Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents we filed with the SEC, you should carefully consider the following factors, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations in future periods. The risks and uncertainties described below are those that we have identified as material, but these are not the only risks and uncertainties facing us. Our business is also subject to general risks and uncertainties that affect many other companies, such as market conditions, economic conditions, geopolitical events, changes in laws, regulations or accounting rules, fluctuations in interest rates, terrorism, wars or conflicts, major health concerns, natural disasters or other disruptions of expected business conditions. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may impair our business, including our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
Business and Strategic Risks
Conditions in the global economy, the markets we serve, and financial markets may adversely affect our business, financial statements, and access to capital markets.
Our business is sensitive to general economic conditions. Slow or disrupted global economic growth, heightened inflation, volatility in the currency and credit markets, high levels of unemployment or underemployment, labor availability constraints, reduced levels of capital expenditures, changes or anticipation of potential changes in government fiscal, tax, trade and monetary policies, changes in capital requirements for financial institutions, government deficit reduction and budget negotiation dynamics, sequestration, austerity measures, sovereign debt defaults, and other challenges that adversely affect the global economy could adversely affect us and our distributors, customers and suppliers, including having the effect of:
● increasing price competition in our served markets;
● supply interruptions, which could disrupt our ability to produce our products;
● adversely impacting market sizes and growth rates.
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Inflationary conditions in recent periods have resulted in the U.S. Federal Reserve and other financial regulatory bodies implementing increases in interest rates, and these increases have slowed global growth and made a recession more likely. If growth in the global economy or in any of the markets we serve slows for a significant period, if there is significant deterioration in the global economy or such markets or if improvements in the global economy do not benefit the markets we serve, our business and financial results could be adversely affected. We cannot predict the likelihood, duration or severity of any disruption in financial markets or any adverse economic conditions in the U.S. and other countries.
Our growth could suffer if the markets into which we sell our products and services decline, do not grow as anticipated or experience volatility.
Our growth depends in part on the growth of the markets which we serve, and visibility into our markets is limited (particularly for markets into which we sell through distribution). Any decline or lower than expected growth in our served markets could diminish demand for our products and services, which would adversely affect our financial statements. Certain of our businesses’ demand depends on customers’ capital spending budgets as well as government funding policies, and matters of public policy and government budget dynamics as well as product and economic cycles can affect the spending decisions of these entities. Demand for our products and services is also sensitive to changes in customer order patterns, which may be affected by announced price changes, marketing or promotional programs, new product introductions, the timing of industry conferences, changes in distributor or customer inventory levels, or other factors. Any of these factors could adversely affect our growth and results of operations in any given period.
We face competition and if we are unable to compete effectively, we may experience decreased demand and market share resulting in decreased revenues. Even if we compete effectively, we may be required to reduce prices for our products and services resulting in decreased profit margins.
The markets for our current and potential products are competitive. Because of the range of products and services we sell and the variety of markets we serve, we encounter a wide variety of competitors, including several that possess both larger sales forces and greater capital resources.
In order to compete effectively, we must maintain relationships with major customers, continue to grow our business by establishing relationships with new customers, develop new products and services to maintain and expand our brand recognition, and penetrate new markets, including in developing countries and high growth markets. Our failure to compete effectively or pricing pressures resulting from competition may adversely impact our results of operations.
Changing industry trends may affect our results of operations.
Various changes within the industries we serve may limit future demand for our products and may include mergers within key industries we serve, making us more dependent on fewer, larger customers for our sales; decreased product demand driven by changes in customers' regulatory environments or standard industry practices; price competition for key products; and new competitor products that may result in customers discontinuing new orders.
Our growth depends in part on the timely development, commercialization, and customer acceptance of new and enhanced products and services based on technological innovation.
Our growth depends on the acceptance of our products and services in the marketplace, the penetration achieved by the companies to which we sell, and our ability to introduce new and innovative products that meet the needs of the various markets we serve. We can offer no assurance that we will be able to continue to introduce new and enhanced products, that the products we introduce, or have introduced, will be widely accepted by the marketplace, or that our direct sales team or independent distributors will successfully penetrate our various markets. Our failure to introduce new and enhanced products or gain widespread acceptance of our products and services could adversely affect our financial results. If we fail to accurately predict future customer needs and preferences, fail to produce viable technologies, or fail to protect the intellectual property of such technologies, we may invest heavily in research and development of products and services that do not lead to significant revenues, which could adversely affect our profitability. Even if we successfully innovate and develop new and enhanced products and services, we may incur substantial costs in doing so, and our profitability may suffer.
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If we are unable to continue to hire and retain skilled personnel, we will have difficulty manufacturing and marketing our products.
Our success depends largely upon the continued service of our management and manufacturing employees and our ability to attract, retain and motivate manufacturing and management personnel, some of whom we are recruiting for in-person positions in competitive labor markets, particularly Bozeman, Montana. Loss of key personnel or our inability to hire and retain personnel could materially adversely affect our manufacturing efforts, harm our ability to meet compliance requirements, and increase backlog. Further, if we have to pay manufacturing employees higher wages to attract and retain them, our gross margins and overall profitability may decline.
Adverse changes in our relationships with, or the financial condition, performance, purchasing patterns or inventory levels of, distributors and other channel partners could adversely affect our financial statements.
We sell a significant number of products to distributors and other channel partners that have valuable relationships with customers and end-users. Some of these distributors and other partners also sell our competitors’ products or compete with us directly, and if they favor competing products for any reason, they may fail to market our products effectively. Adverse changes in our relationships with these distributors and other partners, or adverse developments in their financial condition, performance or purchasing patterns, could adversely affect our business and financial statements.
The levels of inventory maintained by our distributors and other channel partners, and changes in those levels, can also negatively impact our results of operations in any given period. In addition, the consolidation of distributors could adversely impact our business and financial statements. We cannot directly control the actions of our distributors. Our distributors may not comply with export laws, or follow the terms of the distribution agreements which require compliance with export laws, which could have legal or financial implications for us.
Our international operations subject us to a wide range of risks.
Our operations and sales outside of the United States have increased as a result of our strategic acquisitions and the continued expansion of our commercial organization. Risks related to these increased foreign operations include:
● local product preferences and product requirements;
● difficulty in staffing and managing widespread operations;
● differing labor or employment regulations;
● differing protection of intellectual property; and
International business risks have in the past and may in the future negatively affect our business and financial statements. A deterioration in diplomatic relations between the United States and any country where we conduct business could adversely affect our future operations and lead to a decline in profitability. Changes in U.S. policy regarding international trade, including import and export regulation and international trade agreements, could also negatively impact our business. Tariffs imposed by the U.S. on a broad range of imports or trade measures imposed by other countries could result in an increase in supply chain costs that we may not be able to offset or that could otherwise adversely impact our results of operations.
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Our international operations are governed by the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar anti-corruption laws outside the United States. Global enforcement of anti-corruption laws has increased in recent years, with more enforcement proceedings by U.S. and foreign governmental agencies and the imposition of significant fines and penalties. Our international operations, which often involve customer relationships with foreign governments, create the risk that there may be unauthorized payments or offers of payments made by employees, consultants, or distributors. Any alleged or actual violations of these laws may subject us to government investigations and significant criminal or civil sanctions and other liabilities, and negatively affect our reputation.
The COVID-19 pandemic, or similar public health crises, could have an adverse impact and risk to our business.
Since December 2019, COVID-19 has spread to countries in which we or our customers and suppliers operate and has caused major disruption. The COVID-19 virus has led to the implementation of various responses, including government-imposed quarantines, extended business closures, travel restrictions and other public health safety measures, as well as reported adverse impacts on healthcare resources, facilities and providers across the United States and in other countries. Our business operations were impacted by such restrictions. Many of our customers and potential customers closed facilities or limited facility hours due to the spread of COVID-19. Such closures have resulted in, and may continue to result in, our inability to demonstrate and install some of our products, and lower demand for certain products. Any interruptions in the installation of ordered products could delay our ability to recognize revenues in a particular period.
We operate on a global basis with offices or operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, and global health crises, such as COVID-19, could result in a widespread economic downturn in the industries in which we and our customers operate. The extent to which outbreaks impact our business and the businesses of our customers will depend on future developments, which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the impact of new business closures and business disruptions. Government mandated shut-downs and restrictions in China adversely impacted revenues from our Clinical Genomics division during fiscal year 2023. Some effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that could delay or otherwise adversely affect our operations and performance include disruptions in our supply chains, limitations on travel that could interrupt our ability to market products and provide installations or maintenance services at customer sites, interruption in global shipping affecting the transport of our products and supplies, restrictions on business operations by governments, impacts to the valuation of our financial assets due to market volatility, and delays in partner clinical trials due to government-imposed restrictions or lockdowns in China, among others. The COVID-19 pandemic could also have the effect of heightening other risk factors described in this report.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has largely subsided as a public health matter, we may experience material adverse impacts to our business as a result of the pandemic's adverse impact on the global economy, in-person collaboration and sales efforts, and our customers' changed purchasing behaviors and confidence.
Operational Risks
A significant disruption in, or breach in security of, our information technology systems or data could adversely affect our business, reputation and financial statements.
We rely on information technology systems, some of which are provided or managed by third-parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information (including sensitive data such as confidential business information and personally identifiable data relating to employees, customers, and other business partners), and to manage or support a variety of critical business processes and activities (such as receiving and fulfilling orders, billing, collecting and making payments, shipping products, providing services and support to customers and fulfilling contractual obligations). In addition, some products or software we sell to customers may connect to our systems for maintenance or other purposes, and we sell software as a service and cloud-based platforms. These systems, products and services (including those we acquire through business acquisitions) may be damaged, disrupted or shut down due to attacks by computer hackers, computer viruses, ransomware, human error or malfeasance, power outages, hardware failures, telecommunication or utility failures, catastrophes or other unforeseen events, and in any such circumstances our system redundancy and other disaster recovery planning may be ineffective or inadequate. Attacks may also target hardware, software and information installed, stored or transmitted in our products after such products have been purchased and incorporated into third-party products, facilities or infrastructure. Security breaches of systems provided or enabled by us, regardless of whether the breach is attributable to a vulnerability in our products or services, could result in the misappropriation, destruction or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or personal data belonging to us or to our employees, partners, customers, or suppliers. Our information technology systems have been subject to computer viruses, malicious codes, unauthorized access and other cyber-attacks and we expect the sophistication and frequency of such attacks to continue to increase. Unauthorized tampering, adulteration or interference with our products may also adversely affect product functionality and result in loss of data, risk to product safety and product recalls or field actions.
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Any attacks, breaches or other disruptions or damage could interrupt our operations or the operations of our customers and partners, delay production and shipments, result in theft of our and our customers’ intellectual property and trade secrets, damage customer, business partner, and employee relationships, and our reputation, or result in defective products or services, legal claims and proceedings, liability and penalties under privacy laws and increased costs for security and remediation, each of which could adversely affect our business, reputation and financial statements.
Further, a significant number of our employees work remotely, which exposes us to greater cybersecurity risks. Any inability to maintain reliable information technology systems and appropriate controls with respect to global data privacy and security requirements and prevent data breaches can result in adverse regulatory consequences, business consequences and litigation.
We face numerous manufacturing and supply chain risks. In addition, our reliance upon sole or limited sources of supply for certain materials, components and services could cause production interruptions, delays and inefficiencies.
