UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended:November 30, 20172020

 

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File No.:0-16035 000-16035

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

New York14-1568099
(State or other jurisdiction of(IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)Identification No.)

 

2012 Rt. 9W, Milton, NY 12547

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Issuer's telephone no., including area code:(845) 795-2020

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
NoneN/AN/A

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES     NO 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES    NO   Yes   

 No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”filer”, “smaller reporting company,”company”, and “emerging growth company“company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer      Accelerated Filer      Smaller reporting company 

Non Accelerated Filer  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Emerging growth company ☐

Large Accelerated Filer Accelerated Filer
Non-Accelerated Filer Smaller reporting company
Emerging Growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. Act 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES     NO 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

 

 Outstanding as of January 14, 2021
ClassJanuary 9, 2018
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share14,982,31515,452,143

 

 

 

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

 

 

INDEX

 

Page
Part I - Financial InformationPage
  
Item 1 – Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:1 - 3
  
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – November 30, 20172020 (Unaudited) and February 28, 201729, 20201
  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income – Nine Months and Three Months Ended November 30, 20172020 and 20162019 (Unaudited)2
  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity – Nine and Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited)3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Nine Months Ended November 30, 20172020 and 20162019 (Unaudited)34
  
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements4 –5- 9
  
Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations10– 1910–16
  
Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk1917
  
Item 4 – Controls and Procedures1917
  
Part II - Other Information2018
  
Signatures and Certifications21 – 2519

 

 

 

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 Unaudited     November 30,    
 November 30, February 28,  2020 February 29, 
 2017  2017  (Unaudited)  2020 
ASSETS              
        
Current Assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents $1,698,721  $2,557,223  $6,014,009  $3,659,551 
Marketable Securities  4,447,496   2,342,184 
Accounts receivable (less allowance of $46,000 at November 30 and February 28)  978,336   1,150,801 
Marketable securities  3,225,516   4,219,240 
Accounts receivable (less allowance of $56,000 and $71,000, respectively)  1,673,983   929,701 
Inventories, net  1,503,228   1,340,684   2,447,102   2,381,891 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  106,435   127,276   126,627   153,698 
Total current assets  8,734,216   7,518,168   13,487,237   11,344,081 
                
Land  250,000   250,000   250,000   250,000 
Buildings, net  1,826,311   1,875,074   1,594,205   1,654,061 
Equipment, furnishings and building improvements, net  563,521   624,197   1,162,009   1,212,578 
Intangible and other assets, net  140,644   153,326 
Intangible assets, net  93,852   106,291 
Deferred tax asset  315,171   315,171   223,192   176,314 
                
TOTAL ASSETS $11,829,863  $10,735,936  $16,810,495  $14,743,325 
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
                
Current Liabilities:                
Accounts payable $565,046  $336,561  $917,829  $668,721 
Accrued expenses  826,929   868,755   1,557,618   1,613,409 
Customer deposits  652,552   78,902   1,782,113   1,648,690 
Current maturities of long term debt  154,475   149,698   895,713   169,716 
Income taxes payable  52,174   14,619   285,346   70,621 
Total current liabilities  2,251,176   1,448,535   5,438,619   4,171,157 
                
Deferred tax liability  337,726   337,726   209,335   251,761 
Long term debt, less current maturities  910,096   1,026,650   686,992   538,000 
Total liabilities  3,498,998   2,812,911   6,334,946   4,960,918 
                
Commitments and Contingencies      
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)      
                
Stockholders’ Equity                
Common stock, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, 14,976,644 and 14,961,076 shares issued and outstanding, at November 30 and February 28, respectively  149,767   149,611 
Common stock, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, 15,445,594 and 15,348,180 shares issued and outstanding, at November 30 and February 29, respectively  154,456   153,482 
Additional paid-in capital  8,891,077   8,859,486   9,044,405   9,018,406 
Accumulated deficit  (863,366)  (1,128,322)
Accumulated other comprehensive income  153,387   42,250 
Retained earnings  1,276,688   610,519 
Total stockholders’ equity  8,330,865   7,923,025   10,475,549   9,782,407 
                
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $11,829,863  $10,735,936  $16,810,495  $14,743,325 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

 Unaudited  Unaudited 
 Nine Months Ended November 30,  Three Months Ended November 30,  Nine Months Ended
November 30,
  Three Months Ended
November 30,
 
 2017  2016  2017  2016  2020  2019  2020  2019 
                  
Net Sales $8,169,007  $7,149,766  $2,982,377  $2,599,104  $10,736,327  $9,840,536  $3,827,142  $3,672,286 
Cost of Goods Sold  4,132,799   3,861,651   1,507,500   1,359,704   5,624,002   5,191,929   1,896,516   1,875,606 
Gross Profit  4,036,208   3,288,115   1,474,877   1,239,400   5,112,325   4,648,607   1,930,626   1,796,680 
                                
Operating Expenses                                
Research and product development costs  922,460   924,056   318,037   307,645   1,241,739   1,020,299   406,799   361,429 
Marketing and selling expenses  1,866,204   1,654,806   660,050   575,737   2,154,956   2,326,115   765,969   849,419 
General and administrative costs  819,886   767,412   261,772   265,805   883,384   935,693   311,130   316,218 
Rental operations expense  111,017   117,578   36,648   36,007 
Total Operating Expenses  3,719,567   3,463,852   1,276,507   1,185,194   4,280,079   4,282,107   1,483,898   1,527,066 
                                
Operating Income  316,641   (175,737)  198,370   54,206   832,246   366,500   446,728   269,614 
                                
Interest Expense  (35,330)  (39,960)  (11,299)  (12,848)  (23,949)  (25,465)  (6,245)  (8,000)
Interest and Dividend Income  58,298   48,142   22,087   15,038   26,953   77,496   1,470   20,513 
Other income  17,790   208,015   25,652   5,946   30,343   24,404   10,824   7,527 
                                
Income from Operations Before Income Taxes  357,399   40,460   234,810   62,342 
Income Before Income Taxes  865,593   442,935   452,777   289,654 
                                
Income Tax Expense  92,443   12,000   40,368      199,424   23,303   132,299   10,000 
                                
Net Income $264,956  $28,460  $194,442  $62,342  $666,169  $419,632  $320,478  $279,654 
                
Other Comprehensive Income                
Net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities $111,137   61,097  $51,499  ($31,275)
                
Comprehensive Income $376,093  $89,557  $245,941  $31,067 
                                
Basic Earnings Per Share $0.02  $0.00  $0.01  $0.00  $0.04  $0.03  $0.02  $0.02 
                                
Diluted Earnings Per Share $0.02  $0.00  $0.01  $0.00  $0.04  $0.03  $0.02  $0.02 
                                
Weighted Average Shares - Basic  14,964,048   14,961,076   14,969,933   14,961,076   15,420,787   15,291,968   15,440,673   15,306,008 
                                
Weighted Average Shares - Diluted  15,073,576   15,015,370   15,113,389   15,038,794   15,547,604   15,354,472   15,583,089   15,371,819 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


SONO-TEK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSSTOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

NINE AND THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

 

  Unaudited 
  Nine Months Ended November 30, 
  2017  2016 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:        
Net Income $264,956  $28,460 
         
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  279,848   365,640 
Stock based compensation expense  31,536   33,415 
Inventory reserve  77,601   56,979 
(Increase) Decrease in:        
Accounts receivable  172,465   166,536 
Inventories  (240,144)  174,287 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  20,841   24,670 
Increase (Decrease) in:        
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  186,659   (68,618)
Customer Deposits  573,650   238,272 
Income Taxes Payable  37,555   (42,877)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities  1,404,967   976,764 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Purchase of equipment and furnishings  (157,727)  (170,659)
(Purchase) of marketable securities  (1,994,175)  (319,702)
Net Cash (Used In) Investing Activities  (2,151,902)  (490,361)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  210    
Repayments of notes payable and loans  (111,777)  (107,045)
Net Cash (Used In) Financing Activities  (111,567)  (107,045)
         
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  (858,502)  379,358 
         
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS        
Beginning of period  2,557,223   2,388,355 
End of period $1,698,721  $2,767,713 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE:        
Interest paid $35,330  $39,960 
Taxes Paid $58,969  $42,877 

Nine Months Ended November 30, 2020 and 2019

  Common Stock
Par Value $.01
  Additional
Paid – In
  Accumulated Earnings  Total
Stockholders’
 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  (Deficit)  Equity 
Balance – February 29, 2020  15,348,180  $153,482  $9,018,406  $610,519  $9,782,407 
Cashless exercise of stock options  97,414   974   (974)       
Stock based compensation expense          26,973       26,973 
Net Income              666,169   666,169 
Balance – November 30, 2020 (unaudited)  15,445,594  $154,456  $9,044,405  $1,276,688  $10,475,549 
                     
Balance – February 28, 2019  15,197,563  $151,976  $8,929,607  $(496,923) $8,584,660 
Cashless exercise of stock options  126,268   1,262   (1,262)       
Stock based compensation expense          81,634       81,634 
Net income              419,632   419,632 
Balance – November 30, 2019 (unaudited)  15,323,831  $153,238  $9,009,979  $(77,291) $9,085,926 

Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 and 2019

  Common Stock
Par Value $.01
  Additional
Paid – In
  Accumulated Earnings  Total
Stockholders’
 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  (Deficit)  Equity 
Balance – August 31, 2020 (unaudited)  15,435,935  $154,360  $9,033,531  $956,210  $10,144,101 
Cashless exercise of stock options  9,659   96   (96)       
Stock based compensation expense          10,970       10,970 
Net income              320,478   320,478 
Balance – November 30, 2020 (unaudited)  15,445,594  $154,456  $9,044,405  $1,276,688  $10,475,549 
                     
Balance – August 31, 2019 (unaudited)  15,301,613  $153,016  $8,972,394  $(356,945) $8,768,465 
Cashless exercise of stock options  22,218   222   (222)       
Stock based compensation expense          37,807       37,807 
Net income              279,654   279,654 
Balance – November 30, 2019 (unaudited)  15,323,831  $153,238  $9,009,979  $(77,291) $9,085,926 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Nine Months November 30, 2017 and 2016CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

  Nine Months Ended
November 30,
 
  2020  2019 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:        
Net Income $666,169  $419,632 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  

