ARTW Arts Way Manufacturing Co Inc

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. (the “Company”) is primarily engaged in the fabrication and sale of specialized farm machinery in the agricultural sector of the United States. Primary product offerings include portable and stationary animal feed processing equipment; hay and forage equipment; sugar beet harvesting equipment; dirt work equipment and manure spreaders. The Company sells its labeled products through independent farm equipment dealers throughout the United States. The Company also provides after-market service parts that are available to keep its branded and OEM-produced equipment operating to the satisfaction of the end user of the Company’s products.

The Company’s Modular Buildings segment is primarily engaged in the construction of modular laboratories and animal housing facilities through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Art’s-Way Scientific, Inc. Buildings commonly produced range from basic swine buildings to complex containment research laboratories. This segment also provides services relating to the design, manufacturing, delivering, installation, and renting of the building units that it produces.

The Company’s Tools segment is a domestic manufacturer and distributor of standard single point brazed carbide tipped tools as well as PCD (polycrystalline diamond), CBN (cubic boron nitride) inserts and OEM specialty tools through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Ohio Metal Working Company/Art’s-Way, Inc.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries for the 2022 fiscal year, which includes Art’s-Way Scientific, Inc., and Ohio Metal Working Products/Art’s-Way, Inc. All inter-company accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

The Company maintains several different accounts at one bank, and balances in these accounts could periodically exceed the federally insured limits. However, management believes the risk of loss to be low.

During the 2022 and 2021 fiscal years, one customer accounted for more than 11% and 8%, respectively, of consolidated revenues.

Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a monthly basis. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by identifying troubled accounts and by using historical experience applied to an aging of accounts. Accounts receivable are written-off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written-off are recorded when received. Accounts receivable are generally considered past due 60 days past invoice date, with the exception of international sales which primarily are sold with 180 day terms backed by export insurance.

The Company offered floorplan terms in its Agricultural Products segment during its Fall 2021 early order program to incentivize customers to stock farm equipment on their lots during the 2022 fiscal year. Floorplan terms allow customers to pay the Company at the earliest of retail date or 180 days. The Company had approximately $1,033,000 in accounts receivable at November 30, 2022 that was part of its floorplan program on extended terms compared to $0 for the year ended November 30, 2021.

Trade receivables due from customers are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment within 30 days from the invoice date. Trade receivables are stated at the amount billed to the customer. The Company charges interest on overdue customer account balances at a rate of 1.5% per month. Payments of trade receivables are allocated to the specific invoices identified on the customer’s remittance advice or, if unspecified, are applied to the earliest unpaid invoices.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, and cost is determined using the standard costing method. Management monitors the carrying value of inventories using inventory control and review processes that include, but are not limited to, sales forecast review, inventory status reports, and inventory reduction programs. The Company records inventory write downs to net realizable value based on expected usage information for raw materials and historical selling trends for finished goods. Additional write downs may be necessary if the assumptions made by management do not occur.

Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation of plant and equipment is provided using the straight-line method, based on the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from three to 40 years.

Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable.

For property, plant and equipment used in operations, including lease assets and assets held for lease, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair value.

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception of a contract. The nature of the Company’s leases at this time is shop machinery and office equipment, mainly copiers, with terms of 12 to 60 months. Operating and finance leases are included in other assets as lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets while current operating lease liabilities are included in accrued expenses. The short-term portion of finance leases along with long-term portions of operating and finance lease liabilities are presented on the face of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company generally uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the estimated rate of interest for collateralized borrowing over a similar term of the lease payments at commencement date. The lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Operating lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term while finance lease ROU assets are amortized on a straight-line basis and interest expense is recorded over the lease term.

The Company has copier lease agreements with lease and non-lease components and has elected the practical expedient not to separate lease and non-lease components for this asset class. The Company has also elected not to recognize lease liabilities and ROU assets for leases with an initial term of twelve months or less. The Company recognizes variable costs that depend on usage in profit or loss as they are incurred.

The components of operating leases on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021 were as follows:

The Company recorded $20,121 of operating lease expense in the year ended November 30, 2022 compared to $22,445 in the same period of fiscal 2021, including variable costs tied to usage. The Company’s operating leases carry a weighted average lease term of 39 months and have a weighted average discount rate of 5.50%

Future maturities of operating lease liabilities as of November 30, 2022 are as follows:

The components of finance leases on the Consolidated Balance Sheets on November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021 were as follows:

The Company received $224,513 of grant funds from the Iowa Economic Development’s Manufacturing 4.0 program in Q3 of fiscal 2022. These funds were for 75% reimbursement of three robotic welders that were later financed under a capital lease. These funds have reduced the right-of-use asset account and will reduce amortization over the life of the asset.