We purchase materials, components and equipment from third parties for use in our manufacturing operations. Our results of operations could be adversely impacted if we are unable to adjust our purchases to reflect changes in customer demand and market fluctuations. Suppliers may extend lead times, limit supplies or increase prices. If we cannot purchase sufficient products at competitive prices and of sufficient quality on a timely enough basis to meet increasing demand, we may not be able to satisfy market demand, product shipments may be delayed, our costs may increase, or we may breach our contractual commitments and incur liabilities.
In addition, some of our businesses purchase certain required products from sole or limited source suppliers for reasons of quality assurance, regulatory requirements, cost effectiveness, availability or uniqueness of design. If these or other suppliers encounter financial, operating or other difficulties or if our relationship with them changes, we might not be able to quickly establish or qualify replacement sources of supply. The supply chains for our businesses were impacted in fiscal year 2023 and could also be disrupted in the future by supplier capacity constraints, supplier bankruptcy or exiting of the business for other reasons, decreased availability of key raw materials or commodities and external events such as natural disasters, pandemics or other public health problems, war, terrorist actions, governmental actions and legislative or regulatory changes. Any of these factors could result in production interruptions, delays, extended lead times and inefficiencies.
Our revenues and other operating results depend in large part on our ability to manufacture and assemble our products in sufficient quantities and in a timely manner. Any interruptions we experience in the manufacture or shipment of our products or changes to the way we manufacture products could delay our ability to recognize revenues in a particular period. In addition, we must maintain sufficient production capacity in order to meet anticipated customer demand, which carries fixed costs that we may not be able to offset if orders slow, which would adversely affect our operating margins. If we are unable to manufacture our products consistently, in sufficient quantities, and on a timely basis, our revenues, gross margins and our other operating results will be materially and adversely affected.
Because we cannot always immediately adapt our production capacity and related cost structures to changing market conditions, our manufacturing capacity may at times exceed or fall short of our production requirements. Any or all of these problems could result in the loss of customers, provide an opportunity for competing products to gain market acceptance, and otherwise adversely affect our financial condition.
Our financial results are subject to fluctuations in the cost and availability of components and commodities that we use in our operations.
Our manufacturing operations employ a wide variety of components and raw materials and other commodities, including metallic-based components, electronic components, chemicals, and plastics and other petroleum-based products. Prices for and availability of these components, and raw materials and other commodities have fluctuated significantly in the past, and more recently have increased. Any sustained interruption in the supply of these items could disrupt production, delay customer order fulfillments, and adversely affect our business. In addition, due to the highly competitive nature of the industries that we serve, the cost-containment efforts of our customers and the terms of certain contracts we are party to, if components and commodity prices rise, we may be unable to pass along cost increases through higher prices. If we are unable to fully recover higher costs through price increases or offset these increases through cost reductions, or if there is a time delay between the increase in costs and our ability to recover or offset these costs, our margins and profitability could decline, and our financial statements could be adversely affected.
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In addition, transportation costs have increased, which may reduce our gross profit margins unless and until we are able to pass the cost increases along to our customers. There are several reasons for the supply chain disruptions to components that we rely on to manufacture our products, including: increased demand for other products that use the same components as those we purchase, manufacturing shut-downs that reduced production of components, obsolescence of materials we have historically purchased, labor issues, and long lead times for raw materials used in the production of components. A continued shortage of components or other key materials that comprise the components could cause a significant disruption to our production schedule and have a substantial adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Significant developments or uncertainties stemming from the U.S. administration, including changes in U.S. trade policies, tariffs and the reaction of other countries thereto could have an adverse effect on our business.
Changes, potential changes or uncertainties in U.S. social, political, regulatory and economic conditions or laws and policies governing foreign trade, manufacturing, and development and investment in the territories and countries where we or our customers operate, or governing the health care system, can adversely affect our business and financial statements. For example, trade tensions between the United States and China remain high, and each country has continued to impose significant tariffs on a wide range of goods imported from the other country. China accounted for approximately 12% of our sales during the year ended March 31, 2023. These factors have adversely affected, and in the future could further adversely affect, our business and financial statements.
Macroeconomic pressures in the markets in which we operate may adversely affect our financial results.
Geopolitical issues around the world can impact macroeconomic conditions and could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. For example, the ultimate impact of the conflict in Ukraine on fuel prices, inflation, the global supply chain and other macroeconomic conditions is unknown and could materially adversely affect global economic growth, disrupting discretionary spending habits and generally decreasing demand for our products and services. While we do not purchase any significant raw materials directly from Russia, it is a significant global producer of fuel, nickel, and copper. Disruptions in the markets for those inputs could negatively impact the global economy. We cannot predict the extent or duration of sanctions in response to the conflict in Ukraine, nor can we predict the effects of legislative or other governmental actions or regulatory scrutiny of Russia and Belarus, Russia's other allies or other countries with which Russia has significant trade or financial ties, including China. While our sales to Russia have historically produced an immaterial amount of revenues and profitability compared to the overall company, we cannot predict the impact that the conflict may have on future financial results.
Violation of data privacy laws could adversely affect our business, reputation and financial statements.
If we are unable to maintain reliable information technology systems and appropriate controls with respect to global data privacy and security requirements and prevent data breaches, we may suffer adverse regulatory consequences, business consequences and litigation. As a multinational organization, we are subject to data privacy and security laws, regulations, and customer-imposed controls in numerous jurisdictions as a result of having access to and processing confidential, personal and/or sensitive data in the course of our business. The EU General Data Protection Regulation imposes strict requirements on how we collect and process personal data, including, among other things, a requirement for prompt notice of data breaches to data subjects and supervisory authorities in certain circumstances and significant fines for non-compliance. Data privacy laws in other jurisdictions, such as California and Colorado, also impose data privacy obligations. Government enforcement actions can be costly and interrupt the regular operation of our business, and data breaches or violations of data privacy laws can result in fines, reputational damage and civil lawsuits, any of which may adversely affect our business, reputation and financial statements. In addition, compliance with the varying data privacy regulations around the world may require significant expenditures and may require changes in our products or business models that reduce revenues.
Changes to dialysis methods and equipment capabilities may decrease demand for our dialysis products and negatively impact our financial statements.
Our Dialyguard product line accounts for approximately one-third of the revenues and gross margin associated with our Calibration Solutions division. The majority of revenues in our Dialyguard business are associated with products used in dialysis clinics, while a smaller portion of our sales relate to in-home care. Technological advancements, such as dialysis machines that feature built-in dialysis calibration functionalities, have and may continue to adversely affect demand for our dialysis products.
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We may be unable to efficiently manage our growth as a larger and more geographically diverse organization.
Our strategic acquisitions and the continued organic expansion of our commercial sales operations have increased the scope and complexity of our business. As a result, we face challenges inherent in efficiently managing a more complex business with an increased number of employees over large geographic distances, including the need to implement appropriate systems, policies, benefits, and compliance programs. Our inability to manage successfully a substantially larger and geographically more diverse (including from a cultural perspective) organization could materially adversely affect our operating results and financial statements.
If we suffer loss to our facilities, supply chains, distribution systems or information technology systems due to a catastrophic event, our operations could be seriously harmed.
Our facilities, supply chains, distribution systems and information technology systems are subject to catastrophic loss due to fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane, pandemics and epidemics and other public health crises, war, terrorism or other natural or human-made disasters. If any of these facilities, supply chains or systems were to experience a catastrophic loss, it could disrupt our operations, delay production and shipments, result in defective products or services, damage customer relationships and our reputation and result in legal exposure and large repair or replacement expenses. Our insurance coverage with respect to natural disasters is limited and is subject to deductible and coverage limits and may be unavailable or insufficient to protect us against such losses.
The health care industry and related industries that we serve have undergone, and are in the process of undergoing, significant changes in an effort to reduce costs, which could adversely affect our financial statements.
Participants in the health care industry and related industries have implemented, and are implementing, significant changes in an effort to reduce costs. Many of the end-users to whom our customers supply products rely on government funding of and reimbursement for health care products and services and research activities. The U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (collectively, the “PPACA”), health care austerity measures in other countries and other potential health care reform changes and government austerity measures have reduced and may further reduce the amount of government funding or reimbursement available to customers or end-users of our products and services and/or the volume of medical procedures using our products and services.
These changes as well as other impacts from market demand, government regulations, third-party coverage and reimbursement policies and societal pressures have started changing the way healthcare is delivered, reimbursed and funded and may cause participants in the health care industry and related industries that we serve to purchase fewer of our products and services, reduce the prices they are willing to pay for our products or services, reduce the amount of reimbursement and funding available for our products and services from governmental agencies or third-party payors, affect the acceptance rate of new technologies and products and increase our compliance and other costs. All of the factors described above could adversely affect our business and financial results.
The manufacture of many of our products is a highly exacting and complex process, and if we directly or indirectly encounter problems manufacturing products, our reputation, business and financial results could suffer.
The manufacture of many of our products is a highly exacting and complex process, due in part to strict regulatory requirements. Problems may arise during manufacturing for a variety of reasons, including equipment malfunction, failure to follow specific protocols and procedures, problems with raw materials, natural disasters and environmental factors, and if not discovered before the product is released to market could result in recalls and product liability exposure. Because of the time required to approve and license certain regulated manufacturing facilities and other stringent regulations of the FDA and similar agencies regarding the manufacture of certain of our products, an alternative manufacturer may not be available on a timely basis to replace such production capacity. Any of these manufacturing problems could result in significant costs, liability, lost revenues, and loss of market share, as well as negative publicity and damage to our reputation that could reduce demand for our products.
Climate change, or legal or regulatory measures to address climate change and sustainability, may negatively affect us, and any actions we take or fail to take in response to such matters could damage our reputation.
Climate change resulting from increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere could present risks to our operations. Physical risk resulting from acute changes (such as hurricanes, tornados, wildfires or flooding) or chronic changes (such as droughts, heat waves or sea level changes) in climate patterns can adversely impact our facilities and operations and disrupt our supply chains and distribution systems. Concern over climate change can also result in new or additional legal or regulatory requirements designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment (such as taxation of, or caps on the use of, carbon-based energy). Any such new or additional legal or regulatory requirements may increase the costs associated with, or disrupt, sourcing, manufacturing and distribution of our products, which may adversely affect our business and financial statements.
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Acquisition Risks
Any inability to consummate acquisitions at our historical rate and at appropriate prices could negatively impact our growth rate and stock price.
Our ability to grow revenues, earnings and cash flows at or above our historic rates depends in part upon our ability to identify and successfully acquire and integrate businesses at appropriate prices and realize anticipated synergies. We may not be able to consummate acquisitions at rates similar to the past, which could adversely impact our growth rate and our stock price. Promising acquisitions are difficult to identify and execute for a number of reasons, including high valuations, competition among prospective buyers, the availability of affordable funding in the capital markets, and the need to satisfy applicable closing conditions. Changes in accounting or regulatory requirements, or instability in the credit markets, or global crises that prevent travelling or other activities necessary for acquisitions could also adversely impact our ability to consummate acquisitions.
Our acquisition of businesses could negatively impact our financial statements.
Acquisitions involve a number of financial, accounting, managerial, operational, legal, compliance and other risks and challenges, including the following, any of which could adversely affect our business and our financial statements:
The indemnification provisions of acquisition agreements by which we have acquired companies may not fully protect us and as a result we may face unexpected liabilities, or we may have acquisition agreements with no indemnification protection at all.
