EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 76267
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 76267_10-K_2024_0001437749-24-019951.json

---

ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1.
BUSINESS.
General
Park Aerospace Corp. (“Park”), and its subsidiaries (unless the context otherwise requires, Park and its subsidiaries are hereinafter called the “Company”), is an aerospace company which develops and manufactures solution and hot-melt advanced composite materials used to produce composite structures for the global aerospace markets. Park’s advanced composite materials include film adhesives and lightning strike protection materials. Park offers an array of composite materials specifically designed for hand lay-up or automated fiber placement (AFP) manufacturing applications. Park’s advanced composite materials are used to produce primary and secondary structures for jet engines, large and regional transport aircraft, military aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs commonly referred to as “drones”), business jets, general aviation aircraft and rotary wing aircraft. Park also offers specialty ablative materials for rocket motors and nozzles and specially designed materials for radome applications. As a complement to Park’s advanced composite materials offering, Park designs and fabricates composite parts, structures and assemblies and low-volume tooling for the aerospace industry. Target markets for Park’s composite parts and structures (which include Park’s proprietary composite SigmaStrut™ and AlphaStrut™ product lines) are, among others, prototype and development aircraft, special mission aircraft, spares for legacy military and civilian aircraft and exotic spacecraft. Park’s core capabilities are in the areas of polymer chemistry formulation and coating technology.
The Company's manufacturing and research and development facilities are located in Newton, Kansas.
Park was founded in 1954 by Jerry Shore, who was the Company’s Chairman of the Board until July 14, 2004.
The Company makes available free of charge on its website, www.parkaerospace.com, its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. None of the information on the Company's website shall be deemed to be a part of this Report.
AEROGLIDE®, AEROADHERE®, COREFIX®, ELECTROGLIDE®, ELECTROVEIL® and RADARWAVE® are registered trademarks of Park Aerospace Corp., and ALPHASTRUT®, PEELCOTE® and SIGMASTRUT® are common law trademarks of Park Aerospace Corp.
Operations
The Company designs, develops and manufactures engineered, advanced composite materials and advanced composite structures and assemblies and low-volume tooling for the aerospace markets and prototype tooling for such structures and assemblies.
The Company’s aerospace composite materials are designed, developed and manufactured at its facility located at the Newton, Kansas Airport. The Company’s aerospace composite structures and assemblies and low-volume tooling are also developed and manufactured at its facility located in Newton, Kansas.
Park offers a wide range of aerospace composite materials manufacturing capability, as well as composite structures design, assembly and production capability, all in its Newton facility. Park offers composite aircraft and space vehicle structures design and assembly services, in addition to “build-to-print” services. The Company believes that the ability to manufacture and develop both composite materials and structures at a single location can facilitate the needs of the aircraft and space vehicle industries.
Under a Business Partner Agreement with ArianeGroup SAS of Les Mureaux, France, Park is the exclusive North American distributor of ArianeGroup’s RAYCARB C2B® NG proprietary product. RAYCARB C2B® NG is used to produce ablative composite materials for critical rocketry and missile systems. Park is a long-term customer of ArianeGroup and uses ArianeGroup’s RAYCARB C2B® NG product in the production of many of Park’s key ablative materials, which Park supplies into critical rocket and missile programs.
Industry Background
The aerospace composite materials manufactured by the Company and its competitors are used primarily to fabricate light-weight, high-strength structures with specifically designed performance properties. Composite materials are typically highly specified combinations of resin formulations and reinforcements. Reinforcements can be unidirectional fibers, woven fabrics, or non-woven goods such as mats or felts. Resin formulations are typically highly proprietary, and include various chemical and physical mixtures. The Company produces resin formulations using various epoxies, polyesters, phenolics, cyanate esters, polyimides and other complex matrices. The reinforcement combined with the resin is referred to as a “prepreg”. Aerospace composite materials can be broadly categorized as either thermosets or thermoplastics. While both material types require the addition of heat to form a consolidated laminate, thermoplastics can be reformed using additional heat. Once fully cured, thermoset materials cannot be further reshaped. The Company believes that the demand for thermoset advanced materials is greater than that for thermoplastics due to the fact that parts fabrication processes for continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics require much higher temperatures and pressures and are, therefore, typically more capital intensive than parts fabrication processes for most thermoset materials.
The Company works with aerospace Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”), such as general aviation aircraft manufacturers and commercial aircraft manufacturers, and certain tier 1 suppliers (manufacturers of major components or systems such as engines, control systems, landing gear, braking systems, flight deck, avionics, aerostructures, electronic warfare systems and interior cabin products that are supplied to the OEMs) to qualify its aerospace composite materials or structures and assemblies for use on current and upcoming programs. The Company’s customers typically design and specify a material specifically to meet the requirements of the customer’s application and processing methods. Such customers sometimes work with a supplier to develop the specific resin system and reinforcement combination to match the application. Composite structure fabrication methods may include hand lay-up, resin infusion or more advanced automated lay-up processes. Automated lay-up processes include automated tape lay-up, automated fiber placement and filament winding. These automated fabrication processes required different material formats but similar materials to hand lay-up. After the lay-up process is completed, the material is cured by the addition of heat and pressure. Cure and consolidation processes typically include vacuum bag/oven curing, high pressure autoclave and press forming. After the structure has been cured, final finishing and trimming, and assembly of the structure, is performed by the fabricator or the Company.
Products
The aerospace composite materials products manufactured by the Company are primarily thermoset curing prepregs. The Company has developed proprietary resin formulations to suit the needs of the markets in which it participates by analyzing the needs of the markets and working with its customers. The complex process of developing resin formulations and selecting the proper reinforcement is accomplished through a collaborative effort of the Company’s research and development, materials and process engineering and technical sales and marketing resources working with the customers’ technical staff. The Company focuses on developing a thorough understanding of its customers’ businesses, product lines, processes and technical challenges. The Company develops innovative solutions which utilize technologically advanced materials and concepts for its customers.
The Company’s aerospace composite materials products include prepregs manufactured from proprietary formulations using modified epoxies, phenolics, polyesters, cyanate esters and polyimides combined with woven, non-woven and unidirectional reinforcements. Reinforcement materials used to produce the Company’s products include polyacrylonitrile (“PAN”) based carbon fiber, E-glass (fiberglass), S2 glass, quartz, aramids, such as Kevlar® (“Kevlar” is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.), Twaron® (“Twaron” is a registered trademark of Teijin Twaron B.V. LLC), polyester and other synthetic materials. The Company also sells certain specialty fabrics and prepregs with carbonized rayon fabric reinforcements that are used mainly in the rocket motor industry.
The Company’s composite structures and assemblies are manufactured with carbon, fiberglass and other reinforcements impregnated with formulated resins. The Company also provides low-volume tooling in connection with its manufacture and sale of composite structures and assemblies.
Park is the exclusive North American distributor of ArianeGroup’s RAYCARB C2B® NG proprietary product. RAYCARB C2B® NG is used to produce ablative composite materials for critical rocketry and missile systems.
Customers and End Markets
The Company’s aerospace composite materials, structures and assemblies customers include manufacturers of turbofan engines, aircraft primary and secondary structures and radomes. A radome is a protective cover over an electrical antenna or signal generator, designed to minimize signal loss and distortion. Radomes are used in military aircraft, UAVs, business jets and turboprops, large and regional transport aircraft and helicopters, space vehicles, rocket motors and specialty industrial products.
The Company’s aerospace composite materials are marketed primarily by sales personnel and, to a lesser extent, by independent distributors. The Company’s aerospace composite structures and assemblies are marketed primarily by sales personnel.
The Company’s aerospace customers include fabricators of aircraft composite structures and assemblies. The Company’s aerospace composite materials are used by such fabricators and by the Company to produce primary and secondary structures, aircraft interiors and various other aircraft components. The Company’s customers for aerospace materials, and the Company itself, produce structures and assemblies for commercial aircraft and for the general aviation and business aviation, kit aircraft, special mission, UAVs and military markets. Many of the Company’s composite materials are used in the manufacture of aircraft certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (the “FAA”).
Customers for the Company’s rocket motor materials include United States defense prime contractors and subcontractors. These customers fabricate rocket motors for heavy lift space launchers, strategic defense weapons, tactical motors and various other applications. The Company’s materials are used to produce heat shields, exhaust gas management devices and insulative and ablative nozzle components. Rocket motors are primarily used for commercial and military space launch, and for tactical and strategic weapons. The Company also has customers for these materials outside of the United States.
End markets include military aircraft, UAVs, business jets and turboprops, large and regional transport aircraft and helicopters, space vehicles, rocket motors and specialty industrial products. The Company’s aerospace composite materials are marketed primarily by sales personnel and, to a lesser extent, by independent distributors. The Company’s aerospace composite structures and assemblies are marketed primarily by sales personnel.
During the Company’s 2024, 2023 and 2022 fiscal years, 37.7%, 41.2% and 49.5%, respectively, of the Company’s total worldwide net sales were to affiliate and non-affiliate subtier suppliers of GE Aerospace, a leading manufacturer of aerospace engines. During the 2024, 2023 and 2022 fiscal years, sales to no other customer of the Company equaled or exceeded 10% of the Company’s total worldwide sales. The loss of a major customer or of a group of customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or its consolidated results of operations or financial position.
Manufacturing
The Company’s manufacturing facilities for aerospace composite materials and for composite structures and assemblies are located in Newton, Kansas. On August 19, 2019, the Company broke ground on the expansion of its facilities located in Newton, Kansas, which included the construction of a redundant manufacturing facility located adjacent to the existing facility. The Company completed the expansion of its facilities in fiscal 2023, which doubled the size and provides additional manufacturing capacity. The expansion includes enhanced and upgraded hot-melt film and tape lines and mixing and delivery systems, an expanded production lab, a new R&D lab, additional freezer and storage space and additional infrastructure to support the expanded operation. The new facility was originally conceived as a redundant manufacturing facility for Park’s major aerospace customer and the large aerospace OEMs it supports, but it will also support additional manufacturing capacity. See “Operations” elsewhere in this Report.
The process for manufacturing composite materials, structures and assemblies is capital intensive and requires sophisticated equipment, significant technical know-how and very tight process controls. The key steps used in the manufacturing process include resin mixing, resin film casting and reinforcement impregnation via hot-melt process or a solution process.
Prepreg is manufactured by the Company using either solvent (solution) coating methods on a treater or by hot-melt impregnation. A solution treater is a roll-to-roll continuous process machine which sequences reinforcement through tension/pressure rollers combining the solvated resin with the reinforcement and then passing the reinforced solvated resin through a drying oven. The reinforcement is dipped in resin, passed through a drying oven which removes most of the solvent and advances (or partially cures) the resin. The prepreg material is interleafed with a carrier and cut to the roll lengths desired by the customer. The Company also manufactures prepreg using hot-melt impregnation methods which use no solvent. Hot-melt prepreg manufacturing is achieved by mixing a resin formulation in a heated resin vessel, casting a thin film on a carrier paper, and laminating the reinforcement with the resin film.
The Company also completes additional processing services, such as slitting, sheeting, biasing, sewing and cutting, if needed by the customer. Many of the products manufactured by the Company also undergo extensive testing of the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of the product. These testing requirements are completed in the laboratories and facilities located at the Company’s manufacturing facilities.
Once the manufacturing process has been completed, the product is tested and packaged for shipment to the customer. The Company typically supplies final product to the customer in roll form.
The Company’s laboratories have been approved by several aerospace OEMs, and the Company has achieved certification pursuant to the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (“NADCAP”) for both non-metallic materials manufacturing and testing and composites fabrication. The Company believes its Newton Kansas facility is one of the few facilities in the world with NADCAP accreditation for manufacturing both composite materials and composite structures. The Company has also received AS9100C certification for its quality management system for the manufacture of advanced composite materials and design and manufacturing of structures for aircraft and aerospace industries.
Materials and Sources of Supply
The Company designs and manufactures its aerospace composite materials and film adhesives to its own specifications and to the specifications of its customers. Product development efforts are focused on developing prepreg materials that meet the specifications of the customers. The materials used in the manufacture of these engineered materials include graphite and carbon fibers and fabrics, carbonized rayon, aramids, such as Kevlar® ("Kevlar" is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.) and Twaron® (“Twaron” is a registered trademark of Teijin Twaron B.V. LLC), quartz, fiberglass, polyester, specialty chemicals, resins, films, plastics, adhesives and certain other synthetic materials. The Company purchases these materials from several suppliers. Substitutes for many of these materials are not readily available. The qualification and certification of aerospace composite materials for certain FAA certified aircraft typically include specific requirements for raw material supply and may restrict the Company’s flexibility in qualifying alternative sources of supply for certain key raw materials. The Company continues to work to determine acceptable alternatives for several raw materials.
Competition
The Company has many competitors in the aerospace composite materials, structures and assemblies markets, ranging in size from large international corporations to small regional producers. Several of the Company’s largest competitors are vertically integrated, producing raw materials, such as carbon fiber and woven fabric, as well as composite structures and assemblies. Some of the Company’s competitors may also serve as a supplier to the Company. The Company competes for business primarily on the basis of responsiveness, product performance and consistency, product qualification, FAA data base design allowables and innovative new product development.
Backlog
The Company considers an item as backlog when it receives a purchase order specifying the number of units to be purchased, the purchase price, specifications and other customary terms and conditions. At May 31, 2024, the unfilled portion of all purchase orders received by the Company, and believed by it to be firm, was $31,085,988, compared to $29,035,974 at April 24, 2023. A major portion of the Company’s backlog consists of composite materials.
Various factors contribute to the size of the Company’s backlog. Accordingly, the foregoing information may not be indicative of the Company’s results of operations for any period subsequent to the fiscal year ended March 3, 2024.
Patents and Trademarks
The Company holds several patents and trademarks or licenses thereto. In the Company’s opinion, some of these patents and trademarks are important to its products. Generally, however, the Company does not believe that an inability to obtain new; or to defend existing, patents and trademarks would have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company’s Workforce
At March 3, 2024, the Company had 123 employees. The Company’s success and future depends on the skills, experience, industry knowledge, passion and dedication of its work force. The Company places significant focus and attention on attracting, developing and retaining its employees, as well as ensuring its work force reflects Park’s principles of integrity and humility. These principles ensure that every Park employee is held to his or her word, and that every Park employee continuously strives to excel. These two principles guide Park’s actions, and the Company believes, foster a healthy work environment where all Park employees are treated with dignity and respect, irrespective of their backgrounds. The Company also believes that its principles are critical to fostering and maintaining what it calls Park’s “niche” culture of doing what others are unwilling or unable to do.
Employee health and safety is a top priority. Park’s safety performance has been an important focus of the Company. Safety performance is maintained by the Company ensuring appropriate safety equipment is installed and operational at all times and undertaking thorough reviews of any safety incidents that do occur.
The Company takes a comprehensive approach to developing its workforce, including by striving to use a fair recruiting process to select talented individuals. Park also believes that fair compensation, opportunities for career development, employee engagement, and a singular focus on the principles of integrity and humility, have organically cultivated a workforce that is diverse at all levels. Park believes that principle-based approach to hiring and retention makes the Company a desirable workplace for employees of all backgrounds while improving business performance by maintaining the Company’s “niche” culture.
Environmental Matters
Aviation is one of the fastest growing sources of the greenhouse gas emissions. Air travel is also considered to be one of the most carbon intensive activity an individual can make. Aircraft fuel efficiency is an important factor in addressing the reduction of greenhouse gas. Park’s composite material products and the aircraft parts that are crafted using such products, enable aircraft to operate on substantially less fuel than would be the case using comparable aluminum-crafted aircraft parts. This reduced fuel consumption creates economic savings for end-users of applicable aircraft, while also substantially reducing the carbon based emissions of such aircraft.
The Company is subject to stringent environmental regulation of its use, storage, treatment, disposal of hazardous materials and the release of emissions into the environment. The Company believes that it is currently in substantial compliance with the applicable Federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations to which it is subject and that continuing compliance therewith will not have a material effect on its capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. The Company does not currently anticipate making material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities for its existing manufacturing operations during the remainder of its current fiscal year or its succeeding fiscal year. However, developments, such as the enactment or adoption of even more stringent environmental laws and regulations, could conceivably result in substantial additional costs to the Company.
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named by the Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) or a comparable state agency under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (the “Superfund Act”) or similar state law as potentially responsible parties in connection with alleged releases of hazardous substances at three sites.
Under the Superfund Act and similar state laws, all parties who may have contributed any waste to a hazardous waste disposal site or contaminated area identified by the EPA or comparable state agency may be jointly and severally liable for the cost of cleanup. Generally, these sites are locations at which numerous persons disposed of hazardous waste. In the case of the Company’s subsidiaries, generally the waste was removed from their manufacturing facilities and disposed at the waste sites by various companies which contracted with the subsidiaries to provide waste disposal services. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been accused of or charged with any wrongdoing or illegal acts in connection with any such sites. The Company believes it maintains an effective and comprehensive environmental compliance program. Management believes the ultimate disposition of known environmental matters will not have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, capital resources, business, consolidated results of operations or financial position of the Company.
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Environmental Matters” included in Item 7 of Part II of this Report and Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Report.
Factors That May Affect Future Results
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their companies without fear of litigation so long as those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the statement. Certain portions of this Report which do not relate to historical financial information may be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from Park's expectations or from results which might be projected, forecasted, estimated or budgeted by the Company in forward-looking statements.
Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” and similar expressions or the negative or other variations thereof. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve a number of uncertainties and risks that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations.
The factors described under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Report could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from any such results which might be projected, forecasted, estimated or budgeted by the Company in forward-looking statements.