350,043

   290,203 
Stock based compensation expense  26,973   81,634 
Inventory reserve  54,000   50,000 
Deferred tax benefit  (89,304)   
Decrease (Increase) in:        
Accounts receivable  (744,282)  59,571 
Inventories  (119,211)  (1,370,764)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  27,071   201,453 
Increase in:        
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  193,317   469,026 
Customer Deposits  133,423   804,268 
Income taxes payable  214,725   18,472 
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities  712,924   1,023,495 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Purchase of equipment and furnishings  (327,180)  (392,346)
Capital expenditure grant proceeds  100,000    
Sale (purchase) of marketable securities, net  993,724   (1,374,229)
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities  766,544   (1,766,575)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
Proceeds from note payable - bank  1,001,640    
Repayment of long term debt  (126,650)  (121,537)
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities  874,990   (121,537)
         
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  2,354,458   (864,617)
         
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS        
Beginning of period  3,659,551   3,144,123 
End of period $6,014,009  $2,279,506 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURE:        
Interest paid $20,573  $25,465 
Income Taxes Paid $74,004  $4,831 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1: BUSINESS DESCRIPTION

 

Sono-Tek Corporation (the “Company”, “Sono-Tek”, “We” or “Our”) was incorporated in New York on March 21, 19751975. We are the world leader in the design and manufacture of ultrasonic coating systems for applying precise, thin film coatings to protect, strengthen or smooth surfaces on parts and components for the purpose of engagingmicroelectronics/electronics, alternative energy, medical, industrial and emerging research & development/other markets. We design and manufacture custom-engineered ultrasonic coating systems and also provide patented nozzles and generators for manufacturers’ equipment.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the development, manufacture,United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information with the instructions for Form 10-Q and saleArticle 8 of ultrasonic liquid atomizing nozzles, whichRegulation S-X. Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) have been included. The results for the interim periods are sold world-wide. Ultrasonic nozzle systems atomize low to medium viscosity liquids by converting electrical energy into mechanical motionnot necessarily indicative of what the results will be for the fiscal year. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020 (“fiscal year 2020”) contained in the form of high frequency ultrasonic vibrations that break liquids into minute drops that can be applied to surfaces at low velocity.

BasedCompany’s 2020 Annual Report on its core technology of ultrasonic liquid atomizing nozzles,Form 10-K filed with the Company has developed intellectual property in the area of precision spray coating of liquids.SEC on May 29, 2020. The Company is presently engaged in the development, manufacture, sales, installation and servicing of diverse ultrasonic coating equipment for various manufacturing industries worldwide.Company’s current fiscal year ends on February 28, 2021 (“fiscal 2021”).

 

NOTE 2: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Available-For-Sale Investments –The Company’s available for sale investments are carried at fair value with the unrealized gains or losses, net of tax, included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Realized losses and declines in value below cost judged to be other than temporary, if any, are included as a component of asset impairments expense in the consolidated statement of operations. The fair value of the available-for-sale investments are based on quoted market prices. The Company’s fair value determination method is discussed below in “Fair Value of Financial Instruments.”

Cash and Cash Equivalents -Cash and cash equivalents consist of money market mutual funds, short term commercial paper and short-term certificates of deposit with original maturities of 90 days or less.

 

ConsolidationConcentration of Credit Risk – -The Company had three customers, which accounted for 30% of sales during the three months ended November 30, 2020 and four customers which accounted for 30% of sales during the nine months ended November 30, 2020. Three customers accounted for 45% of the outstanding accounts receivables at November 30, 2020 and three customers accounted for 67% of the outstanding accounts receivable at February 29, 2020.

Financial instruments and related items, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments with credit quality institutions. At times, such amounts may be in excess of FDIC insurance limits.

Consolidation – The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company, include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Sono-Tek Industrial Park, LLC (“SIP”). SIP operates as a real estate holding company for the Company’s real estate operations. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Earnings Per Share -Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.

 

Equipment, Furnishings and Leasehold Improvements Equipment, furnishings and leasehold improvements are stated at cost. Depreciation of equipment and furnishings is computed by use of the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to five years.


Fair Value of Financial Instruments - The Company follows the guidance in the “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic” of theapplies Accounting Standards Codification for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. This guidance establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to existing generally accepted accounting principles that require the use of fair value measurements,(“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), which establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about suchclarifies the definition of fair value measurements. The guidancewithin that framework. ASC 820 defines fair value as an exit price, which is the price that would be received to sellfor an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the Company’s principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants aton the measurement date. Additionally, the guidanceThe fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820 generally requires the use of valuation techniques thatan entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are prioritizeddeveloped based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the entity’s own assumptions based on market data and the entity’s judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are to be developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

The carrying amounts of financial instruments reported in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for current assets and current liabilities approximate the fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturities of the financial instruments.

The valuation hierarchy is composed of three levels. The classification within the valuation hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The levels within the valuation hierarchy are described below:

 

Level 1: Quoted1 — Assets and liabilities with unadjusted, quoted prices listed on active market exchanges. Inputs to the fair value measurement are observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets.


Level 2: Observable market-based inputsmarkets for identical assets or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.liabilities.

 

Level 3: Unobservable2 — Inputs to the fair value measurement are determined using prices for recently traded assets and liabilities with similar underlying terms, as well as direct or indirect observable inputs, for which there issuch as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

Level 3 — Inputs to the fair value measurement are unobservable inputs, such as estimates, assumptions, and valuation techniques when little or no market data which requireexists for the use of the reporting entity’s own assumptions.assets or liabilities.

 

The fair values of financial assets of the Company were determined using the following categories at November 30, 20172020 and February 28, 2017,29, 2020, respectively:

 

  Quoted Prices in Active Markets 
  (Level 1) 
  November 30,
2017
  February 28,
2017
 
         
Marketable Securities $4,447,496  $2,342,184 
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
             
Marketable Securities – November 30, 2020 $3,025,459  $200,057  $  $3,225,516 
                 
Marketable Securities – February 29, 2020 $3,565,629   653,611  $  $4,219,240 

 

Marketable Securities include mutual fundscertificates of $4,447,496deposit and $2,342,184US Treasury securities, totaling $3,225,516 and $4,219,240 that are considered to be highly liquid and easily tradeable as of November 30, 20172020 and February 28, 2017,29, 2020, respectively. TheseUS Treasury securities are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities and are therefore classified as Level 1 and certificates of deposit are classified as Level 2 within the Company’s fair value hierarchy. The Company’s marketable securities are considered to be available-for-sale investmentstrading securities as defined under ASC 320 “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities.”

 

Grant Proceeds – The Company was awarded a $100,000 Wired Innovations Center grant in June 2019 from the utility that provides its electricity service. Proceeds of the grant was conditioned upon the Company’s successful completion of certain energy efficiency related improvements. In addition, the grant was subject to certain other requirements and was provided on a reimbursement basis only. The Company expended approximately $580,000 related to these improvements during the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020. During the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company received the $100,000 grant in its entirety.


The Company has concluded that this grant is not within the scope of ASC 606, as it does not meet the definition of a contract with a “customer”. The Company has further concluded that Subtopic 958-605, Not-for-Profit-Entities-Revenue Recognition also does not apply, as the Company is a business entity and the grant is from a public utility. Grants and related receivables are recognized when there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received, and all attaching conditions will be complied with. The Company has applied the grant proceeds against the cost of the capitalized improvements applicable to the grant, reducing the carrying value and the related depreciation expense going forward.

Income Taxes - The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of "temporary differences" by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities. If it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. We use a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

 

Intangible Assets -Include costs of patent applications which are deferred and charged to operations over seventeen years for domestic patents and twelve years for foreign patents. The accumulated amortization of patents is $147,000$179,244 and $139,000$171,210 at November 30, 20172020 and February 28, 2017,29, 2020, respectively. Annual amortization expense of such intangible assets is expected to be approximately $11,000 per year for the next five years.

 

Interim ReportingInventories – - The attached summary condensed consolidated financial information does not include all disclosures required to be included in a complete set of financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Such disclosures were included with the financial statements of the Company at February 28, 2017, and included in its report on Form 10-K. Such statements should be read in conjunction with the data herein.

The financial information reflects all adjustments, normal and recurring, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year.

Inventories -Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method for raw materials, subassemblies and work-in-progress and the specific identification method for finished goods.

 

Land and Buildings –Land and buildings are stated at cost. Buildings are being depreciated by use of the straight-line method based on an estimated useful life of forty years.


Long-Lived Assets -The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets, including intangible assets, when events and circumstances warrant such a review. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flow from such asset is separately identifiable and is less than its carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset. Fair market value is determined primarily using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. No impairment losses were identified or recorded in the three or nine months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019 on the Company’s long lived assets.

 

Management Estimates -The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements-Pronouncements – In November 2015,December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-17,ASU 2019-12,Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.(“ASU 2015-17”). The standard requires thatguidance issued in this update simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the guidance in ASC 740 related to the approach for intra-period tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition for deferred tax assetsliabilities for outside basis differences. ASU 2019-12 also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and liabilitiesenacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The ASU will be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet rather than being separated into current and noncurrent. ASU 2015-17 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Earlythe Company on March 1, 2021, with early adoption is permitted, and the standard may be applied either retrospectively or onis not expected to have a prospective basis to all deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company adopted ASU 2015-17 during the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 on a retrospective basis. Accordingly, the Company reclassified the current deferred taxes to noncurrent on its February 28, 2017 Consolidated Balance Sheet, which increased noncurrent deferred tax assets by $315,171. There was nosignificant impact on the results of operations as a result of the adoption of ASU 2015-17.Company’s financial statements.


Other than Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” (“ASU 2015-17”)2019-12 discussed above, all new accounting pronouncements issued but not yet effective have been deemed to be not applicable to the Company. Hence, the adoption of these new accounting pronouncements, once effective, areis not expected to have an impact on the Company.

 

Reclassifications – Where appropriate, certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period to conform to the presentations of the current period.

 

Research and Product Development Expenses – Research and product development expenses represent engineering and other expenditures incurred for developing new products, for refining the Company's existing products and for developing systems to meet unique customer specifications for potential orders or for new industry applications and are expensed as incurred.