Future maturities of finance lease liabilities as of November 30, 2022 are as follows:

The weighted average lease term of the Company’s finance leases are 50 months while the weighted average rate of finance leases is 4.18%. The Company incurred $124,256 of amortization expense from ROU assets related to finance leases in fiscal 2022 compared to $9,356 in fiscal 2021.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating losses. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is entirely dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

The Company classifies interest and penalties to be paid on an underpayment of taxes as income tax expense. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and previously in Canada. The Company is no longer subject to Canadian, U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years ended before November 30, 2019.

The Company’s revenues primarily result from contracts with customers. The major sources of revenue for the Agricultural Products and Tools segments are farm equipment, service parts related to farm equipment and steel cutting tools and inserts. The Agricultural Products and Tools segments generally execute short-term contracts that contain a single performance obligation – the delivery of product to the common carrier. The Company recognizes revenue for the production and sale of farm equipment, service parts and cutting tools upon shipment of the goods. Risk of ownership and title pass to the customer upon shipment of the goods. The Tools segment has an OEM agreement with one customer for which sales are recognized FOB destination – when the goods hit the customer’s dock. All sales are made to authorized dealers whose application for dealer status has been approved and who have been informed of general sales policies. Any changes in the Company’s terms are documented in the most recently published price lists. Pricing is fixed and determinable according to the Company’s published equipment and parts price lists. Title to all equipment and parts sold passes to the customer upon delivery to the carrier and is not subject to a customer acceptance provision. Proof of the passing of title is documented and retained by the Company. Post shipment obligations are limited to any claim with respect to the condition of the equipment or parts. The Agricultural Products and Tools segments each typically require payment in full 30 days after the ship date. To take advantage of program discounts, some customers pay deposits up front. Any deposits received increase contract liabilities.

In certain circumstances, upon the customer’s written request, the Company may recognize revenue when production is complete, and the goods are ready for shipment. At the customer’s request, the Company will bill the customer upon completing all performance obligations, but before shipment. The customer dictates that the Company ship the goods per the customer’s direction from the Company’s manufacturing facility, as is customary with this type of agreement, in order to minimize shipping costs. The written agreement with the customer specifies that the goods will be delivered on a schedule to be determined by the customer, with a final specified delivery date, and that the Company will segregate the goods from its inventory, such that they are not available to fill other orders. This agreement also specifies that the customer is required to purchase all goods manufactured under this agreement. Title of the goods will pass to the customer when the goods are complete and ready for shipment, per the customer agreement. At the transfer of title, all risks of ownership have passed to the customer, and the customer agrees to maintain insurance on the manufactured items that have not yet been shipped. The Company has operated using bill and hold agreements with certain customers for many years, with consistent satisfactory results for both the customer and the Company. The credit terms on these agreements are consistent with the credit terms on all other sales. All risks of loss are shouldered by the customer, and there are no exceptions to the customer’s commitment to accept and pay for these manufactured goods. Revenues recognized at the completion of production in the 2021 and 2020 fiscal years were approximately $1,010,000 and $711,000 respectively.

The Modular Buildings segment is in the construction industry with its major source of revenue arising from modular building sales. Sales of modular buildings are generally recognized using input methods to measure progress towards the satisfaction of a performance obligation using the percentage of completion method. Revenue and gross profit are recognized as work is performed based on the relationship between actual costs incurred and total estimated costs at completion. Contract costs consist of direct costs on contracts, including labor, materials, amounts payable to subcontractors and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as equipment costs, insurance and employee benefits. Contract cost is recorded as incurred, and revisions in contract revenues and cost estimates are reflected in the accounting period when known. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. Contract losses are recognized when current estimates of total contract revenue and contract cost indicate a loss. Estimated contract costs include any and all costs appropriately allocable to the contract. The provision for these contract losses will be the excess of estimated contract costs over estimated contract revenues. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability, including those changes arising from contract change orders, penalty provisions and final contract settlements may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. The Company uses significant judgements in determining estimated contract costs and completion percentages throughout the life of the project. Stock modular building sales also occur and are recognized at a point in time when the performance obligation is fulfilled through substantial completion. Substantial completion is achieved through customer acceptance of the completed building. The Modular Buildings segment executes contracts with customers that can be short- or long-term in nature. These contracts can have multiple performance obligations and revenue from these can be recognized over time or at a point in time depending on the nature of the contracts. Payment terms for the Modular Buildings segment vary by contract, but typically utilize money down and progress payments throughout the life of the contract. The payment terms of the Modular Buildings segment have the most impact on the Company’s contract receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities. Project invoicing from the Modular Buildings segment increases contract receivables and has an effect on contract liabilities through billings in excess of costs, estimated gross profit and customer deposits. The balance of contract assets is typically made up of the balance of costs and estimated gross profit in excess of billings. Costs and profit in excess of amounts billed are classified as current assets and billings in excess of cost and profit are classified as current liabilities.

