EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 39092
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 39092_10-K_2022_0001437749-22-018429.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Friedman Industries, Incorporated (the “Company”), a Texas corporation incorporated in 1965, is a manufacturer and processor of steel products and operates in two reportable segments: coil products and tubular products. Significant financial information relating to the Company’s business segments for the last two years is contained in Note 13of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, which financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in Item 8 hereof.
Coil Products
The coil product segment consists of the operation of two hot-rolled coil processing facilities; one in Hickman, Arkansas (“Hickman”) and the other in Decatur, Alabama (“Decatur”). The Hickman facility operates a temper mill and a cut-to-length line and the Decatur facility operates a stretcher leveler cut-to-length line. The equipment at both facilities improves the flatness and surface qualities of the coils and cuts the coils into sheet and plate of prescribed lengths. The Hickman facility is capable of cutting sheet and plate with thicknesses ranging from 14 gauge to ½” thick in widths ranging from 36” wide to 72” wide. The Decatur facility is capable of cutting sheet and plate with thicknesses ranging from 14 gauge to ½” thick in widths ranging from 36" wide to 96" wide. The coil product segment sells its prime grade inventory under the Friedman Industries name but also maintains an inventory of non-standard coil products, consisting primarily of mill secondary and excess prime coils, which are sold through the Company’s XSCP division. The coil product segment also processes customer-owned coils on a fee basis.
The Hickman and Decatur facilities are substantially similar with respect to products produced. The Company makes shipments of coil products based on which facility offers the desired product or, if the product is available at both facilities, based on other factors, such as customer location, freight conditions and the ability of the facility to fulfill the order on a timely basis. Coil products are sold on a wholesale, rapid-delivery basis in competition with other processors of hot-rolled steel coils. Shipments are made via unaffiliated truckers or by rail.
On May 25, 2021, the Company announced plans for a new facility in Sinton, Texas that will be part of the coil product segment. The new facility is on the campus of Steel Dynamics, Inc.'s ("SDI") new flat roll steel mill in Sinton, Texas. The Company's new location consists of an approximately 70,000 square foot building located on approximately 26.5 acres leased from SDI under a 99-year agreement. The Company contracted with Red Bud Industries to build one of the world’s largest stretcher leveler cut-to-length lines, capable of handling material up to 1” thick, widths up to 96” and yields exceeding 100,000 psi. The Company expects the equipment commissioning to occur during August 2022 and September 2022 and then expects expanded production levels beginning in October 2022. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $21 million.
The coil segment purchases its inventory from a limited number of suppliers. Loss of any of these suppliers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
Tubular Products
The tubular product segment consists of the Company’s Texas Tubular Products division (“TTP”) located in Lone Star, Texas. TTP operates two electric resistance welded pipe mills with a combined outside diameter (“OD”) size range of 2 3/8” OD to 8 5/8” OD. Both pipe mills are American Petroleum Institute (“API”) licensed to manufacture line pipe and oil country pipe and also manufacture pipe for structural purposes that meets other recognized industry standards. TTP has a pipe finishing facility capable of applying threads and couplings to oil country tubular goods and performing other services that are customary in the pipe finishing process. The pipe finishing facility is currently idled. TTP’s inventory consists of raw materials and finished goods. Raw material inventory consists of hot-rolled steel coils that TTP will manufacture into pipe. Finished goods inventory consists of pipe TTP has manufactured and mill reject pipe that TTP purchased from U.S. Steel Tubular Products, Inc.
TTP purchases its inventory from a limited number of suppliers. Loss of any of these suppliers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
Marketing
The following table sets forth the approximate percentage of total sales contributed by each group of products and services during each of the Company’s last two fiscal years:
Product and Service Groups
Coil Products
%
%
Tubular Products
%
%
Coil Products. The Company sells coil products and processing services to approximately 230 customers located primarily in the midwestern, southwestern and southeastern regions of the United States. The Company’s principal customers for these products and services are steel distributors and customers manufacturing steel products such as steel buildings, railroad cars, barges, tanks and containers, trailers, component parts and other fabricated steel products. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, sales of coil products to O'Neal Steel accounted for approximately 11% of the Company's total sales. No individual coil products customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company's total sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.