Shipping and Handling Costs – Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation – The computation of the expense associated with stock-based compensation requires the use of a valuation model. ASC 718 is a complex accounting standard, the application of which requires significant judgment and the use of estimates, particularly surrounding Black-Scholes assumptions such as stock price volatility, expected option lives, and expected option forfeiture rates, to value equity-based compensation. The Company currently uses a Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair value of its stock options. The Company primarily uses historical data to determine the assumptions to be used in the Black-Scholes model and has no reason to believe that future data is likely to differ materially from historical data. However, changes in the assumptions to reflect future stock price volatility and future stock award exercise experience could result in a change in the assumptions used to value awards in the future and may result in a material change to the fair value calculation of stock-based awards. ASC 718 requires the recognition of the fair value of stock compensation in net income. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the Company’s estimates and assumptions, significant unanticipated changes in those estimates, interpretations and assumptions may result in recording stock option expense that may materially impact the Company’s financial statements for each respective reporting period.

NOTE 3: REVENUE RECOGNITION

A majority of the Company’s sales revenue is derived from short term contracts with customers, which, on average, are in effect for less than twelve months. Sales revenue from manufactured equipment transferred at a single point in time accounts for a majority of the Company’s revenue.

Sales revenue is recognized when control of the Company’s manufactured equipment is transferred to its customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive based upon the agreed transaction price. The Company’s performance obligations are satisfied when its customers take control of the purchased equipment, as defined by the contract terms. Based on prior experience, the Company reasonably estimates its warranty reserves. Sales are presented net of discounts and allowances. Discounts and allowances are determined when a sale is negotiated. The Company does not grant its customers or independent representatives, the ability to return equipment nor does it grant price adjustments after a sale is complete.

The Company does not capitalize any sales commission costs related to the acquisition of a contract. All commissions related to a performance obligation that are satisfied at a point in time are expensed when the customer takes control of the purchased equipment.

The Company receives cash deposits for customer orders based upon contract terms. Upon receipt, customer deposits are recorded as a short-term liability. Cash deposits received from customers may not always equal 100% of the contracted revenue for a given contract. In addition to cash deposits, the Company will accept irrevocable standby letters of credit from customers based upon contract terms. The Company also provides negotiated payment terms to its customers.

At February 29, 2020, the Company had received $1,649,000 in cash deposits from customers. During the nine months ended November 30, 2020, the Company applied 100% of these deposits against customer accounts receivable when the Company's performance obligations were met.

At November 30, 2020, the Company had received $1,782,000 in cash deposits for customer orders and had issued Letters of Credit in the amount of $941,000 to secure some of these cash deposits.


The Company’s sales revenue by product line, for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019, is as follows:

  Three Months Ended
November 30,
  Nine Months Ended
November 30,
 
  2020  2019  2020  2019 
Fluxing Systems $242,000  $261,000  $680,000  $863,000 
Integrated Coating Systems  1,071,000   628,000   2,920,000   1,438,000 
Multi-Axis Coating Systems  1,249,000   1,631,000   4,147,000   4,519,000 
OEM Systems  523,000   400,000   1,177,000   965,000 
Other  742,000   752,000   1,812,000   2,056,000 
TOTAL $3,827,000  $3,672,000  $10,736,000  $9,841,000 

NOTE 4: INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

 November 30,
2017
  February 28,
2017
  November 30, February 29, 
      2020  2020 
Raw materials and subassemblies $1,153,908  $1,197,506  $1,089,907  $967,089 
Finished Goods  413,595   369,428 
Finished goods  988,754   752,999 
Work in process  268,036   28,460   615,721   855,083 
Total  1,835,539   1,595,394   2,694,382   2,575,171 
Less: Allowance  (332,311)  (254,710)  (247,280)  (193,280)
Net inventories $1,503,228  $1,340,684  $2,447,102  $2,381,891 

 

NOTE 4:5: STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS

 

Stock Options – Under the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan ("2013 Plan"), options can be granted to officers, directors, consultants and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to purchase up to 2,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Under the 2013 Plan options expire ten years after the date of grant. As of November 30, 2017,2020, there were 744,100433,084 options outstanding under the 2013 Plan.

 

Under the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended ("2003 Plan"), until May 2013, options were available to be granted to officers, directors, consultants and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to purchase up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock. As of November 30, 2017,2020, there were 173,50047,500 options outstanding under the 2003 Plan, under which no additional options may be granted.

During the nine months ended November 30, 2020, 151,083 options were exercised on a cashless basis into 97,414 shares of common stock. During the nine months ended November 30, 2020, the Company granted options to acquire 22,500 shares to employees exercisable at $3.70, and options to acquire 20,000 shares to the non-employee members of the board of directors with an exercise price of $3.70. The options granted to employees and directors vest over three years and expire in ten years.

 

NOTE 5:6: STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

 

During the nine months ended November 30, 2020, the Company granted options to acquire 22,500 shares to employees exercisable at $3.70, and options to acquire 20,000 shares to the non-employee members of the board of directors with an exercise price of $3.70. The options granted to employees and directors vest over three years and expire in ten years. All of the options granted by the Company during the nine months ended November 30, 2020 had a combined weighted average grant date fair value of $1.03 per share.


The weighted-average fair value of options are estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes options-pricing model. The weighted-average Black-Scholes assumptions are as follows:

Nine Months Ended
November 30, 2020
Expected Life3 - 8 years
Risk free interest rate0.46%
Expected volatility33.55%
Expected dividend yield0%

 

In computing the impact, the fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant based on the Black-Scholes options-pricing model utilizing certain assumptions for a risk free interest rate; volatility; and expected remaining lives of the awards. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, the Company’s stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, theThe Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expenseaccounts for those shares expected to vest. In estimating the Company’s forfeiture rate, the Company analyzed its historical forfeiture rate, the remaining lives of unvested options, and the number of vested optionsforfeitures as a percentage of total options outstanding. If the Company’s actual forfeiture rate is materially different from its estimate, or if the Company reevaluates the forfeiture rate in the future, the stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what the Company has recorded in the current period.they occur.

 

For the three and nine months ended November 30, 20172020 and 2016,2019, net income and earnings per share reflect the actual deduction for stock-based compensation expense. The impact of applying ASC 718 approximated $32,000$11,000 and $33,000$38,000 in additional compensation expense during each of the nine month periodsthree months ended November 30, 20172020 and 2016,2019, respectively. The impact of applying ASC 718 approximated $27,000 and $82,000 in additional compensation expense during the nine months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Such amounts are included in general and administrative expenses on the statement of operations. The expense for stock-based compensation is a non-cash expense item.

 

NOTE 6:7: EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The denominators for the calculation of diluted earnings per share atfor the three and nine months ended November 30, 20172020 and 20162019 are calculated as follows:

 

  Nine Months Ended 
November 30,
  Three Months Ended
November 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
             
Denominator for basic earnings per share  14,964,048   14,961,076   14,969,933   14,961,076 
                 
Dilutive effect of stock options  109,528   54,294   143,456   77,718 
                 
Denominator for diluted earnings per share  15,073,576   15,015,370   15,113,389   15,038,794 
  Nine Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
  November 30,  November 30, 
  2020  2019  2020  2019 
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share $666,169  $419,632  $320,478  $279,654 
                 
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average  15,420,787   15,291,968   15,440,673   15,306,008 
                 
Effects of dilutive securities                
                 
Stock options for employees, directors and outside consultants  126,817   62,504   142,416   65,811 
                 
Denominator for diluted earnings per share  15,547,604   15,354,472   15,583,089   15,371,819 
                 
Basic earnings per share $0.04  $0.03  $0.02  $0.02 
Diluted earnings per share $0.04  $0.03  $0.02  $0.02 

 

710 

 

NOTE 7: OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

As of November 30, 2017, certain of the Company’s marketable securities were in an unrealized gain position. Unrealized gains and losses are principally due to changes in fair value of the investments held as available-for-sale. Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities for the foreseeable future as classified as available-for-sale, the Company does not deem these unrealized gains or losses to be other than temporary.

As of November 30, 2017, the unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities was $153,387.

The following table sets forth the changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Gain for the nine months ended November 30, 2017:

  Unrealized Gain on Available for Sale Securities 
Beginning Balance February 28, 2017 $42,250 
Current Period Unrealized Gains  111,137 
Ending Balance November 30, 2017 $153,387 

NOTE 8: LONG TERM DEBT

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

 November 30, February 28,  November 30, February 29, 
 2017  2017  2020 2020 
Note payable, bank, collateralized by land and buildings, payable in monthly installments of principal and interest of $16,358 through January 2024. Interest rate 4.15%. 10 year term.  1,064,571   1,176,348 
     
Note payable, bank, collateralized by land and buildings, payable in monthly installments of principal and interest of $16,358 through January 2024 with an interest rate of 4.15% and a 10-year term. In December 2020, the Company paid $580,717 to the lender, representing the entire outstanding principal balance and a prepayment penalty of $14,000. $581,065  $707,716 
       
Note Payable, bank, unsecured, Paycheck Protection Program funding, initially scheduled to be payable in monthly installments of principal and interest of $56,370 through April 2022. Interest rate 1%. 2-year term. Under the terms of the CARE Act, forgiveness for all or a portion of the loan may be granted based upon use of the loan proceeds for eligible payroll and related payroll costs and other qualified expenses. The Company has applied for forgiveness of this obligation. Under the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, payments of principal and interest shall be deferred until the date that the Small Business Administration remits the forgiveness amount to the Company’s lender or determines that some or all of the PPP loan is not eligible for forgiveness. If all or a portion of the loan is not forgiven, the unforgiven balance and accrued interest shall be payable during the remainder of the term of the loan.   1,001,640   
             
Total long term debt  1,064,571   1,176,348  1,582,705 707,716 
Due within one year  154,475   149,698   895,713  169,716 
Due after one year $910,096  $1,026,650  $686,992 $538,000 

 

NOTE 9: REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT

 

The Company has a $750,000$1,500,000 revolving line of credit at prime which was 4.25%3.25% at November 30, 2017.2020. The revolving credit line of credit is collateralized by all of the assets of the Company, except for the landCompany’s accounts receivable and buildings.inventory. The line of credit is payable on demand and must be retired for a 30-day period, once annually. If the Company fails to perform the 30-day annual pay down or if the bank elects to terminate the credit line, the bank may, at its option, convert the outstanding balance to a 36-month term note with payments including interest in 36 equal installments.

