EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 703604
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 703604_10-K_2021_0000703604-21-000035.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Lawson Products, Inc. (“Lawson”, the “Company”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) was incorporated in Illinois in 1952, and reincorporated in Delaware in 1982. Lawson serves the industrial, commercial, institutional and government Maintenance, Repair and Operations ("MRO") market.
Vision
Our vision is to be our customers' first choice for maintenance, repair and operational solutions that improve their operating performance. We plan to achieve our vision by working closely with our customers to maintain and enhance their operations by providing them with quality products, superior service and innovative solutions.
Industry and Competition
The MRO market is comprised of companies that buy and stock products in bulk and supply these products to customers on an as needed basis. The customer benefits from our knowledge and the convenience of ordering smaller quantities maintained by us. We estimate that total current annual revenue generated by the North American MRO marketplace exceeds $150 billion.
There is a significant amount of competitive fragmentation by geography and product within the industry. We encounter competition from several national distributors and manufacturers and a large number of regional and local distributors. Some competitors have greater financial and personnel resources, handle more extensive lines of merchandise, operate larger facilities and price some merchandise more competitively than we do.
Segments
We operate in two reportable segments, the Lawson operating segment and the Bolt operating segment.
Lawson Segment
Through the Lawson operating segment, we deliver quality products to our customers and offer them extensive product knowledge, product application expertise and Vendor Managed Inventory ("VMI") services. Our broad geographic sales coverage allows us to serve large multi-location customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. We compete for business primarily by offering a value-added service approach in which our highly trained sales representatives manage the product inventory for our customers. The VMI model makes it less likely that our customers will unintentionally run out of a product while optimizing their inventory levels.
Sales orders are primarily generated from our sales representatives on behalf of customers; however, customers can also order directly from our website or through our customer service team via fax or phone. We ship products to customers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. We normally ship to our customers within one day of order placement.
Our MRO distribution process normally entails the purchase of product from suppliers in bulk for delivery to our packaging and distribution facility in McCook, Illinois (“McCook Facility”) for possible repackaging, labeling or cross-docking. Product is then either stocked at the McCook Facility or delivered to one of our strategically located distribution centers. As orders are received, product is picked, packed and shipped to our customers. Many factors affect the efficiency of this process including the physical design of the distribution centers, the extent of automation, routing logistics, the number of times the product needs to be handled, transportation costs and the flexibility to meet the specific requirements of our customers.
On August 31, 2020, the Company acquired Partsmaster from NCH Corporation. Partsmaster is a leading maintenance, MRO solutions provider that serves approximately 16,000 customers and approximately 200 sales representatives. The acquisition was made primarily to expand the Company's sales coverage, expand product lines, add experienced sales representatives, and leverage the Company's infrastructure.
Bolt Segment
The Bolt operating segment primarily delivers products to its customers through 14 branches located in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia, Canada. Bolt generates sales from walk up business at its branch locations and through its sales team, phone, fax or the Internet. Bolt inventory is delivered to the packaging and distribution facility in Calgary, Alberta, and then distributed to each branch location. Sales generated via its sales team or through phone, fax or Internet orders are primarily shipped from one of the branch locations to the customer. The majority of Bolt's customers are located in the geographic vicinity of the branches. Bolt generally does not offer VMI services to its customers. Bolt generated 11.0% of the Company's annual 2020 sales. Bolt product offerings are listed on the Bolt website and are available in each of the branch locations.
Customers
During 2020, the Lawson segment sold products to over 84,000 identified customers and the Bolt segment sold products to approximately 12,000 identified customers in addition to the walk up customers at its 14 branch locations. Our largest customer accounted for approximately three percent of net sales. In 2020, approximately 81% of our net sales were generated in the United States and approximately 19% in Canada. The percentage of sales in Canada slightly decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to the inclusion of Partsmaster sales, the majority of which occurred in the US. Our customers operate in a variety of industries including automotive repair, commercial vehicle maintenance, government, manufacturing, food processing, distribution, construction, oil and gas, mining, wholesale, service and others. Although seasonality is not significant in our business, due to fewer selling days and less activity during the holiday season, net sales in the fourth quarter are historically lower than the first three quarters of the year.
Our customers include a wide range of purchasers of industrial supply products from small repair shops to large national and governmental accounts. Historically, we have been very effective selling to and servicing small and medium sized customer locations that value our service approach.
Products
Our product offerings are listed on our websites and in catalogs distributed to our customers. Sales percentages by broad product categories of our product mix in 2020 were as follows:
Product Category Percentage
Fastening systems 22%
Cutting tools and abrasives 14%
Fluid power 13%
Specialty chemicals 11%
Electrical 10%
Aftermarket automotive supplies 7%
Safety 6%
Welding and metal repair 2%
Other 15%
100%
The Lawson segment offers over 357,000 different products for sale of which over 89,000 products are maintained in our distribution centers. The Partsmaster acquisition contributed approximately 201,000 different products for sale including items not stored in their distribution center. We strive to carry sufficient inventory to ensure product availability and rapid processing of customer orders. Accurate forecasting of customer demand is essential to establish the proper level of inventory for each product. Inventory levels need to be sufficient to meet customer demand while avoiding the costs of stocking excess items.
During 2020, our Lawson segment purchased products from approximately 3,100 suppliers and no single supplier accounted for more than four percent of our purchases. The loss of one of our core suppliers could affect our operations by hindering our ability to provide full service to our customers.
Our quality control department tests our product offerings to ensure they meet our customers' specifications. We recommend solutions to help customers maximize product performance and avoid costly product failures. Our engineering
department provides technical support for our products and offers on-site problem solutions. It also develops and presents product safety and technical training seminars tailored to meet our customers' needs. Safety Data Sheets are maintained electronically and are available to our customers on our website.
Bolt offers approximately 40,000 different core products for sale of which approximately 19,000 products are maintained in the Calgary distribution center. The majority of inventory is kept in the Calgary distribution center, with each branch maintaining appropriate inventory levels for their business needs.
Human Capital Resources
General Employee Information
Our organization supports a culture of continuous improvement and emphasizes the importance of addressing the needs of our customers. We require our employees to act with integrity in every aspect of our business while encouraging them to be results driven, team oriented and progressive.
On December 31, 2020, our combined workforce included approximately 1,910 individuals, comprised of approximately 1,300 in sales and marketing, approximately 470 in operation and distribution and approximately 140 in management and administration. Approximately 1,750 of the 1,910 individuals are within the Lawson segment and the remaining are within Bolt. Approximately 8% of the workforce is covered by three collective bargaining agreements. We believe that our relations with our employees and their collective bargaining organizations are good.
Sales Team
On December 31, 2020, the Lawson sales and marketing team consisted of approximately 1,300 individuals focused on servicing existing customers, identifying new customers, providing customer service support and providing on-site customer service. Of the total sales team, 1,090 are sales representatives who are primarily organized into geographical regions. The performance of each region is the responsibility of a Regional Sales Director. Each region is further divided into geographically defined districts. The performance of each district is the responsibility of a District Sales Manager who reports to the Regional Sales Director. Our District Sales Managers work with the sales representatives to generate sales from new and existing customers. Lawson also has a team dedicated to the acquisition of larger national and mid-market accounts and a team dedicated to serving governmental accounts. The national accounts are comprised of multi-location customers with a national scope.
Sales force growth is a driver of our business. Increased sales coverage throughout the United States and Canada directly impacts our success as an organization. The Company is focused on identifying and recruiting individuals who are a good fit for our sales organization and providing them the tools needed to succeed. When these employees are hired, they participate in a training program to learn the products and processes of Lawson and also the history, values and culture of the Company. This sales training program allows the new sales representatives to assimilate into the Company and learn the most successful ways to call on potential customers, maintain relationships with existing customers, and provide the proper products and VMI services to ensure that the customers needs are met.
The Lawson sales team receives education in the best uses of products, enabling them to provide customized solutions to address customers' needs including technical expertise and on-site problem resolution. The VMI services Lawson offers primarily consist of ordering the right products in the optimal quantity for the customer and stocking the product for customers when the product is delivered. The sales team also periodically provides product presentations to customers that are designed to demonstrate how the products can improve their productivity. Additionally, Lawson sales representatives offer customized storage systems for improved organization and a more efficient work-flow.
While recruitment of new sales representatives is important, the goal of this process is to ensure the sales representatives who are brought on board will be members of the Lawson team for the long term. Our experience has proven that a sales representative becomes more successful and generates more sales for the Company the longer they are a part of Lawson. Longer tenured sales representatives form deeper relationships with customers, which results in customers relying on the Lawson sales representative for a larger share of their MRO needs. Reducing sales force churn and ensuring sales representatives can grow and reach their full potential over the long term is a focus of the Lawson leadership team. The sales leadership team is in regular contact with Regional Sales Directors, District Sales Managers and experienced sales representatives to discuss the challenges our sales representatives face in generating sales and how the Company can support them. The Company regularly reviews the performance of sales representatives and determines how to manage underperforming sales representatives and territories.
In August 2020, we acquired Partsmaster, a leading MRO distributor from NCH Corporation ("NCH"). At the time of acquisition Partsmaster had approximately 200 sales representatives throughout the United States and Canada. Partsmaster is an example of the acquisition strategy pursued by Lawson in recent years. Our acquisition strategy targets companies who are a good cultural fit and include organizations whose sales representatives will improve our sales coverage in underserved territories and allow us to generate additional sales by leveraging their existing customer relationships.
The majority of Bolt sales are made from its 14 branch locations. Bolt has approximately 23 sales territory managers who serve companies and professional tradespeople throughout Western Canada. In 2017, Bolt began requiring members of the sales teams to be certified as Certified Sales Professionals for the Canadian Professional Sales Association. All newly-hired sales team members are required to receive and maintain the same certification.
COVID-19 Impact on Human Capital
The Company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is evidence that the Company can take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of our employees and still fulfill the needs of its customers and other stakeholders. The unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the ability of Lawson MRO sales reps and the Bolt branch locations to fulfill their duties during 2020. The second quarter 2020 performance of the Company was negatively impacted as state and local governments throughout the United States and Canada imposed strict COVID-19 related restrictions, including shutdowns of nonessential businesses and stay-at-home orders. The Lawson MRO business model relies upon customer interaction as well as a consistent schedule of onsite visits by our sales representatives to customer locations. The Bolt business model relies on foot traffic in its branch locations. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as social distancing guidelines and government mandated shelter in place orders, have negatively impacted the ability of our sales reps to visit our customers and for foot traffic to return to our Bolt branch locations, resulting in an overall negative impact on our business. A large portion of Lawson corporate employees began to work remotely at the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 to limit exposure to the virus. Many of these employees continue to work from home.
In response to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, sales representatives contacted customers via phone, e-mail and other electronic means, who were deemed essential businesses and therefore allowed to remain open during this time. As COVID-19 related restrictions were relaxed, Lawson MRO sales representatives began to safely visit customers and call on new customers, while following social distancing guidelines and limiting potential exposure to the virus. In addition, Bolt branch locations began to offer curbside pickup in the second quarter of 2020 and continue to do so. As COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed, the Company was able to operate in a more stable environment. Lawson MRO sales representatives have continued to safely visit customer locations, develop strong relationships and provide excellent service to existing customers, and generate new customer relationships while following COVID-19 related restrictions and social distancing guidelines. Bolt branch locations continue to safely operate while following social distancing guidelines and allowing customers into stores. The Company will continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on the safety of its team members.
Strategic Focus
In 2021, we intend to grow our sales organically, pursue acquisitions and further improve our operations to make Lawson our customers' first choice for products, services and solutions that improve their operating performance.
Our sales are impacted by the size of our sales team, their productivity and their territorial coverage. Our plan to expand the sales force is designed by identifying under-served territories that offer the greatest growth potential, locate and recruit talented sales representatives, provide them with the proper training, and successfully integrate them into our organization.
To acquire the best new sales talent and prepare them for success, we have developed an extensive talent acquisition strategy. We use both internal and external resources to identify and recruit the best available sales talent. As we increase our sales coverage, we anticipate a short-term decrease in average sales per day per sales representative, as new representatives build up customer relationships in their territories. However, we believe that these short-term investments will result in future opportunities as we leverage the positive impact of top-line growth against our operating costs which are fixed to a significant extent.
We are also focused on increasing the productivity of our sales representatives. We strive to empower our sales representatives with the training, technology and support they need to maximize their sales potential while providing our customers with superior service and making it easy for them to do business with us.
In addition to organic growth, we plan to continue to actively pursue acquisition opportunities that we believe will be financially accretive to our organization. Lawson plans to continue to explore growth opportunities in the MRO space that provide different channels to reach customers, increase sales and generate positive results.
In order to improve our operations, we utilize a Lean Six Sigma approach, which is a set of tools that allow a project team to analyze and improve selected business processes. The project teams work with the process owners to develop statistical measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the process, document the current components and process flow, examine the root cause of defects and effect of current operations, design and implement new ways to improve performance and then measure the results for effectiveness. The Lean Six Sigma process is ingrained in our culture as we have had over 100 employees complete Lean Six Sigma training over the past five years and plan to continue this training program in the years to come.
We believe our emphasis on continuous improvement will lead to further reductions in error rates, increased processing speed, reduction in cycle times, standardization of procedures and elimination of waste. This will enable us to become a more efficient and effective organization which provides our customers with the best purchasing experience possible.
The acquisition of Partsmaster represents an important step in our acquisition strategy. Partsmaster is a strong strategic fit with a successful VMI business model and product offerings complementary to the Company. The addition of the Partsmaster sales force has increased our coverage throughout the United States and Canada and will offer potential for combined company sales, and continue to leverage the existing customer relationships in order to grow our business.
Available Information
We file or furnish annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and file or furnish amendments to those reports pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and Section 16 reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The public can obtain copies of these materials by accessing the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are filed with or furnished to the SEC, we make copies available to the public free of charge through our website at www.lawsonproducts.com or by calling (773) 304-5050. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this report. We also make available on our website our Code of Ethics, Corporate Governance Principles and the charters of the committees of our Board of Directors.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The executive officers of Lawson as of February 1, 2021 were as follows:
Name Age Year First Named to Present Office Position
Michael G. DeCata 63 2012 President and Chief Executive Officer
Neil E. Jenkins 71 2004 Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
Ronald J. Knutson 57 2014 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Controller
Matthew J. Brown 57 2017 Senior Vice President, Sales
Shane T. McCarthy 52 2019 Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Product Management and Marketing
Biographical information for the past five years relating to each of our executive officers is set forth below.
