Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Cautionary Statement
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Information in this Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere in this Form 10-K that does not consist of historical facts are "forward-looking statements." Statements accompanied or qualified by, or containing, words such as "may," "will," "should," "believes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "outlook," "forecast," "anticipates," "presume," "assume" and "optimistic" constitute forward-looking statements and, as such, are not a guarantee of future performance. These statements involve factors, risks and uncertainties, the impact or occurrence of which can cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results described in such statements. Risks and uncertainties can include, among others: fluctuations in general business cycles and changing economic conditions; variations in timing and amount of customer orders; changing product demand and industry capacity; increased competition and pricing pressures; advances in technology that can reduce the demand for the Company's products, as well as other factors, many or all of which may be beyond the Company's control. Consequently, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as predictive of future results. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to the forward-looking statements herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto, or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Company's consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of the Company's financial statements requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported. These estimates, assumptions and judgments are affected by management's application of accounting policies, which are discussed in Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies", and elsewhere in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As discussed below, our financial position or results of operations may be materially affected when reported under different conditions or when using different assumptions in the application of such policies. In the event estimates or assumptions prove to be different from actual amounts, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information. Management believes the following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Company's financial statements.
Accounts Receivable
Our ability to collect outstanding receivables from our customers is critical to our operating performance and cash flows. Accounts receivable are stated at an amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. Management provides for probable uncollectible accounts through a charge to earnings and a credit to a valuation allowance based on its assessment of the current status of individual accounts after considering the age of each receivable and communications with the customers involved.
8
Balances that are collected, for which a credit to a valuation allowance had previously been recorded, result in a current-period reversal of the earlier transaction charging earnings and crediting a valuation allowance. Balances that are still outstanding after management has used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance and a credit to accounts receivable in the current period. The actual amount of accounts written off over the five year period ended May 31, 2024 equaled 0.2% of sales for that period. The balance of the valuation allowance is unchanged at $29,000 at both May 31, 2024 and May 31, 2023. Management does not expect the valuation allowance to materially change in the next twelve months for the current accounts receivable balance.
Inventory
Inventory is stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. Average cost approximates first-in, first-out cost.
Maintenance and other inventory represent stock that is estimated to have a product life-cycle in excess of twelve-months. This stock represents certain items the Company is required to maintain for service of products sold, and items that are generally subject to spontaneous ordering.
This inventory is particularly sensitive to technical obsolescence in the near term due to its use in industries characterized by the continuous introduction of new product lines, rapid technological advances, and product obsolescence. Therefore, management of the Company has recorded an allowance for potential inventory obsolescence. Based on certain assumptions and judgments made from the information available at that time, we determine the amount in the inventory allowance. If these estimates and related assumptions or the market changes, we may be required to record additional reserves. Historically, actual results have not varied materially from the Company's estimates. There was $791,000 and $322,000 of inventory disposed of during the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023. The provision for potential inventory obsolescence was $386,000 and $295,000 for the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when, or as, the Company transfers control of promised products or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring those products or services.
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The majority of our contracts have a single performance obligation as the promise to transfer the individual goods or services is not separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts which are, therefore, not distinct. Promised goods or services that are immaterial in the context of the contract are not separately assessed as performance obligations.
For contracts with customers in which the Company satisfies a promise to the customer to provide a product that has no alternative use to the Company and the Company has enforceable rights to payment for progress completed to date inclusive of profit, the Company satisfies the performance obligation and recognizes revenue over time (generally less than one year), using costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress toward satisfying our performance obligations. Incurred cost represents work performed, which corresponds with, and thereby best depicts, the transfer of control to the customer. Contract costs include labor, material and overhead. Total estimated costs for each of the contracts are estimated based on a combination of historical costs of manufacturing similar products and estimates or quotes from vendors for supplying parts or services towards the completion of the manufacturing process. Adjustments to cost and profit estimates are made periodically due to changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability, including those arising from final contract settlements. These changes may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Any losses expected to be incurred on contracts in progress are charged to operations in the period such losses are determined. If total costs calculated upon completion of the manufacturing process in the current period for a contract are more than the estimated total costs at completion used to calculate revenue in a prior period, then the profits in the current period will be lower than if the estimated costs used in the prior period calculation were equal to the actual total costs upon completion. Historically, actual results have not varied materially from the Company's estimates. Other sales to customers are recognized upon shipment to the customer based on contract prices and terms. In the year ended May 31, 2024, 59% of revenue was recorded for contracts in which revenue was recognized over time while 41% was recognized at a point in time. In the year ended May 31, 2023, 61% of revenue was recorded for contracts in which revenue was recognized over time while 39% was recognized at a point in time.
