess whether or not adjustments to its allowance estimates are necessary. Changes in trends in any of the factors that the Company believes may impact the collectability of its accounts receivable, as noted above, or modifications to its credit standards, collection practices and other related policies may impact the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts and its financial results.
AMP Credits
The Company accounts for government assistance that is not subject to the scope of ASC 740 using a grant accounting model, by analogy to International Accounting Standards 20, Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance, and recognizes such grants when it has reasonable assurance that it will comply with the grant’s conditions and that the grant will be received. Income-based grants are initially recognized as “AMP credit receivable” and as a reduction to cost of sales. The Company recognizes grants expected to be received directly from a government entity at their stated value. When the Company expects to transfer grants to a third party, it recognizes the grants at, or adjusts their carrying value to, the amount expected to be received from the transaction. Proceeds received from income-based grants are presented as cash inflows from operating activities.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the value that can be realized upon the sale of the inventory less a reasonable estimate of selling costs. Cost is determined either based on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, or on a standard cost basis that approximates the FIFO method. Any excess of cost over net realizable value is included in the Company’s inventory allowance. Net realizable value of inventory, and management’s judgment of the need for reserves, encompasses consideration of other business factors including physical condition, inventory holding period, contract terms and usefulness.
Inventories consist of raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods. Raw materials consist of components and parts for general production use. Work-in-process consists of labor and overhead, processing costs, purchased subcomponents and materials purchased for specific customer orders. Finished goods consist of components purchased from third parties as well as components manufactured by the Company that will be used to produce final customer products.
45
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Long-Lived Assets
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment is recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets for financial reporting purposes, and generally using an accelerated method for income tax reporting purposes. Depreciation expense related to property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $5,719 and $5,335, respectively. Expenditures for additions and improvements are capitalized, while replacements, maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the useful lives of the respective assets are expensed as incurred. Property or equipment sold or disposed of is removed from the respective property accounts, with any corresponding gains and losses recorded within the operating results of the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
The Company reviews property and equipment and other long-lived assets (“long-lived assets”) for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Asset recoverability is first measured by comparing the assets’ carrying amounts to their expected future undiscounted net cash flows to determine if the assets are impaired.
In evaluating the recoverability of long-lived assets, the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of such assets. If the Company’s fair value estimates or related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges related to property and equipment and other long-lived assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value. See Note 8, “Long-Lived Assets” of these consolidated financial statements for further discussion of long-lived assets.
Leases
The Company leases various property and equipment under operating lease arrangements. The Company recognizes operating lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. Rent expense for these types of leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In addition, the Company has entered into finance lease arrangements to finance property and equipment and assumed finance lease obligations in connection with certain acquisitions. The cost basis and accumulated amortization of assets recorded under finance leases are included in property and equipment, while the liabilities are included in finance lease obligations.
46
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Warranty Liability
The Company provides warranty terms that generally range from one to five years for various products and services relating to workmanship and materials supplied by the Company. In certain contracts, the Company has recourse provisions for items that would enable the Company to pursue recovery from third parties for amounts paid to customers under warranty provisions. Warranty liability is recorded in accrued liabilities within the consolidated balance sheet. The Company estimates the warranty accrual based on various factors, including historical warranty costs, current trends, product mix and sales. The changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s total product warranty liability for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
As of December 31,
Balance, beginning of period $ 149 $ 125
Increase of warranty reserve 206 23
Warranty claims (19 ) —
Other adjustments (14 ) 1
Balance, end of period $ 322 $ 149
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes based upon an asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax consequences of the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities versus the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Under this method, deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The impact of tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the year that the change is enacted.
In connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate its income tax liability for each of the tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates. This process involves estimating the Company’s actual current income tax expense and assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of certain income or expense items for income tax reporting and financial reporting purposes. The Company also recognizes as deferred income tax assets the expected future income tax benefits of net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards. In evaluating the realizability of deferred income tax assets associated with NOL carryforwards, the Company considers, among other things, expected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary reporting differences and the expected impact of tax planning strategies that may be implemented to prevent the potential loss of future income tax benefits. Changes in, among other things, income tax legislation, statutory income tax rates or future taxable income levels could materially impact the Company’s valuation of income tax assets and liabilities and could cause its income tax provision to vary significantly among financial reporting periods.
