EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 95953
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 95953_10-K_2025_0000095953-25-000007.json

---

ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Ascent Industries Co. is a diverse industrials company focused on the production of specialty chemicals and stainless steel pipe and tube. Ascent Industries Co. was incorporated in 1958 as the successor to a chemical manufacturing business founded in 1945 known as Blackman Uhler Industries Inc. The Company's executive office is located at 20 N. Martingale Rd, Suite 430, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173. Unless indicated otherwise, the terms "Ascent", "Company," "we" "us," and "our" refer to Ascent Industries Co. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
The Company's business is divided into two reportable operating segments, Specialty Chemicals and Tubular Products. The Specialty Chemicals segment produces critical ingredients and process aids for the oil & gas, household, industrial and institutional ("HII"), personal care, coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE), pulp and paper, textile, automotive, agricultural, water treatment, construction and other industries.
The Tubular Products segment serves markets through pipe and tube production and customers in the appliance, architectural, automotive and commercial transportation, brewery, chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, mining, power generation (including nuclear), water and waste-water treatment, liquid natural gas ("LNG"), food processing, pharmaceutical, oil and gas and other industries.
General
Specialty Chemicals - Specialty Chemicals consists of the Company's three production facilities located in Cleveland, Tennessee, Fountain Inn, South Carolina and Danville, Virginia.
The segment produces specialty formulations and intermediates for use in a wide variety of applications and industries with primary product lines focusing on the production of surfactants, defoamers, lubricating agents, flame retardants and chemical intermediates. End users include companies that use our products as raw materials or process aids in the manufacturing of products such as cleaners, coatings, water treatment chemicals, metal working fluids, textiles, oilfield production chemicals, agrochemical formulations and other applications. The segment offers products that are petroleum derived, as well as bio-based alternatives.
Beyond its multi-functional product portfolio, the segment also provides an array of custom manufacturing services ranging from product development to commercial scale production. The segment operates both customer-specific, dedicated plants as well as multi-purpose plants with broad capabilities ranging from blending to complex, multi-step chemical reactions. The segment has long-term relationships with a number of leading chemical companies that outsource their requirements to our production facilities allowing those customers to accelerate new product commercialization efforts while avoiding the CAPEX requirement to modify and/or build manufacturing plants to support their growth.
The majority of raw materials used by the segment are available from numerous independent suppliers and approximately 34% of total raw material purchases are from its top 5 suppliers. While some raw material needs are met by an individual supplier or only a few suppliers, the Company anticipates no difficulties in fulfilling its raw material requirements.
Tubular Products - Tubular Products is comprised of BRISMET, located in Bristol, Tennessee and ASTI, located in Troutman and Statesville, North Carolina.
BRISMET manufactures welded pipe and tube, primarily from stainless steel, duplex, and nickel alloys. Pipe is produced in sizes from 1/2 inch nominal outside diameter to 144 inches outside diameter and wall thickness from 1/16 inch up to 1 and 3/8 inches. Pipe smaller than 18 inches in outside diameter is made on equipment that forms and welds the pipe in a continuous process. Pipe larger than 18 inches in outside diameter is formed on presses or rolls and welded using a batch welding technique. Pipe is normally produced in standard 20-foot lengths, although BRISMET also has capabilities in the production of pipe without circumferential welds in lengths up to 60 feet. BRISMET is one of the few domestic producers capable of making pipe in 48-foot lengths up to 36 inches in diameter.
ASTI is a leading manufacturer of high-end ornamental stainless steel tube, supplying the automotive, commercial transportation, marine, food services, construction, furniture, healthcare, and other industries. ASTI's facilities are located in Troutman and Statesville, North Carolina. ASTI incorporates proprietary finishing capabilities and the highest levels of customer service and technical support to provide the customer with the highest quality ornamental products available in the market. ASTI's product range includes a variety of shapes, including rounds, squares, rectangles and ellipticals up to 5 inches in outside diameter.
The majority of raw materials used by the segment are available from numerous independent suppliers and approximately 92% of total raw material purchases are from its top 5 suppliers. The Company does not anticipate that the loss of a supplier would have a materially adverse effect on the Company as raw materials are readily available from a number of different sources, and the Company anticipates no difficulties in fulfilling its requirements.
See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements, which are included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for financial information about the Company's segments.
Sales
Specialty Chemicals - Specialty chemicals are sold directly into various market by inside sales, outside sales and distribution partners. The Specialty Chemicals segment has one customer that accounted for approximately 12% of the segment's revenues for 2024 and 24% of the segment's revenues for 2023.
Tubular Products - The Tubular Products segment utilizes a sales force comprised of inside sales employees, outside sales employees and independent manufacturers' representatives. The segment's products are sold to various distributors, OEM and end use customers. The Tubular Products segment has one customer that accounted for approximately 18% and 17% of the segment's revenues for 2024 and 2023.
Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions
The Company is committed to a long-term strategy of reinvesting capital in our current business segments to foster organic growth and completing acquisitions that expand our manufacturing capabilities, product offerings and geographic footprint. The Company may, from time-to-time, divest or close businesses in an effort to better align capital investment within its core operations, increase operational efficiencies and improve profitability.
During the second quarter of 2023, the Company's Board of Directors made the decision to cease operations at BRISMET's Munhall facility. The Company ceased operations at this facility effective August 31, 2023. The Munhall facility has been classified as a discontinued operation for all periods presented and was formerly a component within the Tubular Products segment.
On December 22, 2023, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Specialty Pipe & Tube, Inc. (“SPT”) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement pursuant to which Ascent and SPT sold substantially all of the assets primarily related to SPT to Specialty Pipe & Tube Operations, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The consideration for the transaction was approximately $55 million of cash proceeds subject to certain closing adjustments. The transaction closed on December 22, 2023. SPT has been classified as a discontinued operation for all periods presented and was formerly a reporting unit within the Tubular Products segment.
Environmental
Environmental expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and do not contribute to future revenue generation are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or cleanups are probable and the costs of these assessments and/or cleanups can be reasonably estimated. Changes to laws and environmental issues, including climate change, are made or proposed with some frequency and some of the proposals, if adopted, might directly or indirectly result in a material reduction in the operating results of one or more of our operating units. We are presently unable to quantify this risk.
Seasonality
The Company's businesses and products are generally not subject to seasonal impacts that result in significant variations in revenues from one quarter to another.
Backlogs
The backlog of open orders for the Specialty Chemicals segment were $4.6 million and $5.0 million at the end of 2024 and 2023, respectively. The backlog of open orders for the Tubular Products segment were $26.7 million and $22.5 million at the end of 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our backlog may not be indicative of actual sales and, therefore, should not be used as a direct measure of future revenue.
Human Capital
Our workforce is critical to our success. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had 452 employees, 451 of which were full-time employees. The Company considers relations with employees to be strong. The number of employees of the Company represented by unions is 181, or 40% of the Company's employees. They are represented by locals affiliated with the United Steelworkers (the "USW") and the United Food and Commercial Workers (the "UFCW"). Collective bargaining agreements with the USW was ratified in October and with the UFCW in December. Collective bargaining agreements for the USW and UFCW locals expire at various dates in 2027.
Our voluntary turnover rate in 2024 was approximately 22%. We monitor employee turnover rates by plant and the Company as a whole. The average employee tenure is approximately 11 years.
People and Culture
We have a shared commitment within our organization to foster an inclusive and respectful culture that encourages innovation, teamwork, and collaboration to eliminate barriers to progress, and continuously drive improvements across the enterprise. Our business results depend on our ability to identify, attract, recruit, develop and retain talent. Factors that may affect our ability to attract and retain employees include competition from other employers, availability of qualified individuals and opportunities for employee growth.
Safety and Compliance
Our safety, compliance, and operational reliability mandates are not at odds with our objectives to maintain the lowest cost and most efficient operations. We demand functional excellence across the entire organization, and our goal is to eliminate all injuries and incidents by providing comprehensive initial and ongoing safety training, and clear communication of safety policies and procedures.
Employees make a daily commitment to and take an active role in owning health and safety, ensuring safe working conditions for everyone. To support this, we provide employees with the necessary personal protective equipment to perform their job responsibilities safely and confidently.
Total Rewards
We invest in our workforce by offering a total rewards package including competitive compensation and health, wellness, retirement, and educational benefits.
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a valuable resource for employees, providing access to confidential mental health support, as well as legal and financial assistance from qualified professionals. These services are designed to help address personal and work-related challenges that could impact their well-being or job performance.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
From the boardroom to the frontline, we are dedicated to building incredible teams with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to drive innovation, outperform the competition, and strengthen our ability to attract and retain top talent.
Available information
The Company electronically files with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") its annual reports on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, its periodic reports on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), and proxy materials pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act. The SEC maintains a site on the internet at www.sec.gov which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The Company also makes its filings available, free of charge, through its website at www.ascentco.com as soon as reasonably practical after the electronic filing of such material with the SEC. The information on the Company's website is not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other filing the Company makes with the SEC.