Certain of the acquisition agreements by which we have acquired companies require the former owners to indemnify us against certain liabilities related to the operation of the company before we acquired it. In most of these agreements, however, the liability of the former owners is limited, and certain former owners may be unable to meet their indemnification responsibilities. We cannot guarantee that these indemnification provisions will protect us fully or at all, and as a result we may face unexpected liabilities that could adversely impact our financial statements. In addition, we may enter into acquisition agreements that have no indemnification protection at all.
Future strategic transactions or acquisitions may require us to seek additional financing, which we may not be able to secure on favorable terms, or at all.
We actively evaluate various strategic transactions on an ongoing basis, and in order to complete such transactions, we may need to seek additional financing. We may not be able to secure such financing on favorable terms, or at all. In addition, future acquisitions may require the issuance or sale of additional equity or debt securities, which may result in dilution to our stockholders.
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Legal, Regulatory, Compliance, and Reputational Risks
We are subject to lawsuits and regulatory proceedings.
We have been a defendant in a number of lawsuits, and in the future are subject to the possibility of a variety of litigation and regulatory proceedings, including claims for damages arising out of the use of products or services and claims relating to intellectual property matters, employment matters, tax matters, commercial disputes, product liability, marketing matters, insurance coverage, competition and sales and trading practices, environmental matters, product retirement, personal injury, and acquisition or divestiture-related matters, as well as regulatory investigations or enforcement. We may also become subject to lawsuits as a result of past or future acquisitions or as a result of liabilities retained from, or representations, warranties or indemnities provided in connection with, divested businesses. Any of these lawsuits may include claims for compensatory damages, punitive and consequential damages or injunctive relief. The defense of these lawsuits may divert our management’s attention, we may incur significant expenses in defending these lawsuits, and we may be required to pay damages or settlements or become subject to equitable remedies that could adversely affect our operations and financial results. Moreover, any insurance or indemnification rights that we may have may be insufficient or unavailable to protect us against such losses. In addition, developments in proceedings in any given period may require us to adjust loss contingency estimates that we have recorded in our financial statements, record estimates for liabilities or assets previously not susceptible of reasonable estimates or pay cash settlements or judgments. Any of these developments could adversely affect our financial results in any given period. We cannot make assurances that our liabilities in connection with litigation and other legal regulatory proceedings will not exceed our estimates or adversely affect our financial results and business. Please see Note 13. “Commitments and Contingencies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for additional discussion.
Our reputation, ability to do business and prepare financial statements may be impaired by improper conduct by any of our employees, agents or business partners.
We cannot provide assurance that our internal controls and compliance systems will always protect us from acts committed by employees, agents or business partners of ours (or of businesses we acquire or partner with) that would violate U.S. and/or non-U.S. laws, including the laws governing payments to government officials, bribery, fraud, kickbacks and false claims, pricing, sales and marketing practices, conflicts of interest, competition, export and import compliance, money laundering and data privacy.
If we do not or cannot adequately protect our intellectual property, if third parties infringe our intellectual property rights, or if we or our customers are alleged to infringe upon others’ intellectual property rights, we may suffer competitive injury or expend significant resources enforcing or defending our rights.
We own patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and other intellectual property and licenses to intellectual property owned by others, which in the aggregate are important to our business. The intellectual property rights that we obtain, however, may not be sufficiently broad or otherwise may not provide us a significant competitive advantage, and patents may not be issued for pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to us. In addition, the steps that we and our licensors have taken to maintain and protect our intellectual property may not prevent it from being challenged, invalidated, circumvented or designed-around, particularly in countries where intellectual property rights are not highly developed or protected. In some circumstances, enforcement may not be available to us because an infringer has a dominant intellectual property position or for other business reasons, or countries may require compulsory licensing of our intellectual property. We also rely on nondisclosure and noncompetition agreements with employees, consultants and other parties to protect, in part, trade secrets and other proprietary rights. There can be no assurance that these agreements will adequately protect our trade secrets and other proprietary rights and will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any breach, that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information or that third parties will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or other proprietary rights. In addition, we or our customers may be alleged to infringe upon the intellectual property of third parties. Our failure to obtain or maintain intellectual property rights that convey competitive advantages, adequately protect our intellectual property, detect or prevent circumvention or unauthorized use of such property, and limit the cost of enforcing our intellectual property rights or defending against any allegation of infringement, could adversely impact our competitive position and results of operations.
We are subject to extensive regulation.
The process of obtaining and maintaining required regulatory approvals is lengthy, expensive and uncertain. We can offer no assurance that delays will not occur in the future that could have a significant adverse effect on our ability to introduce new products on a timely basis. Regulatory agencies periodically inspect our manufacturing facilities to ascertain compliance with “good manufacturing practices” and can subject approved products to additional testing and surveillance programs.
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Failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements can, among other things, result in fines, suspension of regulatory approvals, product recalls, operating restrictions and criminal penalties. If we fail to comply with regulatory requirements, it could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. We, our representatives and the industries in which we operate may at times be under review and/or investigation by regulatory authorities. Compliance with applicable regulations may affect our returns on investment, require us to incur significant expenses or modify our business model or impair our flexibility in modifying product, marketing, pricing or other strategies. Our products and operations are also often subject to the rules of industrial standards bodies such as the International Standards Organization, and failure to comply with these rules could result in withdrawal of certifications needed to sell our products and services and otherwise adversely impact our business and financial statements.
Certain of our products are medical devices and other products subject to regulation by the U.S. FDA, by other federal and state governmental agencies, or by comparable agencies of other countries and regions. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain regulatory clearance (such as 510(k) clearance) or approvals for new products or modifications to (or additional indications or uses of) existing products within our anticipated timeframe or at all, and if we do obtain such clearance or approval, it may be time-consuming, costly and subject to restrictions. Our ability to obtain such regulatory clearances or approvals will depend on many factors and the process for obtaining such clearances or approvals could change over time and may require the withdrawal of products from the market until such clearances are obtained. The global regulatory environment has become increasingly stringent and unpredictable. Several countries that did not have regulatory requirements for medical devices have established such requirements in recent years, and other countries have expanded, or plan to expand, their existing regulations.
Ensuring that our internal operations and business arrangements with third parties comply with applicable laws and regulations involves substantial costs. It is also possible that government authorities will conclude that our business practices do not comply with current or future statutes, regulations, agency guidance or case law. Noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations can result in, among other things, fines, expenses, injunctions, civil penalties, recalls or seizures of products, total or partial suspension of production, failure to receive 510(k) clearance of devices, withdrawal of marketing approvals, reputational damage, business disruption, loss of customers, disbarment from selling to certain federal agencies, criminal prosecutions and other adverse effects. Further, defending against any such actions can be costly and time-consuming and may require significant personnel resources. Therefore, even if we are successful in defending against any such actions brought against us, our business may be negatively impacted.
Off-label marketing of our products could result in substantial penalties.
The FDA strictly regulates the promotional claims that may be made about approved or cleared products. In particular, any clearances we may receive only permit us to market our products for the uses indicated on the labeling cleared by the FDA. We may request additional label indications for our current products, and the FDA may deny those requests outright, require additional data to support any additional indications or impose limitations on the intended use of any cleared products as a condition of clearance. If the FDA determines that we have marketed our products for off-label use, we can be subject to fines, injunctions or other penalties. It is also possible that other federal, state or foreign enforcement authorities might take action if they consider our business activities to constitute promotion of an off-label use, which could result in significant penalties, including, but not limited to, criminal, civil and administrative penalties, substantial monetary penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs, and/or the curtailment of our operations. Any of these events could significantly harm our business and financial results.
Certain modifications to our products may require new 510(k) clearances or other marketing authorizations and may require us to recall or cease marketing our products.
Once a medical device is permitted to be legally marketed in the United States pursuant to a 510(k) clearance, a manufacturer may be required to notify the FDA of certain modifications to the device. Manufacturers determine in the first instance whether a change to a product requires a new 510(k) clearance or premarket submission, but the FDA may review any manufacturer’s decision. The FDA may not agree with our decisions regarding whether new clearances are necessary. We have made modifications to our products in the past and have determined based on our review of the applicable FDA regulations and guidance that in certain instances new 510(k) clearances or other premarket submissions were not required. We may make similar modifications or add additional features in the future that we believe do not require a new 510(k) clearance. If the FDA disagrees with our determinations and requires us to submit new 510(k) notifications, we may be required to cease marketing or to recall the modified product until we obtain clearance, and we may be subject to significant regulatory fines or penalties.
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Changes in governmental regulations may reduce demand for our products or services or increase our expenses.
We compete in markets in which we and our customers must comply with federal, state, and other jurisdictional regulations, such as regulations governing health and safety, food and drugs, privacy and electronic communications. We develop, configure and market our products and services to meet customer needs created by these regulations. These regulations are complex, change frequently, have tended to become more stringent over time and may be inconsistent across jurisdictions. Any significant change in any of these regulations (or in the interpretation or application thereof) could reduce demand for, increase our costs of producing or delay the introduction of new or modified products and services, or could restrict our existing activities, products and services. In addition, in certain of our international markets our growth depends in part upon the introduction of new regulations. In these markets, the delay or failure of governmental and other entities to adopt or enforce new regulations, the adoption of new regulations which our products and services are not positioned to address or the repeal of existing regulations, could adversely affect demand. In addition, regulatory deadlines may result in substantially different levels of demand for our products and services from period-to-period.
Product liability suits against us, product defects or unanticipated use or inadequate disclosure with respect to our products or services could adversely affect our business, reputation and our financial statements.
Manufacturing or design defects in, unanticipated use of, safety or quality issues (or the perception of such issues) with respect to, or inadequate disclosure of risks relating to the use of products and services that we make or sell, including items that we source from third parties, can lead to personal injury, property damage or other liability. These events could lead to recalls or safety alerts, the removal of a product or service from the market and product liability or similar claims being brought against us. Recalls, removals and product liability and similar claims, regardless of their validity or ultimate outcome, can result in significant costs, as well as negative publicity and damage to our reputation that could reduce demand for our products and services. Our product liability insurance may not adequately cover our costs arising from defects in our products or otherwise.
We are subject to export and import control laws and regulations that could impair our ability to compete in international markets or subject us to liability if we violate such laws and regulations.
We are subject to U.S. export controls and sanctions regulations that restrict the shipment or provision of certain products and services to certain countries, governments, and persons. While we take precautions to prevent our products and services from being exported in violation of these laws, we cannot guarantee that the precautions we take will prevent violations. If we are found to be in violation of U.S. sanctions or export control laws, it could result in substantial fines and penalties for us and for the individuals working for us. We may also be adversely affected through other penalties, reputational harm, loss of access to certain markets, or otherwise.
Complying with export control and sanctions regulations may be time-consuming and may result in the delay or loss of sales opportunities or impose other costs. Any change in export or import regulations, economic sanctions or related legislation, or change in the countries, governments, persons or technologies targeted by such regulations, could result in our decreased ability to export or sell certain products to existing or potential customers in affected jurisdictions.
We are subject to laws and regulations governing government contracts.
We are subject to laws and regulations governing government contracts, and failure to address these laws and regulations or comply with government contracts could harm our business by leading to a reduction in revenues associated with these customers. We have agreements relating to the sale of our products to government entities and, as a result, we are subject to various statutes and regulations that apply to companies doing business with the government. We are also subject to investigation for compliance with the regulations governing government contracts. A failure to comply with these regulations could result in suspension of these contracts, criminal, civil and administrative penalties or debarment.
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Financial and Tax Risks
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to develop and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results in a timely manner or prevent fraud, which may adversely affect investor confidence in our financial reporting and adversely affect our business and operating results and the market price for our common stock.
Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and rules promulgated by the SEC, companies are required to conduct an annual comprehensive evaluation of their internal control over financial reporting. Further, each year our independent registered public accounting firm is required to attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Management concluded that as of March 31, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective. As described in "Part II, Item 9A — Controls and Procedures," we identified two material weaknesses in the design and operation of our internal control over financial reporting whereby (i) Management's review controls over fair value calculations including Management's preliminary valuation of the Belyntic Acquisition were insufficient, and (ii) Management's review controls over the qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment were insufficient to identify potential impairment triggers. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. As a result of these material weaknesses, management has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2023.
The material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until management designs and implements effective controls, namely Management must use a valuation specialist to perform the final valuation over the net assets acquired in the Belyntic acquisition prior to the end of the measurement period and implement well documented evaluation of its process to monitor for triggers of potential impairment. We expect our remediation efforts to be effective, however, we can provide no assurance that they will be or that additional material weaknesses will not arise in the future. The existence of these material weaknesses and of any other ineffective controls over our financial reporting could have negative impacts including one or more of the following:
● Restatement of previously filed financial statements;
● Loss of investor confidence;
● Restrict our ability to access capital markets;
● Require us to expend significant resources to correct the deficiencies;
● Negative impact on the trading price of our common stock.
Foreign currency exchange rates may adversely affect our financial statements.
As a global company with substantial operations outside the U.S., sales and purchases in currencies other than the U.S. dollar expose us to fluctuations in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and may adversely affect our financial statements. Increased strength of the U.S. dollar increases the effective price of our products sold in U.S. dollars into other countries, which may require us to lower our prices or adversely affect sales to the extent we do not increase local currency prices. Decreased strength of the U.S. dollar could adversely affect the cost of materials, products and services we purchase overseas. Sales and expenses of our non-U.S. businesses are also translated into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes and the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar could result in unfavorable translation effects. In addition, certain of our businesses may invoice customers in a currency other than their functional currency, and movements in the invoiced currency relative to the functional currency could also result in unfavorable translation effects. We also face exchange rate risk from our investments in subsidiaries owned and operated in foreign countries. We do not enter into hedging arrangements to mitigate any foreign currency exposure.
We may be required to recognize impairment charges for our goodwill and other intangible assets.
As of March 31, 2023, the net carrying value of our goodwill and other intangible assets totaled $503.3 million. Significant negative industry or economic trends, disruptions to our business, loss of major customers, strategic shifts in our business, inability to effectively integrate acquired businesses, unexpected significant changes or planned changes in use of our assets, changes in the structure of our business, divestitures, market capitalization declines, or increases in associated discount rates may impair our goodwill and other intangible assets. Any charges relating to such impairments would adversely affect our financial statements in the periods recognized.
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The loss of key customers, or reductions in their demand for our products and services, could have a significant negative impact on our revenues, results of operations, and financial position.
Certain of our reporting segments sell to customers who individually comprise greater than 10% of segment revenues. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected by the loss of any such customers, or by a reduction in their purchases of our products and services due to downturns in their business, changes in their business strategies, reduced capital spending, unfavorable macroeconomic conditions, or other factors.
Changes in accounting standards could affect our reported financial results.
New accounting standards or pronouncements that may become applicable from time to time, or changes in the interpretation of existing standards and pronouncements, could have a significant effect on our reported results of operations for the affected periods.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report financial results or prevent fraud. If we identify a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, our ability to meet our reporting obligations and the trading price of our stock could be negatively affected.
Effective internal controls are necessary to provide reliable financial reports and to assist in the effective prevention of fraud. Any inability to provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud could harm our business. We regularly review and update our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies. In addition, we are required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to report annually on our internal control over financial reporting. Any system of internal controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. If we, or our independent registered public accounting firm, determine that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, discover areas that need improvement in the future or discover a material weakness, as was the case as of March 31, 2023, these shortcomings could have an adverse effect on our business and financial results, and the price of our common stock could be negatively affected.
Failure to comply with reporting requirements could also subject us to sanctions and/or investigations by the SEC, the Nasdaq Stock Market or other regulatory authorities. We have previously implemented several significant ERP modules and have acquired businesses that were subsequently required to adopt our systems of internal controls. The implementation of these systems represents a change in our internal control over financial reporting. Although we continue to monitor and assess our internal control environment as changes are made, and we have taken steps to modify and enhance the design and effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, there is a risk that deficiencies may occur that could aggregate to a material weakness specifically related to our information technology general controls. If we fail to remedy any deficiencies or maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny, civil or criminal penalties or shareholder litigation. In addition, failure to maintain adequate internal controls could result in financial statements that do not accurately reflect our operating results or financial condition.
Our failure to maintain appropriate environmental, social, and governance ("ESG") practices and disclosures could result in reputational harm, a loss of customer and investor confidence, and adverse business and financial results.
Governments, investors, customers, and employees are enhancing their focus on ESG practices and disclosures, and expectations in this area are rapidly evolving and increasing. While we monitor the various and evolving standards and associated reporting requirements, failure to adequately maintain appropriate ESG practices that meet stakeholder expectations may result in reputational harm, loss of business, reduced market valuation, an inability to attract customers, and an inability to attract and retain top talent.
Changes in our tax rates or exposure to additional income tax liabilities or assessments could affect our profitability. In addition, audits by tax authorities could result in additional tax payments for prior periods.
We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and in various non-U.S. jurisdictions. The amount of income taxes we pay is subject to ongoing audits by U.S. federal, state and local tax authorities and by non-U.S. tax authorities, such as those audits described elsewhere in this report. If audits result in payments or assessments different from our reserves, our future results may include unfavorable adjustments to our tax liabilities and our financial statements could be adversely affected. Any further significant changes to the tax system in the United States or in other jurisdictions (including changes in the taxation of international income as further described below) could adversely affect our financial statements.
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Our ability to use net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards and certain built-in losses to reduce future tax payments is limited by provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, and it is possible that certain transactions or a combination of certain transactions may result in material additional limitations on our ability to use our net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.
Section 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, contain rules that limit the ability of a company that undergoes an ownership change, which is generally any change in ownership of more than 50% of its stock over a three-year period, to utilize its net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and certain built-in losses recognized in years after the ownership change. These rules generally operate by focusing on ownership changes involving stockholders owning directly or indirectly 5% or more of the stock of a company and any change in ownership arising from a new issuance of stock by the company. Generally, if an ownership change occurs, the yearly taxable income limitation on the use of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and certain built-in losses is equal to the product of the applicable long-term, tax-exempt rate and the value of the company’s stock immediately before the ownership change. We may be unable to offset our taxable income with losses, or our tax liability with credits, before such losses and credits expire and therefore would incur larger federal income tax liability. Federal net operating losses generated after December 31, 2017 are not subject to expiration and generally may not be carried back to prior taxable years except that, under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, net operating losses generated in 2018, 2019 and 2020 may be carried back five taxable years. Additionally, for taxable years beginning after March 31, 2021, the deductibility of such deferral net operating losses is limited to 80% of our taxable income in any future taxable year.
Changes in tax law relating to multinational corporations could adversely affect our tax position.
The U.S. Congress, government agencies in non-U.S. jurisdictions where we and our affiliates do business, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) have recently focused on issues related to the taxation of multinational corporations. One example is in the area of “base erosion and profit shifting,” where profits are claimed to be earned for tax purposes in low-tax jurisdictions, or payments are made between affiliates from a jurisdiction with high tax rates to a jurisdiction with lower tax rates. The OECD has released several components of its comprehensive plan to create an agreed set of international rules for addressing base erosion and profit shifting. As a result, the tax laws in the United States and other countries in which we do business could change on a prospective or retroactive basis, and any such changes could adversely affect our business and financial statements.
Our business is subject to sales tax in numerous states.
The application of indirect taxes, such as sales tax, is a complex and evolving issue. A company is required to collect and remit state sales tax from certain of its customers if that company is determined to have “nexus” in a particular state. The determination of nexus varies by state and often requires knowledge of each jurisdiction’s tax case law. The application and implementation of existing, new or future laws could change the states in which we are required to collect and remit sales taxes. If any jurisdiction determines that we have “nexus” in additional locations that we have not contemplated, it could have an adverse effect on our financial results.
If global credit market conditions deteriorate, our financial performance could be adversely affected.
The cost and availability of credit are subject to changes in the global economic environment. If conditions in major credit markets deteriorate, our ability to obtain debt financing or the terms associated with that debt financing may be negatively affected, which could affect our results of operations.
Servicing our debt will require a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient cash flow from our business or the ability to raise capital to repay our 1.375% convertible senior notes due August 15, 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) at maturity or repurchase the notes in the event of a fundamental change, or if we borrow under our credit facility, swingline loan, and letters of credit (together referred to as the "Credit Facility") or if we incur more debt.
We incurred significant indebtedness in the amount of $172.5 million in the form of the 2025 Notes which mature on August 15, 2025, unless earlier converted. We also have a revolving Credit Facility and could borrow additional amounts under that at any time, incurring more debt.
At our option, we may settle the 2025 notes in shares of our common stock, cash, or a combination thereof. Holders of the 2025 Notes also have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of their 2025 Notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the applicable indenture governing the 2025 Notes) at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2025 Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, if the 2025 Notes have not previously been converted or repurchased due to a decline in our share price, we may be required to repay the 2025 Notes in cash. Our ability to make required cash payments in connection with conversions of the 2025 Notes, repurchase the 2025 Notes in the event of a fundamental change, or to repay or refinance the 2025 Notes at maturity will depend on market conditions and our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive, and other factors beyond our control.
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In addition, our ability to repurchase or to pay cash upon conversion or at maturity of the 2025 Notes may be limited by law or regulatory authority. Our failure to repurchase Notes following a fundamental change as required by the applicable indenture would constitute a default under such indenture. A default under the indenture or agreements governing our future indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. If the payment of the related indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the 2025 Notes or to pay cash upon conversion or at maturity.
Additional stock issuances could result in significant dilution to our stockholders.
We may issue additional equity securities to raise capital, make acquisitions, or for a variety of other purposes. Additional issuances of our stock may be made pursuant to the exercise or conversion of new or existing convertible debt securities, stock options, or other equity incentive awards. We rely on equity-based compensation as an important tool in recruiting and retaining employees. The amount of dilution due to equity-based compensation of our employees and other additional issuances could be substantial. In addition, in March 2022, we entered a sales agreement with Jefferies LLC ("Jefferies") to sell shares of our common stock, from time to time, with aggregate gross sales proceeds up to $150.0 million through an at-the-market equity offering program under which Jefferies will act as our sales agent. Further, we may settle all or a portion of the 2025 Notes in shares or in cash, at our option. We include shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the 2025 Notes in our diluted earnings per share to the extent such shares are not anti-dilutive. We will reevaluate this policy from time to time if we conclude we intend to settle all or a portion of the 2025 notes in cash, or in the event conversion notices are received from noteholders and our stock price is above the strike price. If we issue common stock or securities convertible into common stock for the above reasons, or any other reason, our common stockholders would experience additional dilution and, as a result, our stock price may decline.
Our stock price may be volatile, which may subject us to a securities class action litigation.
The trading price of our common stock price may be volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
● general economic, industry and market conditions;
● actions by institutional or other large stockholders;
● the depth and liquidity of the market for our common stock;
● volume and timing of orders for our products;
● developments generally affecting medical device companies;
● changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;
● our results of operations and financial performance.