47
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
The Company also accounts for the uncertainty in income taxes related to the recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in an income tax return. The Company follows the applicable pronouncement guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition related to the uncertainty in these income tax positions.
Share-Based Compensation
The Company grants incentive stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and/or performance awards (“PSUs”) to certain officers, directors, and employees. The Company accounts for share-based compensation related to these awards based on the estimated fair value of the equity award and recognizes expense ratably over the required vesting term of the award. The expense associated with PSUs is also based on the probability of achieving embedded targets. Awards that are based on a fixed number of shares are treated as equity while awards that are based on a fixed amount of dollars are treated as liabilities. See Note 15 “Share-Based Compensation” of these consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the Company’s share-based compensation plans, the nature of share-based awards issued and the Company’s accounting for share-based compensation.
Net Income Per Share
The Company presents both basic and diluted net income (loss) per share. Basic net income (loss) per share is based solely upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and excludes any dilutive effects of restricted stock, options, warrants and convertible securities. Diluted net income (loss) per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares and common-share equivalents outstanding during the year excluding those common-share equivalents where the impact to basic net income (loss) per share would be anti-dilutive.
2. REVENUES
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.
The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated by revenue source for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Year Ended December 31,
The Company’s revenue is generally recognized at a point in time, typically when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct product or service to the customer. The Company measures revenue based on the consideration specified in the purchase order and revenue is recognized when the performance obligations are satisfied. If applicable, the transaction price of a contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when or as the customer receives the benefit of the performance obligation.
48
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
For substantially all tower sales within the Company’s Heavy Fabrications segment as well as certain 2023 sales within our Gearing segment, products are sold under terms included in bill and hold sales arrangements that result in different timing for revenue recognition versus shipment. The Company recognizes revenue under these arrangements only when there is a substantive reason for the arrangement, the ordered goods are identified separately as belonging to the customer and not available to fill other orders, the goods are currently ready for physical transfer to the customer, and the Company does not have the ability to use the product or to direct it to another customer. Assuming these required revenue recognition criteria are met, revenue is recognized upon completion of product manufacture and customer acceptance. During the year ended December 31,2023, the Company recognized $5,370 of revenue within the Gearing segment under terms included in bill and hold sales arrangements.
During the years ended December 31,2023 and 2022, the Company recognized a portion of revenue within the Heavy Fabrications segments over time, as the products had no alternative use to the Company and the Company had an enforceable right to payment, including profit, upon termination of the contracts. Since the projects are labor intensive, the Company uses labor hours as the input measure of progress for the applicable contracts. Within the Heavy Fabrications segment, the Company recognized revenue for contracts that meet over time criteria of $11,033 and $15,117 for the years ended December 31,2023 and 2022, respectively. Contract assets are recorded when performance obligations are satisfied but the Company is not yet entitled to payment. Contract assets represent the Company’s rights to consideration for work completed but not billed at the end of the period.
The Company generally expenses sales commissions when incurred. These costs are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. Customer deposits, deferred revenue and other receipts are deferred and recognized when the revenue is realized and earned. Cash payments to customers are classified as reductions of revenue in the Company’s statement of operations.
The Company does not disclose the value of the unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less.
3. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 as follows:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Basic earnings per share calculation:
Basic net income (loss) per share $ 0.36 $ (0.48 )
Diluted earnings per share calculation:
Common stock equivalents:
Non-vested stock awards (1) 302,601 —
Diluted net income (loss) per share $ 0.36 $ (0.48 )
(1) Restricted stock units granted and outstanding of 822,737are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings for the year ended December 31, 2022 due to the anti-dilutive effect as a result of the Company’s net loss for that period.