---

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There are inherent risks and uncertainties associated with our business that could adversely affect our operating performance and financial condition. Set forth below are descriptions of those risks and uncertainties that we believe to be material, but the risks and uncertainties described are not the only risks and uncertainties that could affect our business. Reference should be made to "Forward-Looking Statements" above, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Item 7 and our consolidated financial statements and related notes in Item 8 below.
Industry and Segment Risks
The demand for our products may be cyclical, creating uncertainty regarding future profitability.
Various changes in general economic conditions affect (or disproportionately affect) the industries in which our customers operate. These changes include decreases in the rate of consumption or use of our customers’ products due to economic downturns. Other factors causing fluctuation in our customers’ positions are changes in market demand, capital spending, tariff induced price changes, lower overall pricing due to domestic and international overcapacity, lower priced imports, currency fluctuations, and increases in use or decreases in prices of substitute materials. As a result of these factors, our profitability has been and may in the future be subject to significant fluctuation.
Domestic competition and excess manufacturing capacity could force lower product pricing and may have an adverse effect on our revenues and profitability.
From time-to-time, intense competition and excess manufacturing capacity in the commodity stainless steel industry have resulted in reduced selling prices, excluding raw material surcharges, for many of our stainless steel products sold by the Tubular Products segment. In such situations, in order to maintain market share, we would have to lower our prices to match the competition. These factors have had and may in the future have a material adverse impact on our revenues, operating results and financial condition.
Overcapacity and overproduction by foreign producers in our industry could result in lower domestic prices, which would adversely affect our sales, margins and profitability.
Our business is susceptible to the import of products from other countries, particularly in our Tubular Products segment. Import levels of various products are affected by, among other things, overall world-wide demand, lower cost of production in other countries, the trade practices of foreign governments, government subsidies to foreign producers, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, and government-imposed trade restrictions in the United States, such as imposed in 2018 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (section 232 tariffs). Although imports from certain countries have been curtailed by anti-dumping duties, imported products from other countries could significantly reduce prices. Increased imports of certain products, whether illegal dumping or legal imports, could reduce demand for our products or cause us to lower our prices to maintain demand for our products, which could adversely affect our business, financial position, or results of operations.
A substantial portion of our sales in the Specialty Chemicals segment is dependent upon a limited number of customers. The top 15 customers in the Specialty Chemicals segment accounted for approximately 53% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 72% for the year ended December 31, 2023 with the top customer accounting for approximately 12% of revenues for 2024 and 24% of revenues for 2023. An adverse change in, or termination of, the relationship with one or more of our top customers could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Operations and Supply Chain Risks
Any interruption in our ability to procure raw materials, or significant volatility in the price of raw materials, could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
While the Company believes that raw materials for both segments are (in general) readily available from numerous sources, some of our raw material needs are met by a sole supplier or only a few suppliers and many such relationships are terminable by either party. If any key supplier that we rely on for raw materials ceases or limits production, we may incur significant additional costs, including capital costs, in order to find alternate, reliable raw material suppliers. We may also experience significant production delays while locating new supply sources, which could result in our failure to timely deliver products to our customers.
In addition, purchase prices and availability of these critical raw materials are subject to volatility which may negatively impact financial performance due to decreased sales volume and /or decreased profitability. At any given time, we may be unable to obtain an adequate supply of these critical raw materials on a timely basis, at acceptable prices and other terms, or at all. If suppliers increase the price of critical raw materials, we may not have alternative sources of supply. As well, though we attempt to pass changes in the prices of raw materials along to our customers, we cannot always do so due to market
competition, among other reasons, or price increases to customers may occur on a delayed basis. In addition, although raw materials may remain available, volatility in raw material pricing may negatively impact customer ordering patterns.
The loss of or reduced supply from one or more key suppliers in either segment, or any other material change in our current supply channels, could materially affect the Company’s ability to meet the demand for its products and adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations. In addition, any limitations (or delay) on our ability to pass through any price increases in raw materials could have an adverse effect on our profitability.
Loss of a key supplier or lack of product availability from suppliers could adversely affect our sales and earnings.
Our Specialty Chemicals segment depends on maintaining an immediately available supply of various products to meet customer demand. Many of our relationships with key product suppliers are longstanding but are terminable by either party. The loss of key supplier authorizations, or a substantial decrease in the availability of their products, could put us at a competitive disadvantage and have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations. Supply interruptions could arise from raw material shortages, inadequate manufacturing capacity or utilization to meet demand, financial difficulties, tariffs and other regulations affecting trade between the U.S. and other countries, labor disputes, weather conditions affecting suppliers' production, transportation disruptions or other reasons beyond our control.
Our operating results are sensitive to the availability and cost of energy and freight, which are important in the manufacture and transport of our products.
Our operating costs increase when energy or freight costs rise. During periods of increasing energy and freight costs, we might not be able to fully recover our operating cost increases through price increases without reducing demand for our products. In addition, we are dependent on third party freight carriers to transport many of our products, all of which are dependent on fuel to transport our products. The prices for and availability of electricity, natural gas, oil, diesel fuel and other energy resources are subject to volatile market conditions. These market conditions often are affected by political and economic factors beyond our control. Disruptions in the supply of energy resources could temporarily impair our ability to manufacture products for customers and may result in the decline of freight carrier capacity in our geographic markets, or make freight carriers unavailable or more expensive. Further, increases in energy or freight costs that cannot be passed on to customers, or adverse changes in our costs relative to energy and freight costs paid by competitors, has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our profitability.
We are dependent upon the continued operation of our production facilities, which are subject to a number of hazards.
Our manufacturing processes are dependent upon critical pieces of equipment. This equipment may, on occasion, be out of service as a result of unanticipated failures. We have experienced, and may in the future experience, material plant shutdowns or periods of reduced production as a result of such equipment failures. In addition, our production facilities are subject to hazards associated with the manufacture, handling, storage and transportation of materials and products, including leaks and ruptures, explosions, fires, inclement weather and natural disasters, unscheduled downtime and environmental hazards. As well, some of our production capabilities are highly specialized, which limits our ability to shift production to another facility. The occurrence of incidents in the future may result in production delays, failure to timely fulfill customer orders or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Our operations present significant risk of injury and other liabilities.
The industrial activities conducted at our facilities present significant risk of serious injury or even death to our employees or other visitors to our operations, notwithstanding our safety precautions, including our material compliance with federal, state and local employee health and safety regulations, and we may be unable to avoid material liabilities for any such incidents. We maintain various forms of insurance, including insurance covering claims related to our properties and risks associated with our operations, but there can be no assurance that the insurance coverage will be applicable and adequate, or will continue to be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which could result in material liability to us for any injuries or deaths.
We may not be able to make the operational and product changes necessary to continue to be an effective competitor.
We must continue to enhance our existing products, develop and manufacture new products with improved capabilities, and accurately predict future customer needs and preferences in order to continue to be an effective competitor in our business markets. In addition, we must anticipate and respond to changes in industry standards, including government regulations, that affect our products and the needs of our customers. The success of any new or enhanced products will depend on a number of factors, such as technological innovations, increased manufacturing and material costs, customer acceptance, and the performance and quality of the new or enhanced products. We cannot predict the level of market acceptance or the amount of market share these new or enhanced products may achieve, and we may experience delays or problems in the introduction of new or enhanced products. Any failure in our ability to effectively and efficiently launch new or enhanced products could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operation.
Government Regulation Risks
Our operations expose us to the risk of environmental, health and safety liabilities and obligations, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
We are subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental protection and health and safety laws governing, among other things:
•the generation, use, storage, treatment, transportation, disposal and management of hazardous substances and wastes;
•emissions or discharges of pollutants or other substances into the environment;
•investigation and remediation of, and damages resulting from, releases of hazardous substances; and
•the health and safety of our employees.
Under certain environmental laws, we can be held strictly liable for hazardous substance contamination of any real property we have ever owned, operated or used as a disposal site. We are also required to maintain various environmental permits and licenses, many of which require periodic modification and renewal. Our operations entail the risk of violations of those laws and regulations, and we may not have been in the past or will be at all times in the future, in compliance with all of these requirements. In addition, these requirements and their enforcement may become more stringent in the future.
We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, additional capital expenditures (in addition to ordinary or other costs and capital expenditures) to comply with applicable environmental laws. Our failure to comply with applicable environmental laws and permit requirements could result in civil and/or criminal fines or penalties, enforcement actions, and regulatory or judicial orders enjoining or curtailing operations or requiring corrective measures, such as the installation of pollution control equipment, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
We are currently, and may in the future be, required to investigate, remediate or otherwise address contamination at our current or former facilities. Many of our current and former facilities have a history of industrial usage for which additional investigation, remediation or other obligations could arise in the future and that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, we are currently, and could in the future be, responsible for costs to address contamination identified at any real property we used as a disposal site.
Although we cannot predict the ultimate cost of compliance with any of the requirements described above, the costs could be material. Non-compliance could subject us to material liabilities, such as government fines, third-party lawsuits or the suspension of non-compliant operations. We also may be required to make significant site or operational modifications at substantial cost. Future developments also could restrict or eliminate the use of or require us to make modifications to our products, which could have a significant negative impact on our results of operations. At any given time, we are (or may be) involved in claims, litigation, administrative proceedings and investigations of various types involving potential environmental liabilities, including cleanup costs associated with hazardous waste disposal sites at our facilities. We cannot assure you that the resolution of these environmental matters will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. The occurrence and ultimate costs and timing of environmental liabilities are difficult to predict. Liability under environmental laws relating to contaminated sites can be imposed retroactively and on a joint and several basis. We could incur significant costs, including cleanup costs, civil or criminal fines and sanctions and third-party claims, as a result of past or future violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws.
We could be subject to third party claims for property damage, personal injury, nuisance or otherwise as a result of violations of, or liabilities under, environmental, health or safety laws in connection with releases of hazardous or other materials at any current or former facility. We could also be subject to environmental indemnification claims in connection with assets and businesses that we have acquired or divested.
There can be no assurance that any future capital and operating expenditures to maintain compliance with environmental laws, as well as costs incurred to address contamination or environmental claims, will not exceed any current estimates or adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any unanticipated liabilities or obligations arising, for example, out of discovery of previously unknown conditions or changes in laws or regulations, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Federal, state and local legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing, as well as governmental reviews of such activities could result in delays or eliminate new wells from being started, thus reducing the demand for our pressure vessels and heavy walled pipe and tube.
Hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) is currently an essential and common practice to extract oil from dense subsurface rock formations, and this lower cost extraction method is a significant driving force behind the surge of oil exploration and drilling in several locations in the United States. However, the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Congress and state legislatures have considered adopting legislation to provide additional regulations and disclosures surrounding this process. In the event that new legal restrictions surrounding the fracking process are adopted in the areas in which our customers operate, we may experience a decrease in revenue, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations, including profitability.
Regulations related to “conflict minerals” may force us to incur additional expenses, may make our supply chain more complex and may result in damage to our reputation with customers.
On August 22, 2012, under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the SEC adopted new requirements for companies that use certain minerals and metals, known as conflict minerals, in their products, whether or not these products are manufactured by third parties. These regulations require companies to conduct annual due diligence and disclose whether or not such minerals originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries. Tungsten and tantalum are designated as conflict minerals under the Dodd-Frank Act. These metals are used to varying degrees in our welding materials and are also present in specialty alloy products. These new requirements could adversely affect the sourcing, availability and pricing of minerals used in our products. In addition, we could incur additional costs to comply with the disclosure requirements, including costs related to determining the source of any of the relevant minerals and metals used in our products. Since our supply chain is complex, we may not be able to sufficiently verify the origins for these minerals and metals used in our products through the due diligence procedures that we implement, which may harm our reputation. In such event, we may also face difficulties in satisfying customers who could require that all of the components of our products are conflict mineral-free.
Human Capital Risks
Certain of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and the failure to renew these agreements could result in labor disruptions and increased labor costs.
As of December 31, 2024, we had 181 employees represented by unions which is approximately 40% of the aggregate number of Company employees. These employees are represented by local unions affiliated with the USW and the UFCW. Collective bargaining contracts for the USW and UFCW locals expire at various dates in 2027. Although we believe that our present labor relations are strong, our failure to renew these agreements on reasonable terms as the current agreements expire could result in labor disruptions and increased labor costs, which could adversely affect our financial performance.
Failure to attract and retain key personnel may adversely impact our strategy and execution and financial results.
Our ability to successfully operate, grow our business and implement our business strategies is largely dependent on the efforts, abilities and services of our employees. The loss of employees or our inability to attract, train and retain additional personnel could reduce the competitiveness of our business or otherwise impair our operations. Our future success will also depend, in part, on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel who have experience in the application of our products and are knowledgeable about our business, markets and products.
We also face risks associated with the actions taken in response to COVID-19, including those associated with workforce reductions, and may experience difficulties with hiring additional employees or replacing employees following the pandemic, which may be exacerbated by the tight labor market. In addition, COVID-19 has, and may again result in quarantines of our personnel or an inability to access facilities, which could adversely affect our operations.
Financial and Strategic Risks
There are risks associated with our outstanding and future indebtedness.
As of December 31, 2024, we had no outstanding indebtedness, however, we may incur additional indebtedness in the future. We have customary restrictive covenants in our current debt agreements, which may limit our flexibility to operate our business. Failure to comply with this covenant could result in an event of default that, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, our ability to pay interest and repay the principal for our indebtedness is dependent upon our ability to manage our business operations, generate sufficient cash flows to service such debt and the other factors discussed in this section. There can be no assurance that we will be able to manage any of these risks successfully.
We may need new or additional financing in the future to expand our business, and our inability to obtain capital on satisfactory terms or at all may have an adverse impact on our operations and our financial results.
If we are unable to access capital on satisfactory terms and conditions, we may not be able to expand our business or meet our payment requirements under the Credit Agreement. Our ability to obtain new or additional financing will depend on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. We may not be able to obtain new or additional financing because we may have substantial debt, our current receivable and inventory balances do not support additional debt availability or because we may not have sufficient cash flows to service or repay our existing or future debt. In addition, depending on market conditions and our financial performance, equity financing may not be available on satisfactory terms or at all. If we are unable to access capital on satisfactory terms and conditions, this could have an adverse impact on our operations and our financial results.
Impairment in the carrying value of our fixed assets or intangible assets could adversely affect our financial condition and consolidated results of operations.
We evaluate the useful lives of our fixed assets and intangible assets to determine if they are definite or indefinite-lived. Reaching a determination on useful life requires significant judgments and assumptions regarding the lease term, future effects of obsolescence, demand, competition, other economic factors (such as the stability of the industry, legislative action that results in an uncertain or changing regulatory environment, and expected changes in distribution channels), the level of required maintenance expenditures and the expected lives of other related groups of assets. We cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any impairment of assets. Should the value of goodwill, fixed assets or intangible assets become impaired, there could be an adverse effect on our financial condition and consolidated results of operations.
From time to time, we engage in acquisitions and divestitures and may encounter difficulties in integrating and separating these businesses and therefore we may not realize the anticipated benefits.
We may seek growth opportunities through strategic acquisitions as well as evaluate our portfolio for potential divestitures to optimize our business footprint and portfolio. The success of these transactions will depend on our ability to integrate or separate, as applicable, assets and personnel in these transactions and to cooperate with our strategic partners. We may encounter difficulties in integrating acquisitions with our operations as well as separating divested businesses, and in managing strategic investments. Additionally, we may seek opportunities to monetize non-core and excess assets. These opportunities may not materialize or generate the financial benefits expected. Furthermore, we may not realize the degree, or timing, of benefits we anticipate when we first enter into a transaction.
Intellectual Property Risks
Our inability to sufficiently or completely protect our intellectual property rights could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to compete effectively in both of our business segments will depend on our ability to maintain the proprietary nature of the intellectual property used in our businesses. These intellectual property rights consist largely of trade-secrets and know-how. We rely on a combination of trade secrets and non-disclosure and other contractual agreements and technical measures to protect our rights in our intellectual property. We also depend upon confidentiality agreements with our officers, employees, consultants and subcontractors, as well as collaborative partners, to maintain the proprietary nature of our intellectual property. These measures may not afford us sufficient or complete protection, and others may independently develop intellectual property similar to ours, otherwise avoid our confidentiality agreements or produce technology that would adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
General Risk Factors
We encounter significant competition in all areas of our businesses and may be unable to compete effectively, which could result in reduced profitability and loss of market share.
We actively compete with companies producing the same or similar products and, in some instances, with companies producing different products designed for the same uses. We encounter competition from both domestic and foreign sources in price, delivery, service, performance, product innovation, and product recognition and quality, depending on the product involved. For some of our products, our competitors are larger and have greater financial resources than we do. As a result, these competitors may be better able to withstand a change in conditions within the industries in which we operate, a change in the prices of raw materials or a change in the economy as a whole. Our competitors can be expected to continue to develop and introduce new and enhanced products and more efficient production capabilities, which could cause a decline in market acceptance of our products. Current and future consolidation among our competitors and customers also may cause a loss of market share as well as put downward pressure on pricing. Our competitors could cause a reduction in the prices for some of
our products as a result of intensified price competition. Competitive pressures can also result in the loss of major customers. If we cannot compete successfully, our business, financial condition and results of operation could be adversely affected.
We have identified and may continue to discover material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting, which may adversely affect investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and consequently the market price of our securities.
We have identified and may continue to discover material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting, which may adversely affect investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and consequently the market price of our securities. As a public company, we are required to design and maintain proper and effective internal controls over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in such internal controls. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that we evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and provide a management report on the internal controls over financial reporting, which must be attested to by our independent registered public accounting firm. We have identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting, and may not detect errors on a timely basis and our financial statements may be materially misstated.
The process of compiling the system and processing documentation necessary to perform the evaluation needed to comply with Section 404 is challenging and costly. In the future, we may not be able to complete our evaluation, testing, and any required remediation in a timely fashion. If we continue to identify material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting, if we are unable to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner, if we continue to be unable to assert that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an unqualified opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of our securities could be negatively affected, and we could become subject to investigations by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.
Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents could adversely affect our business and disrupt operations.
Cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. These incidents can include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. The result of these incidents could include, but are not limited to, disrupted operations, misstated financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cyber security protection costs, litigation and reputational damage adversely affecting customer or investor confidence. We have taken steps to address these concerns and have implemented internal control and security measures to protect our systems and networks from security breaches; however, there can be no assurance that a system or network failure, or security breach, will not impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

