EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 703604
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 703604_10-K_2022_0000703604-22-000019.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.
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 2021 sales. Bolt product offerings are listed on the Bolt website and are available in each of the branch locations.
Proposed Combination with TestEquity and Gexpro Services
On December 29, 2021, Lawson entered into:
•an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “TestEquity Merger Agreement”) by and among (1) LKCM TE Investors, LLC (the “TestEquity Equityholder”), (2) TestEquity Acquisition, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the TestEquity Equityholder (“TestEquity”), (3) Lawson and (4) Tide Sub, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lawson (“Merger Sub 1”), pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of which Merger Sub 1 will merge with and into TestEquity, with TestEquity surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lawson (the “TestEquity Merger”); and
•an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Gexpro Services Merger Agreement” and, together with the TestEquity Merger Agreement, the “Merger Agreements”) by and among (1) 301 HW Opus Investors, LLC, (the “Gexpro Services Stockholder”), (2) 301 HW Opus Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Gexpro Services Stockholder (“Gexpro Services”), (3) Lawson and (4) Gulf Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lawson (“Merger Sub 2”), pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of which Merger Sub 2 will merge with and into Gexpro Services, with Gexpro Services surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lawson (the “Gexpro Services Merger” and, together with the TestEquity Merger, the “Mergers”).
TestEquity is a distributor of parts and services to the industrial, commercial, institutional and governmental electronics manufacturing and test and measurement market. TestEquity operates through three brands, TestEquity, Jensen Tools and Techni-Tool.
Gexpro Services is a provider of supply chain solutions, specializing in developing and implementing Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) and kitting programs to high-specification manufacturing customers. Gexpro Services provides critical products and services to customers throughout the lifecycle of highly technical Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) products.
The combination of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services (the “Combined Company”) is intended to bring together three complementary distribution businesses under a holding company structure. We believe that the Mergers and related transactions will advance our strategic objectives of expanding our offerings and services into the large, fragmented distribution industry and thereby enhance our financial performance, including through revenue and earnings growth driven by acquisition opportunities, organic revenue growth opportunities and cost synergies expected to be available to the Combined Company following the Mergers. We expect that the holding company structure will enable each of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services to maintain their respective high-touch, value-added service delivery models and customer relationships in their specialty distribution businesses under the leadership of their separate business unit management teams, with oversight from our leadership team. At the same time, we expect that the Mergers and the holding structure will enable us to leverage best practices, back-office resources and technologies across the three companies to help drive cost synergies and efficiencies and that the Combined Company will have the ability to utilize its combined financial resources to accelerate a strategy of expansion through both business acquisitions and organic growth across the new platform.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreements, Lawson has agreed to issue up to an aggregate of 12,000,000 shares of Lawson common stock in consideration for the Mergers as follows:
•TestEquity Merger: In connection with the TestEquity Merger, 3,300,000 shares of Lawson common stock would be issued to the TestEquity Equityholder upon the closing of the TestEquity Merger, and up to an additional 700,000 shares of Lawson common stock would potentially be issuable to the TestEquity Equityholder on or after the closing date of the TestEquity Merger upon satisfaction of the conditions of, and in accordance with, two earnout mechanisms.
•Gexpro Services Merger: In connection with the Gexpro Services Merger, 7,000,000 shares of Lawson common stock would be issued to the Gexpro Services Stockholder upon the closing of the Gexpro Services Merger, and up to an additional 1,000,000 shares of Lawson common stock would potentially be issuable to the Gexpro Services Stockholder on or after the closing date of the Gexpro Services Merger upon satisfaction of the conditions of, and in accordance with, two earnout mechanisms.
The Mergers, if completed, will be consummated substantially concurrently. We refer to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreements, including the Mergers and the share issuances, as the “Transactions.”
Entities affiliated with Luther King Capital Management Corporation (“LKCM”) and J. Bryan King, including private investment partnerships for which LKCM serves as investment manager, beneficially own a majority of the ownership interests in the TestEquity Equityholder (which will be entitled to receive all of the shares of Lawson common stock issued by Lawson as consideration in the TestEquity Merger) and the Gexpro Services Stockholder (which will be entitled to receive all of the shares of Lawson common stock issued by Lawson as consideration in the Gexpro Services Merger).
The consummation of the Mergers is subject to certain closing conditions, including, among others, (1) receipt of the requisite Lawson stockholder approvals under the Merger Agreements and (2) receipt of proceeds of debt financing in an amount sufficient for the payment of certain payoff indebtedness, transaction expenses and other fees and expenses in connection with the Mergers.
On February 22, 2022, the waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, expired with respect to the Mergers.
The Merger Agreements contain certain termination rights for the parties, including, among other rights, termination rights if the Mergers are not completed on or before September 30, 2022 (subject to certain limitations) or any of the requisite Lawson stockholder approvals are not obtained at a duly convened stockholders meeting. If the TestEquity Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, Lawson will be obligated to pay TestEquity a termination fee of $4,000,000, and if the Gexpro Services Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, Lawson will be obligated to pay Gexpro Services a termination fee of $6,000,000.
Lawson expects to complete the Mergers in the second quarter of 2022.
Debt Financing Commitment Letter
In contemplation of the Mergers, on February 7, 2022 Lawson entered into an amended and restated commitment letter (the “Debt Financing Commitment Letter”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Initial Arranger”). Through the Debt Financing Commitment Letter, Lawson has requested that the Initial Arranger agree to arrange and syndicate senior secured credit facilities in an aggregate principal amount of up to $500 million for Lawson and certain of its affiliates, consisting of a revolving credit facility in an initial aggregate principal amount of $200 million, an initial term loan facility in an initial aggregate principal amount of $250 million and a delayed draw term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $50 million. Pursuant to the Debt Financing Commitment Letter, the Initial Arranger agreed to (1) provide up to $125 million of the facilities and (2) use commercially reasonable efforts to assemble a syndicate of financial institutions identified by the Initial Arranger and agreed to by Lawson to provide the balance of the necessary commitments for the facilities, in each case upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Debt Financing Commitment Letter.
Lawson would intend to use the proceeds of the initial term loan facility and the revolving facility, if executed, to refinance Lawson’s existing credit agreement and certain existing indebtedness of TestEquity and Gexpro Services in connection with the closing of the Mergers, finance the working capital needs and general corporate purposes of Lawson and its subsidiaries (including TestEquity and Gexpro Services) after the Mergers and pay certain fees and expenses. Lawson would intend to use the proceeds of the delayed draw term loan facility, if executed, to finance certain potential acquisitions by TestEquity and/or Gexpro Services, if completed, and pay certain fees and expenses.
The commitments of the Initial Arranger are subject to (1) the condition that the portion of the facilities not being provided by the Initial Arranger (which remaining portion is $375 million) shall be provided by other lenders identified by the Initial Arranger in consultation with Lawson and reasonably acceptable to Lawson and (2) various other conditions.
The Transactions subject us to a number of risks that are more fully discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors, "Risk Factors Relating to the Merger Transactions” and “Risk Factors Relating to the Debt Financing Expected to be Incurred in Connection with the Merger” below.
Customers
During 2021, the Lawson segment sold products to over 69,000 distinct customers and the Bolt segment sold products to approximately 12,000 distinct customers in addition to the walk up customers at its 14 branch locations. Our largest customer accounted for approximately three percent of consolidated net sales. In 2021, approximately 81% of our consolidated net sales were generated in the United States and approximately 19% in Canada. 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 2021 were as follows:
Product Category Percentage
Fastening systems 22%
Cutting tools and abrasives 15%
Fluid power 13%
Specialty chemicals 10%
Electrical 10%
Aftermarket automotive supplies 7%
Safety 5%
Welding and metal repair 2%
Other 16%
100%
The Lawson segment offers over 192,000 different products for sale of which over 135,000 products are maintained in our distribution centers. 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 2021, our Lawson segment purchased products from approximately 3,000 suppliers and no single supplier accounted for more than three 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.
As of December 31, 2021, our combined workforce included approximately 1,840 individuals, comprised of approximately 1,230 in sales and marketing, approximately 480 in operation and distribution and approximately 130 in management and administration. Approximately 1,680 of the 1,840 individuals are within the Lawson segment and the remaining are within Bolt. Approximately 9% of the workforce is covered by two collective bargaining agreements. We believe that our relations with our employees and their collective bargaining organizations are good.
Sales Team
On December 31, 2021, the Lawson sales and marketing team consisted of approximately 1,230 individuals focused on servicing existing customers, identifying new customers, providing customer service support and providing on-site customer service. Of the total sales team, 1,037 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.
The majority of Bolt sales are made from its 14 branch locations. Bolt has approximately 24 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.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Company continues to have the majority of its corporate workforce work remotely and the Company monitors local, state and federal COVID-19 requirements so that its business operations and sales representative activities operate in accordance with these rules. The Company will continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on the safety of its team members.
Strategic Focus
In 2022, we intend to grow our sales organically, pursue acquisitions and further improve our operations to make Lawson our customers' first choice for MRO products, VMI 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 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 on 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 120 employees complete Lean Six Sigma training over the past six 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.
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, 2022 were as follows:
Name Age Year First Named to Present Office Position
Michael G. DeCata 64 2012 President and Chief Executive Officer
Ronald J. Knutson 58 2014 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer
Matthew J. Brown 58 2017 Senior Vice President, Sales
Richard D. Pufpaf 49 2021 Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
David S. Lambert 48 2021 Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
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. 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 since 2001 with the most recent title of Senior Director of Sales from 2014 to 2016.
Mr. Pufpaf was elected Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer in 2021. Mr. Pufpaf joined Lawson in 2011, and throughout the past 11 years, has held several leadership roles for the Company, including Assistant General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Assistant Corporate Secretary and Vice President, Compensation & Benefits.
Mr. Lambert was elected to Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer in June 2021. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Lambert served as the Corporate Controller, and previously the Assistant Controller, of Univar Solutions, a chemical distribution company, publicly traded on the NYSE from June 2017 through June 2021. Prior to that, Mr. Lambert served as the Director of Corporate Accounting and Reporting of Donnelley Financial Solutions, a financial compliance company, publicly traded on the NYSE from September 2016 through June 2017. Prior to these roles, Mr. Lambert held progressive roles within finance and accounting at several other publicly traded companies.

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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, 2021, 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.
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, along with other supply chain disruptions, 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. Similarly, other supply chain disruptions have impacted our ability to maintain certain core products in inventory and deliver products to customers on a timely basis, and may continue to impact our ability to do so. Such supply chain disruptions may adversely affect our business, financial condition and 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 these items, as well as 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 incidents 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 purchase products or services or to otherwise communicate with us.