Mr. DeCata was elected President and Chief Executive Officer in September 2012. Mr. DeCata previously served in a consulting capacity for several private equity firms, including Hamilton Robinson Capital Partners from 2009 until 2012. Mr. DeCata previously served on the Board of Directors of Crescent Electric Supply Company from 2008 to 2013.
Mr. Jenkins was elected Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel in 2004.
Mr. Knutson was elected Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Controller in April 2014 and has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer since July 2012.
Mr. Brown was elected Senior Vice President, Sales in March 2017 and served as Vice President of Field Sales since January 2016. Mr. Brown held several levels of sales leadership roles for the Company over the last 19 years with the most recent title of Senior Director of Sales from 2014 to 2016.
Mr. McCarthy was named Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Product Management and Marketing in September 2019. Mr. McCarthy previously served as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain and Business Development from December 2015 through September 2019 and served as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain since June 2014. Mr. McCarthy served as Senior Vice President, Operations from July 2012 to June 2014.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
In addition to the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the following factors should be considered in evaluating Lawson's business. Our operating results depend upon many factors and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The material risks and uncertainties known to us and described below may negatively affect our business operations or affect our financial results. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations or affect our financial results.
Risks Related to COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases
In 2020, a new strain of coronavirus ("COVID-19") created a worldwide pandemic which has continued to affect our business and could have further undetermined material adverse effects on our revenues, operating results and financial condition.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lost revenue to our Company, limitations on our ability to source high demand product, limitations on our sales force to perform certain functions due to state or federal stay-at-home orders, a slow-down of customer demand for our products and limitations of some customers to pay us on a timely basis. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operational and financial performance includes affecting our ability to execute our business strategies and initiatives in the expected time frame. The extent of the effect will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the pandemic and related restrictions on travel, transports and person to person contact, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted at the present time. On a broader scale, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. An extended period of global supply chain and economic disruption could materially affect our sales, workforce, supply chains, results of operations, and our ability to access our Credit Agreement (as defined below) to fund operations.
In the first quarter of 2020, our business was defined by the state of Illinois as an essential business, allowing us to operate during the pandemic. A change in this status could result in the temporary closure of our business. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic could result in a temporary closure of any or all of our distribution facilities or the Bolt branch locations, which would negatively impact our operations. Other disruptions to our supply chain such as reduced capacity or temporary shutdowns of freight carriers could also negatively impact Company performance.
Our sales results have been and may be negatively impacted in the future by any social distancing guidelines and government mandated shelter in place orders that would prevent our sales representatives in our MRO business segment from visiting customers in person. Shelter in place orders also reduce customer visits to our Bolt branch locations. The reduction of operations and temporary shut down by many of our customers in response to COVID-19 has also negatively impacted sales and our ability to collect on existing credit balances, and we expect to be impacted by those reductions and shut downs in the until the pandemic ends. Further, vendors who are negatively impacted by COVID-19 may temporarily shut down operations or have difficulty obtaining inventory, which could negatively impact our ability to fulfill customer orders.
The Company expects to continue to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the various federal, state and local restrictions enacted to combat the pandemic. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved certain vaccines that have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, it is projected that the production, distribution and administration of the vaccine to a sufficient percentage of the population to significantly minimize the future effect of the pandemic will not be reached until mid-2021.
Certain items on our balance sheet require judgments on their valuation, including intangible assets and goodwill. These valuations are based on assumptions that take future financial performance into account. COVID-19 may have a negative impact to our future financial performance that would require us to revise assumptions about future financial performance and impair the value of these assets. Although the Company believes that its projected future operating results and cash flows and related estimates regarding the values were based on reasonable assumptions, it is reasonably possible that estimates made may be materially and adversely impacted in the near term as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including impairment losses related to goodwill. In the fourth quarter of 2020 the Company reviewed the 2020 results of the Screw Products reporting unit and completed its 2021 budgeting process. Based on the results of its analysis and the time passed since acquisition, the Company determined it would be appropriate to perform a quantitative impairment test on the goodwill of the Screw Products reporting unit. The Company performed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis on December 1, 2020 and determined that the carrying value of the net assets exceeded the fair value of the Screw Products reporting unit, and accordingly recognized an impairment charge of $1.9 million.
All Lawson employees have been encouraged to follow the recommended social distancing guidelines and work remotely whenever possible to reduce the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The increased number of employees working remotely can exacerbate the risks mentioned in regards to internal controls and cybersecurity.
Business Risks
A significant portion of our inventory may become obsolete.
Our business strategy requires us to carry a significant amount of inventory in order to meet rapid processing of customer orders. If our inventory forecasting and production planning processes result in inventory levels exceeding the levels demanded by customers or should our customers decrease their orders with us, our operating results could be adversely affected due to costs of carrying the inventory and additional inventory write-downs for excess and obsolete inventory.
Work stoppages and other disruptions at transportation centers or shipping ports may adversely affect our ability to obtain inventory and make deliveries to our customers.
Our ability to rapidly process customer orders is an integral component of our overall business strategy. Interruptions at our company operated facilities or disruptions at a major transportation center or shipping port, due to events such as severe weather, labor interruptions, natural disasters, acts of terrorism or other events, could affect our ability to maintain core products in inventory, deliver products to our customers on a timely basis or adversely affect demand for our products, which may in turn adversely affect our results of operations.
Changes in our customers, product mix and pricing strategy could cause our gross margin percentage to decline in the future.
From time to time, we have experienced overall changes in the product mix demand of our customers. When customers or product mix changes, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our historical gross profit margins. Changes in our customers, product mix, volume of orders, prices charged, additional freight costs or lower productivity levels, could cause our gross profit margin percentage to decline. Our gross margin percentage may also come under pressure in the future if we increase the percentage of national accounts in our customer base, as sales to these customers are generally at lower margins.
Disruptions of our information and communication systems could adversely affect the Company.
We depend on our information and communication systems to process orders, purchase and manage inventory, maintain cost-effective operations, sell and ship products, manage accounts receivable collections and serve our customers. Disruptions in the operation of information and communication systems can occur due to a variety of factors including power outages, hardware failure, programming faults and human error. Disruptions in the operation of our information and communication systems, whether over a short or an extended period of time or affecting one or multiple distribution centers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Cyber attacks or other information security breaches could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition, subject us to additional legal costs and damage our reputation in the marketplace.
We are increasingly dependent on digital technology to process and record financial and operating data and communicate with our employees and business partners. During the normal course of business we receive, retain and transmit certain confidential information that our customers provide to us to purchase products or services or otherwise communicate with us.
Our technologies, systems, networks, and those of our business partners may become the target of cyber attacks or information security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, misuse, loss or destruction of proprietary and other information, or other disruption of our business operations, subject us to additional legal costs and damage our reputation in the marketplace. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and fix any information security vulnerabilities.
The inability to successfully recruit, integrate and retain productive sales representatives could adversely affect our operating results.
We have committed to a plan to increase the size of our sales force which we believe will lead to increased sales and improve our long-term financial results. A successful expansion in our sales force requires us to identify under-served territories that offer the greatest potential growth opportunity, locate and recruit talented sales representatives, provide them with the proper training, and successfully integrate them into our organization. This expansion plan requires significant investment in capital and resources. The failure to identify the optimal sales territories, recruit and retain quality sales representatives and provide them with sufficient support could adversely affect our operating results. Additionally, we anticipate a short-term decrease in average sales per day per sales representative as new representatives build up customer relationships in their territories.
It is also critical to retain the experienced and productive sales representatives that have historically contributed to our success. Failure to retain a sufficient number of talented, experienced and productive sales representatives could adversely affect our financial and operating results.
Failure to retain talented employees, managers and executives could negatively impact our operating results.
Our success depends on our ability to attract, develop and retain talented employees, including executives and other key managers. The loss of certain key executives and managers or the failure to attract and develop talented employees could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The inability of management to successfully implement changes in operating processes, could lead to disruptions in our operations.
We are continually striving to improve operational efficiencies throughout our organization and to identify and initiate changes intended to improve our internal operations. The implementation of changes to our current operations involve a risk that the changes may not work as intended, may disrupt related processes, may not be properly applied or may not result in accomplishing the intended efficiencies. Failure to successfully manage the implementation of these changes could lead to disruptions in our operations.
The inability to successfully integrate acquisitions into our organization could adversely affect our operations and operating results.
One of our growth strategies is to actively pursue acquisition opportunities which complement our service oriented business model. Failure to successfully identify the right opportunities and to successfully integrate their sales teams and operations into our organization could adversely affect our operations and our operating results.
The Company operates in highly competitive markets.
The MRO marketplace is highly competitive. Our competitors include large and small companies with similar or greater market presence, name recognition, and financial, marketing, and other resources. We believe the competition will continue to challenge our business with their product selection, financial resources and services.
Changes that affect governmental and other tax-supported entities could negatively impact our sales and earnings.
A portion of our sales are derived from the United States military and other governmental and tax-supported entities. These entities are largely dependent upon government budgets and require adherence to certain laws and regulations. A decrease in the levels of defense and other governmental spending or the introduction of more stringent governmental regulations and oversight, could lead to reduced sales or an increase in compliance costs which would adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.
Financial Risks
Failure to adequately fund our operating and working capital needs through cash generated from operations and cash available through our Credit Agreement could negatively impact our ability to invest in the business and maintain our capital structure.
Our business requires investment in working capital and fixed assets. We fund these investments from cash generated from operations and funds available from our Credit Agreement. Failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or from our Credit Agreement could cause us to have insufficient funds to operate our business. Adequate funds may not be available when needed or may not be available on favorable terms.
Failure to meet the covenant requirements of our Credit Agreement could lead to higher financing costs, increased restrictions and reduce or eliminate our ability to borrow funds.
Our Credit Agreement contain financial and other restrictive covenants. These covenants could adversely affect us by limiting our financial and operating flexibility as well as our ability to plan for and react to market conditions and to meet our capital needs. Failure to meet these covenant requirements could lead to higher financing costs, increased restrictions, reduce or eliminate our ability to borrow funds, or accelerate the payment of our existing indebtedness. If we require more liquidity than is currently available to us under our Credit Agreement, we may need to raise additional funds through debt or equity offerings which may not be available when needed or may not be available on terms favorable to us. Should funding be insufficient at any time in the future, we may be unable to develop or enhance our products or services, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Common Stock
The market price of our common stock may decline.
Our stock price could decrease if our financial performance is inadequate or does not meet investors' expectations, if there is deterioration in the overall market for equities, if large amounts of shares are sold in the market, if there is index trading, or if investors have concerns that our business, financial condition, results of operations and capital requirements are negatively impacted by an economic downturn.
Luther King Capital has significant influence over the Company, and this influence could delay or deter a change in control or other business combination or otherwise cause us to take actions with which you may disagree.
On December 31, 2020, Luther King Capital beneficially owned 48.0% of the outstanding common stock of the Company. J. Bryan King, a director of the Company, is the Principal of Luther King Capital. As a result, Luther King Capital has significant influence over the outcome of matters requiring a stockholder vote, including the election of directors, and the approval of significant matters and its interests may not align with the interests of other stockholders. This concentration of ownership could also have the effect of delaying, determining or preventing a change of control or other business combination that might be beneficial to our stockholders.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
A violation of federal, state or local environmental protection regulations could lead to significant penalties and fines or other remediation costs.
Our product offering includes a wide variety of industrial chemicals and other products which are subject to a multitude of federal, state and local regulations. These environmental protection laws change frequently and affect the composition, handling, transportation, storage and disposal of these products. Failure to comply with these regulations could lead to severe penalties and fines for each violation.
Additionally, a facility we own in Decatur, Alabama, was found to contain hazardous substances in the soil and groundwater as a result of historical operations prior to our ownership. We retained an environmental consulting firm to further investigate the contamination, including measurement and monitoring of the site. The Company concluded that further remediation was required, and accordingly, has made an accrual for the estimated cost of this environmental matter. A remediation plan was approved by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the remediation of the affected area is ongoing. Additional procedures may be required that could negatively impact our operating results.
Our results of operations could be affected by changes in taxation.
Our results of operations could be affected by changes in tax rates, audits by taxing authorities or changes in laws, regulations and their interpretation. Changes in applicable tax laws and regulations could continue to affect our ability to realize the deferred tax assets on our balance sheet, which could affect our results of operations.
General Risks
Our results of operations may be adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy or in certain sectors of the economy.
Any decline or uncertainty in the strength of the economy may lead to a decrease in customer spending and may cause certain customers to cancel or delay placing orders. In the first quarter of 2020, the economy experienced a significant decline due to the response of businesses and state governments to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, the economy partially recovered from the initial downturn. Some of our customers may file for bankruptcy protection, preventing us from collecting on accounts receivable and may result in our stocking excess inventory. Contractions in the credit markets may also cause some of our customers to experience difficulties in obtaining financing, leading to lower sales, delays in the collection of receivables and result in an increase in bad debt expense.
Adverse economic conditions could also affect our key suppliers and contractors. This could lead to us incurring additional expenses or result in delays in shipping products to our customers. Economic uncertainty can make it difficult for us to accurately predict future order activity and affect our ability to effectively manage inventory levels. There are no assurances that we would be able to establish alternative financing or obtain financing with terms similar to our present Credit Agreement.
Changes in energy costs, tariffs and the cost of raw materials used in our products could impact our cost of goods and distribution and occupancy expenses, which may result in lower operating margins.
Increases in the cost of raw materials used in our products (e.g., steel, brass), tariffs and increases in energy costs raise the production costs of our vendors. Those vendors typically look to pass the higher costs along to us through price increases. If we are unable to fully pass these increased prices and costs through to our customers or to modify our activities, the impact would have an adverse effect on our operating profit margins. Low oil prices may result in weaker demand from oil and gas customers in the future, resulting in lower net sales. Changes in trade policies could affect our sourcing of product, our ability to secure sufficient product and/or impact the cost or price of our products, with potentially negative impacts on our reported gross profits and results of operations.
The Company is exposed to the risk of foreign currency changes.
Two of our subsidiaries are located and operate in Canada using the Canadian dollar as its functional currency. Operating results are translated into U.S. dollars when consolidated into our financial statements. Therefore, we are exposed to market risk relating to the change in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar that could adversely affect our financial position and operating results.