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

The Company’s returns policy allows for new and saleable parts to be returned, subject to inspection and a restocking charge, which is included in net sales. Whole goods are not returnable. Shipping costs charged to customers are included in net sales. Freight costs incurred are included in cost of goods sold. Customer deposits consist of advance payments from customers, in the form of cash, for revenue to be recognized in the following year.

For information on product warranty as it applies to ASC 606, refer to Note 8 “Product Warranty.”

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

The Company offered floorplan terms in its Agricultural Products segment during its Fall 2021 early order program to incentivize customers to stock farm equipment on their lots in fiscal 2022. Floorplan terms allow customers to pay the Company at the earliest of retail date or 180 days. This program has an effect on the timing of the Company’s fiscal 2022 cash flows compared with historical cash flows.

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

The amount of revenue recognized in fiscal year 2022 that was included in a contract liability at November 30, 2021 was approximately $559,000 compared to $474,000 for the prior year. The beginning balance of contract receivables, assets and liabilities at December 1, 2020 was $2,391,000; $56,000 and $474,000, respectively. The change in contract receivables reflected above results from contract billings for all three segments as performance obligations are met. The increase in contract assets on November 30, 2022 is due to construction costs in excess of billings on contracts in the Modular Buildings segment. Contract liabilities include customer deposits and billings in excess of cost and profit on the consolidated balance sheets. Contract liabilities have increased due to customer deposits received on the Agricultural Products segment as part of our fall early order program that offers cash discounts for equipment deposits.

The Company will utilize the practical expedient exception for these contracts and will report only on performance obligations greater than one year. As of November 30, 2022, and November 30, 2021, the Company has no performance obligations with an original expected duration greater than one year.

Research and development costs are expensed when incurred. Such costs approximated $193,000 and $152,000 for the 2022 and 2021 fiscal years, respectively. Research and development costs are included in engineering expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Advertising costs are expensed when incurred. Such costs approximated $190,000 and $163,000 for the 2022 and 2021 fiscal years, respectively. Advertising costs are included in selling expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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

Basic and diluted income per common share have been computed based on the following as of November 30, 2022 and 2021:

Stock-based compensation expense reflects the fair value of stock-based awards measured at the grant date and recognized over the relevant vesting period. The Company estimates the fair value of each stock-based award on the measurement date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model which incorporates assumptions as to stock price volatility, the expected life of the options, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. Restricted stock is valued at market value at the day of grant.

Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions related to the reported amount of assets and liabilities, reported amount of revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU 2016-13 adds a current expected credit loss (“CECL”) impairment model to U.S. GAAP that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Modified retrospective adoption is required with any cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. ASU 2016-13 is effective for smaller reporting entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within the year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-13 in fiscal year 2024. The Company does not expect the application of the CECL impairment model to have a significant impact on its allowance for uncollectible amounts for accounts receivable.                  

A summary of the Company’s activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:

Major classes of inventory are:

Amounts included in the consolidated financial statements related to uncompleted contracts are as follows:

The amounts billed on long-term contracts are due 30 days from invoice date. All amounts billed are expected to be collected within the next 12 months. Retainage included in accounts receivable was $4,087 and $0 as of November 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Major classes of property, plant, and equipment are:

Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $807,163 and $613,409 for the 2022 and 2021 fiscal years, respectively. These totals include amortization of right-of-use assets on finance leases as discussed in Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” section (h) “Leases” above.

Major components of assets held for lease are:

The Company’s Modular Buildings segment enters into leasing arrangements with customers from time-to-time. The Company had five buildings in assets held for lease for the year ending November 30, 2022 and seven buildings for the year ended November 30, 2021.