9
For financial statement presentation purposes, the Company nets progress billings against the total costs incurred and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts. The asset, "costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings," represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability, "billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings," represents billings in excess of revenues recognized.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes provides for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial statements regardless of when such taxes are payable. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax and financial statement basis of assets and liabilities. The deferred tax assets relate principally to asset valuation allowances such as inventory obsolescence reserves and bad debt reserves and also to liabilities including warranty reserves, accrued vacation, accrued commissions and others. The deferred tax liabilities relate primarily to differences between financial statement and tax depreciation. Deferred taxes are based on tax laws currently enacted with tax rates expected to be in effect when the taxes are actually paid or recovered.
Realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income at the time temporary differences become deductible. The Company provides a valuation allowance to the extent that deferred tax assets may not be realized. A valuation allowance has not been recorded against the deferred tax assets since management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets are recoverable. The Company considers future taxable income and potential tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a potential valuation allowance. In future years the Company will need to generate approximately $10.4 million of taxable income in order to realize our deferred tax assets recorded as of May 31, 2024 of $2,176,000. This deferred tax asset balance is 38% ($594,000) higher than at the end of the prior year. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income are reduced. If actual results differ from estimated results or if the Company adjusts these assumptions, the Company may need to adjust its deferred tax assets or liabilities, which could impact its effective tax rate.
The Company's practice is to recognize interest related to income tax matters in interest income / expense and to recognize penalties in selling, general and administrative expenses.
The Company and its subsidiary file consolidated federal and state income tax returns. As of May 31, 2024, the Company had state investment tax credit carryforwards of approximately $470,000 expiring through May 2029.
Results of Operations
A summary of the period-to-period changes in the principal items included in the consolidated statements of income is shown below:
Summary comparison of the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023
Increase /
(Decrease)
Research and development costs $(708,000)
Selling, general and administrative expenses $1,928,000
Other income (expense) $745,000
Income before provision for income taxes $3,415,000
Provision for income taxes $704,000
10
For the year ended May 31, 2024 (All figures being discussed are for the year ended May 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended May 31, 2023.)
Year ended May 31 Change
... as a percentage of net revenues 47% 42%
The Company's consolidated results of operations showed an 11% increase in net revenues and an increase in net income of 43%. Revenues recorded in the year ended May 31, 2024 for long-term projects (“Project(s)”) were 8% higher than the level recorded in the prior year. We had 39 Projects in process during the year ended May 31, 2024 compared with 52 during the same period last year. Revenues recorded in the year ended May 31, 2024 for other-than long-term projects (non-projects) were 15% higher than the level recorded in the prior year. The number of Projects in-process fluctuates from period to period. The changes from the prior year to the year ended May 31, 2024 are not necessarily representative of future results.
Sales of the Company's products are made to three general groups of customers: industrial, structural and aerospace / defense. The Company saw a 30% decrease from last year’s level in sales to structural customers who were seeking seismic / wind protection for either construction of new buildings and bridges or retrofitting existing buildings and bridges along with a 71% increase in sales to customers in aerospace / defense and a 12% decrease in sales to customers using our products in industrial applications.
A breakdown of sales to these three general groups of customers, as a percentage of total net revenue for fiscal years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023 is as follows:
Year ended May 31
Industrial 8% 10%
Aerospace / Defense 60% 39%
Total sales within the U.S. increased 18% from last year. Total sales to Asia decreased 55% from the prior year. Net revenue by geographic region, as a percentage of total net revenue for fiscal years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023 is as follows:
Year ended May 31
The gross profit as a percentage of net revenue of 47% in the year ended May 31, 2024 is five percentage points greater than the same period of the prior year (42%). The Company has been able to increase sales prices to recover more of the increased costs for materials and labor that were incurred during the year ended May 31, 2024. Management continues to work with suppliers to obtain more visibility of conditions affecting their respective markets. These actions combined with benefits from the Company’s continuous improvement initiatives and increased volume have helped to improve the gross margin as a percentage of revenue over the prior year.
At May 31, 2024, we had 134 open sales orders in our backlog with a total sales value of $33.1 million. At May 31, 2023, we had 134 open sales orders in our backlog with a total sales value of $32.5 million. $18.6 million of the current backlog is on Projects already in progress. $18.1 million of the $32.5 million sales order backlog at May 31, 2023 was in progress at that date. 72% of the sales value in the backlog is for aerospace / defense customers compared to 74% at the end of fiscal 2023. As a percentage of the total sales order backlog, orders from structural customers accounted for 22% at May 31, 2024 and 22% at May 31, 2023. The Company expects to recognize revenue for the majority of the backlog during the fiscal year ending May 31, 2025, with the remainder during the fiscal year ending May 31, 2026.
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The Company's backlog, revenues, commission expense, gross margins, gross profits, and net income fluctuate from period to period. Total sales in the current period and the changes in the current period compared to the prior period, are not necessarily representative of future results.