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BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
4. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The Company reviews new accounting standards as issued. Although some of the accounting standards issued or effective in the current fiscal year may be applicable to it, the Company believes that none of the new standards have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No.2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326),” which replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology for most financial assets with the CECL methodology. The series of new guidance amends the impairment model by requiring entities to use a forward-looking approach based on expected losses rather than incurred losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables and contract assets. The guidance should be applied on either a prospective transition or modified-retrospective approach depending on the subtopic. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company implemented CECL during the year ended December 31,2023. The impact on the Company's financial statements was not material. See Note 1, “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of these consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of CECL.
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No.2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,” which requires additional disclosure of significant segment expenses on an annual and interim basis. This guidance will be applied retrospectively and will be effective for the annual periods beginning the year ended December 31, 2024, and for interim periods beginning January 1, 2025. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No.2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which improves the transparency of income tax disclosures by requiring consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the effective tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. This guidance will be effective for the annual periods beginning the year ended December 31, 2025. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
5. ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
The activity in the accounts receivable allowance from operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 consists of the following:
For the Year Ended December 31,
Balance at beginning of period $ 17 $ 47
Bad debt expense 127 —
Write-offs (47 ) —
Other adjustments 2 (30 )
Balance at end of period $ 99 $ 17
6. INVENTORIES
The components of inventories as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:
As of December 31,
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BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
7. AMPCREDITS
During 2023, the Company recognized gross AMP credits totaling $14,493, within the Heavy Fabrications segment. These AMP credits were introduced as part of the IRA, which was enacted on August 16, 2022. The IRA includes advanced manufacturing tax credits for manufacturers of eligible components, including wind and solar components. Manufacturers of wind components qualify for the AMP credits based on the total rated capacity, expressed on a per watt basis, of the completed wind turbine for which such component is designed. The credit applies to each component produced and sold in the U.S. beginning in 2023 through 2032. Wind towers within the Company’s Heavy Fabrications segment are eligible for credits of $0.03 per watt for each wind tower produced. In calculating the eligible credit, the Company relied on the megawatt rating provided by the customer. Manufacturers who qualify for the AMP credits can apply to the Internal Revenue Service for cash refunds of the AMP credits or sell the AMP credits to third parties for cash, or apply the AMP credits against taxable income. The Company recognized the AMP credits as a reduction to cost of sales in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31,2023. The assets related to the AMP credits are recognized as current assets in the “AMP credit receivable” line item in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of December 31,2023.
On December 21, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement to sell 2023 and 2024 AMP credits to a third party. At that time, the Company sold a portion of the gross 2023 credits in the amount of $6,952 and recognized a 6.5% discount on the sale in the amount of $452 which was recognized in cost of sales. In addition, the Company wrote down the remaining receivable of $7,541 to net realizable value and recorded the expected loss on sale of $490 in cost of sales. The remaining 2023 AMP credit receivable was collected during the first quarter of 2024. The Company also incurred other miscellaneous administrative costs related to selling the credits in the amount of $254, $197 of which has been recorded as cost of sales, with the remaining capitalized and included in the “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” line item of the Company's consolidated financial statements at December 31,2023.
8. LONG-LIVED ASSETS
The cost basis and estimated lives of property and equipment as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
As of December 31,
Leasehold improvements 9,068 9,040 Shorter of asset life or life of lease
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (120,074 ) (114,894 )
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had commitments of $1,523 related to the completion of projects within construction in progress.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company did not identify any impairment triggering events within its segments. As a result, no impairment charges were recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023.
During November 2022, the Company identified a triggering event associated with an expected operating loss within the Heavy Fabrications segment during the year ended December 31, 2022. Accordingly, the Company performed an undiscounted cash flow analysis as of November 30, 2022 and determined that the undiscounted future cash flows exceeded the asset group's carrying value. Additionally, there were no changes in facts or circumstances following the November 30, 2022 assessment through December 31, 2022, which would alter the asset group’s initial undiscounted future cash flows or carrying value estimates. As a result, no impairment charge was recorded for the Heavy Fabrications asset group for the year ended December 31, 2022.