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

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
At December 31, 2020, we owned or leased the following facilities:
Location Segment Function Approximate Square Footage
Own/Lease Lease Expiration
United States
Chicago, Illinois Lawson Headquarters 86,300 Lease March 2023
McCook, Illinois Lawson Packaging/Distribution 306,800 Lease June 2025
Reno, Nevada Lawson Distribution 105,200 Lease June 2024
Suwanee, Georgia Lawson Distribution 91,200 Own
Decatur, Alabama (1)
Lawson Lease 88,200 Own
Dayton, OH Lawson Distribution 4,500 Lease Monthly
Greenville, TX Lawson Distribution 123,200 Lease February 2022
Dallas, TX Lawson Lease 3,800 Lease January 2022
Canada
Mississauga, Ontario Lawson Distribution 78,000 Own
Calgary, Alberta (2)
Lawson/Bolt Distribution 43,700 Lease December 2021
Calgary, Alberta (Foothills) Bolt Branch 11,200 Lease April 2024
Calgary, Alberta (South) Bolt Branch 10,300 Lease November 2023
Calgary, Alberta (North) Bolt Branch 6,900 Lease January 2024
Edmonton, Alberta (North) Bolt Branch 6,000 Lease February 2022
Edmonton, Alberta (South) Bolt Branch 5,600 Lease September 2023
Fort McMurray, Alberta Bolt Branch 7,500 Lease February 2024
Lethbridge, Alberta Bolt Branch 3,400 Own
Medicine Hat, Alberta Bolt Branch 4,900 Own
Port Kells, British Columbia Bolt Branch 12,000 Lease August 2023
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Bolt Branch 4,300 Lease October 2025
Red Deer, Alberta Bolt Branch 4,100 Lease January 2022
Regina, Saskatchewan Bolt Branch 4,800 Lease December 2029
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Bolt Branch 10,800 Lease May 2021
Winnipeg, Manitoba Bolt Branch 7,500 Lease September 2025
(1) In connection with the sale of a discontinued business, we have agreed to lease the Decatur facility prior to the sale of the property.
(2) Lawson and Bolt manage separate distribution operations out of the same physical location.
While we believe that our facilities are adequate to meet our current needs, we will continue to assess the location and operation of our facilities to determine whether they meet the strategic needs of our business.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
The Company is involved in legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. It is the opinion of management that the resolution of any currently pending litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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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 STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Stock Price Data
The Company’s Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol of “LAWS”. On January 31, 2021, the closing sales price of our common stock was $49.59 and the number of stockholders of record was 290. We did not issue dividends in either 2020 or 2019 and the Company currently has no plans to issue dividends in the foreseeable future and dividends are subject to certain restriction based on terms detailed in our Credit Agreement. Information about our equity compensation plans may be found in Item 12 of this report which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Repurchased Shares of Stock
The following table summarizes the repurchases of the Company's Common Stock for the three months ended December 31, 2020. These shares were purchased for the sole purpose of satisfying tax withholding obligations of certain employees upon the vesting of market stock units granted to them by the Company. No shares were repurchased in the open market during the fourth quarter under the Company's $7.5 million repurchase program that was authorized in 2019.
Period (a)
Total number of shares (or units) purchased (b)
Average price paid per share (or unit) (c)
Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (d)
Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
October 1 to October 31, 2020 291 $ 45.51 - $ 4,512,000
November 1 to November 30, 2020 - - - 4,512,000
December 1 to December 31, 2020 20,314 50.91 - 4,512,000
Three months ended December 31, 2020 20,605 -

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and Notes thereto included in Item 8 in this Annual Report. The income statement data and balance sheet data are for, and as of the end of each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2020 and are derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
2020 (1)
2019 (2)
2018 (3)
2017 (4)
Revenue $ 351,591 $ 370,785 $ 349,637 $ 305,907 $ 276,573
Net income (loss)
$ 15,113 $ 7,221 $ 6,214 $ 29,688 $ (1,629)
Diluted income (loss) per share of common stock:
$ 1.62 $ 0.77 $ 0.67 $ 3.25 $ (0.19)
Total assets
$ 256,304 $ 204,429 $ 197,142 $ 191,111 $ 135,307
Noncurrent liabilities
$ 35,887 $ 39,498 $ 31,760 $ 37,644 $ 34,737
Stockholders’ equity
$ 122,422 $ 108,001 $ 99,173 $ 93,490 $ 61,133
Notes:
(1)The 2020 financial data reflects the inclusion of Partsmaster acquisition that was completed in August.
(2)The 2019 financial data reflects the inclusion of Screw Products, Inc. ("Screw Products") for the full year.
(3)The 2018 financial data reflects the inclusion of Bolt for the full year, as well as a $0.5 million increase in the estimated future remediation cost of an environmental matter involving land owned in Decatur, Alabama, that was part of a division that was previously sold.
(4)The 2017 financial data includes an income tax benefit of $19.6 million primarily as a result of releasing Deferred Tax Asset ("DTA") valuation reserves of $21.2 million at December 31, 2017. 2017 also includes a $5.4 million gain on the sale of the Fairfield, New Jersey distribution center.
(5)Company adopted ASC 606 in 2018 and ASC 842 in 2019 on a modified retrospective basis.

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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.
Overview
We are a distributor of products and services to the industrial, commercial, institutional, and governmental maintenance, repair and operations ("MRO") marketplace. We operate in two reportable segments: Lawson and Bolt. The Lawson operating segment primarily distributes MRO products to its customers through a network of sales representatives throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Bolt operating segment primarily distributes its MRO products through a network of 14 branches located in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia, Canada.
COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a new strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to negatively impact the global economy by disrupting global supply chains and financial markets and has negatively impacted our operational and financial performance. The continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operational and financial performance, including our ability to execute our business strategies and initiatives in the expected time frame, will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the pandemic and related restrictions on travel and transports, all of which remain uncertain. An extended period of global supply chain and economic disruption could materially affect our business, sales, results of operations and financial condition.
Lawson continues to be defined as an essential business by the state of Illinois. A change in this status could result in the temporary closure of our business. Additionally the COVID-19 pandemic could result in a temporary closure of some or all of our distribution facilities or the Bolt branch locations, which would negatively impact our operations. Other disruptions to our supply chain such as reduced capacity or temporary shutdowns of freight carriers could also negatively impact our performance. The pandemic has negatively impacted our current operations and may negatively impact our future financial results, liquidity and overall performance. Additionally, it is possible that estimates made in support of our financial statements may be materially and adversely impacted in the near term as a result of these conditions, including delay in payment of receivables, impairment losses related to goodwill and other long-lived assets, and inability to utilize deferred tax assets.
The Company experienced the most severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in the second quarter 2020. The onset of the pandemic and government regulations, including social distancing guidelines and shutdowns of nonessential businesses, led to closure of customer businesses throughout the United States and Canada, as well as substantial restrictions on the ability of Lawson MRO sales representatives to visit customer locations and perform VMI services. Additionally government regulations also severely restricted the ability of customers to visit Bolt branch locations. The economic climate in the third and fourth quarters improved as many nonessential businesses have reopened in both limited capacity and full capacity. The relaxed restrictions have resulted in consistent customer visits and increased customer contact.
While business conditions improved in the third and fourth quarters, the Company expects to continue to be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the various federal, state and local restrictions enacted to combat the pandemic. In the fourth quarter of 2020, U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved certain vaccines that have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, it is projected that the production, distribution and administration of the vaccine to a sufficient percentage of the population to significantly minimize the future effect of the pandemic will not be reached until mid-2021 or later.
We continue to take action to mitigate the potential negative impacts of COVID-19. The actions taken included, but are not limited to, furloughing employees, reducing base salaries and incentive awards for a period of time, canceling travel and award trips, temporarily consolidating our Suwanee distribution center operations into the McCook facility, eliminating non-critical capital expenditures and eliminating various positions throughout the Company.
We continue to monitor our balance sheet and liquidity position and take actions to protect our cash flows from operations while at the same time managing our operating expenses in relation to current sales trends. At December 31, 2020, we had $28.4 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and an additional $66.0 million of borrowing capacity, net of outstanding letters of credit. Our outstanding letters of credit include a letter of credit for $33.0 million to secure the remaining payment of the Partsmaster acquisition.
We will continue to closely monitor the overall economic and operating environment and we will take appropriate actions to protect the safety of our employees, customers and suppliers while continuing to meet our working capital needs and remain in compliance with our debt covenants. While COVID-19 has negatively impacted our sales, cost control measures and ability to effectively service our customers, we have continued to generate positive cash flow that has enabled us to maintain a strong financial position. We plan to continue to respond to pandemic developments in a prompt and disciplined manner with an emphasis on protecting our employees and maintaining our strong financial position.
Sales Drivers
The North American MRO market is highly fragmented. We compete for business with several national distributors as well as a large number of regional and local distributors. The MRO business is influenced by the overall strength of the manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy which has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. One measure used to evaluate the strength of the industrial products market is the PMI index published by the Institute for Supply Management. The PMI index is a composite index of economic activity in the United States manufacturing sector and is available at https://www.instituteforsupplymanagement.org. A measure of that index above 50 generally indicates expansion of the manufacturing sector while a measure below 50 generally represents contraction. The average monthly PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) was 52.5 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 51.3 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The average monthly PMI for the fourth quarter of 2020 was 59.2, which indicates expansion of the manufacturing sector compared to the previous periods. This is compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 which was 48.1, which indicates contraction of the manufacturing sector compared to the previous periods.
One metric we use to measure our success is Average Daily Sales ("ADS") in which we calculate our total sales divided by the number of selling days, which exclude weekends and holidays. Our sales are affected by the number and effectiveness of sales representatives and the amount of sales each representative can generate from providing products and services to our customers, which we measure as average sales per day per sales representative. We had an average of 1,012 sales representatives working for us in 2020, a 2.1% increase over 2019. Excluding the Partsmaster acquisition, we had an average of 944 sales representatives working for us in 2020.
Partsmaster Acquisition
In August 2020, we acquired Partsmaster, a leading Maintenance, Repair and Operations ("MRO") distributor from NCH Corporation ("NCH"). Partsmaster has approximately 200 sales representatives and serves approximately 16,000 customers throughout the United States and Canada. We also subleased the Partsmaster distribution center located in Greenville, Texas from NCH, and we will continue to fulfill orders from this facility as we integrate Partsmaster into our MRO segment operations.
The purchase price of the acquisition was $35.3 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities. We paid $2.3 million at the time of the acquisition and we will pay the remaining $33.0 million in May 2021. We plan to pay the remaining portion of the purchase price with cash on hand with any remaining portion using our existing credit facility.
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed as a result of the acquisition were accounted for at their fair value on the acquisition date. The identified assets include $5.0 million of intangible assets for customer relationships and $2.8 million for trade names with estimated useful lives of 10 years and 5 years, respectively. Goodwill of $15.8 million related to this acquisition reflects the purchase price less the fair market value of the identifiable assets. The liabilities assumed include approximately $2.9 million relating to deferred employee compensation and $4.1 million of accounts payable and other accrued liabilities. The appropriate fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on preliminary estimates and assumptions. These preliminary estimates and assumptions could change during the purchase price measurement period as we finalize the valuations of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
Additional information related to the Partsmaster acquisition is provided in Note 3 - Acquisition in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The Partsmaster acquisition is reported in the Lawson MRO segment.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR 2020 AS COMPARED TO 2019
Year Ended December 31, Year-to-Year
2020 2019 Change
(Dollars in thousands) Amount % of Net Sales Amount % of Net Sales Amount %
Revenue $ 351,591 100.0 % $ 370,785 100.0 % $ (19,194) (5.2) %
Cost of goods sold
165,053 46.9 173,431 46.8 (8,378) (4.8)
Gross profit
186,538 53.1 197,354 53.2 (10,816) (5.5)
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses
76,775 21.8 85,342 23.0 (8,567) (10.0)
General and administrative expenses
89,213 25.5 102,946 27.8 (13,733) (13.3)
Total operating expenses
165,988 47.3 188,288 50.8 (22,300) (11.8)
Operating income 20,550 5.8 9,066 2.4 11,484
Interest expense
(654) (0.2) (603) (0.1) (51)
Other income, net 889 0.3 1,211 0.3 (322)
Income before income taxes
20,785 5.9 9,674 2.6 11,111
Income tax expense
5,672 1.6 2,453 0.7 3,219
Net income
$ 15,113 4.3 % $ 7,221 1.9 % $ 7,892
Non-GAAP Financial Measure - Adjusted Operating Income
The Company's management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures may provide users of this financial information with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures can provide additional meaningful reflection of underlying trends of the business because they provide a comparison of historical information that excludes certain infrequently occurring, seasonal or non-operational items that impact the overall comparability. These non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted operating income is defined by us as GAAP operating income excluding stock-based compensation, severance expense, and other non-recurring items in the period in which these items are incurred.
Operating income was $20.6 million for 2020 inclusive of $2.0 million of stock-based compensation compared to $9.1 million in 2019 which included $17.8 million of stock-based compensation. Excluding stock-based compensation, severance and other non-recurring items, adjusted operating income decreased to $27.4 million from $28.6 million on lower sales, offset by cost control measures enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the contribution of Partsmaster to the adjusted non-GAAP operating income of $1.7 million.
Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Income to Adjusted Non-GAAP Operating Income (Unaudited)
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands) 2020 2019
Operating income as reported per GAAP $ 20,550 $ 9,066
Stock-based compensation (1)
2,009 17,788
Severance expense (2)
2,077 1,756
Goodwill impairment (3)
1,918 -
Acquisition related costs (4)
880 -
Adjusted non-GAAP operating Income $ 27,434 $ 28,610
(1) Expense for stock-based compensation, of which a portion varies with the Company's stock price
(2) Includes severance expense from actions taken in 2020 and 2019 along with 2020 severance and retention costs related to the Partsmaster acquisition.
(3) Represents the goodwill impairment related to the 2018 acquisition of Screw Products, Inc as the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeded its estimated fair value.
(4) Primarily legal and accounting costs pertaining to the Partsmaster acquisition.