---

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
The business of the Company faces numerous risks, including those set forth below or those described elsewhere in this Form 10-K Annual Report or in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The risks described below are not the only risks that the Company faces, nor are they necessarily listed in order of significance. Other risks and uncertainties may also affect the Company’s business. Any of these risks may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
Geopolitical Events
The Company's operating results could be negatively affected if the Company were unable to attain the raw materials required in its manufacturing process. The Company’s suppliers of raw material, supplies and equipment could be impacted by geopolitical events, such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, thus interrupting the Company’s supply chain. Additionally, the Company’s customers may experience interruptions from other suppliers that could cause a customer to delay or cancel orders.
The Company's business could suffer if the Company is unable to develop new products on a timely basis.
The Company's operating results could be negatively affected if the Company were unable to maintain and increase its technological and manufacturing capability and expertise to develop new products on a timely basis. Although the Company believes that it has certain technological and other advantages over its competitors, maintaining such advantages will require the Company to continue investing in research and development and sales and marketing. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to make the technological advances necessary to maintain such competitive advantages or that the Company can recover major research and development expenses.
The industries in which the Company operates are very competitive.
Certain of the Company's principal competitors are substantially larger and have greater financial resources than the Company, and the Company's operating results will be affected by its ability to maintain its competitive positions in these industries. The aerospace composite materials and composite structures and assemblies industries are intensely competitive, and the Company competes worldwide in the markets for such products.
The Company is vulnerable to an increase in inflation.
Changes in the cost raw materials, supplies, labor, utilities or services could materially increase the Company's cost of operations. The Company is experiencing inflation in raw material and other costs. The impact of inflation on the Company’s profits has been partially mitigated by the Company’s ability to adjust pricing for a large portion of its sales to pass the impact of inflation through to its customers. Significant increases in the cost of materials, supplies, labor, utilities or services purchased by the Company could also materially increase the Company’s cost of operations and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations if the Company were unable to pass such increases through to its customers.
The Company is vulnerable to disruptions and shortages in the supply of, and increases in the prices of, certain raw materials.
There are a limited number of qualified suppliers of the principal materials used by the Company in its manufacture of aerospace composite materials and composite structures and assemblies. The Company has qualified alternate sources of supply for many, but not all, of its raw materials, but certain raw materials are produced by only one supplier. In some cases, substitutes for certain raw materials are not always readily available, and in the past, there have been shortages in the market for certain of these materials. Raw material substitutions for certain aircraft related products may require governmental (such as FAA) approval. While the Company considers its relationships with its suppliers to be strong, a shortage of these materials or a disruption of the supply of these materials caused by a natural disaster or otherwise could materially increase the Company’s cost of operations and could materially adversely affect the business and results of operations of the Company. Likewise, significant increases in the cost of materials purchased by the Company could also materially increase the Company’s cost of operations and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations if the Company were unable to pass such increases through to its customers. If one or more of the Company’s suppliers is required to temporarily close manufacturing facilities, the Company’s ability to procure raw materials for its manufacturing processes may become limited and this could ultimately limit the Company’s ability to manufacture its products.
The Company's customer base is highly concentrated, and the loss of one or more customers could adversely affect the Company's business.
A loss of one or more key customers could adversely affect the Company's profitability. The Company's customer base is concentrated, in part, because the Company's business strategy has been to develop long-term relationships with a select group of customers. During the Company's fiscal years ended March 3, 2024, February 26, 2023, and February 27, 2022 , the Company's ten largest customers accounted for approximately 64%, 69% and 75%, respectively, of net sales. The Company expects sales to a relatively small number of customers will continue to account for a significant portion of its net sales for the foreseeable future. See “Customers and End Markets” in Item 1 of Part I of this Report.
The Company's business is dependent on the aerospace industry, which is cyclical in nature.
The aerospace industry is cyclical and has experienced downturns. The downturns can occur at any time as a result of events that are industry specific or macroeconomic, and in the event of a downturn, the Company may have no way of knowing if, when and to what extent there might be a recovery. Deterioration in the market for aerospace products has often reduced demand for, and prices of, advanced composite materials, structures and assemblies. A potential future reduction in demand and prices could have a negative impact on the Company’s business and operating results.
In addition, the Company is subject to the effects of general regional and global economic and financial conditions.
The Company relies on short-term orders from its customers.
A variety of conditions, both specific to the individual customer and generally affecting the customer’s industry, can cause a customer to reduce or delay orders previously anticipated by the Company, which could negatively impact the Company’s business and operating results. While some customers place orders based on long-term pricing agreements, such agreements are typically requirements-based and do not set forth minimum purchase obligations. As a result, the Company must continually communicate with its customers to validate forecasts and anticipate the future volume of purchase orders.
The Company’s customers may require the Company to undergo a lengthy and expensive qualification process with respect to its products, with no assurance of sales. Any delay or failure in such qualification process could negatively affect the Company’s business and operating results.
The Company’s customers frequently require that the Company’s products undergo an extensive qualification process, which may include testing for performance, structural integrity and reliability. This qualification process may be lengthy and does not assure any sales of the product to that customer. The Company devotes substantial resources, including design, engineering, sales, marketing and management efforts, and often substantial expense, to qualifying the Company’s products with customers in anticipation of sales. Any delay or failure in qualifying any of its products with a customer may preclude or delay sales of those products to the customer, which may impede the Company’s growth and cause its business to suffer.
In addition, the Company engages in product development efforts with OEMs. The Company will not recover the cost of this product development directly even if the Company actually produces and sells any resulting product. There can be no guarantee that such efforts will result in any sales.
Consolidation among the Company’s customers could negatively impact the Company’s business.
A number of the Company’s customers have combined in recent years and consolidation of other customers may occur. If an existing customer is not the controlling entity following a combination, the Company may not be retained as a supplier. While there is potential for increasing the Company’s position with the combined customer, the Company’s revenues may decrease if the Company is not retained as a supplier.
The Company is subject to a variety of environmental regulations.
The Company’s production processes require the use, storage, treatment and disposal of certain materials which are considered hazardous under applicable environmental laws, and the Company is subject to a variety of regulatory requirements relating to the handling of such materials and the release of emissions and effluents into the environment, non-compliance with which could have a negative impact on the Company’s business or results of operations. Other possible developments, such as the enactment or adoption of additional environmental laws, could result in substantial costs to the Company.
If the Company’s efforts to protect its proprietary information are not sufficient, the Company may be adversely affected.
The Company’s business relies upon proprietary information, trade secrets and know-how in its product formulations and its manufacturing and research and development activities. The Company takes steps to protect its proprietary rights and information, including the use of confidentiality and other agreements with employees and consultants and in commercial relationships, including with suppliers and customers. If these steps prove to be inadequate or are violated, the Company’s competitors might gain access to the Company’s trade secrets, and there may be no adequate remedy available to the Company.
The Company depends upon the experience and expertise of its senior management team and key technical employees, and the loss of any key employee may impair the Company’s ability to operate effectively.
The Company’s success depends, to a certain extent, on the continued availability of its senior management team and key technical employees. Each of the Company’s executive officers, key technical personnel and other employees could terminate his or her employment at any time. The loss of any member of the Company’s senior management team might significantly delay or prevent the achievement of the Company’s business objectives and could materially harm the Company’s business and customer relationships. In addition, because of the highly technical nature of the Company’s business, the loss of any significant number of the Company’s key technical personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company competes for manufacturing and engineering talent in a competitive labor market. Personnel turnover and training costs could negatively impact the Company’s operations.
The Company’s business and operations may be adversely affected by cybersecurity breaches or other information technology system or network intrusions.
The Company depends on information technology and computerized systems to communicate and operate effectively, some of which are connected to networks of third parties that are not under the Company’s direct control. The Company stores sensitive data on its servers and databases including proprietary business information, intellectual property and confidential employee or other personal data pertaining to the Company’s business, customers, suppliers, OEMs, employees and other third parties. Attempts by others to gain unauthorized access to the Company’s information technology systems and data have become more frequent and sophisticated. These attempts, which might be related to industrial or foreign government espionage, activism, or other motivations, include covertly introducing malware and “ransomware” to the Company’s computers and networks, performing reconnaissance, impersonating authorized users, and stealing, corrupting or restricting the Company’s access to data, among other activities.
As with most companies, the Company has experienced cyber-attacks, attempts to breach the Company’s systems and other similar incidents, none of which, has resulted in loss of data or materially affected the Company’s business, operations or financial results. The Company has addressed past cybersecurity breaches by working with leading providers of incident response, risk management and digital forensics services. In coordination with such service providers, Park also continues to update its infrastructure, security tools (including firewalls and anti-virus software), and employee training and processes, to protect against security incidents and to prevent their recurrence. While Company personnel have been tasked to detect and investigate such incidents, cybersecurity attacks and other data security breaches can and are expected to occur in the future and the Company may be unable to implement adequate preventive or remediation measures, as breach and disruption techniques change frequently and are generally not detected until after an incident has occurred.
The unauthorized use of the Company’s intellectual property and/or confidential or personal information or any material disruption in the systems that store such information could materially harm the Company’s competitive position, reduce the value of the Company’s investment in research and development (through the loss of trade secrets or other proprietary and competitively sensitive information) and other strategic initiatives, compromise personally identifiable information regarding customers or employees, delay the Company’s ability to access its information systems at critical times, cause operational disruptions and delays, jeopardize the security of the Company’s facilities or otherwise materially and adversely affect the Company’s business or financial results. Any intrusion may also result in material fines, penalties, governmental investigations and proceedings, litigation, diminished competitive advantages through reputational damages and increased operational expenses (including remediation and damage expenses). Many victims of cyber-attacks also are forced to pay significant ransoms or incur significant expenses to recover critical business systems and data. Additionally, the Company may incur additional costs to comply with its customers’, including the U.S. Government’s, requirements for data security and increased cybersecurity protections and standards. The Company may be similarly harmed if any of the foregoing incidents occur at third parties that are connected to the Company’s networks and that are not under the Company’s direct control.
Acquisitions, mergers, business combinations or joint ventures may entail certain operational and financial risks.
The Company may acquire businesses, product lines or technologies that expand or complement those of the Company. It may also enter into mergers, business combinations or joint ventures for similar purposes. The integration and management of an acquired company or business may strain the Company's management resources and technical, financial and operating systems. In addition, implementation of acquisitions can result in large one-time charges and costs. A given acquisition, if consummated, may materially affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company’s securities may fluctuate in value.
The market price of the Company’s securities can be subject to fluctuations in response to quarter-to-quarter variations in operating results, changes in analyst earnings estimates, market conditions in the aerospace composite materials and composite structures and assemblies industries, as well as general economic conditions and other factors external to the Company.
The Company’s Common Stock is included in certain market indices. Funds that are based on the indices the Company’s Common Stock is included in are required to own the Company’s Common Stock. A change in any index the Company is included in could create sudden movement in the Company’s Common Stock price.