In addition, the stock market in general, and the Nasdaq Stock Market and the market for products and devices sold into the medical and healthcare industries in particular, have experienced substantial price and volume volatility that is often seemingly unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies, including recently in connection with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine and increased inflation and interest rates in the United States, which have resulted in decreased stock prices for many companies notwithstanding the lack of a fundamental change in their underlying business models or prospects. These broad market fluctuations may cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, regardless of our actual operating performance. In the past, securities class action litigation has at times been brought against a company after a period of volatility in the market price of its common stock. We may become involved in this type of litigation in the future. Any securities litigation claims brought against us could result in substantial expense and the diversion of management’s attention from our business.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
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Item 2. Properties
As of March 31, 2023, we owned two facilities and both are material to our business: one in Lakewood, Colorado and the other in Bozeman, Montana. Both facilities are used for manufacturing, engineering, research and development, marketing, and administration. Two of our four segments use the properties: Sterilization and Disinfectant Control and Calibration Solutions. We have eleven leased facilities which are individually immaterial.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
For information regarding legal proceedings, refer to Note 13. “Commitments and Contingencies” in our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “MLAB.”
While we have paid dividends to holders of our common stock on a quarterly basis since 2003, the declaration and payment of future dividends will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to, our earnings, financial condition, business development needs and regulatory considerations, and is at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors. At this time, we expect to continue paying dividends commensurate with our historical practice.
As of March 31, 2023, there were 60 holders of record of our common stock. This amount does not include “street name” holders or beneficial holders of our common stock, who holder their shares through banks, brokers or other financial institutions.
During the year ended March 31, 2023, we did not sell any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
On November 7, 2005, our Board of Directors adopted a share repurchase plan which allows for the repurchase of up to 300,000 of our common shares. This plan will continue until the maximum is reached or the plan is terminated by further action of the Board of Directors. We made no repurchases of our common stock during the years ended March 31, 2023, March 31, 2022, or March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2023, 137,514 shares remained available to repurchase pursuant to the repurchase plan.
See Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters for information regarding securities authorized for issuance.
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Set forth below is a line graph comparing, for the period March 31, 2018 through March 31, 2023, the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock against the cumulative total return of (a) the S&P Composite Stock Index (b) the S&P Small Cap 600, and (c) a self-selected peer group, comprised of the following companies: Danaher Corp., Inc., Repligen Corp., Steris Corp., Utah Medical Products, Inc., Cantel Medical Corp., Fortive Corp., Merit Medical Systems, Inc., Mettler Toledo International, Inc., Transcat Inc., Elector-Sensors, Inc., Medtronic, P.L.C, and Illumina, Inc. The graph shows the value on March 31 of each year, assuming an original investment of $100 in each and reinvestment of cash dividends.
Item 6. Reserved
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(dollars in thousands, unless specified)
Overview
We are a multinational manufacturer, developer, and seller of life sciences tools and critical quality control products and services, many of which are sold into niche markets driven by regulatory requirements. We have manufacturing operations in the United States and Europe, and our products are marketed by our sales personnel in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, as well as by independent distributors in these areas and throughout the rest of the world. We prefer markets in which we can establish a strong presence and achieve high gross profit margins. As of March 31, 2023, we managed our operations in four reportable segments, or divisions: Clinical Genomics, Sterilization and Disinfection Control, Biopharmaceutical Development, and Calibration Solutions. Each of our divisions are described further in "Results of Operations" below. Unallocated corporate expenses and other business activities are reported within Corporate and Other.
Corporate Strategy
We strive to create shareholder value and further our purpose of Protecting the Vulnerable® by growing our business both organically and through acquisitions, by improving our operating efficiency, and by continuing to hire, develop and retain top talent. As a business, we commit to our purpose of Protecting the Vulnerable® every day by taking a customer-focused approach to developing, building, and delivering our products. We serve a broad set of industries, in particular the pharmaceutical, healthcare services, and medical device verticals, in which the safety, quality, and efficacy of products is critical. By delivering the highest quality products possible, we are committed to protecting the communities we serve.
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Organic Revenues Growth
Organic revenues growth is driven by the expansion of our customer base, increases in sales volumes, new product offerings, and price increases, and may be affected positively or negatively by changes in foreign currency rates. Our ability to increase organic revenues is affected by general economic conditions, both domestic and international, customer capital spending trends, competition, and the introduction of new products. Our policy is to price our products competitively and, where possible, we pass along cost increases to our customers in order to maintain our margins. We typically evaluate costs and pricing annually with price increases effective January 1; however, as a result of high inflation in recent quarters, we implemented an additional mid-year price increase late in the second quarter of fiscal year 2023.
Inorganic Revenues Growth - Acquisitions
During the third quarter of fiscal year 2023, we completed the Belyntic acquisition. We paid $4,950 on the date of acquisition, and we expect to pay an additional $1,500 of contingent consideration based on the probable approval of pending patent applications expected within 36 months of the acquisition date. The acquisition provided a natural complement to our peptide synthesis business by adding a consumables product line.
During the third quarter of fiscal year 2022, we completed the acquisition of Agena for an aggregate net purchase price of $300,793. Agena is a leading clinical genomics tools company that develops, manufactures, and sells highly sensitive, low-cost, high-throughput genetic analysis tools used by clinical labs to perform genomic clinical testing in several therapeutic areas, such as screenings for hereditary diseases, pharmacogenetics and oncology related applications. The acquisition of Agena accelerated our strategic trajectory towards higher growth applications within the regulated segments of the life sciences tools market.
Over the past decade, we have consummated a number of acquisitions as part of our growth strategy. These acquisitions have allowed us to expand our product offerings, globalize our company, and increase the scale at which we operate, which in turn affords us the ability to improve our operating efficiency, extend our customer base, and further the pursuit of our purpose: Protecting the Vulnerable®.
Improving Our Operating Efficiency
We maximize value in both our existing businesses and those we acquire by implementing efficiencies in our manufacturing, commercial, engineering, and administrative operations. We achieve efficiencies using the four pillars that make up the Mesa Way, which is our customer-centric, lean-based system for continuously improving and operating a set of high-margin, niche businesses. The Mesa Way is focused on: Measuring What Matters using our customers' perspective and setting high standards for performance; Empowering Teams to improve operationally and exceed customer expectations; Sustainably Improving using lean-based tools designed to help us identify the root cause of opportunities and prioritize the biggest opportunities; and Always Learning so that performance continuously improves.
Gross profit is affected by many factors including our product mix, manufacturing efficiencies, costs of products and labor, foreign currency rates, and price competition. Historically, as we have integrated our acquisitions and taken advantage of manufacturing efficiencies, our gross profit percentages for some products have improved. There are, however, differences in gross profit percentages between product lines, and ultimately the mix of sales will continue to impact our overall gross profit.
Hire, Develop, and Retain Top Talent
At the center of our organization are talented people who are capable of taking on new challenges using a team approach. It is our exceptionally talented workforce that works together and uses our lean-based tool set to find ways to continuously improve our products, our services, and ourselves, resulting in long-term value creation for our shareholders.
General Trends
We are a global company, with multinational operations. During our fiscal year 2023, approximately 46% of our revenues were derived from revenues earned outside of the United States. Since Mesa serves a number of industries across a variety of global markets, we may be affected by world-wide, regional, or industry-specific economic or political factors. However, our diversity in industry, geography, and product and service offerings may limit the impact of changes in specific industry trends or local economic changes to a single geographic area on our consolidated operating results. We actively monitor trends affecting industries that we operate in, including monitoring key competitors and customers, as well as staying abreast of changes to local economies and how they may affect our divisions.
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Exchange rates were volatile throughout fiscal year 2023. A weakening or strengthening of foreign currencies against the United States dollar ("USD") increases or decreases our reported revenues, gross profit margins, and operating expenses, and impacts the comparability of our results between periods. Overall, currency exchange rates negatively impacted our reported revenues for fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022. Generally, the USD strengthening against major currencies adversely impacts our reported revenues, but to a lesser extent, positively impacts our reported expenses; conversely, the weakening of the U.S. dollar against major currencies positively impacts our reported revenues but negatively impacts our reported expenses. The ultimate impact to gross profit as a percentage of revenue depends on the magnitude of changes in foreign currencies.
Inflation was significant in the regions that we operate in during fiscal year 2023. Current and future inflationary effects may continue to be impacted by a variety of macroeconomic forces, including, but not limited to: supply chain disruptions, government fiscal policies, changes in interest rates, and changing demand for goods and services. Inflationary pressures have affected our business in a number of ways, including increasing the cost of raw materials, labor, and freight, and the rate of interest we pay on borrowings under our Credit Facility. Our actions to mitigate the impact of supply chain disruptions and inflation, including pre-ordering components in higher than usual quantities, sourcing new vendors and increasing prices have been somewhat successful; however, raw materials shortages impacted our Calibrations Solutions division throughout much of fiscal year 2023.
COVID-19 negatively impacted commercial execution in different ways throughout fiscal year 2023, and in some cases, limited sales of Clinical Genomics consumables to existing customers and instruments to new customers. Specifically, we experienced disruptions to our business in China resulting from government mandated shut-downs and restrictions during fiscal year 2023. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has largely subsided as a public health matter, we may experience material adverse impacts to our business as a result of the pandemic's adverse impact on the global economy, in-person collaboration and sales efforts, and our customers’ changed purchasing behaviors and confidence.
During fiscal year 2023, we were notified by Sema4 Holdings Corp. ("Sema4"), a customer of our Clinical Genomics division, that they are exiting the reproductive health screening business, and as a result, they intend to significantly reduce the quantity of orders they place with us in the future. Revenues from sales to Sema4 were approximately $8,200 during the first twelve months of our ownership of Agena and were approximately $4,600 during fiscal year 2023. Following the notice, we evaluated our business operations and enacted several cost-cutting measures in the Clinical Genomics division, including a reduction-in-force, to preserve our financial model. These actions are expected to generate more than $4,000 in future annualized savings.
Results of Operations
Our results of operations and year-over-year changes are discussed in the following section. The tables and discussion below should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto appearing in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data (in thousands, except percent data). Refer to Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2022, filed on May 31, 2022, for a comparison of results of operations for the years ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021.
Revenues from our reportable segments increased 19% for fiscal year 2023 as compared to fiscal year 2022. Revenues growth for fiscal year 2023 was primarily attributable to the acquisition of Agena, and to a lesser extent, organic revenues growth of 0.6%.
Gross profit as a percentage of revenues increased two percentage points for fiscal year 2023 as a result of the recognition of a $7,462 non-cash inventory step-up charge, part of purchase accounting for the Agena Acquisition, during fiscal year 2022, partially offset by unfavorable product mix, increased cost of labor, and adverse changes in foreign currency on our reported revenues.
Results by reportable segment are as follows:
Revenues Organic Revenues Growth Gross Profit as a % of Revenues
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Our condensed consolidated results of operations are as follows:
Year Ended March 31, Percentage Change
Reportable Segments
Clinical Genomics
The Clinical Genomics division develops, manufactures and sells highly sensitive, low-cost, high-throughput genetic analysis tools and related consumables and services that enable clinical labs to perform genomic testing for a broad range of diagnostic and research applications in several therapeutic areas, such as screenings for hereditary diseases, pharmacogenetics, and oncology related applications.
