EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 38264
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 38264_10-K_2024_0001683168-24-009011.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
Forward Industries, Inc. (“Forward”, “we”, “our” or the “Company”), through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Forward Industries (IN), Inc. (“Forward US”), Forward Industries (Switzerland) GmbH (“Forward Switzerland”), Forward Industries UK Limited (“Forward UK”), Intelligent Product Solutions, Inc. (“IPS”), and Kablooe, Inc. (“Kablooe”), is a global design, sourcing and distribution company serving top tier medical and technology customers worldwide.
The principal customer in our original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) distribution business has been OEMs or the contract manufacturing firms of these OEM customers, that either package our products as accessories “in box” together with their branded product offerings or sell them through their retail distribution channels. Our OEM products include carrying cases and other accessories for medical monitoring and diagnostic kits and a variety of other portable electronic and non-electronic products such as sporting and recreational products, bar code scanners, GPS location devices, tablets and firearms. Our OEM customers are located in various regions worldwide.
We do not manufacture any of our OEM or retail distribution products and source substantially all these products from independent suppliers in China through Forward Industries Asia-Pacific Corporation, a British Virgin Islands corporation (“Forward China”). Forward China is owned by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Our design business provides hardware and software product design and engineering services to customers predominantly located in the U.S. Our expertise in various disciplines enables us to serve a wide variety of industries and provide clients with a single source solution for concepts, industrial design, mechanical engineering, embedded software and systems architecture, mobile and enterprise application software, and optical engineering.
Discontinued Operations
Considering the recurring losses incurred by the retail segment, in July 2023, the Company decided to cease operations of our retail distribution segment and we are presenting the results of operations for this segment within discontinued operations in the current and prior periods presented herein. The discontinuation of the retail segment represents a strategic shift in the Company’s business. The primary assets of the retail segment were inventory and accounts receivable. The Company sold, liquidated, or otherwise disposed of the remaining retail inventory and collected the remaining retail accounts receivable as of September 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2024, the retail segment was fully discontinued, and we expect to have no further significant involvement in this segment. The inventory of the retail segment is presented as discontinued assets held for sale on the balance sheet at September 30, 2023 and the results of operations for the retail segment have been classified as discontinued operations on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. All information and results in this annual report on Form 10-K exclude the discontinued retail segment unless otherwise noted. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on the discontinued retail segment.
Corporate History
Forward was incorporated in 1961 as a manufacturer and distributer of advertising specialty and promotional products. In 1989, we acquired Forward US, a manufacturer of soft-sided carrying cases. The carrying case business became our predominant business, and in September 1997, we sold the assets relating to the production of advertising specialty and promotional products, ceasing to operate in that segment.
In May 2001, we formed Forward Switzerland to facilitate distribution of aftermarket products under our licenses for cell phone cases and to further develop our OEM European business presence. After the expiration of the last of these licenses in March 2009, staff at Forward Switzerland was significantly reduced and in recent years has primarily served our OEM customers in Europe.
In January 2018, Forward acquired IPS, an engineering design company, and in August 2020, Forward acquired the assets of Kablooe Design, a medical and consumer design and development company. We believe that the design and engineering service capabilities of Kablooe has complemented the IPS business and further diversified the industries and customers with which we do business.
Customers
Our OEM distribution customers are located in all geographic regions worldwide. Our design business provides services to Fortune 500 companies, established mid-level companies, and start-ups. The wide range of industries served includes industrial electronics, medical and dental equipment, food/beverage, certain luxury brands, and oil/gas. Our design customers are located primarily in the U.S.
Products
Our products include carrying cases and other accessories for medical monitoring and diagnostic kits and a variety of other portable electronic and non-electronic products (such as sporting and recreational products, bar code scanners, GPS location devices, tablets, and firearms). We do not manufacture any of our products and we source substantially all our products from independent suppliers in China through Forward China, a related party (see Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements).
Diabetic Products
We sell carrying cases for blood glucose diagnostic kits directly to OEM customers, or their contract manufacturers. These electronic monitoring kits are made for use by diabetics. The diabetic products customer (or its contract manufacturer) packages our carry cases “in box” as a custom accessory for the customer’s blood glucose testing and monitoring kits, or to a much lesser extent, sells them through their retail distribution channels. These kits typically include a small, electronic blood glucose monitor, testing strips, lancets for drawing a drop of blood and our carrying case, customized with the manufacturer’s logo and designed to fit and secure the glucose monitor, testing strips, and lancets in separate straps, pouches, and holders. As the kits and technology change, our carrying case designs change to accommodate the changes in size, shape and layout of the electronic monitoring device, strips and lancet.
Other Products
We also sell carrying and protective solutions to customers for a diverse array of other portable electronic and other products, including sporting and recreational products, bar code scanners, GPS location devices, tablets, and firearms, on a made-to-order basis that are customized to fit the products sold by our customers. Our selling prices for these products vary across a broad range, depending on the size and nature of the product for which we design and sell the carry solution.
Design Products
Our design business provides a complete range of design, engineering and development services with respect to a diverse array of consumer and industrial electronics products. These include but are not limited to medical products, smart displays, beverage vending, enterprise and mobile software applications, lighting, security and detections systems, cameras, wearables and vehicle controls. Solutions in these and other areas are designed and developed in-house, beginning at product concept, extending through design, engineering and prototype, and final design for manufacturing and computer-aided design files.
Product Development
In the OEM division, we typically receive requests to submit product designs in connection with a customer’s introduction and rollout to market of a new product. We collaborate with clients to determine functionality, size and other basic specifications and requirements for products. Our design and production resources develop more detailed product specifications and design options for our customers’ evaluation. We provide documentation of each phase to the client and gain approval of a working prototype. Working with our suppliers and the customer, samples are modified and refined. Once approved for commercial introduction and order by our customer, we work with our suppliers to ensure conformity of commercial production to the definitive product samples and specifications. Manufacture and delivery of products in production quantities are coordinated with the customer’s manufacturing and shipment schedules so that our products are available to be packaged with the customer’s additional product components prior to shipment and sale, or to make the product available to the customer for direct sale through its retail distribution channels.
Services
Services offered in our design business vary from full development utilizing a wide range of in-house design and engineering functions, to targeted design and engineering support for clients with in-house development teams. Our in-house capabilities include the following:
· Electrical Engineering
· Mechanical Engineering
· Software Engineering
· Industrial Design
· User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Design and Development
· Optical Engineering
· Program Management
· IoT System Architecture
· IT Support
Distribution
Channels of Distribution
We ship the majority of our OEM distribution products directly to our customers (or their contract manufacturers), who package our accessory products “in box” with their branded products. Some of our customers also purchase certain of our products and offer them for sale as stand-alone accessories to complement their product offerings. We utilize a third-party warehouse in Europe to store certain inventory items. We do not recognize revenue for products shipped to the warehouse until such products have been shipped to the customer and our performance obligation is complete.
Product Supply
Manufacturing
The manufacture of custom carrying cases and other carry and protective solutions generally consists of die cutting fabrics and heat sealing, gluing, sewing, and affixing logos to the cut-outs by means of silk screening, hot-stamping, embroidering or embossing. The principal materials used in the manufacture of our products are vinyl, nylon, leather, metal and plastic parts (for clips, buckles, loops, hinges and other hardware), foam padding and cardboard, all of which are obtained from suppliers based on our specifications.
We do not believe that any of the component materials or parts used in the manufacture of our products are supply constrained. We believe that there are adequate available alternative sources of supply for all of the materials used to manufacture, package, and ship our products.
Dependence on Sourcing Agent
We have a Buying Agency and Supply Agreement (the “Supply Agreement”) with Forward China. The Supply Agreement provides that Forward China acts as our exclusive buying agent for the products we sell. Forward China also arranges for sourcing, manufacture and exportation of such products. We purchase products at Forward China’s cost and through March 2023 paid them a monthly service fee calculated at $100,000 plus 4% of “Adjusted Gross Profit”, which is defined as the selling price less the cost from Forward China. Considering the loss of a significant OEM distribution customer (see Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements), effective April 1, 2023, the Company and Forward China agreed to reduce the fixed portion of the sourcing fee from $100,000 to $83,333 per month for the remaining term of the Supply Agreement, which expired in October 2023, resulting in cash savings of $100,000 in Fiscal 2023. Effective October 2023, the Company and Forward China entered into a new sourcing agreement under which the fixed portion of the sourcing fee was further reduced to $65,833 per month. Other terms in the agreement were substantially the same as the prior agreement. Due to the Company’s decision to cease operations of its retail distribution segment and the decline in the OEM distribution segment business, the new sourcing agreement expired October 31, 2024. In November 2024, the Company and Forward China agreed to: (i) extend the sourcing agreement until April 30, 2025, but allow either party to cancel with 30 days notice, (ii) reduce the fixed portion of the sourcing fee to $35,000 per month, and (iii) change the payment terms to better align with payments from our customers. Terence Wise, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and largest shareholder, is the owner of Forward China. In addition, Jenny P. Yu, a Managing Director of Forward China, beneficially owns more than 5% of the Company’s common stock. See “Item 1A. - Risk Factors” regarding our dependence on Forward China.