---

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

---

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
The Company operates the major plants and facilities listed below, all of which are in adequate condition for their current usage and are able to accommodate our capacity needs for the immediate future. Substantially all of the value of the Company's leased plants and facilities relate to the Master Lease with Store Master Funding XII, LLC (“Store”), an affiliate of Store Capital Corporation ("Store Capital"), that was entered into in 2016 and since amended, with the latest amendment occurring in 2024; see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information on the Company's leases.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning our principal properties including which segment's products are supported out of each location:
Segment
Location Principal Operations
Square
Feet Land
Acres Leased or Owned Tubular
Products Specialty Chemicals
Bristol, TN Manufacturing stainless steel pipe
275,000 73.1 Leased ✔
Fountain Inn, SC Chemical manufacturing and warehousing 136,834 16.9 Leased ✔
Danville, VA Chemical manufacturing and warehousing 135,811 55.3 Owned ✔
Cleveland, TN Chemical manufacturing and warehousing 122,800 18.8 Leased ✔
Troutman, NC Manufacturing ornamental stainless steel tube 106,657 26.5 Leased ✔
Statesville, NC Manufacturing ornamental stainless steel tube 83,000 26.8 Leased ✔
The following table sets forth certain information concerning other properties under the Master Lease in which the Company is the responsible party:
Location Principal Operations
Square
Feet Land
Acres Leased or Owned
Munhall, PA1
Manufacturing stainless steel pipe
284,000 20.0 Leased
Andrews, TX2
Liquid storage solutions and separation equipment 122,662 19.6 Leased
Houston, TX3
Cutting facility and storage yard for heavy walled pipe 29,821 10.0 Leased
Mineral Ridge, OH3
Cutting facility and storage yard for heavy walled pipe 12,000 12.0 Leased
1Company ceased operations as of August 31, 2023
2Company currently subleases facility to a third party
3Company sold substantially all assets of SPT as of December 22, 2023 and currently subleases facility to a third party
In addition to the facilities listed above, the Company leases from a third party the Company's executive office located in Schaumburg, Illinois.

---

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
For a discussion of legal proceedings, see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

---

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II

---

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Company had 312 common shareholders of record at February 28, 2025. The Company's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol ACNT. The Company's credit agreement restricts the payment of dividends indirectly through a minimum fixed charge coverage covenant. No dividends were declared or paid in 2024 or 2023.
Stock Performance Graph
The Company is a smaller reporting company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and is not required to provide this information.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table sets forth information with respect to purchase of the Company's common stock made during the fourth quarter of 2024:
Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs1
Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased under the Program1
October 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024 - $ - - 462,685
November 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024 4,088 10.17 4,088 458,597
December 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024 22,989 11.16 22,989 435,608
As of December 31, 2024 27,077 $ 11.01 27,077 435,608
1Pursuant to the 790,383 share stock repurchase program re-authorized by the Board of Directors in December 2022. On February 17, 2025, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program allowing for repurchase of up to 1.0 million shares of the Company's outstanding common stock over 24 months. See Note 9 for additional information.