Year Ended March 31, Percentage Change
Gross profit as a % of revenues 52 % 36 % N/A 16 % N/A
Revenues in the Clinical Genomics division represent revenues from October 20, 2021 until March 31, 2023. Clinical Genomics revenues increased 90% for fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022 due to a significantly shorter period of ownership of Agena in fiscal year 2022 compared to fiscal year 2023, partially offset by adverse foreign currency exchange rates. We recognized approximately $4,600 in revenues from sales to Sema4 during fiscal year 2023, and we expect a significant reduction of revenues resulting from the loss of Sema4's business in future quarters. However, two of our distribution partners, Guangzhou Darui Biotechnology Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Simcere Medical Device Co., Ltd., recently received approval from China's National Medical Products Administration for Class III in vitro diagnostics ("IVD") panels. One of these panels addresses hereditary deafness and the other covers pharmacogenetics with the intended use of guiding personal drug therapy. These are the first approved Class III IVD panels in China from our distribution partner program, and we expect some increase in revenues resulting from these programs beginning in fiscal year 2024.
Gross profit percentage for the Clinical Genomics division increased 16 percentage points for fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022 primarily due to the amortization of a $7,462 inventory step-up required under the purchasing accounting standards in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022. Excluding the inventory step-up, gross profit as a percentage of revenue decreased seven percentage points as a result of lower revenues due to unfavorable foreign currency impacts and the loss of Sema4, on a partially fixed cost base.
Sterilization and Disinfection Control
Our Sterilization and Disinfection Control division manufactures and sells biological, cleaning, and chemical indicators which are used to assess the effectiveness of sterilization and disinfection processes, including steam, gas, hydrogen peroxide, ethylene oxide, radiation, and other processes in the medical device, pharmaceutical, and hospital industries. The division also provides testing and laboratory services, mainly to the dental industry.
Year Ended March 31, Percentage Change
Gross profit as a % of revenues 72 % 74 % 75 % (2 %) (1 %)
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Sterilization and Disinfection Control revenues increased 9% for fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022, despite the USD strengthening against the euro which resulted in lower reported revenues derived from sales in Europe. During fiscal year 2023, we added temporary and permanent manufacturing headcount at our Bozeman Montana facility, which enabled us to fulfill approximately $1,800 of customer orders that were backlogged as of March 31, 2022. Fiscal year 2023 also benefited from favorable product mix and, to a lesser extent, price increases.
Sterilization and Disinfection Control's gross profit percentage decreased two percentage points during the year ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to increased labor and benefit costs, including the cost of temporary headcount, inflation in freight expense, and the result of foreign currency negatively impacting our reported revenues.
Biopharmaceutical Development
Our Biopharmaceutical Development division develops, manufactures and sells automated systems for protein analysis (immunoassays) and peptide synthesis solutions. Immunoassays and peptide synthesis solutions accelerate the discovery, development, and manufacture of biotherapeutic therapies, among other applications.
Year Ended March 31, Percentage Change
Gross profit as a % of revenues 64 % 63 % 62 % 1 % 1 %
Biopharmaceutical Development's revenues increased 4% for fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022. The division's increase in reported revenue was a result of increased product adoption and price increases, partially offset by unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our reported revenues.
Biopharmaceutical Development's gross profit percentage increased one percentage point during the year ended March 31, 2023 as a result of higher revenues on a partially-fixed cost base, partially offset by unfavorable product mix and foreign currency fluctuations negatively impacting our reported revenues.
Calibration Solutions
The Calibration Solutions division develops, manufactures and sells quality control products using principles of advanced metrology to measure or calibrate critical chemical or physical parameters in various dialysis, process monitoring, instrument monitoring, environmental monitoring, gas flow, environmental air quality, and torque applications, primarily in hospital, medical device manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and laboratory environments.
Year Ended March 31, Percentage Change
Gross profit as a % of revenues 54 % 53 % 56 % 1 % (3 %)
Calibration Solutions' revenues decreased 4% for fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022, primarily as a result of supply constraints limiting our ability to manufacture ordered quantities of certain products, partially offset by slightly higher service revenues as our service technicians had access to client facilities for substantially all of fiscal year 2023, and the benefit of modest price increases. Production difficulties resulted in longer lead times for customer orders, which negatively impacted the timing of new orders; however, beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023, production difficulties abated somewhat and revenues increased modestly compared to each of the first three quarters of fiscal year 2023.
Calibration Solutions' gross profit percentage increased one percentage point during the year ended March 31, 2023 primarily as a result of favorable product mix.
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Corporate and Other
Corporate and Other consists of unallocated corporate expenses and other business activities.
Year Ended March 31, Percentage Change
Revenues $ - $ - $ - N/A N/A
Gross profit as a % of revenues N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the year ended March 31, 2023 increased 25% in total compared to the year ended March 31, 2022 primarily as a result of the increased costs of operations resulting from the Agena Acquisition which was consummated about halfway through fiscal year 2022.
Selling
Selling expense is driven primarily by labor costs, including salaries and commissions; accordingly, it may vary with sales levels.
Year Ended March 31, Percentage Change
As a percentage of revenues 17 % 15 % 14 % 2 % 1 %
Selling expense increased 32% for the year ended March 31, 2023. Excluding the impact of Agena, selling expense increased 13% for the year ended March 31, 2023, as we continued to execute on our previously-announced plan to invest in sales and marketing resources in order to increase organic revenues growth. We hired several sales employees, resulting in higher labor-related costs. Further, travel-related costs increased as we continued to resume in-person meetings, tradeshows, and sales events. Increases were partially offset by lower commissions and bonus expense.
General and Administrative
Labor costs, non-cash stock-based compensation, and amortization of intangible assets drive the substantial majority of general and administrative expense.
Year Ended March 31, Percentage Change
As a percentage of revenues 33 % 33 % 34 % - % (1 %)
General and administrative expenses increased 20% for the year ended March 31, 2023. Excluding the impact of Agena, general and administrative expenses increased 1% for the year ended March 31, 2023. The increase was a result of higher personnel costs, including increased stock-based compensation expense as we expanded the number of employee participants in the program. Increases to general and administrative costs were partially offset by lower intangible amortization expense as a result of the strengthening of the USD, lower annual bonus accruals based on our financial results for the year ended March 31, 2023, and decreased acquisition and integration-related costs.
Research and Development
Research and development expense is predominantly comprised of labor costs and third-party consultants.
Year Ended March 31, Percentage Change
As a percentage of revenues 9 % 9 % 8 % - % 1 %
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Research and development expenses for the year ended March 31, 2023 increased 30%. Excluding the impact of Agena, research and development costs for the year ended March 31, 2023 increased 3% primarily as a result of our purchase of in process research and development technology that we are further developing in order to enhance a product offering in our Sterilization and Disinfection Control division, as well as higher personnel costs as we continue enhancing existing products and developing new products and features.
Nonoperating Expense
Year Ended March 31, Percentage Change
Nonoperating expense for fiscal year 2023 is composed primarily of interest expense and amortization of the debt discount associated with the 2025 Notes and the Credit Facility as well as gains and losses on foreign currency transactions. Nonoperating expense was higher in fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022 due to interest expense on the Credit Facility, which had an average interest rate of 4.5% during fiscal year 2023 compared with an average interest rate of 1.7% for the periods during which a balance was outstanding during fiscal year 2022, partially offset by net foreign currency gains.
Interest expense and amortization of debt discount was lower for the year ended March 31, 2022 compared to the year ended March 31, 2021 due to our adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-06, Debt with Conversion and Other Options and Derivatives and HedgingAccounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity ("ASU 2020-06"), which resulted in a $4,090 reduction in non-cash interest expense related to the 2025 Notes.
Income Taxes
Year Ended March 31, Percentage Change
Our income tax rate varies based upon many factors, but in general we anticipate that on a go-forward basis, our effective tax rate will be approximately 26%, plus or minus the impact of excess tax benefits and deficiencies associated with share-based payment awards to employees (please see Note 12. “Income Taxes” within Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data) and purchase price accounting for any future acquisitions. The change in our effective tax rate during the year ended March 31, 2023 is primarily due to being in a net loss position before taxes, a decrease in the provision for limitations under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, partially offset by lower tax benefits associated with stock option exercises in fiscal year 2023. Tax benefits and deficiencies associated with share-based payment awards to our employees have caused and, in the future, may cause large fluctuations in our realized effective tax rate based on timing, volume, and nature of stock options exercised under our share-based payment program.
Net Income
Net income for the year ended March 31, 2023 varied with the changes in revenues, gross profit, and operating expenses (including, respectively, $28,821 and $12,538 of non-cash amortization of intangible assets acquired in a business combination, and stock-based compensation expense).
Non-GAAP reconciliation
Adjusted operating income (which excludes the non-cash impact of amortization of intangible assets acquired in a business combination, stock-based compensation and impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets) is used by management as a supplemental performance measure in order to compare current financial performance to historical performance, assess the ability of our assets to generate cash, and evaluate potential acquisitions.
Adjusted operating income should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income, operating income, cash flow from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP as measures of operating performance or liquidity.
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The following table sets forth our reconciliation of adjusted operating income, a non-GAAP measure, to operating income:
Year Ended March 31,
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our sources of liquidity include cash generated from operations, cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash available from our Credit Facility and the Open Market Sale AgreementSM described below, working capital, and potential additional equity and debt offerings. We believe that cash flows from operating activities and potential cash provided by borrowings from our Credit Facility or funds from our Open Market Sale AgreementSM, when necessary, will be sufficient to meet our ongoing short-term and long-term operating requirements, scheduled interest payments on debt, dividend payments, and anticipated capital expenditures. At our option, we may settle the 2025 Notes in shares of our common stock or in cash, or we may re-finance the debt, depending on conditions in the market and the share price of our common stock.
Our more significant uses of resources have historically included acquisitions, payments on debt and interest obligations, long-term capital expenditures, and quarterly dividends to shareholders. Working capital is the amount by which current assets exceed current liabilities. We had working capital of $75,616 and $76,263 on March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We also had $32,910 and $49,346 of cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
As of March 31, 2023, $172,500 was outstanding under the 2025 Notes and $13,000 was outstanding under the Credit Facility. In April 2023, we paid an additional $3,000 on our Credit Facility.
We have evaluated our risk from concentration of cash deposits and taken appropriate steps to mitigate such risk. We maintain relationships and cash deposits at multiple banking institutions across the world in an effort to diversify and reduce risk of loss.
In April 2022, we entered into an Open Market Sale AgreementSM pursuant to which we may issue and sell, from time to time, shares of our common stock with an aggregate value of up to $150,000. We did not sell any shares under this agreement during fiscal year 2023.
We routinely evaluate opportunities for strategic acquisitions. Future material acquisitions may require that we obtain additional capital, assume additional third-party debt or incur other long-term obligations. We believe that we have the ability to issue more equity or debt in the future in order to finance our acquisition and investment activities; however, additional equity or debt financing, or other transactions, may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.
We may from time to time repurchase or take other steps to reduce our debt. These actions may include retirements or refinancing of outstanding debt, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The amount of debt that may be retired, if any, could be material and would be decided at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and would depend on market conditions, our cash position, and other considerations.
Dividends
We have paid regular quarterly dividends since 2003. We declared and paid dividends of $0.16 per share each quarter of the years ended March 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
In April 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share of common stock, payable on June 15, 2023, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2023.