Sales and Gross Profits
Sales and gross profit results by operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31, Increase (Decrease)
(Dollars in thousands) 2020 2019 Amount %
Net sales
Lawson
$ 312,803 $ 329,367 $ (16,564) (5.0) %
Bolt
38,788 41,418 (2,630) (6.3) %
Consolidated
$ 351,591 $ 370,785 $ (19,194) (5.2) %
Gross profit
Lawson
$ 171,258 $ 181,567 $ (10,309) (5.7) %
Bolt
15,280 15,787 (507) (3.2) %
Consolidated
$ 186,538 $ 197,354 $ (10,816) (5.5) %
Gross profit margin
Lawson
54.7 % 55.1 %
Bolt
39.4 % 38.1 %
Consolidated
53.1 % 53.2 %
Consolidated revenue in 2020 decreased 5.2% to $351.6 million from $370.8 million in 2019. Sales were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and lower sales to oil and gas customers. All customer categories have been negatively impacted by the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The most acute negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were experienced in the second quarter at the onset of the pandemic. Restrictions related to the pandemic began to be relaxed in the third quarter and continued to be relaxed in the fourth quarter, which led to improved customer activity, as well as increased customer contact for Lawson MRO sales representatives and greater foot traffic for the Bolt branches compared to the second quarter. Excluding Partsmaster, sales decreased 11.3% primarily as a result of the pandemic. The decrease in sales was offset by the inclusion of $22.6 million of sales contributed by the Partsmaster acquisition since August 31, 2020. Average daily sales decreased to $1.390 million in 2020 compared to $1.471 million in 2019 with one more selling day in 2020. Excluding a foreign currency effect of $0.7 million, consolidated revenue decreased by 5.0% for the year.
Gross profit decreased to $186.5 million in 2020 from $197.4 million in 2019 driven primarily by the decrease in sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by the inclusion of $13.2 million of gross profit from Partsmaster. Gross profit as a percent of sales decreased to 53.1% from 53.2% a year ago. Gross profit as a percentage of sales generated by sales representatives acquired from the Partsmaster acquisition was 58.4% post-acquisition. The organic Lawson MRO (excluding Bolt, Screw Products, and Partsmaster) gross margin as a percent of sales declined to 59.8% compared to the prior year organic gross margin percent of 60.7% primarily as a result of lower margin products comprising a larger portion of our sales compared to the prior year and fixed distribution costs allocated over a lower sales base.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Year Ended December 31, Increase (Decrease)
(Dollars in thousands) 2020 2019 Amount %
Selling expenses
Lawson
$ 73,706 $ 81,999 $ (8,293) (10.1) %
Bolt
3,069 3,343 (274) (8.2) %
Consolidated
$ 76,775 $ 85,342 $ (8,567) (10.0) %
General and administrative expenses
Lawson
$ 79,837 $ 93,085 $ (13,248) (14.2) %
Bolt
9,376 9,861 (485) (4.9) %
Consolidated
$ 89,213 $ 102,946 $ (13,733) (13.3) %
Selling expenses decreased to $76.8 million in 2020 from $85.3 million in 2019 and, as a percent of sales decreased to 21.8% in 2020 from 23.0% in 2019. The decrease in selling expense as a percent of sales was primarily driven by reduced sales compensation driven by lower sales and a reduction of travel related expenses after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. These declines were partially offset by an inclusion of $6.5 million of selling expenses from the Partsmaster acquisition.
General and administrative expenses decreased to $89.2 million in 2020 from $102.9 million in 2019 primarily due to a decrease in stock-based compensation expense of $15.8 million, a portion of which varies with the Company stock price, and lower employee compensation, lower travel expense and other cost control measures in order to mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19. The decline was offset by the inclusion of $7.4 million of General and administrative expense from the Partsmaster acquisition and the goodwill impairment of $1.9 million related to the 2018 acquisition of Screw Products as the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value. Additionally the Company recorded $1.4 million under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy ("CEWS") as a reduction of general and administrative expenses.
Goodwill Impairment
The Company performed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of December 1, 2020 for the Screw Products reporting unit. The Company engaged a third-party valuation firm to determine the value of the Screw Products reporting unit and determined that the carrying value of the net assets exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit and accordingly recognized an impairment charge of $1.9 million.. The impairment charge is included in general and administrative expense.
Interest Expense
Interest expenses increased $0.1 million in 2020 over the prior year, due primarily to the inclusion of imputed interest expense from our accrued acquisition liability offset by lower average outstanding balances under our credit agreement.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net was $0.9 million in 2020 compared to other income, net of $1.2 million in 2019. Other income, net in both years was driven by fluctuations in the Canadian currency exchange rate.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expenses were $5.7 million resulting in a 27.3% effective tax rate for 2020 compared to income tax expense of $2.5 million and a 25.4% effective tax rate for 2019. The higher effective tax rate in 2020 is due primarily to increases in uncertain tax positions and lower stock compensation deductions.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash provided by operating activities was $32.5 million and $9.2 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively, reflecting stronger operating results along with tightly managing its working capital.
Capital expenditures of $1.7 million and $2.0 million in 2020 and 2019 respectively, were primarily for improvements to our distribution centers and information technology. In the third quarter of 2020, the Company paid $2.3 million in cash related to the Partsmaster acquisition.
In 2019, our Board of Directors authorized a program in which we may repurchase up to $7.5 million of our common stock from time to time in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or by other methods. In the first quarter of 2020 we purchased 47,504 shares of our common stock at an average purchase price of $36.93 under the repurchase program. During 2019, the Company purchased 32,362 shares of common stock at an average purchase price of $38.13 under the repurchase program. On December 31, 2020, the Company had $4.5 million available under its repurchasing program.
Credit Agreement
At December 31, 2020, we had no borrowings under the Credit Agreement and had borrowing availability of $66.0 million. See Note 13 - Credit Agreement for further information on the Company Credit Agreement.
In addition to other customary representations, warranties and covenants, the Credit Agreement contains certain financial covenants. The following chart reflects the EBITDA to fixed charges ratio and total net leverage ratio covenant:
Quarterly Financial Covenants Requirement Actual
EBITDA to fixed charges ratio 1.15 : 1.00 4.77 : 1.00
Total net leverage ratio 3.25 : 1.00 0.60 : 1.00
The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 31, 2020.
No cash dividends have been paid in the two years ended December, 31 2020. Dividends are subject to certain restrictions under our Credit Agreement.
Partsmaster Acquisition Liability
As a part of the Partsmaster acquisition, payment of $33.0 million is due to the sellers in May 2021. The payment has been guaranteed under the Purchase Agreement, which includes the issuance of a $33.0 million irrevocable standby letter of credit. Payment will be made with cash on hand and with any remaining portion using our existing credit facility. The $33.0 million obligation has been discounted to its present value and is recognized as a current liability of $32.7 million in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The majority of our operating leases were recognized as right of use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet upon the adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases ("ASU 2016-02") in the first quarter of 2019. See Note 12 - Leases for the transition to ASU 2016-02.
Also, as of December 31, 2020, we had contractual commitments to purchase approximately $24.4 million of product from our suppliers and contractors.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
We have disclosed our significant accounting policies in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. The following provides information on the accounts requiring more significant estimates.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - We evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations (e.g.,
bankruptcy filings, substantial down-grading of credit ratings), a specific reserve for bad debts is recorded against amounts due to reduce the receivable to the amount we believe will be collected. For all other customers, we recognize reserves for bad debts based on our historical experience of bad debt write-offs as a percent of accounts receivable outstanding. If circumstances change (e.g., higher than expected defaults or an unexpected material adverse change in a major customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations), the estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to us could be revised. At December 31, 2020, our reserve was 1.4% of our gross accounts receivable outstanding. A hypothetical change of one percent to our reserve as a percent of our gross accounts receivable would have affected our annual doubtful accounts expense by approximately $0.4 million.
Inventory Reserves - Inventories consist principally of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost (determined using the first-in-first-out method for the Lawson segment and weighted average for the Bolt segment) or net realizable value. Most of our products are not exposed to the risk of obsolescence due to technology changes. However, some of our products do have a limited shelf life, and from time to time we add and remove items from our catalogs, brochures or website for marketing and other purposes.
To reduce our inventory to a lower of cost or market value, we record a reserve for slow-moving and obsolete inventory based on historical experience and monitoring of our current inventory activity. We use estimates to determine the necessity of recording these reserves based on periodic detailed analysis, using both qualitative and quantitative factors. As part of this analysis, we consider several factors including the inventories’ length of time on hand, historical sales, product shelf life, product life cycle, product category and product obsolescence. In general, depending on the product category, we reserve inventory with low turnover at higher rates than inventory with higher turnover.
At December 31, 2020, our inventory reserve was $5.3 million, equal to approximately 7.8% of our gross inventory. A hypothetical change of one percent to our reserve as a percent of total inventory would have affected our cost of goods sold by $0.6 million.
Income Taxes - Deferred tax assets or liabilities reflect temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and tax reporting. Such amounts are adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect changes in enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. Significant judgment is required in determining income tax provisions as well as deferred tax asset and liability balances, including the estimation of valuation allowances and the evaluation of uncertain tax positions.
Goodwill Impairment - Goodwill represents the cost of business acquisitions in excess of the fair value of identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is allocated to the appropriate reporting unit as reviewed by the Company's segment managers. The Company reviews goodwill for potential impairment annually on December 1st, or when an event or other circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying value. The first step in the multi-step process to determine if goodwill has been impaired and to what degree is to review the relevant qualitative factors that could cause the fair value of the reporting unit to decrease below the carrying value of the reporting unit. The Company considers factors such as macroeconomic, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance and other relevant factors that would affect the individual reporting units. If we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than the carrying value of the reporting unit, then no further impairment testing is needed. If we determine that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of the reporting unit is greater than the fair value of the reporting unit, the Company will move to the next step in the process. The Company will estimate the fair value of the reporting unit and compare it to the reporting unit's carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company will record an impairment of goodwill equal to the amount the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, up to the total amount of goodwill previously recognized.
Revenue Recognition - For reporting purposes, the Company has two separate performance obligations including products and vendor managed inventory services. The allocation of product and service revenue as well as the estimation of service costs requires judgments and assumptions including the standalone selling prices, the period of time that it takes for the service obligation to be fulfilled and the amount of time spent on vendor managed inventory services during the sales process. Changes in various assumptions could increase or decrease the allocation of service revenue and related costs; however, would not materially impact total reported revenues or reported operating income.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The following information is presented in this item:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors
Lawson Products, Inc.
Chicago, Illinois
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lawson Products, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and our report dated February 26, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Goodwill Impairment Assessment - Bolt Reporting Unit
As described in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated goodwill balance as of December 31, 2020 was $35.2 million. At December 31, 2020, the Bolt reporting unit’s (“Bolt”) goodwill balance was $13.8 million. The Company tests for impairment annually on a reporting unit basis or more often when impairment indicators exist. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Bolt’s revenue and earnings during the first quarter of 2020, the Company performed interim goodwill impairment tests of Bolt. The Company prepared a valuation of Bolt using both a market approach and an income approach. The determination of the fair value of the reporting unit requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasts of future revenue and earnings.
We identified the valuation of Bolt during the interim impairment assessment of goodwill as a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for our determination are: (i) Bolt’s excess fair value over book value was less than 10% in the first quarter of 2020, as such, management’s estimates were more sensitive to the assumptions and judgments used, (ii) inherent uncertainties exist related to the Company’s forecasts and how various economic and other factors including the projected impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, could affect the Company’s forecasted assumptions of revenue and earnings included in the income approach, and (iii) the appropriateness and relative weighting of valuation methods, and the appropriateness of the selected comparable companies and market multiples used in the market approach. Auditing these elements involved especially challenging auditor judgment due to the nature and extent of audit effort required to address these matters, including the extent of specialized skill or knowledge needed.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
•Evaluating the reasonableness of assumptions used in management’s income approach analysis by independently comparing the forecasts to: (i) historical results, and (ii) market trends by obtaining multiple independent publicly available market reports and assessing the projected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the forecasted recovery period for the industry.
•Assessing the appropriateness of the market approach and evaluating the reasonableness of the comparable companies and market multiples selected.
•Utilizing personnel with specialized knowledge and skill in valuation to assist in: (i) testing the underlying source information utilized in the market approach, (ii) assessing the appropriateness and relative weighting of valuation methods, (iii) evaluating the reasonableness of selected comparable companies and market multiples used in the market approach, and (iv) testing the mathematical accuracy of the Company’s calculations.
Business Combination- Partsmaster Intangible Assets Valuation
As described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company completed the acquisition of Partsmaster on August 31, 2020 for $35.3 million in cash plus assumed liabilities, which resulted in $7.7 million of intangible assets. The Company applied significant judgment in estimating the fair value of the intangible assets acquired which involved the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to expected future cash flows and discount rates.
We identified the valuation of the intangible assets acquired in the Partsmaster business combination as a critical audit matter. Management was required to make significant judgments and assumptions, including forecasted cash flows and discount rates, in determining the fair values of the intangible assets acquired which were identified as customer relationships and trade names. Auditing these elements involved especially challenging auditor judgment due to the nature and extent of audit effort required to address these matters, including the extent of specialized skill or knowledge needed.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
•Evaluating the reasonableness of the forecasted cash flows through: (i) evaluating historical results of Partsmaster (ii) assessing forecasted performance against market trends and guideline companies, and (iii) testing the mathematical accuracy of the Company’s calculations.
•Utilizing personnel with specialized knowledge and skill in valuation to assist in: (i) evaluating the appropriateness of the selected comparable companies, (ii) evaluating the reasonableness of the discount rate used, and (iii) testing the mathematical accuracy of the Company’s calculations.
/s/BDO USA, LLP
We have served as the Company's auditors since 2013.