---

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. Reserved

---

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting our consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity, and capital resources during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Unless otherwise noted, all references herein for the years 2024 and 2023 represent the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We intend for this discussion to provide the reader with information that will assist in understanding our financial statements, the changes in certain key items in those financial statements from year to year, and the primary factors that accounted for those changes, as well as how certain accounting principles affect our financial statements. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This discussion and analysis is presented in five sections:
•Executive Overview
•Results of Operations and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
•Liquidity and Capital Resources
•Material Cash Requirements from Contractual and Other Obligations
•Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Executive Overview
Ascent Industries Co. is a diverse industrials company focused on the production of specialty chemicals and stainless steel pipe and tube. Ascent Industries Co. was incorporated in 1958 as the successor to a chemical manufacturing business founded in 1945 known as Blackman Uhler Industries Inc.
The Specialty Chemicals segment produces critical ingredients and process aids for the oil & gas, household, industrial and institutional ("HII"), personal care, coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE), pulp and paper, textile, automotive, agricultural, water treatment, construction and other industries. The Tubular Products segment serves markets through pipe and tube production and customers in the appliance, architectural, automotive and commercial transportation, brewery, chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, mining, power generation (including nuclear), water and waste-water treatment, liquid natural gas ("LNG"), food processing, pharmaceutical, oil and gas and other industries.
Fiscal 2024 was a year of stabilization, recapitalization of talent and aggressive self-help to establish a foundation for organic and inorganic growth. The team rallied to overcome soft market conditions across both segments, delivering positive bottom line improvements while establishing a more predictable, reliable and profitable operating model. We ended the year with no outstanding debt, $16.1 million of cash and cash equivalents as well as $47.4 million of remaining available capacity on our revolving line of credit, allowing flexibility to continue to execute our strategy and future growth opportunities.
Munhall Closure
During the second quarter of 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company made the decision to permanently cease operations at Munhall effective on or around August 31, 2023. This strategic decision is part of the Company’s ongoing efforts to consolidate manufacturing to drive an increased focus on its core operations and to improve profitability while driving operational efficiencies. Munhall results are included within discontinued operations in all periods presented.
Divestiture of Specialty Pipe & Tube, Inc.
On December 22, 2023, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Specialty Pipe & Tube, Inc. (“SPT”) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement pursuant to which Ascent and SPT sold substantially all of the assets primarily related to SPT to Specialty Pipe & Tube Operations, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The consideration for the transaction was approximately $55 million of cash proceeds subject to certain closing adjustments. The transaction closed on December 22, 2023. As result of the sale, SPT results of operations are classified under discontinued operations for all periods presented. Prior to the divestiture, SPT was reported under the Company's Tubular Products segment. The discussion and analysis of our results of operations refers to continuing operations unless noted.
Results of Operations
Comparison of 2024 to 2023 - Continuing Operations
Net sales from continuing operations for the full-year 2024 decreased $15.3 million, or 7.9%, over the full-year 2023 to $177.9 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily driven by an 8.8% decrease in average selling prices coupled with a 0.9% decrease in pounds shipped.
Full-year 2024 gross profit from continuing operations increased 1349.1% to $22.1 million, or 12.4% of sales, compared to $1.5 million, or 0.8% of sales, in the full-year 2023. The increase in dollars and percentage of sales for the full-year 2024 were primarily driven by improved strategic sourcing initiatives and product line management resulting in lower raw material costs.
Selling, general and administrative expense (SG&A) from continuing operations for the full-year 2024 decreased $0.1 million to $26.6 million compared to $26.7 million for the full-year 2023. SG&A as a percentage of sales was 14.9% of sales for 2024 and 13.8% of sales for 2023. The changes in SG&A expense were primarily driven by:
•decreases in salaries, wages and benefits driven by lower headcount in the current year;
•decreases in taxes and licenses; and,
•decreases in other expenses primarily driven by decreases in share-based compensation expense
The full-year decreases were partially offset by:
•increases in incentive bonus driven by higher attainment of performance goals in the current year over the prior year;
•increases in professional fees driven by increased IT and legal expenses in the current year
Operating loss from continuing operations for the full-year 2024 improved to $5.1 million compared to an operating loss of $37.4 million for the full-year 2023. The operating loss decrease for the full-year 2024 was primarily driven by aforementioned increase in gross profit as well as the prior year goodwill impairment not present in the current year.
Comparison of 2024 to 2023 - Specialty Chemicals
Net sales for the Specialty Chemicals segment decreased 3.4%, or $2.9 million, to $80.8 million for 2024 compared to $83.6 million in 2023. The decrease in net sales was primarily driven by a 3.4% decrease in pounds shipped and a 2.6% decrease in average selling prices.
SG&A expense increased by $2.6 million, or 37.0%, to $9.5 million in 2024 compared to $7.0 million in 2023. SG&A as a percentage of sales increased to 11.8% in 2024 from 8.3% in 2023. The changes in SG&A expense were primarily driven by increases in corporate allocation, incentive bonus expense and professional fees, partially offset by decreases in salaries, wages and benefits and taxes and license fees.
Operating income for the full-year 2024 totaled $1.2 million compared to an operating loss of $12.6 million for the full-year 2023. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by improved strategic sourcing initiatives and product line management resulting in lower raw material costs.
The following tables summarize operating results for the two years indicated. Reference should be made to Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
2024 2023
(in thousands) Amount % Amount %
Net sales $ 80,764 100.0 % $ 83,616 100.0 %
Cost of goods sold 69,574 86.1 % 77,807 93.1 %
Gross profit 11,190 13.9 % 5,809 6.9 %
Selling, general and administrative expense
9,546 11.8 % 6,966 8.3 %
Acquisition costs and other 477 0.6 % 12 - %
Goodwill impairment - - % 11,389 13.6 %
Operating income (loss) $ 1,167 1.4 % $ (12,558) (15.0) %
Comparison of 2024 to 2023 - Tubular Products
Net sales for the Tubular Products segment totaled $97.1 million for the full year of 2024, a decrease of 11.3% compared to the full-year 2023. The decrease in net sales was primarily driven by a 16.8% decrease in average selling prices offset by a 5.5% increase in pounds shipped.
SG&A expense increased $1.2 million, or 16.0%, for the full-year 2024 when compared to 2023. SG&A as a percentage of sales was 9.0% of sales for 2024 and 6.9% of sales for 2023. The changes in SG&A expense were primarily driven by increases in corporate allocation partially offset by decreases in salaries, wages and benefits, taxes and license fees and professional fees.
Operating income for the full-year 2024 totaled $2.6 million compared to an operating loss of $11.2 million for the full-year 2023. The operating income increase for the full-year 2024 was primarily driven by increases in gross profit partially offset by the aforementioned increases in SG&A expenses.
The following table summarizes operating results for the two years indicated. Reference should be made to Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
2024 2023
(in thousands) Amount % Amount %
Net sales $ 97,108 100.0 % $ 109,513 100.0 %
Cost of goods sold 85,686 88.2 % 113,187 103.4 %
Gross profit 11,422 11.8 % (3,674) (3.4) %
Selling, general and administrative expense
8,743 9.0 % 7,536 6.9 %
Acquisition costs and other 30 0.1 % - - %
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations $ 2,649 2.7 % $ (11,210) (10.2) %
Comparison of 2024 to 2023 - Corporate
Corporate expenses decreased $4.1 million to $8.8 million in 2024 down from $12.9 million in 2023. The full-year decrease resulted primarily from allocating corporate expense to locations and decreases in stock compensation expense partially offset by increases in incentive bonus, professional fees, taxes and license expense and insurance expense.
Interest expense was $0.3 million and $4.2 million for the full-years of 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease was driven by lower debt outstanding in the current year compared to the prior year. The Company had no debt outstanding as of December 31, 2024.
The Company's effective tax rate for 2024 was less than the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to discrete tax charges associated with recording a valuation allowance on cumulative US Federal and state deferred tax assets. The Company's effective tax rate for 2023 was less than the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily driven by tax benefits associated with non-deductible goodwill impairment.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"), we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful because they are key measures used by our management team to evaluate our operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions as well as allow readers to compare the financial results between periods. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance or financial condition as promulgated under GAAP, and investors should consider the Company's performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the Company. Non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results or financial condition as reported under GAAP.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
We define "EBITDA" as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define "Adjusted EBITDA" as EBITDA further adjusted for the impact of non-cash and other items we do not consider in our evaluation of ongoing performance. These items include: goodwill impairment, asset impairment, gain on lease modification, stock-based compensation, non-cash lease cost, acquisition costs and other fees, shelf registration costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, retention costs and restructuring and severance costs from net (loss) income. We caution investors that amounts presented in accordance with our definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies because not all companies calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we consider them to be important supplemental measures of our performance and investors' understanding of our performance is enhanced by including these non-GAAP financial measures as a reasonable basis for comparing our ongoing results of operations.
Consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands) 2024 2023
Consolidated
Net loss from continuing operations $ (11,225) $ (34,151)
Adjustments:
Interest expense 418 4,238
Income taxes 6,159 (6,924)
Depreciation 5,936 6,161
Amortization 1,487 1,505
EBITDA 2,775 (29,171)
Acquisition costs and other 692 856
Goodwill impairment - 11,389
Gain on lease modification (67) -
Stock-based compensation 204 594
Non-cash lease expense 198 242
Retention expense 3 26
Restructuring and severance costs 208 130
Adjusted EBITDA $ 4,013 $ (15,934)
% sales 2.3 % (8.2) %
Specialty Chemicals EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands) 2024 2023
Specialty Chemicals
Net income (loss) $ 1,093 $ (12,619)
Adjustments:
Interest expense 75 74
Depreciation 3,809 3,798
Amortization 695 634
EBITDA 5,672 (8,113)
Acquisition costs and other 477 12
Goodwill impairment - 11,389
Stock-based compensation 7 8
Non-cash lease expense 66 88
Restructuring and severance costs 110 40
Specialty Chemicals Adjusted EBITDA $ 6,332 $ 3,424
% of segment sales 7.8 % 4.1 %
Tubular Products EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands) 2024 2023
Tubular Products
Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 2,649 $ (11,210)
Adjustments:
Interest expense 1 -
Depreciation 2,052 2,274
Amortization 792 871
EBITDA 5,494 (8,065)
Acquisition costs and other 30 -
Stock-based compensation 10 58
Non-cash lease expense 88 118
Retention expense - 8
Restructuring and severance costs 30 84
Tubular Products Adjusted EBITDA $ 5,652 $ (7,797)
% of segment sales 5.8 % (7.1) %
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We closely manage our liquidity and capital resources. Our liquidity requirements depend on key variables, including level of investment required to support our business strategies, the performance of our business, capital expenditures, credit facilities and working capital management. Capital expenditures and share repurchases are a component of our cash flow and capital.
Sources of Liquidity
Funds generated by operating activities supplemented by our available cash and cash equivalents and our credit facilities are our most significant sources of liquidity. As of December 31, 2024, we held $16.1 million of cash and cash equivalents, as well as $47.4 million of remaining available capacity on our revolving line of credit. Our existing cash, cash equivalents, and credit facilities balances may fluctuate during 2025. Cash from operations could also be affected by various risks and uncertainties detailed in Item 1A - Risk Factors of this report. We believe our sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund operations and anticipated capital expenditures as well as repay our debt obligations as they become due over the next 12 months and beyond.
Cash Flows
Cash flows from continuing operations were as follows:
Year ended December 31,
(in thousands) 2024 2023
Total cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities 17,007 6,644
Investing activities (1,892) (2,885)
Financing activities (1,329) (73,169)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $ 13,786 $ (69,410)
Operating Activities