The Company sells substantially all of its coil products through its own sales force. At March 31, 2022, the sales force was comprised of the Vice President of Sales - Coil Divisions and four professional sales personnel. Sales personnel are paid on a salary and commission basis.
Tubular Products. The Company sells its tubular products nationally to approximately 110 customers. The Company’s principal customers for these products are steel and pipe distributors. In fiscal years 2022 and 2021, no individual tubular customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total sales.
The Company sells substantially all of its tubular products through its own sales force. At March 31, 2022, the sales force was comprised of the Vice President of Sales - Tubular Division and two professional sales personnel. Sales personnel are paid on a salary and commission basis.
Competition
The Company is engaged in a non-seasonal, highly-competitive business. The Company competes with other processors of hot-rolled steel coils, tubular manufacturers, steel distributors and brokers.
The Company believes that, generally, its ability to compete is dependent upon its ability to offer products at prices competitive with or below those of other steel suppliers, as well as its ability to provide products meeting customer specifications on a rapid-delivery basis.
Human Capital Resources
At March 31, 2022, the Company had 98 full-time employees and 1 part-time employee.
Executive Officers of the Company
The following table sets forth as of March 31, 2022, for each executive officer of the Company, the name, age, officer positions and arrangements with other persons regarding his selection as an officer, if any, and the period during which such officer has served in such capacity:
Name
Age
Position, Offices with the Company
and Other Arrangements, if any
Michael J. Taylor
President and Chief Executive Officer since September 2019; formerly Interim President and Interim Chief Executive Officer since February 2019; Chairman of the Board of Directors since June 2017; member of the Board of Directors since December 2016
Alex LaRue
Chief Financial Officer - Secretary and Treasurer since March 2018; formerly Vice President - Secretary and Treasurer since 2014; formerly Assistant Vice President - Secretary and Treasurer since 2013; formerly Controller - Texas Tubular Products since 2011

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Not required.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
The principal real properties of the Company are described in the following table:
Location
Approximate
Size
Ownership
Lone Star, Texas
Plant - Texas Tubular Products
161,000 sq. feet
Owned(1)
Offices - Texas Tubular Products
12,200 sq. feet
Owned(1)
Land - Texas Tubular Products
122.4 acres
Owned(1)
Longview, Texas
Offices
5,100 sq. feet
Leased(2)
Hickman, Arkansas
Plant and Warehouse - Coil Products
64,600 sq. feet
Owned(1)
Offices - Coil Products
2,500 sq. feet
Owned(1)
Land - Coil Products
26.2 acres
Owned(1)
Decatur, Alabama
Plant and Warehouse - Coil Products
48,000 sq. feet
Owned(1)
Offices - Coil Products
2,000 sq. feet
Owned(1)
Land - Coil Products
47.3 acres
Owned(1)
Sinton, Texas
Plant and Warehouse
70,000 sq. feet
Leasehold Improvement (3)
Offices - Coil Products
3,100 sq. feet
Leasehold Improvement (3)
Land - Coil Products
26.5 acres
Leased(3)
(1)
All of the Company’s owned real properties, plants and offices are held in fee and are not subject to any mortgage or deed of trust.
(2)
The office lease is with a non-affiliated party, expires on April 30, 2024, and requires a monthly rental payment by the Company of $4,878.
(3) The associated lease is a 99 year lease with Steel Dynamics Inc. that calls for an annual rental payment of $1 and has an expiration date of February 19, 2120.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Company is not, and during fiscal year 2022 was not, a party to, nor is its property the subject of, any material pending legal proceedings.
PART II

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Company’s Common Stock is traded principally on the NYSE - American (Symbol: FRD).