---

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.

---

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES.
Set forth below are the locations of the significant properties owned and leased by the Company, the business use of the properties and the size of each such property. The Newton, Kansas property is used principally as a manufacturing facility. The lease for the Newton, Kansas location is a ground lease.
Location
Owned or
Leased
Use
Size (Square
Footage)
Westbury, NY
Leased
Administrative Offices
2,000
Newton, KS
Leased
Advanced Composite Materials, Parts and Assemblies
183,500
The Company believes its facilities and equipment to be in good condition and reasonably suited and adequate for its current needs. The Company’s manufacturing facilities have the capacity to substantially increase their production levels.

---

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
No material pending legal proceedings.

---

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
None.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
Name
Title
Age
Brian E. Shore
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
P. Matthew Farabaugh
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Mark A. Esquivel
President and Chief Operating Officer
Cory Nickel
Senior Vice President and General Manager
Christopher Goldner
Vice President - Finance
Mr. Brian Shore has served as a Director of the Company since 1983 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors since July 2004. He was elected a Vice President of the Company in January 1993, Executive Vice President in May 1994, President in March 1996, and Chief Executive Officer in November 1996. He was President until July 28, 2014. Mr. Shore also served as General Counsel of the Company from April 1988 until April 1994.
Mr. Farabaugh was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on March 10, 2016. He had been Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since April 2012 and Vice President and Controller of the Company since October 2007. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Farabaugh was Corporate Controller of American Technical Ceramics, a publicly traded international company and a manufacturer of electronic components, located in Huntington Station, New York, from 2004 to September 2007 and Assistant Controller from 2000 to 2004. Prior thereto, Mr. Farabaugh was Assistant Controller of Park Aerospace Corp. from 1989 to 2000. Prior to joining Park in 1989, Mr. Farabaugh had been a senior accountant with KPMG.
Mr. Esquivel was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company on November 2, 2020, after having been elected Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company on May 7, 2019, and having been elected Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in December 2018. He had been Senior Vice President - Aerospace of the Company since October 2017 and Vice President - Aerospace of the Company and President of the Company’s Park Aerospace Technologies Corp. business unit in Newton, Kansas since April 2015. Mr. Esquivel has been employed by the Company and its subsidiaries in various positions since 1994. He was Vice President of Aerospace Composite Structures of Park Aerospace Technologies Corp. from March 2012 to April 2015 and President of Park Aerospace Technologies Corp. from June 2010 to March 2012. Prior to June 2010, Mr. Esquivel was Vice President and General Manager of the Company’s former Neltec, Inc. business unit located in Tempe, Arizona, and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of Neltec, Inc. since his appointment to that position in September 2008, having held various positions since he originally joined Neltec, Inc. in 1994.
Mr. Nickel was elected Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Company on August 15, 2022. He was appointed as Vice President and General Manager of the Company in October 2020. Mr. Nickel originally joined Park Aerospace Corp. in 2011 as a Solution Treater Operator, an entry level position. He was promoted to Second Shift Production Supervisor in 2012, Production Manager in 2013, Materials Manufacturing Manager in 2014, Production Control Manager in 2015 and Operations Manager in 2017. Prior to joining Park, Mr. Nickel served as a local High School Science Teacher with a focus on chemistry, physics and manufacturing technology.
Mr. Goldner joined Park Aerospace Corp. on March 4, 2024 and was elected Vice President - Finance on April 25, 2024. Prior to joining Park Aerospace Corp., Mr. Goldner served as Controller and Interim Chief Financial Officer at Spruce Power Holding Corporation (previous XL Fleet Corp.) from 2021 through 2023. Prior to that, Mr. Goldner served in a variety of roles for Hasbro, Inc. from 2000 through 2021, most recently as Vice President Fiscal Responsibility from 2019 through 2021 and Vice President, Assistant Corporate Controller from 2011 through 2019.
There are no family relationships between the directors or executive officers of the Company.
Each executive officer of the Company serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Company.
PART II

---

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
The Company’s Common Stock is listed and trades on the New York Stock Exchange (trading symbol PKE). The Common Stock also trades on the Chicago Stock Exchange. The following table sets forth, for each of the quarterly periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape and dividends declared on the Common Stock.
For the Fiscal Year Ended
Stock Price
Dividends
March 3, 2024
High
Low
Declared
First Quarter
$ 16.92
$ 11.91
$ 0.125
Second Quarter
15.09
12.89
0.125
Third Quarter
16.23
13.14
0.125
Fourth Quarter
15.89
13.69
0.125
For the Fiscal Year Ended
Stock Price
Dividends
February 26, 2023
High
Low
Declared
First Quarter
$ 14.21
$ 11.27
$ 0.10
Second Quarter
13.19
11.40
0.10
Third Quarter
13.82
10.08
0.10
Fourth Quarter
16.54
10.80
1.10
(a)
(a)
On February 9, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $1.00 per share payable April 6, 2023 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2023. The total amount of this special dividend was approximately $20.5 million.
As of May 31, 2024, there were 438 holders of record of the Company’s Common Stock.
The Company expects, for the foreseeable future, to continue to pay regular cash dividends.
The following table provides information with respect to shares of the Company’s Common Stock acquired by the Company during each month included in the Company’s 2024 fiscal year fourth quarter ended March 3, 2024:
Period
Total
Number of
Shares (or
Units)
Purchased
Average
Price Paid
Per Share (or
Unit)
Total Number of
Shares (or
Units)
Purchased As
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares (or Units)
that May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs
November 27 - December 3
$ -
December 4 - January 3
$ -
January 4 - March 3
$ -
Total
$ -
1,278,901 (a)
(a)
Aggregate number of shares available to be purchased by the Company pursuant to a share purchase authorization announced on May 23, 2022. Pursuant to such authorization, the Company is authorized to purchase its shares from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.
On May 18, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company’s purchase, on the open market and in privately negotiated transactions, of up to 1,500,000 shares of its Common Stock. This represents approximately 7% of the Company’s 20,458,210 total outstanding shares as of the close of business on May 18, 2022. This authorization supersedes any unused prior Board of Directors’ authorizations to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock. As of March 3, 2024, the Company had purchased 221,099 shares of the Company’s Common stock pursuant to the above authorization.
As previously announced by the Company, shares purchased by the Company will be retained as treasury stock and will be available for use under the Company’s stock option plan and for other corporate purposes.
Stock Performance Graph
The graph set forth below compares the annual cumulative total return for the Company’s five fiscal years ended March 3, 2024 among the Company, the New York Stock Exchange Market Index (the “NYSE Index”), and the Nasdaq US Small Cap Aerospace and Defense Index (the “Nasdaq Index”). The returns of each company in the Nasdaq Index have been weighted according to the Company’s stock market capitalization. The graph has been prepared based on an assumed investment of $100 on March 3, 2019 and the reinvestment of dividends (where applicable).
Park Aerospace Corp.
$ 100.00
$ 86.82
$ 89.66
$ 90.52
$ 109.95
$ 113.90
NYSE Index
$ 100.00
$ 99.98
$ 124.10
$ 138.71
$ 133.78
$ 157.29
NASDAQ US Small Cap Aerospace and Defense Index
$ 100.00
$ 97.83
$ 121.20
$ 116.40
$ 117.42
$ 130.44

---

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6.
[RESERVED].