Chicago, Illinois
February 26, 2021
Lawson Products, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
December 31,
2020 2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 28,393 $ 5,495
Restricted cash
998 802
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $654 and $593, respectively
44,515 38,843
Inventories, net
61,867 55,905
Miscellaneous receivables and prepaid expenses
7,289 5,377
Total current assets
143,062 106,422
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and amortization 15,800 16,546
Deferred income taxes 18,482 21,711
Goodwill 35,176 20,923
Cash value of life insurance 16,185 14,969
Intangible assets, net 18,503 12,335
Right of use assets 8,764 11,246
Other assets 332 277
Total assets
$ 256,304 $ 204,429
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accrued acquisition liability $ 32,673 $ -
Accounts payable
22,262 13,789
Lease obligation
4,568 3,830
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
38,492 39,311
Total current liabilities
97,995 56,930
Revolving line of credit
- 2,271
Security bonus plan
11,262 11,840
Lease obligation
5,738 9,504
Deferred compensation
10,461 6,370
Deferred tax liability
2,841 6,188
Other liabilities
5,585 3,325
Total liabilities
133,882 96,428
Commitments and contingencies - Note 16
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value:
Authorized - 500,000 shares, issued and outstanding - None
- -
Common stock, $1 par value:
Authorized - 35,000,000 shares
Issued - 9,287,625 and 9,190,171 shares, respectively
Outstanding - 9,061,039 and 9,043,771 shares, respectively
9,288 9,190
Capital in excess of par value
19,841 18,077
Retained earnings
101,609 86,496
Treasury stock - 226,586 and 146,400 shares held, respectively
(9,015) (5,761)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 699 (1)
Total stockholders’ equity
122,422 108,001
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$ 256,304 $ 204,429
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Lawson Products, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Revenue 351,591 370,785
Cost of goods sold 165,053 173,431
Gross profit 186,538 197,354
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses
76,775 85,342
General and administrative expenses
89,213 102,946
Operating expenses
165,988 188,288
Operating income
20,550 9,066
Interest expense
(654) (603)
Other income, net 889 1,211
Income before income taxes
20,785 9,674
Income tax expense
5,672 2,453
Net income
$ 15,113 $ 7,221
Basic income per share of common stock
$ 1.68 $ 0.81
Diluted income per share of common stock
$ 1.62 $ 0.77
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
9,020 8,968
Effect of dilutive securities outstanding
311 408
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
9,331 9,376
Comprehensive income
Net income
$ 15,113 $ 7,221
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Adjustment for foreign currency translation
700 1,559
Comprehensive income
$ 15,813 $ 8,780
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Lawson Products, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Dollars in thousands)
Common Stock
Outstanding Shares $1 Par Value
Capital in Excess of Par Value Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Stockholders' Equity
Balance at January 1, 2019 8,955,930 $ 9,006 $ 15,623 $ 77,338 $ (1,234) $ (1,560) $ 99,173
Change in accounting principle (1)
- - - 1,937 - - 1,937
Net income
- - - 7,221 - - 7,221
Adjustment for foreign currency translation
- - - - - 1,559 1,559
Stock-based compensation
- - 2,638 - - - 2,638
Shares issued
184,455 184 (184) - - - -
Shares repurchased held in treasury
(96,614) - - - (4,527) - (4,527)
Balance at December 31, 2019 9,043,771 9,190 18,077 86,496 (5,761) (1) 108,001
Net income
- - - 15,113 - - 15,113
Adjustment for foreign currency translation
- - - - - 700 700
Stock-based compensation
- - 1,847 - - - 1,847
Shares issued
97,454 98 (83) - - - 15
Shares repurchased held in treasury
(80,186) - - - (3,254) - (3,254)
Balance at December 31, 2020 9,061,039 $ 9,288 $ 19,841 $ 101,609 $ (9,015) $ 699 $ 122,422
(1) The Company adopted the ASC No.842, Leases (ASC 842) on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. See Note 12 - Leases for further details.
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Lawson Products, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Operating activities
Net income
$ 15,113 $ 7,221
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
6,701 5,893
Stock-based compensation
1,479 4,054
Deferred income taxes
(167) 2,169
Goodwill impairment 1,918 -
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquired businesses:
Accounts receivable
1,762 (1,380)
Inventories
2,100 (2,308)
Miscellaneous receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets
(2,899) (3,890)
Accounts payable and other liabilities
5,788 (3,230)
Other
733 667
Net cash provided by operating activities
32,528 9,196
Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(1,687) (2,028)
Business acquisition, net of acquired cash
(2,300) -
Net cash used in investing activities
(3,987) (2,028)
Financing activities
Net payments on revolving lines of credit
(2,271) (8,552)
Shares repurchased held in treasury
(3,254) (4,527)
Payment of financing fees
- (573)
Payment of financing lease principal
(257) (271)
Proceeds from stock option exercises
15 33
Net cash used in financing activities
(5,767) (13,890)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
320 336
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
23,094 (6,386)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year
6,297 12,683
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year
$ 29,391 $ 6,297
Cash and cash equivalents $ 28,393 $ 5,495
Restricted cash 998 802
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$ 29,391 $ 6,297
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Net noncash financing liability related to acquisition (32,673) -
Net cash paid for income taxes
5,377 947
Net cash paid for interest
398 590
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Lawson Products, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 - Description of Business
Lawson Products, Inc. (“Lawson” or the “Company”) is a North American distributor of products and services to the industrial, commercial, institutional and government maintenance, repair and operations (“MRO”) marketplace. The Company has two reportable segments. The Lawson reportable segment distributes MRO products to customers primarily through a network of sales representatives offering vendor managed inventory ("VMI") service to customers throughout the United States and Canada. The Bolt reportable segment distributes MRO products primarily through its 14 branches located in Western Canada. On August 31, 2020, the Company acquired Partsmaster, a distributor of MRO products. Partsmaster is included in the Lawson reportable segment.
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation - The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and include the accounts and transactions of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation. Such reclassifications have no effect on net income as previously reported.
Revenue Recognition - The Company recognizes two revenue streams: revenues from the sale of product and revenues from the performance of VMI services. The Company offers VMI services only in conjunction with product sales. The Company does not bill product sales and services separately. A portion of selling expenses is allocated to cost of sales for reporting purposes based upon the estimated time spent on such services. Product revenue includes product sales and billings for freight and handling charges. Sales and associated cost of goods sold are generally recognized when products are shipped and title passes to customers. We accrue for returns based on historical evidence of return rates. Service revenue and associated cost of sales are recognized when services are performed. A portion of service revenue and cost of service is deferred, as not all services are performed in the same period as billed. The Company also operates as a lessor and recognizes lease revenue on a straight-line basis over the life of each lease. The Company has adopted the practical expedient not to separate the non-lease components that would be within the scope of ASC 606 from the associated lease component as the relevant criteria under ASC 842 are met.
Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of the Company’s cash equivalents at December 31, 2020 approximates fair value.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - The Company evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations (e.g., bankruptcy filings, substantial down-grading of credit ratings), a specific reserve for bad debts is recorded against amounts due to reduce the receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. For all other customers, the Company recognizes reserves for bad debts based on the Company’s historical experience of bad debt write-offs as a percent of accounts receivable outstanding. If circumstances change (e.g., higher than expected defaults or an unexpected material adverse change in a major customer's ability to meet its financial obligations), the estimates of the recoverability of amounts due the Company could be revised.
Inventories - Inventories principally consist of finished goods stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in-first-out method for the Lawson segment and weighted average for the Bolt segment as well as Partsmaster. To reduce the cost basis of inventory to a lower of cost or net realizable value, a reserve is recorded for slow-moving and obsolete inventory based on historical experience and monitoring of current inventory activity. Estimates are used to determine the necessity of recording these reserves based on periodic detailed analysis using both qualitative and quantitative factors. As part of this analysis, the Company considers several factors including the inventories length of time on hand, historical sales, product shelf life, product life cycle, product category and product obsolescence.
Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation expense is computed primarily by the straight-line method for buildings, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures and vehicles. The Company estimates useful lives of 20 to 40 years for buildings and improvements and 3 to 10 years for machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures and vehicles. Amortization of financing and capital leases is included in depreciation expense.
Depreciation expense was $4.4 million and $3.9 million for 2020 and 2019 respectively. Capitalized software is amortized over estimated useful lives of 3 to 5 years using the straight-line method. Amortization expense of capitalized software was $0.6 million for 2020 and 2019 respectively.
Cash Value of Life Insurance - The Company has invested funds in life insurance policies on certain current and former employees. The cash surrender value of the policies is invested in various investment instruments and is recorded as an asset on our consolidated balance sheet. The Company records these funds at contractual value. The change in the cash surrender value of the life insurance policies, which is recorded as a component of General and administrative expenses, is the change in the policies' contractual values.
Deferred Compensation - The Company’s Executive Deferral Plan (“Deferral Plan”) allows certain executives to defer payment of a portion of their earned compensation. The deferred compensation is recorded in an Account Balance, which is a bookkeeping entry made by the Company to measure the amount due to the participant. The Account Balance is equal to the participant’s deferred compensation, adjusted for increases and/or decreases in the amount that the participant has designated to one or more bookkeeping portfolios that track the performance of certain mutual funds. Lawson adjusts the deferred compensation liability to equal the contractual value of the participants’ Account Balances. These adjustments are the changes in contractual value of the individual plans and are recorded as a component of General and administrative expenses.
On August 31, 2020, the Company acquired Partsmaster from NCH Corporation, and assumed certain liabilities, including non-qualified deferred compensation plans related to Partsmaster employees. Effective December 31, 2020, Lawson accepted sponsorship of the portions of the non-qualified plans related to Partsmaster employees. The plans were frozen effective January 1, 2021.
Stock-Based Compensation - Compensation based on the share value of the Company’s common stock is valued at its fair value at the grant date and the expense is recognized over the vesting period. Fair value is re-measured each reporting period for liability-classified awards that may be redeemable in cash. We account for forfeitures of stock-based compensation in the period in which they occur.
Goodwill - The Company had $35.2 million and $20.9 million of goodwill in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Goodwill represents the cost of business acquisitions in excess of the fair value of identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is allocated to the appropriate reporting unit as reviewed by the Company’s segment managers. The Company has four reporting units; Lawson MRO, Bolt, Screw Products, and Partsmaster. The Company reviews goodwill for potential impairment annually on December 1st, or when an event or other circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying value.
The first step in the multi-step process to determine if goodwill has been impaired and to what degree is to review the relevant qualitative factors that could cause the fair value of the reporting unit to decrease below the carrying value of the reporting unit. During the first and second quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company identified a triggering event due to adverse changes in the business climate related to COVID-19. As a result, the Company performed interim quantitative impairment tests as of March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 on the goodwill in its Bolt reporting unit, which is also the Bolt reportable segment. The Company compared the estimated fair value using the income approach and the market approach of the reporting unit with its estimated book value. Based on the evaluation performed, the Company determined that goodwill was not impaired as the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its respective carrying amounts. The income approach calculations are dependent on several subjective factors including forecasts of future revenue and earnings and the discount rate. The market approach is based on financial multiples of comparable companies.
After reviewing the financial performance of the reporting units compared to our projected results, as well as macroeconomic conditions as a whole including the effect of the COVD-19 pandemic, we determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the goodwill generated by the acquisition of Screw Products, which reporting unit is a part of the Lawson reportable segment, had been impaired. As a result, we performed a quantitative impairment test as of December 1, 2020. The Company bases its measurement of the fair value of the reporting unit using the income approach. The income approach calculations are dependent on several subjective factors, including forecasts of future revenue and earnings and the discount rate.
Related to the Lawson MRO, Bolt, and Partsmaster reporting units, the Company performed a qualitative assessment as of December 1, 2020 and determined that it was more likely than not the fair value of the reporting units exceeded the carrying value of the reporting units.
Intangible Assets - The Company's intangible assets consist of trade names, and customer relationships. Intangible assets are amortized over a weighted average of 12 and 11 year estimated useful lives for trade names and customer relationships, respectively. The Company amortizes trade name intangible assets on a straight-line basis and customer relationship intangible assets on a basis consistent with their estimated economic benefit.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and definite life intangibles, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of the assets' carrying amount to their expected future undiscounted net cash flows. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. No impairments occurred in 2019 or 2020.
Income Taxes - Deferred tax assets or liabilities reflect temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and tax reporting. Such amounts are adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect changes in enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. A valuation allowance is established to offset any deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not (i.e. greater than 50% likely) that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The determination of the amount of a valuation allowance to be provided on recorded deferred tax assets involves estimates regarding (1) the timing and amount of the reversal of taxable temporary differences, (2) expected future taxable income, (3) the impact of tax planning strategies and (4) the ability to carry back deferred tax assets to offset prior taxable income. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including past operating results, projections of future taxable income and the feasibility of ongoing tax planning strategies. The projections of future taxable income include a number of estimates and assumptions regarding our volume, pricing and costs. Additionally, valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets can be impacted by changes to tax laws. Significant judgment is required in determining income tax provisions as well as deferred tax asset and liability balances, including the estimation of valuation allowances and the evaluation of tax positions.
Earnings from the Company's foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested. A distribution of these non-U.S. earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise would subject the Company to foreign withholding taxes and may subject the Company to U.S. federal and state taxes.
The Company recognizes the benefit of tax positions when a benefit is more likely than not (i.e., greater than 50% likely) to be sustained on its technical merits. Recognized tax benefits are measured at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained, based on cumulative probability, in final settlement of the position. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
Leases - Leases are categorized as either operating or financing leases at commencement. For both classes of leases, a Right Of Use ("ROU") asset and corresponding lease liability are recognized at commencement. Operating leases consist of the company headquarters, distribution centers, and Bolt branches. Financing leases consist of equipment such as forklifts and copiers. The value of the lease assets and liabilities are the present value of the total cash payments for each lease. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate to discount the total cash payments to present value for each lease. The Company will review each lease to determine if there is a more appropriate discount rate to apply. Upon commencement, rent expense is recognized on a straight line basis for each operating lease. Each financing lease ROU asset is amortized on a straight line basis over the lease period. Prior to acquisition, Partsmaster participated in a leasing program where they actively leased parts washer machines to customers. The Company will continue the leasing program for the foreseeable future. These leases are classified as operating leases. The leased machines are recognized as fixed assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and the leasing revenue is recognized on a straight line basis.
Earnings per Share - Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution from the exercise or conversion of outstanding stock options, market stock units and restricted stock awards into common stock. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 no options to purchase shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because all of the options were in the money.
Foreign Currency - The accounts of foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. All balance sheet amounts are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the applicable period end. Components of income or loss are translated using the average exchange rate for each reporting period.
Gains and losses resulting from changes in the exchange rates from translation of the subsidiary accounts in local currency to U.S. dollars are reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in the consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses resulting from the effect of exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are included as a component of net income or loss upon settlement of the transaction.
Gains and losses resulting from foreign intercompany transactions are included as a component of net income or loss each reporting period unless the transactions are of a long-term-investment nature and settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future, in which case the gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in the consolidated balance sheets.
Treasury Stock - The Company repurchased 47,504 and 32,362 of its common stock in 2020 and 2019, respectively, through its previously announced stock repurchase plan. The Company repurchased 32,682 and 64,252 shares of its common stock in 2020 and 2019, respectively from employees upon the vesting of restricted stock to offset the income taxes owed by
those employees. The Company accounts for treasury stock using the cost method and includes treasury stock as a component of stockholders’ equity. The cost of the common stock repurchased and held in treasury was $3.3 million and $4.5 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Acquisitions - The Company recognizes identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions for the purchase price allocation process to value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, the estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill.