Research and Development Costs
Years ended May 31 Change
... as a percentage of net revenues 0.9% 2.7%
Research and development costs decreased 65% from the prior year. This decrease was driven by the completion of the Taylor Damped Moment FrameTM project.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Years ended May 31 Change
... as a percentage of net revenues 25% 22%
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 21% from the prior year, primarily from increased personnel costs.
Operating Income
Operating income of $9,479,000 for the year ended May 31, 2024, showed significant improvement from the $6,809,000 operating income in the prior year. The increase in operating income was attributed to the decrease in research and development costs as well as improved gross margin performance.
Other Income (expense)
Other income increased 104% from the prior year due to increased interest income from higher levels of short-term investments during the course of the year.
Provision for Income Taxes
The Company's effective tax rate (ETR) is calculated based upon current assumptions relating to the year's operating results and various tax related items. The ETR for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2024 is 18%, compared to the ETR for the prior year of 16%.
A reconciliation of provision for income taxes at the statutory rate to income tax provision at the Company's effective rate is as follows:
Computed tax provision at the expected statutory rate $2,293,000 $1,575,000
Tax effect of permanent differences:
Foreign-derived intangible income deduction (142,000) (67,000)
Stock option costs 49,000 -
Theforeign-derived intangible income deduction is a tax deduction provided to corporations that sell goods or services to foreign customers. It became available through Public Law 115-97, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources, Line of Credit and Long-Term Debt
The Company's primary liquidity requirements depend on its working capital and capital expenditure needs. Working capital consists primarily of cash and short-term investments, inventory, accounts receivable, costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, accounts payable, accrued expenses and billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings. The Company's primary source of liquidity has been excess cash flow from operations.
Capital expenditures for the year ended May 31, 2024 were $1,149,000 compared to $3,359,000 in the prior year. The Company also acquired PumpkinTM Mounts intellectual property during the year ended May 31, 2024 for $300,000. Current year capital expenditures included new manufacturing machinery, testing equipment, upgrades to technology equipment and assembly / test facility improvements. The Company has commitments to make capital expenditures of approximately $1,360,000 as of May 31, 2024. These capital expenditures will be primarily for new manufacturing and testing equipment.
On January 4, 2024, the Company entered into a redemption agreement to purchase 459,015 of the Company’s shares of the capital stock of the Company, which represented approximately 13% of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company as of January 8, 2024 (the “Closing Date”), from the Ira Sochet Trust and the Ira Sochet Roth IRA. Each of the foregoing counterparties are non-affiliates of the Company. The agreed purchase price was $19.92 per share, which constituted 87.6% of the average price ($22.74) at which shares of the Company's common stock traded on the Closing Date.
The Company has a $10,000,000 demand line of credit with M&T Bank, with interest payable at the Company's option of 30, 60 or 90 day SOFR rate plus 2.365%. There is no outstanding balance at May 31, 2024. The line is secured by a negative pledge of the Company's real and personal property and is subject to renewal annually. The bank is not committed to make loans under this line of credit and no commitment fee is charged.
Management believes that the Company's cash on hand, cash flows from operations, and borrowing capacity under the bank line of credit will be sufficient to fund ongoing operations and capital improvements for the next twelve months.
Inventory and Maintenance Inventory
Inventory turnover 3.0 3.5
Inventory, at $7,512,000 as of May 31, 2024, is 26 percent higher than at the prior year-end. Of this, approximately 85% is work in process, 3% is finished goods, and 12% is raw materials. All of the current inventory is expected to be consumed or sold within twelve months. The level of inventory will fluctuate from time to time due to the stage of completion of the non-project sales orders in progress at the time.
The Company disposed of approximately $791,000 and $322,000 of obsolete inventory during the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
13
Accounts Receivable, Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings (“CIEB”) and Billings in Excess of Costs and Estimated Earnings (“BIEC”)
Number of an average day’s sales outstanding in accounts receivable (DSO) 39 47
The Company combines the totals of accounts receivable, the asset CIEB, and the liability BIEC, to determine how much cash the Company will eventually realize from revenue recorded to date. As the accounts receivable figure rises in relation to the other two figures, the Company can anticipate increased cash receipts within the ensuing 30-60 days.
Accounts receivable of $5,212,000 as of May 31, 2024 includes no retainage by customers on long-term construction projects. The number of an average day's sales outstanding in accounts receivable (DSO) was 39 days at May 31, 2024 and 47 days at May 31, 2023. The Company expects to collect the net accounts receivable balance during the next twelve months.
The status of the projects in-progress at the end of the current and prior fiscal years have changed in the factors affecting the year-end balances in the asset CIEB, and the liability BIEC:
Number of projects in progress at year-end 19 22
Aggregate percent complete at year-end 53% 33%
Average total value of projects in progress at year-end $2,089,000 $1,285,000
Percentage of total value invoiced to customer 56% 29%
There are three less projects in-process at the end of the current fiscal year as compared with the prior year end and the average value of those projects has increased by 63% between those two dates.