As of November 30, 2017,2020, $941,000 of the Company’s credit line was being utilized to collateralize letters of credit issued to customers that have remitted cash deposits to the Company on existing orders. The letters of credit expire at various times in the fiscal years ending February 28, 2021 and 2022. As of November 30, 2020, there were no outstanding balance was $0,borrowings under the line of credit and the unused portion of the credit line was $750,000.$559,000 as of November 30, 2020.


 

NOTE 10: SEGMENT INFORMATIONCOMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

TheOther than the letters of credit disclosed in Note 9, the Company operates in two segments: ultrasonic spray coating systems, which is the businessdid not have any material commitments or contingencies as of developing, manufacturing, selling, installing and servicing ultrasonic spray coating equipment; and real estate operations, which is the business of owning and operating the Sono-Tek Industrial Park.

All inter-company transactions are eliminated in consolidation. For the nine and three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, segment information is as follows:

  Nine Months Ended November 30, 2017  Three Months Ended November 30, 2017 
  Ultrasonic
Spraying
  Rental
Real Estate
Operations
  Eliminations  Consolidated  Ultrasonic
Spraying
  Rental
Real Estate
Operations
  Eliminations  Consolidated 
Net Sales $8,114,007  $202,223  $147,223  $8,169,007  $2,959,577  $71,874  $49,074  $2,982,377 
Rent Expense $147,223  $  $(147,223) $  $49,074  $  $(49,074) $ 
Rental Operations Expense $  $57,850     $57,850  $  $18,794     $18,794 
Depreciation Expense $226,681  $53,167      $279,848  $61,218  $17,854      $79,072 
Interest Expense $  $35,330      $35,330  $  $11,299      $11,299 
Net Income (Loss) $356,303  $(91,347)     $264,956  $219,589  $(25,147)     $194,442 
Assets $9,470,747  $2,359,116      $11,829,863  $9,470,747  $2,359,116      $11,829,863 
Debt $  $1,064,571      $1,064,571  $  $1,064,571      $1,064,571 

  Nine Months Ended November 30, 2016  Three Months Ended November 30, 2016 
  Ultrasonic
Spraying
  Rental
Real Estate
Operations
  Eliminations  Consolidated  Ultrasonic
Spraying
  Rental
Real Estate
Operations
  Eliminations  Consolidated 
Net Sales $7,077,318  $219,671  $147,223  $7,149,766  $2,574,954  $73,224  $49,074  $2,599,104 
Rent Expense $147,223  $  $(147,223) $  $49,074  $  $(49,074) $ 
Rental Operations Expense $  $63,292      $63,292  $  $17,961      $17,961 
Depreciation Expense $311,354  $54,286      $365,640  $109,491  $18,046      $127,537 
Interest Expense $  $39,960      $39,960  $  $12,848      $12,848 
Net Income (Loss) $113,550  $(85,090)     $28,460  $87,047  $(24,705)     $62,342 
Assets $8,397,682  $2,414,558      $10,812,240  $8,397,682  $2,414,558      $10,812,240 
Debt $  $1,212,692      $1,212,692  $  $1,212,692      $1,212,692 

NOTE 11: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated subsequent events for disclosure purposes.2020.

 

911 

 

ITEM 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Forward-Looking StatementsFORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

We discuss expectations regarding our future performance, such as our business outlook, in our annual and quarterly reports, pressnews releases, and other written and oral statements. These “forward-looking statements” are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and our operating plans. They are inherently uncertain, and investors must recognize that events could turn out to be significantly different from our expectations.expectations and could cause actual results to differ materially. These factors include, among other considerations, general economic and business conditions; political, regulatory, tax, competitive and technological developments affecting our operations or the demand for our products; the duration and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic; the extent and duration of the pandemic’s adverse effect on economic and social activity, consumer confidence, discretionary spending and preferences, labor and healthcare costs, and unemployment rates, any of which may reduce demand for some of our products and impair the ability of those with whom we do business to satisfy their obligations to us; our ability to sell and provide our services and products, including as a result of continued pandemic related travel restrictions, mandatory business closures, and stay-at home or similar orders; any temporary reduction in our workforce, closures of our offices and facilities and our ability to adequately staff and maintain our operations resulting from the pandemic; the ability of our customers and suppliers to continue their operations as result of the pandemic, which could result in terminations of contracts, losses of revenue; the recovery of the Electronics/ Microelectronics and Medical markets following COVID-19 related slowdowns; the forgiveness of our PPP loan; and further adverse effects to our supply chain; maintenance of increased order backlog, including effects of any COVID-19 related cancellations; the imposition of tariffs; timely development and market acceptance of new products;products and continued customer validation of our coating technologies; adequacy of financing; capacity additions, the ability to enforce patentspatents; maintenance of operating leverage; maintenance of increased order backlog; consummation of order proposals; completion of large orders on schedule and on budget; continued sales growth in the abilitymedical and alternative energy markets; successful transition from primarily selling ultrasonic nozzles and components to achieve increased sales volumea more complex business providing complete machine solutions and continued profitability.higher value subsystems; and realization of quarterly and annual revenues within forecasted range.

 

We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

 

OverviewOVERVIEW

We have developed a uniqueFounded in 1975, Sono-Tek Corporation designs and proprietary series ofmanufactures ultrasonic atomizing nozzles andcoating systems which are being used in an increasing variety of electronics, advanced energy (solar and fuel cells), medical device, glass, textiles and food applications. These nozzles are electrically driven and create a fine, uniform, low velocity spray of atomized liquid particles, in contrast to common pressure nozzles. These characteristics create a series of commercial applications that benefit from the precise, uniform, thin coatings that can be achieved. When combined with significant reductions in liquid waste and less overspray than can be achieved with ordinary pressure nozzle systems, there is lower environmental impact and lower energy use.

Ultrasonic nozzle systems atomize low to medium viscosity liquids by converting electrical energy into mechanical motion in the form of high frequency ultrasonic vibrations that break liquids into minute drops that can be applied to surfaces at low velocity. The principal advantage of these nozzle systems is that they use much less liquid than competitive nozzle systems to attain the required coatings on solar cells, fuel cells, glass, advanced textiles, food and food packaging, circuit boards, medical devices and many other coating applications. This advantage translates intoapply precise, thin films and lower costs for materials, less costly liquid consumption, less energy required for subsequent drying operations and less release into the environment of spray that would typically bounce back and scatter while using competitive nozzle systems. These factors are increasingly important to customers at a time of rising commodity and energy costs and supply limitations.

We use our core ultrasonic spray coating technology to provide both standard and customized coating solutionsfilm coatings to a wide rangemultitude of manufacturing companies, enabling themproducts for the microelectronics/electronics, alternative energy, medical and industrial markets, including specialized glass applications in construction and automotive. We also sell our products to reduce their product costsemerging research and to develop new products with superior featuresdevelopment and quality. Presently, our customers are in six major industries: electronics, advanced energy (solar and fuel cells), medical device, glass, textiles and foods. Our systems are widely used by leading high tech companies and research institutions, as well as by governmental, defense, energy and health agencies around the world.

Our diversified group of customers provides the base for both financial stability and business growth opportunities.

Market Diversity

During the past several years weother markets. We have invested significant time, monies and effortsresources to enhance our market diversity. Based ondiversity by leveraging our core ultrasonic coating technology,technology. As a result, we have increased our portfolio of products, the industries we serve and the countries in which we sell our products.


 

Today we serve six major industries: electronics, advancedOur ultrasonic nozzle systems use high frequency, ultrasonic vibrations that atomize liquids into minute drops that can be applied to surfaces at low velocity providing thin layers of protective materials over a surface such as glass or metals. Our solutions are environmentally friendly, efficient and highly reliable. They enable dramatic reductions in overspray, savings in raw material, water and energy (solarusage and fuel cells), medical device, glass, textilesprovide improved process repeatability, transfer efficiency, high uniformity and food.reduced emissions.

 

In recent years,We believe product superiority is imperative and that it is attained through the extensive experience we have in the coatings industry, our proprietary manufacturing know-how and skills and our unique work force we have built over the years. Our growth strategy is to leverage our innovative technologies, proprietary know-how, unique talent and experience, and global reach to further advance the use of ultrasonic coating technologies for the microscopic coating of surfaces in a substantial portionbroader array of applications that enable better outcomes for our customers’ products and processes.

We are a global business with approximately 62% of our sales originatedgenerated from outside the United States and weCanada during the first nine months of fiscal 2021. Our direct sales team and our distributor and sales representative network are geographically present directly and through distributors and trade representativeslocated in North andAmerica, Latin America, Europe and Asia. The infrastructure upon which this diversified market approachOver the last few years, we have expanded our sales capabilities by increasing the size of our direct sales force, adding new distributors and sales representatives (”reps”). In addition, we have established testing labs at our distribution partner sites in China, Taiwan, Germany, Turkey, Korea and Japan, while also expanding our first testing lab that is based, includes a newly equipped process development laboratory, a strengthened sales organizationco-located with application engineers, an engineering team with additional talentour manufacturing facilities in New York. These labs provide significant value for demonstrating to prospective customers the capabilities of our equipment and the latest, most sophisticated design software tools, as well as an expanded, highly trained installation and service organization.enabling us to develop custom solutions to meet their needs.

 

The new products whichOver the last decade, we have introduced, the new marketsshifted our business from primarily selling our ultrasonic nozzles and components to a more complex business providing complete machine solutions and higher value subsystems to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). The range for our average full system selling price has increased as a result, going from tens of thousands of dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. As a result of this transition, we have broadened our addressable market and we believe that we have penetrated,can grow sales on a larger scale, however, we expect that we will experience wide variations in both order flow and shipments from quarter to quarter.


Third Quarter Fiscal 2021 Highlights (compared with the regionsthird quarter of fiscal 2020 unless otherwise noted) We refer to the three-month periods ended November 30, 2020 and 2019 as the third quarter of fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively.

Net sales were $3,827,000, up 4% or $155,000, primarily driven by increased sales of our integrated coating systems in which we now sell our products, arethe Industrial market segment and OEM systems.

Gross profit increased $134,000 or 7% to $1,931,000 compared with $1,797,000 in the prior year period.   Gross profit margin increased to 50.5% compared with 48.9%.  In the quarter, gross profit margin increased due to a strong foundationchange in the product mix for our future sales growththe quarter.

Operating income increased $177,000 to $447,000 or 66%, compared with operating income of $270,000 in the prior year period. Growth in revenue, gross profit and enhanced profitability.decreased operating expenses improved operating income during the quarter.