Suppliers
We procure substantially all our OEM distribution products from independent suppliers in China through Forward China. Depending on the product, we may require several different suppliers to furnish component parts or pieces. We place orders for particular products and do not have minimum supply requirement agreements to guarantee a supply of finished product, nor have we made purchase commitments to purchase minimum amounts. However, from time to time, we may order certain OEM products in advance of receiving a customer purchase order, or in quantities in excess of those forecasted to us by our customer, for which they are contractually obligated to us, in order to meet our customers’ anticipated delivery demands.
There are very few suppliers required for the design segment of the business as it is a service-based business. We do, however, purchase supplies and equipment to develop prototypes or “mock-ups” for design and development projects. Design business suppliers are predominantly based in the United States.
Quality Assurance
Forward’s quality assurance manager oversees the process to ensure that our distribution products manufactured in China meet our quality assurance standards. The quality assurance manager independently verifies and supervises the inspection of products provided by independent contractors in China. In July 2024, Forward China received its ISO 9001:2008 quality certification, which was renewed and is valid until July 2027.
Our design business follows general industry standard practices for review and corrective actions related to its design services. There are no independent quality assurance standards in place for its design and engineering work. Customer specifications and scope of services are laid out in project contracts and we work closely with the customer to identify and correct any quality issues that arise.
Competition
Distribution Business
Our OEM distribution business is highly competitive in terms of product pricing, design, delivery terms, and customer service. In the production of our distribution products, we compete with numerous U.S. and foreign producers and distributors. Some of our competitors are substantially larger than we are and have greater financial and other resources. We believe that we sustain our competitive position through maintenance of an effective product design capability, rapid response time to customer requests for proposals and product shipment, reliable product delivery and product quality, and competitive pricing. We believe that our ability to compete based on product quality assurance considerations is enhanced by Forward China’s local presence, quality control, shipment capabilities and expertise in sourcing.
Design Business
The depth and breadth of services offered, and industries served by our design segment are unique. Our management team is aware that there are very few competitive firms that have the full set of capabilities that our design segment has under one roof. There are, however, numerous design and engineering companies that compete with us in specific industries and/or with specific targeted skills or have competitive advantages.
Human Capital/Employees
As of November 30, 2024, we had approximately 100 employees, substantially all of whom work full-time, none of which are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We hire consultants on an as-needed basis.
Human capital management is critical to our ongoing business success, which requires investing in our people. Our aim is to create a highly engaged and motivated workforce where employees are inspired by leadership, engaged in purpose-driven, meaningful work and have opportunities for growth and development. We are committed to creating and maintaining a work environment in which employees are treated with respect and dignity. We value our diverse employees and provide career and professional development opportunities that foster the success of our company.
An effective approach to human capital management requires that we invest in talent, development, culture and employee engagement. We aim to create an environment where our employees are encouraged to make positive contributions and fulfill their potential. We emphasize our core values of innovation, encouragement, motivation, and curiosity with our employees to instill our culture and create an environment of growth and positivity.
Our Compensation Committee is also actively involved in reviewing and approving executive compensation, and succession plans so that we have leadership in place with the requisite skills and experience to deliver results the right way. We offer fair, competitive compensation and benefits that support our employees’ overall wellbeing. In addition to health benefits, we contribute to employees’ 401(k) plans and offer student tuition reimbursement (if certain requirements are met).
Regulation and Environmental Protection
Our OEM distribution business is subject to various regulations in various jurisdictions, including the U.S., Canada and member states of the European Union, that restrict the use or importation of products manufactured with compounds deemed to be hazardous. We work with our suppliers to ensure compliance with such regulations. In addition, from time to time, one or more customers may require testing of our products to ensure compliance with applicable consumer safety rules and regulations or the customer’s safety or packaging protocols. Because we do not manufacture the products that we sell and distribute, compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, has not had, and is not anticipated to have, any direct material effect upon our capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position. However, compliance with such laws and regulations on the part of our suppliers may result in increased costs of supply to us, particularly if domestic environmental regulations in China become more prevalent.
We have not been engaged in any environmental litigation or incurred any material costs related to compliance with environmental or other regulations. From time to time, we incur chemical and/or safety laboratory testing expenses in order to address customer requests regarding our product materials or method of manufacture, or regarding their packaging methods and standards.
There are no specific regulatory or environmental requirements imposed upon the design segment of our business. As a paid service provider, customers are assisted in securing regulatory certifications including UL (Underwriters Laboratories - a U.S. based safety certification organization), FCC (Federal Communications Commission - U.S. governmental certification department for electronic goods), CE (Conformité Européenne - a European certification for health, safety and environmental protection standards) and others depending on needs, product types and locations of customers’ product markets.
Available Information
Our corporate website is www.forwardindustries.com. On our website under “Investors” "SEC Filings", we make available access to our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A and amendments to those materials filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), free of charge. The contents of the website are not incorporated into this report.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors before deciding whether to purchase or sell stock in the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also impair our business operations or our financial condition. If any of the events discussed below occur, our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, the value and marketability of the common stock could decline.
Risks Relating to Our Business, Liquidity and Operations
We have experienced recurring losses and our ability to continue as a going concern is in doubt.
We incurred net losses of approximately $1,951,000 and $3,737,000 in Fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. We expect to generate losses for the foreseeable future. We will need to generate increased revenues to achieve profitability in the future. Despite our efforts, we may not achieve profitability in the future or sustain profitability for a prolonged period of time. In December 2024, our largest design customer notified us of its plan to discontinue their insulin patch program on which we were providing design services. In Fiscal 2024, this design customer was responsible for 25.2% of our revenues. While we plan to mitigate the impact of this lost revenue with cost reduction efforts, seeking continued flexibility on payments to Forward China and exploring additional sources of financing, these efforts may not be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs through December 31, 2025.
Accordingly, our independent registered public accounting firm stated in their report on our annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, that these conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we are unable to continue as a going concern, our shareholders will likely lose all of their investment in the Company.
The COVID-19 pandemic, or any other future pandemic, has had, and may continue to have, a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
On May 11, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the end of the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19. Though the severity of COVID-19 has subsided, new variants or any other future pandemic could interrupt business, cause renewed labor and supply chain disruptions, and negatively impact the global and US economy, which could materially and adversely impact our business. During the height of COVID-19 our supply chain experienced significant disruptions which, together with other factors such as the increase in global consumer demand and the global shipping container shortage, resulted in longer delivery times and higher importation costs for most of our products. While our supply chain appears to generally be stable at this time, should a resurgence of COVID-19, or a similar pandemic, occurs, our supply chain could again be negatively impacted; for example, the factories that manufacture our products could be required by government authorities to temporarily cease operations or might be limited in their production capacity. If governments take protective actions in response to a resurgence of COVID-19 or the outbreak of a new pandemic, it may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results for the reasons described above.
During Fiscal 2024, we generated a net loss. We cannot assure you that we will regain profitability in the future.
In Fiscal 2024, we generated a net loss of approximately $1,951,000. While we generated income from continuing operations in Fiscal 2023, we can provide no assurance that we will not experience operating losses in the future. Forward China holds a $600,000 note which is due on June 30, 2025. Additionally, we owe Forward China approximately $7,226,000 in accounts payable. See Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion on these payables and the limited amounts that we are required to pay over any 12-month period. Forward China, which is owned by our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, has previously agreed to extend the note on numerous occasions to assist the Company with its liquidity. We cannot provide any assurance that Forward China will continue to grant us extensions on this note. If we cannot generate sufficient revenues to operate profitably, we may be forced to cease, limit or suspend operations, or we may be required to raise capital or incur additional debt to maintain or grow our operations. There is no assurance that we will be able to raise such capital and if so on terms that are not onerous and dilutive to the Company and its shareholders.
Our OEM distribution business remains highly concentrated in our diabetic products line. If our diabetic products line were to suffer the loss of a principal customer or a material decline in revenues from any such large customer, our business would be materially and adversely affected.
In Fiscal 2024, revenues from diabetic products accounted for 77% of our OEM distribution revenues and OEM distribution revenue accounted for 34% of our consolidated net revenue. As a result, our financial condition and results of operations are subject to higher risk from the loss of a major diabetic products customer or changes in their business practices. Many new diabetes monitoring products brought to the market in recent years do not use a carrying case. If consumer demand continues to increase for diabetes product lines that do not use carrying cases, our business would be materially and adversely affected.