As noted above, CIEB represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed. Whenever possible, the Company negotiates a provision in sales contracts to allow the Company to bill, and collect from the customer, payments in advance of shipments. Unfortunately, provisions such as this are often not possible. The $4,357,000 balance in this account at May 31, 2024 is a 6% increase from the prior year-end. This increase reflects the higher aggregate level of the percentage of completion of these Projects as of the current year end as compared with the Projects in process at the prior year end. Generally, if progress billings are permitted under the terms of a project sales agreement, then the more complete the project is, the more progress billings will be permitted. The Company expects to bill the entire amount during the next twelve months. 58% of the CIEB balance as of the end of the last fiscal quarter, February 29, 2024, was billed to those customers in the current fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2024. The remainder will be billed as the projects progress, in accordance with the terms specified in the various contracts.
The year-end balances in the CIEB account are comprised of the following components:
Number of projects in progress 14 12
14
As noted above, BIEC represents billings to customers in excess of revenues recognized. The $5,601,000 balance in this account at May 31, 2024 is in comparison to a $1,992,000 balance at the end of the prior year. The balance in this account fluctuates in the same manner and for the same reasons as the account "costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings," discussed above. Final delivery of product under these contracts is expected to occur during the next twelve months.
The year-end balances in this account are comprised of the following components:
Number of projects in progress 5 10
Accounts payable, at $1,439,000 as of May 31, 2024, is 16% less than the prior year-end. This decrease is normal fluctuation of this account and is not considered to be unusual. The Company expects the current accounts payable amount to be paid during the next twelve months.
Accrued expenses of $4,664,000 increased 14% from the prior year level of $4,078,000. This change is due to increases in accrued incentive compensation resulting from increased earnings.
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Smaller reporting companies are not required to provide the information required by this item.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The financial statements and supplementary data required pursuant to this Item 8 are included in this Form 10-K commencing on page F-1 and are incorporated into this Item 8 by reference.
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting andFinancial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
The Company's chief executive officer (its principal executive officer) and chief financial officer (its principal financial officer) have evaluated the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of May 31, 2024 and have concluded that, as of the evaluation date, the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
15
(b)Management's report on internal control over financial reporting.
The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company's management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2024. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control -- Integrated Framework, updated in 2013. Based on this assessment, management has concluded that, as of May 31, 2024, the Company's internal control over financial reporting is effective.
(c)Changes in internal control over financial reporting.
There have been no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information.
Trading Plans
During the three months ended May 31, 2024, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Not applicable.
PART III
The information required by Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this part will be presented in the Company's Proxy Statement to be issued in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on October 25, 2024, which information is hereby incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K. The proxy materials, including the Proxy Statement and form of proxy, will be filed within 120 days after the Company's fiscal year end.
16
PART IV
Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THIS REPORT:
Index to Financial Statements:
(i) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2024 and 2023
(vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - May 31, 2024 and 2023
EXHIBITS:
3 Articles of incorporation and by-laws
(i) Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.*
4 Instruments defining rights of security holders, including indentures
10 Material Contracts
17
(xi) Amendment to Line of Credit Agreement, dated September 27, 2021.*
21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.*
31 Officer Certifications*
(i) Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
(ii) Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
18
32 Officer Certifications**
(i) Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
(ii) Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
97 Policy Relating to Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.*
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
* Exhibit filed with this report.
**Exhibit furnished with this report.
# Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
TAYLOR DEVICES, INC.
(Registrant)
By: /s/Timothy J. Sopko Date: August 15, 2024
Timothy J. Sopko
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: /s/Timothy J. Sopko By: /s/Paul Heary
By: /s/John Burgess By: /s/Robert M. Carey
John Burgess, Director Robert M. Carey, Director
By: /s/F. Eric Armenat By: /s/Alan R. Klembczyk
F. Eric Armenat, Director Alan R. Klembczyk, President and Director
20
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To The Board of Directors of
Taylor Devices, Inc.
Gentlemen:
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File Number 0-3498) of Taylor Devices, Inc. of our report dated August 15, 2024 and any reference thereto in the Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2024.
We also consent to such incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-114085, 333-184809, 333-210660, 333-232121, and 333-268120 of Taylor Devices, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated August 15, 2024.
/s/Lumsden & McCormick, LLP
Lumsden & McCormick, LLP
PCOAB ID: 130
Buffalo, New York
August 15, 2024
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TAYLOR DEVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2024
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Taylor Devices, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Taylor Devices, Inc. and Subsidiary (the Company) as of May 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Company as of May 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with 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 consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
F-2
Cost Estimates for Long-Term Contracts and Related Revenue Recognition
Description of the Matter
As more fully described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recognizes revenue over time for long-term contracts as goods are produced. The Company uses costs incurred as the method to determine progress, and revenue is recognized based on costs incurred to date plus an estimate of margin at completion. The process of estimating margin at completion involves estimating the costs to complete production of goods and comparing those costs to the estimated final revenue amount. Long-term contracts are inherently uncertain in that revenue is fixed while the estimates of costs required to complete these contracts are subject to significant variability. Due to the technical performance requirements in many of these contracts, changes to cost estimates could occur, resulting in higher or lower margins when the contracts are completed.