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Cash Flows
Our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities were as follows:
Year Ended March 31,
Cash flows from operating activities for the year ended March 31, 2023 provided $27,983. The $11,240 decrease in cash flows from operating activities primarily resulted from changes in our working capital accounts including higher purchases of inventories to mitigate potential supply chain issues as well as lower accrued liabilities, particularly bonus, partially offset by non-cash adjustments to net income including higher stock compensation expense and higher depreciation and amortization expense. Net income and non-cash adjustments totaled $45,095 for the year ended March 31, 2023 compared to $46,415 for the year ended March 31, 2022, while cash provided by operating assets and liabilities decreased by $9,920. Cash used in investing activities was lower during the year ended March 31, 2023 compared to the year ended March 31, 2022 due to cash expended on the Agena Acquisition fiscal year 2022, partially offset by the Belyntic Acquisition in fiscal year 2023. Cash used in financing activities primarily resulted from our repayment of $36,000 on our Credit Facility. The fiscal year 2022 draw on our Credit Facility was used to fund a portion of the purchase price of the Agena Acquisition. Our equity raise completed during the year ended March 31, 2021 provided $145,935.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require management to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. We believe that the following are the more critical judgment areas in the application of accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results of operations. Management has discussed the development, selection, and disclosure of critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. While our estimates and assumptions are based on our knowledge of current events and circumstances and actions we may take in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates and assumptions. For a discussion of our significant accounting policies, see Note 1. “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Purchase Accounting for Acquisitions
We account for all business combinations in which we obtain control over another entity using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires most assets (both tangible and intangible) and liabilities (including any applicable contingent consideration) to be recognized at fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets less liabilities is recognized as goodwill. We determine fair value using widely accepted valuation techniques, primarily discounted cash flow and market multiple analyses. These types of analyses require us to make and monitor assumptions and estimates regarding industry and economic factors, the profitability of future business strategies, discount rates and cash flow. Certain adjustments to the assessed fair values of acquired assets or liabilities made subsequent to the acquisition date but within a one-year measurement period are recorded as adjustments to goodwill. Any adjustments subsequent to the measurement period are recorded within earnings. We expense all costs as incurred related to an acquisition in selling, general, and administrative expenses.
Results of operations of the acquired company are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of the acquisition forward. If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and estimates, or if our assumptions and estimates change due to new information, we may be exposed to an impairment charge in the future.
Acquired Intangible Assets
Our business acquisitions typically result in the recognition of goodwill and other intangible assets, which affect the amount of future period amortization expense and possible impairment charges we may incur.
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Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives using the straight-line method and amortization expense is recorded within cost of products or selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Impairment assessments are conducted if events or conditions indicate that asset carrying amounts may not be recoverable, including changes in the competitive landscape, any internal decisions to pursue new or different technology strategies, losses of significant customers, or significant changes in the marketplace, including adverse changes in the prices paid for our products or changes in the size of the market for our products. If impairment indicators are present, we determine whether the carrying value of the underlying intangible asset is recoverable through undiscounted estimated future cash flows. If the asset is not found to be recoverable, we estimate the asset's fair value using Level 3 inputs and record an impairment to write down the asset's carrying value to the estimated fair value. If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life is changed, the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset is amortized prospectively over the revised remaining useful life. We continue to believe that our finite lived intangible assets are recoverable as of March 31, 2023.
We test goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of the respective asset is less than its carrying value. Events that would indicate impairment and trigger interim impairment assessments include but are not limited to: current economic and market conditions, including a decline in market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors; business climate or operational performance of the business; and an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. Our impairment tests for indefinite lived intangible assets other than goodwill are generally conducted at the individual asset level. We accounted for the economic uncertainty caused by the macro-economic environment, including rising interest rates and high inflation, when conducting our impairment analyses of goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets during the fourth quarter of our year ended March 31, 2023.
Our impairment tests typically begin with optional qualitative assessments to determine whether it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a goodwill reporting unit or other intangible asset exceeds its fair value, as permitted by the accounting guidance. If, after this qualitative assessment, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value is greater than the carrying amount, no further quantitative testing is necessary. A quantitative assessment is performed if the qualitative assessment results in a more-likely-than-not determination or if a qualitative assessment is not performed. The quantitative assessment measures whether the carrying amount of a reporting unit or indefinite lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, in which case an impairment charge is recorded to the extent carrying value exceeds fair value. Fair value is determined using an income approach, which relies heavily on Level 3 inputs. In fiscal year 2023, we performed initial qualitative assessments over reporting units associated with our Clinical Genomics, Biopharmaceutical Development, and Calibration Solutions reportable segments. We supplemented our qualitative analysis over Clinical Genomics with a quantitative assessment as described further below. We also performed a quantitative assessment over the Sterilization and Disinfection Control reportable segment due to the length of time elapsed since our last quantitative assessment. Through our testing, we concluded that no impairment exists as of March 31, 2023.
Due to the loss of a significant customer, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 we used Level 3 inputs to quantitatively test the recoverability of the Clinical Genomics division’s intangible asset group and to evaluate the division’s goodwill for impairment. After considering all information available to us as of that testing date, we concluded that no impairment was indicated. As of March 31, 2023, our annual qualitative impairment analyses continued to support the conclusion that Clinical Genomics’ goodwill and intangible assets are not impaired; however, we chose to perform a quantitative impairment test in light of the division’s fourth quarter financial performance compared to original forecasts. We will continue to carefully monitor Clinical Genomics’ goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment in future periods. It is reasonably possible that the division’s goodwill, intangibles, or both, may be impaired in the near term. Impairment would result in non-cash charges, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The total net carrying values of Clinical Genomics’ intangible assets and goodwill potentially subject to future impairment are $140,700 and $135,811, respectively, as of March 31, 2023. The value of finite-lived intangible assets decreases about $15.5 million each year as we record amortization expense, and the value of goodwill and intangible assets may be affected by future events, including changes in our customer or product mix, market conditions, or our operating performance falling short of current forecasts.
Stock-based Compensation
We recognize compensation expense for equity awards over the vesting period based on the fair value of the awards. We use the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate the fair value of our stock options. The Black-Scholes model requires assumptions to be made regarding our stock price volatility, the expected life of awards, and expected dividend rates. The volatility assumption and the expected life assumptions are based on our historical data. The compensation expense related to performance share awards is based in part on the estimated probability of achieving performance goals associated with particular levels of payout for performance shares. We determine the probability of achievement of future levels of performance by comparing the relevant performance level with our internal estimates of future performance. Those estimates are based on a number of assumptions, and different assumptions may result in different conclusions regarding the probability of achieving future levels of performance relevant to the payout levels for the awards. Had we arrived at different assumptions of stock price volatility or expected lives of our options, or different assumptions regarding the probability of our achieving future levels of performance with respect to performance share awards, our stock-based compensation expense and results of operations could have been different.
Income Taxes
Our provision for income taxes requires the use of estimates in determining the timing and amounts of deductible and taxable items, including impacts on effective tax rates, deferred tax items and valuation allowances based on management’s interpretation and application of complex tax laws and accounting guidance. We establish reserves for uncertain tax positions for material, known tax exposures relating to deductions, transactions and other matters involving uncertainty as to the measurement and recognition of the item. While we believe that our reserves are adequate, issues raised by a tax authority may be finally resolved at an amount different than the related reserve and could materially increase or decrease our income tax provision in the current and/or future periods.
Recent Accounting Standards and Pronouncements
For a discussion of the new accounting standards impacting the Company, refer to Note 1. “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
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Contractual Obligations
We are party to many contractual obligations that involve commitments to make payments to third parties in the ordinary course of business. For a description of our contractual obligations and other commercial commitments as of March 31, 2022, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2022.
On a consolidated basis, at March 31, 2023, we had contractual obligations for open purchase orders of approximately $17,270 for routine purchases of supplies and inventory, of which the substantial majority are payable in less than one year.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We have no derivative instruments and minimal exposure to commodity market risks.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
We face exchange rate risk from transactions with customers in countries outside the United States and from intercompany transactions between affiliates. Transactional exchange rate risk arises from the purchase and sale of goods and services in currencies other than our functional currency or the functional currency of the applicable subsidiary. We also face translational exchange rate risk related to the translation of financial statements of our foreign operations into U.S. dollars, our functional currency. Costs incurred and sales recorded by subsidiaries operating outside of the United States are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates effective during the respective period. As a result, we are exposed to movements in the exchange rates of various currencies against the U.S. dollar. Our Biopharmaceutical Development division is particularly susceptible to currency exposures since it incurs a substantial portion of its expenses in Swedish Krona, while most revenue contracts are in U.S. dollars and euros. Therefore, when the Swedish Krona strengthens or weakens against the U.S. dollar, operating profits are increased or decreased, respectively. The effect of a change in currency exchange rates on our international subsidiaries' assets and liabilities is reflected in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of stockholders’ equity.
To the extent material, we have discussed the impact of the change in foreign currency within Item 7. "Results of Operations." A hypothetical 10 percent increase in currency exchange rates compared to the U.S. dollar (U.S. dollar strengthening) would result in an estimated $875 after tax reduction in net earnings over a one-year period. Actual changes in market prices or rates may differ from hypothetical changes.
Interest Rates
During our year ended March 31, 2021, we entered into the Credit Facility which bears interest at either a base rate or a SOFR rate, plus an applicable spread. Based on our interest rate and balance outstanding as of March 31, 2023, we estimate that if interest rates increased 1 percentage point, we would incur approximately $130 of additional interest expense per year.
Inflation Risk
Inflation generally impacts us by increasing our costs of labor, materials, and freight. The rates of inflation experienced in recent years have not had a significant impact on our financial statements as inflationary cost increases have been offset by annual price increases. However, any price increases imposed may lead to declines in sales volume if competitors do not similarly adjust prices. We cannot reasonably estimate our ability to successfully recover any impact of inflation cost increases into the future.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Stockholders and Board of Directors
Mesa Laboratories, Inc.
Lakewood, Colorado
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Mesa Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2023 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and our report dated May 30, 2023 expressed an adverse opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements. 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 PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the 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. 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 Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate 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 matters below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
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Valuation of Goodwill – Clinical Genomics Reporting Unit - Refer to Notes 1 and 6
Critical Audit Matter Description
As discussed in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements, goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually at the reporting unit level. This requires management to estimate the fair value of the reporting units with goodwill allocated to them. The Company estimates the fair value based on a discounted cash flow method. As of the annual impairment testing date, the Clinical Genomics reporting unit goodwill balance totaled $135.8 million.
Auditing management's goodwill impairment test of the Clinical Genomics reporting unit involved especially subjective judgments due to the significant estimation required in determining the fair value of the reporting unit. In particular, the estimate of the fair value for the reporting unit is sensitive to changes in assumptions such as the discount rate, the long-term growth rate and expected future net cash flows, including projected revenues and operating expenses, which are affected by expectations about future market and economic conditions.
How the Critical Audit Matter was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures performed to address this critical audit matter included the following, among others:
Income Taxes – Refer to Notes 1 and 12
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s income tax expense includes U.S., state, local and international income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities. The tax rate used to determine the deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on the enacted tax rate for the year and the manner in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized.
We identified management’s calculation of the provision for income taxes as a critical audit matter because of the significant judgments and estimates management makes to determine these amounts. Performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s interpretation of tax law in various domestic and foreign jurisdictions, and its estimate of the associated provisions and tax charges required a high degree of auditor judgment and increased effort.
How the Critical Audit Matter was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures performed to address this critical audit matter included the following, among others:
● We assessed the Company’s income tax provision by:
/s/ Plante & Moran, PLLC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1986.
Denver, Colorado
May 30, 2023
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Mesa Laboratories, Inc.
Adverse Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2023 of Mesa Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”), based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO framework”). In our opinion, because of the effect of the material weaknesses described in the following paragraphs on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2023, based on criteria established in the COSO framework.