Our technologies, systems and networks (and those of our business partners) have been and may in the future be the target of cyber attacks and/or information security incidents that may have resulted in, or may in the future result in, the unauthorized release, misuse, loss or destruction of proprietary, personal and other information, or other disruption of our business operations. For example, on February 8, 2022, Lawson became aware that its computer network was the subject of a cyber incident potentially involving unauthorized access. It is possible that certain confidential business information and personnel
records may have been compromised. Lawson has engaged a cybersecurity forensics firm to assist in the investigation of the incident and to assist in securing its computer network.
Depending on the nature of any information that may have been compromised, Lawson may be required to notify the parties whose information was compromised of the incident as well as various governmental agencies and may be required to take other actions in the future, such as offering credit monitoring services. Lawson is continuing to investigate the incident as well as potential corrective and remedial actions to take in respect of the incident. The Company is in the early stage of the investigation, and at this time, is unable to estimate the cost of any remediation that may be required.
Such attacks or incidents 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. 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. 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 will require 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.
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, among other things, 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 additional acquisitions into our organization could adversely affect our operations and operating results.
One of our growth strategies is to actively pursue additional acquisition opportunities which complement our business model. However, there are risks associated with pursuing acquisitions, which include the incurrence of significant transaction costs without the guarantee that such transactions will be completed. Further, we may fail to successfully identify the right opportunities and/or to successfully integrate the acquired businesses, operations, technologies, systems and/or personnel with those of Lawson, which 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 and increased restrictions and reduce or eliminate our ability to borrow funds.
Our Credit Agreement contains 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 and 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.
Common Stock Risks
The market price of our common stock may decline.
The price of our common stock 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 Management 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, 2021, Luther King Capital Management ("LKCM") beneficially owned 47.7% of the outstanding common stock of the Company. J. Bryan King, a director of the Company, is the Principal of LKCM. As a result, LKCM 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 offerings include 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 affect our ability to realize our deferred tax assets, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
Risk Factors Relating to COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases
The coronavirus strain that began to spread in 2020 ("COVID-19") has 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 on the ability 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 of the COVID-19 pandemic on us will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the COVID-19 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 financial condition.
Our business was defined by the state of Illinois as an essential business, allowing us to operate during the pandemic when other companies faced temporary closures during the first year of the pandemic. If the COVID-19 pandemic worsens and our status as an essential business changes, our business could be required to temporarily close as well as any or all of our facilities (including distribution facilities and/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 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 from visiting customers in person, or that would otherwise 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 our sales and ability to collect on existing credit balances, and we may continue to be impacted by those reductions and shut downs 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. As a result, the Company may be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the various federal, state and local restrictions enacted to combat the pandemic.
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. It is reasonably possible that estimates made based on future operating results and cash flows of the Company 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 addition, the increased number of employees working remotely as a result of COVID-19 can exacerbate the risks mentioned in regards to internal controls and cybersecurity.
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 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, copper), tariffs and increases in energy costs will raise the production costs of our vendors. Those vendors have typically looked to pass the higher costs along to us through price increases. If we are unable to fully pass such 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 and 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.
Supply chain constraints, inflationary pressure, and labor shortages could impact our cost of goods, which may result in lower gross margins.
Our businesses have been and may continue to be impacted by supply chain constraints, resulting in inflationary pressure on material costs, longer lead times, port congestion, and increased freight costs. This results in challenges in acquiring and receiving inventory in a timely fashion and fulfilling customer orders. In addition, we have been and may continue to be impacted by labor shortages. This results in challenges in fulfilling customer orders and can have a negative impact on our operating results as we may be required to utilize higher-cost temporary labor. While we have instituted various price increases during 2021 in response to rising supplier costs, as well as increased transportation and labor costs, there can be no assurance that future cost increases or decreases, if any, can be partially or fully passed on to customers, or that the timing of such sales price increases or decreases will match our supplier cost increases or decreases. As a result,we are unable to predict the impact of these constraints on our business, financial condition 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 denominated in foreign currencies 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.
Risk Factors Relating to the Merger Transactions
Except as contemplated by the earnout provisions in the Merger Agreements, the number of shares of Lawson common stock to be issued in the Transactions will not be adjusted if there is a change in the value of the businesses or assets of Lawson, TestEquity and/or Gexpro Services before the Transactions are completed.
Except as contemplated by the earnout provisions in the Merger Agreements, the number of shares of Lawson common stock to be issued in the Transactions will not be adjusted if there is a change in the value of the businesses or assets of Lawson, TestEquity and/or Gexpro Services before the Transactions are completed. Although Lawson will not be required to consummate the TestEquity Merger or the Gexpro Services Merger if there has been any “Material Adverse Effect” (as specified in the TestEquity Merger Agreement or the Gexpro Services Merger Agreement, respectively) with respect to TestEquity or Gexpro Services, respectively, Lawson will not be permitted to terminate either of the Merger Agreements or re-solicit the vote of Lawson’s stockholders because of any changes in the market price of Lawson common stock or any changes in the value of TestEquity or Gexpro Services that do not constitute such a “Material Adverse Effect” with respect to TestEquity or Gexpro Services, respectively.
Completion of the Transactions will result in the issuance of a significant number of additional shares of Lawson common stock, which could have a negative effect on the price of Lawson common stock.
The Transactions will result in the issuance of an aggregate of up to 12,000,000 shares of Lawson common stock in connection with the Transactions. The issuance of such a significant number of shares of Lawson common stock could have a negative effect on the market price of Lawson common stock. Such downward pressure could also encourage short sales by certain investors, which could place further downward pressure on the market price of Lawson common stock.
In addition, Lawson has agreed to grant the TestEquity Equityholder and the Gexpro Services Stockholder with certain registration rights with respect to the shares of Lawson common stock that Lawson would issue in the Transactions. Any sales of those shares, or the anticipation of the possibility of such sales, could create downward pressure on the market price of Lawson common stock.
As a result of the issuance of Lawson common stock in the Transactions, entities affiliated with LKCM and J. Bryan King (including the TestEquity Equityholder and the Gexpro Services Stockholder) will beneficially own a significant majority of the outstanding shares of Lawson common stock.
After giving pro forma effect to the issuance of shares of Lawson common stock in connection with the Transactions, entities affiliated with LKCM and Mr. King (including the TestEquity Equityholder and the Gexpro Services Stockholder) would beneficially own in the aggregate a significant majority of the outstanding shares of Lawson common stock, ranging from (1) approximately 75% (assuming the issuance of only the minimum aggregate number of shares of Lawson common stock issuable in connection with the Mergers) to (2) approximately 77% (assuming the issuance of the maximum aggregate number of shares of Lawson common stock issuable in connection with the Mergers, including the full issuance of the maximum earnout shares potentially issuable) of the outstanding shares of Lawson common stock. This would be up from the approximately 47.7% of the outstanding shares of Lawson common stock that entities affiliated with LKCM and Mr. King beneficially owned as of December 31, 2021. Thus, entities affiliated with LKCM and Mr. King, as a group, would be able to exercise an even more significant influence over matters requiring a stockholder vote, including the election of directors and the approval of other significant matters, than they are currently able to exercise. The interests of LKCM and such other affiliated entities and persons may not align with the interests of other stockholders. This concentration of ownership could also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or other business combination that might be beneficial to Lawson’s stockholders.
In addition, as a result of this issuance, Lawson expects that it will qualify as a “controlled company,” as that term is defined by Rule 5615(c) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules and, accordingly, Lawson believes that it will be generally exempt from the requirements of Rule 5615(c) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules that would otherwise require Lawson to have:
•a majority of the Lawson board of directors comprised of independent directors;
•a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors; and
•director nominees selected, or recommended for the Lawson board of directors’ selection, either by (1) independent directors constituting a majority of the Lawson board of directors’ independent directors in a vote in which only independent directors participate or (2) a nominating committee comprised solely of independent directors.
As a result of the issuance of Lawson common stock in the Transactions, existing stockholders will experience substantial dilution of their ownership percentage and voting power (except that entities affiliated with LKCM and Mr. King will, on a collective basis, significantly increase their beneficial ownership and voting percentage of outstanding Lawson common stock).
If the Transactions are completed and Lawson issues shares of Lawson common stock in the Transactions, existing stockholders will experience substantial dilution of their ownership percentage and voting power (except that entities affiliated with LKCM and Mr. King will, on a collective basis, significantly increase their beneficial ownership and voting percentage of outstanding Lawson common stock).
There may be difficulties in combining certain operations of TestEquity’s and Gexpro Services’ respective businesses into Lawson’s operations, and the failure to successfully combine those operations within Lawson’s expected timetable could adversely affect the Combined Company’s future results and the market price of Lawson’s common stock.
The Mergers involve the combination of businesses that currently operate as independent businesses. Lawson will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to combining certain business operations of TestEquity and Gexpro Services with Lawson’s business operations. In addition, the pursuit of the Transactions and the preparation for the completion of the Transactions have placed, and will continue to place, a significant burden on the management and internal resources of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services. There is a significant degree of difficulty and management distraction inherent in the process of closing the Transactions, which could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of each company’s existing businesses, regardless of whether the Transactions are eventually completed. Both before and after the closing of the Transactions, the management teams of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services will be required to devote considerable amounts of time to this process, which may decrease the time they will have to manage their respective existing businesses, service existing customers, attract new customers and develop new products, services and strategies. One potential consequence of such distractions could be the failure of management to realize other opportunities that could be beneficial to Lawson, TestEquity or Gexpro Services, respectively.
If Lawson’s, TestEquity’s or Gexpro Services’ management is not able to effectively manage the process leading up to and following the closing of the Transactions, or if any significant business activities are interrupted as a result of the process, the businesses of Lawson, TestEquity and/or Gexpro Services could suffer.
Furthermore, it is possible that the closing process could result in the loss of key employees of Lawson, TestEquity or Gexpro Services. If Lawson is not able to successfully complete the Transactions and fully realize the anticipated savings and synergies in a timely manner, or the cost to achieve these synergies is greater than expected, Lawson may not fully realize the anticipated benefits (or any benefits) of the Transactions, or it may take longer than expected to realize any benefits. The failure to fully or timely realize the anticipated benefits could have a negative effect on the market price of Lawson common stock.
Each of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services will be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the Transactions are pending that could materially and adversely affect each of the companies and their businesses.