Backlog on November 30, 2020 was up 29% to $4,549,000, compared with backlog of $3,517,000 on February 29, 2020. The increase in backlog is due to a large order for the textile industry valued at $1.1 million scheduled to ship in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 or first quarter of fiscal 2022.

 

MarketsNine Month Fiscal 2021 Highlights (compared with the first nine months of fiscal 2020 unless otherwise noted) We Serverefer to the nine-month periods ended November 30, 2020 and 2019 as the first nine months of fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively.

Net sales were $10,736,000, up 9% or $895,000, led by strong sales of integrated coating systems to the Industrial market, and continued expansion of our customer base for the Alternative Energy sector.

Gross profit margin was consistent at 47% for both periods, but on a dollar basis, improved due to increased sales.

Operating income increased to $832,000 compared with $367,000.  Growth in revenue and gross profit were key factors in the improvement of operating income during the quarter.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Sales

 

Our diverse offerings have positioned us to provideProduct Sales:

  Three Months Ended
November 30,
  Change  Nine Months Ended
November 30,
  Change 
  2020  2019  $  %  2020  2019  $  % 
Fluxing Systems $242,000  $261,000  $(19,000)  (7%) $680,000  $863,000  $(183,000)  (21%)
Integrated Coating Systems  1,071,000   628,000   443,000   71%   2,920,000   1,438,000   1,482,000   103% 
Multi-Axis Coating Systems  1,249,000   1,631,000   (382,000)  (23%)  4,147,000   4,519,000   (372,000)  (8%)
OEM Systems  523,000   400,000   123,000   31%   1,177,000   965,000   212,000   22% 
Other  742,000   752,000   (10,000)  (1%)  1,812,000   2,056,000   (244,000)  (12%)
TOTAL $3,827,000  $3,672,000  $155,000   4%  $10,736,000  $9,841,000  $895,000   9% 

Sales growth in the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2021 was driven by several significant shipments of our Integrated Coating systems into the Industrial and Electronic markets. The increase in sales of Integrated Coating systems more than offset the decrease in sales of our Fluxing systems, Multi-Axis Coating systems and the Other categories.

Market Sales:

  Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended    
  November 30,  Change  November 30,  Change 
  2020  2019  $  %  2020  2019  $  % 
Electronics/Microelectronics $1,455,000  $1,104,000  $351,000   32%  $4,504,000  $4,017,000  $487,000   12% 
Medical  831,000   1,083,000   (252,000)  (23%)  2,484,000   2,875,000   (391,000)  (14%)
Alternative Energy  783,000   917,000   (134,000)  (15%)  2,004,000   1,527,000   477,000   31% 
Emerging R&D and Other  207,000   252,000   (45,000)  (18%)  723,000   937,000   (214,000)  (23%)
Industrial  551,000   316,000   235,000   74%   1,021,000   485,000   536,000   111% 
TOTAL $3,827,000  $3,672,000  $155,000   4%  $10,736,000  $9,841,000  $895,000   9% 

13 

Significant growth in the Industrial market in the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2021, was driven by a unique and superior family of customized products$463,000 shipment to the six major industries that we serve. Alltextile industry, which was part of these systems are based on our core technologya previously announced $1.6M order received early this fiscal year. The remaining balance of ultrasonic spray coating. Manythis order is scheduled to ship in the fourth quarter of these systems have been commercially proven in 24/7 working schedules, under harsh and challenging manufacturing environments, where they provide value in a continuous and reliable fashion.fiscal 2021, or the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

 

1.        Electronics Industry.As anticipated, the Alternative Energy market showed significant growth with the expansion of fuel cell activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2021, as a global hydrogen energy infostructure continues to gain acceptance in many countries. The Medical and Emerging R&D markets both declined with several potential orders being put on hold due to COVID-19 concerns. We believe that these orders will increase as countries come back online from COVID-19 lockdowns.

 

We serve this industry primarily in two sectors; Printed Circuit Board (“PCB”) manufacturing and Semiconductor manufacturing.Geographic Sales:

 

We provide manufacturers of PCBs with state-of-the-art solder fluxers. Spray fluxers are used in the manufacturing process of PCBs to apply flux, which removes oxidation and prepares the PCB for the process of soldering components onto it.

  Three Months Ended
November 30,
  Change  Nine Months Ended
November 30,
  Change 
  2020  2019  $  %  2020  2019  $  % 
U.S. & Canada $1,165,000  $1,278,000  $(113,000)  (9%) $4,076,000  $3,440,000  $636,000   18% 
Asia Pacific (APAC)  462,000   1,049,000   (587,000)  (56%)  1,180,000   1,602,000   (422,000)  (26%)
China  577,000   323,000   254,000   79%   2,236,000   1,110,000   1,126,000   101% 
Europe, Middle East, Asia (EMEA)  1,216,000   737,000   479,000   65%   2,414,000   2,249,000   165,000   7% 
Latin America  407,000   285,000   122,000   42%   830,000   1,440,000   (610,000)  (42%)
TOTAL $3,827,000  $3,672,000  $155,000   4%  $10,736,000  $9,841,000  $895,000   9% 

 

Our ultrasonic spray fluxers reduceIn the amountthird quarter of fluxing chemical needed, enhance the qualityfiscal 2021, approximately 70% of the boards, and provide our customers with a better product at reduced costs of operations, when compared with conventional foam fluxers and pressure assisted fluxers.

We are recognized as a standard setter in the industry and our systems are incorporated by various original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in their manufacturing lines for the production of electronic printed circuit boards. Some examples of products that we market to the electronics industry include: SonoFlux 2000F, SelectaFlux, SonoFlux EZ and SonoFlux Servo.

Pursuant to an exclusive distribution agreement with EVS International Ltd (“EVS”) for the territoriessales originated outside of the United States and Canada we offercompared with 65% in the EVS solder recovery system to our PCB customer base.prior year period.

 

We also have a significant established customer base inIn the semiconductor industry. The semiconductor industry utilizes our ultrasonic atomizing nozzles and robotic XYZ coating platforms for the application and depositionfirst nine months of photo-resist onto semiconductor wafers. Manyfiscal 2021, approximately 62% of our semi-conductor manufacturing industry customers engaged in the productionsales originated outside of micro-electro-mechanical systems, “MEMS”, have proven the ability of our technology to apply micron thick coatings to these complex wafers.


2.         Advanced Energy Industry.

Manufacturers of solar cells, fuel cells and advanced batteries share two major technical and business challenges: enhancing the energy efficiency of their products and manufacturing their products in a cost-effective way. Extremely uniform, thin layer coatings are at the heart of the solution for these advanced energy systems’ challenges.

Our precision coating systems provide superior surface uniformity and density, which are directly related to enhanced energy efficiency, compared to conventional systems. Our systems also afford our energy industry clients with the capabilities to significantly reduce the consumption of the expensive catalysts and nano-materials used in these manufacturing processes. Some examples of our products marketed to the advanced energy industry include: ExactaCoat FC & SC, Sonic Syringe, VersiCoat, and FlexiCoat FC & SC, and SonoFlow Fusion.

3.         Medical Device Industry.

Our ultrasonic coating technology is used by medical device manufacturers worldwide. The leading applications for this industry are coating of arterial stents and balloon catheters with precise and uniform micron layers of polymers and drugs; coating of various implantable devices with biomedical materials and coating of blood collection tubes with anti-coagulants. These applications are typically performed under strict regulatory supervision of governmental agencies in different countries, and the continuing demand for our systems from these customers is indicative of the high-quality performance that our systems provide these customers. Some examples of our products marketed to the medical device industry include: MediCoat I; MediCoat II; MediCoat PSI; MedXT; MediCoat BCC and ExactaCoat MD.

4.         Glass Industry.

Our glass coating systems are primarily sold in two separate sub-markets, which we identify as “Float Glass” and “Panel Glass”.

Float Glass - The manufacture of float glass occurs under extremely harsh conditions of elevated temperatures. Our ultrasonic coating technology provides this manufacturing process with the means to precisely and uniformly apply anti-stain, and other specialty chemical agents, on the hot glass. Our customers benefit from an improved quality product, enhanced productivity and significantly reduced expenditures on annual maintenance, often resulting in a return on investment of less than one year. Based on this equipment’s recent successful performance, our systems are now specified by many global float glass manufacturers as their equipment of choice.

Panel Glass – Panel glass primarily refers to glass used in the manufacture of TV’s, tablets, phones, lenses and other consumer viewing devices. By using our coating equipment, manufacturers can apply a wide range of functional coatings to these devices, such as conductive layers, hard coatings, anti-reflection, and other nano-material formulations.

The equipment we offer to the glass industry is typically the WideTrack and FlexiCoat platforms.

5.         Advanced Textiles Industry.

The textiles industry is expanding the introduction of high performance value adding coatings onto fabrics, such as anti-microbial, anti-stain, flame retardant and moisture barriers. The current manufacturing process for applying these expensive coatings creates significant waste of material, energy and water. We are working with this industry to incorporate our ultrasonic technology, often in combination with unique pre and post treatments of the coating materials, to reduce the effective material and energy usage by as much as 90%.


6.         Food Safety and Food Coatings Industry.

The food industry is evolving in response to greater demands for reduction of food borne illnesses. We have successfully introduced an anti-microbial coating system for sliced packaged meats, and we are focusing efforts on those global food companies that will need this technology to meet the new demands. We have also introduced our systems to other segments of the food industry for the coating of flavors, ingredients and other additives of interest. Most of our food industry equipment is designed on the WideTrack platform.

Products We Offer

We have core technology and have developed and market the following products:

1.SonoFlux Spray Fluxers

a.SonoFlux 2000F – spray fluxer product – designed for high volume operations with standard width lines requiring low maintenance using a variety of solder fluxes, including rosin flux. It is designed to be used by electronic circuit board manufacturers to apply solder flux to fixed width circuit boards. The primary customers for the SonoFlux 2000F are original equipment manufacturers that produce their own electronic circuit boards.

b.SonoFlux EZ- spray fluxer product - applies solder flux to electronic printed circuit boards that vary from two inches to up to 18 inches in width in a cost-effective and uniform manner. They are designed to be used by either OEMs or contract manufacturers of electronic circuit assemblies. This is an economically priced system which sells effectively to smaller manufacturers.

c.SonoFlux Servo – a higher end spray fluxer capable of providing flux to both wide areas of a circuit board as well as selective fluxing. We also sell a selective fluxing apparatus known as Selectaflux.