Given the inherent uncertainty and significant judgments necessary to estimate future costs at completion, auditing these estimates involved a focused audit effort and a high degree of auditor judgment.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
Our auditing procedures related to the cost estimates for long-term contracts and related revenue recognition included the following, among others:
·We evaluated the appropriateness and consistency of management’s methods used to develop its estimates.
·We evaluated the reasonableness of judgments made and significant assumptions used by management relating to key estimates.
·We selected a sample of executed contracts to understand the contract, perform an independent assessment of the appropriate timing of revenue recognition, and test the mathematical accuracy of revenue recognized based on costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion.
·We performed inquiries of the Company’s project managers and others directly involved with the contracts to evaluate project status and project challenges which may affect total estimated costs to complete. We also observed the project work site when key estimates related to tangible or physical progress of the project.
·We tested the accuracy and completeness of the data used to develop key estimates, including material, labor, overhead, and sub-contractor costs.
·We performed retrospective reviews of prior year long-term contracts, comparing actual performance to estimated performance and the related financial statement impact, when evaluating the thoroughness and precision of management’s estimation process in previous years.
Valuation of Inventory
Description of the Matter
As of May 31, 2024, the Company’s inventory balance was $7.5 million, net of a $59,000 allowance for obsolescence, its maintenance and other inventory balance was $1.6 million, net of an approximate $837,000 allowance for obsolescence. As discussed in Note 5, maintenance and other inventory represents certain items that are estimated to have a product life-cycle in excess of twelve months the Company is required to maintain for service of products sold and items that are generally subject to spontaneous ordering. The Company evaluates its inventory for obsolescence on an ongoing basis by considering historical usage as well as requirements for future orders.
Given the inherent uncertainty and significant judgments necessary to estimate potential inventory obsolescence, auditing management’s estimates involved a high degree of auditor judgment.
F-3
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
Our auditing procedures related to valuation of inventory included the following, among others:
·We evaluated the appropriateness and consistency of management’s methods used to develop its estimates.
·We evaluated the reasonableness of judgments made and significant assumptions used by management relating to key estimates.
·We inquired of management relative to write-offs of inventory during the year.
·We tested the completeness and accuracy of management’s schedule of inventory.
·We developed an independent expectation of the obsolescence reserve based on our knowledge of the Company’s inventory, including analysis of slow-moving items and historical usage and compared it to actual.
·We examined management’s lower of cost or net realizable value analysis and performed procedures to test its completeness and accuracy.
·We selected a sample of material purchases made during the year to ensure they were included in inventory at the proper value.
·During our physical inventory observation, we toured the Company’s warehouses and examined inventory on hand for any indications of obsolescence.
/s/Lumsden & McCormick, LLP
Lumsden & McCormick, LLP
PCOAB ID: 130
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1998.
Buffalo, New York
August 15, 2024
F-4
TAYLOR DEVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Assets
Current assets:
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings (Note 4) 4,356,565 4,124,182
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings (Note 4) 5,601,274 1,992,470
Stockholders' Equity:
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
TAYLOR DEVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Income
Other income (expense)
Basic earnings per common share (Note 11) $2.68 $1.79
Diluted earnings per common share (Note 11) $2.58 $1.77
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
TAYLOR DEVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock
Issuance of shares for employee stock purchase plan 10 22
Issuance of shares for employee stock option plan 1,919 763
Paid-in Capital
Issuance of shares for employee stock purchase plan 9,904 10,854
Issuance of shares for employee stock option plan 955,286 291,066
Retained Earnings
Treasury Stock
Issuance of shares for employee stock option plan (715,599) (169,740)
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-7
TAYLOR DEVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Loss on disposal of property and equipment - 20,015
Changes in other current assets and liabilities:
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings (232,383) (787,708)
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings 3,608,804 869,707
Investing activities:
Patent expenditures (300,000) -
Increase in cash value of life insurance (4,704) (4,761)
Financing activities:
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-8
TAYLOR DEVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
Nature of Operations:
Taylor Devices, Inc. (the Company) manufactures and sells a single group of very similar products that have many different applications for customers. These similar products are included in one of nine categories; namely, Seismic Dampers, Fluidicshoks®, Crane and Industrial Buffers, Self-Adjusting Shock Absorbers, Liquid Die Springs, Vibration Dampers, Machined Springs, Custom Shock and Vibration Isolators, and Custom Actuators for use in various types of machinery, equipment and structures, primarily to customers which are located throughout the United States and several foreign countries. The products are manufactured at the Company's sole operating facility in the United States where all of the Company's long-lived assets reside. Management does not track or otherwise account for sales broken down by these categories.