The loss of any of, or a material reduction in orders from, our largest customers would materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Each of our distribution and design businesses can at times be concentrated with certain larger customers. In Fiscal 2024, our largest design customer accounted for 25.2% of our consolidated net revenue and one OEM distribution customer accounted for 13.0% of our consolidated net revenue. In Fiscal 2023, our largest design customer accounted for 27.9% of our consolidated net revenue and one OEM distribution customer accounted for 11.2% of our consolidated net revenue. In December 2024, our largest design customer notified the Company of its plan to discontinue their insulin patch program, on which the Company was working. We expect this to cause a material decrease in our revenues beginning with the second quarter of fiscal 2025. We are currently working on cost reduction efforts to mitigate the reduction in revenue.
Although our customer concentration changes from year to year, and we continue our efforts to diversify our business, we cannot provide any assurance that we will be successful. The loss of any of these customers would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.
If any one or more of our OEM distribution customers elect to reduce or discontinue inclusion of cases “in box”, our results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
The predominant percentage of our OEM distribution revenues is derived from sales of case accessories to our OEM customers who package our cases “in box” with their electronics. During recent years, there have been numerous federal legislative and administrative actions that have affected government programs, including adjustments that have reduced or increased payments to healthcare providers and patients. Any measures to restrict healthcare spending could result in decreased sales of our products. If one or more of our distribution customers reduce or discontinue the practice of including carry case accessories “in box” or if our customers experience reduced demand for their products as a result of political changes, we may incur a significant decline in our revenues and our results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
Rising threats of international tariffs, including tariffs applied to goods between the U.S. and China, may materially and adversely affect our business.
Rising threats of international tariffs, including tariffs applied to goods traded between the U.S. and China, could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. Since the beginning of 2018, there has been increasing rhetoric, in some cases coupled with legislative or executive action, from several U.S. and foreign leaders regarding the possibility of instituting tariffs on the foreign imports of certain materials and products. More specifically, throughout 2019 and 2020, the U.S. and China imposed tariffs or announced proposed tariffs to be applied in the future to certain of each other’s exports. As of the date of this report, the Company has not been directly affected by any tariffs previously implemented by former President Trump on the medical technology industry which currently remain in place. In May 2022 the U.S. Trade Representative (the “USTR”) announced a statutory four-year review of the tariffs against China. The USTR also announced in May 2022 that it reinstated or extended various eligible tariff exclusions on certain products from China through December 2023. In September 2024, the USTR completed its statutory four-year review and announced tariff increases on imports from China on various products. Further, we do not know if the administration that takes office in 2025 will implement any new tariffs or alter current tariffs. If any tariffs or restrictions are imposed on products that we import for our customers, we would be required to raise our prices, which may result in the loss of customers and harm our business. Additionally, some of our non-diabetic distribution customers and customers in the design and development business have been affected by these tariffs, specifically those who manufacture non-medical electronic products. This may cause these customers to reduce the amount of discretionary spending they use on outsource product design and engineering services supplied by our design segment.
Changes in political conditions in China and changes in the state of China-U.S. relations, including any tensions relating to potential military conflict between China and Taiwan, are difficult to predict and could adversely affect the operations or financial condition of the Company. In addition, because of our involvement in the Chinese market, any deterioration in political or trade relations might cause a public perception in the U.S. or elsewhere that might cause our business to become less attractive. Such an impact could adversely affect our revenues and cash flows.
We continue to encounter pressure from our largest customers to maintain or even decrease prices, or to provide lower priced solutions, and expect such pressure to persist. The effects of such price constraints on our business may be exacerbated by inflationary pressures that affect our costs of supply and labor.
During Fiscal 2024, we continued to experience significant pricing pressure from many customers, including some of our largest distribution customers, to reduce the prices we charge them. When we are unable to extract comparable concessions from our suppliers on prices they charge us, our product sales margins erode. In Fiscal 2023, due to increased pricing pressure, we did not renew our contract with one major OEM distribution customer, which expired in March 2023. If pricing pressures continue and we are unable to find comparable concessions from our suppliers, we may be unable to renew future contracts with our customers. The recent inflationary environment in the U.S. and globally has caused production costs to increase in Fiscal 2023 and in Fiscal 2024. Similarly, due to continued trends of high demand and low supply in the labor market which have persisted despite Federal Reserve interest rate increases, the cost of labor has risen in both our design and distribution businesses. These developments have a material adverse impact on our margins and our ability to achieve or maintain profitability. In addition, competitors may reduce their average selling prices faster than we are able to reduce costs, which can also accelerate the rate of decline of our selling prices.
In addition to margin compression from customers in general, we are encountering increased costs from our Chinese suppliers who are reacting to inflationary increases in materials and labor costs incurred by them. In addition, prices that our Chinese vendors charge to us may reflect any appreciation of the Chinese currency against the U.S. dollar, which can be passed through to us in the form of higher U.S. dollar prices. This in turn will tend to reduce gross profit if we are unable to raise our prices. Any decrease in demand for our products or services, coupled with pressure from the market and our customers to decrease our prices, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Increasingly, our OEM distribution customers are requesting that we enter into supply agreements with them that have restrictive terms and conditions. These agreements typically include provisions that increase our financial exposure, which could result in significant costs to us.
Increasingly, our OEM distribution customers are requesting that we enter into supply agreements with them. These agreements typically do not include volume commitments but do include provisions that generally serve to increase our exposure for product liability and limited sales returns, which could result in higher costs to us as a result of such claims. In addition, these agreements typically contain provisions that seek to limit our operational and pricing flexibility and extend payment terms, which could materially adversely affect our cash flow, business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our distribution business depends on a single exclusive buying agent who, in turn, depends on a limited number of key suppliers.
Our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and largest shareholder is the owner of Forward China, our exclusive sourcing agent in the Asia Pacific region. We have a Buying Agency and Supply Agreement with Forward China under which Forward China acts as the Company’s exclusive agent to arrange for sourcing, manufacturing and exporting the Company’s distribution products. Historically, Forward China has relied on a limited number of suppliers to supply the component parts and pieces necessary for the production of our carry and protective solutions products. As a result, our ability to effectively push back against rising material costs may diminish. In addition, any inability to obtain supplies from a single or limited number of suppliers may result in difficulty obtaining the supplies necessary for our business and may restrict our ability to produce our carry and protective solutions products. Where practical, we intend to establish alternative sources through Forward China to mitigate the risk that the failure of any single supplier will adversely affect our business. Nevertheless, either a prolonged inability to obtain certain components or the failure of one of our suppliers to do so could impair our ability to ship products and generate revenues, which could adversely affect our operating results and damage our customer relationships.
In addition, we depend significantly on Forward China as our exclusive buying agent for substantially all of our component parts. As a result, we have limited visibility as to our supplier base, making it difficult to forecast future events and to plan our operations. In addition, if Forward China fails to satisfactorily perform its obligations, including payment obligations, to our suppliers or its duties to us as our exclusive buying agent as a result of financial or other difficulties or for any other reason, or if our relationship with Forward China was to suffer or we are unable to maintain our agreement with Forward China, which is currently in effect until April 30, 2025, but may be terminated prior to that with 30 days’ notice, we could suffer irreparable harm resulting in substantial damage to the distribution business.
Our business has benefited from customers deciding to outsource their carry and protective solutions assembly needs, as well as product development and design functions, to us. If our customers choose to provide these services in-house or select other providers, our business could suffer.
Our future revenue growth partially depends on new outsourcing opportunities from our current and prospective customers. Current and prospective customers continuously evaluate our performance against other providers. They also evaluate the potential benefits of developing, designing, manufacturing and transporting their products themselves. To the extent that outsourcing opportunities are not available either due to these customers deciding to develop, design, produce or transport these products themselves or to use other providers, our financial results and future growth could be materially adversely affected.
If we are unable to provide our customers with high-quality products and services or if we are unable to deliver our products and/or services to our customers in a timely manner, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
In order to maintain our existing customer base and obtain business from new customers, we must demonstrate our ability to develop, design and produce products and services at the level of quality, responsiveness, timeliness, and cost that our customers require. If our products or services are provided at what customers believe are of a substandard quality, if they are not delivered on time, if we are not responsive to our customers’ demands or cannot meet their needs, our reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality products and a sophisticated product designer and developer would likely be damaged. If we are unable to meet anticipated product and service standards imposed by contractual arrangements, customer expectations, industry practices, regulatory requirements and competitive forces, we may be unable to obtain new or keep our existing customers, and this would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If our design teams fail to complete a project in a timely manner, miss a required performance standard, or otherwise fail to adequately perform on a project, then we may incur a loss on that project.