Reference is hereby made to the sections of the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, entitled “Description of Business - Range of High and Low Sales Prices of Common Stock” and “Description of Business - Cash Dividends Declared Per Share of Common Stock”, which sections are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The approximate number of shareholders of record of Common Stock of the Company as of April 29, 2022 was 175. Because many of the Company’s common shares are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of shareholders, the Company is unable to estimate the total number of individual shareholders represented by these record holders.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Not required.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Information with respect to Item 7 is hereby incorporated herein by reference from the section of the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Not required.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The following financial statements and notes thereto of the Company included in the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, are hereby incorporated herein by reference:
Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Years ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity - Years ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The following supplementary schedule for the Company for the years ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, is incorporated herein by reference above in this Item 8 from the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022.
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Information with respect to Item 9A is hereby incorporated herein by reference from the sections of the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, entitled “Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures” and “Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Board of Directors
The following table sets forth the names of the nominees for election to the Board of Directors, the principal occupation or employment of each of the nominees, the period during which each nominee has served as a director of the Company and the age of each nominee:
Nominee
Principal Occupation and Business Experience for more than the Last Five Years
Director Since
Age
Mike Taylor
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since September 2019; formerly Interim President and Interim Chief Executive Officer since February 2019; formerly retired; formerly President, Cargill Metals Supply Chain (steel processing and distribution), The Woodlands, Texas
Durga D. Agrawal
President, Piping Technology & Products, Inc. (pipe fabrication), Houston, Texas
Max Reichenthal
President, Texas Iron and Metal (steel product sales), Houston, Texas
Sandy Scott
Retired; Current director on the boards of Terra Nova Solutions, Rowland Inc., CEDA International, DWD International LLC and Goodwill of Houston; formerly Chief Executive Officer, Sprint Industrial Holdings (rental equipment and transportation company), Houston, Texas
Joel Spira
Private investor, Houston, Texas; formerly Partner, Weinstein Spira & Company (accounting firm), Houston, Texas
Tim Stevenson
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Metal Edge Partners (metals price risk management and strategic advisory services), Plymouth, Minnesota; formerly Managing Director, Cargill Risk Management (price risk management services), Hopkins, Minnesota; formerly North American Lead of Derivatives and Analysis, Cargill, Inc. (steel processor), Hopkins, Minnesota
Sharon Taylor
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Martin Midstream Partners LP and Martin Resource Management Corporation (terminalling, processing, transportation, storage and packaging services for petroleum products and by-products); formerly Director of Finance and Investor Relations, Martin Midstream Partners LP; formerly Business Analyst - Finance, Martin Midstream Partners LP, Kilgore, Texas
Joe L. Williams
Partner, Pozmantier, Williams & Stone Insurance Consultants, LLC (insurance and risk management consultants), Houston, Texas
Executive Officers of the Company
Information with respect to Item 10 regarding executive officers is hereby incorporated by reference from the information set forth under the caption “Executive Officers of the Company” in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Under the Exchange Act, our directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders must report to the SEC certain transactions involving Common Stock. Based solely on a review of the copies of the reports required pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act that have been furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, we believe that these filing requirements have been satisfied for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 except for: one Form-4 filed by Durga D. Agrawal on December 30, 2021 (filed 87 days late); one Form-4 filed by Max Reichenthal on December 30, 2021 (filed 87 days late); one Form-4 filed by Joel Spira on December 30, 2021 (filed 87 days late); one Form-4 filed by Tim Stevenson on December 30, 2021 (filed 87 days late); one Form-4 filed by Joe L. Williams on December 30, 2021 (filed 87 days late); and one Form-4 filed by Alex LaRue on August 1, 2022 (filed 209 days late).