---

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
General:
Park Aerospace Corp. (“Park” or the “Company”) is an aerospace company which develops and manufactures solution and hot-melt advanced composite materials used to produce composite structures for the global aerospace markets. Park’s advanced composite materials include film adhesives and lightning strike protection materials. Park offers an array of composite materials specifically designed for hand lay-up or automated fiber placement (AFP) manufacturing applications. Park’s advanced composite materials are used to produce primary and secondary structures for jet engines, large and regional transport aircraft, military aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs commonly referred to as “drones”), business jets, general aviation aircraft and rotary wing aircraft. Park also offers specialty ablative materials for rocket motors and nozzles and specially designed materials for radome applications. As a complement to Park’s advanced composite materials offering, Park designs and fabricates composite parts, structures and assemblies and low volume tooling for the aerospace industry. Target markets for Park’s composite parts and structures (which include Park’s proprietary composite SigmaStrut™ and AlphaStrut™ product lines) are, among others, prototype and development aircraft, special mission aircraft, spares for legacy military and civilian aircraft and exotic spacecraft.
The Company’s fiscal year is the 52- or 53-week period ending the Sunday nearest to the last day of February. The 2024, 2023 and 2022 fiscal years ended on March 3, 2024, February 26, 2023 and February 27, 2022, respectively. The 2024 fiscal year consisted of 53 weeks and the 2023 and 2022 fiscal years each consisted of 52 weeks. Unless otherwise indicated in this Discussion and Analysis, all references to years and quarters in this Discussion and Analysis are to the Company’s fiscal years and fiscal quarters, and all annual and quarterly information in this Discussion and Analysis is for such fiscal years and quarters, respectively.
2024 Financial Overview
On February 9, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $1.00 per share payable April 6, 2023 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2023. The total amount of this special dividend was approximately $20.5 million.
The Company's total net sales worldwide in 2024 were 4% higher than in 2023. The increase in sales was primarily driven by an increase in military market sales, while sales to each of the other markets the Company serves were relatively even with the prior year sales levels.
The Company’s gross profit margin, measured as a percentage of sales, decreased to 29.5% in 2024 from 30.5% in 2023. Higher costs for labor, employee benefits, depreciation, utilities, and property taxes more than offset a favorable sales mix and higher pricing.
The Company’s earnings from operations in 2024 were 16% lower than in 2023, primarily as a result of higher selling, general and administrative expenses, including higher incentive payments, as well as higher legal expenses resulting from shareholder defense actions, costs to settle an insurance claim as the result of the bankruptcy of an insurer and higher recruiting fees. The Company’s net earnings from operations in 2024 were 30% lower than in 2023, primarily due to a higher tax rate in 2024 compared to 2023 and the increased costs described above offset by higher interest income. The increase in the 2024 tax rate compared to the 2023 tax rate resulted from a lower benefit from the reduction in uncertain tax positions in 2024 as compared to 2023.
The Company continues to experience inflation in costs of raw materials and supplies, freight costs and other costs and expenses. The impact of inflation on the Company’s profits has been partially mitigated by the Company’s ability to adjust pricing for a large portion of its sales to pass the impact of inflation through to its customers.
Programs in which the Company participates as a supplier are, in some cases, experiencing supply chain issues from other suppliers to the programs that could result in delays in production for certain customers of the Company. The Company’s sales could be impacted by supply chain challenges its customers are experiencing from other suppliers.
While the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have had a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations due to delayed shipments, the Company may experience an increase in future sales due to increases in spending worldwide on missile defense systems and other defense programs. The Company does not have any significant customers in Russia or Ukraine but does have customers in Israel. The Company has experienced some increases to raw material costs from overseas suppliers due to the impacts of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The Company has a number of long-term contracts pursuant to which certain of its customers, some of which represent a substantial portion of the Company’s revenue, place orders. Long-term contracts with the Company’s customers are primarily requirements based and do not guarantee quantities. An order forecast is generally agreed concurrently with pricing for any applicable long-term contract. This order forecast is then typically updated periodically during the term of the underlying contract. Purchase orders are generally received in excess of three months in advance of delivery.
Results of Operations:
2024 Compared to 2023
Year Ended
March 3,
February 26,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Increase / (Decrease)
Net sales
$ 56,004
$ 54,055
$ 1,949
%
Cost of sales
39,470
37,582
1,888
%
Gross profit
16,534
16,473
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
8,154
6,519
1,635
%
Earnings from operations
8,380
9,954
(1,574 )
%
Interest and other income
1,053
1,078
(25 )
%
Earnings before income taxes
9,433
11,032
(1,599 )
%
Income tax provision
1,960
1,659
%
Net earnings
$ 7,473
$ 10,731
$ (3,258 )
%
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share
$ 0.37
$ 0.52
$ (0.15 )
%
Diluted earnings per share
$ 0.37
$ 0.52
$ (0.15 )
%
Net Sales
The Company’s total net sales worldwide in 2024 were 4% higher than in 2023. Higher sales in 2024 were primarily driven by increased sales in the military markets.
Gross Profit
The Company’s gross profit margin, measured as a percentage of sales, decreased to 29.5% in 2024 from 30.5% in 2023. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to higher costs for labor, employee benefits, depreciation, utilities, property taxes and other items, partially offset by a favorable sales mix and higher pricing.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $1.6 million, or 25%, during 2024 compared to 2023. Such expenses, measured as percentages of sales, were 14.6% and 12.1% during 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2024 was primarily due to shareholder activist defense costs in 2024, higher research and development costs, higher stock option expense due to the modification of previously granted stock options, costs to settle an insurance claim as the result of the bankruptcy of an insurer, higher recruiting fees, higher incentive compensation and the additional week in 2024 compared to 2023, which resulted in higher fixed expenses.
Earnings from Operations
For the reasons set forth above, the Company’s earnings from operations were $8.4 million for 2024 compared to earnings from continuing operations of $10.0 million for 2023.
Interest and Other Income
Interest and other income were $1.1 million in both 2024 and 2023. Higher weighted average interest rates in 2024 were offset by lower levels of marketable securities in 2024 due to the payment of the special dividend in the first quarter. During 2024 and 2023, the Company earned interest income principally from its investments, which were primarily in short-term instruments and money market funds.
Income Tax Provision
The Company’s effective income tax rate was 20.8% for 2024 compared to an effective rate of 2.7% for 2023. The increased rate was due primarily to the U.S. Federal rate and state income tax reductions in uncertain tax positions. The benefits from the reductions in 2024 and 2023 were $574,000 and $2,800,000, respectively, related to the expirations of statutes of limitations on tax positions taken in prior years regarding the taxability of funds repatriated from the Company’s subsidiary in Singapore in 2023 and to the expiration of statutes of limitations related to state throw-back rates in 2024.
Net Earnings from Operations
The Company’s net earnings from continuing operations for 2024 were $7.5 million compared to $10.7 million in 2023. As noted above, net earnings in 2024 included shareholder activist defense costs, a charge related to the modification of previously issued stock options, legal costs stemming from the settlement of an insurance claim due to the bankruptcy of an insurance carrier and recruiting fees, partially offset by the tax benefit from the reduction in uncertain tax positions. The 2023 earnings included the benefit from the reduction in uncertain tax positions of $2.8 million.
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Basic and diluted earnings per share for 2024 were $0.37 compared to basic and diluted earnings per share for 2023 of $0.52. The lower earnings per share in 2024 reflects the impact of the higher costs in 2024 and the tax benefit from the reduction in uncertain tax positions in 2023.
2023 Compared to 2022
Year Ended
February 26,
February 27,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Increase / (Decrease)
Net sales
$ 54,055
$ 53,578
$
%
Cost of sales
37,582
35,661
1,921
%
Gross profit
16,473
17,917
(1,444 )
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
6,519
6,249
%
Restructuring charges
-
(259 )
%
Earnings from operations
9,954
11,409
(1,455 )
%
Interest and other income
1,078
%
Earnings before income taxes
11,032
11,784
(752 )
%
Income tax provision
3,320
(3,019 )
%
Net earnings
$ 10,731
$ 8,464
$ 2,267
%
Earnings per share:
Basic:
Basic earnings per share
$ 0.52
$ 0.41
$ 0.11
%
Diluted:
Diluted earnings per share
$ 0.52
$ 0.41
$ 0.11
%
Net Sales
The Company’s total net sales worldwide in 2023 were 1% higher than in 2022. Sales in 2023, to each of the markets the Company serves, were relatively even with the prior year sales levels.
Gross Profit
The Company’s gross profit margin, measured as a percentage of sales, decreased to 30.5% in 2023 from 33.4% in 2022. Higher costs for raw materials, supplies, freight, utilities, costs related to the new equipment trials and qualifications and higher waste costs from increased change-over resulting from supply chain challenges and uncertainties led to a decrease in gross margins.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $270,000, or 4%, during 2023 compared to 2022. Such expenses, measured as percentages of sales, were 12.1% and 11.7% during 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative expenses in 2023 included $369,000 of stock option expenses compared to $285,000 of such expenses in 2022.
Restructuring Charges
Restructuring charges were nil in 2023 compared to $259,000 in 2022 related to the closure of the Company’s Park Aerospace Technologies Asia, Pte. Ltd. facility located in Singapore.
Earnings from Operations
For the reasons set forth above, the Company’s earnings from operations were $10.0 million for 2023. The Company’s earnings from continuing operations were $11.4 million for 2022, including the pretax charges of $259,000 for the closure of the facility located in Singapore.
Interest and Other Income
Interest and other income were $1.1 million and $375,000 for 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase from 2022 was due primarily higher weighted average interest rates. During 2023 and 2022, the Company earned interest income principally from its investments, which were primarily in short-term instruments and money market funds.
Income Tax Provision
The Company’s effective income tax rate of 2.7% for 2023 was due primarily to the U.S. Federal rate and state income taxes, including $214,000 of additional tax due to tax deductions becoming unavailable related to stock options expiring unexercised in the 2023 fiscal year, offset by a reduction in uncertain tax positions related to the expiring statute of limitations of tax positions taken in prior years regarding the taxability of funds repatriated from the Company’s subsidiary in Singapore of $2.8 million. The Company’s effective income tax rate of 28.2% was higher in 2022, due to the lack of the uncertain tax position reduction as occurred in 2023.
Net Earnings from Operations
The Company’s net earnings from continuing operations for 2023 were $10.7 million, including the reduction in uncertain tax positions of $2.8 million and $214,000 of additional tax due to tax deductions becoming unavailable as a result of stock options expiring unexercised. The Company’s net earnings from continuing operations for 2022 were $8.5 million, including the pretax charges of $259,000 for the closure of the facility located in Singapore.