Our design engagements often involve large-scale, complex projects. The quality of our performance on such projects depends in large part upon our ability to manage the relationship with our clients and our ability to effectively manage the project and deploy appropriate resources, including third-party contractors and our own personnel, in a timely manner. We may commit to a client that we will complete a project by a scheduled date and/or at a fixed fee. We may also commit that a project, when completed, will achieve specified performance standards. If the project is not completed by the scheduled date or fails to meet required performance standards, we may incur significant additional costs or be held responsible for the costs incurred by the client to rectify damages due to late completion or failure to achieve the required performance standards. The uncertainty of the timing of a project can present difficulties in planning the amount of personnel needed for the project. If the project is delayed or canceled, we may bear the cost of an underutilized workforce that was dedicated to fulfilling the project. In addition, performance of projects can be affected by a number of factors beyond our control, including unavoidable delays from government inaction, inability to obtain financing, weather conditions, unavailability of vendor materials, changes in the project scope of services requested by our clients, industrial accidents, environmental hazards, and labor disruptions. Furthermore, our entrance into fixed price arrangements means that if the costs of supplies, labor and other resources rise due to shortages, heightened demand, inflation or other factors, our margin for a given project will decline. To the extent these events occur, the total costs of the project could exceed our estimates, and we could experience reduced profits or, in some cases, incur a loss on a project, which may reduce or eliminate our overall profitability on that project or in general. Further, any defects or errors, or failures to meet our clients’ expectations, could result in claims for damages against us. Failure to meet performance standards or complete performance on a timely basis could also adversely affect our reputation.
Our results of operations could suffer if we are not able to maintain adequate utilization of our workforce.
The cost of providing our design services, including the extent to which we utilize our workforce, affects our profitability. The rate at which we utilize our workforce is affected by a number of factors, including:
· our ability to transition employees from completed projects to new assignments and to hire and assimilate new employees;
· our ability to forecast demand for our services and thereby maintain an appropriate headcount in each of our operating units;
· our ability to engage employees in assignments during natural disasters or pandemics;
· our ability to manage attrition;
· our need to devote time and resources to training, business development, professional development, and other non-chargeable activities; and
· our ability to match the skill sets of our employees to the needs of the marketplace.
If we over-utilize our workforce, our employees may become disengaged, which could impact employee attrition. If we under-utilize our workforce, our profit margin and profitability would suffer.
Employee or agent misconduct, or our failure to comply with anti-bribery and other laws or regulations, could harm our reputation, reduce our revenue and profits, and subject us to criminal and civil enforcement actions.
Misconduct, fraud, non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations, or other improper activities by one of our employees or agents could have a significant negative impact on our business and reputation. Such misconduct could include the failure to comply with various procurement regulations, regulations regarding the protection of confidential information, regulations prohibiting bribery and other foreign corrupt practices, regulations regarding the pricing of labor and other costs in contracts, regulations on lobbying or similar activities, regulations pertaining to the internal controls over financial reporting, environmental laws, and any other applicable laws or regulations. For example, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, and similar anti-bribery laws in other jurisdictions generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to non-U.S. officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Our policies mandate compliance with these regulations and laws, and we take precautions to prevent and detect misconduct. However, since our internal controls are subject to inherent limitations, including human error, it is possible that these controls could be intentionally circumvented or become inadequate because of changed conditions. As a result, we cannot assure that our controls will protect us from reckless or criminal acts committed by our employees or agents. Our failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations or acts of misconduct could subject us to fines and penalties and suspension or debarment from contracting, any or all of which could harm our reputation, reduce our revenue and profits, and subject us to criminal and civil enforcement actions.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results. As a result, current and potential stockholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which could harm our business and the trading price of our stock.
Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports. If we cannot maintain effective controls and reliable financial reports, our business and operating results could be harmed. We continue to work on improvements to our internal controls over financial reporting. Any failure to implement and maintain internal controls over our financial reporting or difficulties encountered in the implementation of improvements in our controls, could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Any failure to improve our internal controls over financial reporting or to address identified weaknesses in the future, if they were to occur, could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative impact on the trading price of our stock.
Our results of operations are subject to the risks of fluctuations in the values of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.
Our results of operations are expressed in U.S. dollars. When the U.S. dollar appreciates or depreciates in value against a currency in which all or a significant portion of revenues or other accounts receivable are denominated, such as the Euro, our results of operations can be adversely affected or benefited, respectively. The degree of impact is proportional to the amount of foreign currency expense or revenue, as the case may be, and the fluctuations in exchange rates over the period in which the effect is measured on our consolidated financial statements. In addition, such currency fluctuations may affect the comparability of our results of operations between financial periods.
Future revenues are difficult to predict and are likely to show significant variability as a consequence of customer concentration and operating in more than one segment.
Because our revenues can at times be concentrated in a few large customers, and because the volumes of these customers’ order flows to us can fluctuate markedly in a short period of time, our quarterly revenues, and consequently our results of operations, may be highly variable and subject to significant changes over a relatively short period of time. Our largest OEM distribution customers may keep consumer products with which our carry solutions are packaged “in-box” in active promotion for many months, or for a very short period of time, depending on various factors, including sales trends for the product, product development cycles, new product introductions, and our customers’ competitors’ product offerings. As demand for the consumer products relating to the in-box program matures and decreases, we may be forced to accept significant price and/or volume reductions in customer orders for our carry solutions, which will adversely affect revenues. Additionally, our large design and development customers may have their budgets limited from many factors including economic declines (resulting from a pandemic or any other reason) causing discretionary budgets to decline or may from-time-to-time choose to do their development work in-house. Further, in our design and development business, customers may decline to use us for future work after a project is completed, which may be due to lack of continued need for our services after their product has been developed, produced, and marketed or because they are dissatisfied with our pricing or performance. All of these factors tend to lead to a high degree of variability in our quarterly revenue levels. Significant, rapid shifts in our operating results may occur if and when one or more of these customers increases or decreases the size(s) of, or eliminates, their orders or engagement from us by amounts that are material to our business.
Our gross margins, and therefore our potential profitability, vary considerably by customer and by product and service offering, and if the revenue contribution from one or more customers or products or project changes materially, relative to total revenues, our gross profit percentage may fluctuate.
Our gross profit margins on the products and services we sell can vary widely depending on the product or project type, customer, and contract or order size. Because of the broad variability in price ranges and product and project types, we anticipate that gross margins, and accordingly their impact on operating income or loss, may fluctuate depending on the relative revenue contribution from each customer or product. Similarly, because we offer a wide range of services which often vary with each customer and project, we face challenges in maintaining and enhancing operational efficiencies. For example, because of the range of products and services we offer and our general lack of specializations within our fields relative to some of our competitors, we may not enjoy the advantages offered by more focused or streamlined operations, such as economies of scale or improved production capabilities from our labor, facilities, and procedures with the passage of time. If our gross margins decrease, our results of operations will be adversely affected.
Product manufacture is often outsourced by our distribution customers to contract manufacturing firms and in these cases, it is the contract manufacturer to which we must look for payment.
Contract manufacturing firms perform manufacturing, assembly, and product packaging functions, including the bundling of our product accessories with the OEM distribution customer’s product. As a consequence of this business practice, we often sell our carry solutions products directly to the contract manufacturing firm. This is particularly significant in the case of diabetic product sales to certain customers. In these cases, we invoice the contract manufacturing firm and not the OEM distribution customer. Therefore, it is the contract manufacturing firm to which we must look for payment in such cases and not our OEM distribution customer. If we fail to receive payment from the contract manufacturer, our ability to be paid for products already delivered would be limited. In such event, our results of operations and cash flows will be adversely affected.
Our dependence on foreign manufacturers creates quality control and other risks to our business. From time to time, we may experience certain quality control, on-time delivery, cost, or other issues that may jeopardize customer relationships.
Our reliance on foreign suppliers, manufacturers and other contractors involves significant risks, including risk of product quality issues and reduced control over quality assurance, manufacturing yields and costs, pricing, timely delivery schedules, the potential lack of adequate manufacturing capacity and availability of product, the lack of capital and potential misappropriation of our designs. In any such event, our reputation and our business will be harmed.
Our shipments of products may become subject to delays or cancellation due to work stoppages or slowdowns, piracy, damage to port facilities, and congestion due to inadequacy of port terminal equipment and other causes.
To the extent that there are disruptions or delays in loading container cargo in ports of origin or off-loading cargo at ports of destination as a result of labor disputes, work-rules related slowdowns, tariff or World Trade Organization-related disputes, piracy, physical damage to port terminal facilities or equipment caused by severe weather or terrorist incidents, congestion in port terminal facilities, inadequate equipment to load, dock and offload container vessels or energy-related tie-ups or otherwise, or for other reasons, product shipments to our customers will be delayed. For example, in Fiscal 2024, we experienced shipping delays resulting from cargo ship piracy in the Red Sea, and in March 2021, a container ship carrying some of our products ran aground in the Suez Canal and was immobilized for six days. Although these events did not have a material adverse effect on our business, there is no assurance that, if they happened again, that they would not. In any such case, our customers may cancel or change the terms of their purchase orders, resulting in a cancellation or delay of payments to us. A closure or partial closure of port facilities or other causes of delays in the loading, importation, offloading or movement of our products to the shipping destination agreed to with our customer could result in increased expenses, as we try to avoid such delays, delayed shipments or cancelled orders, or all of the above. Depending on the severity of such consequences, this may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Issues with our products or services may lead to product liability, personal injury or property damage claims, recalls, withdrawals, replacements of products, or regulatory actions by governmental authorities that could divert resources, affect business operations, decrease sales, increase costs, and put us at a competitive disadvantage, any of which could have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition.