Uncertainty about the effect of the Transactions on employees, customers, suppliers and others having business relationships with Lawson, TestEquity and/or Gexpro Services may have a material and adverse effect on Lawson, TestEquity and/or Gexpro Services, regardless of whether the Transactions are eventually completed, and, consequently, on the Combined Company. These uncertainties may impair Lawson’s, TestEquity’s and/or Gexpro Services’ ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the Transactions are completed, or the Merger Agreements are terminated, and for a period of time thereafter. These uncertainties could also cause customers, suppliers and others that deal with Lawson, TestEquity or Gexpro Services to seek to change existing business relationships with Lawson, TestEquity or Gexpro Services. Employee retention and recruitment may be challenging for Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services during the pendency of the Transactions, as employees and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with the Combined Company. Furthermore, no assurance can be given that after the Transactions the Combined Company will be able to attract or retain key management personnel or other key employees to the same extent that Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services have been previously able to attract or retain their own employees. For each of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services, the
departure of existing key employees or the failure of potential key employees to accept employment with the Combined Company, despite Lawson’s, TestEquity’s and Gexpro Services’ retention and recruiting efforts, could have a material adverse impact on Lawson’s and the Combined Company’s business, financial condition and operating results, regardless of whether the Transactions are eventually completed.
In addition, the Merger Agreements restrict Lawson from making certain acquisitions and taking other specified actions without the consent of TestEquity or Gexpro Services until the respective Merger is consummated or the respective Merger Agreement is terminated. These restrictions may prevent Lawson from pursuing otherwise attractive business opportunities and making other changes to its business before completion of the Transactions or termination of the Merger Agreements.
Lawson may fail to complete the Transactions if certain closing conditions, many of which are outside Lawson’s control, are not satisfied.
The completion of the Transactions is subject to multiple closing conditions, including the receipt of the requisite Lawson stockholder approvals under the Merger Agreements and the receipt of proceeds of debt financing in an amount sufficient for the payment of certain payoff indebtedness, transaction expenses and other fees and expenses in connection with the Mergers. Many of these closing conditions are outside of Lawson’s control. If any of these conditions is not satisfied or waived, the Transactions may not be completed and Lawson may not realize the anticipated benefits of the Transactions. Lawson can make no assurances that the Transactions will be completed on the terms or timeline currently contemplated, or at all.
Failure to complete the Transactions could result in material adverse consequences to Lawson’s business and operations.
If the conditions to the closing of the Transactions are not met, or if the Transactions are not completed for any other reason, Lawson would be subject to a number of risks, including the following:
•The market price of Lawson common stock may decline;
•Lawson and its stockholders would not realize the anticipated benefits of the Transactions, including any anticipated synergies from combining the businesses of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services;
•Lawson may be required to pay a termination fee of $4.0 million if the TestEquity Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances;
•Lawson may be required to pay a termination fee of $6.0 million if the Gexpro Services Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances; and
•Lawson would remain liable for significant transaction costs that would be payable even if the Transactions are not completed.
For these and other reasons, failure to complete the Transactions could adversely affect Lawson’s business, financial condition, results of operations and stock price.
Lawson has incurred and will continue to incur significant transaction costs in connection with the Transactions.
Lawson has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant, non-recurring costs in connection with consummating the Transactions. Non-recurring transaction costs include, but are not limited to, fees paid to legal, accounting and financial advisors, filing fees and other costs. Additional unanticipated costs may be incurred in the combination process. Some of these costs will be incurred even if Lawson does not complete the Transactions.
Lawson’s estimates and judgments related to the acquisition accounting models used to record the purchase price allocation may be inaccurate.
Lawson’s management will make significant accounting judgments and estimates for the application of acquisition accounting under GAAP and the underlying valuation models. The Combined Company’s business, operating results and financial condition could be materially and adversely impacted in future periods if Lawson’s accounting judgments and estimates related to these models prove to be inaccurate.
The Combined Company may be required to recognize impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets.
As a result of the Transactions, the Combined Company is expected to have an amount of goodwill and other intangible assets on its balance sheet that is significantly greater than the amount of goodwill and other intangible assets on Lawson’s December 31, 2021 consolidated balance sheet. In accordance with GAAP, Lawson’s management periodically assesses Lawson’s goodwill and other intangible assets to determine if they are impaired. Significant negative industry or economic trends, disruptions to the Combined Company’s business, an inability to effectively integrate acquired businesses, unexpected significant changes, planned changes in use of the assets, divestitures and market capitalization declines may impair goodwill and other intangible assets. Any charges relating to such impairments could materially and adversely affect the Combined Company’s results of operations in the periods recognized, which could result in an adverse effect on the market price of Lawson common stock.
TestEquity’s and Gexpro Services’ international operations will subject the Combined Company to additional legal and regulatory regimes if the Mergers are completed.
TestEquity currently has business operations and/or sales in a number of foreign countries, including Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom, and Gexpro Services currently has business operations and/or sales in a number of foreign countries, including Hungary and China. If the Mergers are consummated, Lawson and/or certain subsidiaries within the Combined Company will be subject to a wider array of foreign legal and regulatory regimes (including tax regimes) than those to which Lawson and/or certain of its subsidiaries are currently subject, and the amount of revenue generated outside of the United States by the Combined Company will be significantly more than the revenue generated outside the United States by Lawson currently. Compliance with diverse legal and regulatory requirements, including in connection with the movement or repatriation of cash, may be costly, time-consuming and require significant resources. Violations could result in significant fines or monetary damages, sanctions, prohibitions or restrictions on doing business and damage to the Combined Company’s reputation. In addition, operating in additional countries around the world will require the Combined Company to manage the potential conflicts between locally accepted business practices in any given jurisdiction and Lawson’s obligations to comply with laws and regulations with respect to such jurisdictions, in addition to the jurisdictions where Lawson currently operates, including anti-corruption laws or regulations applicable to Lawson, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) and the UK Bribery Act 2010 (the “UKBA”). The U.S., U.K. and other foreign agencies and authorities have a broad range of civil and criminal penalties they may seek to impose against companies for violations of export controls, the FCPA, the UKBA, and other laws, rules, sanctions, embargoes and regulations, including those established by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). Any violation of these legal requirements, even if prohibited by Lawson’s policies, procedures and controls, could subject the Combined Company to criminal or civil enforcement actions, penalties for non-compliance or otherwise have an adverse effect on its business and reputation.
Litigation relating to the Transactions could prevent or delay the closing of the Transactions and/or result in the payment of damages following the closing of the Transactions.
Lawson and members of the Lawson board of directors are and may in the future be parties, among others, to litigation related to the Merger Agreements and the Transactions. Among other remedies, the stockholders in the pending litigation seek, and other stockholders could seek, damages and/or seek to enjoin the Transactions. The outcome of any legal proceedings are difficult to predict and any such lawsuits could prevent or delay the closing of the Transactions and/or result in substantial costs to Lawson. The existence of litigation relating to the Transactions may also create uncertainty relating to the Transactions and may be costly and distracting to management. Further, the defense or settlement of any lawsuit or claim that remains unresolved at the time the Mergers are completed may adversely affect the Combined Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. See Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements, included in Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for a description of certain of our pending legal proceedings relating to the Transactions, which are incorporated herein by reference.
If any pending or future lawsuit challenging the Transactions is successful in obtaining an injunction preventing the parties to the Merger Agreements from consummating the Transactions, such injunction may delay or prevent the consummation of the Transactions.
As a result of the Transactions, Lawson’s ability to use its net operating losses and certain other tax attributes generated prior to the Transactions may be subject to limitation.
As a result of the Transactions, Lawson’s ability to use its net operating losses and certain other tax attributes generated prior to the Transactions may be subject to limitation.
TestEquity and Gexpro Services are private companies and may not have in place the financial organization, reporting and internal controls necessary for a public company.
TestEquity and Gexpro Services are private companies and may not have in place the financial organization, reporting and controls which are required for a U.S. public company. The cost of implementing this type of financial organization, reporting and controls in respect of TestEquity and Gexpro Services and integrating their financial reporting processes with those of Lawson may be significant. Furthermore, if the limitations in TestEquity’s or Gexpro Services’ financial organization, reporting and controls, or any failure to effectively integrate their financial reporting processes with those of Lawson, cause the Combined Company to miss an SEC reporting deadline or otherwise not comply with an applicable law or regulation, the Combined Company might, among other things, have a material weakness in its internal controls or violate its indebtedness covenants.
Risk Factors Relating to the Debt Financing Expected to be Incurred in Connection with the Mergers
The Combined Company is expected to have a significant amount of indebtedness, which could adversely affect the Combined Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations following the Transactions.
Lawson expects that the Combined Company will have a significant amount of indebtedness after the completion of the Transactions, which is expected to include new indebtedness under the anticipated arrangements described in the section entitled “Debt Financing Commitment Letter” in Part I. Item 1. Business. In addition, Lawson would have the ability to incur a significant amount of additional indebtedness. The Combined Company’s indebtedness could have significant consequences on the Combined Company’s future operations, including:
•events of default if the Combined Company fails to comply with the financial and other covenants contained in the agreements governing the Combined Company’s debt instruments, which could result in all of the debt becoming immediately due and payable or require the Combined Company to negotiate an amendment to financial or other covenants that could cause the Combined Company to incur additional fees and expenses;
•reducing the availability of the Combined Company’s cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes, and limiting the Combined Company’s ability to obtain additional financing for these purposes;
•limiting the Combined Company’s flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, and increasing the Combined Company’s vulnerability to, changes in its business, the industries in which the Combined Company operates, and the overall economy;
•limiting the Combined Company’s ability to buy back common stock or pay dividends;
•placing the Combined Company at a competitive disadvantage compared to any of the Combined Company’s competitors that have less debt or are less leveraged; and
•increasing the Combined Company’s vulnerability to the impact of adverse economic and industry conditions.
The Combined Company’s ability to meet its payment and other obligations under its debt instruments will depend on the Combined Company’s ability to generate significant cash flow in the future. This, to some extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors as well as other factors that are beyond the Combined Company’s control. Lawson cannot assure that the Combined Company will generate cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to the Combined Company, in an amount sufficient to enable the Combined Company to meet its indebtedness obligations and to fund other liquidity needs following the completion of the Transactions.
Failure to adequately fund the Combined Company’s operating and working capital needs through cash generated from operations and cash available through the Combined Company’s financing arrangements could negatively impact the Combined Company’s ability to invest in its business and maintain its capital structure.
The Combined Company’s business will require investment in working capital and fixed assets. Lawson expects the Combined Company to fund these investments from cash generated from operations and funds available from the Combined
Company’s anticipated new financing arrangements. Failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or from such anticipated new financing arrangements could cause the Combined Company to have insufficient funds to operate its business. Adequate funds may not be available when needed or may not be available on favorable terms.
Failure to meet the covenant requirements of the Combined Company’s financing arrangements could lead to higher financing costs and increased restrictions and reduce or eliminate the Combined Company’s ability to borrow funds.