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Basic and diluted earnings per share for 2023 were $0.52, including the additional tax due to tax deductions becoming unavailable as a result of stock options expiring unexercised and the reduction in uncertain tax positions, compared to basic and diluted earnings per share for 2022 of $0.41, including the pretax charges for the closure of the facility located in Singapore. The net impact of the items described above was to increase basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.13 in 2023 and decrease basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.01 in 2022.
Liquidity and Capital Resources:
(Amounts in thousands)
March 3,
February 26,
Increase /
(Decrease)
Cash and marketable securities
$ 77,211
$ 105,440
$ (28,229 )
Working capital
89,187
96,455
(7,268 )
From continuing operations
Fiscal Year Ended
(Amounts in thousands)
March 3,
February 26,
February 27,
Increase / (Decrease)
2024 vs. 2023
2023 vs. 2022
Net cash provided by operating activities
$ 4,408
$ 6,491
$ 8,201
$ (2,083 )
$ (1,710 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
31,388
(7,018 )
(29,556 )
38,406
22,538
Net cash used in financing activities
(33,466 )
(8,047 )
(7,429 )
(25,419 )
(618 )
Cash and Marketable Securities
The Company believes it has sufficient liquidity to fund its operating activities for the 12 months from the date of the filing of this Form 10-K Annual Report and for the foreseeable future thereafter.
The change in cash and marketable securities at March 3, 2024 compared to February 26, 2023 was primarily the result of the special dividend of $1.00 per share paid in April 2023, which totaled $20.5 million, stock repurchases of $2.9 million in the second and third quarters of 2024, as well as regular dividends of $10.2 million. The significant changes in cash provided by operating activities were as follows:
●
accounts receivable increased by 24% at March 3, 2024 compared to February 26, 2023 due primarily to the increase in total net sales in the last month of 2024;
●
inventory decreased 5% due primarily to higher sales in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 and higher raw material purchases at the end of February 2023, offset by higher material costs and an increase of RAYCARB C2B material inventoried in support of the distributor agreement with ArianeGroup;
●
accounts payable decreased 23% due primarily to higher raw material purchases at the end of February 2023 and timing of other payments;
●
accrued liabilities increased 48% due primarily to higher property tax accruals and higher incentive payroll accruals; and
●
income taxes payable increased 89% at March 3, 2024 compared to February 26, 2023 due to higher transition tax installment due in fiscal 2025.
In addition, the Company paid $30.6 million and $8.2 million in cash dividends during 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Working Capital
Working capital at March 3, 2024 was lower compared to February 26, 2023. Decreases in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities, and inventories and increases in accrued expenses and accrued income taxes were partially offset by higher accounts receivable and lower dividends payable and accounts payable.
The Company's current ratio (the ratio of current assets to current liabilities) was 10.2 to 1 at March 3, 2024 compared to 4.4 to 1 at February 26, 2023.
Cash Flows
During 2024, the Company's net earnings before depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, amortization of bond premium and gain on sale of fixed assets, were $11.1 million. Such earnings were decreased by changes in operating assets and liabilities of $6.7 million, resulting in $4.4 million of cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations. During 2024, the Company expended $0.6 million for the purchase of property, plant and equipment compared to $1.0 million during 2023, and the Company paid $30.6 and $8.2 million in cash dividends in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The 2024 dividends paid included a special dividend of $20.5 million paid in the first quarter of 2024.
Other Liquidity Factors
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax reform commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA” or “Tax Act”) and significantly revised U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering corporate income tax rates, imposing a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries, and implementing a territorial tax system. As a result of the Tax Act, the Company recorded taxes payable to be paid in installments over eight years. The remaining balance of these installment payments, as of March 3, 2024, was approximately $9.5 million to be paid over the next two years.
The Company believes that its existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund necessary capital expenditures and operating cash requirements for at least the next twelve months from the date of the filing of this Form 10-K Annual Report. The Company further believes that its consolidated balance sheet and financial position are very strong.
Contractual Obligations:
The Company's contractual obligations and other commercial commitments to make future payments under contracts, such as lease agreements, consist only of operating lease commitments, commitments to purchase raw materials and commitments to purchase equipment, as described in Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Report. The Company has no other long-term debt, capital lease obligations, unconditional purchase obligations or other long-term obligations, standby letters of credit, guarantees, standby repurchase obligations or other commercial commitments or contingent commitments, other than two standby letters of credit in the total amount of $0.1 million to secure the Company's obligations under its workers’ compensation insurance program.
Environmental Matters:
The Company is subject to various Federal, state and local govern-ment and foreign government requirements relating to the protection of the environment. The Company believes that, as a general matter, its policies, practices and procedures are properly designed to prevent unreasonable risk of environmental damage and that its handling, manufacture, use and disposal of hazardous or toxic substances are in accord with environmental laws and regulations. However, mainly because of past operations of the Company’s former Electronics Business and operations of predecessor companies, which were generally in compliance with applicable laws at the time of the operations in question, the Company, like other companies engaged in similar businesses, is a party to claims by govern-ment agencies and third parties and has incurred remedial response and voluntary cleanup costs associated with environmental matters. Additional claims and costs involving past environmental matters may continue to arise in the future. It is the Company's policy to record appropriate liabilities for such matters when remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.
In 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred approximately $29,000, $14,000 and $13,000, respectively, for remedial response and voluntary cleanup costs and related legal fees, and the Company received, or expects to receive, reimbursement pursuant to general liability insurance coverage for approximately $29,000, $14,000 and $13,000, respectively, of such amounts. While annual environmental remedial response and voluntary cleanup expenditures, including legal fees, have generally been constant from year to year, and may increase over time, the Company expects it will be able to fund such expenditures from cash flow from operations. The timing of expenditures depends on a number of factors, including regulatory approval of cleanup projects, remedial techniques to be utilized and agreements with other parties. At March 3, 2024 and February 26, 2023, there were no amounts recorded in accrued liabilities for environmental matters.
Management does not expect that environmental matters will have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, capital resources, business, consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position of the Company. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Report for a discussion of the Company's contingencies, including those related to environmental matters.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates:
The following information is provided regarding critical accounting policies that are important to the Consolidated Financial Statements and that entail, to a significant extent, the use of estimates, assumptions and the application of management's judgment.
General
The Company’s Discussion and Analysis of its Financial Condition and Results of Operations are based upon the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements requires the Company to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosure of contingent liabilities. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to sales allowances, allowances for doubtful accounts, inventories, valuation of long-lived assets, income taxes, restructurings, contingencies and litigation, and employee benefit programs. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The Company believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its Consolidated Financial Statements.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement
See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Report for a discussion of the Company’s recently adopted accounting pronouncements.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the providing entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We recognize revenue when all of the following criteria are met: (1) we have entered into a binding agreement, (2) the performance obligations have been identified, (3) the transaction price to the customer has been determined, (4) the transaction price has been allocated to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) the performance obligations have been satisfied. The majority of the Company’s shipping terms define the performance obligation to be satisfied upon shipment.
Accounts Receivable
The Company’s accounts receivable are due from purchasers of the Company’s products. Credit is extended based on evaluation of a customer’s financial condition and, generally, collateral is not required. Accounts receivable are due within established payment terms and are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding longer than established payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, and the conditions of the general economy and the aerospace industry. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketability based upon the age of the inventory and assumptions about future demand for the Company’s products and market conditions.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. In addition, the Company assesses the impairment of goodwill at least annually. Important factors that could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant negative industry or economic trends and significant changes in the use of the Company’s assets or strategy of the overall business.
Income Taxes
As part of the processes of preparing its consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate the income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process involves estimating the actual current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in the reporting of certain items, such as depreciation and undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, for income tax purposes compared to financial accounting purposes. In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover the deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, all positive and negative evidence is considered, including the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and results of recent acquisitions. If these estimates and assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record additional valuation allowances against its deferred tax assets, resulting in additional income tax expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, or conversely to further reduce the existing valuation allowance, resulting in less income tax expense. The Company evaluates the realizability of the deferred tax assets and assesses the need for additional valuation allowances quarterly.
Tax benefits are recognized for an uncertain tax position when, in the Company’s judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount that is judged to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. The liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances and when new information becomes available. Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are identified. The effective tax rate includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and subsequent adjustments as considered appropriate by the Company. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, the Company believes its liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adequate. Interest and penalties recognized on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as income tax expense.
Contingencies and Litigation
The Company is subject to a number of proceedings, lawsuits and other claims related to environmental, employment, product and other matters. The Company is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes in these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after careful analysis of each individual issue. The required reserves may change in the future due to new developments in each matter or changes in approach, such as a change in settlement strategy in dealing with these matters.