Use of Estimates - Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for service revenue, service cost, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory reserves, goodwill and intangible assets valuation, and income taxes in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, which revises the requirements for how an entity should measure credit losses on financial instruments. The pronouncement is effective for smaller reporting companies in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and the new guidance will be applied on a prospective basis. The Company is still evaluating the effect the adoption of the new standard will have on its financial statements.
Note 3 - Acquisition
On August 31, 2020, the Company acquired Partsmaster from NCH Corporation. Partsmaster is a leading maintenance, MRO solutions provider that serves approximately 16,000 customers with approximately 200 sales representatives. The acquisition was made primarily to expand the Company's sales coverage, expand product lines, add experienced sales representatives, and leverage the Company's infrastructure.
The purchase price was $35.3 million in cash plus the assumption of certain liabilities. The Company paid $2.3 million of the purchase price in cash at closing and will pay the remaining $33.0 million in May 2021. The payment obligation has been discounted to its present value and was recognized as an accrued acquisition liability of $32.4 million at the time of acquisition. As of December 31, 2020, the discounted present value of the $33.0 million due in May 2021 is $32.7 million and is recorded in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as an accrued acquisition liability. Payment has been guaranteed under the Purchase Agreement, and includes the issuance of a $33.0 million irrevocable standby letter of credit. The Company will satisfy the payment obligation with cash on hand with any remaining portion using its existing credit facility.
The purchase price of the acquisition was allocated to the fair value of Partsmasters' assets and liabilities on the acquisition date. The fair market value appraisals of the majority of the assets and liabilities was determined by a third party valuation firm using management estimates and assumptions including intangible assets of $5.0 million for customer relationships and $2.8 million for trade names, and their estimated useful lives of 10 and 5 years, respectively. The $15.8 million allocated to goodwill reflects the purchase price less the fair market value of the identifiable net assets. The goodwill is attributable to the workforce of the acquired business and the significant synergies expected to arise after Lawson's acquisition of Partsmaster. The entire amount of goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The appropriate fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on estimates and assumptions. The Company continues to review preliminary estimates of various assets and liabilities including, but not limited to, pre-acquisition employee compensation liabilities and potential adjustments of certain accounts receivable balances as defined under the purchase agreement. These preliminary estimates and assumptions could change during the purchase price measurement period as the Company finalizes the valuations of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company recorded the fair value of accounts receivable after consideration of an estimate of cash flows not expected to be collected which was $0.4 million.
Partsmaster contributed $22.6 million of revenue and $0.8 million of operating income in the four months of 2020 post-acquisition.
A summary of the initial purchase price allocation of the acquisition is as follows (Dollars in thousands):
Cash paid and payable and liabilities assumed
Cash paid and payable $ 34,523
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 4,086
Lease obligation 620
Deferred compensation 2,938
$ 42,167
Fair value of assets acquired
Goodwill $ 15,816
Inventories 7,797
Accounts receivable 7,706
Customer relationships 4,961
Trade names 2,775
Property, plant and equipment 2,121
Right of use asset 620
Other assets 371
$ 42,167
The following table contains unaudited pro forma revenue and net income for Lawson Products assuming the Partsmaster acquisition closed on January 1, 2019.
(Unaudited)
Pro Forma Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Revenue 396,679 435,486
Net Income 16,535 7,277
The pro forma disclosures in the table above include adjustments for amortization of intangible assets, implied interest expense and acquisition costs to reflect results as if the acquisition of Partsmaster had closed on January 1, 2019 rather than on the actual acquisition date. This pro forma information utilizes certain estimates, is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be indicative of the actual results of operation. In addition, future results may vary significantly from the results reflected in the pro forma information. The unaudited pro forma financial information does not reflect the impact of future positive or negative events that may occur after the acquisition, such as anticipated cost savings from operating synergies.
Note 4 - Revenue Recognition
As part of the Company's revenue recognition analysis, it concluded that it has two separate performance obligations, and accordingly, two separate revenue streams: products and services. Under the definition of a contract as defined by ASC 606, the Company considers contracts to be created at the time an order to purchase product is agreed upon regardless of whether or not there is a written contract.
Performance Obligations
Lawson has two operating segments; the Lawson segment and the Bolt Supply segment.
The Lawson segment has two distinct performance obligations offered to its customers: a product performance obligation and a service performance obligation. Although the Company has identified that it offers its customers both a product and a service obligation, the customer only receives one invoice per transaction with no price breakout between these obligations. The Company does not price its offerings based on any breakout between these obligations.
Lawson generates revenue primarily from the sale of MRO products to its customers. Revenue related to product sales is recognized at the time that control of the product has been transferred to the customer; either at the time the product is shipped or the time the product has been received by the customer. The Company does not commit to long-term contracts to sell customers a certain minimum quantity of products.
The Lawson segment, including the Partsmaster acquisition, offers a VMI service proposition to its customers. A portion of these services, primarily related to stocking of product and maintenance of the MRO inventory, is provided a short period of time after control of the purchased product has been transferred to the customer. Since some components of VMI service have not been provided at the time the control of the product transfers to the customer, that portion of expected consideration is deferred until the time that those services have been provided.
The Bolt Supply segment does not provide VMI services for its customers or provide services in addition to product sales to customers. Revenue is recognized at the time that control of the product has been transferred to the customer which is either upon delivery or shipment depending on the terms of the contract.
In previous financial statements, the Company presented the disaggregated components of total revenue: product revenue and service revenue, along with the cost of sales associated with each of these revenue streams as the service revenues exceeded 10% of consolidated sales. Since the Company qualifies as a smaller reporting company, the Company has elected to discontinue disclosure of the disaggregated components of revenue and cost of sales in its consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and in the related notes to the consolidated financial statements. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, service revenue of $40.1 million was reported as service revenue which have now been combined as reported within total revenue.
Disaggregated revenue by product type follows:
Unaudited
Year Ended December 31,
Product Category 2020 2019
Fastening systems 22% 24%
Cutting tools and abrasives 14% 13%
Fluid power 13% 15%
Specialty chemicals 11% 11%
Electrical 10% 11%
Aftermarket automotive supplies 7% 8%
Safety 6% 5%
Welding and metal repair 2% 2%
Other 15% 11%
100% 100%
Lawson as Lessor
Prior to acquisition, Partsmaster leased parts washer machines to customers through its Torrents leasing program. The Torrents leasing program comprised a minor portion of the Partsmaster business. The Company will continue the leasing program for the foreseeable future. These leases are classified as operating leases. The leased machines are recognized as fixed assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and the leasing revenue is recognized on a straight line basis. The Torrents machine leasing program generated $0.9 million of revenue in 2020 post-acquisition. The Company has adopted the practical expedient not to separate the non-lease components that would be within the scope of ASC 606 from the associated lease component as the relevant criteria under ASC 842 are met.
Note 5 - Restricted Cash
The Company has agreed to maintain $0.8 million in a money market account as collateral for an outside party that is providing certain commercial card processing services for the Company. The Company has also agreed to maintain $0.2 million in a guaranteed investment certificate as collateral for an outside party that is providing certain commercial credit card services for Bolt. The Company is restricted from withdrawing this balance without the prior consent of the outside party during the term of the agreement.
Note 6 - Inventories, net
Inventories, net, consisting primarily of purchased goods which are offered for resale, were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2020 2019
Inventories, gross $ 67,137 $ 60,500
Reserve for obsolete and excess inventory
(5,270) (4,595)
Inventories, net $ 61,867 $ 55,905
Note 7 - Property, Plant and Equipment
Components of property, plant and equipment were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2020 2019
Land $ 2,650 $ 2,625
Buildings and improvements 15,765 15,356
Machinery and equipment 26,814 24,509
Capitalized software 23,013 22,136
Furniture and fixtures 5,725 5,673
Vehicles 151 155
Construction in progress 752 683
74,870 71,137
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(59,070) (54,591)
$ 15,800 $ 16,546
Note 8 - Goodwill
Goodwill activity related to acquisitions is included in the table below:
(Dollars in Thousands)
Goodwill By Reportable Segment
Lawson Bolt Total
Beginning balance January 1, 2019 $ 7,174 $ 12,905 $ 20,079
Impact of foreign exchange 205 649 854
Adjustment to prior year allocation (10) - (10)
Balance at December 31, 2019
7,369 $ 13,554 20,923
Impact of foreign exchange 85 270 355
Acquisition (1)
15,816 - 15,816
Impairment (2)
(1,918) - (1,918)
Balance at December 31, 2020
$ 21,352 $ 13,824 $ 35,176
(1) The $15.8 million addition to goodwill in 2020 was due to the preliminary allocation of the purchase price to acquire Partsmaster.
(2) The Company performed a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of December 1, 2020 for the Screw Products reporting unit. The Company engaged a third party valuation firm to determine the value of the Screw Products reporting unit, and determined that the carrying value of the net assets exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit, and accordingly, recognized an impairment charge of $1.9 million.
Although the Company believes the projected future operating results and cash flows and related estimates regarding the values were based on reasonable assumptions, it is reasonably possible that estimates made may be materially and adversely impacted in the future as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including impairment losses related to goodwill.
Note 9 - Intangible assets
The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization by intangible asset class were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value
Trade names $ 11,289 $ (2,733) $ 8,556 $ 8,422 $ (2,020) $ 6,402
Customer relationships 12,349 (2,402) 9,947 7,337 (1,404) 5,933
$ 23,638 $ (5,135) $ 18,503 $ 15,759 $ (3,424) $ 12,335
Amortization expense of $1.7 million and $1.3 million related to intangible assets was recorded in General and administrative expenses for 2020 and 2019, respectively. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Amortization
2021 $ 2,662
2022 2,457
2023 2,343
2024 2,247
2025 1,983
Thereafter 6,811
$ 18,503
Note 10 - Income Taxes
Income from operations before income taxes consisted of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
United States
$ 16,226 $ 5,418
Canada
4,559 4,256
$ 20,785 $ 9,674
Provision (benefit) for income taxes from operations for the years ended December 31, consisted of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Current income tax expense:
U.S. federal
$ 3,858 $ -
U.S. state
710 136
Canada
1,288 291
Total
$ 5,856 $ 427
Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
U.S. federal
$ 236 $ 2,012
U.S. state
52 303
Canada
(472) (289)
Total
$ (184) $ 2,026
Total income tax expense (benefit):
U.S. federal
$ 4,094 $ 2,012
U.S. state
762 439
Canada
816 2
Total
$ 5,672 $ 2,453
The reconciliation between the effective income tax rates and the statutory federal rates for operations are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Statutory Federal rate
21.0 % 21.0 %
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
Change in valuation allowance - current period activity
(2.2) (4.5)
Change in valuation allowance - reversal
- (13.6)
Capital loss
- 13.6
Stock compensation
(2.0) (11.5)
Compensation deduction limitation
1.5 10.1
State and local taxes, net
3.8 4.5
Foreign income inclusion
- 3.1
Meals & entertainment
0.6 1.8
Change in uncertain tax positions
4.6 (1.0)
Provision to return differences
(0.1) 0.2
Other items, net
0.1 1.7
Provision for income taxes
27.3 % 25.4 %
At December 31, 2020, the Company had $7.2 million of U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards which are subject to expiration beginning in 2030 and $7.7 million of various state net operating loss carryforwards which expire at varying dates through 2034.
Certain valuation allowances pertaining to the deferred tax assets related to our Canadian operations remain as of December 31, 2020. Lawson's Canadian operations have recently moved into a three-year cumulative income position. Based on the history of our Canadian operations and their multi-year pre-tax losses through 2018, the Company does not believe there is sufficient positive evidence at this time to consider reversing the $1.2 million valuation allowance. While forecasts may show future positive pre-tax income, future projected income is the least objective of the positive sources of evidence as
the projections are inherently subjective and not yet demonstrated. The uncertainty of the continuing pandemic may further affect our Canadian business. Based on this, the Company will maintain its valuation allowances related to Canada as of December 31, 2020. The Company will continue to monitor all positive and negative evidence regarding the Canadian operations and will re-assess our position on a regular basis.
As a result of acquisitions completed in recent years, the Company recorded $35.2 million of tax deductible goodwill that may result in a tax benefit in future periods.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities contain the following temporary differences:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2020 2019
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward
$ 5,431 $ 7,786
Compensation and benefits
10,980 9,947
Inventory reserve
1,772 1,589
Accounts receivable reserve
167 152
Leased assets 1,061 3,326
Other
329 146
Total deferred tax assets
19,740 22,946
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets
1,948 2,360
Lease liabilities
1,366 2,850
Property, plant and equipment
(975) 353
Other
503 625
Total deferred liabilities
2,842 6,188
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
16,898 16,758
Valuation allowance
(1,257) (1,235)
Net deferred tax assets $ 15,641 $ 15,523
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2020 2019
Balance at beginning of year $ 3,242 $ 3,612
Additions for tax positions of current year
15 13
Additions for tax positions of prior years
1,413 121
Reductions for tax positions of prior year
- (29)
Lapse of statute of limitations
(984) (475)
Balance at end of year $ 3,686 $ 3,242
The recognition of the unrecognized tax benefits would have a favorable effect on the effective tax rate. Due to the uncertainty of both timing and resolution of income tax examinations, the Company is unable to determine whether any amounts included in the December 31, 2020 balance of unrecognized tax benefits represent tax positions that could significantly change during the next twelve months. The unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as a component of Other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as a component of income tax expense.
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2020, the Company was subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for the years 2017 through 2019 and income tax examinations from various other jurisdictions for the years 2013 through 2019.
Note 11 - Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other liabilities consisted of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2020 2019
Accrued stock-based compensation (stock performance rights)
$ 14,437 $ 14,908
Accrued compensation
9,794 9,238
Accrued and withheld taxes, other than income taxes
3,788 4,387
Accrued profit sharing
240 916
Accrued severance
1,103 778
Deferred revenue
822 648
Accrued health benefits
732 578
Other
7,576 7,858
$ 38,492 $ 39,311
Note 12 - Leases
The Company leases property used for distribution centers, office space, and Bolt branch locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, along with various equipment located in distribution centers and corporate headquarters.