Lawson expects that the Combined Company’s anticipated new financing arrangements will contain financial and other restrictive covenants. These covenants could adversely affect the Combined Company by limiting its financial and operating flexibility as well as its ability to plan for and react to market conditions and to meet its capital needs. Failure to meet these covenant requirements could lead to higher financing costs and increased restrictions, reduce or eliminate the Combined Company’s ability to borrow funds, or accelerate the payment of the Combined Company’s indebtedness. TestEquity has been in default of certain debt covenants of its term loan and revolving line of credit agreements. In connection therewith, on September 6, 2019, February 28, 2020, March 27, 2020, October 9, 2020 and June 30, 2021, TestEquity entered into forbearance agreements with its lender. Such term loan and revolving line of credit agreements are expected to be terminated in connection with the closing of the TestEquity Merger.
If the Combined Company requires more liquidity than is expected to be available to it under its financing arrangements, the Combined Company 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 the Combined Company. Should funding be insufficient at any time in the future, the Combined Company may be unable to develop or enhance its products or services, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Combined Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

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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, 2021, 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 Offices 3,800 Lease January 2022
Dallas, TX Lawson Distribution 80,000 Lease January 2029
Canada
Mississauga, Ontario Lawson Distribution 78,000 Own
Calgary, Alberta (2)
Lawson/Bolt Distribution 43,700 Lease March 2022
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 2027
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 2024
Regina, Saskatchewan Bolt Branch 4,800 Lease December 2029
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Bolt Branch 10,800 Lease April 2031
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.
See Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements, included in Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, which is incorporated herein by reference, for a description of certain of our pending legal proceedings, which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, 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, 2022, the closing sales price of our common stock was $48.66 and the number of stockholders of record was 272. We did not issue dividends in either 2021 or 2020 and the Company currently has no plans to issue dividends in the foreseeable future. Dividends are subject to certain restrictions 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, 2021. 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, 2021 - $ - - $ 4,512,000
November 1 to November 30, 2021 - - - 4,512,000
December 1 to December 31, 2021 20,290 48.54 - 4,512,000
Three months ended December 31, 2021 20,290 -

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

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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.
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 Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) published by the Institute for Supply Management. The PMI 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 was 60.7 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to 52.5 for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Our sales are also influenced by the number of sales representatives and their productivity. One metric we use to measure sales rep productivity 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 1,072 sales representatives working for us in 2021 compared to an average of 1,012 in 2020, an increase of 5.9%. This was primarily driven by the inclusion of Partsmaster sales reps for the full year of 2021 compared to the four-month post-acquisition period in 2020.
Lawson segment ADS, including Partsmaster, increased 19.8% to $1,471 million in the full year 2021 compared to $1,228 million in the prior year. Partsmaster contributed $57.8 million of revenue and operating income of $1.6 million in the full year 2021, compared to $22.6 million of revenue and $0.8 million of operating income in the four-month post-acquisition period of 2020. Excluding the impact of Partsmaster, Lawson segment ADS increased 9.1% in 2021 compared to the prior year, primarily driven by improved business conditions and fewer COVID-19 related restrictions compared to the full year of 2020. We plan to continue concentrating our efforts on increasing the productivity and size of our sales team.
Supply Chain Disruptions
Along with the broader economy, we are experiencing additional pressure in our supply chain, labor shortages and inflation. This results in challenges in acquiring and receiving inventory in a timely fashion and fulfilling customer orders, which has offset some of the sales gains we recorded in 2021 compared to 2020. The supply chain disruptions have also led to increased product costs which have contributed to lower gross margins as a percentage of sales compared to the prior year. We have instituted various price increases during 2021 in response to rising supplier costs, as well as increased transportation and labor costs. Further discussion in included within the financial discussion of the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Partsmaster Acquisition
In August 2020, we acquired Partsmaster, a leading Maintenance, Repair and Operations ("MRO") distributor from NCH Corporation, with approximately 200 sales representatives and approximately 16,000 customers throughout the United States and Canada. 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 paid the remaining $33.0 million in May 2021. We also subleased the Partsmaster distribution center located in Greenville, TX from NCH and we currently fulfill orders from the facility. We will move out of the Greenville, TX facility and into a new distribution facility in Dallas, TX in the first quarter of 2022. The integration of Partsmaster into Lawson was substantially completed in July 2021.
Additional information related to the Partsmaster acquisition is provided in Note 3 - Acquisition in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
COVID-19 Pandemic
Various events related to COVID-19 may impact revenue, product sourcing, sales functions, and customers' ability to pay timely.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in March 2020. This resulted in widespread closures of businesses, decreased travel and other substantial restrictions on economic activity beginning in the first quarter of 2020. The most severe restrictions were effective in the second quarter of 2020, particularly the month of April. These restrictions began to be relaxed subsequent to April 2020, which led to an improved business climate and increased economic activity throughout the remainder of the year. The relaxed restrictions continued during 2021, which led to increased business activity and contributed to improved operating results compared to the prior year 2020.
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 we believe that COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions continue to negatively impact our sales and cost control measures, our ability to effectively service our customers has 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 maintaining our strong financial position.
Proposed Combination with TestEquity and Gexpro Services
On December 29, 2021, Lawson entered into the Merger Agreements for the combination of Lawson, TestEquity and Gexpro Services. See “Proposed Combination with TestEquity and Gexpro Services” included in Part I. Item 1. Business, which section is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, upon closing of the Mergers, Lawson anticipates entering into a new credit arrangement consisting of a $200 million revolving credit facility, a $250 term loan facility, and a $50 million delayed draw term loan facility, as contemplated by the debt financing commitment letter described in “Debt Financing Commitment Letter” included in Part I. Item 1. Business, which section is incorporated herein by reference.
Lawson expects to complete the Mergers in the second quarter of 2022.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR 2021 AS COMPARED TO 2020
Year Ended December 31, Year-to-Year
2021 2020 Change
(Dollars in thousands) Amount % of Net Sales Amount % of Net Sales Amount %
Revenue $ 417,733 100.0 % $ 351,591 100.0 % $ 66,142 18.8 %
Cost of goods sold
198,498 47.5 165,053 46.9 33,445 20.3
Gross profit
219,235 52.5 186,538 53.1 32,697 17.5
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses
96,643 23.1 76,775 21.8 19,868 25.9
General and administrative expenses
110,605 26.5 89,213 25.5 21,392 24.0
Total operating expenses
207,248 49.6 165,988 47.3 41,260 24.9
Operating income 11,987 2.9 20,550 5.8 (8,563)
Interest expense
(869) (0.2) (654) (0.2) (215)
Other income, net 801 0.2 889 0.3 (88)
Income before income taxes
11,919 2.9 20,785 5.9 (8,866)
Income tax expense
2,513 0.6 5,672 1.6 (3,159)
Net income
$ 9,406 2.3 % $ 15,113 4.3 % $ (5,707)
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 $12.0 million for 2021 inclusive of $4.8 million of stock-based compensation compared to $20.6 million in 2020 which included $2.0 million of stock-based compensation. Excluding stock-based compensation, severance and other non-recurring items, adjusted operating income was $27.5 million in 2021 compared to the prior year of $27.4 million, driven by higher sales volume offset by lower gross margins and higher selling expenses and incentive compensation.
Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income (Unaudited)
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands) 2021 2020
Operating income as reported per GAAP $ 11,987 $ 20,550
Stock-based compensation (1)
4,838 2,009
Severance expense (2)
264 2,077
Inventory reserves (3)
1,368 -
Costs related to merger agreements (4)
8,317 -
Acquisition related costs (5)
687 880
Goodwill impairment (6)
- 1,918
Non-GAAP adjusted operating Income $ 27,461 $ 27,434
(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 2021 and 2020 along with 2020 severance and retention costs related to the Partsmaster acquisition.
(3) Includes expense for Partsmaster inventory rationalization plan and write-down of personal protective equipment inventory to net realizable value.
(4) Primarily costs related to the negotiation, review and execution of the merger agreements relating to Lawson’s proposed business combination with TestEquity and Gexpro Services.
(5) Primarily signing bonus costs pertaining to the acquisition of Partsmaster.
(6) 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.
Sales and Gross Profits
Sales and gross profit results by operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31, Increase (Decrease)
(Dollars in thousands) 2021 2020 Amount %
Net sales
Lawson
$ 371,668 $ 312,803 $ 58,865 18.8 %
Bolt
46,065 38,788 7,277 18.8 %
Consolidated
$ 417,733 $ 351,591 $ 66,142 18.8 %
Gross profit
Lawson
$ 200,475 $ 171,258 $ 29,217 17.1 %
Bolt
18,760 15,280 3,480 22.8 %
Consolidated
$ 219,235 $ 186,538 $ 32,697 17.5 %
Gross profit margin
Lawson
53.9 % 54.7 %
Bolt
40.7 % 39.4 %
Consolidated
52.5 % 53.1 %
Consolidated revenue in 2021 increased 18.8% to $417.7 million from $351.6 million in 2020. Average daily sales increased to $1.664 million in 2021 compared to $1.390 million in 2020 with two less selling days in 2021. The increased sales is partially driven by the inclusion of Partsmaster sales of $57.8 million for the full year of 2021 compared to $22.6 million of sales for the 2020 four-month post-acquisition period. Excluding Partsmaster, consolidated sales improved by 9.4% on a year over year basis. Additionally, sales in 2020 were negatively impacted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to widespread shutdowns of businesses and restrictions on other business activity throughout the year, particularly in the second quarter of 2020. The improved business environment in 2021 led to increased sales to strategic, core and Kent customers in the Lawson segment, as well as increased Bolt segment sales compared to the prior year. This was partially offset by supply chain disruptions which led to challenges of receiving inventory in a timely fashion and fulfilling customer orders, as well as lower sales among Government customers. Excluding a foreign currency effect of $5.2 million, consolidated revenue increased by 17.3% for the year.
Gross profit increased to $219.2 million in 2021 from $186.5 million in 2020. The increased gross profit is driven by the inclusion of Partsmaster gross profit of $36.4 million for the full year 2021 compared to $13.2 million of gross profit from the fourth month post-acquisition period of 2020. Gross profit as a percent of sales decreased to 52.5% from 53.1% a year ago, driven primarily by increased freight and supplier costs due to supply chain disruptions. The organic Lawson MRO (excluding Bolt, Screw Products and Partsmaster) gross margin as a percent of sales decreased to 58.3% compared to the prior year organic gross margin percent of 59.8% prior to the effect of the reclassification of service costs associated with service revenue. This is primarily a result of additional inventory reserves of $1.4 million primarily related to the integration of Partsmaster and the impact of the supply chain disruptions previously mentioned.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Year Ended December 31, Increase (Decrease)
(Dollars in thousands) 2021 2020 Amount %
Selling expenses
Lawson
$ 92,726 $ 73,706 $ 19,020 25.8 %
Bolt
3,917 3,069 848 27.6 %
Consolidated
$ 96,643 $ 76,775 $ 19,868 25.9 %
General and administrative expenses
Lawson
$ 99,556 $ 79,837 $ 19,719 24.7 %
Bolt
11,049 9,376 1,673 17.8 %
Consolidated
$ 110,605 $ 89,213 $ 21,392 24.0 %
Selling expenses increased to $96.6 million in 2021 from $76.8 million in 2020 and, as a percent of sales increased to 23.1% in 2021 from 21.8% in 2020. The increased selling expense was driven by increased sales compared to the prior year, as well as the inclusion of selling expense of $21.4 million for Partsmaster for the full year 2021 compared to selling expense of $6.5 million for the 2020 four-month post-acquisition period. As a percent of sales, the increase was driven by the inclusion of Partsmaster with a higher sales cost and the return to more normalized sales activities in 2021.