Audit Committee
The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee which currently consists of Messrs. Agrawal, Reichenthal and Spira (Chairman). The Audit Committee discusses with the independent accountants and management our financial statements and the scope of the audit examinations, reviews with the independent accountants the audit budget, receives and reviews the audit report submitted by the independent accountants, reviews with the independent accountants internal accounting and control procedures and engages our independent auditor. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities to the Board of Directors are further detailed in the Second Amended and Restated Charter of the Audit Committee, as amended, which is not available on our website but is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement. The Audit Committee met four times in fiscal year 2022.
The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that all members of the Audit Committee are independent in accordance with the applicable rules of the NYSE - American and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act. The Board also has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements. In addition, the Board has determined that Mr. Spira meets the financial sophistication requirements set forth in the applicable rules of the NYSE - American and qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined in the rules promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.
The Company has adopted the Friedman Industries, Incorporated Code of Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”), which applies to the Company’s employees, directors and officers, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions. A copy of the Code is filed as an exhibit hereto.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain information regarding compensation paid for services rendered during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, to each of our executive officers, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”):
Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 2022
Name and
Principal
Position
Year
Salary
($)(1)
Bonus
($)(2)
Stock Awards
($)(3)
All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
Total
($)
Michael J. Taylor
279,996
1,198,786
-
5,233
1,484,015
President & Chief Executive Officer
279,996
94,083
-
6,078
380,157
Alex LaRue
180,000
799,191
-
11,587
990,778
Chief Financial Officer - Secretary & Treasurer
165,000
87,722
-
9,189
261,911
(1) Represents base salary.
(2) Includes quarterly bonuses based on a percentage of our quarterly net income and Christmas bonuses, each of which is paid at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
(3) Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value for stock awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(4) Reflects contributions by the Company to the Friedman Industries, Inc. Employees’ Retirement and 401(k) Plan for the benefit of the Named Executive Officers and cash dividends received related to restricted shares awarded under the Company’s restricted stock plan.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2022
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Name
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)
Option Exercise Price ($)
Option Expiration Date
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (3)
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value Of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
Michael J. Taylor
____
____
____
____
____
40,000 (1)
$352,400
____
____
Alex LaRue
____
____
____
____
____
4,000 (2)
$35,240
____
____
(1) The unvested stock awards for Mr. Taylor will vest in 10,000 share increments on April 1, 2022, April 1 2023, April 1, 2024 and April 1 2025.
(2) The unvested stock awards for Mr. LaRue will vest in 1,000 share increments on April 1, 2022, April 1 2023, April 1, 2024 and April 1 2025.
(3) Based on the closing price of our common stock on March 31, 2022 of $8.81.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control
The Named Executive Officers will receive the same benefits as our other employees upon termination of their employment. We maintain the Friedman Industries, Inc. Employees’ Retirement and 401(k) Plan (the “Plan”), a defined contribution and 401(k) plan. The Plan covers substantially all employees, including officers, and employees fully vest in the Plan upon six years of service. The Company maintains a life insurance policy on Mr. LaRue but does not currently have a policy in place on Mr. Taylor. From time to time and in its discretion, the Board has approved the transfer of the applicable policy to an officer upon their retirement. At March 31, 2022, the cash surrender value of the life insurance policy held by the Company on Mr. LaRue was approximately $6,500. None of the Named Executive Officers has a change-in-control agreement with us.
Director Compensation
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, directors were paid $9,000 per quarter. In addition, the Chairman and members of the Audit Committee received $3,000 and $2,250, respectively, per quarter. Mr. Taylor did not receive any compensation for serving as a director.
Except for Mr. Taylor, who is a Named Executive Officer (as defined in “Executive Compensation” below), the following table summarizes compensation paid to each director during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. Sandy Scott and Sharon Taylor are not listed in the table below due to them being added to the Board of Directors subsequent to March 31, 2022.
Director Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 2022
Name
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
All Other Compensation ($) (1)
Total ($)
Durga Agrawal
45,000
10,000
55,000
Max Reichenthal
45,000
10,000
55,000
Joel Spira
48,000
10,000
58,000
Tim Stevenson
36,000
10,000
46,000
Joe L. Williams
36,000
10,000
46,000
(1)
All other compensation consists of restricted stock awards issued to directors during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022.