2.MediCoat Stent Coaters

MediCoat DES 1000 / 2000 / 3000 / 4000, MediCoat II and MediCoat PSI provide a full range of stent coating platforms for uses ranging from research and development to high volume production in the application of thin layers of polymer and drug coatings to arterial stents with high precision. The system incorporates motion control of the stent during the coating process and produces coatings having excellent uniformity. The MediCoat systems use either the AccuMist or MicroMist nozzle systems, which are precision nozzle configurations used in applications where precise patterns and coatings are required. These products minimize waste of expensive drug polymer coatings and provide high uniformity of drug addition from stent to stent. We also have additional medical coating platforms to address developing market segments for drug coated balloons, catheters and other implantable devices.

3.WideTrack

Wide area modular coating system – designed to be used in applications that require efficient web-coating or wide area spraying capability. One module can cover substrates from six inches to 24 inches wide, depending on the application. Much greater widths can be achieved by linking modules together, and these systems have been applied in glass lines of up to 13 feet wide. A large number of systems have been sold over the past six years, and this application holds promise for the future due to cost and environmental savings demonstrated at customer sites. It uses non-clogging ultrasonic atomizing nozzles to produce a low velocity, highly controllable spray. The WideTrack System offers significant advantages over conventional pressure-spray methods in a broad range of applications such as non-woven fabrics, float glass, or odd-shaped industrial or consumer products. Since the ultrasonic spray can be easily controlled, it is possible to use fewer chemicals and less water and energy in applying coatings to glass, textiles, food products and packaging materials than with traditional nozzles. This also results in reduced environmental impact due to less overspray.


4.ExactaCoat/FlexiCoat/SIMCoat

We offer a line of robotic XYZ coating equipment for applications involving coatings for fuel cell membranes, solar energy panels and specialty lens products. This equipment is offered in bench-top configurations as our SIMCoat and ExactaCoat product and standalone as our FlexiCoat product. These platforms position and move our nozzle systems in a precise three-dimensional application pattern. These coaters are extremely efficient especially when combined with our patented ultrasonic syringe pump to agitate and suspend nano-particles, which are often used in many of our applications.

5.VersiCoat

The VersiCoat platform is a standalone conveyorized ultrasonic coating machine that incorporates WideTrack technology, using either one or two nozzles. The system can coat widths ranging from 2” – 24” and is used for high volume production needs. The machine is typically used for panel glass and advanced energy coating applications.

6.ALIGN

ALIGN is an acronym for our fully integrated ultrasonic spray module containing five primary components and stands for: a) Air delivery, b) Liquid delivery, c) Interface Electronics, d) Generator to run ultrasonics, and e) Nozzle. We successfully introduced ALIGN in our fiscal year ended February 28, 2017. This product is typically used by customers wishing to integrate ultrasonic spray technology onto an existing platform.

Services

We recently expanded our in-house coating capabilities, with both additional machinery and applications engineering personnel, to allow us to provide low-mid volume contract coating services. In addition to purchasing our equipment, our customers can now access our coating expertise and specific customer process optimization on for a fee-for-service basis. We also provide these services at our customers’ sites where we can assist in the design and development of customized coating systems.

Other Product Offerings – EVS Solder Recovery System

We have an exclusive distribution relationship with EVS to distribute EVS’s line of solder recovery systems and spare parts in the United States and Canada. EVS manufacturesCanada compared with 65% in the EVS 10Kprior year period.

In the first nine months of fiscal 2021, the increase in US and EVS 8K solder recovery systemsCanada based sales was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, as we saw several manufacturers transfer operations back to the US; also resulting in a decrease in orders from several geographic territories outside the US. Timing and severity of overseas sales dips has varied country to country, as each location has come in and out of lock downs. Sales to China continued to show strong growth, however, a majority of this revenue was for orders received prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales to Latin America decreased due to a decrease in sales of our spray fluxer units to Mexico during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and due to a large medical system sold into Latin America in the prior fiscal year. Sono-Tek has proven capable at adapting to COVID-19 country wide lockdowns by quickly refocusing efforts to those countries that are operational. This flexibility has been helpful in softening the impact of the pandemic and will continue to be part of our strategy for the foreseeable future.

Gross Profit:

  Three Months Ended
November 30,
  Change  Nine Months Ended
November 30,
  Change 
  2020  2019  $  %  2020  2019  $  % 
Net Sales $3,827,000  $3,672,000  $155,000   4%  $10,736,000  $9,841,000  $895,000   9% 
Cost of Goods Sold  1,896,000   1,875,000   21,000   1%   5,624,000   5,192,000   432,000   8% 
Gross Profit $1,931,000  $1,797,000  $134,000   7%  $5,112,000  $4,649,000  $463,000   10% 
                                 
Gross Profit %  50.5%   48.9%           47.6%   47.2%         

For the third quarter of fiscal 2021, gross profit increased $134,000, or 7%, compared with the prior-year period due to increased revenue. Gross profit margin increased to 50.5% during the quarter compared with 48.9% for the prior year period. The current quarter’s increase in gross profit margin is due to a change in the product mix for the quarter.

Gross profit increased $463,000, or 10%, to $5,112,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 compared with $4,649,000 in the prior year period due to increased revenue. Gross profit margin remains strong at 47.6% compared with 47.2% for the prior year period.


Operating Expenses:

  Three Months Ended
November 30,
  Change  Nine Months Ended
November 30,
  Change 
  2020  2019  $  %  2020  2019  $  % 
Research and product development $407,000  $362,000  $45,000   12%  $1,242,000  $1,020,000  $222,000   22% 
Marketing and selling  766,000   849,000   (83,000)  (10%)  2,155,000   2,326,000   (171,000)  (7%)
General and administrative  311,000   316,000   (5,000)  (2%)  883,000   936,000   (53,000)  (6%)
Total Operating Expenses $1,484,000  $1,527,000  $(43,000)  (3%) $4,280,000  $4,282,000  $(2,000)   

Research and Product Development:

Research and product development costs increased in both the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2021 due to increased salaries and related costs. In the prior year periods, some of our personnel were assigned to specific customer sales orders and the associated research and development costs were recorded in inventory, as incurred.

Marketing and Selling:

Marketing and selling costs decreased in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 due to decreases in commissions, travel and trade show expenses. Marketing and selling costs decreased in the first nine months of fiscal 2021 due to decreases in commissions, travel and trade show expenses. These decreases were partially offset by increased salaries and related costs in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2021, we expended approximately $195,000 for commissions as compared with $229,000 for the prior year fiscal period, a decrease of $34,000. For the first nine months of fiscal 2021, we expended approximately $441,000 for commissions as compared with $505,000 for the prior year fiscal period, a decrease of $64,000. The decrease in commission expense, in both periods, is primarily the result of a decrease in international sales being generated by our external distributors, which are usedcommissioned at a higher rate than our in-house sales team.

General and Administrative:

In the third quarter of fiscal 2021, we experienced decreases in professional fees, corporate expenses, bank fees and stock-based compensation expense. These decreases were partially offset by increased salaries.

In the first nine months of fiscal 2021, we experienced decreases in professional fees, stock based compensation expense, travel and bank fees. These decreases were partially offset by increased salaries, health insurance premiums and annual meeting and proxy expenses related to reclaim solder from the dross which accumulates inCovid-19 outbreak.

Health Insurance Premiums:

The Company’s health insurance program requires employee contributions. In the wave-solder equipmentthird quarter of circuit board manufacturers. The customer basefiscal 2021, the Company’s net health insurance expense was approximately $97,000 as compared with $94,000 for distributionthe prior year fiscal period, an increase of these systems is synergistic$3,000 or 3%.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2021, the Company’s net health insurance expense was approximately $288,000 as compared with our existing customer base$285,000 for spray fluxer sales in the printed circuit board industry.prior year fiscal period, an increase of $3,000 or 1%.

 

Rental Real Estate OperationsOperating Income:

Our operating income increased $177,000, to $447,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2021, compared with $270,000 for the prior year period. This substantial improvement is the result of revenue growth and cost constraints which generated significant operating leverage. Operating margin for the third quarter increased to 11.7% compared with 7.4% in the prior year period.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2021, operating income increased $465,000, to $832,000 compared with $367,000 for the prior year period. This improvement is the result of revenue growth and cost constraints which generated operating leverage. Operating margin for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 increased to 7.8% compared with 3.7% in the prior year period.

15 

Interest Expense:

Interest expense was $6,000 in the third fiscal quarter of 2021 compared with $8,000 for the prior-year period. For the first nine months of fiscal 2021, interest expense was $24,000 compared with $25,000 for the prior year period.

Interest and Dividend Income:

Interest and dividend income decreased $19,000 to $2,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 as compared with $21,000 for the prior year period. For the first nine months of fiscal 2021, interest and dividend income decreased $50,000 to $27,000 as compared with $77,000 in the prior year period. The decrease in both periods is due to the decline in market rates. Our present investment policy is to invest excess cash in highly liquid, low risk US Treasury securities, certificates of deposit and mutual funds. At November 30, 2020, the majority of our holdings are rated at or above investment grade.

Other Income:

Included in other income is the net revenue related to the rental of the Company’s real estate. For the third quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company’s net rental income was $11,000 compared to net rental income of $7,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2021, the Company’s net rental income was $30,000 compared with net rental income of $19,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2020.

Income Tax Expense:

We recorded income tax expense of $132,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 compared with $10,000 for the prior year period and recorded income tax expense of $199,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 compared with $23,000 for the prior year period.

The increase in income tax expense in the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2021 is due to the current period’s increase in income before taxes and to provide for the estimated tax liability associated with the first nine months of fiscal 2021.

Net Income:

Net income increased by $40,000 to $320,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 compared with $280,000 for the prior fiscal period.

Net income increased by $246,000 to $666,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 compared with $420,000 for the prior year period.

Impact of Covid 19

 

In December 2010,2019, the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) outbreak occurred in China and has since spread to other parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures. On March 13, 2020, the United States declared a national emergency concerning the outbreak. Along with these declarations, extraordinary and wide-ranging actions have been taken by international, federal, state, and local public health and governmental authorities to contain and combat the outbreak and spread of COVID-19 in regions across the United States and the world. These actions include quarantines, social distancing and “stay-at-home” orders, travel restrictions, mandatory business closures and other mandates that have substantially restricted individuals’ daily activities and curtailed or ceased many businesses’ normal operations.