General and administrative expenses increased to $110.6 million in 2021 compared to $89.2 million in 2020 primarily due to the inclusion of Partsmaster general and administrative expense of $13.9 million for the full year 2021 compared to $7.4 million in the 2020 post-acquisition period, as well as $8.3 million of expense related to the negotiation, review and execution of the merger agreements relating to Lawson’s proposed combination with TestEquity and Gexpro Services and a $2.8 million increase in stock-based compensation expense, a portion of which varies with the Company stock price. The remaining increase was driven to support higher sales and temporary cost reductions put in place in 2020 that were re-established in 2021.
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 in 2020. The impairment charge is included in General and administrative expense. No impairment charges were recorded in 2021.
Interest Expense
Interest expenses increased $0.2 million in 2021 over the prior year, due primarily to higher average outstanding balances under our credit agreement.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net was $0.8 million in 2021 compared to other income, net of $0.9 million in 2020. Other income, net in both years was driven by fluctuations in the Canadian currency exchange rate.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense was $2.5 million resulting in a 21.1% effective tax rate for 2021 compared to income tax expense of $5.7 million and a 27.3% effective tax rate for 2020. The lower effective tax rate in 2021 is due primarily to the release of a Canadian deferred taxes valuation allowance of $1.2 million and higher stock compensation benefits.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Available cash and cash equivalents were $4.2 million on December 31, 2021 compared to $28.4 million on December 31, 2020. The decrease in available cash is primarily due to the payment of the acquisition liability related to the purchase of Partsmaster for $33.0 million in May 2021.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $5.4 million, primarily driven by reported operating earnings offset by increased working capital from increases in inventory and accounts receivable balances due to higher sales compared to the prior year.
Capital expenditures were $8.2 million for the full year 2021 compared to $1.7 million in 2020, primarily for improvements to our distribution centers and information technology.
Cash provided by financing activities was $10.7 million for the full year 2021, primarily due to the net proceeds of $11.9 million from our Revolving Credit Facility primarily driven by the final Partsmaster payment.
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. We did not repurchase any shares of stock in 2021 under this plan.
The Company anticipates that outstanding stock performance rights with a value of $10.7 million at December 31, 2021 will be paid out within the next twelve months prior to expiration.
Revolving Credit Facility
On December 31, 2021 we had $11.9 million in outstanding borrowings and $87.1 million of borrowing availability remaining, net of outstanding letters of credit, under our Revolving Credit Facility.
Along with certain standard terms and conditions, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with certain financial covenants including an EBITDA to Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio and a Total Net Leverage Ratio. As of December 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all financial covenants. See Note 13 - Credit Agreement for further information on the Company Credit Agreement.
While we were in compliance with the financial covenants included in our Credit Agreement for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, failure to meet the covenant requirements of the Credit Agreement in future periods could lead to higher financing costs, increased restrictions, or reduce or eliminate our ability to borrow funds and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We believe cash provided by operations and funds available under our Credit Agreement are sufficient to fund our operating requirements, strategic initiatives and capital improvements, although we cannot provide assurance that events beyond our control will not have a material adverse impact on our liquidity.
See “Debt Financing Commitment Letter”, included in Part I. Item 1. Business, for a description of the potential new financing arrangement that will be executed in connection with the closing of the Transactions, which is incorporated herein by reference.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Also, as of December 31, 2021, we had contractual commitments to purchase approximately $40.4 million of product from our suppliers and contractors. The contractual commitments have increased compared to prior years primarily due to supply chain disruptions.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
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, 2021, our reserve was 1.7% 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 $0.5 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 Partsmaster and 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, 2021, our inventory reserve was $7.7 million, equal to approximately 9.5% 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 $0.8 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 (BDO USA, LLP; Chicago, Illinois; PCAOB ID#243)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Stockholders 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, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years then ended, 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, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, 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, 2021, 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 24, 2022 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 matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was 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 matter 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 matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Uncertain Tax Position
As described in Notes 2 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recognizes the benefit of tax positions when a benefit is more likely than not to be sustained on its technical merits. The Company has recorded unrecognized tax benefits of $3.9 million as of December 31, 2021. The Company operates in multiple jurisdictions
and is subject to transfer pricing compliance for intercompany transactions that are subject to audit by taxing authorities. The resolution of these audits may span multiple years. Tax law is complex and often subject to varied interpretations.
We identified the determination of uncertain tax positions related to transfer pricing from intercompany transactions as a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for our determination relate to: (i) auditing assumptions applied to the interpretation of tax laws and legal rulings in multiple tax paying jurisdictions, (ii) determining whether a transfer pricing tax position’s technical merits are more likely than not to be sustained when measuring the amount of tax benefits that qualifies for recognition, and (iii) assessing whether intercompany transactions are based on the arm’s length standard that may produce a range of arm’s length outcomes. 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:
•Testing the design and operating effectiveness of certain controls over the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions related to transfer pricing.
•Utilizing personnel with specialized knowledge and skill in taxation to evaluate the appropriateness of management’s methods and assumptions used to estimate uncertain tax positions related to transfer pricing by: (i) evaluating the reasonableness of the Company’s transfer pricing policies based on comparisons to comparable companies and precedents set by the various taxing authorities that govern the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, (ii) evaluating the reasonableness of the transfer pricing tax position’s technical merits and management’s judgements, assumptions, and conclusions reached regarding the more likely than not determination, and (iii) evaluating management’s conclusions reached on the ranges of arm’s length outcomes and results of the transfer pricing studies.
/s/BDO USA, LLP
We have served as the Company's auditors since 2013.
Chicago, Illinois
February 24, 2022
Lawson Products, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
December 31,
2021 2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 4,181 $ 28,393
Restricted cash
198 998
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $798 and $654, respectively
47,031 44,515
Inventories, net
73,849 61,867
Miscellaneous receivables and prepaid expenses
7,517 7,289
Total current assets
132,776 143,062
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and amortization 18,828 15,800
Deferred income taxes 20,111 18,482
Goodwill 35,313 35,176
Cash value of life insurance 18,573 16,185
Intangible assets, net 16,165 18,503
Right of use assets 14,045 8,764
Other assets 346 332
Total assets
$ 256,157 $ 256,304
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accrued acquisition liability $ - $ 32,673
Accounts payable
21,089 22,262
Lease obligation
4,467 4,568
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
46,688 38,492
Total current liabilities
72,244 97,995
Revolving line of credit
11,900 -
Security bonus plan
10,578 11,262
Lease obligation
10,841 5,738
Deferred compensation
11,962 10,461
Deferred tax liability
1,671 2,841
Other liabilities
3,954 5,585
Total liabilities
123,150 133,882
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 - 9,363,093 and 9,287,625 shares, respectively
Outstanding - 9,115,584 and 9,061,039 shares, respectively
9,363 9,288
Capital in excess of par value
22,118 19,841
Retained earnings
111,015 101,609
Treasury stock - 247,509 and 226,586 shares held, respectively
(10,033) (9,015)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 544 699
Total stockholders’ equity
133,007 122,422
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$ 256,157 $ 256,304
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,
2021 2020
Revenue $ 417,733 $ 351,591
Cost of goods sold 198,498 165,053
Gross profit 219,235 186,538
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses
96,643 76,775
General and administrative expenses
110,605 89,213
Operating expenses
207,248 165,988
Operating income
11,987 20,550
Interest expense
(869) (654)
Other income, net 801 889
Income before income taxes
11,919 20,785
Income tax expense
2,513 5,672
Net income
$ 9,406 $ 15,113
Basic income per share of common stock
$ 1.04 $ 1.68
Diluted income per share of common stock
$ 1.01 $ 1.62
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
9,073 9,020
Effect of dilutive securities outstanding
277 311
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
9,350 9,331
Comprehensive income
Net income
$ 9,406 $ 15,113
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Adjustment for foreign currency translation
(155) 700
Comprehensive income
$ 9,251 $ 15,813
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, 2020 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
Net income
- - - 9,406 - - 9,406
Adjustment for foreign currency translation
- - - - - (155) (155)
Stock-based compensation
- - 2,352 - - - 2,352
Shares issued
75,468 75 (75) - - - -
Shares repurchased held in treasury
(20,923) - - - (1,018) - (1,018)
Balance at December 31, 2021 9,115,584 $ 9,363 $ 22,118 $ 111,015 $ (10,033) $ 544 $ 133,007
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Lawson Products, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020
Operating activities
Net income
$ 9,406 $ 15,113
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
8,341 6,701
Stock-based compensation
4,838 1,479
Deferred income taxes
(2,824) (167)
Reserve for obsolete and excess inventory 2,450 675
Goodwill impairment - 1,918
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquired businesses:
Accounts receivable
(2,966) 1,762
Inventories
(14,347) 1,425
Miscellaneous receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets
(2,720) (2,899)
Accounts payable and other liabilities
2,441 5,788
Other
830 733
Net cash provided by operating activities
5,449 32,528
Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(8,193) (1,687)
Business acquisition, net of acquired cash
(33,000) (2,300)
Net cash used in investing activities
(41,193) (3,987)
Financing activities
Net proceeds (payments) on revolving lines of credit 11,900 (2,271)
Shares repurchased held in treasury
(1,018) (3,254)
Payment of financing lease principal
(222) (257)
Proceeds from stock option exercises
- 15
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 10,660 (5,767)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
72 320
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash (25,012) 23,094
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year
29,391 6,297
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year
$ 4,379 $ 29,391
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,181 $ 28,393
Restricted cash 198 998
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$ 4,379 $ 29,391
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Net noncash financing liability related to acquisition - (32,673)
Net cash paid for income taxes
4,364 5,377
Net cash paid for interest
968 398
Additions of property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable 311 64
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.