86% of the Company's 2024 revenue was generated from sales to customers in the United States and 4% was from sales to customers in Asia. Remaining sales were to customers in other countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and South America.
81% of the Company's 2023 revenue was generated from sales to customers in the United States and 11% was from sales to customers in Asia. Remaining sales were to customers in other countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and South America.
Principles of Consolidation:
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Tayco Realty Corporation (Realty). All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Subsequent Events:
The Company has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements were issued.
Use of Estimates:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
The Company includes all highly liquid investments in money market funds in cash and cash equivalents on the accompanying balance sheets.
Cash and cash equivalents in financial institutions may exceed insured limits at various times during the year and subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk.
F-9
Short-Term Investments:
At times, the Company invests excess funds in liquid interest earning instruments. Short-term investments at May 31, 2024 and May 31, 2023 include money market funds, US treasury securities and corporate bonds stated at fair value, which approximates cost. The short-term investments (22) mature on various dates during the period June 2024 to December 2026. Unrealized holding gains and losses would be presented as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined using the specific identification method.
The short-term investments are valued using pricing models maximizing the use of observable inputs for similar securities. This includes basing value on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings.
Accounts and Other Receivables:
Accounts and other receivables are stated at an amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. Management provides for probable uncollectible accounts through a charge to earnings and a credit to a valuation allowance based on its assessment of the current status of individual accounts. Balances that are still outstanding after management has used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance and a credit to the receivable.
Inventory:
Inventory is stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. Average cost approximates first-in, first-out cost.
Property and Equipment:
Property and equipment is stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided primarily using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax reporting purposes. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred; significant improvements are capitalized.
Cash Value of Life Insurance:
Cash value of life insurance is stated at the surrender value of the contracts.
Revenue Recognition:
Revenue is recognized (generally at fixed prices) when, or as, the Company transfers control of promised products or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring those products or services.
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer, and is the unit of account. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The majority of our contracts have a single performance obligation as the promise to transfer the individual goods or services is not separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts which are, therefore, not distinct. Promised goods or services that are immaterial in the context of the contract are not separately assessed as performance obligations.
For contracts with customers in which the Company satisfies a promise to the customer to provide a product that has no alternative use to the Company and the Company has enforceable rights to payment for progress completed to date inclusive of profit, the Company satisfies the performance obligation and recognizes revenue over time (generally less than one year), using costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress toward satisfying our performance obligations. Incurred cost represents work performed, which corresponds with, and thereby best depicts, the transfer of control to the customer. Contract costs include labor, material and overhead. Adjustments to cost estimates are made periodically, and losses expected to be incurred on contracts in progress are charged to operations in the period such losses are determined. Other sales to customers are recognized upon shipment to the customer based on contract prices and terms. In the year ended May 31, 2024, 59% of revenue was recorded for contracts in which revenue was recognized over time while 41% was recognized at a point in time. In the year ended May 31, 2023, 61% of revenue was recorded for contracts in which revenue was recognized over time while 39% was recognized at a point in time.
F-10
Progress payments are typically negotiated for longer term projects. Payments are otherwise due once performance obligations are complete (generally at shipment and transfer of title). For financial statement presentation purposes, the Company nets progress billings against the total costs incurred on uncompleted contracts. The asset, “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings,” represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability, “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings,” represents billings in excess of revenues recognized.
If applicable, the Company recognizes an asset for the incremental material costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if the Company expects the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year and the costs are expected to be recovered. As of May 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company does not have material incremental costs on any open contracts with an original expected duration of greater than one year, and therefore such costs are expensed as incurred. These incremental costs include, but are not limited to, sales commissions incurred to obtain a contract with a customer.
Shipping and Handling Costs:
Shipping and handling costs on incoming inventory items are classified as a component of cost of goods sold, while shipping and handling costs on outgoing shipments to customers are classified as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The amounts of these costs classified as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses were $190,939 and $366,763 for the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023. Shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer has obtained control of the product are considered fulfillment activities, not performance obligations.
Income Taxes:
The provision for income taxes provides for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial statements regardless of when such taxes are payable. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax and financial statement basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are based on tax laws currently enacted with tax rates expected to be in effect when the taxes are actually paid or recovered.
The Company's practice is to recognize interest related to income tax matters in interest income / expense and to recognize penalties in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company did not have any accrued interest or penalties included in its consolidated balance sheets at May 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company recorded no interest expense or penalties in its consolidated statements of income during the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023.
The Company believes it is no longer subject to examination by federal and state taxing authorities for years prior to May 31, 2021.
Sales Taxes:
Certain jurisdictions impose a sales tax on Company sales to nonexempt customers. The Company collects these taxes from customers and remits the entire amount as required by the applicable law. The Company excludes from revenues and expenses the tax collected and remitted.
Stock-Based Compensation:
The Company measures compensation cost arising from the grant of share-based payments to employees at fair value and recognizes such cost in income over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. The stock-based compensation expense for the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023 was $1,047,252 and $417,253.
F-11
New Accounting Standards:
Any recently issued Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) guidance has either been implemented or is not significant to the Company.
Reclassifications:
The 2023 financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the presentation adopted for 2024.
2. Accounts and Other Receivables:
Customers – retention - 23,980
Retention receivable from customers represents amounts invoiced to customers where payments have been partially withheld pending completion of the project. All amounts are expected to be collected within the next fiscal year.
3. Inventory:
4. Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts:
Amounts are included in the accompanying balance sheets under the following captions:
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings $ 4,356,565 $ 4,124,182
F-12
The following summarizes the status of Projects in progress as of May 31, 2024 and 2023:
Number of Projects in progress 19 22
Aggregate percent complete 53% 33%
Percentage of total value invoiced to customer 56% 29%
The Company expects to recognize the majority of remaining revenue on all open projects during the May 31, 2025 fiscal year.
Revenue recognized during the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023 for amounts included in billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings as of the beginning of the year amounted to $1,992,000, and $1,123,000.
5. Maintenance and Other Inventory:
Maintenance and other inventory represent stock that is estimated to have a product life-cycle in excess of twelve-months. This stock represents certain items the Company is required to maintain for service of products sold, and items that are generally subject to spontaneous ordering. This inventory is particularly sensitive to technical obsolescence in the near term due to its use in industries characterized by the continuous introduction of new product lines, rapid technological advances and product obsolescence. Therefore, management of the Company has recorded an allowance for potential inventory obsolescence. $791,000 and $322,000 of inventory was disposed of during the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023. The provision for potential inventory obsolescence was $386,000 and $295,000 for the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company continues to rework slow-moving inventory, where applicable, to convert it to product to be used on customer orders.
6. Property and Equipment:
Depreciation expense was $1,690,239 and $1,472,455 for the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023.
The Company has commitments to make capital expenditures of approximately $1,360,000 as of May 31, 2024.
F-13
7. Short-Term Borrowings:
The Company has available a $10,000,000 bank demand line of credit from a bank, with interest payable at the Company's option of 30, 60 or 90 day SOFR rate plus 2.365%. The line is secured by a negative pledge of the Company's real and personal property and is subject to renewal annually.
There is no amount outstanding under the line of credit at May 31, 2024 or 2023.
The Company uses a cash management facility under which the bank draws against the available line of credit to cover checks presented for payment on a daily basis. Outstanding checks under this arrangement totaled $372,347 and $13,873 as of May 31, 2024 and 2023. These amounts are included in accounts payable.
8. Accrued Expenses:
9. Sales:
The Company manufactures and sells a single group of very similar products that have many different applications for customers. These similar products are included in one of nine categories; namely, Seismic Dampers, Fluidicshoks®, Crane and Industrial Buffers, Self-Adjusting Shock Absorbers, Liquid Die Springs, Vibration Dampers, Machined Springs, Custom Shock and Vibration Isolators, and Custom Actuators. Management does not track or otherwise account for sales broken down by these categories. Sales of the Company's products are made to three general groups of customers: industrial, structural and aerospace / defense. A breakdown of sales to these three general groups of customers is as follows:
Sales to a single customer approximated 21% of net sales for 2024.
10. Income Taxes:
Current tax provision:
Deferred tax provision (benefit):
State - -
F-14
A reconciliation of provision for income taxes at the statutory rate to income tax provision at the Company's effective rate is as follows:
Computed tax provision at the expected statutory rate $2,293,400 $1,576,100
State income tax - net of Federal tax benefit - (1,600)
Tax effect of permanent differences:
Foreign-derived intangible income deduction (142,100) (66,900)
Stock option costs 48,500 -
Other permanent differences 2,800 900
Effective income tax rate 17.6% 16.2%
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following:
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful receivables $6,200 $6,200
Accrued commissions - 9,800
R&D tax credit - -
Deferred tax liabilities:
Realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income at the time temporary differences become deductible. The Company provides a valuation allowance to the extent that deferred tax assets may not be realized. A valuation allowance has not been recorded against the deferred tax assets since management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets are recoverable. The Company considers future taxable income and potential tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a potential valuation allowance. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income are reduced. The Company will need to generate approximately $10.4 million in taxable income in future years in order to realize the deferred tax assets recorded as of May 31, 2024 of $2,176,300.
The Company and its subsidiary file consolidated Federal and State income tax returns. As of May 31, 2024, the Company had State investment tax credit carryforwards of approximately $424,000 expiring through May 2029.
F-15
11. Earnings Per Common Share:
Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share reflects the weighted-average common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares, such as stock options.
A reconciliation of weighted-average common shares outstanding to weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution is as follows:
Common shares issuable under stock option plans 135,711 45,020
Average common shares outstanding assuming dilution 3,488,788 3,551,494
12. Employee Stock Purchase Plan:
In March 2004, the Company reserved 295,000 shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to a non-qualified employee stock purchase plan. Participation in the employee stock purchase plan is voluntary for all eligible employees of the Company. Purchase of common shares can be made by employee contributions through payroll deductions and without brokers’ fees. At the end of each calendar quarter, the employee contributions will be applied to the purchase of common shares using a share value equal to the mean between the closing bid and ask prices of the stock on that date. These shares are distributed to the employees at the end of each calendar quarter or upon withdrawal from the plan. During the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023, 372 ($21.70 to $48.89 price per share) and 922 ($8.65 to $19.96 price per share) common shares, respectively, were issued to employees. As of May 31, 2024, 215,993 shares were reserved for further issue.
13. Stock Option Plans:
In 2022, the Company adopted a stock option plan which permits the Company to grant both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options. The incentive stock options qualify for preferential treatment under the Internal Revenue Code. Under this plan, 260,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for grant to key employees and directors of the Company and 144,000 shares have been granted as of May 31, 2024. Under the plan, the option price may not be less than the fair market value of the stock at the time the options are granted. Options vest immediately and expire ten years from the date of grant.
Using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, the weighted average estimated fair value of each option granted under the plan was $12.32 during 2024 and $4.91 during 2023. The pricing model uses the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company's stock. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The expected life of options granted is derived from previous history of stock exercises from the grant date and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination assumptions under the valuation model. The Company has never paid dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future.
Risk-free interest rate 4.00% 2.45%
Expected life in years 4.3 4.2
Expected volatility 37% 33%
Expected dividend yield 0% 0%
F-16
The following is a summary of stock option activity:
Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Intrinsic Value
Less: options expired 4,500 -
Less: options expired 750 -
We calculated intrinsic value for those options that had an exercise price lower than the market price of our common shares as of the balance sheet dates. The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options as of the end of each fiscal year is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying options and the market price of our common shares for the options that were in-the-money at that date (340,500 at May 31, 2024 and 279,500 at May 31, 2023). The Company's closing stock price was $50.92 and $18.55 as of May 31, 2024 and 2023. As of May 31, 2024, there are 116,000 options available for future grants under the 2022 stock option plan. $957,205 was received from the exercise of options during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2024. $291,829 was received from the exercise of options during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2023.
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at May 31, 2024:
Outstanding and Exercisable
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at May 31, 2023:
Outstanding and Exercisable
F-17
14. Retirement Plan:
The Company maintains a retirement plan for essentially all employees pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company matches a percentage of employee voluntary salary deferrals subject to limitations. The Company may also make discretionary contributions as determined annually by the Company's Board of Directors. The amount expensed under the plan was $431,720 and $371,881 for the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023.
15. Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
The fair values of short-term investments were determined as described in Note 1.
16. Cash Flows Information:
Interest paid None None
17. Legal Proceedings:
The Company has been named as a third-party defendant in an action captioned Board of Managers of the 432 Park Condominium, et al. v. 56th and Park (NY) Owner LLC, et al. (the “Action”).
The Action was filed on or about September 23, 2021. In the Action, the Board of Managers of 432 Park Condominium (the “Owner”), a condominium association for a high-rise condominium building (the “Building”) located at 432 Park Avenue in New York, N.Y., asserts a claim against the condominium sponsor, 56th and Park (NY) Owner LLC (the “Sponsor”) for damages arising from construction and design defects to the residential and commercial units at the Building.
The Sponsor subsequently filed a third-party complaint against LendLease Construction (US) LMB (“LendLease”) and other parties involved in the Building’s design. As to LendLease, the third-party complaint alleges breach of a construction management contract between LendLease and the Sponsor and negligence arising from purported failure to perform under the contract, and seeks indemnification against any damages asserted against the Sponsor by the Owner.
LendLease subsequently initiated a third-party complaint seeking indemnification from entities with whom LendLease had contracted for the supply of materials and services in connection with construction of the Building. The third-party complaint also names the Company as a third-party defendant based upon a contract between the Company and LendLease to supply 16 Viscous Damping Devices that were incorporated into a Tuned Mass Damper system designed by a third party to limit accelerations of the Building during wind events. The Company has timely filed and served an answer denying the allegations in LendLease’s third party complaint.
The Action, and all of the related third-party actions, are pending in the Commercial Division of the Supreme Court, New York County.
On June 17, 2024, the Court entered a scheduling order directing that the parties complete discovery by July 31, 2025 and file dispositive motions by October 17, 2025.
In view of the limited discovery to date, it is not possible to determine the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or to quantify a potential loss.
F-18