In response to the pandemic and these actions, we purchasedbegan implementing changes in our business in March 2020 to protect our employees and customers:

We implemented social distancing and other health and safety protocols.

We have flexed the industrial park whereworkforce in our manufacturing operations based on business needs, including the addition of a second shift andthe implementation of remote, alternative and flexible work arrangements.

We have enhanced cleaning and sanitary procedures.

We temporarily eliminated domestic and international travel for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and have maintained significantly reduced travel for the second and third fiscal quarters of 2021.

We restricted access to our facilities are locatedto only employees and essential non-employees with strict protocols.

16 

While all of these measures have been necessary and appropriate, they may result in Milton, NY. The park isadditional costs and may adversely impact our business and financial performance. As our response to the pandemic evolves, we may incur additional costs and will potentially experience adverse impacts to our business, each of which may be significant. In addition, an improved 3.13 acre parcelextended period of land comprisedremote work arrangements could impair our ability to effectively manage our business, and introduce additional operational risks, including, but not limited to, cybersecurity risks and increased vulnerability to security breaches, cyber-attacks, computer viruses, ransomware, or other similar events and intrusions. We mayexperience, decreases in demand and customer orders for our products in all sales channels, as well as temporary disruptions and closures of five buildings of office/industrial space, with 50,000 square feet of gross leasable floor area. We currently utilize 35,000 square feetour facilities due to decreased demand and government mandates.

COVID-19 has also impacted various aspects of the park forsupply chain as our operations.suppliers experience similar business disruptions due to operating restrictions from government mandates. We presently lease 15,000 square feetcontinue to monitor procurement of raw materials and components used in the manufacturing, distribution and sale of our products, but continued disruptions in the supply chain due to COVID-19 may cause difficulty in sourcing materials or unexpected shortages or delays in delivery of raw materials and components, and may result in increased costs in our supply chain.

We have implemented plans to reduce spending in certain areas of our business, including reductions or delays in capital expenditures, reduced trade show participation costs, reduced travel expenditures and may need to take additional actions to reduce spending in the future.

We are closely monitoring and assessing the impact of the parkpandemic on our business. The extent of the impact on our results of operations, cash flow, liquidity, and financial performance, as well as our ability to unrelated third parties.execute near- and long-term business strategies and initiatives, will depend on numerous evolving factors and future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be reasonably predicted.

 

For financial reporting purposes,Given the inherent uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, we reportexpect the pandemic may continue to have an adverse impact on our business in the near term. Should these conditions persist for a prolonged period, the COVID-19 pandemic, including any of the above factors and others that are currently unknown, may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of the park as rental real estate operations.operations, cash flow, liquidity, and financial condition.


 

Liquidity and Capital ResourcesLIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Working Capital –Our working capital increased $413,000 from $6,070,000 at February 28, 2017$875,000 to $6,483,000$8,048,000 at November 30, 2017.2020 from $7,173,000 at February 29, 2020. The increase in working capital is due towas mostly the result of the current period’s net income and noncash charges and the proceeds of $265,000 and our non-cash items including $280,000 for depreciation and amortization, $32,000 for stock based compensation expense and $111,000 for an increase in the market values of our Available-For-Sale Investments. We had cash outflows of $158,000 for the purchasea long term note payable partially offset by purchases of equipment and furnishings and $112,000 for the repayment of notes payable. The Company’s current ratio was 3.88 to 1 at November 30, 2017 as compared to 5.19 to 1 at February 28, 2017.long-term debt.

 

The aggregate balance ofCompany aggregates cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities increased $1,247,000 duringin managing its balance sheet and liquidity. For purposes of the nine-month period ended November 30, 2017following analysis, the total is referred to a total of $6,146,000.as “Cash.” At November 30, 2017,2020 and February 29, 2020, our working capital included $1,699,000 of cashincluded:

  November 30,
2020
  February 29,
2020
  Cash
(Decrease)
Increase
 
Cash and cash equivalents $6,014,000  $3,660,000  $2,354,000 
Marketable securities  3,226,000   4,219,000   (993,000)
Total $9,240,000  $7,879,000  $1,361,000 

The following table summarizes the accounts and $4,447,000 of marketable securities, a total of $6,146,000. At February 28, 2017, our working capital included $2,557,000 of cash and $2,342,000 of marketable securities, a total of $4,899,000.the major reasons for the $1,361,000 increase in “Cash”:

  Impact on Cash Reason
Net income, adjusted for non-cash items $1,008,000 To reconcile increase in cash.
Accounts receivable increase  (744,000) Timing of cash receipts.
Inventories increase  (119,000) Required to support backlog.
Prepaid expense decrease  27,000 Timing of disbursements.
Equipment purchases  (327,000) Equipment upgrade for productivity.
Customer deposits increase  133,000 Received for new orders.
Accounts payable and accrued expenses increase  193,000 Timing of disbursements.
Repayment of long-term debt  (127,000) Repayment of debt.
Note payable proceeds  1,002,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan proceeds.
Capital expenditure grant proceeds  100,000 Receipt of grant proceeds.
Taxes payable increase  215,000 Timing of disbursements.
Net increase in cash $1,361,000  

 

Stockholders’ Equity – Stockholder’sStockholders’ Equity increased $408,000 from $7,923,000 at February 28, 2017$694,000 to $8,331,000$10,476,000 at November 30, 2017.2020, from $9,782,000 at February 29, 2020. The increase iswas a result of the current period’s net income of $265,000,$666,000 and $28,000 in additional equity related to stock based compensation expense of $32,000 and an increase in our accumulated other comprehensive income of $111,000.awards.

 

Operating Activities – OurWe generated $713,000 of cash in our operating activities provided $1,405,000in the first nine months of fiscal 2021 compared with $1,023,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2020. The decrease in cash generated by operating activities was mostly the result of decreased accounts payable, accrued expenses, customer deposits and an increase in accounts receivable. These uses of cash for the nine months ended November 30, 2017 as compared to providing $977,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2016. During the nine months ended November 30, 2017, we had net income of $265,000, accounts receivablewere partially offset by decreased $172,000,spending on inventories increased $240,000, prepaid expenses decreased $21,000, accounts payable and accrued expenses increased $186,000, customer deposits increased $574,000 andan increase in income taxes payable, increased $37,000. In addition,and an increase in income for the current period we incurred non-cash expenses of $280,000 for depreciation and amortization, $32,000 for stock based compensation expense and $78,000 for our inventory reserve.period.

 

Investing Activities – For the nine months ended November 30, 2017, we used $2,152,000 inof fiscal 2021, our investing activities asgenerated $767,000 of cash compared to $490,000 forwith using $1,767,000 in the first nine months ended November 30, 2016.of fiscal 2020. For the first nine months ended November 30, 2017of fiscal years 2021 and 2016,2020, we used $158,000$327,000 and $171,000,$392,000, respectively, for the purchase or manufacture of equipment, furnishings and leasehold improvements. For the first nine months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, we used $1,994,000 and $320,000, respectively,of fiscal 2021, our marketable securities provided $994,000 compared with the use of $1,374,000 for the purchase of marketable securities.securities in the first nine months of fiscal 2020.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2021, we received $100,000 in grant proceeds from the utility which provides our electricity as a result of our completion of certain energy efficiency related improvements.

 

Financing Activities – ForIn the first nine months ended November 30, 2017of fiscal years 2021 and 2016,2020, we used $112,000$127,000 and $107,000,$122,000, respectively, for the repayment of our notesnote payable.

 

Paycheck Protection Program Loan

During the first quarter of fiscal 2021, we borrowed $1,001,640 (the “PPP Loan”) from a bank under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). The PPP, established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), provides for loans to qualifying companies and is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”). The PPP Loan has a two-year term, bears interest at the rate of 1.0% per annum, and may be prepaid at any time without payment of any premium. No payments of principal or interest were scheduled to be due until November 2020, at which time we were to have been required to make 18 monthly payments of principal and interest in the amount of $56,370.

Under the terms of the CARES Act, PPP loan recipients can apply for and be granted forgiveness for all or a portion of the loan granted under the PPP, with such forgiveness to be determined, subject to limitations, based on the use of the loan proceeds for payment of payroll costs and any payments of mortgage interest, rent, and utilities. However, at least 60 percent of the PPP Loan proceeds must be used for eligible payroll and payroll related costs. The terms of any forgiveness may also be subject to further requirements in any regulations and guidelines the SBA may adopt.

We believe that we have used the entire PPP Loan proceeds for designated qualifying expenses and have applied for forgiveness of the PPP Loan in accordance with the terms of the PPP. Under the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, payments of principal and interest shall be deferred until the date that the Small Business Administration remits the forgiveness amount to the Company’s lender or determines that some or all of the PPP loan is not eligible for forgiveness. If all or a portion of the loan is not forgiven the unforgiven balance and accrued interest shall be payable during the remainder of the term of the PPP loan.

No assurance can be given that we will obtain forgiveness of the PPP Loan in whole or in part. With respect to any portion of the PPP Loan that is not forgiven, the PPP Loan will be subject to customary provisions for a loan of this type, including customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breaches of the provisions of the PPP note and cross defaults. As of the date of this Report, we have incurred approximately $2,342,000 in payroll, payroll related costs and other qualifying expenses.

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Net Increase (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents For In the first nine months ended November 30, 2017,of fiscal 2021 our cash balance decreasedincreased by $859,000 as$2,354,000 compared to an increasewith a decrease of $379,000 for$865,000 in the first nine months ended November 30, 2016. Duringof fiscal 2020. In the first nine months ended November 30, 2017,of fiscal 2021, our operations provided $1,405,000operating activities generated $713,000 of cash. Of this,In addition, we used $158,000$327,000 for the purchase or manufacture of equipment, furnishings and leasehold improvements, $1,994,000 for the purchase ofour marketable securities provided $994,000 of cash, and $112,000we used $127,000 for the repayment of our notes payable.


Results In the nine months of Operationsfiscal 2021, we received $1,002,000 in proceeds from a PPP Loan and $100,000 in grant proceeds from the utility which provides our electricity as a result of our completion of certain energy efficiency related improvements.