Recent Events
On December 29, 2021, Lawson entered into:
•an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “TestEquity Merger Agreement”) by and among (1) LKCM TE Investors, LLC (the “TestEquity Equityholder”), (2) TestEquity Acquisition, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the TestEquity Equityholder (“TestEquity”), (3) Lawson and (4) Tide Sub, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lawson (“Merger Sub 1”), pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of which Merger Sub 1 will merge with and into TestEquity, with TestEquity surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lawson (the “TestEquity Merger”); and
•an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Gexpro Services Merger Agreement” and, together with the TestEquity Merger Agreement, the “Merger Agreements”) by and among (1) 301 HW Opus Investors, LLC, (the “Gexpro Services Stockholder”), (2) 301 HW Opus Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Gexpro Services Stockholder (“Gexpro Services”), (3) Lawson and (4) Gulf Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lawson (“Merger Sub 2”), pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of which Merger Sub 2 will merge with and into Gexpro Services, with Gexpro Services surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lawson (the “Gexpro Services Merger” and, together with the TestEquity Merger, the “Mergers”).
The Mergers are intended to bring together three complementary distribution businesses under a holding company structure.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreements, Lawson has agreed to issue up to an aggregate of 12,000,000 shares of Lawson common stock in consideration for the Mergers as follows:
•TestEquity Merger: In connection with the TestEquity Merger, 3,300,000 shares of Lawson common stock would be issued to the TestEquity Equityholder upon the closing of the TestEquity Merger, and up to an additional 700,000 shares of Lawson common stock would potentially be issuable to the TestEquity Equityholder on or after the closing date of the TestEquity Merger upon satisfaction of the conditions of, and in accordance with, two earnout mechanisms.
•Gexpro Services Merger: In connection with the Gexpro Services Merger, 7,000,000 shares of Lawson common stock would be issued to the Gexpro Services Stockholder upon the closing of the Gexpro Services Merger, and up to an additional 1,000,000 shares of Lawson common stock would potentially be issuable to the Gexpro Services Stockholder on or after the closing date of the Gexpro Services Merger upon satisfaction of the conditions of, and in accordance with, two earnout mechanisms.
The consummation of the Mergers is subject to certain closing conditions, including, among others, (1) receipt of the requisite Lawson stockholder approvals under the Merger Agreements and (2) receipt of proceeds of debt financing in an amount sufficient for the payment of certain payoff indebtedness, transaction expenses and other fees and expenses in connection with the Mergers.
The Mergers, if completed, will be consummated substantially concurrently. We refer to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreements, including the Mergers and the share issuances, as the “Transactions.”
The Merger Agreements contain certain termination rights for the parties, including, among other rights, termination rights if the Mergers are not completed on or before September 30, 2022 (subject to certain limitations) or any of the requisite Lawson stockholder approvals are not obtained at a duly convened stockholders meeting. If the TestEquity Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, Lawson will be obligated to pay TestEquity a termination fee of
$4,000,000, and if the Gexpro Services Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, Lawson will be obligated to pay Gexpro Services a termination fee of $6,000,000.
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.
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 has adopted the practical expedient within ASC 340 to recognize incremental costs to obtain a contract, primarily employee related costs, as expense when incurred since the amortization period of the asset that the Company otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. 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, 2021 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 $5.0 million and $4.4 million for 2021 and 2020 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 $0.8 million for 2021 and $0.6 million for 2020.
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 Sheets. 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 in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, 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 in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
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 $35.3 million and $35.2 million of goodwill in 2021 and 2020, 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. Related to the Lawson MRO, Bolt, and Partsmaster reporting units, the Company performed a qualitative assessment as of December 1, 2021 and determined that it was more likely than not the fair value of the reporting units exceeded the carrying value of the reporting units. The goodwill related to the Screw Products reporting unit was fully impaired in 2020.
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 2020 or 2021.
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 uncertain 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 in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
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 a component of Property, plant and equipment in the Consolidated Balance Sheets 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, 2021 and December 31, 2020 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 no shares of its common stock in 2021 through its previously announced stock repurchase plan. The Company repurchased 47,504 of its common stock in 2020 through its previously announced stock repurchase plan. The Company repurchased 20,923 and 32,682 shares of its common stock in 2021 and 2020, 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 $1.0 million and $3.3 million in 2021 and 2020, 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 - Not Yet Adopted
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 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 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 paid the remaining $33.0 million in May 2021.
The payment obligation was discounted to present value and recognized as an Accrued acquisition liability of $32.7 million as of December 31, 2020 in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. Interest expense of $0.3 million was recorded in the year ended December 31, 2021. Payment was guaranteed under the Purchase Agreement and included the issuance of a $33.0 million irrevocable standby letter of credit. The letter of credit was released upon payment of the acquisition liability in May 2021.
The purchase price of the acquisition was allocated to the fair value of Partsmaster's assets and liabilities at 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 accounting for this acquisition was completed as of June 30, 2021. Partsmaster contributed $57.8 million of revenue and $1.6 million of operating income in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $22.6 million of revenue and $0.8 million of operating income in the four-month post-acquisition period of 2020.
A summary of the purchase price allocation of the acquisition is as follows (Dollars in thousands):
Cash paid and liabilities assumed
Cash paid $ 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 unaudited pro forma revenue and net income for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020 assuming the Partsmaster acquisition closed on January 1, 2019, was $396.7 million and $16.5 million, respectively.
The pro forma disclosures 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 operations. 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 allocation between these obligations. The Company does not price its offerings based on any allocation 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.
The Company has elected not to disclose 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.
Disaggregated revenue by product type follows:
Unaudited
Year Ended December 31,
Product Category 2021 2020
Fastening systems 22% 22%
Cutting tools and abrasives 15% 14%
Fluid power 13% 13%
Specialty chemicals 10% 11%
Electrical 10% 10%
Aftermarket automotive supplies 7% 7%
Safety 5% 6%
Welding and metal repair 2% 2%
Other 16% 15%
100% 100%
Lawson as Lessor
Partsmaster leases parts washer machines to customers through its Torrents leasing program. These leases are classified as operating leases. The leased machines are recognized as a component of Property, plant and equipment in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the leasing revenue is recognized on a straight line basis. The Torrents machine leasing program generated $3.5 million of revenue in 2021 compared to $0.9 million of revenue in 2020 post-acquisition. The carrying value of the Torrents leasing assets as of December 31, 2021 is $1.2 million. 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 $0.2 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. The Company previously agreed to maintain $0.8 million in a money market account as collateral for an outside party that provided certain commercial credit card processing services for the Company, however this agreement ended in the third quarter 2021 and the $0.8 million is now unrestricted.
Note 6 - Inventories, net
Inventories, net, consisting primarily of purchased goods which are offered for resale, were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2021 2020
Inventories, gross $ 81,569 $ 67,137
Reserve for obsolete and excess inventory
(7,720) (5,270)
Inventories, net $ 73,849 $ 61,867
Note 7 - Property, Plant and Equipment
Components of property, plant and equipment were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2021 2020
Land $ 2,660 $ 2,650
Buildings and improvements 16,228 15,765
Machinery and equipment 27,971 26,814
Capitalized software 21,715 23,013
Furniture and fixtures 5,855 5,725
Vehicles 196 151
Construction in progress 5,964 752
80,589 74,870
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(61,761) (59,070)
$ 18,828 $ 15,800
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, 2020 $ 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
Impact of foreign exchange 32 105 137
Balance at December 31, 2021
$ 21,384 $ 13,929 $ 35,313
(1) The $15.8 million addition to goodwill in 2020 was due to the allocation of the purchase price from the Partsmaster acquisition.
(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. The goodwill related to the Screw Products reporting unit was fully impaired in 2020.
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, 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, 2021 December 31, 2020
Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value
Trade names $ 11,388 $ (3,866) $ 7,522 $ 11,289 $ (2,733) $ 8,556
Customer relationships 12,427 (3,784) 8,643 12,349 (2,402) 9,947
$ 23,815 $ (7,650) $ 16,165 $ 23,638 $ (5,135) $ 18,503
Amortization expense of $2.5 million and $1.7 million related to intangible assets was recorded in General and administrative expenses for 2021 and 2020, respectively. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Amortization
2022 $ 2,649
2023 2,584
2024 2,482
2025 2,145
2026 1,566
Thereafter 4,739
$ 16,165
Note 10 - Income Taxes
Income from operations before income taxes consisted of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020
United States
$ 5,421 $ 16,226
Canada
6,498 4,559
Total
$ 11,919 $ 20,785
Provision (benefit) for income taxes from operations for the years ended December 31, consisted of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020
Current income tax expense:
U.S. federal
$ 3,042 $ 3,858
U.S. state
777 710
Canada
1,133 1,288
Total
$ 4,952 $ 5,856
Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
U.S. federal
$ (817) $ 236
U.S. state
(394) 52
Canada
(1,228) (472)
Total
$ (2,439) $ (184)
Total income tax expense (benefit):
U.S. federal
$ 2,225 $ 4,094
U.S. state
383 762
Canada
(95) 816
Total
$ 2,513 $ 5,672
The reconciliation between the effective income tax rates and the statutory federal rates for operations are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020
Statutory Federal rate
21.0 % 21.0 %
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
Change in valuation allowance - current period activity
- (2.2)
Change in valuation allowance - reversal
(10.3) -
Foreign rate differential 1.9 -
Stock compensation
(3.7) (2.0)
Compensation deduction limitation
0.9 1.5
State and local taxes, net
3.3 3.8
Asset basis true-up 5.5 -
Meals & entertainment
1.2 0.6
Change in uncertain tax positions
0.4 4.6
Provision to return differences
0.2 (0.1)
Other items, net
0.7 0.1
Provision for income taxes
21.1 % 27.3 %
Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (GILTI) is a deemed amount of income derived from controlled foreign corporations (CFC) in which a US person is a 10% direct or indirect shareholder. The Company owns two Canadian CFC’s, which are subject to GILTI inclusion. However, the Company can utilize a foreign tax credit to fully offset a significant portion of all the tax from the GILTI inclusion based on foreign taxes paid in Canada.
At December 31, 2021, the Company had $3.5 million of U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards which are subject to expiration beginning in 2030 and $6.5 million of various state net operating loss carryforwards which expire at varying dates through 2034.
After recording pre-tax losses for many years, Lawson’s Canadian subsidiary recorded pre-tax profits in 2019 and 2020. Lawson’s Canadian subsidiary continued to generate pre-tax profits in 2021 and have utilized some of the net operating loss carryforwards. Based on available evidence, we now believe it is more likely than not that we will be able to utilize Lawson’s Canadian subsidiary deferred tax assets to offset future taxable income. Lawson released the $1.2 million valuation allowance on the Lawson Canada deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2021.