Two modular buildings held for lease were sold in fiscal 2022 for $383,904. The company incurred a gain of approximately $150,069 on the sale of the assets.

Rents recognized in sales were related to the leasing of modular buildings as a part of the normal course of business operations of the Modular Buildings segment. There were $61,534 of rents recognized from assets held for lease included in sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the 2022 fiscal year compared to none in the 2021 fiscal year.

The future minimum lease receipts from assets held for lease on November 30, 2022 are as follows:

Major components of accrued expenses are:

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

Changes in the Company’s product warranty liability included in accrued expenses for the 2022 and 2021 fiscal years are as follows:

Bank Midwest Revolving Lines of Credit and Term Loans

The Company maintains a $5,000,000 revolving line of credit (the “Line of Credit”) and previously maintained a $550,000 revolving line of credit (the “Reserve Line of Credit”) with Bank Midwest. The Reserve Line of Credit expired on November 30, 2022 and was used for additional working capital. On November 30, 2022, the balance of the Line of Credit was $3,924,500 with $1,075,500 remaining available, as may be limited by the borrowing base calculation. The Line of Credit borrowing base is an amount equal to 75% of accounts receivable balances (discounted for aged receivables), plus 50% of net inventory, less any outstanding loan balance on the Line of Credit. On November 30, 2022, the Line of Credit was not limited by the borrowing base calculation. Any unpaid principal amount borrowed on the Line of Credit accrues interest at a floating rate per annum equal to 1.50% above the Wall Street Journal rate published in the money rates section of the Wall Street Journal. The interest rate floor is set at 4.25% per annum and the current interest rate is 9.25% per annum following continued increases in fiscal 2022. The Line of Credit was most recently renewed on March 28, 2022. The Line of Credit matures on March 30, 2023 and requires monthly interest-only payments. The unpaid principal amount borrowed on the Reserve Line of Credit accrued interest at a floating rate per annum equal to 2.0% above the Wall Street Journal rate published in the money rates section of the Wall Street Journal. The Reserve Line of Credit matured on November 30, 2022 and is closed. The Line of Credit is governed by the terms of a Promissory Note, dated March 28, 2022, entered into between the Company and Bank Midwest. The Reserve Line of Credit was governed by the terms of a Promissory Note, dated May 13, 2022, entered into between the Company and Bank Midwest.

The Company carries a $2,600,000 term loan with Bank Midwest due October 1, 2037 (the “Term Loan”), and a $350,000 term loan (the “Roof Term Loan”) due on May 15, 2027. The Term Loan accrued interest at a rate of 5.00% for the first ninety months, which ended on September 28, 2022. Thereafter, the Term Loan accrues interest at a floating rate per annum equal to 0.75% above the Wall Street Journal rate published in the money rates section of the Wall Street Journal. The interest rate floor is set at 4.15% per annum and the interest rate may only be adjusted by Bank Midwest once every five years. The current interest rate is 7.00%. Monthly payments of $19,648 in principal and interest are required. The Term Loan is also guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), which required an upfront guarantee fee of $62,400 and requires an annual fee of 0.5% of the unpaid balance. As part of the USDA guarantee requirements, shareholders owning more than 20% are required to personally guarantee a portion of the Term Loan, in an amount equal to their stock ownership percentage. The J. Ward McConnell Jr. Living Trust, the estate of the former Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and a shareholder owning more than 20% of the Company’s outstanding stock, is guaranteeing approximately 38% of the Term Loan, for an annual fee of 2% of the personally guaranteed amount. The initial guarantee fee will be amortized over the life of the Term Loan, and the annual fees and personally guaranteed amounts are expensed monthly. The Term Loan is governed by the terms of a Promissory Note, dated September 28, 2017, entered into between the Company and Bank Midwest.

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

The Company also entered into the Roof Term Loan of $350,000 with Bank Midwest on May 17, 2022. The Roof Term Loan’s proceeds were used to fix sections of the Armstrong facility’s roof. The Roof Term Loan requires 59 regular payments of $2,972 and an estimated balloon payment of $269,517 on the maturity date of May 15, 2027. Any unpaid principal amount borrowed on the Roof Term Loan accrues interest at a floating rate per annum equal to 2.00% above the Wall Street Journal rate published in the money rates section of the Wall Street Journal. The interest rate floor is set at 5.00% per annum and the current interest rate is 9.75% per annum. The Roof Term Loan is governed by the terms of a Promissory Note, dated May 17, 2022, entered into between the Company and Bank Midwest.