The increase in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to cash used in operating activities in the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily driven by changes in working capital. Changes in working capital can vary significantly depending on factors such as the timing of inventory production and purchases, customer payments of accounts receivable and payments to vendors in the regular course of business. Inventory increased operating cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2024 by approximately $11.6 million compared to a decrease of approximately $12.2 million for 2023, while accounts payable decreased operating cash flows by approximately $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to an increase of approximately $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in operating cash flows from inventory is primarily due to lower average inventory and higher inventory turns year over year while the decrease in accounts payable is primarily driven by a decreases in days payables outstanding within our Specialty Chemicals segment. Accounts receivable increased operating cash flow by approximately $2.8 million compared to an increase of $6.8 million driven by lower sales in the current year partially offset by lower days sales outstanding. In addition to the working capital changes, changes in deferred income taxes increased cash flows by approximately $6.2 million compared to cash used in operations of approximately $6.9 million in 2023. This was primarily due to discrete tax charges associated with the recording of a valuation allowance on cumulative U.S. federal and state tax assets in the third quarter of 2024.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities primarily consists of transactions related to capital expenditures, proceeds from the disposal of property, plant and equipment and acquisitions. The decrease in cash used in investing activities for the full-year 2024 compared to cash used in investing activities for the full-year 2023 was primarily driven by a decrease in capital expenditures in the current year over the prior year.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities primarily consist of transactions related to our long-term debt. The decrease in net cash used in financing activities for the full-year 2024 compared to the full-year 2023 was primarily due to the repayment of the
Company's asset backed line of credit and delayed draw term loan in the fourth quarter of 2023 driven by the sale of substantially all of the assets of SPT.
Short-term Debt
The Company has a note payable in the amount of $0.9 million with an annual interest rate of 3.70% maturing April 1, 2024, associated with the financing of the Company's insurance premium in the current year. As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding balance was $0.4 million.
Long-term Debt
On November 6, 2024, Ascent entered into a Limited Consent, Third Amendment to Credit Agreement to Loan Documents with BMO Bank N.A. under Ascent’s credit facility (the “Credit Facility Amendment”). The Credit Facility Amendment reduced the maximum revolving loan commitment under the credit facility from $80 million to $60 million and extended the term of the credit facility through December 31, 2027. The Credit Facility Amendment also increased the interest rate for the credit facility from SOFR plus an interest rate margin of between 1.85% and 2.10% to SOFR plus an interest rate margin of between 1.85% and 2.35%, depending on average availability under the credit facility and Ascent’s consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio.
The Facility contains covenants requiring the maintenance of a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio if excess availability falls below the greater of (i) $6.0 million and (ii) 15% of the revolving credit facility (currently $9.0 million). As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all financial debt covenants.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had no principal payments outstanding on long-term debt. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $47.4 million of remaining availability under its credit facility. See Note 6 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on the Company's line of credit.
Stock Repurchases and Dividends
We may repurchase common stock and pay dividends from time to time pursuant to programs approved by our Board of Directors. The payment of cash dividends is also subject to customary legal and contractual restrictions. Our capital allocation strategy is to first fund operations and investments in growth and then return excess cash over time to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.
The Company's previous share repurchase program allowed for repurchase of up to 790,383 shares of the Company's outstanding common stock and expired on February 17, 2025. On February 17, 2025, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program allowing for repurchase of up to 1.0 million shares of the Company's outstanding common stock over 24 months. The shares will be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. Under the program, the purchases will be funded from available working capital, and the repurchased shares will be returned to the status of authorized, but unissued shares of common stock or held in treasury. There is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares that will be repurchased by the Company, and the Company may discontinue purchases at any time that management determines additional purchases are not warranted. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had 435,608 shares of its previous share repurchase authorization remaining.
Shares repurchased for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
Year ended December 31,
2024 2023
Number of shares repurchased 101,263 143,108
Average price per share $ 10.21 $ 8.97
Total cost of shares repurchased $ 1,037,346 $ 1,287,416
At the end of each fiscal year, the Board reviews the financial performance and capital needed to support future growth to determine the amount of cash dividend, if any, which is appropriate. In 2024 and 2023, no dividends were declared or paid by the Company.
Other Financial Measures
Below are additional financial measures that we believe are important in understanding the Company's liquidity position from year to year. The metrics are defined as:
Liquidity Measure:
•Current ratio = current asset divided by current liabilities. The current ratio will be determined by the Company using generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.
Profitability Ratio:
•Return on average equity ("ROAE") = net (loss) income divided by the trailing 12-month average of equity. The ROAE will be determined by the Company using generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.
Results of these additional financial measures are as follows:
Year ended December 31,
2024 2023
Current ratio 3.8 3.7
Return on average equity (11.3)% (38.6)%
Material Cash Requirements from Contractual and Other Obligations
As of December 31, 2024, our material cash requirements for our known contractual and other obligations were as follows:
•Operating and Finance Leases - The Company enters into various lease agreements for real estate and manufacturing equipment used in the normal course of business. Operating and finance lease obligations were $32.9 million, with $1.8 million payable within 12 months. See Note 7 for further detail of our lease obligations and the timing of expected future payments.
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on the Company's financial position, revenues, results of operations, liquidity, or capital expenditures. We expect capital spending in fiscal 2025 to be as much as $7.6 million.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments based on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included herein. We believe the following accounting policies affect the most significant estimates and management judgments used in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Business Combinations
Description
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with GAAP. Under this method, the total consideration transferred to consummate the business combination is allocated to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values as of the closing date of the transaction.
Judgments and uncertainties involved in the estimate
The acquisition method of accounting requires extensive use of estimates and judgments to allocate the consideration transferred to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired, if any, and liabilities assumed. Fair value determinations involve significant assumptions about highly subjective variables, including future cash flows, discount rates, and expected business performance. There are also different valuation models and inputs for each component, the selection of which requires considerable judgment. Our estimates and assumptions may be based, in part, on the availability of listed
market prices or other transparent market data. These determinations will affect the amount of amortization expense recognized in future periods as well the allocation of goodwill, if any, attributable to the transaction.
Effect if actual results differ from assumptions
We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe are reasonable, but recognize the assumptions are inherently uncertain. Depending on the size of the purchase price of a particular acquisition, the mix of intangible assets acquired and expected business performance, the purchase price allocation could be materially impacted by applying a different set of assumptions and estimates. Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur which may affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results.
Inventory
Description
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by either specific identification or weighted average methods. At the end of each quarter, all facilities review recent sales reports to identify sales price trends that would indicate products or product lines that are being sold below our cost. This would indicate that an adjustment would be required.
We record an obsolete inventory reserve for identified aged inventory items with slow or no sales activity for finished goods or slow or no usage for raw materials for a certain period of time. For those inventory items, a reserve is established for a percentage of the inventory cost less any estimated scrap proceeds and is based on our current knowledge with respect to inventory levels, sales trends and historical experience. During 2024, our reserve decreased approximately $0.1 million to $5.5 million as of December 31, 2024.
We also record an inventory reserve for the estimated shrinkage (quantity losses) between physical inventories. This reserve is based upon the most recent physical inventory results. During 2024, the inventory shrink reserve had a $0.3 million decrease in response to estimated shrinkage rates based on results from previous physical inventories. Our inventory reserve for estimated shrinkage was $0.3 million as of December 31, 2024.
Judgments and uncertainties involved in the estimate
We do not believe that our inventories are subject to significant risk of obsolescence in the near term and we have the ability to adjust purchasing practices based on anticipated sales trends and general economic conditions. However, changes in demand, product life cycle, cost trends, product pricing or a deterioration in product quality could result in the need for additional reserves. Likewise, changes in the estimated shrink reserve may be necessary, based on the timing and results of physical inventories. We also apply judgment in the determination of levels of obsolete inventory and assumptions about net realizable value.
Effect if actual results differ from assumptions
We have not made any material changes in the methodology used to establish our reserves for obsolete inventory or inventory shrinkage during the past two fiscal years. However, it is possible that actual results could differ from recorded reserves. For instance, a 10% change in the amount of products considered obsolete would have decreased net earnings by $0.6 million for 2024. A 10% change in the estimated shrinkage rate would not have had a material impact on net earnings for 2024.
Income Taxes
Description
In determining income for financial statement purposes, we must make certain estimates and judgments in the calculation of tax expense, the resultant tax liabilities and the recoverability of deferred tax assets that arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenue and expense. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. In addition, deferred tax assets are also recorded with respect to net operating losses and other tax attribute carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are established when realization of the benefit of deferred tax assets is not deemed to be more likely than not. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
We recognize net tax benefits under the recognition and measurement criteria of FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, which prescribes requirements and other guidance for financial statement recognition and measurement of positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns. We record interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.
Judgments and uncertainties involved in the estimate
We assess on a tax jurisdictional basis the likelihood that our deferred tax assets can be recovered. If recovery is not expected to exceed a more likely than not (a likelihood of less than 50 percent) threshold, the provision for taxes must be increased by recording a reserve in the form of a valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets that are estimated not to ultimately be recoverable. In this process, certain relevant criteria are evaluated including: the amount of income or loss in prior years, the existence of deferred tax liabilities that can be used to absorb deferred tax assets, the taxable income in prior carryback years that can be used to absorb net operating losses and credit carry backs, future expected taxable income and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Changes in taxable income, market conditions, tax laws and other factors may change our judgment regarding whether we will be able to realize the deferred tax assets. These changes, if any, may require material adjustments to the net deferred tax assets and an accompanying reduction or increase in income tax expense which will result in a corresponding increase or decrease in net income in the period when such determinations are made. The utilization of certain deferred tax assets is dependent on the amount and timing of taxable income that we will ultimately generate in the future and other factors, such as changes in tax laws.
We also assess the likelihood that our tax reporting positions will ultimately be sustained. To the extent it is determined it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that some portion, or all, of a tax reporting position will ultimately not be recognized and sustained, a provision for unrecognized tax benefit is provided by either reducing the applicable deferred tax asset or accruing an income tax liability. Our judgment regarding the sustainability of our tax reporting positions may change in the future due to changes in tax laws and other factors. These changes, if any, may require material adjustments to the related deferred tax assets or accrued income tax liabilities and an accompanying reduction or increase in income tax expense which will result in a corresponding increase or decrease in net income in the period when such determinations are made.
We have provided valuation allowances as of December 31, 2024, aggregating to $9.1 million, net of federal benefit, against our federal deferred tax assets as well as certain state and local net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has no liability for unrecognized income tax benefits.
Effect if actual results differ from assumptions
Although management believes that the estimates and judgments discussed herein are reasonable, actual results could differ, which could result in income tax expense or benefits that could be material.