As a result of acquisitions completed in recent years, the Company recorded $21.4 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,
2021 2020
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward
$ 4,073 $ 5,431
Compensation and benefits
11,407 10,980
Inventory reserve
2,222 1,772
Transaction costs 2,077 -
Accounts receivable reserve
203 167
Leased assets 1,302 1,061
Property, plant & equipment 2,046 -
Intangible assets 202 -
Other
58 329
Total deferred tax assets
23,590 19,740
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets and goodwill 1,771 1,948
Lease liabilities
2,647 1,366
Property, plant and equipment
134 (975)
Other
598 503
Total deferred liabilities
5,150 2,842
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
18,440 16,898
Valuation allowance
- (1,257)
Net deferred tax assets $ 18,440 $ 15,641
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2021 2020
Balance at beginning of year $ 3,686 $ 3,242
Additions for tax positions of current year
- 15
Additions for tax positions of prior years
554 1,413
Reductions for tax positions of prior year
- -
Lapse of statute of limitations
(539) (984)
Balance at end of year $ 3,701 $ 3,686
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, 2021 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 in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. Including the impact of interest and the impact of net operating losses, the unrecognized tax benefit is $3.9 million and $3.7 million as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, which is recorded in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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, 2021, the Company was subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for the years 2018 through 2020 and income tax examinations from various other jurisdictions for the years 2014 through 2020.
Note 11 - Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other liabilities consisted of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2021 2020
Accrued stock-based compensation (stock performance rights)
$ 16,732 $ 14,437
Accrued compensation
10,199 9,794
Accrued and withheld taxes, other than income taxes
4,113 3,788
Accrued costs related to merger agreements 3,103 -
Accrued profit sharing
212 240
Accrued severance
192 1,103
Deferred revenue
800 822
Accrued health benefits
614 732
Other
10,723 7,576
$ 46,688 $ 38,492
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 generated by the leasing activity of Lawson as lessee for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were as follows:
(Dollars in Thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
Lease Type Classification 2021 2020
Consolidated Operating Lease Expense (1)
Operating expenses $ 5,881 $ 4,999
Consolidated Financing Lease Amortization Operating expenses 192 226
Consolidated Financing Lease Interest Interest expense 15 28
Consolidated Financing Lease Expense 207 254
Net Lease Cost
$ 6,088 $ 5,253
(1) Includes short term lease expense, which is immaterial
The value of the net assets and liabilities generated by the leasing activity of Lawson as lessee as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were as follows:
(Dollars in Thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
Lease Type 2021 2020
Total ROU operating lease assets (1)
$ 13,662 $ 8,246
Total ROU financing lease assets (2)
383 518
Total lease assets
$ 14,045 $ 8,764
Total current operating lease obligation $ 4,313 $ 4,360
Total current financing lease obligation 154 208
Total current lease obligations
$ 4,467 $ 4,568
Total long term operating lease obligation $ 10,713 $ 5,498
Total long term financing lease obligation 128 240
Total long term lease obligation
$ 10,841 $ 5,738
(1) Operating lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $8.0 million and $5.9 million as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
(2) Financing lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $0.6 million and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
The value of the lease liabilities generated by the leasing activities of Lawson as lessee as of December 31, 2021 were as follows (Dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, Operating Leases Financing Leases Total
2022 $ 4,725 $ 165 $ 4,890
2023 3,944 100 4,044
2024 3,015 30 3,045
2025 1,739 - 1,739
2026 724 - 724
Thereafter 1,983 - 1,983
Total lease payments
16,130 295 16,425
Less: Interest 1,104 13 1,117
Present value of lease liabilities
$ 15,026 $ 282 $ 15,308
(1) Of the $16.1 million future minimum operating lease commitments outstanding at December 31, 2021, $1.3 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 2025 and includes future minimum lease payments of $6.5 million
The weighted average lease terms and interest rates of the leases held by Lawson as of December 31, 2021 are as follows:
Lease Type Weighted Average Term in Years Weighted Average Interest Rate
Operating Leases 4.5 4.1%
Financing Leases 2.1 4.8%
The cash outflows of the leasing activity of Lawson as lessee for the year ending December 31, 2021 are as follows (Dollars in thousands):
Cash Flow Source Classification Amount
Operating cash flows from operating leases Operating activities $ 4,846
Operating cash flows from financing leases Operating activities 15
Financing cash flows from financing leases Financing activities 222
In March 2021 the Company signed a three year extension for their lease at the McCook distribution center ("McCook"). The lease extension created a right of use asset of $5.3 million and a lease liability of $5.3 million.
Refer to Note 4 - Revenue Recognition for a discussion on Lawson activities as lessor.
Note 13 - Credit Agreement
In October 2019, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement" or "Revolving Credit Facility") 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 Revolving Credit Facility matures on October 11, 2024 and provides $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 designated as alternate base rate loans, Canadian prime rate loans, Eurodollar loans, and Canadian dollar offered rate loans at the Company's request. 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.
The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 31, 2021.
In the third quarter of 2020, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement which among other items temporarily increased the allowed letter of credits from $15.0 million to $40.0 million until August 31, 2021 and authorized indebtedness not to exceed $36.0 million for the acquisition of Partsmaster.
Net of outstanding letters of credit, the Company had $87.1 million of borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2021 and $66.0 million as of December 31, 2020. Weighted average interest rates for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were 5.02% and 2.65%, respectively.
Fees are reported as interest expense and include customary charges relating to letters of credit and an unused commitment fee ranging from 0.15% to 0.30%, depending on the Total Net Leverage Ratio as defined in the Credit Agreement. Fees for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $0.3 million governing the Revolving Credit Facility.
In connection with the Revolving Credit Facility originated in 2019, deferred financing costs of $0.6 million were incurred. Deferred financing costs are amortized over the life of the debt instrument and reported as interest expense. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 deferred financing costs net of accumulated amortization were $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and are included in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Note 14 - 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,
2021 2020
Beginning balance $ 1,251 $ 909
Charged to earnings
264 2,077
Cash paid
(1,323) (1,735)
Ending balance
$ 192 $ 1,251
The majority of remaining severance liabilities outstanding as of December 31, 2021 will be paid by the end of 2022, and are included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Note 15 - 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.
Stockholder lawsuits
On January 25, 2022, a lawsuit entitled Shiva Stein v. Lawson Products, Inc. et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-00639, was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Lawson and the members of the Lawson board of directors (the “Stein Action”). On January 27, 2022, a lawsuit entitled Matthew Hopkins v. Lawson Products, Inc. et al, Case No. 1:22-cv-00724, was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Lawson and the members of the Lawson board of directors (the “Hopkins Action”). On February 7, 2022, a lawsuit entitled Ema Bell v. Lawson Products, Inc. et al, Case No. 1:22-cv-01056, was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Lawson, the members of the Lawson board of directors, LKCM TE Investors, LLC (the “TestEquity Equityholder”), TestEquity, Tide Sub, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lawson (“Merger Sub 1”), 301 HW Opus Investors, LLC, (the “Gexpro Services Stockholder”), Gexpro Services and Gulf Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lawson (“Merger Sub 2”) (the “Bell Action”). On February 11, 2022, a lawsuit entitled John Yurco v. Lawson Products, Inc. et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-01201, was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Lawson and the members of the Lawson board of directors (the “Yurco Action”). The Stein Action, the Hopkins Action, the Bell Action and the Yurco Action are collectively referred to as the “Actions.” The Actions allege that the defendants violated Sections 14(a) (and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act by, among other things, omitting certain allegedly material information with respect to the Transactions (as defined in Note 1) in the Company's proxy statement. The Bell Action also alleges that the members of the Lawson board of directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the Transactions and that Lawson aided and abetted the members of its board of directors in such breach. The Actions seek, among other things, injunctive relief, money damages and the costs of the Actions, including reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees.
Lawson and the members of its board of directors disagree with and intend to vigorously defend against the Actions. If the Actions are not resolved favorably on a timely basis, the Actions could delay or prevent consummation of the Transactions and result in additional costs to Lawson, including costs associated with the indemnification of directors. Additional plaintiffs may file lawsuits against Lawson and/or its directors and officers in connection with the Transactions. At this time, the Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of the Actions or meaningfully quantify how the final resolution of the Actions may impact its business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, on each of February 2, 2022, February 14, 2022 and February 15, 2022, purported Lawson stockholders made demands pursuant to Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law to inspect certain books and records of Lawson (collectively, the “Books and Records Demands”). One stated purpose of the Books and Records Demands is to investigate questions of director disinterestedness and independence and the possibility of wrongdoing, mismanagement and/
or material non-disclosure related to the Special Committee’s (a Special Committee was formed to independently evaluate and negotiate the terms of the Merger Agreements and related Transactions) and the Lawson board of directors’ approval of the Transactions. Lawson and the members of its board of directors disagree with and intend to vigorously defend against any claim, if asserted, arising from the Books and Records Demands.
Environmental matter
In 2012, it was determined a Company owned site in Decatur, Alabama, contained 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, prepare a remediation plan, and enroll the site 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. The injection process was completed in the first quarter of 2019 and the environmental consulting firm is monitoring the affected area. At December 31, 2021 the Company had less than $0.1 million accrued for potential monitoring costs. The costs for future monitoring are not significant and have been fully accrued. The Company does not expect to capitalize any amounts related to the remediation plan.
Note 16 - 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 $3.5 million and $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, 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 $0.3 million and $0.2 million in 2021 and 2020, 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 $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, 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 $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The security bonus plan is partially funded by a $7.9 million investment in the cash surrender value in life insurance of certain employees. Of the $10.9 million total liability, $0.3 million is classified as a current liability as of December 31, 2021, and the remaining $10.6 million is classified as long-term.
Note 17 - 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, 2021, the Company had approximately 164,000 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 in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. 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, 2021, 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, 2021 was $26.66 per SPR using the following assumptions:
Expected volatility
30.3% to 53.7%
Risk-free rate of return
0.2% to 0.9%
Expected term (in years)
0.1 to 2.5
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.