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Interest Rate Risk - The exposure to market risks for changes in interest rates relates to the Company's short-term investment portfolio. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments in its investment portfolio. The Company’s short-term investment portfolio is managed in accordance with guidelines issued by the Company. These guidelines are designed to establish a high quality fixed income portfolio of government and highly rated corporate debt securities with a maximum weighted maturity of less than two years. Based on the average anticipated maturity of the investment portfolio at the end of the 2024 fiscal year, the Company does not believe that a hypothetical 10% fluctuation in short-term interest rates would have had a material impact on the consolidated results of operations or financial position of the Company.
Commodities Risk - The Company is subject to fluctuations in the cost of raw materials used to manufacture its materials and products. In particular, the Company is exposed to market fluctuations in commodity pricing as the Company utilizes certain materials that are key materials in certain of its products. The Company generally passes changes in the costs of its raw material costs through to its customers. The Company currently does not use hedging strategies to minimize the risk of price fluctuations on commodity-based raw materials; however, the Company regularly reviews such strategies on an ongoing basis. See “Materials and Sources of Supply” in Item 1 of this Report.

---

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The Company's Financial Statements begin on the next page.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Park Aerospace Corp
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Park Aerospace Corp. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 3, 2024 and February 26, 2023, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive earnings, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 3, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 3, 2024 and February 26, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 3, 2024, in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the entity’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
/s/ CohnReznick LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.
Parsippany, New Jersey
June 11, 2024
PARK AEROSPACE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
March 3, 2024
February 26, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 6,567
$ 4,237
Marketable securities (Note 2)
70,644
101,203
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $128 and $120, respectively
12,381
9,989
Inventories (Note 3)
6,404
6,768
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
2,849
2,844
Total current assets
98,845
125,041
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 3)
23,499
24,251
Operating right-of-use assets (Note 10)
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net (Note 3)
9,776
9,783
Other assets
Total assets
$ 132,309
$ 159,333
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 3,514
$ 4,545
Operating lease liabilities (Note 10)
Accrued liabilities (Note 3)
1,986
1,346
Dividend payable
-
20,471
Income taxes payable
4,105
2,171
Total current liabilities
9,658
28,586
Long-term operating lease liabilities (Note 10)
Non-current income taxes payable (Note 4)
5,259
10,938
Deferred income taxes (Note 4)
3,222
1,995
Other liabilities (Note 4)
1,174
1,751
Total liabilities
19,395
43,399
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 10 and 11)
Shareholders' equity (Note 6):
Preferred stock, $1 par value per shares-authorized, 500,000 shares; issued, none
-
-
Common stock, $0.10 par value per shares-authorized, 60,000,000 shares; issued, 20,965,144 shares
2,096
2,096
Additional paid-in capital
170,445
169,932
Accumulated deficit
(45,374 )
(42,694 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(2,271 )
(4,244 )
124,896
125,090
Less treasury stock, at cost, 711,783 and 493,934 shares, respectively
(11,982 )
(9,156 )
Total shareholders' equity
112,914
115,934
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$ 132,309
$ 159,333
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
PARK AEROSPACE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Fiscal Year Ended
March 3,
February 26,
February 27,
Net sales
$ 56,004
$ 54,055
$ 53,578
Cost of sales
39,470
37,582
35,661
Gross profit
16,534
16,473
17,917
Selling, general and administrative expenses
8,154
6,519
6,249
Restructuring charges (Note 8)
-
-
Earnings from operations
8,380
9,954
11,409
Interest and other income
1,053
1,078
Earnings from operations before income taxes
9,433
11,032
11,784
Income tax provision (Note 4)
1,960
3,320
Net earnings
$ 7,473
$ 10,731
$ 8,464
Earnings per share (Note 7)
Basic:
Basic earnings per share
$ 0.37
$ 0.52
$ 0.41
Basic weighted average shares
20,304
20,465
20,422
Diluted:
Diluted earnings per share
$ 0.37
$ 0.52
$ 0.41
Diluted weighted average shares
20,393
20,509
20,551
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
PARK AEROSPACE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS
(Amounts in thousands)
Fiscal Year Ended
March 3,
February 26,
February 27,
Net earnings
$ 7,473
$ 10,731
$ 8,464
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains on marketable securities:
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period
1,844
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings
-
(7 )
(36 )
Unrealized losses on marketable securities:
Unrealized holding losses arising during the period
(110 )
(2,567 )
(1,713 )
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses included in net earnings
Other comprehensive earnings (loss)
1,973
(2,279 )
(1,629 )
Total comprehensive earnings
$ 9,446
$ 8,452
$ 6,835
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
PARK AEROSPACE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Common Stock
Paid-in
Accumulated
Comprehensive
Treasury Stock
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Earnings (Loss)
Shares
Amount
Balance, February 28, 2021
20,965,144
$ 2,096
$ 170,038
$ (25,063 )
$ (336 )
582,268
$ (10,794 )
Net earnings
-
-
-
8,464
-
-
-
Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax
-
-
-
-
(1,629 )
-
-
Stock options exercised
-
-
(658 )
-
-
(75,334 )
1,397
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
-
-
Cash dividends ($.40 per share)
-
-
-
(8,168 )
-
-
-
Balance, February 27, 2022
20,965,144
2,096
169,665
(24,767 )
(1,965 )
506,934
(9,397 )
Net earnings
-
-
-
10,731
-
-
-
Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax
-
-
-
-
(2,279 )
-
-
Stock options exercised
-
-
(102 )
-
-
(13,000 )
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
-
-
Cash dividends ($1.40 per share)
-
-
-
(28,658 )
-
-
-
Balance, February 26, 2023
20,965,144
2,096
169,932
(42,694 )
(4,244 )
493,934
(9,156 )
Net earnings
-
-
-
7,473
-
-
-
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax
-
-
-
-
1,973
-
-
Stock options exercised
-
-
(16 )
-
-
(3,250 )
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
-
-
Repurchase of treasury shares
-
-
-
-
-
221,099
(2,880 )
Cash dividends ($0.50 per share)
-
-
-
(10,153 )
-
-
-
Balance, March 3, 2024
20,965,144
$ 2,096
$ 170,445
$ (45,374 )
$ (2,271 )
711,783
$ (11,982 )
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
PARK AEROSPACE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
Fiscal Year Ended
March 3,
February 26,
February 27,
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings
$ 7,473
$ 10,731
$ 8,464
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
1,402
1,136
1,136
Stock-based compensation
Allowance for bad debt
Provision for deferred income taxes
1,228
Amortization of bond premium
Loss on sale of marketable securities
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets
-
(8 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
(2,408 )
(1,665 )
(722 )
Inventories
(2,112 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(5 )
(550 )
Other assets and liabilities
(554 )
(2,723 )
Accounts payable
(1,031 )
2,011
(766 )
Accrued liabilities
(148 )
(214 )
Income taxes payable
(3,745 )
(1,723 )
(1,583 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
4,408
6,491
8,201
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(645 )
(1,047 )
(4,372 )
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment
-
Purchases of marketable securities
(7,690 )
(63,275 )
(59,422 )
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities
39,723
57,296
34,224
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
31,388
(7,018 )
(29,556 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid
(30,624 )
(8,186 )
(8,168 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Purchase of treasury stock
(2,880 )
-
-
Net cash used in financing activities
(33,466 )
(8,047 )
(7,429 )
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
2,330
(8,574 )
(28,784 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
4,237
12,811
41,595
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
$ 6,567
$ 4,237
$ 12,811
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
Dividend payable included in current liabilities
$ -
$ 20,471
$ -
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three years ended March 3, 2024
(Amounts in thousands, except share (unless otherwise stated), per share and option amounts)
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Park Aerospace Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Park” or the “Company”) is a global advanced materials company which develops and manufactures advanced composite materials, primary and secondary structures and assemblies and low-volume tooling for the aerospace markets.
a.
Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Park and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
b.
Use of Estimates - The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
c.
Accounting Period - The Company’s fiscal year is the 52- or 53-week period ending the Sunday nearest to the last day of February. The 2024 fiscal year ended on March 3, 2024 and consisted of 53 weeks; the 2023 and 2022 fiscal years ended on February 26, 2023 and February 27, 2022, respectively, and each consisted of 52 weeks.
d.
Fair Value Measurements - Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
Fair value measurements are broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:
Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. An active market for the asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals or current market) and contractual prices for the underlying financial instrument, as well as other relevant economic measures.
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.
The fair value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and current liabilities approximate their carrying value due to their short-term nature. Certain assets and liabilities of the Company are required to be recorded at fair value on either a recurring or non-recurring basis. On a recurring basis, the Company records its marketable securities at fair value using Level 1 or Level 2 inputs. (See Note 2).
The Company’s non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, for purposes of calculating impairment, include goodwill and any long-lived assets written down to fair value. To measure fair value of such assets, the Company uses Level 3 inputs consisting of techniques including an income approach and a market approach. The income approach is based on a discounted cash flow analysis and calculates the fair value by estimating the after-tax cash flows attributable to a reporting unit and then discounting the after-tax cash flows to a present value using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Assumptions used in the discounted cash flow analysis require the exercise of significant judgment, including judgment about appropriate discount rates, terminal values, growth rates and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. There were no transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy during the 2024, 2023 or 2022 fiscal years.
e.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all money market securities and investments with contractual maturities at the date of purchase of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. The Company had no debt securities included in cash equivalents at March 3, 2024 or February 26, 2023. Certain of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are in excess of U.S. government insurance. At March 3, 2024 and February 26, 2023, $29,589 and $28,194, respectively, of the cash and marketable securities were owned by one of the Company’s wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries.
Supplemental cash flow information:
Fiscal Year
Cash paid during the year for income taxes, net of refunds
$ 6,017
$ 3,235
$ 3,924
On February 9, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $1.00 per share payable April 6, 2023 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2023. The total amount of this special dividend was approximately $20.5 million.
f.
Marketable Securities - All marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included in comprehensive earnings. Realized gains and losses, amortization of premiums and discounts, and interest and dividend income are included in interest and other income, net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.
g.
Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketability based upon the age of the inventory and assumptions about future demand for the Company's products and market conditions.
h.
Revenue Recognition - The Company recognizes revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the providing entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We recognize revenue when all of the following criteria are met: (1) we have entered into a binding agreement, (2) the performance obligations have been identified, (3) the transaction price to the customer has been determined, (4) the transaction price has been allocated to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) the performance obligations have been satisfied. Revenue is recognized in accordance with contracted shipping terms, which represents the Company’s performance obligation. Shipping and handling costs are treated as fulfillment costs.
i.
Sales Allowances and Product Warranties - The Company records estimated reductions to revenue for customer returns, allowances, and warranty claims. Provisions for such reductions are recorded in the period the sale is recorded and are derived from historical trends and other relevant information. The Company’s products are made to customer specifications and tested for adherence to specifications before shipment to customers. Composite structures and assemblies may be subject to “airworthiness” acceptance by customers after receipt at the customers’ locations. There are no future performance requirements other than the products’ meeting the agreed specifications. The Company’s basis for providing sales allowances for returns are known situations in which products may have failed due to manufacturing defects in products supplied by the Company. The amounts of returns and allowances resulting from defective or damaged products have been less than 1.0% of sales for each of the Company's last three fiscal years.
j.
Accounts Receivable - The Company’s accounts receivable are due from purchasers of the Company’s products. Credit is extended based on evaluation of a customer’s financial condition and, generally, collateral is not required. Accounts receivable are due within established payment terms and are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding longer than established payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, and the conditions of the general economy and the aerospace industry. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible.
k.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets - The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. Important factors that could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant negative industry or economic trends and significant changes in the use of the Company's assets or strategy of the overall business. No impairments of long-lived assets were recognized in the 2024, 2023 or 2022 fiscal years.
l.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill is not amortized. Other intangible assets are amortized over the useful lives, which is 15 years, on a straight-line basis. The Company tests for impairment of intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. With respect to goodwill, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying value. If, based on that assessment, the Company believes it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying value, a one-step goodwill impairment test is performed. The Company assesses the impairment of goodwill at least annually. The Company conducts its annual goodwill impairment test as of the first day of the fourth quarter. The Company concluded that there was no impairment in the 2024 or 2023 fiscal years.
m.
Shipping Costs - Most of the costs for third-party shippers for transporting products to customers are paid for or reimbursed by customers. The Company records minimal shipping costs in selling, general and administrative expenses.
n.
Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The Company capitalizes additions, improvements and major renewals and expenses maintenance, repairs and minor renewals as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are computed principally by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures are generally depreciated over 10 years. Building and leasehold improvements are generally depreciated over 25-30 years or the term of the lease, if shorter. The depreciation and amortization expenses associated with property, plant and equipment were $1,396, $1,129 and $1,136 for the 2024, 2023 and 2022 fiscal years, respectively.