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company is a smaller reporting company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and is not required to provide the information required by this Item.

---

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Moss Adams, LLP; Irvine, CA; PCAOB ID: 659)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Note 2: Discontinued Operations
Note 3: Revenue Recognition
Note 4: Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Note 5: Property, Plant and Equipment
Note 6: Debt
Note 7: Leases
Note 8: Accrued Expenses & Other Current Liabilities
Note 9: Shareholders' Equity
Note 10: Accounting for Share-Based Payments
Note 11: Income Taxes
Note 12: Earnings Per Share
Note 13: Industry Segments
Note 14: Benefit Plans and Collective Bargaining Agreements
Note 15: Commitments and Contingencies
Note 16: Subsequent Events
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors
Ascent Industries Co.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ascent Industries Co. (and subsidiaries) (the Company) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes and schedule (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the consolidated 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. Also in our opinion, because of the effect of the material weaknesses identified below on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, 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 Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting included in Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures to 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. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting 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 audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weaknesses have been identified and included in management’s assessment in Item 9A:
•Information Technology - Management did not design and maintain effective information technology (IT) general controls in the areas of user access, change management, segregation of duties, and cyber-security for systems supporting many of the Company’s key financial reporting processes. As a result, IT application controls and business process controls that are dependent on the ineffective IT general controls, or that rely on data produced
from systems impacted by the ineffective IT general controls, are also deemed ineffective, which affects substantially all financial statement account balances and disclosures within the Company.
•Inventory - Management did not design and maintain effective controls over inventory.
•Revenue recognition - Management did not design and maintain effective controls over revenue and accounts receivable.
•Period-end financial reporting, journal entries, reconciliations, and account analyses - Management did not design and maintain effective controls to detect potential material misstatements to period-end financial statements through review of account reconciliations and account analyses on a timely basis. Additionally, management did not design and maintain effective controls over the review of journal entries.
•Complex Accounting - Management did not design and maintain management review controls at a sufficient level of precision around complex accounting areas such as income taxes.
We considered the material weaknesses in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024, and our opinion on such consolidated financial statements was not affected.
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.
Critical Audit Matter
Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
/s/ Moss Adams LLP
Irvine, California
March 4, 2025
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2023.
Ascent Industries Co.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023
(in thousands, except par value and share data)
2024 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 16,108 $ 1,851
Accounts receivable, net 23,880 26,604
Inventories
Raw materials 12,119 21,020
Work-in-process 12,689 13,711
Finished goods 16,154 17,575
Total inventories 40,962 52,306
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,075 4,879
Assets held for sale - 2,912
Current assets of discontinued operations 46 861
Total current assets 83,071 89,413
Property, plant and equipment, net 25,462 29,755
Right-of-use assets, operating leases, net 28,225 27,784
Intangible assets, net 7,009 8,496
Deferred income taxes - 5,808
Deferred charges, net 309 104
Other non-current assets 3,174 1,935
Total assets $ 147,250 $ 163,295
Liabilities and Shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 13,072 $ 16,416
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 5,042 5,046
Deferred revenue 1,360 62
Current portion of note payable 369 360
Current portion of operating lease liabilities 1,513 1,140
Current portion of finance lease liabilities 334 292
Current liabilities of discontinued operations 590 1,473
Total current liabilities 22,280 24,789
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities 30,039 29,729
Long-term portion of finance lease liabilities 1,015 1,307
Deferred income taxes 320 -
Other long-term liabilities 51 60
Total liabilities $ 53,705 $ 55,885
Commitments and contingencies - see Note 15
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock - $1 par value: 24,000,000 shares authorized; 11,085,103 and 10,072,590 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
$ 11,085 $ 11,085
Capital in excess of par value 47,339 47,333
Retained earnings 44,919 58,517
103,343 116,935
Less cost of common stock in treasury - 1,012,513 and 990,282 shares, respectively
(9,798) (9,525)
Total shareholders' equity 93,545 107,410
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 147,250 $ 163,295
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Ascent Industries Co.
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
(in thousands, except per share data)
2024 2023
Net sales $ 177,872 $ 193,179
Cost of sales 155,758 191,653
Gross profit 22,114 1,526
Selling, general and administrative expense 26,586 26,712
Acquisition costs and other 691 855
Goodwill impairment - 11,389
Gain on lease modification (67) -
Operating loss from continuing operations (5,096) (37,430)
Other (income) and expense
Interest expense 418 4,238
Other, net (448) (593)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (5,066) (41,075)
Income tax provision (benefit) 6,159 (6,924)
Loss from continuing operations $ (11,225) $ (34,151)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax (2,373) 7,522
Net loss $ (13,598) $ (26,629)
Net loss per common share from continuing operations
Basic $ (1.11) $ (3.37)
Diluted $ (1.11) $ (3.37)
Net (loss) income per common share from discontinued operations
Basic $ (0.23) $ 0.74
Diluted $ (0.23) $ 0.74
Net loss per common share
Basic $ (1.34) $ (2.63)
Diluted $ (1.34) $ (2.63)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic 10,106 10,140
Diluted 10,106 10,140
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Ascent Industries Co.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
(in thousands)
2024 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (13,598) $ (26,629)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax (2,373) 7,522
Net loss from continuing operations (11,225) (34,151)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation expense 5,936 6,161
Amortization expense 1,488 1,505
Amortization of debt issuance costs 105 99
Goodwill impairment - 11,389
Deferred income taxes 6,159 (6,924)
Reduction of losses on accounts receivable (118) (180)
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 517 246
Non-cash lease expense 198 242
Share-based compensation expense 767 1,023
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 2,842 6,778
Inventories 11,344 15,563
Other assets and liabilities 1,187 515
Accounts payable (3,612) 1,650
Accrued expenses (66) (401)
Accrued income taxes 1,485 3,129
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations 17,007 6,644
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities - discontinued operations (2,326) 16,434
Net cash provided by operating activities 14,681 23,078
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (1,892) (2,885)
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations (1,892) (2,885)
Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations 2,797 53,386
Net cash provided by investing activities 905 50,501
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings from credit facilities 197,898 256,606
Proceeds from note payable 914 900
Payments on credit facilities (197,898) (328,155)
Payments on note payable (906) (928)
Principal payments on finance lease obligations (300) (305)
Repurchase of common stock (1,037) (1,287)
Net cash used in financing activities (1,329) (73,169)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 14,257 410
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,851 1,441
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 16,108 $ 1,851
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for:
Interest $ 277 $ 4,175
Income taxes - 864
Noncash Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures, not yet paid $ 267 $ 653
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Ascent Industries Co.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Common Stock Treasury Stock
Shares Amount Capital in Excess of
Par Value Retained Earnings Shares Amount Total
Balance December 31, 2022 11,085 $ 11,085 $ 47,021 $ 85,146 924 $ (8,993) $ 134,259
Net loss - - - (26,629) - - (26,629)
Issuance of 77,330 shares of common stock from treasury
- - (751) - (77) 751 -
Share-based compensation - - 1,063 - - - 1,063
Repurchase of 143,108 shares of common stock
- - - - 143 (1,283) (1,283)
Balance December 31, 2023 11,085 $ 11,085 $ 47,333 $ 58,517 990 $ (9,525) $ 107,410
Net loss - - - (13,598) - - (13,598)
Issuance of 79,032 shares of common stock from treasury
- - (761) - (79) 761 -
Share-based compensation - - 767 - - - 767
Repurchase of 101,263 shares of common stock
- - - - 101 (1,034) (1,034)
Balance December 31, 2024 11,085 $ 11,085 $ 47,339 $ 44,919 1,012 $ (9,798) $ 93,545
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Ascent Industries Co. is a diverse industrials company focused on the production of specialty chemicals and stainless steel pipe and tube. Ascent Industries Co. was incorporated in 1958 as the successor to a chemical manufacturing business founded in 1945 known as Blackman Uhler Industries Inc. The Company's executive office is located at 20 N. Martingale Rd, Suite 430, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173. Unless indicated otherwise, the terms "Ascent", "Company," "we" "us," and "our" refer to Ascent Industries Co. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
The Company's business is divided into two reportable operating segments, Specialty Chemicals and Tubular Products. The Specialty Chemicals segment produces critical ingredients and process aids for the oil & gas, household, industrial and institutional ("HII"), personal care, coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE), pulp and paper, textile, automotive, agricultural, water treatment, construction and other industries.
The Tubular Products segment serves markets through pipe and tube production and customers in the appliance, architectural, automotive and commercial transportation, brewery, chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, mining, power generation (including nuclear), water and waste-water treatment, liquid natural gas ("LNG"), food processing, pharmaceutical, oil and gas and other industries.
Below are those accounting policies considered by the Company to be significant.
Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates - The preparation of the Company's financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying value of property, plant and equipment; intangible assets; the fair value of assets or liabilities acquired in a business combination; valuation allowances for receivables, inventories and deferred income tax assets and liabilities; environmental liabilities; liabilities for potential tax deficiencies; and, potential litigation claims and settlements. The Company bases these estimates on historical results and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable, all of which form the basis for making estimates concerning the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are readily available from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Reclassifications - Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation, including deferred revenue and accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets and provision for inventory losses on the statement of cash flows.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash levels in bank accounts that, at times, may exceed federally-insured limits.
Accounts Receivable - Accounts receivable from the sale of products are recorded at net realizable value and the Company generally grants credit to customers on an unsecured basis. Substantially all of the Company's accounts receivable are due from companies located throughout the United States. The Company provides an allowance for credit losses for expected uncollectible amounts. The allowance is based upon an analysis of accounts receivable balances with similar risk characteristics on a collective basis, considering factors such as the aging of receivables balances, historical loss experience, current information, and future expectations. Each reporting period, the Company reassesses whether any accounts receivable no longer share similar risk characteristics and should instead be evaluated as part of another pool or on an individual basis. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally does not require collateral. Receivables are generally due within 30 to 60 days. Delinquent receivables are written off based on individual credit evaluations and specific circumstances of the customer.
The opening and closing balances of our accounts receivables from continuing operations are as follows (in thousands):
(in thousands) January 1, 2023
December 31, 2023 December 31, 2024
Accounts receivables, net $ 33,202 $ 26,604 $ 23,880
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Activity in the allowance for credit losses from continuing operations were as follows:
(in thousands) 2024 2023
Balance at beginning of period $ 463 $ 643
Current period provision for expected credit losses 473 953
Deductions from allowance (591) (1,133)
Balance at end of period $ 345 $ 463
Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value ("LCNRV"). Cost is determined by either specific identification or weighted average methods.
At the end of each quarter, all facilities review recent sales reports to identify sales price trends that would indicate products or product lines that are being sold below our cost. This would indicate that an adjustment would be required. An LCNRV adjustment is recorded when the Company's inventory cost, based upon a historical price, is greater than the current selling price of that product. LCNRV adjustments of $0.5 million and $0.6 million were required by our Specialty Chemicals segment during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Stainless steel, both in its raw material (coil or plate) or finished goods (pipe and tube) state is purchased/sold using a base price plus an additional surcharge which is dependent on current nickel prices. As raw materials are purchased, it is priced to the Company based upon the surcharge at that date. Approximately three months later, the current nickel surcharge is used to determine the proper selling price of the finished pipe for the customer. An LCNRV adjustment is recorded when the Company's inventory cost, based upon a historical nickel price, is greater than the current selling price of that product due to a reduction in the nickel surcharge. LCNRV adjustments of $0.5 million and $0.6 million were required by our Tubular Products segment's continuing operations during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
In addition, the Company establishes inventory reserves for:
•Estimated obsolete or unmarketable inventory - The Company identifies aged inventory items with slow or no sales activity for finished goods or slow or no usage for raw materials for a certain period of time. For those inventory items, a reserve is established for a percentage of the inventory cost less any estimated scrap proceed and is based on our current knowledge with respect to inventory levels, sales trends and historical experience. The Company reserved $5.5 million and $5.6 million for continuing operations as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
•Estimated quantity losses - The Company performs an annual physical count of inventory during the fourth quarter each year for all facilities. A reserve is established for the potential quantity losses that could occur subsequent to their physical inventory. This reserve is based upon the most recent physical inventory results. The Company had $0.3 million and $0.5 million reserved for physical inventory quantity losses for continuing operations as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is determined based on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets. Substantially all depreciation is recorded within cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of income (loss). Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their useful lives or the remaining non-cancellable lease term, buildings are depreciated over a range of 10 years to 40 years, and machinery, fixtures and equipment are depreciated over a range of three years to 20 years. The costs of software licenses are amortized over five years using the straight-line method. The Company continually reviews the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets. The Company also reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. When the future undiscounted cash flows of the operation to which the assets relate do not exceed the carrying value of the asset, the assets are written down to fair value.