We may experience issues with products that we source or develop, or with the services we render, that may lead to product liability, personal injury or property damage claims, recalls, withdrawals, replacements of products, or regulatory actions by governmental authorities. Any of these activities could result in increased governmental scrutiny, harm to our reputation, reduced demand by consumers for products or services, decreased willingness by customers to purchase our products or procure our services, absence or increased cost of insurance, or additional safety and testing requirements. Such results could divert development and management resources, adversely affect our business operations, decrease sales, increase legal fees and other costs, and put us at a competitive disadvantage compared to other companies not affected by similar issues with products and services, any of which could have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Although the Company carries product liability insurance and works with its customers to satisfy product quality concerns (the cost of such efforts are typically covered by our sourcing agent, Forward China) we can provide no assurance that customers will not seek damages beyond what we warranty or beyond our insurance coverage. Although we have not had significant claims for damages or losses from the products we distribute in our distribution business or assist in the development, design or production of in our design business, any uninsured claim, if successful and of significant magnitude, could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition.
The product distribution and design businesses are highly competitive and do not pose significant barriers to entry.
There are many competitors in the sale of carry solutions products to our customers including OEMs, and competition is intense. Since little or no significant proprietary technology is involved in the design, production or distribution of the types of products we sell, others may enter the business with relative ease and compete against us. Such competition may result in the diminution of our market share or the loss of one or more major customers, thereby adversely affecting our net revenues, results of operations, and financial condition. Further, with respect to our design business, while management believes there are a limited number of customers offering the broad range of design and development services we do, there are numerous design and engineering companies that compete with us in specific industries and/or with specific targeted skills or competitive advantages, and some prospective customers might prefer a competitor that focuses in a specialty area in which they operate or target over an offering such as ours that is not limited to any specific industry or product type.
Many of our competitors are larger, better capitalized and more diversified than we are and may be better able to withstand a downturn in the general economy or in the product areas in which we specialize. Potential customers may prefer the pricing terms offered by competitors. These competitors may also have less sales concentration than we do and be better able to withstand the loss of a key customer or diminution in its orders. If we are not effectively able to compete, our results of operations will be adversely affected.
If we fail to retain our key personnel, we may not be able to achieve our anticipated level of growth and our business could suffer.
Our future depends, in part, on our ability to attract and retain key sales personnel and the continued contribution of our executive officers including Terence Wise, our Chief Executive Officer, who would be difficult to replace. Further, as part of the Company’s ongoing efforts to reduce expenses, we recently reduced the salaries of three of our executive officers. While the salary reductions were agreed to by the executives, it is possible that the decrease in salary may cause either or both officers to look for employment elsewhere. Our design and development business is highly labor intensive and, therefore, our ability to attract and retain professional and technical staff is an important factor in our future success. The market for qualified engineers is competitive and, from time to time, it may be difficult to attract and retain qualified individuals with the required expertise within the timeframe demanded by our clients. The loss of the services of any of our key personnel and the process to replace any key personnel would involve significant time and expense and may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives.
If a third party asserts that we are infringing on its intellectual property, whether successful or not, it could subject us to costly and time-consuming litigation or require us to obtain expensive licenses, and our business may be adversely affected.
Third party lawsuits alleging our infringement of patents, trade secrets or other intellectual property rights could cause us to do one or more of the following:
· stop using technology that contains the allegedly infringing intellectual property;
· incur significant legal expenses;
· cause our management to divert substantial time to our defenses;
· pay substantial damages to the party whose intellectual property rights we may be found to be infringing;
· indemnify customers; or
· attempt to obtain a license to the relevant intellectual property from third parties, which may not be available to us on reasonable terms or at all.
Third party lawsuits alleging our infringement of patents, trade secrets or other intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition to our products, potential adverse developments involving intellectual property described above may occur with respect to customers’ products incorporating our products or services that we render.
If we experience system interruptions, it may cause us to lose customers and may harm our business.
Our inability to maintain and improve our information technology systems and infrastructure may result in system interruptions. System interruptions and slow delivery times, unreliable service levels, prolonged or frequent service outages, or insufficient capacity may prevent us from efficiently providing services to our customers, which could result in our losing customers and revenue.
Our IT infrastructure including power, security, connectivity and other services is housed within our office space in which we lease. We also rely on third-party providers for bandwidth. We do not control these vendors, and it would take significant time and effort to replace them. We have experienced, and may experience in the future, website disruptions, outages and other performance problems due to a variety of factors, including infrastructure changes, human or software errors and capacity constraints.
Our systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from terrorist attacks, floods, fires, power loss, telecommunications failures, hurricanes, computer viruses, computer denial of service attacks or other attempts to harm our systems. Any such damage or interruption would adversely affect our results of operations.
Because our networks and IT systems may be vulnerable to unauthorized persons hacking our systems, it could disrupt our operations and result in the theft of our proprietary information.
A party who is able to breach the security measures on our networks could misappropriate either our or our customers’ proprietary information, or cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations. Hacking of companies’ infrastructure is a growing problem. Although we believe our systems and engineering team have the capability of protecting the Company from any such hacking, we can provide you with no such assurance. If we grow and obtain more visibility, we may be more vulnerable to hacking. We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against such threats or to alleviate problems caused by breaches in security, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance and operating results.
Our design business uses software that is highly technical, and undetected errors, if any, could adversely affect our business.
Our design business may use software that is highly technical and complex. Our software has contained, and may now or in the future contain, undetected errors, bugs, flaws, corrupted data or vulnerabilities. Some errors in our software code may only be discovered after the code has been released. Any errors, bugs, flaws, or corrupted data could result in damage to our reputation, loss of users, or loss of revenue, any of which could adversely affect our business and financial results.
We maintain cash balances in our bank accounts that exceed the FDIC insurance limitation.
We maintain our cash assets at commercial banks in the U.S. in amounts in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit of $250,000 and in Europe in amounts that may exceed any applicable deposit insurance limits. In the event of a failure at a commercial bank where we maintain our deposits or money market or other cash, we may incur a loss to the extent such loss exceeds the insurance limitation, which could have a material adverse effect upon our financial conditions and our results of operations.
Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is a significant shareholder, which makes it possible for him to have significant influence over the outcome of all matters submitted to our shareholders for approval and which influence may be alleged to conflict with our interests and the interests of our other shareholders.
Terence Wise, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is a significant shareholder who beneficially owns approximately 19.9% of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of December 9, 2024. Mr. Wise would beneficially own significantly more shares without a 19.9% blocker (shareholder approval cap) under our Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock. Mr. Wise has substantial influence over the outcome of all matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, including the election of our directors and other corporate actions. This influence may be alleged to conflict with our interests and the interests of our other shareholders. In addition, such influence by Mr. Wise could have the effect of discouraging potential business partners or create actual or perceived governance instabilities that could adversely affect the price of our common stock.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Due to factors beyond our control, our stock price may be volatile.
Any of the following factors could affect the market price of our common stock:
· Our failure to increase revenue in each succeeding quarter and achieve and thereafter maintain profitability;
· Our failure to meet our revenue and earnings guidance or our failure to meet financial analysts’ performance expectations;
· The loss of Forward China as our agent;
· Cybersecurity breaches;
· The loss of customers or our failure to attract more customers;
· Creditworthiness and solvency of clients;
· Loss of key employees;
· The sale of a large amount of common stock by our shareholders;
· Our announcement of a pending or completed acquisition or our failure to complete a proposed acquisition;
· An adverse court ruling or regulatory action;
· Changes in regulatory practices, including tariffs and taxes;
· Changes in market valuations of similar companies;
· Short selling activities;
· Our announcement of any financing or a change in the direction of our business;
· Announcements by us, or our competitors, of significant contracts, acquisitions, commercial relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments; or
· Other forces outside of our control such as inflation, Federal Reserve interest rate increases and the recessionary environment it could bring, geopolitical turmoil such as the recent wars in Ukraine and Israel, and other developments that could adversely impact the U.S. and global economies and erode investor sentiment.
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted. A securities class action suit against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s time and attention, which would otherwise be used to benefit our business.
Failure to meet the continued listing standards of Nasdaq could result on the delisting of our common stock.
Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq. As part of being listed on Nasdaq, we are required to meet certain continued listing requirements.
On July 31, 2023, the Company received a notice from Nasdaq that the Company had failed to comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Rule”) by failing to maintain a minimum bid price of at least $1.00 per share of common stock for 30 consecutive business days. The Company was given a 180-day grace period to regain compliance, but the Company failed to regain compliance within the grace period. The Company then timely requested a hearing before an independent Nasdaq Hearings Panel. The hearing occurred on April 9, 2024.