o.
Income Taxes - Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in the reporting of certain items, such as depreciation and undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, for income tax purposes compared to financial accounting purposes. In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover the deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, all positive and negative evidence is considered, including the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and results of recent acquisitions. If these estimates and assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record additional valuation allowances against its deferred tax assets, resulting in additional income tax expense in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations, or conversely to further reduce the existing valuation allowance, resulting in less income tax expense. The Company evaluates the realizability of the deferred tax assets and assesses the need for additional valuation allowances quarterly. (See Note 4).
Tax benefits are recognized for an uncertain tax position when, in the Company’s judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount that is judged to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. The liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances and when new information becomes available. Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are identified. The effective tax rate includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and subsequent adjustments as considered appropriate by the Company. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, the Company believes its liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adequate. Interest and penalties, if any, recognized on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as income tax expense.
p.
Stock-Based Compensation - The Company accounts for stock options, the only form of equity compensation issued by the Company, as compensation expense based on the fair value of the options on the date of grant and recognizes such expense on a straight-line basis over the four-year service period during which the options become exercisable, net of forfeitures. The Company determines the fair value of such options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model incorporates certain assumptions relating to risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected dividend yield and expected life of options, in order to arrive at a fair value estimate.
q.
Treasury Stock - The Company considers all shares of the Company’s common stock purchased by the Company as authorized but unissued shares on the trade date. The aggregate purchase price of such shares is reflected as a reduction to Shareholders’ Equity, and such shares are held in treasury at cost.
r.
Leases - The Company has operating leases related to land, office space, warehouse space and equipment. All of the Company’s leases have been assessed to be operating leases. Renewal options are included in the lease terms to the extent the Company is reasonably certain to exercise the option. The exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. The incremental borrowing rate represents the Company’s ability to borrow on a collateralized basis over a term similar to the lease term. The leases typically contain renewal options for periods ranging from one year to ten years and require the Company to pay real estate taxes and other operating costs. The latest land lease expiration is 2068 assuming exercise of all applicable renewal options by the Company. The Company’s existing leases are not subject to any restrictions or covenants which preclude its ability to pay dividends, obtain financing or exercise its available renewal options.
2.
MARKETABLE SECURITIES
The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities:
March 3, 2024
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
U.S. Treasury and other government securities
$ 67,210
$ 67,210
$ -
$ -
U.S. corporate debt securities
3,434
3,434
-
-
Total marketable securities
$ 70,644
$ 70,644
$ -
$ -
February 26, 2023
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
U.S. Treasury and other government securities
$ 83,859
$ 83,859
$ -
$ -
U.S. corporate debt securities
17,344
17,344
-
-
Total marketable securities
$ 101,203
$ 101,203
$ -
$ -
The following tables show the amortized cost basis, gross unrealized gains and losses and gross realized gains and losses on the Company’s available-for-sale securities:
Amortized
Cost Basis
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
March 3, 2024:
U.S. Treasury and other government securities
$ 70,320
$ -
$ 3,110
U.S. corporate debt securities
3,435
-
Total marketable securities
$ 73,755
$ -
$ 3,111
February 26, 2023:
U.S. Treasury and other government securities
$ 89,603
$ -
$ 5,744
U.S. corporate debt securities
17,414
-
Total marketable securities
$ 107,017
$ -
$ 5,814
Fiscal Year
Gross realized gains on sale
$ -
$ -
$
Gross realized losses on sale
$
$
$
The estimated fair values of such securities at March 3, 2024, by contractual maturity, are shown below:
Due in one year or less
$ 32,638
Due after one year through five years
38,006
$ 70,644
3.
OTHER CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
Other consolidated balance sheet data consisted of the following:
March 3,
February 26,
Inventories:
Raw materials
$ 5,047
$ 5,376
Work-in-process
Finished goods
$ 6,404
$ 6,768
Property, plant and equipment:
Land, buildings and improvements
$ 16,271
$ 15,889
Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures
33,003
32,741
49,274
48,630
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
25,775
24,379
$ 23,499
$ 24,251
Goodwill and other intangible assets:
Goodwill
$ 9,776
$ 9,776
Other intangibles
-
$ 9,776
$ 9,783
Accrued liabilities:
Payroll and payroll related
$
$
Workers' compensation
Professional fees
Property taxes
Other
$ 1,986
$ 1,346
4.
INCOME TAXES
The income tax provision (benefit) for continuing operations includes the following:
Fiscal Year
Current:
Federal
$
$ (875 )
$ 1,912
State and local
Foreign
(23 )
2,400
Deferred:
Federal
State and local
(111 )
Foreign
-
-
1,227
$ 1,960
$
$ 3,320
State income tax benefits from loss carryforwards to future years were recognized as deferred tax assets in the 2024, 2023 and 2022 fiscal years.
Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of the deemed repatriated foreign earnings as a result of the transition tax, the Company intends to indefinitely invest approximately $25 million of undistributed earnings outside of the U.S. If these future earnings are repatriated to the U.S., or if the Company determines that such earnings will be remitted in the foreseeable future, the Company may be required to accrue U.S. deferred taxes.
The Company’s pre-tax earnings (loss) from continuing operations in the United States and foreign locations are as follows:
Fiscal Year
United States
$ 8,693
$ 10,669
$ 11,987
Foreign
(203 )
Earnings before income taxes
$ 9,433
$ 11,032
$ 11,784
The Company’s effective income tax rate differs from the statutory U.S. Federal income tax rate as a result of the following:
Fiscal Year
Statutory U.S. Federal tax rate
21.0 %
21.0 %
21.0 %
State and local taxes, net of Federal benefit
5.8 %
3.8 %
4.3 %
Foreign tax rate differentials
(0.4 %)
(0.4 %)
2.7 %
NQSO Expirations and Cancellations
1.8 %
2.1 %
0.0 %
Adjustment on tax accruals
(1.0 %)
0.9 %
(0.3 %)
Change in unrecognized tax benefits
(6.1 %)
(24.8 %)
0.5 %
Subpart F
0.0 %
0.5 %
(1.0 %)
Permanent differences and other
(0.3 %)
(0.4 %)
1.0 %
20.8 %
2.7 %
28.2 %
The Company had state net operating loss carryforwards of $1,775 and $1,725 at March 3, 2024 and February 26, 2023, respectively, and total net foreign operating loss carryforwards of $7,791 at both March 3, 2024 and February 26, 2023. The Company had a valuation allowances against the remaining carryforwards at March 3, 2024 and February 26, 2023. The state net operating loss carryforwards will expire in 2024 through 2040.
The Company had Arizona tax credits of $991 in both the 2024 and 2023 fiscal years for which there were valuation allowances at March 3, 2024 and February 26, 2023.
The deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $2,938 as of March 3, 2024 relates to the above foreign net operating losses and state tax credit carryforwards from continuing operations for which the Company does not expect to realize any tax benefit. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts for income tax purposes.
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities from continuing operations as of March 3, 2024 and February 26, 2023 were as follows:
March 3,
February 26,
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards
$ 1,949
$ 1,949
Tax credits carryforward
Stock options
Other, net
4,539
4,314
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets
(2,938 )
(2,938 )
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance
1,601
1,376
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation
(4,291 )
(2,841 )
Undistributed earnings
(1 )
(2 )
Other
(531 )
(528 )
Total deferred tax liabilities
(4,823 )
(3,371 )
Net deferred tax liability
$ (3,222 )
$ (1,995 )
At March 3, 2024 and February 26, 2023, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits and related interest of $1,174 and $1,751, respectively, included in other liabilities. If any portion of the unrecognized tax benefits at March 3, 2024 were recognized, the Company’s effective tax rate would decrease. The change as of March 3, 2024 was due to a reduction in uncertain tax positions of $535 from the reduction of uncertain tax positions related to expiring statutes of limitations on tax positions taken in prior years regarding the taxability of funds repatriated from the Company’s subsidiary in Singapore and certain state tax related items.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for continuing operations is as follows:
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
March 3,
February 26,
February 27,
Balance, beginning of year
$ 1,424
$ 4,078
$ 4,117
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period
(535 )
(2,980 )
(39 )
Gross increases - current period tax positions
-
Balance, end of year
$
$ 1,424
$ 4,078
The amount of unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease in the future for various reasons, including adding or subtracting amounts for current year tax positions, expiration of statutes of limitations on open income tax years, changes in the Company’s judgment about the level of uncertainty, status of tax examinations, and legislative changes. Changes in prior period tax positions are the result of a re-evaluation of the probability of realizing the benefit of a particular tax position based on new information. It is reasonably possible that none of the unrecognized tax benefits will be recognized within the next 12 months.
A list of open tax years by major jurisdiction follows:
U.S. Federal
-
California
-
New York
-
Kansas
-
France
-
Singapore
-
The Company had $256 and $327 of accrued interest and penalties as of March 3, 2024 and February 26, 2023, respectively. The Company’s policy is to include applicable interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of current income tax expense.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax reform commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA” or “Tax Act”) and significantly revised U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering corporate income tax rates, imposing a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries, and implementing a territorial tax system. As a result of the Tax Act, the Company recorded taxes payable to be paid in installments over eight years. The remaining balance of these installment payments, as of March 3, 2024, was approximately $9,500 to be paid over the next two years.
On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law. The Inflation Reduction Act includes various tax provisions, which are effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023. For tax years beginning after December 31, 2021, the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated the option to deduct research and development expenditures as incurred and instead required taxpayers to capitalize and amortize them over five or 15 years beginning in 2022. The Company incurs research and development expenses in the U.S., as such, the research and development expense addback is in the U.S. tax return. The Company will continue to monitor the possible future impact of changes in tax legislation.
The Company has no ongoing examinations of its Federal returns.
5.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
As of March 3, 2024, the Company had a 2018 Stock Option Plan (the “2018 Plan”) and no other stock-based compensation plan. The 2018 Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on May 8, 2018 and approved by the shareholders of the Company at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company on July 24, 2018. Prior to the 2018 Plan, the Company had the 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “2002 Plan”) which had been approved by the Company’s shareholders and provided for the grant of stock options to directors and key employees of the Company. All options granted under the 2018 Plan and 2002 Plan have exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the underlying Common Stock of the Company at the time of grant, which, pursuant to the terms of such Plans, is the reported closing price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date preceding the date an option is granted. Options granted under the Plans become exercisable 25% one year after the date of grant, with an additional 25% exercisable each succeeding anniversary of the date of grant, and expire 10 years after the date of grant. Options to purchase a total of 800,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company were authorized for grant under the 2018 plan. At March 3, 2024, options to purchase 252,050 shares of Common Stock were available for grant under the 2018 Plan. At March 3, 2024, 542,700 shares of Common Stock of the Company were reserved for issuance upon exercise of stock options under the 2018 Plan.
The compensation expense for stock options includes an estimate for forfeitures and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
The future compensation expense to be recognized in earnings before income taxes for options outstanding at March 3, 2024 was $668, which is expected to be recognized ratably over a weighted average vesting period of 1.32 years.
The Company records its stock-based compensation at fair value. The weighted average fair value for options was estimated at the dates of grants, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
The following table represents the weighted average fair value and valuation assumptions used for options granted in the 2024, 2023 and 2022 fiscal years:
Fiscal Year
Weighted average fair value per share of option grants
$3.01
$2.66
$2.76
Risk-free interest rates
3.61% - 3.85%
2.69% - 3.64%
0.74% - 1.85%
Expected stock price volatility
28.5% - 29.6%
27.9% - 28.3%
27.8% - 29.2%
Expected dividend yields
3.82%
3.17% - 3.32%
2.73% - 3.07%
Estimated option terms (in years)
4.9 - 8.3
5.4 - 8.1
4.4 - 7.6
The risk-free interest rates are based on U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the estimated term of the options at the date of grant. Volatility factors are based on historical volatility of the Company’s Common Stock. The expected dividend yields are based on the regular quarterly cash dividend per share most recently declared by the Company and on the exercise price of the options granted during the 2024 fiscal year. The estimated terms of the options are based on evaluations of the historical and expected future employee exercise behavior.
During the 2024 fiscal year, the Company recorded non-cash charges of $109,000 related to the modification of previously granted employee stock options resulting from the $1.00 per share special cash dividend paid by the Company in April 2023.
Information with respect to stock option activity follows:
Outstanding
Options
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Balance, February 28, 2021
634,534
$ 12.47
$
Granted
147,750
13.82
Exercised
(75,334 )
9.81
Terminated or expired
(58,650 )
13.96
Balance, February 27, 2022
648,300
$ 12.96
$
Granted
134,100
12.08
Exercised
(13,000 )
10.67
Terminated or expired
(98,975 )
13.13
Balance, February 26, 2023
670,425
$ 12.80
$ 2,159
Granted
133,300
13.08
Exercised
(3,250 )
11.83
Terminated or expired
(92,150 )
15.69
Balance, March 3, 2024
708,325
$ 11.53
5.99
$ 2,420
Vested and exercisable, March 3, 2024
404,688
$ 10.95
4.35
$ 1,620
Expected to vest, March 3, 2024
673,263
$ 11.53
5.99
$ 2,300
The aggregate intrinsic values realized (the market value of the underlying shares on the date of exercise, less the exercise price, times the number of shares acquired) from the exercise of options during the 2024, 2023 and 2022 fiscal years were $11, $23, and $358, respectively.
A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested options at March 3, 2024, and changes during the fiscal year then ended, is presented below:
Shares
Subject to
Options
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Non-vested, beginning of year
293,813
$ 2.65
Granted
133,300
2.91
Vested
(106,995 )
2.77
Terminated or expired
(17,231 )
2.79
Non-vested, end of year
302,887
$ 2.72
6.