The expenses and income generated by the leasing activity of Lawson as lessee for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows:
(Dollars in Thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
Lease Type Classification 2020 2019
Consolidated Operating Lease Expense (1)
Operating expenses $ 4,999 $ 4,729
Consolidated Financing Lease Amortization Operating expenses 226 206
Consolidated Financing Lease Interest Interest expense 28 30
Consolidated Financing Lease Expense 254 236
Sublease Income (2)
Operating expenses - (160)
Net Lease Cost
$ 5,253 $ 4,805
(1) Includes short term lease expense, which is immaterial
(2) Sublease income from sublease of a portion of the Company headquarters. The sublease was terminated in June 2019 and the Company has no other subleases
The value of the net assets and liabilities generated by the leasing activity of Lawson as lessee as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:
(Dollars in Thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
Lease Type 2020 2019
Total ROU operating lease assets (1)
$ 8,246 $ 10,592
Total ROU financing lease assets (2)
518 654
Total lease assets
$ 8,764 $ 11,246
Total current operating lease obligation $ 4,360 $ 3,591
Total current financing lease obligation 208 239
Total current lease obligations
$ 4,568 $ 3,830
Total long term operating lease obligation $ 5,498 $ 9,133
Total long term financing lease obligation 240 371
Total long term lease obligation
$ 5,738 $ 9,504
(1) Operating lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $5.9 million and $1.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively
(2) Financing lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $0.4 million and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively
The value of the lease liabilities generated by the leasing activities of Lawson as lessee as of December 31, 2020 were as follows (Dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, Operating Leases Financing Leases Total
2021 $ 4,719 $ 219 $ 4,938
2022 3,212 143 3,355
2023 1,471 89 1,560
2024 509 25 534
2025 168 - 168
Thereafter 462 - 462
Total lease payments
10,541 476 11,017
Less: Interest 683 28 711
Present value of lease liabilities
$ 9,858 $ 448 $ 10,306
(1) Of the $10.5 million future minimum operating lease commitments outstanding at December 31, 2020, $2.2 million relates to a lease for the Company's headquarters which expires in March 2023
(2) The Company has an operating lease for the McCook Facility which expires in June 2022 and includes future minimum lease payments of $2.6 million
The weighted average lease terms and interest rates of the leases held by Lawson as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:
Lease Type Weighted Average Term in Years Weighted Average Interest Rate
Operating Leases 2.9 5.2%
Financing Leases 2.5 5.3%
The cash outflows of the leasing activity of Lawson as lessee for the year ending December 31, 2020 are as follows (Dollars in thousands):
Cash Flow Source Classification Amount
Operating cash flows from operating leases Operating activities $ 4,256
Operating cash flows from financing leases Operating activities 28
Financing cash flows from financing leases Financing activities 257
McCook Lease Adjustment
Subsequent to the adoption of ASC 842 in 2019 the Company recorded a non-cash transaction to establish $1.7 million of operating ROU assets, for which $1.7 million of operating lease liabilities were incurred. Also, in 2019 the Company recorded a non-cash transaction to establish $0.4 million of financing ROU assets, for which $0.4 million of financing lease liabilities were incurred.
Lawson as Lessor
Prior to acquisition, Partsmaster leased parts washer machines to customers through its Torrents leasing program. The Torrents leasing program comprised a minor portion of the Partsmaster business. The Company will continue the leasing program for the foreseeable future. These leases are classified as operating leases. The leased machines are recognized as fixed assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and the leasing revenue is recognized on a straight line basis. The Torrents machine leasing program generated $0.9 million of revenue in 2020 post-acquisition. The Company has adopted the practical expedient not to separate non-lease components that would be within the scope of ASC 606 from the associated lease components as the relevant criteria under ASC 842 are met.
Note 13 - Credit Agreement
In October, 2019, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, and including CIBC Bank USA and Bank of America, N.A. as other lenders. The Credit Agreement matures on October 11, 2024 and provides for $100.0 million of revolving commitments. The Credit Agreement allows borrowing capacity to increase to $150.0 million subject to meeting certain criteria and additional commitments from its lenders.
The Credit Agreement consists of borrowings as alternate base rate loans, Canadian prime rate loans, Eurodollar loans, and Canadian dollar offered rate loans as the Company requests. The applicable interest rate spread is determined by the type of borrowing used and the Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the most recent fiscal quarter as defined in the Credit Agreement.
The covenants associated with the Credit Agreement restrict the ability of the Company to, among other things: incur additional indebtedness and liens, make certain investments, merge or consolidate, engage in certain transactions such as the disposition of assets and sales-leaseback transactions, and make certain restricted cash payments such as dividends in excess of defined amounts contained within the Credit Agreement. In addition to these items and other customary terms and conditions, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with certain financial covenants as follows:
a) The Company is required to maintain an EBITDA to Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 1.15 to 1.00 for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the last day of any fiscal quarter; and
b) The Company is required to maintain a Total Net Leverage Ratio of no more than 3.25 to 1.00 on the last day of any fiscal quarter. The maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio will be allowed to increase to 3.75 to 1.00 after certain permitted acquisitions.
The Credit Agreement also includes events of default for, among others, non-payment of obligations under the Credit Agreement, change of control, cross default to other indebtedness in an aggregate amount in excess of $5.0 million, failure to comply with covenants, and insolvency.
At December 31, 2020, the Company had no outstanding balances under its revolving line of credit facility and additional borrowing availability of $66.0 million. The carrying amount of the Company’s debt at December 31, 2020 approximates its fair value. The weighted average interest rate was 2.65% in 2020. The Company had $34.0 million of outstanding letters of credit as of December 31, 2020 primarily related to the acquisition of Partsmaster.
In addition to other customary representations, warranties and covenants, the results of the financial covenants are provided below:
Quarterly Financial Covenants Requirement Actual
EBITDA to fixed charges ratio 1.15 : 1.00
4.77 : 1.00
Total net leverage ratio 3.25 : 1.00
0.60 : 1.00
The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 31, 2020.
In the third quarter of 2020, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement which among other items increased the letter of credit basket from $15.0 million to $40.0 million until August 31, 2021 and authorized the Company to incur indebtedness in an amount up to $36.0 million for the acquisition of Partsmaster.
Note 14 - Accrued Acquisition Liability
On August 31, 2020, Lawson acquired Partsmaster from NCH Corporation. As part of the purchase price the Company agreed to pay $33.0 million in May 2021. The payment obligation has been discounted to its present value using an implied interest rate of 1.8% and is recognized as a current liability of $32.7 million in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. Payment has been guaranteed under the Purchase Agreement which includes the issuance of a $33.0 million irrevocable standby letter of credit. The accrued acquisition liability is included as outstanding debt in the quarterly financial covenants. See Note 13 - Credit Agreement for further details.
Note 15 - Reserve for Severance
Severance costs are primarily related to management realignment and reorganization. The table below reflects the activity in the Company’s reserve for severance and related payments.
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Beginning balance $ 909 $ 359
Charged to earnings
2,077 1,756
Cash paid
(1,735) (1,206)
Ending balance
$ 1,251 $ 909
The majority of remaining severance liabilities outstanding as of December 31, 2020 will be paid by the end of 2021, and are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is involved in legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. It is the opinion of management that the resolution of any currently pending litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Environmental matter
In 2012, the Company identified that a site it owns in Decatur, Alabama, contains hazardous substances in the soil and groundwater as a result of historical operations prior to the Company's ownership. The Company retained an environmental consulting firm to further investigate the contamination including the measurement and monitoring of the site and the site was enrolled in the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (“ADEM") voluntary cleanup program.
A remediation plan was approved by ADEM in 2018. The plan consists of chemical injections throughout the affected area, as well as subsequent monitoring of the area for three consecutive periods. The injection process was completed in the first quarter of 2019 and the environmental consulting firm is monitoring the affected area. At December 31, 2020 the Company has less than $0.1 million accrued for potential monitoring costs. The Company does not expect to capitalize any amounts related to the remediation plan.
Note 17 - Retirement and Security Bonus Plans
The Company provides a 401(k) defined contribution plan to allow employees a pre-tax investment vehicle to save for retirement. The Company made contributions to the 401(k) plan of $2.9 million and $3.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company provides a Deferred Profit Savings Plan ("DPSP") for certain Canadian employees and a Registered Retirement Savings Plan ("RRSP") for other Canadian employees. Both are deferred defined contribution retirement investment plans. The Company contributed $0.2 million and $0.4 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company provides a profit sharing plan for certain sales, office and warehouse employees. The amounts of the Company’s annual contributions are determined annually by the Board of Directors. Expenses incurred for the profit sharing plan were $0.2 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company has a security bonus plan which was previously created for the benefit of its independent sales representatives, under the terms of which participants are credited with a percentage of their annual net commissions. The aggregate amounts credited to participants’ accounts vest 25% after five years, and an additional 5% vests each year thereafter upon qualification for the plan. On January 1, 2013, the Company converted all of its U.S. independent sales representatives to employees. The security bonuses for those converted employees continue to vest, but their accounts are no longer credited with a percentage of net commissions. For financial reporting purposes, amounts are charged to operations
over the vesting period. Expenses incurred for the security bonus plan were $0.3 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The security bonus plan is partially funded by a $6.9 million investment in the cash surrender value in life insurance of certain employees. Of the $11.5 million total liability, $0.3 million is classified as a current liability as of December 31, 2020, and the remaining $11.3 million is classified as long-term.
Note 18 - Stock-Based Compensation Plans
Plan Administration
The Company's Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Compensation Plan (“Equity Plan”) provides for the grant of nonqualified and incentive stock options, stock awards and stock units to officers and employees of the Company. The Equity Plan also provides for the grant of option rights and restricted stock to non-employee directors. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had approximately 247,000 shares of common stock still available under the Equity Plan. Non-employee directors are limited to grants of no more than 20,000 shares of common stock in any calendar year and other than non-employee directors are limited to grants of no more than 125,000 shares of common stock in any calendar year. The Equity Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, or its designee, which as administrator of the plan, has the authority to select plan participants, grant awards, and determine the terms and conditions of the awards.
The Company also has a Stock Performance Rights Plan (“SPR Plan”) that provides for the issuance of Stock Performance Rights (“SPRs”) that allow non-employee directors, officers and key employees to receive cash awards, subject to certain restrictions, equal to the appreciation of the Company's common stock. The SPR Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
Stock Performance Rights
SPRs entitle the recipient to receive a cash payment equal to the excess of the market value of the Company's common stock over the SPR exercise price when the SPRs are surrendered. Expense, equal to the fair market value of the SPR at the date of grant and remeasured each reporting period, is recorded ratably over the vesting period. Compensation expense is included in General and administrative expense. The outstanding SPRs were granted with approximately a seven year life and vest over one to three years beginning on the first anniversary of the date of the grant.
On December 31, 2020, the SPRs outstanding were re-measured at fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model. This model requires the input of subjective assumptions that may have a significant impact on the fair value estimate. The weighted-average estimated value of SPRs outstanding as of December 31, 2020 was $26.88 per SPR using the following assumptions:
Expected volatility
46.5% to 66.9%
Risk-free rate of return
0.1% to 0.2%
Expected term (in years)
0.5 to 3.5
Expected annual dividend
$0
The expected volatility was based on the historic volatility of the Company's stock price commensurate with the expected life of the SPR. The risk-free rate of return reflects the interest rate offered for zero coupon treasury bonds over the expected life of the SPR. The expected life represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding and was calculated using the simplified method allowed by the SEC, which approximates our historical experience. The estimated annual dividend was based on the recent dividend payout trend.
A compensation benefit of less than $0.1 million was recorded as a reduction to General and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2020. Compensation expenses of $14.9 million was recorded in General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019. Cash in the amount of $0.5 million and $13.4 million was paid for SPR exercises in 2020 and 2019, respectively. A liability of $14.4 million reflecting the estimated fair value of future pay-outs is included as a component of Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Activity related to the Company’s SPRs during the year ended December 31, 2020 was as follows:
Number of SPRs Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding on December 31, 2019 599,861 $ 26.56
Exercised
(18,861) 16.48
Outstanding on December 31, 2020 581,000 26.88
Exercisable on December 31, 2020 573,086 $ 26.72
The SPRs outstanding had an intrinsic value of $14.6 million as of December 31, 2020. Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested SPRs was $0.2 million at December 31, 2020, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.0 years. During the year ended December 31, 2020, 43,397 SPRs with a fair value of $1.3 million vested. At December 31, 2020, the weighted average remaining contractual term was 2.0 years for all outstanding SPRs and 1.8 years for all exercisable SPRs.
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock awards ("RSAs") generally vest over a one to three year period beginning on the first anniversary of the date of the grant. Upon vesting, the vested restricted stock awards are exchanged for an equal number of the Company’s common stock. The participants have no voting or dividend rights with the restricted stock awards. The restricted stock awards are valued at the closing price of the common stock on the date of grant and the expense is recorded ratably over the vesting period.
Compensation expenses of $1.2 million and $1.3 million related to the RSAs were recorded in General and administrative expenses for 2020 and 2019, respectively. Activity related to the Company’s RSAs during the year ended December 31, 2020 was as follows:
Restricted Stock Awards
Outstanding on December 31, 2019 90,909
Granted
18,371
Exchanged for common shares
(63,481)
Outstanding on December 31, 2020 45,799
As of December 31, 2020, there was $0.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to RSAs that will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.0 year. The awards granted in 2020 had a weighted average grant date fair value of $36.68 per share.
Market Stock Units
Market Stock Units ("MSUs") are exchangeable for between 0% to 150% of the Company's common shares at the end of the vesting period based on the trailing 60 day average closing price of the Company's common stock. The value of the MSUs was determined using a geometric brownian motion model that, based on certain variables, generates a large number of random trials simulating the price of the common stock over the measurement period. Expenses of $0.7 million and $1.2 million related to MSUs were recorded in General and administrative expenses in the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Activity related to the Company’s MSUs during the year ended December 31, 2020 was as follows:
Number of Market Stock Units Maximum Shares Potentially Issuable
Outstanding on December 31, 2019 139,643 199,303
Granted
21,648 32,472
Exchanged for stock
(24,035) (36,052)
Outstanding on December 31, 2020 137,256 195,723
Stock Options
Each stock option can be exchanged for one share of the Company’s common stock at the stated exercise price. Expense related to stock options was $0.1 million in both 2020 and 2019. There was no unrecognized compensation related to stock options as of December 31, 2020 as all compensation plans that included stock options were fully vested. Upon vesting, stock options are recognized as a component of equity. There were 80,000 stock options outstanding on December 31, 2020 with a weighted average exercise price of $27.70.