Compensation expense of $2.1 million was recorded in General and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2021. 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
Cash in the amount of $0.2 million and $0.5 million was paid for SPR exercises in 2021 and 2020, respectively. A liability of $16.7 million reflecting the estimated fair value of future pay-outs is included as a component of Accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Activity related to the Company’s SPRs during the year ended December 31, 2021 was as follows:
Number of SPRs Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding on December 31, 2020 581,000 $ 26.88
Exercised
(4,464) 55.46
Outstanding on December 31, 2021 576,536 26.66
Exercisable on December 31, 2021 576,536 $ 26.66
The SPRs outstanding had an intrinsic value of $16.0 million as of December 31, 2021. All SPRs for plan participants have vested as of December 31, 2021, so there is no unrecognized compensation associated with any SPRs.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, 8,460 SPRs with a fair value of $0.2 million vested. At December 31, 2021, the weighted average remaining contractual term was 1.1 years for all outstanding 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 expense of $1.6 million and $1.2 million related to the RSAs was recorded in General and administrative expenses for 2021 and 2020, respectively. Activity related to the Company’s RSAs during the year ended December 31, 2021 was as follows:
Restricted Stock Awards
Outstanding on December 31, 2020 45,799
Granted
59,091
Exchanged for common shares
(32,661)
Outstanding on December 31, 2021 72,229
As of December 31, 2021, there was $1.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to RSAs that will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years. The awards granted in 2021 had a weighted average grant date fair value of $48.86 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. Expense of $0.7 million related to MSUs was recorded in General and administrative expenses in both years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Activity related to the Company’s MSUs during the year ended December 31, 2021 was as follows:
Number of Market Stock Units Maximum Shares Potentially Issuable
Outstanding on December 31, 2020 137,256 195,723
Granted
19,688 29,568
Exchanged for stock
(28,804) (42,811)
Outstanding on December 31, 2021 128,140 182,480
Stock Options
Each stock option can be exchanged for one share of the Company’s common stock at the stated exercise price. No stock option expense was recorded in 2021 and 2020. There was no unrecognized compensation related to stock options as of December 31, 2021 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 fully vested stock options outstanding on December 31, 2021 with a weighted average exercise price of $27.70.
Performance Awards
Performance Awards ("PAs") are exchangeable for between 0% to 150% of the Company's common shares, or the equivalent amount in cash, based upon the achievement of certain financial performance metrics at the end of the vesting period. Expense of $0.4 million and $0.1 million related to the PAs was recorded in General and administrative expenses for
the year ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Activity related to the Company’s PAs during the year ended December 31, 2021 was as follows:
Number of Performance Awards Maximum Shares Potentially Issuable
Outstanding on December 31, 2020 10,852 16,278
Granted
15,723 23,585
Outstanding on December 31, 2021 26,575 39,863
Note 18 - 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,
2021 2020
Net sales
Lawson $ 371,668 $ 312,803
Bolt 46,065 38,788
Consolidated total $ 417,733 $ 351,591
Gross profit
Lawson
$ 200,475 $ 171,258
Bolt
18,760 15,280
Consolidated total
$ 219,235 $ 186,538
Operating Income
Lawson $ 8,193 $ 17,715
Bolt 3,794 2,835
Consolidated total 11,987 20,550
Interest expense (869) (654)
Other income, net 801 889
Income before income taxes $ 11,919 $ 20,785
Capital expenditures
Lawson $ 7,460 $ 1,529
Bolt 733 158
Consolidated total $ 8,193 $ 1,687
Depreciation and amortization
Lawson $ 6,736 $ 5,343
Bolt 1,605 1,358
Consolidated total $ 8,341 $ 6,701
Total assets
Lawson $ 217,856 $ 221,490
Bolt 47,085 43,533
Investment in Subsidiary
(8,784) (8,719)
Consolidated total $ 256,157 $ 256,304
Financial information related to the Company’s operations by geographic area follows:
(Dollars in Thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020
Net sales (1)
United States
$ 337,981 $ 283,261
Canada
79,752 68,330
Consolidated total
$ 417,733 $ 351,591
Long-lived assets (2)
United States
$ 50,491 $ 44,395
Canada
34,206 34,180
Consolidated total
$ 84,697 $ 78,575
(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 19 - 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 was discounted to its present value using an implied interest rate of 1.8%. A discounted current liability of $32.7 million was recognized as of December 31, 2020 in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. In May 2021, the Company paid the outstanding $33.0 million accrued acquisition liability. Payment was guaranteed under the Purchase Agreement which included the issuance of a $33.0 million irrevocable standby letter of credit. The letter of credit was released in June 2021 subsequent to payment of the liability in May 2021.
Interest expense of $0.3 million on the accrued acquisition liability was recorded in the year ended December 31, 2021, with all interest expense recognized prior to the payment of the accrued acquisition liability.
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. The Company did not repurchase any shares under the stock repurchase program in 2021. In 2020 the Company purchased 47,504 shares of common stock at an average purchase price of $36.93 under the repurchase program. At December 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $4.5 million available under the repurchase plan.
Note 21 - Related Party Transactions
During the year ended December 31, 2021 the Company purchased approximately $0.1 million of inventory from a company owned by an immediate relative of a Board member at fair market value. No liabilities exist with respect to the related party transactions as of December 31, 2021.
As described in greater detail in Note 1 - Description of Business, on December 29, 2021 the Company entered into two merger agreements with TestEquity and Gexpro Services. Lawson, TestEquity, and Gexpro Services are related parties due to common ownership between the three entities. TestEquity and Gexpro Services are affiliated with Luther King Capital Management Corporation (“LKCM”) which, together with certain of its affiliated entities, is a significant stockholder of Lawson.
Note 22 - COVID-19 Risks and Uncertainties
Various events related to COVID-19 may impact revenue, product sourcing, sales functions, and customers' ability to pay timely.
The government of the State of Illinois defines Lawson Products as an essential business. A change in this status could result in the temporary closure of our business if the COVID-19 pandemic worsens, and government restrictions are reimposed to require business shutdowns. The COVID-19 pandemic could result in a temporary closure of any or all of our office space, distribution facilities, or Bolt branch locations, as well as disruptions to our supply chain and interactions with our suppliers and customers. The pandemic may have a material adverse impact on future financial results, liquidity, and overall performance of the Company.
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 elected to defer a total of $3.5 million of employer side social security payments in accordance with the CARES Act. The Company paid $1.7 million of accrued deferred payroll taxes in the fourth quarter of 2021, and the remaining balance is expected to be paid 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. During 2020, the Company 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 and 2021 the Company recorded $1.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in subsidies from the CEWS program which is recognized as a reduction to selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
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.
Note 23 - Subsequent Event
Recent Cyber Incident
On February 8, 2022, Lawson became aware that its computer network was the subject of a cyber incident potentially involving unauthorized access. It is possible that certain confidential business information and personnel records may have been compromised. Lawson has engaged a cybersecurity forensics firm to assist in the investigation of the incident and to assist in securing its computer network.
Depending on the nature of any information that may have been compromised, Lawson may be required to notify the parties whose information was compromised of the incident as well as various governmental agencies and may be required to take other actions in the future, such as offering credit monitoring services. Lawson is continuing to investigate the incident as well as potential corrective and remedial actions to take in respect of the incident. The Company is in the early stage of the investigation, and at this time, is unable to estimate the cost of any remediation that may be required.
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, 2021 $ 654 $ 504 $ (360) $ 798
Year ended December 31, 2020 $ 593 $ 578 $ (517) $ 654
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:
Year ended December 31, 2021 $ 1,257 $ - $ (1,257) $ -
Year ended December 31, 2020 $ 1,235 $ 22 $ - $ 1,257
(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, 2021. 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, 2021. 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.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Stockholders 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, 2021, 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, 2021, 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, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years then ended, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index and our report dated February 24, 2022 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.
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 24, 2022
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.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None

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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 10, 2022, 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 10, 2022, 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 10, 2022, 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 10, 2022 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, 2021 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 17 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
374,572 $27.70 164,464
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
- - -
Total
374,572 $27.70 164,464
(1) Includes potential common stock issuance of 72,229 from restricted stock awards, 182,480 from market stock units, 80,000 from stock options and 39,863 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 10, 2022 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 10, 2022 under the caption “Fees Paid to Independent Auditors” which information is incorporated herein by reference.
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 38.
(2) See Schedule II in Item 8 on page 72.
(3) Exhibits:
Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibit
2.1†
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 29, 2021, by and among LKCM TE Investors, LLC, TestEquity Acquisition, LLC, the Company and Tide Sub, LLC, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-10546) filed January 4, 2022.
2.2†
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 29, 2021, by and among 301 HW Opus Investors, LLC, 301 HW Opus Holdings, Inc., the Company and Gulf Sub, Inc., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-10546) filed January 4, 2022.
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-10546) filed May 18, 2020.
3.2
Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-10546) filed May 18, 2020.
4.1**
Description of common stock
10.1
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 (File No. 000-10546) filed October 16, 2019.
10.2
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 (File No. 000-10546) filed September 2, 2020.
10.3*
Lawson Products, Inc. Executive Deferral Plan (as Amended and Restated Effective November 1, 2015), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-10546) for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.
10.4*
Lawson Products, Inc. Amended Stock Performance Plan (as Amended and Restated Effective January 24, 2017), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-10546) for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.
10.5*
Amendment of the Lawson Products, Inc. Amended Stock Performance Plan (as Amended and Restated Effective January 24, 2017), dated December 23, 2020, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-10546) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
10.6*
Form Letter regarding Stock Performance Rights, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c)(16) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-10546) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
10.7*
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 (File No. 000-10546) filed May 3, 2019.
10.8*
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 (File No. 000-10546) filed May 3, 2019.
10.9*
Amendment to the Lawson Products, Inc. 2009 Equity Compensation Plan (as Amended and Restated Effective May 14, 2019), dated December 23, 2020, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-10546) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
10.10*
Form of Award Agreement under the 2009 Equity Compensation Plan (Target Units, SPRs and Restricted Units), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-10546) for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.
10.11*
Form of Award Agreement under the 2009 Equity Compensation Plan (MSU Target Units, ROIC Target Units and Restricted Units), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-10546) for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.
10.12*
Form of Award Agreement under the 2009 Equity Compensation Plan (MSU Target Units, ROIC Target Units and Restricted Units), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-10546) for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.
10.13*
Lawson Products, Inc. 2021 Annual Incentive Plan Summary, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-10546) for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.
10.14*
Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors and Officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-10546) filed September 19, 2008.
10.15*
Form of Change in Control Agreement for Officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-10546) for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.
10.16*
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 (File No. 000-10546) filed August 17, 2017.
10.17*
Amendment No.1 to the Employment Agreement entered into on April 11, 2018 between Lawson Products, Inc., an Illinois corporation, and Michael G. DeCata, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-10546) filed April 11, 2018.
10.18*
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 (File No. 000-10546) filed September 4, 2012.
10.19*
Retirement and Consulting Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2021, by and between Lawson Products, Inc., an Illinois corporation, and Neil Jenkins, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-10546) filed March 5, 2021.
10.20
Voting Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2021, by and among the Company and Luther King Capital Management Corporation, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-10546) filed January 4, 2022.
10.21**
Amended and Restated Commitment Letter, dated February 7, 2022, by and between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
21**
Subsidiaries of the Company.
23**
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.
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.
32***
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
104 Cover Page Interactive File (embedded within the Inline XBRL Document)
† Certain schedules and exhibits omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request.
* Indicates management employment contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.
** Filed herewith.
*** Furnished herewith.