Further, on February 22, 2024, the Company received a notice from Nasdaq that the Company’s stockholders’ equity did not comply with the applicable Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) (the “Stockholders’ Equity Rule”), requiring listed companies to maintain a stockholders’ equity of at least $2,500,000, as reported in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2023. The Company was instructed to present its views with respect to its failure to meet the requirements of the Stockholders’ Equity Rule at the April 9, 2024, hearing before the Nasdaq Hearings Panel.
As a result of the reverse stock split effected in June 2024 and the entrance into the Accounts Payable Conversion Agreements with Forward China (described in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements), the Company regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule and Stockholders’ Equity Rule in July 2024 and was formally notified by Nasdaq that such requirements were met. Until July 24, 2025, the Company is subject to a Nasdaq “Panel Monitor” which provides for in the event the Company fails to satisfy the Stockholders’ Equity Rule during the monitoring period, the Company will be required to request a hearing before the Panel in order to maintain its listing rather than taking the interim step of submitting a compliance plan for the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Staff’s review or receiving any otherwise applicable grace period. We can provide no assurance that if the Company fails to satisfy the Stockholders’ Equity Rule during this period that the Company will be able to maintain its Nasdaq listing.
If our stock price declines below $1.00 for more than 30 consecutive business days, and thereby fails to satisfy the Minimum Bid Price Rule, we may ask shareholders to approve another reverse stock split. Reverse stock splits require approval by stockholders who hold a majority of our voting power. Because many of our shares are held in street name and brokers do not necessarily vote unvoted shares, we may not receive approval for another reverse split. Additionally, a reverse stock split typically has the effect of reducing the number of holders of shares in “round lots” meaning those holding 100 or more shares. Another requirement for being listed on Nasdaq is that the Company have a minimum of 300 round lot holders, so if our stock price falls too low, a reverse split may not be sufficient to cure noncompliance based on the minimum round lot requirement.
If we fail to meet continued listing requirements in the future and are unable to get an extension to regain compliance, Nasdaq may delist our common stock. If our common stock is delisted, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
● a limited availability of market quotations for our common stock;
● reduced liquidity with respect to our common stock;
●
a determination that our shares of common stock are a “penny stock” which will require broker-dealers trading in our
common stock to adhere to more stringent rules, including being unable to solicit buyers for our common stock;
● a limited amount of news and analyst coverage for our Company; and
● a limited ability to raise capital in the future.
If we become subject to a regulatory investigation, it could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner materially adverse to our business.
From time to time, we may receive inquiries from regulators regarding our compliance with laws and other matters. In 2019, we incurred significant expenses responding to an SEC investigation into potential insider trading by certain insiders of the Company. Although that investigation has concluded, responding to, or defending other such actions would cause us to incur substantial expenses and divert our management’s attention.
Violation of existing or future regulatory orders or consent decrees could subject us to substantial monetary fines and other penalties that could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, it is possible that future orders issued by, or enforcement actions initiated by, regulatory authorities could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner materially adverse to our business.
We do not expect to pay dividends in the future, which means that investors may not be able to realize the value of their shares except through a sale.
We do not anticipate that we will declare or pay a cash dividend. We expect to retain future earnings, if any, for our business and do not anticipate paying dividends on common stock at any time in the foreseeable future. Because we do not anticipate paying dividends in the future, the only opportunity for our shareholders to realize the creation of value in our common stock will likely be through a sale of those shares.
We have incurred, and may in the future incur, impairment charges related to our goodwill, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
As of September 30, 2024, we had goodwill of $1,559,000. The carrying value of goodwill may be reduced if we determine that goodwill is impaired. We test goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if indicators of an impairment exist, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. We have had to impair our goodwill in the past, and in Fiscal 2024, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $200,000. The testing of goodwill for impairment requires us to make significant estimates about future performance and cash flows, as well as other assumptions. These estimates can be affected by numerous factors, including potential changes in economic, industry or market conditions; changes in business operations; changes in competition or changes in the price of our ordinary shares and market capitalization and other relevant events and factors affecting the fair value of the reporting unit. Changes in these factors, or changes in actual performance compared with estimates of our future performance, may affect the fair value of goodwill and could result in an impairment charge.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not Applicable.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We lease all properties where our business is operated. We believe that these properties are adequate for the purposes for which they are used. All leases are with unaffiliated third parties. We believe that the loss of any lease would not have a material adverse effect on our operations, as we believe that we could identify and lease comparable facilities upon approximately equivalent terms. The properties which are material to the Company’s business are described below:
We lease 14,000 square feet in Hauppauge, New York for our executive offices and IPS, which we rent under a lease agreement scheduled to expire in 2027. The lease has annual escalations and rent payments were approximately $32,000 per month during Fiscal 2024.
We lease 11,000 square feet in Coon Rapids, Minnesota for Kablooe, which we rent under a lease agreement scheduled to expire in June 2026. The lease has annual escalations and rent payments were approximately $11,000 per month during Fiscal 2024.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, the Company may become a party to legal actions or proceedings in the ordinary course of its business. As of September 30, 2024, and through the filing date of this Form 10-K, there were no such actions or proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, that, if decided adversely to the Company’s interests, the Company believes would be material to its business.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not Applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market for Common Stock
The principal market for our common stock is Nasdaq. Our common stock is traded under the symbol “FORD”.
On December 6, 2024, the closing price for our common stock was $4.24.
Holders of Common Stock
At November 30, 2024, there were approximately 35 holders of record of our common stock. Because many of our shares of common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock since 1987 and do not plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends in the future, if any, will depend upon our results of operations, as well as our short-term and long-term cash availability, net working capital, working capital needs, and other factors, as determined by our Board of Directors. Currently, except as may be provided by applicable laws, there are no contractual or other restrictions on our ability to pay dividends if we were to decide to declare and pay them.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. RESERVED
Not applicable.

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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
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this report on Form 10-K. The following discussion and analysis compares our results of operations for the year ended September 30, 2024 (“Fiscal 2024”) with those for the year ended September 30, 2023 (“Fiscal 2023”). All dollar amounts and percentages presented herein have been rounded to approximate values. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to those set forth under “Risk Factors.”
Cautionary statement regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report includes “forward-looking statements”, as such term is used within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, among other things, statements regarding our liquidity, plans on repaying outstanding debt obligations, as well as other statements regarding our future operations, financial condition and prospects, and business strategies. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in particular, the risks discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of this report and those discussed in other documents we file with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
Business Overview
Forward Industries, Inc. is a global design, sourcing and distribution Company serving top tier medical and technology customers worldwide.
Our design division provides hardware and software product design and engineering services to customers predominantly located in the U.S. Our OEM distribution division sources and sells carrying cases and other accessories for medical monitoring and diagnostic kits as well as a variety of other portable electronic and non-electronic devices to OEMs, or their contract manufacturers worldwide, that either package our products as accessories “in box” together with their branded product offerings or sell them through their retail distribution channels. The Company does not manufacture any of its OEM products and sources substantially all of these products from independent suppliers in China, through Forward Industries Asia-Pacific Corporation, a British Virgin Islands corporation (“Forward China”). Forward China is owned by our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.
In June 2024, the Company’s stockholders authorized, and the Company’s Board of Directors approved, a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of our common stock, which became effective on June 18, 2024. Accordingly, all references made to share, per share, or common share amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and applicable disclosures have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.
Considering the recurring losses incurred by the retail segment, in July 2023, the Company decided to cease operations of our retail distribution segment, and we are presenting the results of operations for this segment within discontinued operations in the current and prior periods presented herein. The discontinuation of the retail segment represents a strategic shift in the Company’s business. The primary assets of the retail segment are inventory and accounts receivable. The Company sold, liquidated, or otherwise disposed of the remaining retail inventory and collected the remaining retail accounts receivable as of September 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2024, the retail segment was fully discontinued, and we expect to have no further significant involvement in this segment. The inventory of the retail segment is presented as discontinued assets held for sale on the balance sheet at September 30, 2023 and the results of operations for the retail segment have been classified as discontinued operations on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. All information and results in this annual report on Form 10-K exclude the discontinued retail segment unless otherwise noted. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on the discontinued retail segment.
Variability of Revenues and Results of Operations
A significant portion of our revenue is concentrated with several large customers, some of which are the same and some of which change over time. Orders from some of these customers can be highly variable, with short lead times, which can cause our quarterly revenues, and consequently our results of operations, to vary over a relatively short period of time.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We have identified the accounting policies and significant estimation processes below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The discussion below is not intended to be comprehensive. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by U.S. GAAP, with no need for management’s judgment. In other cases, management is required to exercise judgment in the application of accounting principles with respect to particular transactions. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations are discussed throughout this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” where such policies affect reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion of the applications of these and other accounting policies, see “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this report. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates and such differences could be significant.