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BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the cost basis, accumulated amortization and net book value of intangible assets were as follows:
Remaining Remaining
Weighted Weighted
Accumulated Net Average Accumulated Net Average
Basis Amortization Charges Value Period Cost Amortization Charges Value Period
Intangible assets:
Intangible assets represent the fair value assigned to definite-lived assets such as trade names and customer relationships. Estimated useful lives for intangibles assets range from6 to 20 years. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, with a remaining life range from 2 to 4 years. Amortization expense was $664 and $725 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, estimated future amortization expense is as follows:
9. ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following:
December 31, December 31,
Accrued payroll and benefits $ 5,051 $ 3,110
Accrued property taxes — 17
Income taxes payable 254 26
Accrued professional fees 140 118
Accrued warranty liability 322 149
Self-insured workers compensation reserve 21 30
Long term incentive plan accrual — 619
Accrued sales tax 310 5
Total accrued liabilities $ 6,477 $ 4,313
52
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
10. DEBT AND CREDIT AGREEMENTS
The Company’s outstanding debt balances as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following:
December 31,
Line of credit $ 4,657 $ —
Less: current maturities (5,903 ) (1,170 )
Long-term debt, net of current maturities $ 6,250 $ 7,141
As of December 31, 2023, future annual principal payments on the Company’s outstanding debt obligations were as follows:
Credit Facilities
On August 4, 2022, the Company entered into a credit agreement (as amended, the “2022 Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as lender (“Wells Fargo”), which replaced its prior credit facility and provided the Company and its subsidiaries with a $35,000 senior secured revolving credit facility (which may be further increased by up to an additional $10,000 upon the request of the Company and at the sole discretion of Wells Fargo) and a $7,578 senior secured term loan (collectively, as amended, the “2022 Credit Facility”). The proceeds of the 2022 Credit Facility are available for general corporate purposes, including strategic growth opportunities. Deferred financing costs related to the 2022 Credit Facility were $359 primarily related to the revolving credit loan, which is net of accumulated amortization of $141, at December 31, 2023. Deferred financing costs related to the 2022 Credit Facility were $414 which is net of accumulated amortization of $38, at December 31, 2022. These costs are included in the “Other assets” line item of the Company's consolidated financial statements at December 31,2023 and December 31, 2022.
53
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
On February 8, 2023, the Company executed Amendment No.1 to Credit Agreement and Limited Waiver whichwaived the Company’s fourth quarter minimum EBITDA (as defined in the 2022 Credit Agreement) requirement for the period ended December 31, 2022, amended the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the 2022 Credit Agreement) requirements for the twelve-month period ending January 31, 2024 through and including June 30, 2024 and each twelve-month period thereafter, and amended the minimum EBITDA requirements applicable to the twelve-month periods ending March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2023.
The 2022 Credit Agreement contains customary covenants limiting the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things, incur liens, make investments, incur indebtedness, merge or consolidate with others or dispose of assets, change the nature of its business, and enter into transactions with affiliates. The initial term of the revolving credit facility matures August 4, 2027. The term loan also matures on August 4, 2027, with monthly payments based on an 84-month amortization.
As of December 31, 2023, there was $10,792of outstanding indebtedness under the 2022 Credit Facility, with the ability to borrow an additional $21,714. As of December 31,2023, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the 2022 Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2023, the effective interest rate of the senior secured revolving credit facility was 7.64% and the effective rate of the senior secured term loan was 7.89%. As of December 31, 2022, the effective interest rate of the senior secured revolving credit facility was 6.55% and the effective rate of the senior secured term loan was 6.80%.
Other
The Company has outstanding notes payable for capital expenditures in the amount of $1,361 and $1,094 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, with $163 and $88 included in the “Line of credit and current maturities of long-term debt” line item of the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The notes payable have monthly payments that range from $3 to $15 and an interest rate of 6%. The equipment purchased is utilized as collateral for the notes payable. The outstanding notes payable have maturity dates in September 2028.
54
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
11. LEASES
The Company leases various property and equipment under operating lease arrangements. The Company recognizes operating lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and discloses key information regarding leasing arrangements. The Company has elected to apply the short-term lease exception to all leases of one year or less.