A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weaknesses have been identified and included in management’s assessment:
These material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the March 31, 2023 financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated May 30, 2023, on those financial statements.
We also have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”), in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Our report dated May 30, 2023, expresses an unqualified opinion.
Basis for Opinion
The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Item 9A, Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Plante & Moran, PLLC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1986.
Denver, Colorado
May 30, 2023
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Mesa Laboratories, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share amounts)
ASSETS
Current assets
Noncurrent assets
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Noncurrent liabilities
Stockholders’ equity
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (12,795 ) 3,666
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 661,832 $ 707,369
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Mesa Laboratories, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share data)
Year Ended March 31,
Revenues
Cost of revenues
Operating expenses
Nonoperating expenses
Interest expense and amortization of debt discount 4,770 3,885 8,024
Earnings per share
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Mesa Laboratories, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income
(In thousands except per share data)
Year Ended March 31,
Other comprehensive (loss) income
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Mesa Laboratories, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(In thousands, except share amounts)
Common Stock
Number of Shares Amount Retained Earnings AOCI* Total
Tax withholding on restricted stock units (2,104 ) (517 ) - - (517 )
Stock-based compensation expense - 9,268 - - 9,268
Adoption of accounting standards, net - - (9 ) - (9 )
Tax withholding on restricted stock units (3,278 ) (875 ) - - (875 )
Stock-based compensation expense - 11,391 - - 11,391
Foreign currency translation - - - (12,450 ) (12,450 )
Tax withholding on restricted stock units (4,898 ) (919 ) - - (919 )
Stock-based compensation expense - 12,538 - - 12,538
Foreign currency translation - - - (16,461 ) (16,461 )
*Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Mesa Laboratories, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Year Ended March 31,
Cash flows from operating activities:
Amortization of step-up in inventory basis - 7,462 (436 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (4,950 ) (300,793 ) -
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (4,544 ) (4,432 ) (1,992 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net - - 145,935
Proceeds from the issuance of debt - 70,000 -
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 6,997 8,027 4,943
Payments of contingent consideration - (237 ) (304 )
Payment of debt issuance costs - - (664 )
Cash paid for:
Supplemental non-cash activity:
Contingent consideration from acquisitions $ 1,190 $ - $ 490
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Mesa Laboratories, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollar and share amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
Note 1.Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Mesa Laboratories, Inc., a Colorado corporation, together with its subsidiaries is collectively referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” or "Mesa."
We are a multinational manufacturer, developer, and seller of life sciences tools and critical quality control products and services, many of which are sold into niche markets driven by regulatory requirements. We have manufacturing operations in the United States and Europe, and our products are marketed by our sales personnel in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, as well as by independent distributors in these areas and throughout the rest of the world. We prefer markets in which we can establish a strong presence and achieve high gross profit margins.
As of March 31, 2023, we managed our operations in four reportable segments, or divisions:
Unallocated corporate expenses and other business activities are reported within Corporate and Other.
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), and include our accounts and those of our wholly owned subsidiaries after elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions.
Prior Period Reclassification
During fiscal year 2022 we combined our historical Instruments and Continuous Monitoring reportable segments to create the Calibration Solutions reportable segment. Prior year amounts from fiscal year 2021 have been recast to conform to current year presentation, consistent with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2022. Our change in financial reporting segments has not resulted in any change to consolidated amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements for any periods presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Certain amounts presented in Note 2. "Revenue" in prior periods of fiscal year 2022 and 2023 have been reclassified. Specifically, we reclassified a portion of the Biopharmaceutical Development division's revenues from consumables into revenues from hardware and services. Certain revenues related to Clinical Genomics division have been reclassified out of revenues from hardware and into revenues from consumables. These reclassifications allow for consistency of presentation across divisions and have not resulted in any change to consolidated or segment amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements for any periods presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Management Estimates
The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Foreign Currency
Exchange rate adjustments resulting from foreign currency transactions are recognized in net earnings, whereas effects resulting from the translation of financial statements are reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries operating outside the United States with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at period end exchange rates, and revenue and expense accounts are translated at weighted average period rates.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is the price we would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. We determine fair value based on the following input hierarchy:
Level 1: Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2: Observable inputs other than prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or that can be corroborated with observable market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity. Pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, and other similar techniques involving significant management judgment or estimation typically require unobservable inputs.
Assets recognized or disclosed at fair value in the Consolidated Financial Statements on a nonrecurring basis are measured at fair value if determined to be impaired or if purchased pursuant to our acquisition of a business, including items such as inventory, property and equipment, operating lease assets, goodwill, and other intangible assets. Fair values assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisitions, except deferred revenues, are measured using Level 3 inputs.
Revenue Recognition
Our revenues come from product sales, which include consumables and hardware; as well as services, which include discrete and ongoing maintenance, calibration, and testing services. Revenues are recognized when or as we satisfy our performance obligations under the terms of a contract, which occurs when control of the promised products or services transfers to our customers. We recognize the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring products or services to our customers (the transaction price) as revenue. For all revenue contracts, prices are fixed at the time of purchase and no price protections or variables are offered. The significant majority of our revenues and related receivables are generated from contracts with customers that are 12 months or less in duration.
We generally recognize revenues as follows:
Product sales:Our performance obligations related to product sales generally consist of the promise to sell tangible goods and integrated software to distributors or end users. Control of these goods is typically transferred upon shipment, at which time our performance obligation is satisfied and revenue is recognized. Purchase orders typically provide evidence of an arrangement for product sales. Products sold include an assurance-type warranty which is accounted for as part of accrued warranty expense.
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Services: We generate service revenues from discrete and ongoing maintenance, calibration, and testing services performed on our physical products. For discrete services, our performance obligation to complete specified work is satisfied and revenue is recognized upon performance of the service. Performance obligations arising from ongoing service contracts in which we promise to stand ready to provide maintenance or other services on an as-needed basis are satisfied by completing any services that are contractually required during the contract period, if requested by the customer, or simply by the passage of time if no services are requested. For ongoing service contracts, revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the contract in a faithful depiction of our obligation to provide services over the contract period. Evidence of a service arrangement may be in the form of a formal contract or a purchase order.
Collectability is reasonably assured through our customer review process, and payment is typically due within 60 days or less.
Upon adoption of Accounting Standards Codification 606, we elected the practical expedients to expense commission costs (typically our only significant incremental cost to obtain a contract) as incurred and to account for shipping and handling costs as fulfillment costs. The substantial majority of our contracts have original durations of one year or less, and we have elected not to disclose the expected timing or allocated transaction prices of future performance obligations such as obligations to perform maintenance and repair services. Additionally, we have elected to not assess whether a significant financing component exists when the period between when we perform our performance obligation and when the customer remits payment is one year or less. None of our contracts contained significant financing components as of or for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 or 2022.
Contracts with customers may contain multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the estimated relative standalone selling prices of the promised products or services underlying each performance obligation. Standalone selling prices are based on the price at which the performance obligation is sold separately. If the standalone selling price is not observable through past transactions, we estimate the standalone selling price considering available information such as market conditions and internally approved pricing guidelines. In limited circumstances, for obligations with highly variable or unobservable standalone selling prices, we may assign standalone prices to obligations based on the residual transaction price after all observable standalone selling prices have been determined. Discounts may be approved at the time of purchase and are included within a contract’s fixed transaction price. Discounts are typically allocated to the performance obligations included in the contract based on the standalone values of such obligations. All expected and actual consideration from customers is included in the transaction price.
Shipping and Handling
Payments made by customers to us for shipping and handling costs are included in revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Income, and our expenses are included in cost of revenues. We account for shipping and handling costs arising from contracts with customers as fulfillment costs. Shipping and handling for inventory and materials we purchase is included as a component of inventory on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and expensed to cost of revenues when products are sold.
Unearned Revenues
Certain of our products may be sold with associated time-based service contracts whereby we provide repairs, technical support, parts, and various analytical or maintenance services. In the event these contracts are paid in advance by the customer, the associated amounts are recorded as an unearned revenue liability and recognized as revenue ratably over the term of the service period, generally one year. Prepayments from customers with respect to other products and services are likewise recorded as unearned revenue liabilities and are recognized to revenue when earned.
Accrued Warranty Expense
We typically provide assurance-type limited product warranties on our products and, accordingly, accrue for estimates of related warranty expenses.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
All trade accounts receivable are reported at net realizable value on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, adjusted for any write-offs and net of allowances for doubtful accounts. Allowances for doubtful accounts represent our best estimate and current expectation of future credit losses from trade accounts. We estimate credit losses based on historical information, current and expected future economic and market conditions, and reviews of the current status of customers’ trade accounts receivable. In circumstances in which we become aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific reserve is recorded against amounts due to reduce the recognized receivable to the amount reasonably expected to be collected.
We do not believe our trade accounts receivable represent significant concentrations of credit risk due to our diversified portfolio of individual customers and geographical areas. See Note 3. “Fair Value Measurements” for further discussion and for information on how we manage credit risk.
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Differences may arise between estimated and actual losses, which could materially affect the provision for credit losses and, therefore, net earnings. We recorded $736, $304, and $100 of expense associated with doubtful accounts for the years ended March 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The increase in bad debt expense reflects the uncertainty in market and macro-economic conditions.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and are relieved to cost of products upon sale using a weighted average costing methodology. Inventories acquired in an acquisition are recorded at fair market value. Our work in process and finished goods inventories include the costs of raw materials, labor and overhead, which are estimated based on trailing twelve months of expense and standard labor hours for each product. We evaluate labor and overhead costs annually unless specific circumstances necessitate a mid-year evaluation for specific items.
We monitor inventory costs relative to selling prices and perform physical cycle count procedures on inventories throughout the year to determine if a lower of cost or net realizable value reserve is necessary. We estimate and maintain an inventory reserve as needed for such matters as excess or obsolete inventory, shrinkage, and scrap. This reserve may fluctuate as our assumptions change due to new information, discrete events, or changes in our business, such as entering new markets or discontinuing a specific product; however, once inventory is written down, a new cost basis is established that is not subsequently written back up in future fiscal years.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, less allowances for depreciation, except for assets acquired in acquisitions, which are recorded at fair value. Expenditures for major renewals and improvements that extend the life of the asset are capitalized, while expenditures for minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs are expensed as incurred.
Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives. Upon asset retirement or disposal, accounts are relieved of cost and accumulated depreciation, and any related gain or loss is reflected in our results of operations. In some cases, particularly with respect to business consolidation or closure activities, accelerated depreciation may be required for the revised remaining useful lives of assets designated to be abandoned in the future.
At least annually, we evaluate and adjust as necessary the estimated lives of property, plant and equipment. Any changes in estimated useful lives are recorded prospectively. Estimated useful lives of significant classes of depreciable assets are as follows:
Category Useful Lives in Years
Buildings and building improvements 40 (or less)
Manufacturing equipment 7 (or less)
Office, lab and other equipment 7 (or less)
Computer equipment 3 (or less)
Land is not depreciated and construction in progress is not depreciated until placed in service, at which time it is assigned a useful life consistent with the nature of the asset.
Leases
Under ASC 842, we determine whether contractual arrangements contain a lease at the inception of the arrangement. If a lease is identified in an arrangement, we recognize a right-of-use asset ("ROU") and liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and determine whether the lease should be classified as a finance or operating lease. We do not have any finance leases. We do not recognize assets or liabilities for leases with terms of less than 12 months, and our short-term leases are not material.