Revenue Recognition
OEM Distribution Segment
The OEM distribution segment recognizes revenue when: (i) finished goods are shipped to its customers (in general, these conditions occur at either point of shipment or point of destination, depending on the terms of sale and transfer of control); (ii) there are no other deliverables or performance obligations; and (iii) there are no further obligations to the customer after the title of the goods has transferred. If the Company receives consideration before achieving the criteria previously mentioned, it records a contract liability, which is classified as a component of deferred income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Design Segment
The design segment applies the “cost to cost” and “right to invoice” methods of revenue recognition to its contracts with customers. The design segment typically engages in two types of contracts: (i) time and material and (ii) fixed price. The Company recognizes revenue over time on its time and material contracts utilizing a “right to invoice” method. Revenues from fixed price contracts that require performance of services that are not related to the production of tangible assets are recognized by using cost inputs to measure progress toward the completion of its performance obligations, or the “cost to cost” method. Revenues from fixed price contracts that contain specific deliverables are recognized when the performance obligation has been satisfied or the transfer of goods to the customer has been completed and accepted.
Recognized revenues that will not be billed until a later date, or contract assets, are recorded as an asset and classified as a component of accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Contracts where collections to date have exceeded recognized revenues, or contract liabilities, are recorded as a liability and classified as a component of deferred income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Segment Reporting
As a result of discontinuing our retail reportable segment, we now have two reportable segments: OEM distribution and design. The OEM distribution segment sources and distributes carrying cases and other accessories for medical monitoring and diagnostic kits and a variety of other portable electronic and non-electronic devices directly to OEMs or their contract manufacturers worldwide. The design segment consists of two operating segments (IPS and Kablooe, which have been aggregated into one reportable segment) that provide a full spectrum of hardware and software product design and engineering services to customers predominantly located in the U.S.
Our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) regularly reviews revenue and operating income for each segment to assess financial results and allocate resources. For our OEM distribution segment, we exclude general and administrative and general corporate expenses from its measure of profitability as these expenses are not allocated to the segments and therefore not included in the measure of profitability used by the CODM. For the design segment, general and administrative expenses directly attributable to that segment are included in its measure of profitability as these expenses are included in the measure of its profitability reviewed by the CODM. We do not include intercompany activity in our segment results to be consistent with the information that is presented to the CODM. Segment assets consist of accounts receivable and inventory, which are regularly reviewed by the CODM, as well as goodwill and intangible assets resulting from design segment acquisitions (see Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements).
Inventory Valuation
Inventories consist primarily of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost (determined by the first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. Based on management’s estimates, an allowance is made to reduce excess, obsolete, or otherwise unsellable inventories to net realizable value. The allowance is established through charges to cost of sales in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In determining the adequacy of the allowance, management’s estimates are based upon several factors, including analyses of inventory levels, historical loss trends, sales history and projections of future sales demand. The Company’s estimates of the allowance may change from time to time based on management’s assessments, and such changes could be material.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
We review goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more often if triggering events occur. We have two reporting units with goodwill (the IPS and Kablooe operating segments) and we perform our annual goodwill impairment test on September 30, the end of the fiscal year, or upon the occurrence of a triggering event. We have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if an impairment is more likely than not to have occurred. If we can support the conclusion that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we would not need to perform a quantitative impairment test for the reporting unit. If we cannot support such a conclusion or do not elect to perform the qualitative assessment, then we will perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, no impairment charge is recognized. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, an impairment charge will be recognized for the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value. A significant amount of judgment is required in performing goodwill impairment tests including estimating the fair value of a reporting unit. During Fiscal 2024, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $200,000 related to goodwill (See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements).
Our intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In assessing the recoverability of our intangible assets, we must make estimates and assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. These estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on whether an impairment charge is recognized and the magnitude of any such charge. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant information. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgments and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates. If these estimates or material related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges related to our intangible assets. There were no indications of impairment of intangible assets in Fiscal 2024 or Fiscal 2023.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-09, "Income Taxes - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures", requiring enhancements and further transparency to certain income tax disclosures, most notably the tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 on a prospective basis and retrospective application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of this pronouncement on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,” which requires expanded segment reporting and disclosure and is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of this pronouncement on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses.” ASU 2019-11 is an accounting pronouncement that provides clarity to and amends earlier guidance on this topic and would be effective concurrently with the adoption of such earlier guidance. This pronouncement is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 with no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR FISCAL 2024 COMPARED TO FISCAL 2023
Consolidated Results
The table below summarizes our consolidated results of continuing operations for Fiscal 2024 as compared to Fiscal 2023:
Consolidated Results of Continuing Operations
Fiscal 2024 Fiscal 2023 Change ($) Change (%)
Net revenues $ 30,195,000 $ 36,688,000 $ (6,493,000 ) (17.7% )
Cost of sales 23,986,000 28,324,000 (4,338,000 ) (15.3% )
Gross profit 6,209,000 8,364,000 (2,155,000 ) (25.8% )
Sales and marketing expenses 1,425,000 1,663,000 (238,000 ) (14.3% )
General and administrative expenses 6,516,000 6,541,000 (25,000 ) (0.4% )
Goodwill impairment 200,000 - 200,000 -
Operating (loss) income (1,932,000 ) 160,000 (2,092,000 ) (1307.5% )
Other income, net (7,000 ) (19,000 ) 12,000 (63.2% )
Income tax provision 23,000 20,000 3,000 15.0%
(Loss) / income from continuing operations $ (1,948,000 ) $ 159,000 $ (2,107,000 ) (1325.2% )
The decrease in net revenues in Fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by a decline in revenue in the OEM distribution segment and, to a lesser extent, the design segment.
Gross profit decreased and gross margin declined from 22.8% in Fiscal 2023 to 20.6% in Fiscal 2024. This decrease was mainly driven by lower utilization rates in our design segment and a change in the mix of our OEM distribution segment revenue, partially offset by a reduction in our sourcing fee with Forward China.
Sales and marketing expenses decreased primarily due to staff reduction in our OEM distribution segment and lower sales related expenses in the design segment. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue increased from 4.5% in Fiscal 2023 to 4.7% in Fiscal 2024.
General and administrative expenses decreased slightly in Fiscal 2024. Lower payroll costs were partially offset by increased corporate expenses, primarily driven by costs related to Nasdaq non-compliance issues, and a credit loss recovery of approximately $200,000 in Fiscal 2023 that did not recur in Fiscal 2024. Management continues to monitor the various components of general and administrative expenses and how these costs are affected by inflationary and other factors. We intend to adjust these costs as needed based on the overall needs of the business.
During Fiscal 2024, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $200,000 related to the Kablooe reporting unit, which is included in the design segment. This impairment charge resulted from the quantitative goodwill impairment testing performed at September 30, 2024 and was driven by historical losses and a reduction in expected future performance of the Kablooe reporting unit.
We reported other income of $7,000 in Fiscal 2024 as compared to $19,000 in Fiscal 2023. The variance is due to fair value adjustments of $70,000 in Fiscal 2023 to reduce to the fair value of the earnout consideration related to the Kablooe acquisition, $18,000 of net duty drawback income received in Fiscal 2023 offset by an increase in interest income from interest bearing deposits and a decrease in interest expense resulting from a reduction in the amount of debt outstanding.
In Fiscal 2024, we recorded a tax provision of $23,000, incurred a loss from continuing operations before income taxes of $1,925,000 and had an effective tax rate of (1.3%). In Fiscal 2023, we recorded a tax provision of $20,000, generated income from continuing operations before income taxes of $179,000 and had an effective tax rate of 11.2%.
Consolidated basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per share from continuing operations was ($1.77) and $0.14 for Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, respectively.
Segment Results
The discussion that follows below provides further details about the results of operations for each continuing segment as compared to the prior year.
Segment Results of Operations
OEM Distribution Design Corporate Expenses Consolidated
Fiscal 2024 revenues $ 10,204,000 $ 19,991,000 $ - $ 30,195,000
Fiscal 2023 revenues 14,002,000 22,686,000 - 36,688,000
Change $ (3,798,000 ) $ (2,695,000 ) $ - $ (6,493,000 )
Fiscal 2024 operating income/(loss) $ 369,000 $ 26,000 $ (2,327,000 ) $ (1,932,000 )
Fiscal 2023 operating income/(loss) 440,000 2,182,000 (2,462,000 ) 160,000
Change $ (71,000 ) $ (2,156,000 ) $ 135,000 $ (2,092,000 )
OEM Distribution
Net revenues in the OEM distribution segment decreased from lower sales volume from our diabetic customers, slightly offset by an increase in revenues from other OEM customers. As consumer demand increases for diabetic testing products which require no carrying case, we expect diabetic product sales to continue to represent a smaller portion of our OEM distribution revenue. In March 2023, a contract with one of our major diabetic customers expired. Due to increased pricing pressures, we did not extend our contract with this customer. Revenue from this customer represented approximately 7.8% of our consolidated net revenues in Fiscal 2023. We expect the loss of this customer to cause a significant decline in OEM distribution segment revenues in future periods.