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Treasury Stock - On May 18, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company’s purchase, on the open market and in privately negotiated transactions, of up to 1,500,000 shares of its Common Stock which represented 7% of the Company’s 20,458,210 total outstanding shares of its Common Stock as of May 18, 2022. This authorization supersedes any unused prior Board of Directors’ authorizations to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock. During the year ended March 3, 2024, the Company repurchased 221,099 shares at a total cost of approximately $2,880. Prior to February 26, 2023, the Company had not purchased any shares of its Common Stock pursuant to the above authorization. At May 31, 2024, the amount remaining under the authorization was 1,278,901 shares which represent approximately 6% of the Company’s 20,253,361 total outstanding shares as of May 31, 2024.
Reserved Common Shares - At March 3, 2024, 960,375 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon exercise of stock options.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) - Accumulated balances related to each component of other comprehensive earnings were as follows:
March 3, 2024
February 26, 2023
Unrealized losses on investments, net of taxes of $840 and $2,279, respectively
$ (2,271 )
$ (4,244 )
Accumulated balance
$ (2,271 )
$ (4,244 )
7.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings by the sum of (a) the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period and (b) the potential Common Stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Stock options are the only Common Stock equivalents, and the number of dilutive options is computed using the treasury stock method.
The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
Fiscal Year
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net earnings
$ 7,473
$ 10,731
$ 8,464
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic EPS
20,304
20,465
20,422
Net effect of dilutive options
Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted EPS
20,393
20,509
20,551
Basic earnings per share
$ 0.37
$ 0.52
$ 0.41
Diluted earnings per share
$ 0.37
$ 0.52
$ 0.41
Potentially dilutive stock options, which were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because either the effect would have been antidilutive or the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the Common Stock, were 94,263, 441,781 and 263,744 for the 2024, 2023 and 2022 fiscal years, respectively.
8.
RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
The Company recorded restructuring charges of $259in the 2022 fiscal year, related to the closure of the Company’s Park Aerospace Technologies Asia Pte. Ltd. Facility located in Singapore. No restructuring charges were recorded in 2024 or 2023.
9.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Profit Sharing Plan - The Company has a non-contributory profit sharing retirement plan covering substantially all full-time employees in the United States. The plan may be modified or terminated at any time, but in no event may any portion of the contributions revert back to the Company. The Company’s estimated contributions are accrued at the end of each fiscal year and paid to the plan in the subsequent fiscal year. The Company’s contributions to the plan were $150 and $157 for fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively. The contribution for fiscal year 2024 has not been paid. Contributions are discretionary and may not exceed the amount allowable as a tax deduction under the Internal Revenue Code.
Savings Plan - The Company also sponsors a 401(k) retirement savings plan but has no financial obligations to plan participants in the form of matching contributions or otherwise.
10.
LEASES AND COMMITMENTS
The Company has operating leases related to land, office space, warehouse space and equipment. All of the Company’s leases have been assessed to be operating leases. Renewal options are included in the lease terms to the extent the Company is reasonably certain to exercise the option. The exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. The amounts disclosed in our consolidated balance sheet as of March 3, 2024, pertaining to the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, are measured on our current expectations of exercising our available renewal options. The incremental borrowing rate represents the Company’s ability to borrow on a collateralized basis over a term similar to the lease term. The leases typically contain renewal options for periods ranging from one year to 10 years and require the Company to pay real estate taxes and other operating costs. The latest land lease expiration is 2068 assuming exercise of all applicable renewal options by the Company. The Company’s existing leases are not subject to any restrictions or covenants which preclude its ability to pay dividends, obtain financing or exercise its available renewal options.
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of March 3, 2024 are as follows:
Fiscal Year:
$
-
-
-
Thereafter
Total undiscounted operating lease payments
Less imputed interest
(76 )
Present value of operating lease payments
$
The above payment schedule includes renewal options that the Company is reasonably likely to exercise. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognizes lease expense for leases on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases.
During both the 2024 and 2023 fiscal years, the Company’s operating lease expense was $62. Cash payments of $53 in both the 2024 and 2023 fiscal years pertaining to operating leases, are reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flow under cash flows from operating activities.
The following table sets forth the right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities as of March 3, 2024:
Operating right-of-use assets
$
Operating lease liabilities
$
Long-term operating lease liabilities
Total operating lease liabilities
$
The Company’s weighted average remaining lease term for its operating leases is 9.47 years. The Company’s weighted average borrowing rate for its operating leases is 4.75%.
Rental expenses, inclusive of real estate taxes and other costs, were $464, $242 and $267 for the 2024, 2023 and 2022 fiscal years, respectively.
In December 2018, the Company entered into a Development Agreement with the City of Newton, Kansas and the Board of County Commissioners of Harvey County, Kansas. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company agreed to construct and operate a redundant manufacturing facility of approximately 90,000 square feet for the design, development and manufacture of advanced composite materials and parts, structures and assemblies for aerospace. The Company further agreed to equip the facility through the purchase of machinery, equipment and furnishings and to create additional new full-time employment of specified levels during a five-year period. In exchange for these agreements, the City and the County agreed to lease to the Company three acres of land at the Newton, Kansas Airport, in addition to the eight acres previously leased to the Company by the City and County. The City and County further agreed to provide financial and other assistance toward the construction of the additional facility as set forth in the Development Agreement. The total cost of the additional facility was approximately $19.8 million, and the expansion is complete.
11.
CONTINGENCIES
Litigation
The Company is subject to a small number of immaterial proceedings, lawsuits and other claims related to environmental, employment, product and other matters. The Company is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes in these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the accrual required, if any, for these contingencies is made after careful analysis of each individual issue. The required reserves may change in the future due to new developments in each matter or changes in approach, such as a change in settlement strategy in dealing with these matters. The Company believes that the ultimate disposition of such proceedings, lawsuits and claims will not have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, capital resources, business or consolidated results of operations or financial position of the Company.
Environmental Contingencies
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named by the Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) or a comparable state agency under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (the “Superfund Act”) or similar state law as potentially responsible parties in connection with alleged releases of hazardous substances at three sites.
Under the Superfund Act and similar state laws, all parties who may have contributed any waste to a hazardous waste disposal site or contaminated area identified by the EPA or comparable state agency may be jointly and severally liable for the cost of cleanup. Generally, these sites are locations at which numerous persons disposed of hazardous waste. In the case of the Company’s subsidiaries, generally the waste was removed from their manufacturing facilities and disposed at waste sites by various companies which contracted with the subsidiaries to provide waste disposal services. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries have been accused of or charged with any wrongdoing or illegal acts in connection with any such sites. The Company believes it maintains an effective and comprehensive environmental compliance program.
The insurance carriers which provided general liability insurance coverage to the Company and its subsidiaries for the years dur-ing which the Company’s subsidiaries’ waste was disposed at these sites have in the past reimbursed the Company and its subsidiaries for 100% of their legal defense and remediation costs associated with two of these sites.
The Company does not record environmental liabilities and related legal expenses for which the Company believes that it and its subsidiaries have general liability insurance coverage for the years during which the Company’s subsidiaries’ waste was disposed at two sites for which certain subsidiaries of the Company have been named as potentially responsible parties. Pursuant to such general liability insurance coverage, three insurance carriers reimburse the Company and its subsidiaries for 100% of the legal defense and remediation costs associated with the two sites.
Included in selling, general and administrative expenses are charges for actual expenditures and accruals, based on estimates, for certain environmental matters described above. The Company accrues estimated costs associated with known environmental matters, when such costs can be reasonably estimated and when the outcome appears probable. The Company believes that the ultimate disposition of known environmental matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
12.
GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS
The Company’s products are sold to customers in North America, Asia and Europe. The Company’s manufacturing facilities are located in Kansas. Sales are attributed to geographic regions based upon the region in which the materials were delivered to the customer. Sales between geographic regions were not significant.
Financial information regarding the Company’s continuing operations by geographic region is as follows:
Fiscal Year
Sales:
North America
$ 50,295
$ 50,044
$ 51,307
Asia
1,330
Europe
4,379
3,225
1,571
Total sales
$ 56,004
$ 54,055
$ 53,578
Long-lived assets:
North America
$ 33,464
$ 34,292
$ 34,448
Asia
-
-
-
Europe
-
-
-
Total long-lived assets
$ 33,464
$ 34,292
$ 34,448
13.
CUSTOMER AND SUPPLIER CONCENTRATIONS
As a result of the sale of the Electronics Business, the Company now operates in a single segment. As such, segment reporting is no longer provided.
Customers - Net sales to affiliate and non-affiliate subtier suppliers of General Electric Company were 37.7%, 41.2% and 49.5% of the Company’s total worldwide sales in the 2024, 2023 and 2022 fiscal years, respectively.
While no other customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total worldwide net sales in the 2024, 2023 or 2022 fiscal years, the loss of a major customer or of a group of customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or consolidated results of operations or financial position.
Suppliers - Suppliers Huntsman Advanced Materials and ArianeGroup accounted for 14.2% and 12.1% of the Company’s accounts payable balance, respectively, in the 2024 fiscal year, and 10.9% and 20.2% of the Company’s accounts payable balance, respectively, in the 2023 fiscal year. No supplier accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s accounts payable balance in the 2022 fiscal year.
Sources of Supply - The principal materials used in the manufacture of the Company’s advanced composite materials, aerospace grade reinforcements, thermoset resins and base chemicals. Although there is a limited number of qualified suppliers of these materials, the Company has nevertheless identified alternate sources of supply for many of such materials. While the Company has not experienced significant problems in the delivery of these materials and considers its relationships with its suppliers to be strong, a disruption of the supply of material from a principal supplier could adversely affect the Company’s business. Furthermore, substitutes for these materials are not readily available, and an inability to obtain essential materials, if prolonged, could materially adversely affect the Company’s business.
14.
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recently Adopted
In March 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-01, Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements. The changes require all entities to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control leases over the useful life to the common control group. The amendments in ASU 2023-01 were effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for: (1) public business entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued, and (2) all other entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance. The adoption of ASU 2023-01 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
PARK AEROSPACE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Quarter
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fiscal 2024:
Net sales
$ 15,551
$ 12,481
$ 11,639
$ 16,333
Gross profit
4,833
4,079
3,169
4,453
Net earnings
1,854
1,746
1,203
2,670
Basic earnings per share
$ 0.09
$ 0.09
$ 0.06
$ 0.13
Diluted earnings per share
$ 0.09
$ 0.09
$ 0.06
$ 0.13
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic
20,461
20,256
20,250
20,253
Diluted
20,526
20,338
20,355
20,357
Fiscal 2023:
Net sales
$ 12,783
$ 13,875
$ 13,867
$ 13,530
Gross profit
4,092
4,086
4,444
3,851
Net earnings
1,910
1,885
2,230
4,706
Basic earnings per share
$ 0.09
$ 0.09
$ 0.11
$ 0.23
Diluted earnings per share
$ 0.09
$ 0.09
$ 0.11
$ 0.23
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic
20,458
20,461
20,471
20,471
Diluted
20,504
20,503
20,510
20,518
Earnings per share are computed separately for each quarter. There-fore, the sum of such quarterly per share amounts may differ from the total for each year.

---

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.

---

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a)
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15I and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) as of March 3, 2024, the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report. Based on such evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such fiscal year, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act and are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b)
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company, and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 3, 2024. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on management’s assessment and those criteria, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 3, 2024.
(c)
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
There has not been any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth fiscal quarter of the fiscal year to which this report relates that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

---

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
PART III

---

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
The information called for by this Item (except for information as to the Company's executive officers, which information appears elsewhere in this Report) is incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.

---

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The information called for by this Item is incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.

---

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The information called for by this Item is incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.

---

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
The information called for by this Item is incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.

---

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
This information called for by this Item is incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.
PART IV

---

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Page
(a) Documents filed as a part of this Report:
(1) Consolidated Financial Statements:
The following Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are included in Part II, Item 8:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 107748)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (1-14)
(2) Financial Statement Schedule:
The following additional information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Registrant described in Item 15(a)(1) above:
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or not required, or the information is included elsewhere in the financial statements or notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits:
The information required by this Item relating to Exhibits to this Report is included in the Exhibit Index beginning on page 63 hereof.