As of December 31, 2023, the right-of-use (“ROU”) asset had a balance of $15,593 which is included in the “Operating lease right-of-use assets” line item of these consolidated financial statements and current and non-current lease liabilities relating to the ROU asset of $1,851 and $15,888, respectively, and are included in the “Current portion of operating lease obligations” and “Long-term operating lease obligations, net of current portion” line items of these consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2022, the ROU asset had a balance of $16,396 and current and non-current lease liabilities relating to the ROU asset of $1,882and $16,696, respectively. The discount rates used for leases accounted for under Topic 842 are based on an interest rate yield curve developed for the leases in the Company’s lease portfolio.
Lease terms generally range from 3 to 15years with renewal options for extended terms. Some of the Company’s facility leases include options to renew. The exercise of the renewal options is at the Company’s discretion. Therefore, the majority of renewals to extend the lease terms are not included in ROU assets and lease liabilities as they are not reasonably certain of exercise. The Company regularly evaluates the renewal options and includes them in the lease term when the Company is reasonably certain to exercise them. Certain leases contain rent escalation clauses that require additional rental payments in the later years of the term. Rent expense for these types of leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $4,201and $4,253, respectively.
In addition, the Company has entered into finance lease arrangements to finance property and equipment and assumed finance lease obligations in connection with certain acquisitions. Finance rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $1,790and $1,639, respectively.
Amortization expense recorded in connection with assets recorded under finance leases was $1,263 and $1,172 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
55
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Quantitative information regarding the Company’s leases is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Components of lease cost
Finance lease cost components:
Amortization of finance lease assets $ 1,263 $ 1,172
Interest on finance lease liabilities 527 467
Operating lease cost components:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash outflow from operating leases $ 3,460 $ 3,496
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new
operating lease liabilities $ 983 $ 187
Weighted-average discount rate-finance leases at end of period 6.1 % 6.0 %
Weighted-average discount rate-operating leases at end of period 8.5 % 8.7 %
Amortization associated with new right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities is $5 and $20 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023, future minimum lease payments under finance leases and operating leases were as follows:
Finance Operating
Leases Leases Total
Less—portion representing interest (707 ) (6,601 ) (7,308 )
Less—current portion of lease obligations (2,153 ) (1,851 ) (4,004 )
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BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
The Company is party to a variety of legal proceedings or claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. The Company accrues for costs related to loss contingencies when such costs are probable and reasonably estimable. As of December 31, 2023, the Company is not aware of any material pending legal proceedings or threatened litigation that would have a material adverse effect individually or in the aggregate, on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of pending actions. Due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, there can be no assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. It is possible that if one or more litigation matters were decided against the Company, the effects could be material to the Company’s results of operations in the period in which the Company would be required to record or adjust the related liability and could also be material to the Company’s financial condition and cash flows in the periods the Company would be required to pay such liability.
Environmental Compliance and Remediation Liabilities
The Company’s operations and products are subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates and sells products governing, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges, the use, handling and disposal of hazardous materials, soil and groundwater contamination, employee health and safety, and product content, performance and packaging. Also, certain environmental laws can impose the entire cost or a portion of the cost of investigating and cleaning up a contaminated site, regardless of fault, upon any one or more of a number of parties, including the current or previous owners or operators of the site. These environmental laws also impose liability on any person who arranges for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances at a contaminated site. Third parties may also make claims against owners or operators of sites and users of disposal sites for personal injuries and property damage associated with releases of hazardous substances from those sites.
57
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Collateral
In select instances, the Company has pledged specific inventory and machinery and equipment assets to serve as collateral on related payable or financing obligations.
Warranty Liability
The Company provides warranty terms that generally range from one to five years for various products and services relating to workmanship and materials supplied by the Company. In certain contracts, the Company has recourse provisions for items that would enable the Company to pursue recovery from third parties for amounts paid to customers under warranty provisions.