The following tables set forth revenues by product line of our OEM distribution segment customers for the periods indicated:
OEM Revenues by Product Line
Fiscal 2024 Fiscal 2023 Change ($) Change (%)
Diabetic products $ 7,885,000 $ 11,805,000 $ (3,920,000 ) (33.2% )
Other products 2,319,000 2,197,000 122,000 5.6%
Total net revenues $ 10,204,000 $ 14,002,000 $ (3,798,000 ) (27.1% )
Diabetic Product Revenues
Our OEM distribution segment sources to the order of, and sells carrying cases for, blood glucose diagnostic kits directly to OEMs (or their contract manufacturers). The OEM customer or its contract manufacturer packages our carry cases “in box” as a custom accessory for the OEM’s blood glucose testing and monitoring kits or, to a lesser extent, sells them through their retail distribution channels.
Revenues from diabetic products decreased due to the loss of a major customer in March 2023, lower demand from our major diabetic customers and the loss of one product to a competitor. As mentioned above, management believes that revenues from diabetic customers will continue to decline.
Revenues from diabetic products represented 77% of net revenues for the OEM distribution segment in Fiscal 2024 compared to 84% in Fiscal 2023.
Other Product Revenues
Our OEM distribution segment also sources and sells cases and protective solutions for a diverse array of portable electronic and non-electronic products (such as sporting and recreational products, bar code scanners, GPS devices, tablets and firearms) on a made-to-order basis that are customized to fit the products sold by our OEM customers.
Revenues from other products increased due to new customers and higher sales volume with some existing customers, partially offset by reduced demand from other customers. We will continue to focus on our sales and sales support teams in our continued efforts to expand and diversify our other products customer base.
Operating Income
Operating income for the OEM distribution segment decreased but operating income margin increased to 3.6% in Fiscal 2024, compared to 3.1% in Fiscal 2023, driven by a decrease in the sourcing fee and lower sales and marketing expenses. While revenues decreased in diabetic products, a large portion of this decrease was from lower margin products, driving overall gross margins up. Lower selling and marketing costs further improved the operating income margin. We continue to work on expanding our product offerings to include higher margin products and enhancing our sales efforts to grow revenue and increase gross profit.
Considering the loss of a significant diabetic customer, management reduced its OEM distribution segment sales and marketing personnel in March 2023 and reduced its sourcing fee with Forward China. Effective April 1, 2023, the Company and Forward China agreed to reduce the fixed portion of the sourcing fee from $100,000 to $83,333 per month for the remaining term of the sourcing agreement. The Company and Forward China signed a new Supply Agreement effective October 2023, which further reduced the fixed portion of the sourcing fee to $65,833 per month and expired October 2024. In November 2024, the Company and Forward China agreed to: (i) extend the sourcing agreement until April 30, 2025, but allow either party to cancel with 30 days notice, (ii) reduce the fixed portion of the sourcing fee to $35,000 per month, and (iii) change the payment terms to better align with payments from the Company’s customers. See Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for more information on the sourcing agreement with Forward China.
Design Segment
The decrease in net revenues in the design segment was primarily driven by one customer whose revenue declined approximately $2,600,000, as well as a net decrease in volume of work and projects with continuing customers, partially offset by projects from new customers. In December 2024, our largest design customer notified the Company of its plan to discontinue their insulin patch program, on which the Company was working. We expect this to cause a material decrease in our revenues beginning with the second quarter of fiscal 2025. We are currently working on cost reduction efforts to mitigate the reduction in revenue.
Operating income for the design segment decreased and operating income margin decreased from 9.6% in Fiscal 2023 to 0.1% in Fiscal 2024. This decrease was driven by lower utilization rates, impairment of goodwill and credit loss recoveries in Fiscal 2023 that did not recur in Fiscal 2024, partially offset by lower payroll costs and increased billing rates on some projects.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our primary source of liquidity is our operations. The primary demand on our working capital has historically been (i) operating losses, (ii) repayment of debt obligations, and (iii) any increases in accounts receivable and inventories arising in the ordinary course of business. Historically, our sources of liquidity have been adequate to satisfy working capital requirements arising in the ordinary course of business. At September 30, 2024, our working capital was $273,000 compared to $26,000 at September 30, 2023, which excludes discontinued assets held for sale. The increase was primarily due to the equity conversion of amounts due to Forward China (see Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements), lower accrued expenses, partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable and cash. At November 30, 2024, we had approximately $2,300,000 cash on hand.
Forward China, our largest vendor and an entity owned by our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, holds a $1,600,000 promissory note (the “FC Note”) issued by us which matures on June 30, 2025 (see Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements). The balance of the FC Note was reduced to $600,000 after we made principal payments of $1,000,000 through Fiscal 2024. Although the FC Note has been extended on multiple occasions to assist us with our liquidity position, we plan on funding the repayment at maturity using existing cash balances and/or obtaining additional extensions as deemed necessary. Additionally, Forward China has extended payment terms on our outstanding payables due to them when necessary. At September 30, 2024, our accounts payable due to Forward China was approximately $7,226,000. In connection with the new sourcing agreement entered into October 2023 (see Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements) and in order to preserve our future liquidity, Forward China agreed to limit the amount of outstanding payables it would seek to collect from us to $500,000 in any 12-month period, which we agreed to pay within 30 days of any such request. This agreement pertains only to payables that were outstanding at October 30, 2023 of $7,365,000. Purchases from Forward China made after October 30, 2023, are not covered by this agreement and are expected to be paid according to normal payment terms. At September 30, 2024, the remaining balance covered by this agreement was approximately $4,881,000. We can provide no assurance that (i) Forward China will extend the FC Note again if we request an extension, (ii) Forward China will extend additional payment terms on any payables not covered by the agreement if needed, or (iii) any additional credit facility will be available on terms acceptable to us or at all.
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. We had an accumulated deficit and working capital of $19,637,000 and $273,000, respectively, at September 30, 2024, a net loss of $1,951,000 in Fiscal 2024 and a cash balance of approximately $2,300,000 at November 30, 2024.
In December 2024, our largest design customer notified us of its plan to discontinue their insulin patch program, on which we were working. We expect this to cause a material decrease in our revenues beginning with the second quarter of Fiscal 2025. Based on our forecasted cash flows, we believe that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements.
If we have the opportunity to make a strategic acquisition (as we have in the past with the acquisitions of IPS and Kablooe) or an investment in a product or partnership, we may require additional capital beyond our current cash balance to fund the opportunity. If we seek to raise additional capital or obtain additional borrowings, there is no assurance that we will be able to raise funds on terms that are acceptable to us or at all. In the current environment of rising interest rates, any future borrowing is expected to result in higher interest expense.
Although we do not anticipate the need to purchase any additional material capital assets in order to carry out our business, it may be necessary for us to purchase equipment and other capital assets in the future, depending on need.
Cash Flows
During Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, our sources and uses of cash were as follows:
Operating Activities
During Fiscal 2024, cash provided by operating activities of $407,000 resulted from a decrease in accounts receivable of $1,244,000, a decrease in discontinued assets held for sale of $508,000, an increase in amounts due to Forward China (excluding the non-cash impact of the Conversion Agreements) of $1,180,000, and non-cash charges for depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation, credit loss expense and goodwill impairment of $654,000, partially offset by the net loss of $1,951,000, a decrease in accrued expenses and other current liabilities $745,000, a decrease in accounts payable $390,000 and the net change in other operating assets and liabilities of $93,000.
During Fiscal 2023, cash provided by operating activities of $1,041,000 resulted from a decrease in discontinued assets held for sale of $2,642,000, an increase in accounts payable and amounts due to Forward China of $783,000, an increase in accounts receivable of $495,000, non-cash charges for depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation and credit loss expense of $481,000 and the net change in other operating assets and liabilities of $447,000, partially offset by the $70,000 non-cash adjustment to the fair value of the Kablooe earnout consideration and the net loss of $3,737,000.
Investing Activities
In Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, cash used for investing activities of $65,000 and $136,000, respectively, resulted from purchases of property and equipment.
Financing Activities
In Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, cash used in financing activities of $500,000 and $300,000, respectively, consisted of principal payments on the promissory note held by Forward China.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Annual Report may be found beginning on page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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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
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on their evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2024.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by this report. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework as issued in 2013. Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2024, was effective based on that criteria.
Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. 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 our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our 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 policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Changes in Internal Control
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation pursuant to Rules 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no director or officer of the company adopted, modified or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) or Regulation S-K.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. Our Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all officers, directors and employees, which is available on our website (https://forwardindustries.com) under “Investors”, "Governance." We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our Code of Conduct and by posting such information on the website address and location specified above.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Documents filed as part of the report.
(1) Financial Statements. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements, which appears on page hereof. The financial statements listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements are filed herewith in response to this Item.
(2) Financial Statements Schedules. All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or because the required information is contained in the consolidated financial statements or notes included in this report.
(3) Exhibits. See the Exhibit Index.