Procedures and Processes for Determining Executive and Director Compensation
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing and recommending to the full Board of Directors the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our other Named Executive Officers. The Committee also reviews and discusses with the Chief Executive Officer, and recommends to the full Board of Directors, the compensation for all other officers of the Company. The Committee may retain compensation consultants or other advisers it deems appropriate. Based on the Committee’s analysis of relevant data, the Committee determines its recommendation regarding the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer during an executive session of the Committee at which the Chief Executive Officer is not present. Our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations regarding the compensation of our other executive officers and other officers to the Committee. The Committee considers the recommendations, discusses the recommendations with our Chief Executive Officer, may discuss the matter in executive session and then makes recommendations to the full Board of Directors. The final determination as to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and all other officers of the Company is made by the full Board of Directors based on the recommendations of the Committee.
The Board of Directors, or an authorized committee thereof, may from time to time review and determine the form and amount of director compensation, including cash, equity-based awards and other director compensation to maintain a transparent and readily understandable compensation program which ensures that the directors continue to receive fair and appropriate compensation for the time commitment required to discharge their duties as directors for a company of our size.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The table below sets forth the following information as of March 31, 2022 for all equity compensation plans, including those previously approved by our shareholders.
Equity Compensation Plan Table
Plan Category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans
Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Security Holders
-
-
130,185
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved By Security Holders
-
-
-
Total
-
-
130,185
Additional information with respect to Item 12 regarding equity compensation plan information relating to the Company is hereby incorporated herein by reference from Note 2 - Equity Compensation Plans and Capital Stock included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included in the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022.
Security Ownership Information
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the beneficial ownership of Common Stock by directors, nominees for director, Named Executive Officers, executive officers and directors as a group and persons who owned of record more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock as of July 28, 2022:
Name
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership(a)
Percentage
of Shares
Outstanding
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP........................................................
544,919 (b)
7.4 %
6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One
Austin, Texas 78746
Renaissance Technologies Holdings Corporation............................
488,018 (c)
6.6 %
800 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Plateplus, Inc.......................................................................................
516,041 (d)
7.0 %
21 Waterway Ave. Suite 525
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Mike Taylor........................................................................................
122,144
1.7%
Durga D. Agrawal..............................................................................
11,763
*
Max Reichenthal.................................................................................
11,763
*
Joel Spira.............................................................................................
10,763
*
Tim Stevenson....................................................................................
24,763
*
Sharon Taylor.....................................................................................
*
Joe L. Williams...................................................................................
20,333
*
Alex LaRue.........................................................................................
42,150
*
Officers and directors as a group (8 persons)...................................
243,779
3.3 %
* Less than 1%.
(a) Based upon information obtained from the officers, directors, director nominees and beneficial owners. Includes all shares beneficially owned according to the definition of “beneficial ownership” in the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act. Except as otherwise indicated, the indicated person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares.
(b) Based upon information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 8, 2022 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (“Dimensional”). Dimensional is deemed to have beneficial ownership of 544,919 shares of the Common Stock as of December 31, 2021.
(c) Based upon information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 11, 2022 by Renaissance Technologies Holdings Corporation (“Renaissance”). Renaissance is deemed to have beneficial ownership of 488,018 shares of the Common Stock as of December 31, 2021.
(d) Based upon information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on May 9, 2022 by Plateplus, Inc. (“Plateplus”). Plateplus is deemed to have beneficial ownership of 516,041 shares of the Common Stock as of April 29, 2022.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence
Related Party Transactions
There were no transactions in fiscal year 2022 with related persons which required disclosure pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR Part 229).