Performance Awards ("PAs")
The Company issued 10,852 PAs to key employees that cliff vest on December 31, 2022. PAs are exchangeable for the Company's common stock ranging from zero to 16,278, or the equivalent amount in cash, based upon the achievement of certain financial performance metrics. Expenses of $0.1 million related to the PAs were recorded in General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Note 19 - Segment Information
The Company's operating segments, Lawson and Bolt, also represent its reportable segments because of differences in the businesses' financial characteristics and the methods they employ to deliver product to customers. The results of the Company's operating segments are reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker responsible for reviewing operating performance and allocating resources. The Lawson segment primarily relies on its large network of sales representatives to visit the customer at the customers' location and produce sales orders for product that is then shipped to the customer and also provides VMI services. The Bolt segment primarily sells product to customers when the customers visit one of Bolt's 14 branch locations and the product is delivered to the customers at the point of sale. The Bolt segment total assets include the value of the acquired intangibles and the related amortization within its operating income.
Financial information for the Company's reportable segments follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Net sales
Lawson $ 312,803 $ 329,367
Bolt 38,788 41,418
Consolidated total $ 351,591 $ 370,785
Gross profit
Lawson
$ 171,258 $ 181,567
Bolt
15,280 15,787
Consolidated total
$ 186,538 $ 197,354
Operating Income
Lawson $ 17,715 $ 6,483
Bolt 2,835 2,583
Consolidated total 20,550 9,066
Interest expense (654) (603)
Other income, net 889 1,211
Income before income taxes $ 20,785 $ 9,674
Capital expenditures
Lawson $ 1,529 $ 1,522
Bolt 158 506
Consolidated total $ 1,687 $ 2,028
Depreciation and amortization
Lawson $ 5,343 $ 4,757
Bolt 1,358 1,136
Consolidated total $ 6,701 $ 5,893
Total assets
Lawson $ 221,490 $ 168,803
Bolt 43,533 44,174
Investment in Subsidiary
(8,719) (8,548)
Consolidated total $ 256,304 $ 204,429
Financial information related to the Company’s continuing operations by geographic area follows:
(Dollars in Thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Net sales (1)
United States
$ 283,261 $ 295,675
Canada
68,330 75,110
Consolidated total
$ 351,591 $ 370,785
Long-lived assets (2)
United States
$ 44,395 $ 25,478
Canada
34,180 35,849
Consolidated total
$ 78,575 $ 61,327
(1) Net sales are attributed to countries based on the location of customers.
(2) Long-lived assets primarily consist of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, intangibles, right of use assets and other assets.
Note 20 - Stock Repurchase Program
In 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a program in which the Company may repurchase up to $7.5 million of the Company's common stock from time to time in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or by other methods. In 2020 and 2019, the Company purchased 47,504 and 32,362 shares of common stock at an average purchase price of $36.93 and $38.13, respectively, under the repurchase program. At December 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $4.5 million available under the repurchase plan.
Note 21 - Related Party Transactions
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 the Company purchased approximately $0.9 million of inventory from a company owned by an immediate relative of a Board member at fair market value. The Company paid substantially all of the amount owed in the third and fourth quarters and therefore immaterial remaining liabilities exist as of December 31, 2020.
Note 22 - COVID-19 Risks and Uncertainties
There is substantial uncertainty as to the overall effect the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the results of the Company for 2021 and beyond. Various events related to COVID-19 have resulted in lost revenue to our Company, limitations on our ability to source high demand products, limitations on our sales force to perform certain functions due to state or federal stay-at-home orders, slow-down of customer demand for our products and limitations of some customers to pay us on a timely basis.
On March 27, 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act to provide certain relief as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Company has elected to defer the employer side social security payments in accordance with the CARES Act. The total amount deferred is $3.5 million, with $1.7 million expected to be paid in 2021 and the remainder in 2022. The Company will continue to evaluate how the provisions of the CARES Act will impact its financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The Company has also utilized the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy ("CEWS") Act for both Lawson Canada and Bolt for assistance with hourly employee costs. The CEWS is a program that provides a subsidy of certain eligible wages commencing March 15, 2020 through December 31, 2020 subject to meeting certain criteria. During 2020 the Company recorded $1.4 million in subsidies from the CEWS program which is recognized as a reduction to selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income.
In the first quarter of 2020, the government of the state of Illinois defined essential businesses, allowing Lawson to operate during the pandemic. A change in this status could result in the temporary closure of our business. Additionally the COVID-19 pandemic could result in a temporary closure of any or all of our distribution facilities or the Bolt branch locations, which would negatively impact our operations. Other disruptions to our supply chain such as reduced capacity or temporary shutdowns of freight carriers could also negatively impact Company performance. The pandemic is negatively impacting sales and operations currently and may negatively impact future financial results, liquidity and overall performance of the Company. Additionally, it is reasonably possible that estimates made in the financial statements may be materially and adversely impacted in the future as a result of these conditions, including delay in payment of receivables, impairment losses related to goodwill and other long-lived assets, and inability to utilize deferred tax assets.
The Lawson MRO business model relies upon customer interaction as well as a consistent schedule of onsite visits by our sales representatives to customer locations. The Bolt business model relies on foot traffic in its branch locations. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as social distancing guidelines and government mandated shelter in place orders, have negatively impacted the ability of our sales reps to visit our customers and for foot traffic to return to our Bolt branch locations, resulting in an overall negative impact on our business.
The second quarter 2020 financial performance of the Company was substantially negatively impacted as state and local governments throughout the United States and Canada imposed strict COVID-19 related restrictions, including shutdowns of nonessential businesses and stay-at-home orders, particularly in April. These restrictions were relaxed in May and June, and were further relaxed throughout the third quarter. The economic climate in the third quarter improved as non-essential businesses reopened in both limited capacity and full capacity. The relaxed restrictions resulted in increased customer contact and more consistent customer visits for Lawson MRO sales representatives, as well as increased customer visits to Bolt
branch locations. The relaxed restrictions continued in the fourth quarter as well, which allowed for continued sequential improvement in operating and financial performance.
Despite the improved economic climate, the Company continues to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the various federal, state and local restrictions enacted to combat the pandemic. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved certain vaccines that have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, it is projected that the production, distribution and administration of the vaccine to a sufficient percentage of the population to significantly minimize the future effect of the pandemic will not be reached until mid-2021.
The Company has taken several steps to mitigate the potential negative impacts of COVID-19. The actions taken included, but are not limited to, furloughing employees, reducing base salaries for a period of time, canceling travel and award trips, temporarily consolidating its Suwanee distribution center operations into the McCook facility, eliminating non-critical capital expenditures and eliminating various positions throughout the Company. In the third and fourth quarters the Company brought back various previously furloughed employees. The Company reopened the Suwanee distribution center in a reduced capacity in the third quarter as overall business activity increased.
The Company will continue to closely monitor the operating environment and will take appropriate actions to protect the safety for its employees, customers and suppliers.
Lawson Products, Inc.
Schedule II -Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
The roll forward of valuation accounts were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Description Balance at Beginning of Period Charged to Costs and Expenses Deductions Balance at End of Period
Allowance for doubtful accounts: (1)
Year ended December 31, 2020 $ 593 $ 578 $ (517) $ 654
Year ended December 31, 2019
$ 549 $ 623 $ (579) $ 593
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:
Year ended December 31, 2020 $ 1,235 $ 22 $ - $ 1,257
Year ended December 31, 2019
$ 2,569 $ - $ (1,334) $ 1,235
(1) Deductions reflect uncollected receivables written off, net of recoveries and translation adjustments.

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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
Under the supervision and with the participation of our senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this annual report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded as of the Evaluation Date that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective such that (i) the information relating to Lawson, including our consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in our SEC reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for Lawson Products, Inc. (the “Company”). This system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements and even when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projection of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods is subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this evaluation, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission “Internal Control - Integrated Framework” (2013). Based on this assessment, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, BDO USA, LLP, has audited and issued a report on the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting as set forth in this annual report.
The Company is in the process of integrating Partsmaster, which was acquired from NCH Corporation on August 31, 2020, into its overall internal control over financial reporting. Management elected to exclude the internal controls of Partsmaster from its assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2020, as permitted by the SEC's interpretive guidance. Partsmaster constituted 15.8% and 0.9% of total assets and net assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2020 and 6.4% of total revenue and 5.2% of net income for 2020.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors
Lawson Products, Inc.
Chicago, Illinois
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Lawson Products, Inc.’s (the “Company’s”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO criteria”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index and our report dated February 26, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
As indicated in the accompanying “Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting,” management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Partsmaster, which was acquired on August 31, 2020, and which is included in the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2020, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. Partsmaster constituted 15.8% and 0.9% of total assets and net assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2020, and 6.4% and 5.2% of revenues and net income, respectively, for the year then ended. Management did not assess the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Partsmaster because of the timing of the acquisition which was completed on August 31, 2020. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Partsmaster.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/BDO USA, LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 26, 2021
Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. The Company is in the process of integrating Partsmaster, which was acquired from NCH Corporation on August 31, 2020, into its overall internal control over financial reporting. Management elected to exclude the internal controls of Partsmaster from its assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2020, as permitted by the SEC's interpretive guidance. Partsmaster constituted 15.6% and 0.9% of total assets and net assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2020 and 6.4% of total revenue and 5.2% of net income for 2020.

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

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
a. Directors
The information required by this Item is set forth in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 11, 2021, under the caption “Election of Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.
b. Executive Officers
The information required by this Item is set forth under the caption Item 1 - Business under “Executive Officers of the Registrant.”
c. Audit Committee
Information on the Company’s Audit Committee is contained under the caption “Board of Directors Meetings and Committees” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 11, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The Board of Directors has determined that Lee Hillman, member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K, and that Mr. Hillman is “independent” as the term is defined in the listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
d. Code of Business Conduct
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct applicable to all employees and sales representatives. The Company’s Code of Business Conduct is applicable to senior financial executives including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer of the Company. The Company’s Code of Business Conduct is available on the Corporate Governance page in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.lawsonproducts.com. The Company intends to post on its website any amendments to, or waivers from its Code of Business Conduct applicable to senior financial executives. The Company will provide any persons with a copy of its Code of Business Conduct without charge upon written request directed to the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s address.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Lawson Products, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The information required by this Item is set forth in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 11, 2021, under the caption “Remuneration of Executive Officers,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The information required by this Item is set forth in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 11, 2021 under the caption “Securities Beneficially Owned by Principal Stockholders and Management” which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2020 regarding the number of shares of common stock that were available for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans which are described in greater detail in Note 18 in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Plan category Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(1) Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(1) (2) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in the first column)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
337,800 $27.70 247,042
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
- - -
Total
337,800 $27.70 247,042
(1) Includes potential common stock issuance of 45,799 from restricted stock awards, 195,723 from market stock units, 80,000 from stock options and 16,278 from performance awards.
(2) Weighted-average exercise price of 80,000 stock options.

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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 set forth in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 11, 2021 under the caption “Election of Directors” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
The information required under this Item is set forth in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 11, 2021 under the caption “Fees Paid to Independent Auditors” which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Lawson Products, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) (1) See Index to Financial Statements in Item 8 on page 29.
(2) See Schedule II in Item 8 on page 61.
(3) Exhibits:
Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibit
2.1
Asset Purchase Agreement dated August 31, 2020, between the Company and NCH Corporation and NCH Canada, Inc., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 31, 2020.
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988.
3.2
Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 20, 2009.
4.1
Description of common stock.
10.1* Amended and Restated Executive Deferral Plan, incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10(c)(7) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
10.2*
Lawson Products, Inc. Stock Performance Plan, incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10(c)(8) to the Company’' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.
10.3*
Form Letter regarding Stock Performance Rights, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c)(16) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
10.4*
Lawson Products, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 13, 2008.
10.5*
Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors and Officers incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 15, 2008.
10.6*
Form of Amended and Restated Award Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 12, 2009.
10.7*
Lawson Products, Inc. 2009 Equity Compensation Plan, incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A Information dated November 4, 2009.
10.8*
Employment Agreement dated as of August 29, 2012 by and between Lawson Products, Inc., an Illinois corporation, and Neil E. Jenkins, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 29, 2012.
10.9*
Employment Agreement dated as of August 29, 2012 by and between Lawson Products, Inc., an Illinois corporation, and Ron Knutson, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 29, 2012.
10.10
Agreement of Lease dated June 30, 2014 between the Company and KTR Property Trust III incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 2014.
Lawson Products, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
10.11*
Change in Control Agreement effective October 16, 2015 by and between the Company and Shane McCarthy, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 16, 2015.
10.12 *
Employment Agreement dated as of August 14, 2017 by and between Lawson Products, Inc., an Illinois corporation, and Michael G. DeCata, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 14, 2017.
10.13 *
Award Agreement dated as of August 14, 2017 by and between Lawson Products, Inc., an Illinois corporation, and Michael G. DeCata, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 14, 2017.
10.14*
Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Lawson Products, Inc. 2009 Equity Compensation Plan incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 11, 2018.
10.15*
Amendment No.1 to the Award Agreement entered into on April 11, 2018 between the Company and Michael G. DeCata, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 11, 2018.
10.16*
Amended and Restated Stock Award Agreement entered into on April 11, 2018 between the Company and Michael G. DeCata, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 11, 2018.
10.17*
Award Agreement entered into on April 11, 2018 between the Company and Michael G. DeCata, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 11, 2018.
10.18*
Amendment No.1 to the Employment Agreement entered into on April 11, 2018 between the Company and Michael G. DeCata, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 11, 2018.
10.19*
Lawson Products, Inc. 2009 Equity Compensation Plan (as Amended and Restated Effective May 14, 2019), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 3, 2019.
10.20*
First Amendment to the Lawson Products, Inc. 2009 Equity compensation Plan (as Amended and Restated Effective May 14, 2019), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 3, 2019.
10.21
Credit Agreement dated October 11, 2019 among the Company and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 11, 2019.
10.22
First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated August 31, 2020, between the Company and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 31, 2020.
10.23
Amendment of the Lawson Products, Inc. Amended Stock Performance Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective January 24, 2017), dated December 23, 2020.
10.24
Amendment of the Lawson Products, Inc. 2009 Equity Compensation Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective , 2017), dated December 23, 2020.
Subsidiaries of the Company.
Consent of BDO USA, LLP.
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Lawson Products, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
* Indicates management employment contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.