 

Ultrasonic Spraying Systems Segment:

  Nine Months Ended
November 30,
  Change  Three Months Ended
November 30,
  Change 
  2017  2016  $  %  2017  2016  $  % 
Net Sales $8,114,007  $7,077,318  $1,036,689   15%  $2,959,577  $2,574,954  $384,623   15% 
Cost of Goods Sold  4,132,799   3,861,651   271,148   7%   1,507,500   1,359,704   147,796   11% 
Gross Profit $3,981,208  $3,215,667  $765,541   24%  $1,452,077  $1,215,250  $236,827   19% 
                                 
Gross Profit Margin %  49%   45%           49%   47%         

For the nine months ended November 30, 2017, our sales increased $1,037,000 or 15% to $8,114,000 as compared to $7,077,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2016. During the nine-month period ended November 30, 2017, we experienced increases in sales of our Nozzles and Ultrasonic Generators, Stent Coating Units, XYZ Platform Units, and Universal Align Systems. These increases were partially offset by decreases in sales of our WideTrack Units, Servo PCB Fluxing Units, Solder Recovery Systems and Spray Dryer Units.

For the three months ended November 30, 2017, our sales increased $385,000 or 15% to $2,960,000 as compared to $2,575,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2016. During the three-month period ended November 30, 2017, we experienced increases in sales of our Stent Coating Units, XYZ Platform Units, PCB Fluxing Units and Parts and Universal Align Systems. These increases were partially offset by decreases in sales of our WideTrack Units, Servo PCB Fluxing Units, Solder Recovery Systems and Versicoat Units.

For the nine and three-month periods ended November 30, 2017, sales of our Stent Coating Units increased $965,000 and $223,000, respectively, when compared to the prior year periods.

For the nine and three-month periods ended November 30, 2017, sales of our XYZ Platform Units increased $393,000 and $518,000, respectively, when compared to the prior year periods.

Sales of our Stent Coating Units, XYZ Platform Units, Widetrack Units and Servo PCB Fluxing Units typically vary from quarter to quarter. Demand for our products fluctuates and is dependent upon market conditions. The continuing expansion of our product lines has reduced our dependence on any specific market and provides us flexibility to adapt to changing economic conditions.

Gross Profit:

Our gross profit increased $766,000 to $3,981,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2017 from $3,216,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2016. The gross profit margin was 49% of sales for the nine months ended November 30, 2017 as compared to 45% for the nine months ended November 30, 2016. The increase in gross profit for the nine months ended November 30, 2017 is primarily due to an increase in sales of our Nozzles and Ultrasonic Generators, Stent Coating Units, XYZ Platform Units and Universal Align Systems.

Our gross profit increased $237,000 to $1,452,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2017 from $1,215,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2016. The gross profit margin was 49% of sales for the three months ended November 30, 2017 as compared to 47% for the three months ended November 30, 2016. The increase in gross profit for the three months ended November 30, 2017 is due to an increase in sales of our Stent Coating Units, XYZ Platform Units, PCB Fluxing Units and Parts and Universal Align Systems.

In addition, for the nine and three-month periods ended November 30, 2017, our fixed overhead costs remained constant as our sales levels increased.

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Operating Expenses:Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

  Nine months Ended November 30, Three months Ended November 30,
  2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
             
Research and product development $ 922,000 $924,000 $(2,000) $318,000 $308,000 $10,000
Marketing and selling $1,866,000 $1,655,000 $211,000 $660,000 $576,000 $84,000
General and administrative $820,000 $767,000 $ 53,000 $262,000 $266,000 $(4,000)

Research and Product Development:

Research and product development costs decreased $2,000 to $922,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2017 from $924,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2016. The decrease is due to decreased expenses for research and development materials, depreciation expense and salaries. These decreases were partially offset by increases in health insurance premiums and engineering supplies.

Research and development costs increased $10,000 to $318,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2017 from $308,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2016. The increase is due to increased expenses for research and development materials and depreciation expense. These increases were partially offset by decreases in salaries.

Marketing and Selling:

Marketing and selling costs increased $211,000 to $1,866,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2017 from $1,655,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2016. During the nine months ended November 30, 2017, salaries, commissions, health insurance premiums and travel expenses increased. These increases were partially offset by decreases in trade show and depreciation expenses.

Marketing and selling costs increased $84,000 to $660,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2017 from $576,000 for the three-month period ended November 30, 2016. During the three months ended November 30, 2017, salaries, health insurance premiums and trade show expenses increased. These increases were partially offset by decreases in travel and depreciation expense.

General and Administrative:

General and administrative costs increased $53,000 to $820,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2017 from $767,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2016. During the nine months ended November 30, 2017, salaries, health insurance premiums, supplies and other corporate expenses increased. These increases were partially offset by decreases in professional fees, stock based compensation expense and depreciation.

General and administrative costs decreased $4,000 to $262,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2017 from $266,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2016. During the three months ended November 30, 2017, professional fees and stock based compensation expense decreased. These decreases were partially offset by increases in health insurance premiums, supplies and other corporate expenses.

Rental Real Estate Operations:

For the nine months ended November 30, 2017, our real estate operations generated $55,000 in rental income from unrelated third parties as compared to $73,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2016. Our real estate operations incurred $111,000 in operating expenses compared to $118,000 for the prior year period and $35,000 in interest expense compared to $40,000 for the prior year period. For the nine months ended November 30, 2017, our real estate operations reported a net loss of $91,000 compared to a net loss of $85,000 for the prior year period. The reported losses exclude any inter-company rent. A summary of our real estate operations is as follows:

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 Nine Months Ended November 30,
 20172016
Statements of Operations  
Rental Income$55,000$73,000
   
Real Estate Taxes38,00039,000
Interest Expense35,00040,000
Depreciation Expense53,00054,000
Other Expenses20,00025,000
Net Loss From Real Estate Operations($91,000)($85,000)
   
Per Square Foot Cost Based on 50,000 sq. feet($1.82)($1.70)
   
Statements of Cash Flows  
Net Loss($91,000)($85,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in real estate operations:  
Depreciation53,00054,000
Debt Service(112,000)(107,000)
Net Cash (Used) in Real Estate Operations($150,000)($138,000)
   
Cash Outlay Per Square Foot Based on 50,000 sq. feet($3.00)($2.76)

Interest and Dividend Income:

During the nine months ended November 30, 2017, we recorded interest and dividend income of approximately $58,000 as compared to $48,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2016.

Other (Expense) Income:

During the nine months ended November 30, 2017, we recorded net realized gains of $11,000 on the sale of some of our available-for-sale investments. In addition, we recorded $6,000 of miscellaneous income.

During the nine months ended November 30, 2016, we received a payout of $200,000 in life insurance proceeds from the death of a former employee.

Condensed Consolidated Results:

We had net income of $265,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2017, as compared to $28,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2016. For the nine months ended November 30, 2017, our revenue increased $1,019,000, gross profit increased $748,000, operating expenses increased $256,000, and our operating income increased $492,000. Interest and dividend income, net of interest (expense) increased $15,000 and other income (expense) decreased $190,000 when compared to the nine months ended November 30, 2016.Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Critical Accounting PoliciesCRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure on contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

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Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, and may potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. The Company believes that critical accounting policies are limited to those described below. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies see Note 2 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2017.29, 2020.

 

Accounting for Income Taxes

As part ofThe Company accounts for income taxes under the process of preparing the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate itsasset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes. Management judgment is required in determining the provisiontaxes are recognized for the tax consequences of "temporary differences" by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities. If it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset.asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. We use a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

Stock-Based Compensation

The computation of the expense associated with stock-based compensation requires the use of a valuation model. ASC 718 is a complex accounting standard, the application of which requires significant judgment and the use of estimates, particularly surrounding Black-Scholes assumptions such as stock price volatility, expected option lives, and expected option forfeiture rates, to value equity-based compensation. The Company currently uses a Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair value of its stock options. The Company primarily uses historical data to determine the assumptions to be used in the Black-Scholes model and has no reason to believe that future data is likely to differ materially from historical data. However, changes in the assumptions to reflect future stock price volatility and future stock award exercise experience could result in a change in the assumptions used to value awards in the future and may result in a material change to the fair value calculation of stock-based awards. ASC 718 requires the recognition of the fair value of stock compensation in net income. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our estimates and assumptions, significant unanticipated changes in those estimates, interpretations and assumptions may result in recording stock option expense that may materially impact our financial statements for each respective reporting period.

 

Impact of New Accounting PronouncementsIMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

Accounting pronouncements issued but not yet effective have been deemed to be not applicable or the adoption of suchFor information regarding new accounting pronouncements are not expected to have a material impactand their effect on the financial statementsCompany, see “New Accounting Pronouncements” in Note 2 of the Company.unaudited notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

The Company does not issue or invest in financial instruments or derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. Substantially all of the operations of the Company are conducted in the United States, and, as such, are not subject to material foreign currency exchange rate risk. All of our sales transactions are completed in US dollars.

 

Although the Company's assets included $1,699,000$6,014,000 in cash and $4,447,000$3,226,000 in marketable securities, the market rate risk associated with changing interest rates in the United States is not material.

19 

ITEM 4 – Controls and Procedures

 

The Company has established and maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as those terms are defined in Rules 13a –15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Christopher L. Coccio, Chief Executive Officer (principal executive) and Stephen J. Bagley, Chief Financial Officer (principal accounting officer) of the Company, have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of November 30, 2017.2020. Based on this evaluation, they have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding timely disclosure.

 

In addition, there were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the third fiscal quarter of 20182021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.


 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Legal Proceedings
 None
  
Item 1A.Risk Factors
 NoteNot Required for Smaller Reporting Companies
  
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.Proceeds
 None
  
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 None
  
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
 NoneNot Applicable
  
Item 5.Other Information
 None
  
Item 6.Exhibits and Reports
  
 31.131.2– Rule 13a - 14(a)/15d – 14(a) Certification
  
 32.132.2 – Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.2002
  
 101.INS – XBRL Instance Document.Document
  
 101.SCH – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
  
 101.CAL – XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
  
 101.DEF – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
  
 101.LAB – XBRL Extension Label Linkbase Document
  
 101.PRE – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

SIGNATURES

 

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: January 16, 2018

14, 2021

 

  SONO-TEK CORPORATION
                (Registrant)
   
   
 By:/s/ Christopher L. Coccio
  Christopher L. Coccio
  Chief Executive Officer
   
   
   
 By:/s/ Stephen J. Bagley
  Stephen J. Bagley
  Chief Financial Officer

 

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