Policies and Procedures with Respect to Approval of Related Party Transactions
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has adopted a written policy with respect to related party transactions to document procedures pursuant to which such transactions are reviewed, approved or ratified. The policy applies to any transaction between us and any related party other than transactions (i) available to all employees generally or (ii) involving less than $5,000 when aggregated with all similar transactions. The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing, approving and ratifying any related party transaction. In general, the policy prohibits all related party transactions although the Audit Committee may approve related party transactions (A) in exceptional circumstances where the situation is urgent and no reasonable alternatives exist, (B) when the benefit is unique and significant or (C) the economic value to us is highly compelling over an extended period.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Audit Fees
In fiscal years 2022 and 2021, we retained Moss Adams LLP (Houston, Texas PCAOB ID: 659) to provide services and incurred fees therefor as indicated in the following table:
2022 Actual Fees
2021 Actual Fees
Audit Fees (1)
$ 493,300
$ 214,700
Audit-Related Fees
-
-
Tax Fees
-
-
All Other Fees
-
-
Total Fees
$ 493,300
$ 214,700
(1) Includes fees and expenses incurred related to the fiscal year audit and interim reviews, notwithstanding when the fees and expenses were billed or when the services were rendered.
The Audit Committee has implemented pre-approval policies and procedures for all audit and non-audit services to be provided by our independent public accountants to us. With regard to all permissible non-audit services, the Audit Committee has designated the Chairman of the Audit Committee to approve in advance the provision by the independent public accountants of such services.
There were no services approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception in paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X (17 CFR Part 210) during fiscal year 2022.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Documents included in this report
1. Financial Statements
The following financial statements and notes thereto of the Company are included in the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference:
Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Years ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity - Years ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
2. Financial Statement Schedules
The following financial statement schedule is included in the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference:
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.
3. Exhibits
Exhibit
No.
Description
3.1
-
Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form S-8 filed on December 21, 2016).
3.2
-
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as filed with the Texas Secretary of State on September 22, 1987 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form S-8 filed on December 21, 2016).
3.3
-
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended on November 8, 2021 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 19, 2021).
10.1
-
Friedman Industries, Incorporated 2016 Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form S-8 filed on December 21, 2016).
10.2
-
Form of Friedman Industries, Incorporated Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Form S-8 filed on December 21, 2016).
10.3
-
First Amendment to the Friedman Industries, Incorporated 2016 Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated by reference from Appendix C to the Company’s Form DEF 14A filed on July 26, 2019).
10.4
- Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated May 19, 2021 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 filed on July 7, 2021).
10.5
-
Pledge and Security Agreement dated May 19, 2021 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 filed on July 7, 2021).
**10.6
-
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (referenced in the Company's Current Report of Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2022).
**10.7
-
Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (referenced in the Company's Current Report of Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2022).
**10.8
-
Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Friedman Industries, Inc., Plateplus Inc. and the Stockholder of Plateplus Inc. (referenced in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2022).
**10.9
-
Lease Assignment and Assumption Agreement for Parcel 1-A and Parcel 4 of Granite City, Illinois Property.
**10.10
-
Lease Assignment and Assumption Agreement for Parcel 1-B of Granite City, Illinois Property.
**10.11
- Lease Assignment and Assumption Agreement for Parcel 5 of Granite City, Illinois Property.
**10.12
- Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (referenced in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 13, 2022).
**13.1
-
The Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022.
**14.1
-
Friedman Industries, Incorporated Code of Conduct and Ethics.
**21.1
-
List of Subsidiaries.
**23.1
-
Consent of Moss Adams LLP.
**31.1
-
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Michael J. Taylor.
**31.2
-
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Alex LaRue.
**32.1
-
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Michael J. Taylor.
**32.2
-
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Alex LaRue.
**101.INS
-
Inline XBRL Instance Document.
**101.SCH
-
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document.
**101.CAL
-
Inline XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document.
**101.DEF
-
Inline XBRL Definition Linkbase Document.
**101.LAB
-
Inline XBRL Label Linkbase Document.
**101.PRE
-
Inline XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.
**104
- Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
**
Filed herewith.