Liquidated Damages
In certain customer contracts, the Company has agreed to pay liquidated damages in the event of qualifying delivery or production delays. These damages are typically limited to a specific percentage of the value of the product in question and dependent on actual losses sustained by the customer. When the damages are determined to be probable and estimable, the damages are recorded as a reduction to revenue. During 2023 and 2022, the Company incurredliquidated damages of $84 and $0, respectively, and there was a reserve for liquidated damages of $84 and $0 as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Workers’ Compensation Reserves
The Company entered into a guaranteed workers’ compensation cost program at the beginning of the third quarter of 2016. The reserve prior to 2016 is immaterial. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters may exceed the amounts recorded and additional losses may be incurred, the Company does not believe that any additional potential exposure for such liabilities will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Health Insurance Reserves
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $742 and $360, respectively, accrued for health insurance liabilities. The Company self-insures for its health insurance liabilities, including establishing reserves for self-retained losses. Historical loss experience combined with actuarial evaluation methods and the application of risk transfer programs are used to determine required health insurance reserves. The Company takes into account claims incurred but not reported when determining its health insurance reserves. Health insurance reserves are included in accrued liabilities. While the Company’s management believes that it has adequately reserved for these claims, the ultimate outcome of these matters may exceed the amounts recorded and additional losses may be incurred.
58
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Other
As of December 31, 2023, approximately 18% of the Company’s employees were covered by two collective bargaining agreements with local unions at the Company’s Cicero, Illinois and Neville Island, Pennsylvania locations. During November 2022, the Company negotiated a four-year collective bargaining agreement with the Neville Island union and it is expected to remain in effect through October 2026. A four-year collective bargaining agreement in regards to the Cicero, Illinois facility was negotiated in February 2022 and is expected to remain in effect through February 2026.
13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company measures its financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, the Company is required to provide disclosure and categorize assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the assumptions (i.e., inputs) used in the valuation. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value while Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement. Financial instruments are assessed quarterly to determine the appropriate classification within the fair value hierarchy. Transfers between fair value classifications are made based upon the nature and type of the observable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is defined as follows:
Level 1 — Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — Valuations are based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices in markets that are not active for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. For the Company’s corporate and municipal bonds, although quoted prices are available and used to value said assets, they are traded less frequently.
Level 3 — Valuations are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability at the measurement date.
Fair value of financial instruments
The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, which include cash, A/R, accounts payable and customer deposits, approximate their respective fair values due to the relatively short-term nature of these instruments. Based upon interest rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms, the carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt is approximately equal to its fair value.
The Company entered into an interest rate swap in June 2019 to mitigate the exposure to the variability of LIBOR for its floating rate debt described in Note 10, “Debt and Credit Agreements,” of these consolidated financial statements. The fair value of the interest rate swap is reported in “Accrued liabilities” and the change in fair value is reported in “Interest expense, net” of these consolidated financial statements. The fair value of the interest rate swap is estimated as the net present value of projected cash flows based on forward interest rates at the balance sheet date. The interest rate swap expired in February 2022.
59
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
14. INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 consists of the following:
For the Years Ended Year Ended December 31,
Current provision
Federal $ — $ —
Total current provision 251 48
Deferred provision
Total deferred provision (1,967 ) (2,562 )
Increase in deferred tax valuation allowance 1,957 2,549
Total provision for income taxes $ 241 $ 35
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded an expense for income taxes of $241, compared to an expense for income taxes of $35 during the year ended December 31, 2022. On August 16, 2022, Congress enacted the Inflation Reduction Act which includes AMP credits for manufacturers of eligible components, including wind and solar components produced and sold in the US from 2023 through 2032. These credits will have no impact on income tax expense.
The total change in the deferred tax valuation allowance was $1,957and $2,549 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance in 2023 and 2022 were primarily the result of increases to the deferred tax assets pertaining to federal and state NOLs. Management believes that significant uncertainty exists surrounding the recoverability of deferred tax assets. As a result, the Company recorded a valuation allowance against the remaining deferred tax assets.
60
BROADWIND, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
The tax effects of the temporary differences and NOLs that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: