It

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 May 31,November 30, 2020

Commission File Number: 1-9852

CHASE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Massachusetts

11-1797126

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation

of organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

295 University Avenue, Westwood, Massachusetts02090

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(781) (781) 332-0700

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Common stock, $.10 par value

Trading Symbol(s)

CCF

Name of each exchange on which registered

NYSE American

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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES  NO 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  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”, “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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.

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

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of June 30,December 31, 2020 was 9,442,659.9,446,391.


Table of Contents

CHASE CORPORATION

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended May 31,November 30, 2020

Ca

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

3

Part I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 – Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31,November 30, 2020 (unaudited) and August 31, 20192020

4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended May 31,November 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)

5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended May 31,November 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)

6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity for the three and nine months ended May 31,November 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)

7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the ninethree months ended May 31,November 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)

8

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

9

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

10

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

3228

Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

4438

Item 4 – Controls and Procedures

4539

Part II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings

4640

Item 1A – Risk Factors

4640

Item 6 – Exhibits

4740

SIGNATURES

4841

2


Table of Contents

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements, including without limitation forward-looking statements made under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” involve risks and uncertainties. Any statements contained in this Quarterly Report that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements as to Chase Corporation’s future operating results; seasonality expectations; plans for the development, utilization or disposal of manufacturing facilities; future economic conditions; its expectations as to legal proceedings; the effect of its market and product development efforts; and expectations or plans relating to the implementation or realization of its strategic goals and future growth, including through potential future acquisitions.acquisitions and divestitures. Forward-looking statements may also include, among other things, statements relating to future sales, earnings, cash flow, results of operations, use of cash and other measures of financial performance, statements relating to future dividend payments, as well as the expected impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the Company's businesses. Other forward-lookingForward-looking statements may be identified through the use of words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “plans,” “projects,” “expects,” “expectations,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “targets,” “forecasts,” “strategy,��� and other words of similar meaning in connection with the discussion of future operating or financial performance. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industries in which the Company operates, and the beliefs and assumptions made by management. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Accordingly, the Company’s actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Investors, therefore, are cautioned against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Readers should refer to the discussions under “Risk Factors” contained in the Company’sour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 20192020 concerning certain factors that could cause itsour actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in such forward-looking statements, as well as the supplement to those discussions contained in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.statements. These Risk Factors are hereby incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report.

3


Table of Contents

Item 1 — Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

CHASE CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

May 31, 

August 31, 

 

2020

    

2019

 

ASSETS

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

83,259

$

47,771

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $433 and $739

35,999

39,324

Inventory

40,551

42,354

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

2,604

2,418

Assets held for sale

14

1,064

Prepaid income taxes

427

1,451

Total current assets

162,854

134,382

Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $52,035 and $49,730

26,656

29,326

Other Assets

Goodwill

82,044

81,986

Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $74,715 and $65,862

44,003

52,704

Cash surrender value of life insurance

4,450

4,450

Restricted investments

1,413

1,260

Deferred income taxes

3,767

3,804

Operating lease right-of-use asset (Note 8)

8,658

Other assets

25

56

Total assets

$

333,870

$

307,968

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current Liabilities

Accounts payable

$

12,087

$

12,105

Accrued payroll and other compensation

5,447

6,300

Accrued expenses

5,570

4,035

Total current liabilities

23,104

22,440

Operating lease long-term liabilities (Note 8)

6,157

Deferred compensation

1,424

1,275

Accumulated pension obligation

9,575

10,485

Other liabilities

100

217

Accrued income taxes

2,017

2,324

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

Equity

First Serial Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value: Authorized 100,000 shares; none issued

Common stock, $.10 par value: Authorized 20,000,000 shares; 9,442,398 shares at May 31, 2020 and 9,400,748 shares at August 31, 2019 issued and outstanding

945

940

Additional paid-in capital

16,235

14,351

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(14,945)

(14,324)

Retained earnings

289,258

270,260

Total equity

291,493

271,227

Total liabilities and equity

$

333,870

$

307,968

November 30, 

August 31, 

 

2020

    

2020

 

ASSETS

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

90,062

$

99,068

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts and credit losses of $477 and $438

38,894

36,993

Inventory

35,962

39,058

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

4,389

2,470

Prepaid income taxes

800

231

Total current assets

170,107

177,820

Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $52,544 and $52,283

25,477

25,574

Other Assets

Goodwill

95,486

82,402

Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $81,409 and $78,351

50,217

41,200

Cash surrender value of life insurance

4,450

4,450

Restricted investments

1,780

1,619

Deferred income taxes

5,041

4,929

Operating lease right-of-use asset (Note 8)

8,751

8,821

Other assets

4

15

Total assets

$

361,313

$

346,830

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current Liabilities

Accounts payable

$

12,070

$

12,525

Accrued payroll and other compensation

5,073

5,751

Accrued expenses

4,431

4,867

Dividend payable

7,557

Total current liabilities

29,131

23,143

Operating lease long-term liabilities (Note 8)

6,427

6,395

Deferred compensation

1,790

1,629

Accumulated pension obligation

10,617

10,930

Other liabilities

933

Deferred income taxes

3,512

Accrued income taxes

1,957

1,941

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

Equity

First Serial Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value: Authorized 100,000 shares; NaN issued

Common stock, $.10 par value: Authorized 20,000,000 shares; 9,446,281 shares at November 30, 2020 and 9,439,082 shares at August 31, 2020 issued and outstanding

945

944

Additional paid-in capital

17,264

16,674

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(12,809)

(13,092)

Retained earnings

301,546

298,266

Total equity

306,946

302,792

Total liabilities and equity

$

361,313

$

346,830

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

4


Table of Contents

CHASE CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

Three Months Ended May 31, 

Nine Months Ended May 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

 

2020

    

2019

 

Revenue

Sales

$

64,157

$

70,883

$

194,540

$

207,689

Royalties and commissions

714

1,229

2,715

3,557

64,871

72,112

197,255

211,246

Costs and Expenses

Cost of products and services sold

39,689

46,406

122,138

136,194

Selling, general and administrative expenses

12,773

13,251

40,223

39,699

Operations optimization costs (Note 15)

268

193

977

453

Loss on impairment of goodwill (Note 7)

2,410

Operating income

12,141

12,262

33,917

32,490

Interest expense

(67)

(91)

(178)

(457)

Gain on sale of real estate (Note 14)

760

760

Other income (expense)

(307)

17

(1,096)

(1,105)

Income before income taxes

12,527

12,188

33,403

30,928

Income taxes (Note 17)

2,619

3,647

8,254

8,291

Net income

$

9,908

$

8,541

$

25,149

$

22,637

Net income available to common shareholders, per common and common equivalent share (Note 4)

Basic

$

1.05

$

0.91

$

2.67

$

2.41

Diluted

$

1.04

$

0.90

$

2.64

$

2.39

Weighted average shares outstanding

Basic

9,363,559

9,337,436

9,357,176

9,333,098

Diluted

9,429,263

9,378,910

9,435,897

9,377,748

Annual cash dividends declared per share

$

0.80

$

0.80

Three Months Ended November 30, 

    

2020

    

2019

 

Revenue

Sales

$

66,136

$

65,757

Royalties and commissions

1,040

1,045

67,176

66,802

Costs and Expenses

Cost of products and services sold

39,605

41,783

Selling, general and administrative expenses

12,260

12,622

Research and product development costs

1,051

1,018

Operations optimization costs (Note 15)

649

Operating income

14,260

10,730

Interest expense

(69)

(55)

Other income (expense)

(214)

(604)

Income before income taxes

13,977

10,071

Income taxes (Note 14)

3,140

2,709

Net income

$

10,837

$

7,362

Net income available to common shareholders, per common and common equivalent share (Note 4)

Basic

$

1.15

$

0.78

Diluted

$

1.14

$

0.77

Weighted average shares outstanding

Basic

9,375,819

9,352,148

Diluted

9,418,675

9,434,218

Annual cash dividends declared per share

$

0.80

$

0.80

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

5


Table of Contents

CHASE CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

Three Months Ended May 31, 

Nine Months Ended May 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

 

2020

    

2019

 

Net income

$

9,908

$

8,541

$

25,149

$

22,637

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

Net unrealized (loss) gain on restricted investments, net of tax

7

(5)

5

(13)

Change in funded status of pension plans, net of tax

185

91

444

618

Foreign currency translation adjustment

(1,077)

(1,494)

318

(956)

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

(885)

(1,408)

767

(351)

Comprehensive income

$

9,023

$

7,133

$

25,916

$

22,286

Three Months Ended November 30, 

    

 

2020

    

2019

 

Net income

$

10,837

$

7,362

Other comprehensive income:

Net unrealized gain on restricted investments, net of tax

70

41

Change in funded status of pension plans, net of tax

122

131

Foreign currency translation adjustment

91

1,537

Total other comprehensive income

283

1,709

Comprehensive income

$

11,120

$

9,071

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

6


Table of Contents

CHASE CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31,NOVEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019

(UNAUDITED)

 

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

Additional

Accumulated Other

Total

Common Stock

Paid-In

Comprehensive

Retained

Stockholders'

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

Capital

    

Income (Loss)

    

Earnings

    

Equity

Balance at February 28, 2019

9,412,323

$

941

$

14,328

$

(11,279)

$

251,645

$

255,635

Amortization of restricted stock grants

462

462

Amortization of stock option grants

126

126

Change in funded status of pension plans, net of tax $34

91

91

Foreign currency translation adjustment

(1,494)

(1,494)

Net unrealized gain (loss) on restricted investments, net of tax ($1)

(5)

(5)

Net income

8,541

8,541

Balance at May 31, 2019

9,412,323

$

941

$

14,916

$

(12,687)

$

260,186

$

263,356

Balance at February 29, 2020

9,448,620

$

945

$

15,882

$

(14,060)

$

279,350

$

282,117

Restricted stock grants, net of forfeitures

(432)

Amortization of restricted stock grants

606

606

Amortization of stock option grants

231

231

Common stock retained to pay statutory minimum withholding taxes on common stock

(5,790)

(484)

(484)

Change in funded status of pension plans, net of tax $65

185

185

Foreign currency translation adjustment

(1,077)

(1,077)

Net unrealized gain (loss) on restricted investments, net of tax $4

7

7

Net income

9,908

9,908

Balance at May 31, 2020

9,442,398

$

945

$

16,235

$

(14,945)

$

289,258

$

291,493

Additional

Accumulated Other

Total

Common Stock

Paid-In

Comprehensive

Retained

Stockholders'

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

Capital

    

Income (Loss)

    

Earnings

    

Equity

Balance at August 31, 2019

9,400,748

$

940

$

14,351

$

(14,324)

$

270,260

$

271,227

Restricted stock grants, net of forfeitures

20,637

2

(2)

Amortization of restricted stock grants

486

486

Amortization of stock option grants

228

228

Exercise of stock options

3,618

123

123

Common stock received for payment of stock option exercises

(1,057)

(123)

(123)

Cash dividend on common stock, $0.80 per share

(7,539)

(7,539)

Change in funded status of pension plans, net of tax $44

131

131

Foreign currency translation adjustment

1,537

1,537

Net unrealized gain (loss) on restricted investments, net of tax $14

41

41

Adoption of ASU 2018-02

(1,388)

1,388

Net income

7,362

7,362

Balance at November 30, 2019

9,423,946

$

942

$

15,063

$

(14,003)

$

271,471

$

273,473

Balance at August 31, 2020

9,439,082

$

944

$

16,674

$

(13,092)

$

298,266

$

302,792

Restricted stock grants, net of forfeitures

7,378

1

(1)

Amortization of restricted stock grants

569

569

Amortization of stock option grants

248

248

Exercise of stock options

2,532

40

40

Common stock received for payment of stock option exercises

(386)

(40)

(40)

Common stock retained to pay statutory minimum withholding taxes on common stock

(2,325)

(226)

(226)

Cash dividend on common stock, $0.80 per share

(7,557)

(7,557)

Change in funded status of pension plans, net of tax $43

122

122

Foreign currency translation adjustment

91

91

Net unrealized gain (loss) on restricted investments, net of tax $25

70

70

Net income

10,837

10,837

Balance at November 30, 2020

9,446,281

$

945

$

17,264

$

(12,809)

$

301,546

$

306,946

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

7


Table of Contents

CHASE CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, AND 2020 AND 2019

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

Additional

Accumulated Other

Total

Common Stock

Paid-In

Comprehensive

Retained

Stockholders'

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

Capital

    

Income (Loss)

    

Earnings

    

Equity

Balance at August 31, 2018

9,396,947

$

939

$

13,104

$

(12,336)

$

245,049

$

246,756

Restricted stock grants, net of forfeitures

9,308

1

(1)

Amortization of restricted stock grants

1,257

1,257

Amortization of stock option grants

375

375

Exercise of stock options

7,022

1

301

302

Common stock received for payment of stock option exercises

(954)

(120)

(120)

Cash dividend on common stock, $0.80 per share

(7,522)

(7,522)

Change in funded status of pension plans, net of tax $218

618

618

Foreign currency translation adjustment

(956)

(956)

Net unrealized gain (loss) on restricted investments, net of tax ($5)

(13)

(13)

Adoption of ASC 606

22

22

Net income

22,637

22,637

Balance at May 31, 2019

9,412,323

$

941

$

14,916

$

(12,687)

$

260,186

$

263,356

Balance at August 31, 2019

9,400,748

$

940

$

14,351

$

(14,324)

$

270,260

$

271,227

Restricted stock grants, net of forfeitures

44,879

5

(5)

Amortization of restricted stock grants

1,686

1,686

Amortization of stock option grants

687

687

Exercise of stock options

3,618

123

123

Common stock received for payment of stock option exercises

(1,057)

(123)

(123)

Common stock retained to pay statutory minimum withholding taxes on common stock

(5,790)

(484)

(484)

Cash dividend on common stock, $0.80 per share

(7,539)

(7,539)

Change in funded status of pension plans, net of tax $156

444

444

Foreign currency translation adjustment

318

318

Net unrealized gain (loss) on restricted investments, net of tax $3

5

5

Adoption of ASU 2018-02 (Note 2)

(1,388)

1,388

Net income

25,149

25,149

Balance at May 31, 2020

9,442,398

$

945

$

16,235

$

(14,945)

$

289,258

$

291,493

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

87


Table of Contents

CHASE CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands

Nine Months Ended May 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income

$

25,149

$

22,637

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

Gain on sale of real estate

(760)

Loss on impairment of goodwill

2,410

Depreciation

2,989

3,634

Amortization

8,724

9,339

(Recovery) provision for allowance for doubtful accounts

(307)

166

Stock-based compensation

2,373

1,632

Realized (loss) gain on restricted investments

(32)

(2)

Pension curtailment and settlement loss

75

484

Deferred taxes

(15)

(581)

Increase (decrease) from changes in assets and liabilities

Accounts receivable

3,656

3,164

Inventory

1,835

(6,135)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

(154)

(504)

Accounts payable

(183)

(4,574)

Accrued compensation and other expenses

(1,263)

(1,912)

Accrued income taxes

578

517

Net cash provided by operating activities

42,665

30,275

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(1,044)

(1,841)

Cost to acquire intangible assets

(36)

Proceeds from sale of real estate

1,810

Proceeds from sale of businesses

400

Changes in restricted investments

(115)

(86)

Net cash provided by (used) in investing activities

651

(1,563)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Payments of principal on debt

(25,000)

Dividend paid

(7,539)

(7,522)

Proceeds from exercise of common stock options

182

Payments of taxes on stock options and restricted stock

(484)

Net cash used in financing activities

(8,023)

(32,340)

INCREASE IN CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS

35,293

(3,628)

Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash

195

(562)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

47,771

34,828

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

$

83,259

$

30,638

Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities

Common stock received for payment of stock option exercises

$

123

$

120

Property, plant and equipment additions included in accounts payable

$

236

$

213

Three Months Ended November 30, 

    

2020

    

2019

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income

$

10,837

$

7,362

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

Depreciation

1,003

1,053

Amortization

3,071

2,914

Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts and credit losses

41

48

Stock-based compensation

817

714

Realized gain on restricted investments

(5)

(5)

Increase (decrease) from changes in assets and liabilities

Accounts receivable

(1,253)

2,193

Inventory

3,336

3,524

Prepaid expenses and other assets

(1,239)

(520)

Accounts payable

(701)

968

Accrued compensation and other expenses

(1,285)

(2,266)

Accrued income taxes

(570)

2,168

Net cash provided by operating activities

14,052

18,153

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(660)

(699)

Payments for acquisitions

(22,241)

Changes in restricted investments

(62)

(45)

Net cash used in investing activities

(22,963)

(744)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Payments of taxes on stock options and restricted stock

(226)

Net cash used in financing activities

(226)

(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS

(9,137)

17,409

Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash

131

876

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

99,068

47,771

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

$

90,062

$

66,056

Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities

Common stock received for payment of stock option exercises

$

40

$

123

Property, plant and equipment additions included in accounts payable

$

159

$

113

Annual cash dividend declared

$

7,557

$

7,539

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

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Note 1 — Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

Description of Business

Chase Corporation (the “Company,” “Chase,” “we,” or “us”), a global specialty chemicals company founded in 1946, is a leading manufacturer of protective materials for high-reliability applications across diverse market sectors. The Company’s strategy is to maximize the performance of its core businesses and brands while seeking future opportunities through strategic acquisitions. Through investments in facilities, systems and organizational consolidation, the Company seeks to improve performance and gain economies of scale.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial reporting, and instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Therefore, they do not include all information and footnote disclosures necessary for a complete presentation of Chase Corporation’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The year-end condensed balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Chase Corporation filed audited consolidated financial statements which included all information and notes necessary for such a complete presentation for the three years ended August 31, 20192020 in conjunction with its 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to the prior year amounts to conform to the current year’s presentation.

The results of operations for the interim period ended May 31,November 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period or the entire fiscal year. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended August 31, 20192020 which are contained in the Company’s 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of May 31,November 30, 2020, and the results of its operations, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the interim periods ended May 31,November 30, 2020 and 2019.

The financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company uses the U.S. dollar as the reporting currency for financial reporting. The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s U.K.-based operations are measured using the British pound as the functional currency. The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s operations based in France (including ABchimie acquired September 1, 2020) are measured using the euro as the functional currency. The financial position and results of the Company’s HumiSeal India Private Limited business are measured using the Indian rupee as the functional currency. The functional currency for all Chase Corporation’s other operations is the U.S. dollar. Foreign currency translation gains and losses are determined using current exchange rates for monetary items and historical exchange rates for other balance sheet items and are recorded as a change in other comprehensive income. Transaction gains and losses generated from the remeasurement of assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of each applicable operation are included in other income (expense) on the condensed consolidated statements of operations, and were $155($96) and ($451)501) for the three- and nine-monththree-month periods ended May 31,November 30, 2020 respectively, and $135 and ($281) for the three- and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2019, respectively.

Other Business Developments

On September 1, 2020 (the first day of fiscal 2021), the Company acquired all the capital stock of ABchimie for €18,654 (approximately $22,241 at the time of the transaction) net of cash acquired, subsequent to final working capital adjustment, excluding acquisition-related costs of $274 and with a potential earn out based on performance potentially worth an additional €7,000 (approximately $8,330 at the time of the transaction). ABchimie is a Corbelin, France headquartered solutions provider for the cleaning and the protection of electronic assemblies, with ‎further formulation,

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production, and research and development capabilities‎. The transaction was funded 100% with cash on hand. The financial results of the business were included in the Company's fiscal 2021 financial statements within the Adhesives, Sealants and Additives operating segment in the electronic and industrial coatings product line. The Company is currently in the process of finalizing purchase accounting, regarding a final allocation of the purchase price to tangible and identifiable intangible assets, including finalizing the recording of deferred taxes, assumed and anticipates completion within fiscal 2021. The ABchimie acquisition does not represent a significant business combination so pro forma financial information is not provided.

The Company’s second and thirdquarter of fiscal quarters2020 (prior year) saw the beginning of 2020 saw the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), which subsequently grew to create significant volatility, uncertainty, and global economic disruption. During the third fiscal quarter,While the Company implemented changesremains profitable with sufficient cash on hand to continue to meet its cost structure designedshort- and long-term strategic objectives, COVID-19 continues to address market changes broughtimpact nearly all geographies served by the Company.Given the magnitude of the uncertainty that COVID-19 has broadly placed on global markets, the pandemic’s long-term effects on the Company’s results and demonstrate its commitmentthe Company’s ability to fiscal prudence: (a)maintain service levels cannot currently be estimated. The Company will continue to assess the Company made a targeted reduction in its global workforce, contemplated pre-pandemic but catalyzed by COVID-19, which resultedsituation and take the appropriate actions to ensure it is in the recognition of $183 in severance costs

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during the period; and (b) the Company also instituted a temporary 20% reduction in the base salaries of its named executive officers and select members of senior management, as well as the cash compensation of the non-employee members of its Board of Directors. The reduction in force, which impacted operations in the Company’s U.S. facilities, and the adjustments in compensation, were both effective May 2020.strongest position possible.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company commissioned third party led studies regarding the potential upgrading of the Company’s current worldwide ERP system. Chase is currently reviewing the data and recommendations provided by the study and may further utilize third-party engineering, IT and other professional services firms in the future for similar work, as well as work around the facilities rationalization and consolidation initiative. The Company recognized $150 in expense related to these services in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, with no expensenothing recognized in the second or thirdfirst quarter of fiscal quarters.2021. Given the ongoing nature of the review, an estimate of future costs, including those that may be capitalized, cannot currently be determined.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2019, Chase began moving the pulling and detection operations housed in its Granite Falls, NC location to its Hickory, NC facility. This is in line with the Company’s ongoing initiative to consolidate its manufacturing plants and streamline its existing processes. At the time, the pulling and detection operations were the only Chase-owned production operations in Granite Falls, NC, with the remaining portions of the building being either utilized for research and development or leased to a third party. The process of moving, including moving internal research and development capabilities, was substantially completed during the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company recognized $60 and $559$499 in expense related to the move in the three-month and six-month periodsperiod ended February 29, 2020, respectively,November 30, 2019, having recognized $526 in expense during the second half of fiscal 2019. No costs were recognized in the three months ended May 31,November 30, 2020, and future costs related to this move are not anticipated to be significant to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

On June 25, 2018, the Company announced to its employees the planned closing of its Pawtucket, RI manufacturing facility effective August 31, 2018. This is in line with the Company’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its manufacturing plants and streamline its existing processes. The manufacture of products previously produced in the Pawtucket, RI facility was substantially moved to Company facilities in Oxford, MA and Lenoir, NC during a two-month transition period. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company expensed $1,272 related to the closure. The Company also recognized $260 in expense related to the move in the three-month period ended November 30, 2018, with no additional expense recognized in the remainder of fiscal 2019. The Company completed the sale of its Pawtucket, RI location to a third party in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 for net proceeds totaling $1,810, recognizing a gain on sale of real estate of $760. Also, during the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company recognized $85 in final Pawtucket, RI transition and exit costs, with no further costs related to this initiative anticipated in future periods.

Significant Accounting Policies

The Company’s significant accounting policies are detailed in Note 1— “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2019. Management believes that there have been no material2020. Significant changes during the nine months ended May 31, 2020 to the criticalthese accounting policies reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

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Tableas a result of Contents

Note 2 — Recent Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issuedadopting Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-03,2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which modifiesduring the measurement approach for credit lossesfirst quarter of fiscal 2021 are discussed within Note 2 —  “Recent Accounting Standards” within this Current Quarterly Report on financial assets measured on an amortized cost basis from an 'incurred loss' method to an 'expected loss' method. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.” ASU 2019-11 is an accounting pronouncement that amends ASU 2016-03. The ASU 2019-11 amendment provides clarity and improves the codification to ASU 2016-03. The pronouncements are concurrently effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years (effective fiscal 2021). The Company is currently evaluating the effectsForm 10-Q.

10

Table of this pronouncement on its condensed consolidated financial statements.Contents

Note 2 — Recent Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In FebruaryMarch 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting”. The ASU applies to all entities that have contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The expedients and exceptions provided by the ASU do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, that an entity has elected certain optional expedients for and that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. The ASU is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management does not expect ASU 2020-04 to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 842).326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,Underwhich modifies the new guidance, lessees are required to recognize the followingmeasurement approach for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (a) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease,credit losses on financial assets measured on a discounted basis; and (b) a right-of-use asset, which represents the lessee’s rightan amortized cost basis from an 'incurred loss' method to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.an 'expected loss' method. In July 2018,November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements.2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.ASU 2019-11 is an accounting pronouncement that amends ASU 2016-13. This amendment provides clarity and improves the codification to ASU 2016-13. The updated guidance provided an optional transition method, which allows for the application of the standard as of the adoption date with no restatement of prior period amounts. The Company adopted the standard on September 1, 2019 (start of fiscal 2020) under the optional transition method described above. Consequently, historical financial information was not updated, and the disclosures required under the new standardpronouncements are not provided for dates and periods prior to September 1, 2019.

The new standard provides several optional practical expedients in transition. The Company has elected to apply the “package of practical expedients” which allows it to not reassess i) whether existing or expired arrangements contain a lease, ii) the lease classification of existing or expired leases, or iii) whether previous initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under the new lease standard. In preparation for adoption of the standard, the Company enhanced its internal controls to enable the preparation of financial information including the assessment of the impact of the standard. The initial adoption of the ASU resulted in the recognition of additional lease liabilities of $9,644 ($2,071 short-term and $7,573 long-term) and right-of-use assets of $10,200 as of September 1, 2019 on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as it relates to the Company’s operating leases. The new standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations or cash flows.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” This ASU was issued to address a narrow-scope financial reporting issue that arose as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform”) on December 22, 2017. The objective of ASU 2018-02 is to address the tax effects of items within accumulated other comprehensive income (referred to as “stranded tax effects”) that do not reflect the appropriate tax rate enacted in the Tax Reform. As a result, the ASU 2018-02 allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate. The amount of the reclassification would be the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate of 35 percent and the current enacted corporate income tax rate of 21 percent. ASU 2018-02 isconcurrently effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, including adoption in an2019 and interim period.periods therein. The amendments in this ASU may be applied retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. Federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Reform is recognized. Therefore, the Company adopted ASU 2018-022016-13 on September 1, 2020, using the modified retrospective transition method which resulted in no material impact on the first quartercondensed consolidated financial statements.

As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company has updated its critical accounting policy related to trade account receivables and allowances for credit losses as of November 30, 2020 from what was previously disclosed in our audited financial statements for the year endingended August 31, 2020 and has elected to reclassify the income tax effectsas follows:

All trade account receivables are reported net of allowances for credit losses. The allowances for credit losses represent management’s best estimate of the Tax Reform relatedcredit losses expected from our trade account receivables over the life of the underlying assets. Assets with similar risk characteristics are pooled together for determination of their current expected credit losses. The Company regularly perform detailed reviews of our pooled assets to evaluate the collectability of receivables based on a combination of past, current, and future financial and qualitative factors that may affect customers’ ability to pay. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its pension funding from accumulated other comprehensive lossfinancial obligations, a specific reserve is recorded against amounts due to retained earnings.reduce the recognized receivable to the amount reasonably expected to be collected.

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Note 3 — Inventory

Inventory consisted of the following as of May 31,November 30, 2020 and August 31, 2019:2020:

May 31, 

August 31, 

November 30, 

August 31, 

    

    

2020

    

2019

    

    

2020

    

2020

Raw materials

$

19,074

$

20,325

$

17,946

$

18,993

Work in process

7,660

8,748

7,020

7,761

Finished goods

13,817

13,281

10,996

12,304

Total Inventory

$

40,551

$

42,354

$

35,962

$

39,058

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Note 4 — Net Income Per Share

The Company has unvested share-based payment awards with a right to receive nonforfeitable dividends which are considered participating securities under ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” The Company allocates earnings to participating securities and computes earnings per share using the two-class method. The determination of earnings per share under the two-class method is as follows:

Three Months Ended May 31, 

Nine Months Ended May 31, 

 

Three Months Ended November 30, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2020

    

2019

 

    

2020

    

2019

 

Basic Earnings per Share

Net income

 

$

9,908

 

$

8,541

 

$

25,149

 

$

22,637

 

$

10,837

 

$

7,362

Less: Allocated to participating securities

86

68

201

177

78

54

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

9,822

 

$

8,473

 

$

24,948

 

$

22,460

 

$

10,759

 

$

7,308

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

9,363,559

9,337,436

9,357,176

9,333,098

9,375,819

9,352,148

Net income per share - Basic

 

$

1.05

 

$

0.91

 

$

2.67

 

$

2.41

 

$

1.15

 

$

0.78

Diluted Earnings per Share

Net income

 

$

9,908

 

$

8,541

 

$

25,149

 

$

22,637

 

$

10,837

 

$

7,362

Less: Allocated to participating securities

86

68

201

177

78

54

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

9,822

 

$

8,473

 

$

24,948

 

$

22,460

 

$

10,759

 

$

7,308

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

9,363,559

9,337,436

9,357,176

9,333,098

9,375,819

9,352,148

Additional dilutive common stock equivalents

65,704

41,474

78,721

44,650

42,856

82,070

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

9,429,263

9,378,910

9,435,897

9,377,748

9,418,675

9,434,218

Net income per share - Diluted

 

$

1.04

 

$

0.90

 

$

2.64

 

$

2.39

 

$

1.14

 

$

0.77

Included in the calculation of dilutive common stock equivalents are the unvested portion of restricted stock and stock options. For the three- and nine-monththree-month periods ended May 31,November 30, 2020 and 2019, stock options to purchase 17,91391,275 and 11,8418,805 shares of common stock, respectively, were outstanding but were not included in the calculation of diluted income per share because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. For the three- and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2019, stock options to purchase 15,625 and 14,566 shares of common stock were outstanding but were not included in the calculation of diluted income per share because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Included in the calculation of dilutive common stock equivalents are the unvested portion of restricted stock and stock options.

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Note 5 — Stock-Based Compensation

In August 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the fiscal year 2019 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2019 LTIP”) for the executive officers and other members of management. The 2019 LTIP is an equity-based plan with a grant date of September 1, 2018 and contains a performance and service-based restricted stock grant of 6,609 shares in the aggregate, subject to adjustment (as discussed below), with a vesting date of August 31, 2021.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, an additional grant of restricted stock was made related to the 2019 LTIP grant in conjunction with an amendment to the equity compensation program for a promoted employee. The additional grant contains the following restricted stock components: (a) a performance and service-based restricted stock grant of 211 shares in the aggregate, subject to adjustment based on fiscal 2019 results, with a vesting date of August 31, 2021, for which compensation expense is recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period based on quarterly probability assessments; and (b) a time-based restricted stock grant of 132 shares in the aggregate, with a vesting date of August 31, 2021, for which compensation expense is recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period.

In August 2019, restricted stock in the amount of 833 shares related to the 2019 LTIP grant was forfeited in conjunction with an amendment in the equity compensation agreement of an employee.

Based on the fiscal year 2019 financial results, 2,694 shares of restricted stock already granted were forfeited subsequent to the end of fiscal year 2019 in accordance with the performance measurement criteria. No further performance-based measurements apply to this award. Compensation expense is being recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period.

In August 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the fiscal year 2020 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2020 LTIP”) for the executive officers and other members of management. The 2020 LTIP is an equity-based plan with a grant date of September 1, 2019 and contains (a) a restricted stock grant of 7,386 shares in the aggregate (of which 3,697 included a performance-based vesting component and were, subject to adjustment as discussed below), with a vesting date of August 31, 2022, and (b) options to purchase 13,418 shares of common stock in the aggregate with an exercise price of $100.22 per share, vesting in three equal annual installments ending on August 31, 2022.

Based on the fiscal year 2020 financial results, 387 shares of restricted stock already granted under the 2020 LTIP were forfeited subsequent to the end of fiscal year 2020 in accordance with the performance measurement criteria. No further performance-based measurements apply to this award. Compensation expense for the 2020 LTIP awards is recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period.

In August 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company approved equity retention agreements with certain executive officers. The equity-based retention agreements have a grant date of September 1, 2019 and contain the following equity components: (a) time-based restricted stock grant of 15,945 shares in the aggregate, and having a vesting date of August 31, 2022; and (b) options to purchase 53,642 shares of common stock in the aggregate with an exercise price of $100.22 per share. The options will cliff vest on August 31, 2022 and will expire on August 31, 2029. Compensation expense for both the restricted stock and the stock option components of the equity retention agreements is recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period.

In August 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the fiscal year 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2021 LTIP”) for the executive officers and other members of management. The 2021 LTIP is an equity-based plan with a grant date of September 1, 2020 and contains the following equity components:

Restricted Shares — (a) a performance and service-based restricted stock grant of 3,6973,798 shares in the aggregate, subject to adjustment based on fiscal 20202021 results, with a vesting date of August 31, 2022.2023. Compensation expense is recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period based on quarterly probability assessments; and (b) a time-based restricted stock grant of 3,6894,919 shares in the aggregate, with a vesting date of August 31, 2022.2023. Compensation expense is recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period.

Stock options — options to purchase 13,41814,845 shares of common stock in the aggregate with an exercise price of $100.22$97.57 per share. The options will vest in three3 equal annual installments beginning on August 31, 20202021 and ending on August 31, 2022.2023. Of the options granted, 6,2185,391 options will expire on August 31, 2029,2030, and 7,2009,454 options will expire on September 1, 2029.2030. Compensation expense is recognized over the period of the award consistent with the vesting terms.

In August 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company approved equity retention agreements with certain executive officers. The equity-based retention agreements have a grant date of September 1, 2019 and contain the following equity components: (a) time-based restricted stock grant of 15,945 shares in the aggregate, and having a vesting date of August 31, 2022; and (b) options to purchase 53,642 shares of common stock in the aggregate with an exercise price of $100.22 per share. The options will cliff vest on August 31, 2022 and will expire on August 31, 2029. Compensation expense for both the restricted stock and the stock option components of the equity retention agreements is recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period.

During the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 2020, additional grants of 18,720, 616 and 432 shares of restricted stock (total of 19,768) were issued to non-executive members of management with vesting dates of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2024, respectively. Compensation expense is being recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period.

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Table of Contents

In February 2020, as part of their standard compensation for board service, non-employee members of the Board received a total grant of 4,906 shares of restricted stock for service for the period from January 31, 2020 through January 31, 2021. The shares of restricted stock will vest at the conclusion of this service period. Compensation is being recognized on a ratable basis over the twelve-month vesting period.

In May 2020, restricted stock in the amount of 432952 shares related to athe second quarter of fiscal 2020 grant was forfeited in conjunction with the termination of employment of a non-executive membermembers of management of the Company.

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Table of Contents

Note 6 — Segment Data and Foreign Operations

The Company is organized into three3 reportable operating segments: Adhesives, Sealants and Additives; Industrial Tapes; and Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing. The segments are distinguished by the nature of the products manufactured and how they are delivered to their respective markets. In the fourth quarter of the Company’s fiscal year 2019, it reorganized from two into three reportable operating segments; prior year quarter and year-to-date period amounts have been recast to reflect this change.

The Adhesives, Sealants and Additives segment offers innovative and specialized product offerings consisting of both end-use products and intermediates that are used in, or integrated into, another company’s product. Demand for the segment’s product offerings is typically dependent upon general economic conditions. The Adhesives, Sealants and Additives segment leverages the core specialty chemical competencies of the Company and serves diverse markets and applications. The segment sells predominantly into the transportation, appliances, medical, general industrial and environmental market verticals. The segment’s products include moisture protective coatings and cleaners, and customized sealant and adhesive systems for electronics, polymeric microspheres, polyurethane dispersions and superabsorbent polymers. Beginning September 1, 2020, the Adhesives, Sealants and Additives segment includes the acquired operations of ABchimie, within the electronic and industrial coatings product line.

The Industrial Tapes segment features legacy wire and cable materials, specialty tapes and other laminated and coated products. The segment derives its competitive advantage through its proven chemistries, diverse specialty offerings and the reliability its supply chain offers to end customers. These products are generally used in the assembly of other manufacturers’ products, with demand typically dependent upon general economic conditions. The Industrial Tapes segment sells mostly to established markets, with some exposure to growth opportunities through further development of existing products. Markets served include cable manufacturing, utilities and telecommunications, and electronics packaging. The segment’s offerings include insulating and conducting materials for wire and cable manufacturers, laminated durable papers, laminates for the packaging and industrial laminate markets, custom manufacturing services, pulling and detection tapes used in the installation, measurement and location of fiber optic cables and water and natural gas lines and cover tapes essential to delivering semiconductor components via tape-and-reel packaging.

The Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing segment is principally composed of project-oriented product offerings that are primarily sold and used as “Chase” branded products. End markets include new and existing infrastructure projects on oil, gas, water and wastewater pipelines, highways and bridge decks, water and wastewater containment systems, and commercial buildings. The segment’s products include protective coatings for pipeline applications, coating and lining systems for waterproofing and liquid storage applications, adhesives and sealants used in architectural and building envelope waterproofing applications, high-performance polymeric asphalt additives, and expansion joint systems for waterproofing applications in transportation and architectural markets. With sales generally dependent on outdoor project work, the segment experiences highly seasonal sales patterns.

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The following tables summarize information about the Company’s reportable segments:

Three Months Ended November 30, 

2020

    

2019

    

 

Revenue

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

$

30,071

$

25,822

Industrial Tapes

26,491

30,124

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

10,614

10,856

Total

$

67,176

$

66,802

Income before income taxes

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

$

9,979

$

7,482

Industrial Tapes

7,868

6,637

(a)

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

4,086

3,964

Total for reportable segments

21,933

18,083

Corporate and common costs

(7,956)

(8,012)

(b)

Total

$

13,977

$

10,071

Includes the following costs by segment:

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

Interest

$

30

$

21

Depreciation

242

314

Amortization

2,573

2,337

Industrial Tapes

Interest

$

27

$

25

Depreciation

465

401

Amortization

386

450

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

Interest

$

12

$

9

Depreciation

139

154

Amortization

112

127

Three Months Ended May 31, 

Nine Months Ended May 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

2020

    

2019

    

 

Revenue

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

$

22,922

$

26,009

$

73,184

$

78,814

Industrial Tapes

31,752

33,704

91,931

98,324

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

10,197

12,399

32,140

34,108

Total

$

64,871

$

72,112

$

197,255

$

211,246

Income before income taxes

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

$

6,704

$

7,509

$

20,936

$

20,530

(f)

Industrial Tapes

9,011

6,929

(b)

24,050

(d)

20,980

(g)

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

4,149

4,817

12,240

11,667

Total for reportable segments

19,864

19,255

57,226

53,177

Corporate and common costs

(7,337)

(a)

(7,067)

(c)

(23,823)

(e)

(22,249)

(h)

Total

$

12,527

$

12,188

$

33,403

$

30,928

Includes the following costs by segment:

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

Interest

$

26

$

34

$

68

$

172

Depreciation

199

356

791

1,121

Amortization

2,340

2,341

7,033

7,020

Industrial Tapes

Interest

$

33

$

38

$

87

$

193

Depreciation

428

410

1,247

1,304

Amortization

450

450

1,350

1,350

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

Interest

$

8

$

19

$

23

$

92

Depreciation

144

161

449

500

Amortization

108

323

341

969


(a)Includes $760 in gain related to the April 2020 sale of the Company’s Pawtucket, RI location, $183 in severance expense related to the May 2020 reduction in force, $85 in expenses related to the final transition out of the Pawtucket, RI facility, and $75 of pension-related settlement costs due to the timing of lump-sum distribution
(b)Includes $193 in exit costs related to the movement of the pulling and detection business out of the Granite Falls, NC location and into the Hickory, NC location during the third quarter of fiscal 2019
(c)Includes $11 of pension-related settlement costs due to the timing of lump-sum distributions
(d)Includes $559$499 in exit costs related to the movement of the pulling and detection business out of the Granite Falls, NC location and into the Hickory, NC location during the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal 2020
(e)(b)Includes $150 of expense related to exploratory IT work performed to assess potential future upgrades to theour companywide ERP system a $760 gain related to the April 2020 sale of the Company’s Pawtucket, RI location, $183 in severance expense related to the May 2020 reduction in force, $85 in expenses related to the final transition out of the Pawtucket, RI facility, and $75 of pension-related settlement costs due to the timing of lump-sum distribution
(f)Includes $2,410 of loss on impairment of goodwill related to the Company’s polyurethane dispersions business

17


(g)Includes $260 of expense related to the closure and exit of the Pawtucket, RI location recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, $193 in exit costs related to the movement of the pulling and detection business out of the Granite Falls, NC location and into the Hickory, NC location during the third quarter of fiscal 2019
(h)Includes $484 of pension-related settlement costs due to the timing of lump-sum distributions

Total assets for the Company’s reportable segments as of May 31,November 30, 2020 and August 31, 20192020 were:

May 31, 

August 31, 

November 30, 

August 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

 

    

2020

    

2020

 

Total Assets

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

$

134,353

$

135,583

$

152,412

$

129,457

Industrial Tapes

70,489

77,085

68,962

71,229

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

31,722

32,478

30,091

32,642

Total for reportable segments

236,564

245,146

251,465

233,328

Corporate and common assets

97,306

62,822

109,848

113,502

Total

$

333,870

$

307,968

$

361,313

$

346,830

15

The Company’s products are sold worldwide. Revenue for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended May 31,November 30, 2020 and 2019 werewas attributed to operations located in the following countries:

Three Months Ended November 30, 

2020

    

2019

Revenue

United States

$

55,742

$

58,361

United Kingdom

6,027

4,631

All other foreign (1)

5,407

3,810

Total

$

67,176

$

66,802

Three Months Ended May 31, 

Nine Months Ended May 31, 

2020

    

2019

2020

    

2019

Revenue

United States

$

56,177

$

64,046

$

171,774

$

186,339

United Kingdom

5,070

4,502

14,489

12,946

All other foreign (1)

3,624

3,564

10,992

11,961

Total

$

64,871

$

72,112

$

197,255

$

211,246


(1)Comprises sales originated from the Company’s Paris, France location,French locations (including ABchimie for fiscal 2021), royalty revenue attributable to its licensed manufacturer in Asia, and Chase foreign manufacturing operations.

1816


As of May 31,November 30, 2020 and August 31, 20192020 the Company had long-lived assets (defined as tangible assets providing the Company with a future economic benefit beyond the current year or operating period, including buildings, equipment and leasehold improvements) and goodwill and intangible assets, less accumulated amortization, in the following countries:

May 31, 

August 31, 

2020

    

2019

Long-Lived Assets

United States

Property, plant and equipment, net

$

23,509

$

24,993

Goodwill and Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

120,673

129,057

United Kingdom

Property, plant and equipment, net

2,246

2,493

Goodwill and Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

4,180

4,446

All other foreign

Property, plant and equipment, net

901

1,840

Goodwill and Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

1,194

1,187

Total

Property, plant and equipment, net

$

26,656

$

29,326

Goodwill and Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

$

126,047

$

134,690

November 30, 

August 31, 

2020

    

2020

Long-Lived Assets

United States

Property, plant and equipment, net

$

22,093

$

22,427

Goodwill and Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

115,261

117,930

United Kingdom

Property, plant and equipment, net

2,279

2,320

Goodwill and Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

4,275

4,403

All other foreign

Property, plant and equipment, net

1,105

827

Goodwill and Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

26,167

1,269

Total

Property, plant and equipment, net

$

25,477

$

25,574

Goodwill and Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

$

145,703

$

123,602

1917


Note 7 — Goodwill and Other Intangibles

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill were as follows:

    

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

    

Industrial Tapes

    

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

    

Consolidated

 

    

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

    

Industrial Tapes

    

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

    

Consolidated

 

Balance at August 31, 2019

$

50,090

$

21,215

$

10,681

$

81,986

Balance at August 31, 2020

$

50,487

$

21,215

$

10,700

$

82,402

Acquisition of ABchimie

13,055

13,055

Foreign currency translation adjustment

55

3

58

30

(1)

29

Balance at May 31, 2020

$

50,145

$

21,215

$

10,684

$

82,044

Balance at November 30, 2020

$

63,572

$

21,215

$

10,699

$

95,486

The Company’s goodwill is allocated to each reporting unit based on the nature of the products manufactured by the respective business combinations that originally created the goodwill. The Company has identified a total of three3 reporting units, corresponding to its three3 operating segments, that are used to evaluate the possible impairment of goodwill. Goodwill impairment exists when the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its fair value. Assessments of possible impairment of goodwill are made when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable through future operations. Additionally, testing for possible impairment of recorded goodwill and certain intangible asset balances is required annually. The amount and timing of any impairment charges based on these assessments require the estimation of future cash flows and the fair market value of the related assets based on management’s best estimates of certain key factors, including future selling prices and volumes; operating, raw material and energy costs; and various other projected operating and economic factors, including the anticipated future impact of thecoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. When testing, fair values of the reporting units and the related implied fair values of their respective goodwill are established using discounted cash flows. The Company evaluates the possible impairment of goodwill annually during the fourth quarter, and whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable.

During the three-month period ended February 28, 2019, the ordering patterns of the polyurethane dispersions reporting unit’s customers, especially those in the automotive industry, combined with a decrease in the reporting unit’s backlog of customer orders believed to be firm as of February 28, 2019, indicated that an impairment in the carrying value of the reporting unit might have occurred. The Company performed an impairment test on the indefinite-lived and long-lived assets related to the polyurethane dispersions reporting unit, now part of the Adhesives, Sealants and Additives operating segment and reporting unit (part of the former Industrial Materials segment during the second fiscal quarter of 2019), in accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other” and ASC Topic 360, “Disclosure — Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” As a result of impairment testing, which included first testing long-lived assets other than goodwill for impairment under applicable guidance, the Company recorded a charge of $2,410 to loss on impairment of goodwill within the consolidated statement of operations during the quarter ended February 28, 2019. The polyurethane dispersions reporting unit’s fair value was determined based on the income approach (discounted cash flow method).

In fiscal 2017, the Company earlyhas adopted ASU No. 2017-04 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Topics (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” The Company assesses goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss, limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit, is recorded.

20


Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following as of May 31,November 30, 2020 and August 31, 2019:2020:

Weighted Average

Gross Carrying

Accumulated

Net Carrying

    

Amortization Period

    

Value

    

Amortization

    

Value

 

November 30, 2020

Patents and agreements

14.6

years  

$

1,760

$

1,708

$

52

Formulas and technology

7.9

years  

10,965

9,292

1,673

Trade names

5.9

years  

8,813

7,898

915

Customer lists and relationships

9.3

years  

110,088

62,511

47,577

$

131,626

$

81,409

$

50,217

August 31, 2020

Patents and agreements

14.6

years  

$

1,760

$

1,705

$

55

Formulas and technology

7.8

years  

10,250

9,121

1,129

Trade names

5.8

years  

8,575

7,781

794

Customer lists and relationships

9.1

years  

98,966

59,744

39,222

$

119,551

$

78,351

$

41,200

Weighted Average

Gross Carrying

Accumulated

Net Carrying

    

Amortization Period

    

Value

    

Amortization

    

Value

 

May 31, 2020

Patents and agreements

14.6

years  

$

1,760

$

1,702

$

58

Formulas and technology

7.8

years  

10,177

8,823

1,354

Trade names

5.8

years  

8,514

7,608

906

Customer lists and relationships

9.1

years  

98,267

56,582

41,685

$

118,718

$

74,715

$

44,003

August 31, 2019

Patents and agreements

14.6

years  

$

1,760

$

1,693

$

67

Formulas and technology

7.8

years  

10,164

7,969

2,195

Trade names

5.8

years  

8,503

7,261

1,242

Customer lists and relationships

9.1

years  

98,139

48,939

49,200

$

118,566

$

65,862

$

52,704

18

Aggregate amortization expense related to intangible assets for the ninethree months ended May 31,November 30, 2020 and 2019 was $8,724$3,071 and $9,339$2,914 respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal year 20202021 and for the next five years is as follows:

Years ending August 31,

    

    

2020 (remaining 3 months)

$

2,837

2021

11,031

 

2021 (remaining 9 months)

$

9,129

2022

10,024

11,161

 

2023

6,768

7,893

2024

5,659

6,686

2025

5,552

5,086

2026

4,291

Note 8 — Leases

Effective September 1, 2019 (the start of fiscal 2020), the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), using the modified retrospective approach and utilizing the effective date as its date of initial application. As a result, prior periods are presented in accordance with the previous guidance in ASC 840, Leases (“ASC 840”). The Company has elected to apply the ‘packagepackage of practical expedients’expedients which allows it to not reassess i) whether existing or expired arrangements contain a lease, ii) the lease classification of existing or expired leases, or iii) whether previous initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under the new lease standard.

At the inception of an arrangement, the Company determines whether the arrangement is or contains a lease based on the unique facts and circumstances present in the arrangement. Leases with a term greater than one year are recognized on the balance sheet as right-of-use (ROU) assets and short-term and long-term lease liabilities, as applicable. The Company does not have any financing leases that are material in nature.

Operating lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are initially recorded based on the present value of lease payments over the expected remaining lease term. The interest rate implicit in lease contracts is typically not readily determinable. As a result, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate to discount lease payments, which reflects the fixed rate at which the Company believes it could borrow on a collateralized basis the amount of the lease payments in the same currency, for a similar term, in a similar economic environment.

The Company has elected not to recognize leases with an original term of one year or less on the balance sheet. The Company typically only includes an initial lease term in its assessment of a lease arrangement. Options to renew a lease are not included in the Company’s assessment unless there is reasonable certainty that the Company will renew.

21


The following table presents the right-of-use asset and short-term and long-term lease liabilities amounts recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of MayNovember 30, 2020 and August 31, 2020:

November 30, 

August 31,

2020

2020

Assets

    

    

Operating lease right-of-use asset

$

8,751

$

8,821

Liabilities

Current (accrued expense)

$

1,754

$

1,865

Operating lease long-term liabilities

6,427

6,395

Total lease liability

$

8,181

$

8,260

May 31, 

2020

Assets

    

Operating lease right-of-use asset

$

8,658

Liabilities

Current (accrued expense)

$

1,965

Operating lease long-term liabilities

6,157

Total lease liability

$

8,122

19

Lease cost

The components of lease costs for the three and nine months ended May 31,November 30, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Three Months Ended November 30,

May 31, 2020

May 31, 2020

2020

2019

Operating lease cost (a)

$

952

$

2,802

$

951

$

931

(a)Includes short-term leases and variable lease costs (e.g. common area maintenance), which are immaterial.

Maturity of lease liability

The maturity of the Company's lease liabilities at May 31,November 30, 2020 was as follows:

Future Operating

Year ending August 31,

    

Lease Payments

2020 (remaining 3 months)

$

681

2021

1,977

2022

1,333

2023

1,179

2024

1,193

2025 and thereafter

2,598

Less: Interest

(839)

Present value of lease liabilities

$

8,122

Future Operating

Year ending August 31,

    

Lease Payments

2021 (remaining 9 months)

$

1,545

2022

1,560

2023

1,405

2024

1,419

2025

1,349

2026 and thereafter

1,631

Less: Interest

(728)

Present value of lease liabilities

$

8,181

The weighted average remaining lease term and discount rates are as follows:

May 31, 

2020

Lease Term and Discount Rate

Weighted average remaining lease term (years)

Operating leases

5.6

Weighted average discount rate (percentage)

Operating leases

3.1

%

November 30, 

August 31,

2020

2020

Lease Term and Discount Rate

    

    

Weighted average remaining lease term (years)

Operating leases

5.5

5.5

Weighted average discount rate (percentage)

Operating leases

3.1

%

3.1

%

2220


Other Information

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows:

Nine Months Ended

Three Months Ended November 30,

May 31, 2020

2020

2019

Operating cash outflows from operating leases

$

1,818

$

603

$

607

Total cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities

$

1,818

$

603

$

607

Minimum lease payments under operating leases prior to adoption of ASU 2016-02 were as follows:

Future Operating

Year ending August 31,

    

Lease Payments

 

2020

$

2,468

2021

2,059

2022

1,371

2023

1,187

2024

1,200

2025 and thereafter

2,608

Total future minimum lease payments

$

10,893

Note 9 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers

The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” This revenue is generated from the manufacture of specialty chemical products including coatings, linings, adhesives, sealants, specialty tapes, polymers and laminates. Certain of these manufactured products can incorporate customer-owned materials. The Company also recognizes, to a lesser extent, revenue through royalties and commissions from licensed manufacturers and from providing custom manufacturing-related services. The Company’s revenue recognition policies require the Company to make significant judgments and estimates. In applying the Company’s revenue recognition policy, determinations must be made as to when control of products passes to the Company’s customers, which can be either at a point in time or over time based on contractual terms with customers. Revenue is generally recognized at a point in time when control passes upon either shipment to or receipt by the customer of the Company’s products, while revenue is generally recognized over time when control of the Company’s products transfers to customers during the manufacturing process.The Company analyzes several factors, including but not limited to, the nature of the products being sold and contractual terms and conditions in contracts with customers to help the Company make such judgments about revenue recognition.

2321


Contract Balances

The Company’s contract assets primarily relate to unbilled revenue for products currently in production at the Company’s facilities and which incorporate customer-owned material. Revenue is recognized in advance of billing to the customer in these specific circumstances, whereas billing is typically performed at the time of shipment to or receipt by the customer.

Contract assets are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. The following table presents contract assets by reportable operating segment as of May 31,November 30, 2020 and August 31, 2019:2020:

May 31, 

August 31,

    

2020

    

2019

Contract Assets

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

$

35

$

42

Industrial Tapes

46

26

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

183

79

Total

$

264

$

147

November 30, 

August 31,

    

2020

    

2020

Contract Assets

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

$

19

$

20

Industrial Tapes

79

21

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

112

41

Total

$

210

$

82

The Company did not0t have any contract liabilities as of May 31,November 30, 2020 and August 31, 2019.2020.

24


Disaggregated Revenue

The Company disaggregates revenue from customers by geographic region, as it believes this disclosure best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of the Company's revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Disaggregated revenue by geographical region for the three and nine months ended May 31,November 30, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

Three Months Ended May 31, 2020

Three Months Ended November 30, 2020

Adhesives, Sealants

Industrial

Corrosion Protection

Consolidated

Adhesives, Sealants

Industrial

Corrosion Protection

Consolidated

and Additives

    

Tapes

and Waterproofing

Revenue

and Additives

    

Tapes

and Waterproofing

Revenue

Revenue

North America

$

15,094

$

28,137

$

7,635

$

50,866

$

18,385

$

23,305

$

8,485

$

50,175

Asia

4,541

2,239

1,737

8,517

6,329

1,681

1,450

9,460

Europe

3,201

840

750

4,791

5,206

1,013

647

6,866

All other foreign

86

536

75

697

151

492

32

675

Total Revenue

$

22,922

$

31,752

$

10,197

$

64,871

$

30,071

$

26,491

$

10,614

$

67,176

Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020

Three Months Ended November 30, 2019

Adhesives, Sealants

Industrial

Corrosion Protection

Consolidated

Adhesives, Sealants

Industrial

Corrosion Protection

Consolidated

and Additives

    

Tapes

and Waterproofing

Revenue

and Additives

    

Tapes

and Waterproofing

Revenue

Revenue

North America

$

49,135

$

81,811

$

25,323

$

156,269

$

17,706

$

27,013

$

8,756

$

53,475

Asia

13,268

5,642

4,419

23,329

4,443

1,691

1,090

7,224

Europe

10,422

2,386

2,201

15,009

3,579

741

951

5,271

All other foreign

359

2,092

197

2,648

94

679

59

832

Total Revenue

$

73,184

$

91,931

$

32,140

$

197,255

$

25,822

$

30,124

$

10,856

$

66,802

Three Months Ended May 31, 2019

Adhesives, Sealants

Industrial

Corrosion Protection

Consolidated

and Additives

    

Tapes

and Waterproofing

Revenue

Revenue

North America

$

17,436

$

31,691

$

9,764

$

58,891

Asia

4,898

1,303

1,851

8,052

Europe

3,522

561

644

4,727

All other foreign

153

149

140

442

Total Revenue

$

26,009

$

33,704

$

12,399

$

72,112

Nine Months Ended May 31, 2019

Adhesives, Sealants

Industrial

Corrosion Protection

Consolidated

and Additives

    

Tapes

and Waterproofing

Revenue

Revenue

North America

$

53,549

$

89,672

$

26,968

$

170,189

Asia

14,808

5,217

5,123

25,148

Europe

10,078

2,101

1,794

13,973

All other foreign

379

1,334

223

1,936

Total Revenue

$

78,814

$

98,324

$

34,108

$

211,246

2522


Note 10 — Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is involved from time to time in litigation incidental to the conduct of its business. Although the Company does not expect that the outcome in any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, judgments could be rendered, or settlements agreed to that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results or cash flows in a particular period. The Company routinely assesses all its litigation and threatened litigation as to the probability of ultimately incurring a liability and records its best estimate of the ultimate loss in situations where it assesses the likelihood of loss as probable.

Note 11 — Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended May 31,November 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

Three Months Ended May 31, 

Nine Months Ended May 31, 

Three Months Ended November 30, 

    

2020

    

2019

 

2020

    

2019

    

 

    

2020

    

2019

 

 

Components of net periodic benefit cost

Service cost

$

74

$

67

$

221

$

213

$

92

$

73

Interest cost

112

172

338

528

85

113

Expected return on plan assets

(98)

(104)

(294)

(325)

(98)

(98)

Amortization of prior service cost

1

1

3

3

1

1

Amortization of accumulated loss

174

112

522

349

164

174

Curtailment and settlement loss

75

11

75

484

Net periodic benefit cost

$

338

$

259

$

865

$

1,252

$

244

$

263

When funding is required, the Company’s policy is to contribute amounts that are deductible for federal income tax purposes. The Company has made contributions of $1,170$392 in the ninethree months ended May 31,November 30, 2020 to fund its obligations under its pension plans, and plans to make the necessary contributions over the remainder of fiscal 20202021 to ensure the qualified plans continueplan continues to be adequately funded given the current market conditions, including conditions related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Company made contributions of $1,177$392 in the ninethree months ended May 31,November 30, 2019.

2623


Note 12 — Fair Value Measurements

The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classifies the inputs used in measuring fair values. These tiers are: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The Company utilizes the best available information in measuring fair value. Financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The financial assets classified as Level 1 and Level 2 as of May 31,November 30, 2020 and August 31, 20192020 represent investments that are restricted for use in nonqualified retirement savings plans for certain key employees and directors.

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of May 31,November 30, 2020 and August 31, 2019:2020:

Fair value measurement category

Fair value measurement category

Quoted prices

Significant other

Significant

Quoted prices

Significant other

Significant

Fair value

in active markets

observable inputs

unobservable inputs

Fair value

in active markets

observable inputs

unobservable inputs

    

measurement date

    

Total

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

 

    

measurement date

    

Total

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

 

Assets:

Restricted investments

May 31, 2020

$

1,413

$

1,213

$

200

$

November 30, 2020

$

1,780

$

1,544

$

236

$

Restricted investments

August 31, 2019

$

1,260

$

1,091

$

169

$

August 31, 2020

$

1,619

$

1,395

$

224

$

The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt (including any current portion of long-term debt) as of May 31,November 30, 2020 and August 31, 2019,2020, which is recorded at its carrying value:

Fair value measurement category

Quoted prices

Significant other

Significant

Fair value

in active markets

observable inputs

unobservable inputs

    

measurement date

    

Total

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

 

Liabilities:

Long-term debt

May 31,November 30, 2020

$

$

$

$

Long-term debt

August 31, 20192020

$

$

$

$

The long-term debt had no0 outstanding balance as of May 31,November 30, 2020 and August 31, 2019.2020. The carrying value of the long-term debt approximates its fair value, as the interest rate is set based on the movement of the underlying market rates. See Note 16 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information on long-term debt.

2724


Note 13 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, were as follows:

Change in Funded

Foreign Currency

Restricted

Status of

Translation

    

Investments

    

Pension Plans

    

Adjustment

    

Total

 

Balance at August 31, 2019

$

154

$

(6,271)

$

(8,207)

$

(14,324)

Other comprehensive gains (losses) before reclassifications (1)

45

1,537

1,582

Reclassifications to net income of previously deferred (gains) losses (2)

(4)

131

127

Other comprehensive income (loss)

41

131

1,537

1,709

Adoption of ASU 2018-02

(1,388)

(1,388)

Balance at November 30, 2019

$

195

$

(7,528)

$

(6,670)

$

(14,003)

Balance at August 31, 2020

$

269

$

(8,317)

$

(5,044)

$

(13,092)

Other comprehensive gains (losses) before reclassifications (3)

74

91

165

Reclassifications to net income of previously deferred (gains) losses (4)

(4)

122

118

Other comprehensive income (loss)

70

122

91

283

Balance at November 30, 2020

$

339

$

(8,195)

$

(4,953)

$

(12,809)

Change in Funded

Foreign Currency

Restricted

Status of

Translation

    

Investments

    

Pension Plans

    

Adjustment

    

Total

 

Balance at August 31, 2018

$

126

$

(5,796)

$

(6,666)

$

(12,336)

Other comprehensive gains (losses) before reclassifications (1)

(12)

(956)

(968)

Reclassifications to net income of previously deferred (gains) losses (2)

(1)

618

617

Other comprehensive income (loss)

(13)

618

(956)

(351)

Balance at May 31, 2019

$

113

$

(5,178)

$

(7,622)

$

(12,687)

Balance at August 31, 2019

$

154

$

(6,271)

$

(8,207)

$

(14,324)

Other comprehensive gains (losses) before reclassifications (3)

29

318

347

Reclassifications to net income of previously deferred (gains) losses (4)

(24)

444

420

Other comprehensive income (loss)

5

444

318

767

Adoption of ASU 2018-02 (5)

(1,388)

(1,388)

Balance at May 31, 2020

$

159

$

(7,215)

$

(7,889)

$

(14,945)


(1)Net of tax expensebenefit of $4,$15, $0 and $0, respectively.
(2)Net of tax expense of $1, tax benefit of $1, $218$44 and $0, respectively.
(3)Net of tax benefit of $11,$26, $0 and $0, respectively.
(4)Net of tax expense of $8,$1, tax benefit of $156$43 and $0, respectively.
(5)See Note 2 for further information related to the adoption of ASU 2018-02.

The following table summarizes the reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income:

Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Income (Loss) into Income

Three Months Ended May 31, 

Nine Months Ended May 31, 

Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated

    

    

  

2020

  

2019

  

  

2020

  

2019

  

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income

 

Gains on Restricted Investments:

Realized loss (gain) on sale of restricted investments

$

(4)

$

(6)

$

(32)

$

(2)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Tax expense (benefit)

1

2

8

1

Gain net of tax

$

(3)

$

(4)

$

(24)

$

(1)

Loss on Funded Pension Plan adjustments:

Amortization of prior pension service costs and unrecognized losses

$

175

$

114

$

525

$

352

Other income (expense)

Settlement and curtailment loss

75

11

75

484

Other income (expense)

Tax expense (benefit)

(65)

(34)

(156)

(218)

Loss net of tax

$

185

$

91

$

444

$

618

Total net loss reclassified for the period

$

182

$

87

$

420

$

617

Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

(Loss) into Income

Three Months Ended November 30, 

Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated

    

    

2020

  

2019

  

  

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income

 

Gains on Restricted Investments:

Realized loss (gain) on sale of restricted investments

$

(5)

$

(5)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Tax expense (benefit)

1

1

Gain net of tax

$

(4)

$

(4)

Loss on Funded Pension Plan adjustments:

Amortization of prior pension service costs and unrecognized losses

$

165

$

175

Other income (expense)

Tax expense (benefit)

(43)

(44)

Loss net of tax

$

122

$

131

Total net loss reclassified for the period

$

118

$

127

2825


Note 14 — Assets HeldIncome Taxes

For the three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded income taxes of $3,140 and $2,709 on income before income taxes of $13,977 and $10,071, respectively. The effective tax rate for Salethe three months ended November 30, 2020 and 2019 was 22.5% and 26.9%, respectively.

On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act impacted the U.S. statutory Federal tax rate that the Company will be subject to going forward, reducing it from 35% to 21%. The Company applied this U.S. statutory Federal rate of 21% for both the quarters ended November 30, 2020 and 2019.

During the quarter ended November 30, 2018 (the first quarter of fiscal 2019), the Company began recognizing an additional component of total Federal tax expense, the tax on Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) provision of the Tax Act, which became applicable to the Company in fiscal 2019. The Company elected to account for GILTI as a period cost, and therefore included GILTI expense in the effective tax rate calculation. This provision did not have a material effect on the effective tax rate for the quarters ended November 30, 2020 and 2019.

The Company periodically reviews long-lived assets against its plansconcluded that the Base Erosion and Anti Abuse Tax (“BEAT”) provision of the Tax Act, which also became applicable to retain or ultimately dispose of these assets. If the Company decidesin fiscal 2019, had no effect on its effective tax rate for the quarters ended November 30, 2020 and 2019. Additionally, the Company is deferring the application of Foreign-Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”) for the current period, in anticipation of further guidance and the establishment of industry standards by the U.S. Treasury Department and trade associations.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was enacted in response to dispose of an asset and commitsthe COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, among other things, included a technical correction to a plan to actively market and sell the asset, itTax Act which will be moved to assets heldallow accelerated deductions for sale.qualified improvement property. The Company analyzes market conditions each reporting period, and, if applicable, records additional impairments due to declines in market values of like assets. The fair valueis currently evaluating the impact of the asset is determined by observable inputs such as appraisals and pricesCARES Act, but at present does not expect that the qualified improvement property correction or other provisions of comparable assets in active markets for assets like the Company's. Gains are not recognized until the assets are sold.

Assets held for sale as of May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019 were:

May 31, 2020

August 31, 2019

 

Pawtucket, RI - Property, plant and equipment

$

$

1,050

Randolph, MA - Property

14

14

Total

$

14

$

1,064

The Company completed the sale of its Pawtucket, RI location to a third-party in April 2020, for net proceeds totaling $1,810.This transaction resultedCARES Act would result in a gain of $760 which was recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2020. See Note 15 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional informationmaterial tax benefit in future periods. The CARES Act had no material effect on the Pawtucket, RI location assets held as of August 31, 2019.effective tax rate for fiscal 2021 or 2020.

Note 15 — Operations Optimization Costs

COVID-19 Related Cost Structure Changes

During the third fiscal quarter of 2020, the Company implemented changes in its cost structure designed to address market changes brought on, in part, by COVID-19. These changes included a targeted reduction of approximately 4.5% of the Company’s global workforce. This reduction, which was contemplated pre-pandemic but catalyzed by COVID-19, resulted in the recognition of $183 in severance costs during the third quarter of 2020. The reduction in force, which impacted operations in the Blawnox, PA, Hickory, NC, Lenoir, NC, Evanston, IL, Oxford, MA and Westwood, MA facilities, was effective May 7, 2020.

IT Studies Related to the Upgrade of the Company’s Worldwide ERP System

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company commissioned third party led studies regarding the potential upgrading of the Company’s current worldwide ERP system. Chase is currently reviewing the data and recommendations provided by the study and may further utilize third-party engineering, IT and other professional services firms in the future for similar work, as well as work around its facilities rationalization and consolidation initiative. The Company recognized $150 in expense related to these services in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, with no expensenothing recognized in the second or thirdfirst quarter of fiscal quarters.2021. Given the ongoing nature of the review, an estimate of future costs, including those that may be capitalized, cannot currently be determined.

29


Relocation of Pulling and Detection Manufacturing to Hickory, NC

During the third quarter of fiscal 2019, Chase began moving the pulling and detection operations housed in its Granite Falls, NC location to its Hickory, NC facility. This is in line with the Company’s ongoing initiative to consolidate its manufacturing plants and streamline its existing processes. At the time, the pulling and detection operations were the only Chase-owned production operations in Granite Falls, NC, with the remaining portions of the building being either utilized for research and development or leased to a third party. The process of moving, including moving internal research and development capabilities, was substantially completed during the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company recognized $60 and $559$499 in expense related to the move in the three-month and six-month periodsperiod ended February 29,November 30, 2019, respectively, having recognized $526 in expense during the second half of fiscal 2019. NoNaN costs were recognized in the three months ended May 31,November 30, 2020, and future costs related to this move are not anticipated to be significant to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Closure and Sale

26

On June 25, 2018, the Company announced to its employees the planned closing of its Pawtucket, RI manufacturing facility effective August 31, 2018. This is in line with the Company’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its manufacturing plants and streamline its existing processes. The manufacture of products previously produced in the Pawtucket, RI facility was substantially moved to Company facilities in Oxford, MA and Lenoir, NC during a two-month transition period. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company expensed $1,272 related to the closure. The Company also recognized $260 in expense related to the move in the three-month period ended November 30, 2018, with no additional expense recognized in the remainder of fiscal 2019. The Company completed the sale of its Pawtucket, RI location to a third-party in April 2020, for net proceeds totaling $1,810.This transaction resulted in a gain of $760 which was recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Also, during the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company recognized $85 in final Pawtucket, RI transition and exit costs, with no further costs related to this initiative anticipated in future periods.

Note 16 — Long-Term Debt

On December 15, 2016, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, acting as administrative agent, and with participation from Citizens Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank (collectively with Bank of America, the “Lenders”). The Credit Agreement is initially an all-revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of $150,000, which can be increased by an additional $50,000 at the request of the Company and the individual or collective option of any of the Lenders.The facility matures December 15, 2021. The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness and require lender approval for acquisitions by the Company and its subsidiaries over a certain size. It also requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios on a consolidated basis, including a consolidated net leverage ratio (as defined in the facility) of no more than 3.25 to 1.00, and a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the facility) of at least 1.25 to 1.00. The Company was in compliancecompliant with its debt covenants as of May 31,November 30, 2020. The Credit Agreement is guaranteed by all of Chase’s direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, which collectively had a carrying value of $259,615$247,352 at May 31,November 30, 2020. The Company entered into the Credit Agreement both to refinance its previously existing term loan and revolving line of credit, and to provide for additional liquidity to finance potential acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures, and for other general corporate purposes.

The applicable interest rate for the revolver portion of the Credit Agreement (the “Revolving Facility”) and any Term Loan (defined below) is based on the effective London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus an additional amount in the range of 1.00% to 1.75%, depending on the consolidated net leverage ratio of Chase and its subsidiaries. At May 31,November 30, 2020, there was no0 outstanding principal balance, and therefore no0 applicable interest rate.  The Credit Agreement has a five-year term with interest payments due at the end of the applicable LIBOR period (but in no event less frequently than the three-month anniversary of the commencement of such LIBOR period) and principal payment due at the expiration of the agreement, December 15, 2021. In addition, the Company may elect a base rate option for all or a portion of the Revolving Facility, in which case interest payments shall be due with respect to such portion of the Revolving Facility on the last business day of each quarter.

30


Subject to certain conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement, the Company may elect to convert all or a portion of the outstanding Revolving Facility into a term loan (each, a “Term Loan”), which shall be payable quarterly in equal installments sufficient to amortize the original principal amount of such Term Loan on a seven year amortization schedule; provided, however, that the final principal repayment installment shall be repaid on December 15, 2021 and in any event shall be in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans outstanding on such date. Prepayment is allowed by the Credit Agreement at any time during the term of the agreement, subject to customary notice requirements.

In December 2017 (fiscal 2018), the Company utilized $65,000 of the Credit Agreement to finance the majority of the acquisition cost of Zappa Stewart. The Company paid down $40,000 of the outstanding balance in fiscal 2018, and made additional principal payments of $10,000, $9,000 and $6,000 in the first, second and third quarters of fiscal 2019, respectively, resulting in an outstanding balance of $0 at August 31, 20192020 and May 31,November 30, 2020.

Note 17 — Income Taxes– Acquisitions

For the three months ended May 31,Acquisition of ABchimie

On September 1, 2020 and 2019,(first day of fiscal 2021), the Company recorded income taxesacquired all the capital stock of $2,619ABchimie for €18,654 (approximately $22,241 at the time of the transaction) net of cash acquired, subsequent to final working capital adjustment, excluding acquisition-related costs of $274 and $3,647with a potential earn out based on income before income taxesperformance potentially worth an additional €7,000 (approximately $8,330 at the time of $12,527 and $12,188, respectively. For the nine months ended May 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded income taxes of $8,254 and $8,291 on income before income taxes of $33,403 and $30,928, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 was 20.9% and 29.9%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 was 24.7% and 26.8%, respectively.

On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act impacted the U.S. statutory Federal tax rate that the Company will be subject to going forward, reducing it from 35% to 21%transaction). The Company applied this U.S. statutory Federal rate of 21% for both the quarters and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2020 and 2019.

During the quarter endedaccrued $933 at November 30, 2018 (the first quarter of fiscal 2019), the Company began recognizing an additional component of total Federal tax expense, the tax on Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) provision2020 within Other liabilities related to its current estimate of the Tax Act, which became applicableearn out. ABchimie is a Corbelin, France headquartered solutions provider for the cleaning and the protection of electronic assemblies, with ‎further formulation, production, and research and development capabilities‎. The transaction was funded 100% with cash on hand. The

27

financial results of the business are included in the Company's fiscal 2021 financial statements within the Adhesives, Sealants and Additives operating segment in the electronic and industrial coatings product line. The Company is currently in the process of finalizing purchase accounting, regarding a final allocation of the purchase price to tangible and identifiable intangible assets assumed, including finalizing the recording of deferred taxes, and anticipates completion within fiscal 2021. The ABchimie acquisition does not represent a significant business combination so pro forma financial information is not provided.

The excess of the purchase price over the net tangible and intangible assets acquired resulted in goodwill of $13,055 that is largely attributable to the Company in fiscal 2019. The Company electedsynergies and economies of scale from combining the operations, technologies and research and development capabilities of ABchimie and Chase, particularly as it pertains to account for GILTI as a period cost,the expansion of the Company's product and therefore included GILTI expenseservice offerings, the established workforce and marketing efforts. A portion of this goodwill is deductible in the effectiveU.S. for calculation of GILTI period costs, but with none deductible for French income tax rate calculation. This provision did not have a material effect on the effective tax rate for the quarters and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2020 and 2019.purposes.

The Company concluded that the Base Erosion and Anti Abuse Tax (“BEAT”) provision of the Tax Act, which also became applicable to the Company in fiscal 2019, had no effect on its effective tax rate for the first three quarters of fiscal year 2020 and 2019. Additionally, the Company is deferring the application of Foreign-Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”) for the current period, in anticipation of further guidance and the establishment of industry standards by the U.S. Treasury Department and trade associations.

31


Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion provides an analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.2020.

Overview

With a focus on operationalRevenue, operating income and financial discipline, Chase Corporation increased its relative gross marginsnet income for both the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020 overfirst quarter of fiscal 2021 all exceeded prior year results. These relative margin increases were achieved despite a business environment dominated byresults, as the volatility, uncertainty and global economic disruption resultingcurrent period benefited from organic growth in the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Domestic and international top-line headwinds attributable to the pandemic affected all three of the Company’s operating segments, with the Adhesive,Adhesives, Sealants and Additives segment, further aided by revenue and margin generated by the acquired ABchimie business. With our higher margin Adhesives, Sealants and Additives segment netting sales gains over the prior year, it offset volume decline in our Industrial Tapes segments’ results being typically dependent on broader economic conditions and the Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing segment being principally comprised of project-oriented product offerings. Relativesegments, resulting in a favorable sales mix for the period. This favorable sales mix, along with continued operational efficiency gains resulted in the relative and nominal increase in our gross margin gains attainedfor the period. While the global economic disruptions caused by the Company during bothcoronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) continued in the current quarter and year-to-date period came as a result of: (a) operational consolidation efforts, which allowed the Company to efficiently operate in fewer domestic facilities, achieving economies of scale and further leveraging the Company’s skilled and dedicated workforce; (b) an improved sales mix resulting, in part, from the planned exit from providing low-margin transitional toll manufacturing services, completed during the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 2020; and (c) sales and supply chain management efforts, which have allowed2021, the Company to retain price increases obtained insaw volume into foreign markets, including both Asia and Europe, improve over the prior year when there were elevated raw material costs.

As an extension of the Company’s pre-existing facility consolidation and rationalization initiative, the Company implemented certain changes in its cost structure designed to address market dynamics brought by COVID-19 during the third fiscal quarter. These included: (a) a targeted 4.5% reduction in the Company’s global workforce, contemplated pre-pandemic but catalyzed by COVID-19; and (b) the institution of a temporary 20% reduction in the base salaries of named executive officers and select members of senior management, as well as the cash compensation of the non-employee members of the Board. The Company remains profitable with adequate cash on hand and further availability via its untapped revolving credit facility to continue to meet its short- and long-term strategic objectives, and implemented the aforementioned expense reductions as a demonstration of fiscal prudence. Chase Corporation is a supplier of several essential industries, providing products to critical industries such as healthcare, utilities, infrastructure and telecommunications, and in the second and third fiscal quarters successfully maintained business continuity for the Company’s global customers. As of May 31, 2020, all the Company’s facilities are operational, with only two facilities, Pune, India and Newark, CA, having experienced prior temporary closures due to separate general government orders. However, given the magnitude of uncertainty that COVID-19 broadly placed on global markets, the long-term effects of the pandemic on results and the Company’s ability to maintain current service levels cannot currently be estimated. The Company will continue to assess the situation and take the appropriate actions going forward to maintain the Company in the strongest position possible.

In the thirdfirst fiscal quarter of(which itself was not impacted by COVID-19).

On September 1, 2020, the Company completed the salepurchase of its Pawtucket, RI locationABchimie, a Corbelin, France headquartered solutions provider for a net gain. Also during the quarter,cleaning and the administrative functions basedprotection of electronic assemblies, with additional formulation, production, and research and development capabilities, funded with cash on hand.This acquisition, which proved immediately accretive in the Pawtucket, RI location were moved intocurrent quarter, broadens our electronics coatings product portfolio within the Company’sAdhesives, Sealants, and Additives reporting segment with high performance, environmentally-friendly technologies that are complementary to our existing Westwood, MA location. During the second fiscal quarter of 2020, the relocation of the Company’s pulling and detection product line production operations from the Granite Falls, NC facility to the existing Hickory, NC facility was completed. The Industrial Tapes segment, which benefitted from both the Pawtucket, RI and Granite Falls, NC consolidations showed improved gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue for both the quarter and year-to-date period.offerings.

NetWhile net cash provided by operating activities exceededwas lower than in the first ninethree months of the prior year, with the Company’s cash position continuingremained healthy, with cash flow from operations offsetting the positive trend seen in the latter halfmajority of the prior fiscal year followingcost to acquire ABchimie during the full payoff of its outstanding debt.period. The Company held no outstanding balance on its $150,000,000 revolving credit facility as of May 31,November 30, 2020. The revolving credit facility allows for the Company to pay down debt with excess cash, while retaining access to immediate liquidity to fund future accretive activities, including mergers and acquisitions, as identified.

32


Our current credit facility is set to mature in December 2021, and the Company expects to renew this facility prior to its expiration to maintain our ability to support our strategic initiatives.

Revenue from the Adhesives, Sealants and Additives segment decreasedincreased for the thirdfirst quarter and year-to-date period versus the prior year. Sales volume within the electronic and industrial coatings product line decreased in North American,increased driven by European and Asian markets which is attributable toshowing recovery and the effectsinorganic growth provided by the acquired operations of the COVID-19 pandemic on the already strained automotive and industrial markets.ABchimie. The Company’s specialty chemical intermediatesfunctional additives product line sales, which have a North American concentration, experienced a volume drop for both the thirdfirst quarter and year-to-date period, as compared to the prior year.

Net sales28

Sales decreased in the Industrial Tapes segment for both the quarter and year-to-date period ended May 31,November 30, 2020 as compared to the prior year, with the cable materials, specialty products, pulling and cabledetection and electronic materials product lines driving the top-line remission. A primary driver in the sales reduction inThe cable materials, specialty products, and pulling and detection product lines all have a North American concentration, with the specialty products product line wassales reduction further impacted by the Company’s planned exit from providing low margin transitional toll manufacturing servicesto the common purchaser of the structural composites rod and fiber optical cable components businesses with sales tapering in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and fully ending in the second quarter.quarter of the prior year. The Company’s electronic materials product line, which sells nearly exclusively to Asian markets, achieved sales growth oversaw the lowest reduction for the segment as compared to the prior year third quarter, which drove its year-to-date revenue over the prior year mark. The pulling and detection product line continued its strong fiscal 2020 sales trend, improving over both the prior year quarter and first nine months, with sales momentum in the North American utility and telecommunication markets.quarter.

The Company’s Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing segment’s sales decreased compared to the prior year for the third quarter, bringing its total sales in the first nine months of fiscal 2020 below the prior year.quarter. The building envelope, pipeline coatings and building envelopebridge and highway product lines sales were unfavorable to both the thirdfirst quarter and year-to-date periods of the prior year. The Company’s bridge and highway products were able to surpass the prior year third quarter, with the period marking the beginning of the construction season in many of the domestic markets it serves, but remained unfavorable to the prior year on a year-to-date basis. Third quarter revenue results inPartially offsetting these declines, the coating and lining systems product line were unfavorablesales volume compared favorably to the prior year, but the product line continues to surpass the prior year-to-date period, with sales focusedgrowing both domestically and internationally.

Chase Corporation’s balance sheet remained strongat May 31,November 30, 2020, with cash on hand of $83,259,000,$90,062,000, a current ratio of 7.05.8 and no outstanding principal balance owed on the Company’s $150,000,000 revolving credit facility.

3329


Chase Corporation has three reportable operating segments as summarized below:

Segment

    

Product Lines

    

Manufacturing Focus and Products

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

Electronic and Industrial Coatings
Specialty Chemical Intermediates
Functional Additives (1)

Protective coatings, including moisture protective coatings and cleaning chemistries, and customized sealant and adhesive systems for electronics; polyurethane dispersions, polymeric microspheres and superabsorbent polymers.

Industrial Tapes

Cable Materials

Specialty Products

Pulling and Detection

Electronic Materials

Protective tape and coating products and services, including insulating and conducting materials for wire and cable manufacturers; laminated durable papers, packaging and industrial laminate products and custom manufacturing services; pulling and detection tapes used in the installation, measurement and location of fiber optic cables and water and natural gas lines; cover tapes essential to delivering semiconductor components via tape-and-reel packaging.

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

Coating and Lining Systems

Pipeline Coatings

Building Envelope

Bridge and Highway

Protective coatings and tape products, including coating and lining systems for use in liquid storage and containment applications; protective coatings for pipeline and general construction applications; adhesives and sealants used in architectural and building envelope waterproofing applications; high-performance polymeric asphalt additives and expansion and control joint systems for use in the transportation and architectural markets.

(1)Formerly referred to as the specialty chemical intermediates product line

3430


Results of Operations

Revenue and Income before Income Taxes by Segment were as follows (dollars in thousands):

    

% of

    

    

% of

 

Three Months Ended

Total

Three Months Ended

Total

 

  

November 30, 2020

    

Revenue

    

November 30, 2019

    

Revenue

Revenue

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

$

30,071

45

%  

$

25,822

39

%

Industrial Tapes

26,491

39

%  

30,124

45

%

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

 

10,614

16

%  

 

10,856

16

%

Total

$

67,176

$

66,802

 

% of

% of

Three Months Ended

Segment

Three Months Ended

Segment

November 30, 2020

Revenue

November 30, 2019

Revenue

Income before income taxes

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

$

9,979

33

%  

$

7,482

29

%

Industrial Tapes

7,868

30

%  

6,637

(a)

22

%

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

 

4,086

38

%  

 

3,964

37

%

Total for reportable segments

 

21,933

33

%  

 

18,083

27

%

Corporate and Common Costs

 

(7,956)

 

(8,012)

(b)

Total

$

13,977

21

%  

$

10,071

15

%

    

% of

 

    

% of

    

    

% of

    

    

% of

 

Three Months Ended

Total

Three Months Ended

Total

Nine Months Ended

Total

Nine Months Ended

Total

 

  

May 31, 2020

    

Revenue

 

May 31, 2019

    

Revenue

    

May 31, 2020

    

Revenue

    

May 31, 2019

    

Revenue

Revenue

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

$

22,922

35

%  

$

26,009

36

%  

$

73,184

37

%  

$

78,814

37

%

Industrial Tapes

31,752

49

%  

33,704

47

%  

91,931

47

%  

98,324

47

%

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

 

10,197

16

%  

 

12,399

17

%  

 

32,140

16

%  

 

34,108

16

%

Total

$

64,871

$

72,112

$

197,255

$

211,246

% of

 

% of

 

% of

% of

Three Months Ended

Segment

Three Months Ended

Segment

Nine Months Ended

Segment

Nine Months Ended

Segment

May 31, 2020

Revenue

May 31, 2019

Revenue

May 31, 2020

Revenue

May 31, 2019

Revenue

Income before income taxes

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

$

6,704

29

%  

$

7,509

29

%  

$

20,936

29

%  

$

20,530

(f)

26

%

Industrial Tapes

9,011

28

%  

6,929

(b)

21

%  

24,050

(d)

26

%  

20,980

(g)

21

%

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

 

4,149

41

%  

 

4,817

39

%  

 

12,240

38

%  

 

11,667

34

%

Total for reportable segments

 

19,864

31

%  

 

19,255

27

%  

 

57,226

29

%  

 

53,177

25

%

Corporate and Common Costs

 

(7,337)

(a)

 

(7,067)

(c)

 

(23,823)

(e)

 

(22,249)

(h)

Total

$

12,527

19

%  

$

12,188

17

%  

$

33,403

17

%  

$

30,928

15

%


(a)Includes $760 in gain related to the April 2020 sale of the Company’s Pawtucket, RI location, $183 in severance expense related to the May 2020 reduction in force, $85 in expenses related to the final transition out of the Company’s Pawtucket, RI facility, and $75 of pension-related settlement costs due to the timing of lump-sum distribution
(b)Includes $193 in exit costs related to the movement of the pulling and detection business out of the Granite Falls, NC location and into the Hickory, NC location during the third quarter of fiscal 2019
(c)Includes $11 of pension-related settlement costs due to the timing of lump-sum distributions
(d)Includes $559$499 in exit costs related to the movement of the pulling and detection business out of the Granite Falls, NC location and into the Hickory, NC location during the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal 2020
(e)(b)Includes $150 of expense related to exploratory IT work performed to assess potential future upgrades to the Company’sour companywide ERP system a $760 gain related to the April 2020 sale of the Company’s Pawtucket, RI location, $183 in severance expense related to the May 2020 reduction in force, $85 in expenses related to the final transition out of the Pawtucket, RI facility, and $75 of pension-related settlement costs due to the timing of lump-sum distribution
(f)Includes $2,410 of loss on impairment of goodwill related to the Company’s polyurethane dispersions business
(g)Includes $260 of expense related to the closure and exit of the Pawtucket, RI location recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, $193 in exit costs related to the movement of the pulling and detection business out of the Granite Falls, NC location and into the Hickory, NC location during the third quarter of fiscal 2019
(h)Includes $484 of pension-related settlement costs due to the timing of lump-sum distributions

Total Revenue

Total revenue decreased $7,241,000increased $374,000 or 10%1% to $64,871,000$67,176,000 for the quarter ended May 31,November 30, 2020, compared to $72,112,000$66,802,000 in the same quarter of the prior year. Total revenue decreased $13,991,000 or 7% to $197,255,000 in the fiscal year-to-date period compared to $211,246,000 in the same period in fiscal 2019.

35


Revenue in the Company’s Adhesives, Sealants and Additives segment decreased $3,087,000increased $4,249,000 or 12% and $5,630,000 or 7%16% in the current quarter and year-to-date period, respectively.quarter. The decreasesincrease in revenue from the Adhesives, Sealants and Additives segment in fiscal 2020for the current quarter and year-to-date period, respectively, werewas primarily due tothe electronic and industrial coatings product line’s $2,503,000$4,561,000 organic and $4,944,000 sales volume-driven decreases. North American, European, and Asian automotive and industrial weakness, exacerbated by COVID-19, affected sales ininorganic increase. The operations of ABchimie, acquired on the third quarter and year-to-date period, including the royalty received from the Company’s licensed manufacturer in Asia. Also contributingfirst day of fiscal 2021 proved immediately accretive to results, while strong organic gains were seen internationally. Negatively impacting the segment’s sales decline were decreaseswas a decrease in revenue from the specialty chemical intermediatesNorth American focused functional additives product line totaling $584,000 and $686,000$312,000 in the current quarter and year-to-date period, respectively.quarter.

Revenue in the Industrial Tapes segment decreased $1,952,000$3,633,000 or 6% and $6,393,000 or 7%12% in the current quarter and year-to-date period, respectively.quarter. The decreasesdecrease in revenue for the segment werewas primarily due tothe following for the current quarter and year-to-date period, respectively:quarter: (a) a sales volume demand decrease of $2,123,000 and $4,466,000$2,466,000 from the North American focused cable materials product line;line, with both COVID-19 and the exposure of some of its products to oil and gas markets negatively impacting results; (b) a revenue reduction of $1,338,000 and $3,772,000$709,000 for the specialty products product line, as the Company ended its arrangement to provide low-margin transitional toll manufacturing services in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Offsetting2020 (prior year); (c) a year-over-year reduction in sales volume of $390,000 in the overall sales decreases for the current quarterpulling and year-to-date period, respectively, were (a) entirelydetection tapes product line; and (d) a volume-driven sales increasesdecline of $962,000 and $381,000 in$68,000 for the electronic materials product line, which has a near exclusivelynearly exclusive Asian end-market and which rebounded in the third quarter; and (b) the pulling and detection tapes product line achieving predominately volume-driven revenue growth of $547,000 and $1,464,000, with sales primarily into the North American telecommunication and utility industries.end-market.

Compared to the prior year thirdfirst quarter, and year-to-date period, revenue from the Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing segment decreased $2,202,000$242,000 or 18% and $1,968,000 or 6%, respectively.2%. The segment’s sales decreasesdecrease in the current quarter and year-to-date period werewas predominantly driven by: (a) the building envelope product line’s sales decline of $537,000; (b) the pipeline coatings product line’s $905,000 and $1,169,000 decreases,$172,000 decrease, with sales declines most acutely seencentered in the Company’s North American operations and believed attributable to a net decrease in worldwide

31

oil and gas prices experienced most acutely overprices; and (c) the third fiscal quarter of 2020;bridge and (b) the building envelopehighway product line’s $128,000 year-over-year sales declines of $888,000 and $984,000.volume reduction. The Company’s coating and lining systems product line was down $939,000 for the quarter but remained favorable for the year-to-date period by $636,000. The bridge and highway product lines saw a third quarter revenue increase of $530,000sales increased $595,000 over the prior year, quarter but fell short of the prior year-to-date mark by $451,000.with gains seen in both domestic and international sales.

Cost of Products and Services Sold

Cost of products and services sold decreased $6,717,000$2,178,000 or 14%5% to $39,689,000$39,605,000 for the quarter ended May 31,November 30, 2020, compared to $46,406,000$41,783,000 in the prior year quarter. Cost of products and services sold decreased $14,056,000 or 10% to $122,138,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2020, compared to $136,194,000 in the comparative year-to-date period.

The following table summarizes the cost of products and services sold as a percentage of revenue for each of Chase Corporation’s reportable operating segments:

Three Months Ended May 31, 

Nine Months Ended May 31, 

Three Months Ended November 30, 

Cost of products and services sold

    

2020

    

2019

    

2020

    

2019

 

    

2020

    

2019

 

Adhesives, Sealants and Additives

57

%  

58

%  

57

%  

58

%  

55

%  

56

%  

Industrial Tapes

67

73

68

73

65

71

Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing

54

56

55

57

55

55

Total Company

61

%  

64

%  

62

%  

64

%  

59

%  

63

%  

Cost of products and services sold in the Adhesives, Sealants and Additives segment was $13,044,000 and $41,831,000$16,613,000 in the current quarter and year-to-date periods compared to $15,016,000 and $45,339,000$14,532,000 in the comparable periodsperiod in the prior year.  Cost of products and services sold in the Industrial Tapes segment was $21,118,000 and $62,640,000$17,117,000 in the current quarter and year-to-date periods compared to $24,499,000 and $71,343,000$21,319,000 in the comparable periodsperiod in the prior year. Cost of products and services sold in the Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing segment was $5,527,000 and $17,667,000$5,875,000 for the quarter and year-to-date period ended May 31,November 30, 2020, compared to $6,891,000 and $19,512 ,000$5,932,000 in the same periodsperiod of the prior year.   

36


As a percentage of revenue, cost of products and services sold was reduced for allboth the Adhesives, Sealants and Additives and Industrial Tapes segments and comparative periods.held steady for the Corrosion Protection and Waterproofing segment as compared to the prior year first quarter. These relative gross margin improvements were primarily due to: (a) production efficiencies recognized in the current quarter and year-to-date periods, most acutely seen at the Oxford, MA and Lenoir, NC locations following the consolidation of the former Pawtucket, RI cable materials plant, and benefiting the Industrial Tapes segment; (b) more favorable sales mix especially in the Industrial Tapes segments, as lower margin products and offerings constituted a comparatively lower portion of total sales; and (c) the full period effects of price increases the Company instituted during fiscal 2019 (prior year) to address inflation(b) production and operational efficiencies recognized in raw material costs seen during that period, and which the Company retained during the current periodquarter, inclusive of more favorable raw material pricing.those gained in part through the facility rationalization and consolidation initiative.

With the composition of the Company’s finished goods and the markets it serves, the costs of certain commodities (including petroleum-based solvents, films, yarns, polymers and nonwovens, aluminum and copper foils, specialty papers, and various resins, adhesives and inks) directly and indirectly affect both the purchase price of the raw materials and market demand for its product offerings. The Company diligently monitors raw materials and commodities pricing across all its product lines in its efforts to preserve margins.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $478,000$362,000 or 4%3% to $12,773,000$12,260,000 for the quarter ended May 31,November 30, 2020 compared to $13,251,000$12,622,000 in the prior year quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $524,000 or 1% to $40,223,000 in the fiscal year-to-date period compared to $39,699,000 in the same period in fiscal 2019. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses represented 20%18% for both the current year thirdfirst quarter, and fiscal year-to-date period, compared to 18% and 19% for the same respective periodsperiod in the prior year.

Research and Product Development Costs

Research and Product Development Costs increased $33,000 or 3% to $1,051,000 during the first quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to $1,018,000 in fiscal 2020. Research and development stayed relatively consistent from fiscal 2021 to 2020 as the Company continued focused development work on strategic product lines.

32

Operations Optimization Costs

During the third fiscal quarters of 2020, Company implemented changes in its cost structure designed to address market changes brought on, in part, by COVID-19. These changes included a targeted reduction of approximately 4.5% of the Company’s global workforce. This reduction, which was contemplated pre-pandemic but catalyzed by COVID-19, resulted in the recognition of $183,000 in severance costs during the third quarter of 2020. The reduction in force, which impacted operations in the Blawnox, PA, Hickory, NC, Lenoir, NC, Evanston, IL, Oxford, Ma and Westwood, MA facilities, was effective May 2020.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2020 (prior year), the Company commissioned third party led studies regarding the potential upgrading of the Company’s current worldwide ERP system. Chase is currently reviewing the data and recommendations provided by the study and may further utilize third-party engineering, IT and other professional services firms in the future for similar work, as well as work around the Company’s facilities rationalization and consolidation initiative. The Company recognized $150,000 in expense related to these services in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Given the ongoing nature of the review, an estimate of future costs, including costs that could be capitalized, cannot currently be determined.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2019, Chase began moving the pulling and detection operations housed in its Granite Falls, NC location to its Hickory, NC facility. This is in line with the Company’s ongoing initiative to consolidate its manufacturing plants and streamline its existing processes. At the time, the pulling and detection operations were the only Chase-owned production operations in Granite Falls, NC, with the remaining portions of the building being either utilized for research and development or leased to a third party. The process of moving, including moving internal research and development capabilities, was substantially completed during the second quarter of fiscal 2020.2020 (prior year). The Company recognized $60,000 and $559,000$499,000 in expense related to the move in the three-month and six-month periodsperiod ended February 29, 2020, respectively,November 30, 2019, having recognized $526,000 in expense during the second half of fiscal 2019. No costs were recognized in the three months ended May 31, 2020, and futureFuture costs related to this move are not anticipated to be significant to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

37


On June 25, 2018, the Company announced to its employees the planned closing of its Pawtucket, RI manufacturing facility effective August 31, 2018. This is in line with the Company’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its manufacturing plants and streamline its existing processes. The manufacture of products previously produced in the Pawtucket, RI facility was substantially moved to Company facilities in Oxford, MA and Lenoir, NC during a two-month transition period. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company expensed $1,272,000 related to the closure. The Company also recognized $260,000 in expense related to the move in the three-month period ended November 30, 2018, with no additional expense recognized in the remainder of fiscal 2019. The Company completed the sale of its Pawtucket, RI location to a third-party in April 2020, for net proceeds totaling $1,810,000. This transaction resulted in a gain of $760,000 which was recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Also, during the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company recognized $85,000 in final Pawtucket, RI transition and exit costs, with no further costs related to this initiative anticipated in future periods.

Loss on Impairment of Goodwill

The ordering patterns of the polyurethane dispersions reporting unit’s customers during the three-month period ended February 28, 2019, especially those in the automotive industry, combined with a decrease in the reporting unit’s backlog of customer orders believed to be firm as of February 28, 2019 indicated an impairment in the carrying value of the reporting unit might have occurred. As such, the Company performed an impairment test on the long-lived assets related to the polyurethane dispersions reporting unit, part of the Adhesives, Sealants and Additives operating segment, in accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other” and ASC Topic 360, “Disclosure —  Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” As a result of impairment testing, which included first testing long-lived assets other than goodwill for impairment under applicable guidance, the Company recorded a charge of $2,410,000 to loss on impairment of goodwill within the condensed consolidated statement of operations during the quarter ended February 28, 2019.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $24,000increased $14,000 or 26%25% to $67,000$69,000 for the quarter ended May 31,November 30, 2020 compared to $91,000$55,000 in the prior year thirdfirst quarter. Interest expense decreased $279,000 or 61% to $178,000As the Company had no outstanding balance on its revolving debt facility for the fiscal year-to-date period compared to $457,000 in the same period in fiscal 2019. The decrease inboth periods, interest expense in the current quarter and year-to-date period is primarily the result of the decreased average outstanding balance of the Company’s revolving debt facility.has remained relatively low.

In fiscal 2018,following a $65,000,000 draw on the facility in December 2017 to fund a substantial portion of the Company’s acquisition of Zappa Stewart, the Company made $40,000,000 in payments against the principal. In the first, second and third quarters of fiscal 2019, Chase made additional $10,000,000, $9,000,000 and $6,000,000 principal payments, respectively, paying off the outstanding balance in full as of May 31, 2019 (third quarter of the prior year)fiscal 2019).

Gain on Sale

33

In April 2020, the Company finalized the sale of its Pawtucket, RI location for net proceeds of $1,810,000. This transaction resulted in a gain of $760,000 which was recorded during the quarter ended May 31, 2020.

Other Income (Expense)

Other income (expense) was an expense of $307,000$214,000 in the quarter ended May 31,November 30, 2020 compared to an income of $17,000 in the same period in the prior year, a change of $324,000. Other income (expense) was an expense of $1,096,000 for the fiscal year-to-date period compared to an expense of $1,105,000$604,000 in the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $9,000.$390,000. Other income (expense) primarily includes foreign exchange gains (losses) caused by changes in exchange rates on transactions or balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries, non-service cost components of periodic pension expense (including pension-related settlement costs due to the timing of lump-sum distributions), interest income, rental income and other receipts that are not classified as trade, royalties or commissions.

38


$96,000, as compared to a $501,000 foreign exchange loss seen in the first quarter of fiscal 2020.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rates for the third quarter and the nine-month period ended May 31,November 30, 2020 were 20.9% and 24.7, respectively, and 29.9% and 26.8%was 22.5%, compared to 26.9% for the third quarter and the nine-month period ended May 31, 2019, respectively.November 30, 2019.

The current and prior year effective tax rates were most prominently affected by the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) in December 2017. For fiscal 20202021 and 2019,2020, the Company is utilizing the 21% Federal tax rate enacted by the Tax Act. Please see Note 1714 — “Income Taxes” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the effects of the Tax Act. The current quarter benefited from a discrete item, and barring further discrete items during fiscal 2021, the effective tax rate is anticipated to increase to a normalized level for the full fiscal year period.

Net Income

Net income increased $1,367,000$3,475,000 or 16%47% to $9,908,000$10,837,000 in the quarter ended May 31,November 30, 2020 compared to $8,541,000$7,362,000 in the prior year thirdfirst quarter. Net income increased $2,512,000 or 11% to $25,149,000 in the nine months ended May 31, 2020 compared to $22,637,000 in the same period in the prior year. The increase in net income in the third fiscal quarter was primarily due to lower selling, general and administrative expense, the gain on sale of the Pawtucket, RI location and a more favorable income tax rate. The increase in net income in the first nine months of fiscal 2020quarter was primarily due to a nonrecurring impairment higher sales and an improved relative margin, aided by the immediately accretive results of goodwill charge recognized inABchimie, acquired by the prior year, the gainCompany on sale of the Pawtucket, RI location, a lower pension expense in the current period and a more favorable income tax rate.September 1, 2020.

3934


Other Important Performance Measures

The Company believes that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are useful performance measures. They are used by the Company’s executive management team to measure operating performance, to allocate resources, to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s business strategies and to communicate with the Board of Directors concerning financial performance. The Company believes EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are also useful to investors. EBITDA is useful in comparing the core operations of the business from period to period by removing the impact of the Company’s capital structure (through interest expense), asset base (through depreciation and amortization) and tax rate, and in evaluating operating performance relative to others in the industry. Adjusted EBITDA allows for comparison to the Company’s performance in prior periods without the effect of items that, by their nature, tend to obscure the Company’s core operating results due to the potential variability across periods based on their timing, frequency and magnitude. Free Cash Flow provides a means for measuring the cash generated from operations that is available for mandatory obligations, including interest payments and debt repayment, and discretionary investment opportunities such as funding acquisitions, product and market development and paying dividends. As a result, management believes these metrics, which are commonly used by financial analysts and others in the industries in which the Company operates, enhance the ability of investors to analyze trends in the Company’s business and evaluate the Company’s performance relative to peer companies and the past performance of the Company itself. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures.

Chase Corporation defines EBITDA as net income before interest expense from borrowings, income tax expense, depreciation expense from fixed assets, and amortization expense from intangible assets. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA excluding costs and (gains) losses related to the Company’s acquisitions and divestitures, costs of products sold related to inventory step-up to fair value, settlement (gains) losses resulting from lump-sum distributions to participants from the Company’s defined benefit plans, operations optimization costs, impairment losses on long-lived assets, and other significant items. The Company defines Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment.

The use of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow has limitations and these performance measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as an alternative to, U.S. GAAP measures such as net income and net cash provided by operating activities. None of these measures should be interpreted as representing the residual cash flow of the Company available solely for discretionary expenditures or to invest in the growth of the business, since it may have certain non-discretionary expenditures that are not deducted from these measures, including scheduled principal and (in the case of Free Cash Flow) interest payments on outstanding debt. The Company’s measurement of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies.

40


The following table provides a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended May 31, 

Nine Months Ended May 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

2020

    

2019

    

 

Net income

$

9,908

$

8,541

$

25,149

$

22,637

Interest expense

67

91

178

457

Income taxes

2,619

3,647

8,254

8,291

Depreciation expense

948

1,143

2,989

3,634

Amortization expense

2,898

3,114

8,724

9,339

EBITDA

$

16,440

$

16,536

$

45,294

$

44,358

Operations optimization costs (a)

268

193

977

453

Gain on sale of real estate (b)

(760)

(760)

Pension settlement costs (c)

75

11

75

484

Loss on impairment of goodwill (d)

2,410

Adjusted EBITDA

$

16,023

$

16,740

$

45,586

$

47,705

(a)Represents costs to relocate certain production operations from Granite Falls, NC to Hickory, NC and to perform certain exploratory work into upgrading the Company’s companywide ERP system, both incurred in the first half of fiscal 2020, Pawtucket, RI facility closure and moving costs recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and the third quarter of fiscal 2020; and severance expense recognized in the third quarter of fiscal 2020
(b)Represents April 2020 gain on sale of the Pawtucket, RI location
(c)Represents pension-related settlement costs due to the timing of lump-sum distributions
(d)Represents loss on impairment of goodwill related to the polyurethane dispersions business in the second quarter of fiscal 2019

The following table provides a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, to Free Cash Flow for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended May 31, 

Nine Months Ended May 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

2020

    

2019

    

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

15,204

$

12,972

$

42,665

$

30,275

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(217)

(537)

(1,044)

(1,841)

Free Cash Flow

$

14,987

$

12,435

$

41,621

$

28,434

Liquidity and Sources of Capital

The Company’s overall cash and cash equivalents balance increased $35,488,000decreased $9,006,000 to $83,259,000$90,062,000 at May 31,November 30, 2020, from $47,771,000$99,068,000 at August 31, 2019.2020. The increaseddecreased cash balance is primarily attributable to $22,241,000 in cash utilized to acquire ABchimie on September 1, 2020, net of cash provided by operations of $42,665,000, partially netted against a $7,539,000 dividend paid in December 2019.$14,052,000. Of the above-noted amounts, $19,494,000$23,492,000 and $17,235,000$42,615,000 were held outside the United States by Chase Corporation and its foreign subsidiaries as of May 31,November 30, 2020 and August 31, 2019,2020, respectively. Given the Company’s cash position and borrowing capability in the United States and the potential for increased investment and acquisitions in foreign jurisdictions (as evidenced by the recent acquisition of ABchimie), prior to the second quarter of fiscal 2018 the Company did not have a history of repatriating a significant portion of its foreign cash. With the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) in the second fiscal quarter of 2018, significant changes in the Internal Revenue Code were enacted, changing the U.S. taxable nature of previously unrepatriated foreign earnings. Following the passage of the Tax Act, the Company repatriated $10,499,000 in U.K. foreign earnings in fiscal 2018 and $17,230,000 in fiscal 2019. No additional amounts were repatriated in fiscal year 2020 and the first nine monthsfiscal quarter of fiscal year 2020.2021. Please see Note 1714 — “Income Taxes” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the effects of the Tax Act.

41


Cash flow provided by operations was $42,665,000$14,052,000 in the first ninethree months of fiscal year 20202021 compared to $30,275,000$18,153,000 in the same period in the prior year. Cash provided by operations during the current period was primarily related to operating income. PositivelyNegatively impacting the cash flow from operations was an increase in accounts receivable and prepaid expenses, partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable, as the Company had lower sales in the third quartervolume of the current year.inventory on hand.

The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 7.05.8 as of May 31,November 30, 2020 compared to 6.07.7 as of August 31, 2019.2020. The ratio increaseddecreased over the first ninethree months of fiscal 20202021 primarily as a result of the net increase in cash and cash equivalents.declaration of the dividend payable.

Cash flow provided byused in investing activities of $651,000$22,963,000 was largely due to the net cash received for the saleon hand purchase of the Pawtucket, RI facility, partially offset byABchimie and cash spent on capital purchases of machinery and equipment in fiscal 2020.2021.

Cash flow used in financing activities of $8,023,000$226,000 was primarily duerelated to paymentpayments of the annual dividendtaxes on restricted stock vested in December 2019.fiscal 2021.

On November 13, 2019,12, 2020, Chase Corporation announced a cash dividend of $0.80 per share (totaling $7,539,000)$7,557,000). The dividend was paid on December 4, 20197, 2020 (the second quarter of fiscal 2020)2021) to shareholders of record on November 26, 2019.27, 2020.

On December 15, 2016, the Company entered an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, acting as administrative agent, and with participation from Citizens Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank (collectively with Bank of America, the “Lenders”). The Credit Agreement is initially an all-revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of $150,000,000, which can be increased by an additional $50,000,000 at the request of the Company and the individual or collective option of any of the Lenders. The facility matures December 15, 2021. The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability to incur additional indebtedness and require lender approval for acquisitions by the Company and its subsidiaries over a certain size. It also requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios on a consolidated basis, including a consolidated net leverage ratio (as defined in the facility) of no more than 3.25 to 1.00, and a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the facility) of at least 1.25 to 1.00. The Company was in compliancecompliant with the debt covenants as of May 31,November 30, 2020. The applicable interest rate for the Credit Agreement is based on the effective LIBOR plus an additional amount in the range of 1.00% to 1.75%, depending on the consolidated net leverage ratioor, at the Company’s option, at the bank’s base lending rate. At May 31,November 30, 2020, there was no outstanding principal balance, and as such no applicable interest rate.The Company expects to renew this facility prior to its expiration to maintain our ability to support our strategic initiatives.

The Company has several ongoing capital projects, as well as its facility rationalization and consolidation initiative, which are important to its long-term strategic goals.  Machinery and equipment may be added as needed to increase capacity or enhance operating efficiencies in the Company’s production facilities.

35

The Company may acquire companies or other assets in future periods which are complementary to the existing business. The acquisition of ABchimie included a potential earnout based on performance of up to an additional €7,000,000 (approximately $8,330,000 at the time of the transaction), which we expect to pay with cash on hand if the applicable conditions are met. The Company believes that its existing resources, including cash on hand and the Credit Agreement, together with cash generated from operations and additional bank borrowings, will be sufficient to fund the its cash flow requirements through at least the next twelve months.  However, there can be no assurance that additional financing, if needed, will be available on favorable terms, if at all.

To the extent that interest rates increase in future periods, the Company will assess the impact of these higher interest rates on the financial and cash flow projections of its potential acquisitions.

The Company has no significant off-balance sheet arrangements.

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Contractual Obligations

Please refer to Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 20192020 for a complete discussion of its contractual obligations.

Recent Accounting Standards

Please see Note 2Recent Accounting Standards” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the effects of recently issued and recently adopted accounting pronouncements.

Critical Accounting Policies

Chase Corporation’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  To apply these principles, the Company must make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  In many instances, the Company reasonably could have used different accounting estimates and, in other instances, changes in the accounting estimates are reasonably likely to occur from period to period. Accordingly, actual results could differ significantly from the Company’s estimates.  To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, the Company’s financial condition or results of operations will be affected.  The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable at the time and under the circumstances, and it evaluates these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis.  The Company refers to accounting estimates and judgments of this type as critical accounting policies, judgments, and estimates.  ManagementOther than changes which came as a result of adopting ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which is discussed within Note 2 — “Recent Accounting Standards” of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein, management believes that there have been no material changes during the ninethree months ended May 31,November 30, 2020 to the critical accounting policies reported in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’sour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.2020.

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Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Chase Corporation limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer.  At May 31,November 30, 2020, other than the Company’s restricted investments (which are restricted for use in non-qualified retirement savings plans for certain key employees and members of the Board of Directors), all of its funds were either in demand deposit accounts or investment instruments that meet high credit quality standards, such as money market funds, government securities, or commercial paper.

Chase Corporation’s U.S. operations have limited currency exposure since substantially all transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars. However, the Company’s European and Asian operations are subject to currency exchange fluctuations. The Company continues to review its policies and procedures to control this exposure while maintaining the benefit from these operations and sales not denominated in U.S. dollars. The effect of an immediate hypothetical 10% change in the exchange rate between the British pound and the U.S. dollar would not have a material direct effect on the Company’s overall liquidity. As of May 31,November 30, 2020, the Company had cash balances in the following foreign currencies (with USD equivalents, dollars in thousands):

Currency Code

    

Currency Name

    

USD Equivalent at May 31, 2020

 

    

Currency Name

    

USD Equivalent at November 30, 2020

 

GBP

 

British Pound

$

11,148

 

British Pound

$

11,903

EUR

 

Euro

$

4,086

 

Euro

$

5,160

CAD

 

Canadian Dollar

$

1,498

 

Canadian Dollar

$

1,630

INR

 

Indian Rupee

$

398

CNY

 

Chinese Yuan

$

389

 

Chinese Yuan

$

356

INR

 

Indian Rupee

$

344

The Company will continue to review its current cash balances denominated in foreign currency considering current tax guidelines, including the impact of the Tax Act to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, working capital requirements, infrastructure improvements and potential acquisitions.

The Company recognized a foreign currency translation gain for the ninethree months ended May 31,November 30, 2020 in the amount of $318,000$91,000 related to Chase Corporation’s European and Indian operations, which is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) within its Statement of Equity and Statement of Comprehensive Income. The Company does not have or utilize any derivative financial instruments.

The Company pays interest on its outstanding long-term debt at interest rates that fluctuate based upon changes in various base interest rates. There was no outstanding balance of long-term debt at May 31, 2020 (having been paid in full during the third fiscal quarter of 2019).November 30, 2020. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Sources of Capital,” together with Note 12 — “Fair Value Measurements” and Note 16 — “Long-Term Debt” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company’s outstanding long-term debt.  An immediate hypothetical 10% change in variable interest rates would not have a material direct effect on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Item 4 — Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Chase Corporation’s reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

The Company carries out a variety of ongoing procedures under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to evaluate the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

ThereDuring the quarter ended November 30, 2020, the Company: (a) made modifications to existing internal controls in relation to its adoption of ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments;” and (b) initiated the process of implementing financial internal controls on the operations associated with ABchimie, acquired in September 2020. Other than the foregoing, there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of fiscalended November 30, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 — Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved from time to time in litigation incidental to the conduct of its business. Although the Company does not expect that the outcome in any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, judgments could be rendered, or settlements agreed to, that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results or cash flows in a particular period. The Company routinely assesses all its litigation and threatened litigation as to the probability of ultimately incurring a liability and records its best estimate of the ultimate loss in situations where it assesses the likelihood of loss as probable.

Item 1A — Risk Factors

In additionPlease refer to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risk set forth below and the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’sin our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019,2020 for a complete discussion of the risk factors which could materially affect itsour business, financial condition or future results. The risk described below, and the risks described in Chase Corporation’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to Chase Corporation or that it currently deems to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition, or operating results.

The Company’s results of operations have been adversely affected and could in the future be materially adversely impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The global spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created significant volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption. The Company has already experienced lower sales in certain product lines and certain markets as a result of the economic disruption, and it has initiated cost-saving measures, including a targeted reduction of approximately 4.5% of the Company’s global workforce, in response to the uncertainties associated with the scope and duration of the pandemic. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Company’s business, operations and financial results in future periods will depend on numerous evolving factors that it may not be able to accurately predict, including: the duration and scope of the pandemic; governmental, business and individuals’ actions that have been and continue to be taken in response to the pandemic; the impact of the pandemic on economic activity and actions taken in response; the effect on its customers’ demand for its goods and services and its vendors ability to supply it with raw materials; its ability to sell and provide goods and services, including as a result of travel restrictions and people working from home; the ability of its customers to pay for goods and services; and any closures of its customers’ offices and facilities. Customers may also slow down decision-making, delay planned work or seek to terminate existing agreements.

Further, the effects of the pandemic may also increase the Company’s cost of capital or make additional capital, including the refinancing of its credit facility, more difficult or available only on terms less favorable to it. A sustained downturn may also result in the carrying value of the Company’s goodwill or other intangible assets exceeding their fair value, which may require it to recognize an impairment to those assets. A sustained downturn in the financial markets and asset values may have the effect of increasing the Company’s pension funding obligations in order to ensure that its qualified pension plans continue to be adequately funded, which may divert cash flow from other uses. The effects of the pandemic, including remote working arrangements for employees, may also impact the Company’s financial reporting systems and internal control over financial reporting, including its ability to ensure information required to be disclosed in its reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Any of these events could cause or contribute to the risks and uncertainties enumerated in the Annual Report and could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and/or stock price.

46


Item 6 — Exhibits

Exhibit

Number

Description

31.1

Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

32.2

Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

101.INS101

XBRL Instance DocumentThe following materials from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

101.SCH104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Documentand contained in Exhibit 101)


*Furnished, not filed

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Chase Corporation

Dated: July 8, 2020January 7, 2021

By:

/s/ Adam P. Chase

Adam P. Chase

President and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: July 8, 2020January 7, 2021

By:

/s/ Christian J. Talma

Christian J. Talma

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

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