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

To further secure the Line of Credit, the Company granted Bank Midwest a mortgage on its Canton, Ohio property held by Ohio Metal Working Products/Art’s-Way Inc. The Term Loan is secured by a mortgage on the Company’s Armstrong, Iowa and Monona, Iowa properties. Each mortgage is governed by the terms of a separate Mortgage, dated September 28, 2017, and each property is also subject to a separate Assignment of Rents, dated September 28, 2017.

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

Compliance with Bank Midwest covenants is measured annually on November 30. The terms of the Bank Midwest loan agreements require the Company to maintain a minimum of $4,000,000 of monthly working capital. Additionally, a maximum debt to worth ratio of 1 to 1 must be maintained, with a minimum of 40% tangible balance sheet equity, with variations subject to mutual agreement. The Company is also required to maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.25, with a 0.10 tolerance. The Company also must receive bank approval for purchases or sales of equipment over $100,000 annually and maintain reasonable salaries and owner compensation. The Company received the necessary approvals for purchases of equipment over $100,000 for the twelve months ended November 30, 2022. The Company was out of compliance with its debt to worth ratio by fifteen percentage points on the Bank Midwest loans as of November 30, 2022. Bank Midwest issued a waiver forgiving the noncompliance, and in turn waived the event of default. The next measurement date is November 30, 2023 for all covenants except the monthly working capital requirement.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

In June of 2020, the Company executed the standard loan documents required for securing loans offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration under its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) assistance program in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business. Two loans were executed on June 18, 2020 with principal amounts of $150,000 each, with a third loan being executed on June 24, 2020 with a principal amount of $150,000. Proceeds from these EIDLs are being used for working capital purposes. Interest accrues at the rate of 3.75% per annum and will accrue from the date of inception. Installment payments, including principal and interest, are due monthly beginning June 18, 2022 (thirty-six months from the date of the EIDLs) and June 24, 2022 in the amount of $731 per EIDL. On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was enacted, which extended the first due date for repayment of EIDLs made in 2020 from 12 months to 24 months from the date of the note. The balance of principal and interest is payable 30 years from the date of the EIDL. The EIDLs are secured by a security interest on all of the Company’s assets. Each EIDL is governed by the terms of a separate Promissory Note, dated either June 18, 2020 or June 24, 2020, as applicable, entered into by the Company or the applicable subsidiary.

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

A summary of the minimum maturities of term debt follows for the years ending November 30:

During the 2022 and 2021 fiscal years, the Company did not recognize any revenues from transactions with a related party, and no amounts in accounts receivable balances were due from a related party. From time to time, the Company purchases various supplies from related parties, which are companies in which Marc McConnell, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, has an ownership interest and also serves as President. J. Ward McConnell Jr.’s estate, the J. Ward McConnell, Jr. Living Trust, is paid a monthly fee to guarantee a portion of the Company’s term debt in accordance with the USDA guarantee obtained on the Company’s term debt. In the 2022 fiscal year, the Company recognized $23,880 of expense for transactions with related parties, compared to $26,368 in the 2021 fiscal year. As of November 30, 2022, accrued expenses contained a balance of $1,348 owed to a related party compared to $1,407 on November 30, 2021.

The Company sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) savings plan which covers substantially all full-time employees who meet eligibility requirements. Participating employees may contribute as salary reductions any amount of their compensation up to the limit prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company makes a 50% matching contribution to employees up to 3% of eligible compensation. The Company recognized an expense of $116,603 and $77,010 related to this plan during the 2022 and 2021 fiscal years, respectively.

On February 25, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) authorized and approved the Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”). The 2020 Plan was approved by the stockholders on April 30, 2020. The 2020 Plan replaced the Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”) and added an additional 500,000 shares to the number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to equity awards. No further awards will be made under the 2011 Plan or other prior plans. Awards to directors and executive officers under the 2020 Plan are governed by the forms of agreement approved by the Board. Stock options or other awards granted prior to February 25, 2020 are governed by the applicable prior plan and the forms of agreement adopted thereunder.

The 2020 Plan permits the plan administrator to award nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance awards, and stock appreciation rights to employees (including officers), directors, and consultants. The Board has approved a director compensation policy pursuant to which non-employee directors are automatically granted restricted stock awards of 1,000 shares of fully vested common stock annually or initially upon their election to the Board and another 1,000 shares of fully vested common stock on the last business day of each fiscal quarter.

Shares issued under the 2020 Plan for the years ended November 30, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

Book and tax stock-based compensation expense for the years ended November 30, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

Stock-based compensation expense reflects the fair value of stock-based awards measured at the grant date and recognized over the relevant vesting period. The Company estimates the fair value of each stock-based option award on the measurement date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model which incorporates assumptions as to stock price volatility, the expected life of the options, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors. The Company uses historical option exercise and termination data to estimate the expected term the options are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected dividend yield is calculated using historical dividend amounts and the stock price at the option issuance date. No stock options were granted during the years ended November 30, 2022 or 2021.

The following is a summary of activity under the plans as of November 30, 2022 and 2021, and changes during the years then ended:

On March 29, 2022, Art’s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Alumni Capital LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Alumni Capital”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell, and Alumni Capital agreed to purchase, upon request of the Company in one or more transactions, a number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) providing aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to $3,000,000 (the “Maximum”). The Purchase Agreement expires upon the earlier of the aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of shares meeting the Maximum or June 30, 2023.

Among other limitations, unless otherwise agreed upon by Alumni Capital, each sale of shares will be limited to 50,000 shares and further limited to no more than the number of shares that would result in the beneficial ownership by Alumni Capital and its affiliates, at any single point in time, of more than 9.99% of the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock. Alumni Capital will purchase the shares of Common Stock under the Agreement at a discount ranging from 3-5% of the lowest traded price of the Common Stock in the five business days preceding the Company delivering notice of the required purchase of shares to Alumni Capital.

In exchange for Alumni Capital entering into the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued 20,000 shares of Common Stock to Alumni Capital upon execution of the Purchase Agreement (the “Initial Commitment Shares”) and issued another 20,000 shares in connection with the first closing under the Purchase Agreement (with the Initial Commitment Shares, the “Commitment Shares”). Alumni Capital represented to the Company, among other things, that it was an “accredited investor” (as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)). The Company shares of Common Stock, including the Commitment Shares, are being offered and sold under the Purchase Agreement in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The securities sold may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

The Purchase Agreement provided that the Company file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the resale of the shares issued to Alumni Capital. Alumni Capital’s obligation to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Purchase Agreement is conditioned upon, among other things, the registration statement having been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company filed a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) April 27, 2022 which was declared effective on August 9, 2022 by the SEC.

The Company evaluated the embedded options and believe they should not be bifurcated from the agreement and accounted for separately as it is indexed to the Company’s stock and would qualify for equity treatment on the balance sheet.

The Company incurred approximately $203,000 of expense related to equity issuance in the twelve months ended November 30, 2022 in the form of 40,000 commitment shares valued at approximately $160,000, attorney fees for the negotiation and execution of the Purchase Agreement and the preparation and filing of the registration statement. These equity issuance costs have reduced proceeds received under the common stock purchase agreement in additional paid in capital.

Below is a summary of shares purchased by Alumni Capital under this agreement as of the filing date of this report:

The Company has $2,454,472 of funding under the common stock purchase agreement that can be utilized as of November 30, 2022.

Total income tax expense for the 2022 and 2021 fiscal years consists of the following:

The reconciliation of the statutory Federal income tax rate is as follows:

Tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets (liabilities) on November 30, 2022 and 2021 are presented as approximate amounts below:

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. The Company has net operating losses amounting to approximately $4,496,000 and tax credit carryforward amounting to approximately $109,000 for its U.S. operations that will expire on November 30, 2036, 2037, 2038, 2039 and 2040. The Company has another $4,869,000 of net operating losses that can be carried forward indefinitely. Management believes that the Company will be able to utilize the U.S. net operating losses and credits before their expiration.

The fair value of a financial instrument is defined as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. On November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021, the carrying amount approximated fair value for cash, accounts receivable, operating and finance leases, accounts payable, notes payable to bank, and other current and long-term liabilities. The carrying amounts of current assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s term loans payable also approximates recorded value because the interest rates charged under the loan terms are not substantially different from current interest rates.

There are three reportable segments: Agricultural Products, Modular Buildings, and Tools. The Agricultural Products segment fabricates and sells farming products as well as replacement parts for these products in the United States and worldwide. The Modular Buildings segment produces modular buildings for animal containment and various laboratory uses. The Tools segment manufactures steel cutting tools and inserts.

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

Approximate financial information with respect to the reportable segments is as follows.

Management evaluated all other activity of the Company and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in the consolidated financial statements or disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.