Business Combinations - Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method, the total consideration transferred to consummate the business combination is allocated to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values as of the closing date of the transaction. The acquisition method of accounting requires extensive use of estimates and judgments to allocate the consideration transferred to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired, if any, and liabilities assumed.
Goodwill - Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired, less fair value of liabilities assumed, in a business combination. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level,
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
which is the operating segment level or one level below the operating segment level. Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment at least annually on October 1 or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The evaluation begins with a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative impairment test is necessary. If, after assessing qualitative factors, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed. The quantitative goodwill impairment test used to identify potential impairment compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. Fair value represents the price a market participant would be willing to pay in a potential sale of the reporting unit and is based on a combination of an income approach, based on discounted future cash flows, and a market approach, based on market multiples applied to free cash flow. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, then no goodwill impairment has occurred. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Any impairment identified is included within "goodwill impairment" in the consolidated statements of income (loss).
A reporting unit is an operating segment or a business unit one level below that operating segment, for which discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management. The company had no goodwill as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:
(in thousands) Specialty Chemicals
Balance December 31, 2022 $ 11,389
Goodwill Impairment (11,389)
Balance December 31, 2023 -
During the third quarter of 2023, the Company determined potential indicators of impairment within the Specialty Chemicals reporting unit, with an associated goodwill balance of $11.4 million existed. Macroeconomic conditions and pressures, increased risks within the broader specialty chemicals business, reporting unit operating losses and a decline in the reporting unit's net sales compared to forecast, collectively, indicated that the reporting unit had experienced a triggering event and the need to perform a quantitative evaluation of goodwill. The Company performed a discounted cash flow analysis and a market multiple analysis for the Specialty Chemicals reporting unit to determine the reporting unit's fair value. The discounted cash flow analysis included management assumptions for expected sales growth, capital expenditures and overall operational forecasts while the market multiple analysis included historical and projected performance, market capitalization, volatility and multiples for industry peers. Determining the fair value of the reporting unit and allocation of that fair value to individual assets and liabilities within the reporting unit to determine the implied fair value of the goodwill is judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant management estimates and assumptions. Any changes in the judgments, estimates, or assumptions could produce significantly different results. As a result of the goodwill impairment evaluation, it was concluded that the estimated fair value of the Specialty Chemicals reporting unit was below its carrying value by 27.6% resulting in a goodwill impairment charge of $11.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Intangible Assets - Intangible assets consists of customer relationships, trademarks and trade names, and represents the fair value of intellectual, non-physical assets resulting from business acquisitions and are amortized over their estimated useful lives using either an accelerated or straight-line method over a period of 15 years. Amortization expense is recorded in selling, general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income (loss).
The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets from continuing operations consist of the following:
2024 2023
(in thousands) Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization
Definite-lived intangible assets:
Customer related $ 14,604 $ (8,107) $ 14,604 $ (6,685)
Trademarks and trade names 150 (32) 150 (17)
Other 500 (106) 500 (56)
Total definite-lived intangible assets $ 15,254 $ (8,245) $ 15,254 $ (6,758)
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company recorded amortization expense related to intangible assets from continuing operations of $1.5 million for 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on existing intangible assets is as follows:
(in thousands)
2025 $ 1,324
2026 1,102
2027 930
2028 786
2029 673
Thereafter 2,194
Total $ 7,009
Deferred Charges - Deferred charges represent debt issuance costs and are amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method over a period of four years and is recorded in interest expense on the consolidated statements of income (loss). In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company capitalized $0.3 million of debt issuance costs related to is Credit Facility Amendment with BMO Bank N.A. Debt issuance costs remaining related to the Company's previous credit agreement were expensed in the fourth quarter of 2024. See Note 6 for additional information on the Company's credit facilities.
Deferred charges totaled $0.3 million and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Accumulated amortization of deferred charges as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 totaled less than $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
The Company recorded amortization expense related to deferred charges of $0.1 million for 2024 and 2023.
Long-Lived Asset Impairment - The carrying amounts of long-lived assets are reviewed whenever certain events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. A potential impairment has occurred for long-lived assets held-for-use if projected future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets are less than the carrying amounts of the assets. An impairment loss is recorded for long-lived assets held-for-use when the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.
Long-lived assets that are expected to be sold within the next 12 months and meet the other relevant held-for-sale criteria are classified as long-lived assets held-for-sale. An impairment loss is recorded for long-lived assets held-for-sale when the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value less cost to sell. A long-lived asset is not depreciated while its classified as held-for-sale.
For long-lived assets to be abandoned, the Company considers the asset to be disposed of when it ceases to be used. Until it ceases to be used, the Company continues to classify the asset as held-for-use and test for potential impairment accordingly. If the Company commits to a plan to abandon a long-lived asset before the end of its previously estimated useful life, its depreciable life is re-evaluated.
Gains and losses on the disposal of assets are recorded as the difference between the net proceeds received, if any, and net carrying values of the assets disposed and are included in loss on disposal of assets and adjustments to assets held for sale, net in the consolidated statements of income (loss).
Fair value measurements associated with long-lived asset impairments are included in Note 4 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Assets Held for Sale - The Company classifies long-lived assets or disposal groups as held for sale in the period when all of the following conditions have been met:
•the Board of Directors have approved and committed to a plan to sell the assets or disposal group;
•the asset or disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition;
•an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the sale have been initiated;
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
•the sale of the asset or disposal group is probable and expected to be completed within one year;
•the asset or disposal group is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and,
•it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.
We initially measure a long-lived asset or disposal group that is classified as held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less any costs to sell and recognize any loss in the period in which the held for sale criteria are met. Gains are not recognized until the date of sale. We cease depreciation and amortization of a long-lived asset, or assets within a disposal group, upon their designation as held for sale and subsequently assess fair value less any costs to sell at each reporting period until the asset or disposal group is no longer classified as held for sale. See Note 4 for discussion on the Company's assets held for sale.
Discontinued Operations - The Company accounts for and classifies a business as a discontinued operation when the following criteria are met: the disposal group is a component of an entity, the component of the entity meets the held for sale criteria in accordance with our policy described above and the component of the entity represents a strategic shift in the entity's operating and financial results. See Note 2 for discussion on the Company's discontinued operations.
Leases - The Company determines whether an arrangement is a lease at contract inception. For leases in which the Company is the lessee, the Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability on the consolidated balance sheets equal to the present value of the fixed lease payments over the lease term. Lease liabilities represent an obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease while right-of-use assets represent a right to use an underlying asset during the lease term. The Company does not separate lease and non-lease components for its underlying assets. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets.
If readily determinable, the rate implicit in the lease is used to discount lease payments to present value; however, the Company's leases generally do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. When the implicit rate is not determinable, the Company's estimated incremental borrowing rate is utilized, determined on a fully collateralized and fully amortizing basis, to discount lease payments based on information available at lease commencement. The Company determines the appropriate incremental borrowing rate by identifying a reference rate and making adjustments that take into consideration financing options and certain lease-specific circumstances. Lease costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are remeasured upon certain modifications to leases using the present value of the remaining lease payments and estimated incremental borrowing rate upon lease modification. The difference between the remeasured right-of-use asset and the operating lease liabilities are recognized as a gain or loss within operating expenses. The Company reviews any changes to its lease agreements for potential modifications and/or indicators of impairment of the respective right-of-use asset. Operating leases are included in right-of-use assets, current portion of operating lease liabilities and long-term portion of operating lease liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, current portion of finance lease liabilities and long-term portion of finance lease liabilities. See Note 7 for additional information on the Company's leases.
The Company subleases portions of certain properties that are not used in its operations. Sublease income was $0.4 million for 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Deferred Revenue - Deferred revenue includes advance payments and deposits from customers prior to the completion of a performance obligation. Deferred revenue is classified as current based on our production cycle and reported on a sales order-by-sales order basis, net of revenue recognized, at the end of each reporting period. As of December 31, 2024 , the Company's deferred revenue balance was $1.4 million.
Deferred revenue activity from continuing operations were as follows:
(in thousands) 2024 2023
Balance at beginning of period $ 62 $ 98
Current period advances from customers 2,303 1,395
Revenue recognized due to fulfillment of performance obligations (1,005) (1,431)
Balance at end of period $ 1,360 $ 62
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Revenue Recognition - Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers upon shipment, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company's revenues are derived from contracts with customers where performance obligations are satisfied at a point-in-time or over-time. For certain contracts under which the Company produces product with no alternative use and for which the Company has an enforceable right to payment during the production cycle, product in which the material is customer owned or in which the customer simultaneously consumes the benefits throughout the production cycle, progress toward satisfying the performance obligation is measured using an output method of units produced. Certain customer arrangements consist of bill-and-hold characteristics under which transfer of control has been met (including the passing of title and significant risk and reward of ownership to the customers). Therefore, the customers can direct the use of the bill-and-hold inventory while we retain physical possession of the product until it is shipped to a customer at a point in time in the future.
Our contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, revenue for each performance obligation is based on its standalone selling price and revenue is recognized as each performance obligation is satisfied. The Company generally determines standalone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers using the adjusted market assessment approach or expected cost plus margin. Deferred revenues are recorded when cash payments are received in advance of satisfying the performance obligation, including amounts which are refundable. See Note 3 for additional information on the Company's revenue.
Shipping Costs - Shipping costs are treated as fulfillment activities at the time control and title of the promised good and services rendered are transferred to the customer. Shipping costs from continuing operations of approximately $3.7 million and $3.4 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively, are recorded in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of income (loss).
Share-Based Compensation - Share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the consolidated statements of income (loss) as compensation expense (based on their estimated fair values at grant date) generally over the vesting period of the awards using the straight-line method. Any forfeitures of share-based awards are recorded as they occur. See Note 10 for additional information on the Company's accounting for share-based payments.
Income Taxes - Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing accounts and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets unless it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized.
Additionally, the Company maintains reserves for uncertain tax provisions, if necessary. See Note 11 for additional information on the Company's income taxes.
Earnings Per Share - Earnings per share of common stock are computed based on the weighted average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding during each period. See Note 12 for additional information on the Company's earnings per share.
Concentrations of Credit Risk - Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash deposits and trade accounts receivable. The Company monitors the financial institutions where it invests its cash and cash equivalents as well as performs credit reviews of potential customers when extending credit to purchase and periodic reviews of existing customers to mitigate exposure and risk. The Specialty Chemicals segment has one customer that accounted for approximately 12% of the segment's revenues for 2024 and 24% of the segment's revenues for 2023. The Tubular Products segment has one customer that accounted for approximately 18% and 17% of the segment's revenues for 2024 and 2023.
Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted - In December 2024, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The ASU expands public entities’ segment disclosures by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, an amount and description of its composition for other segment items, and interim disclosures of a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets. All disclosure requirements under ASU 2023-07 are also required for public entities with a single reportable segment. The adoption of this standard by the Company did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements or footnote disclosures.
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted - In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The ASU requires consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. The amendments also require that all entities disclose more detailed information about income taxes paid, including by jurisdiction; pretax income (or loss) from continuing operations; and income tax expense (or benefit). The ASU is effective for the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, and subsequent interim periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on its consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.
In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures. The ASU requires updated disclosures, in the notes to the financial statements, of specified information about certain costs and expenses. The amendments require that at each interim and annual reporting period an entity disclose the amounts of purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, intangible asset amortization and depreciation, depletion, and amortization recognized as part of oil and gas producing activities included in relevant expense captions. The amendments also require disclosure of qualitative descriptions of amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated and to disclose the total amount of selling expenses as well as the entity's definition of selling expenses. The ASU is effective for the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2027, and subsequent interim periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on its consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures
Recent accounting pronouncements pending adoption not discussed in this Form 10-K are either not applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a material impact on the Company.
Note 2: Discontinued Operations
Munhall Closure
During the second quarter of 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company made the decision to permanently cease operations at Munhall effective on or around August 31, 2023. The strategic decision to cease manufacturing operations at Munhall is part of the Company’s ongoing efforts to consolidate manufacturing to drive an increased focus on its core operations and to improve profitability while driving operational efficiencies.
As a result of this decision, during the second quarter of 2023, the Company incurred asset impairment charges of $6.4 million related to the write down of inventory and long-lived assets as well as $1.4 million in increased reserves on accounts receivable at the facility. During the third quarter of 2023, the Company incurred additional asset impairment charges of $2.4 million related to the write down of inventory to net realizable value. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company incurred additional asset impairment charges of $1.1 million related to the write down of the remaining long-lived assets at the facility. During the third quarter of 2024, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to sell the remaining assets at the Munhall facility for approximately $2.8 million. The Company recognized a $1.5 million gain on the sale in the third quarter of 2024. See Note 4 for further discussion of the assets held for sale and related fair value measurements. The results of operations for Munhall have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
In May of 2023, the Company was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, asserting various claims for breach of contracts resulting in losses to the plaintiff and seeking damages in the amount of $0.8 million plus prejudgment interest and attorney's fees. The Company had an estimated liability of $1.0 million related to the lawsuit as of December 31, 2023. In August of 2024, the Company resolved the case through a settlement agreement and no longer has funds reserved for the matter.
In August of 2023, the Company was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed with the Court of Common Pleas for Delaware County, Ohio, asserting various claims for breach of contracts resulting in losses to the plaintiff and seeking damages in the amount of $0.7 million plus prejudgment interest and attorney's fees. In December 2024, the Company entered into mediation with the plaintiff subject to negotiation of a mutually agreeable settlement. As such, the Company recorded an estimated liability of $0.4 million related to the lawsuit as of December 31, 2024.
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Divestiture of Specialty Pipe & Tube, Inc.
On December 22, 2023, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Specialty Pipe & Tube, Inc. (“SPT”) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement pursuant to which Ascent and SPT sold substantially all of the assets primarily related to SPT to Specialty Pipe & Tube Operations, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The consideration for the transaction was approximately $55 million of cash proceeds subject to certain closing adjustments. The transaction closed on December 22, 2023. Ascent and Purchaser also entered into a Transition Services Agreement (the “TSA”) and an Employee Leasing Agreement (the “ELA”) each dated December 22, 2023, pursuant to which Ascent agreed to provide certain transition services and to lease certain employees to Purchaser immediately after the closing for certain agreed upon transition periods. The TSA and the ELA were both completed as of June 30, 2024. As a result of the sale, SPT results of operations are classified under discontinued operations for all periods presented. Prior to the divestiture, SPT was reported under the Company's Tubular Products segment.
The following table presents the aggregate carrying amounts of the classes of assets and liabilities of the Company's discontinued operations:
(in thousands) December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Carrying amounts of assets included as part of discontinued operations:
Accounts receivable, net - 778
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 46 83
Current assets classified as discontinued operations 46 861
Total assets classified as discontinued operations $ 46 $ 861
Carrying amounts of current liabilities included as part of discontinued operations:
Accounts payable $ 16 $ 107
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 575 1,366
Total current liabilities classified as discontinued operations $ 591 $ 1,473
Total liabilities classified as discontinued operations $ 591 $ 1,473
The financial results of the Company's discontinued operations are presented as income from discontinued operations, net of tax on the consolidated statements of income (loss). The following table summarizes the results of the Company's discontinued operations:
(Unaudited)
Three months ended December 31, Year Ended
December 31,
(in thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Net sales $ - $ 7,214 $ 290 $ 64,760
Cost of sales 459 8,115 2,524 64,507
Gross profit (459) (901) (2,234) 253
Selling, general and administrative expense 415 1,261 198 7,587
Acquisition costs and other 242 355 366 568
Gain on sale of assets - (26,348) (1,541) (26,348)
Asset impairments - - 1,115 8,720
Operating (loss) income of discontinued operations (1,116) 23,831 (2,372) 9,726
Loss on classification as held for sale - - - 83
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes (1,116) 23,831 (2,372) 9,643
Income tax (benefit) provision (5) 5,157 1 2,121
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations $ (1,111) $ 18,674 $ (2,373) $ 7,522
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 3: Revenue Recognition
Revenue is generated primarily from contracts to produce, ship and deliver steel and specialty chemical products. The Company’s performance obligations are satisfied and revenue is recognized when control and title of the contract promised goods or services is transferred to our customers for product shipped or services rendered. Sales tax and other taxes we collect with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. Shipping costs charged to customers are treated as fulfillment activities and are recorded in both revenue and cost of sales at the time control is transferred to the customer. Costs related to obtaining sales contracts are incidental and are expensed when incurred. Because customers are invoiced at the time title transfers and the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional at that time, the Company does not maintain contract asset balances. Deferred revenues are recorded when cash payments are received in advance of satisfying the performance obligation, including amounts which are refundable. As of December 31, 2024 , the Company's deferred revenue balance was $1.4 million. See Note 1 for additional information of the Company's deferred revenue. The Company offers industry standard payment terms.
The following table presents the Company's revenues, disaggregated by product group from continuing operations:
(in thousands) 2024 2023
Fiberglass and steel liquid storage tanks and separation equipment $ - $ 50
Stainless steel pipe and tube 97,108 109,513
Specialty chemicals 80,764 83,616
Net sales $ 177,872 $ 193,179
The Company's revenues are derived from contracts with customers where performance obligations are satisfied at a point-in-time or over-time. Performance obligations are supported by contracts with customers, providing a framework for the nature of the distinct goods, services or bundle of goods and services. The timing of satisfying the performance obligation is typically indicated by the terms of the contract. The following table represents the Company's revenue recognized at a point- in-time and over-time.
(in thousands) 2024 2023
Point-in-time $ 155,549 $ 175,280
Over-time $ 22,323 $ 17,899
Note 4: Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. To measure fair value, we use a three-tier valuation hierarchy based upon observable and non-observable inputs:
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2 - Significant other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly, including:
•Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
•Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets;
•Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and
•Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data.
Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using model-based techniques, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models, probability weighted models, and Monte Carlo simulations.
The Company's financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable, earn-out liabilities, revolving line of credit, and long-term debt.
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company's only significant measurements of assets and liabilities at fair value on a non-recurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition were certain long-lived assets, certain assets held for sale and goodwill (see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding this Level 3 fair value measurement).
Long-lived assets
The Company reviews the carrying amounts of long-lived assets whenever certain events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The Company assesses performance quarterly against historical patterns, projections of future profitability, and whether it is more likely than not that the assets will be disposed of significantly prior to the end of their estimated useful life for evidence of possible impairment. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of the asset (disposal) group is not recoverable and exceeds fair value. The Company estimates the fair values of assets subject to long-lived asset impairment based on the Company's own judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the assets and observable market data, when available.
During the second quarter of 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company made the decision to permanently cease operations at the Munhall facility. The Company ceased operations effective August 31, 2023. As a result of this decision, it was determined to be more likely than not that the assets of Munhall would be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of their previously estimated useful lives, and therefore, experienced a triggering event and were evaluated for recoverability. Based on this evaluation, inventory at Munhall was written down to its net realizable value of $16.0 million and certain long-lived assets, including intangible assets, were written down to their estimated fair value of $2.6 million, resulting in asset impairment charges of $6.4 million in the second quarter of 2023.
During the third quarter of 2023, the remaining inventory at Munhall was written down to its net realizable value of $4.0 million resulting in asset impairment charges of $2.4 million in the third quarter of 2023. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company incurred additional asset impairment charges of $1.1 million related to the write down of the remaining long-lived assets at the facility. See Note 2 for further information on the Company's discontinued operations.
Assets Held-for-Sale
During the third quarter of 2024, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to sell the remaining assets at the Munhall facility for approximately $2.8 million. The Company recognized a $1.5 million gain on the sale in the third quarter of 2024. The Company remains obligated under the terms of the Master Lease for the rent and other costs that may be associated with the lease of the Munhall facility through 2036.
The Company's assets classified as held for sale as are as follows:
(in thousands) December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Property, plant and equipment, net - 2,374
Other assets, net - 538
Assets held for sale $ - $ 2,912
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and the Company's note payable approximated their carrying value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company's revolving line of credit and long-term debt, which is based on a variable interest rate, are also reflected in the financial statements at carrying value which approximates fair value as of December 31, 2024. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents are considered Level 1 measurements. The carrying amounts of accounts receivable, accounts payable, note payable, revolving line of credit and long-term debt are considered Level 2 measurements. See Note 6 for further information on the Company's debt.
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 5: Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
(in thousands) 2024 2023
Land $ 668 $ 723
Leasehold improvements 2,990 3,079
Buildings 1,531 1,534
Machinery, fixtures and equipment 92,265 93,758
Construction-in-progress 1,508 1,330
98,962 100,424
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (73,500) (70,669)
Property, plant and equipment, net $ 25,462 $ 29,755
The following table sets forth depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment:
(in thousands) 2024 2023
Cost of sales $ 5,676 $ 5,918
Selling, general and administrative 260 243
Total depreciation $ 5,936 $ 6,161
Note 6: Debt
Short-term debt
On June 21, 2024, the Company entered into a note payable in the amount of $0.9 million with an interest rate of 3.70% maturing April 1, 2025. The agreement is associated with the financing of the Company's insurance premium in the current year. As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding balance was $0.4 million.
Credit Facilities
On November 6, 2024, Ascent entered into a Limited Consent, Third Amendment to Credit Agreement to Loan Documents with BMO Bank N.A. under Ascent’s credit facility (the “Credit Facility Amendment”). The Credit Facility Amendment reduced the maximum revolving loan commitment under the credit facility from $80 million to $60 million and extended the term of the credit facility through December 31, 2027. The Credit Facility Amendment also increased the interest rate for the credit facility from SOFR plus an interest rate margin of between 1.85% and 2.10% to SOFR plus an interest rate margin of between 1.85% and 2.35%, depending on average availability under the credit facility and Ascent’s consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio.
We have pledged all of our accounts receivable, inventory, and certain machinery and equipment as collateral for the Credit Agreement. Availability under the Credit Agreement is subject to the amount of eligible collateral as determined by the lenders' borrowing base calculations. Amounts outstanding under the revolving line of credit currently bear interest at (a) the Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 0.75%, or (b) SOFR plus 1.75%. The Credit Agreement also provides an unused commitment fee based on the daily used portion of the credit facility.
Pursuant to the Credit Facility Amendment, the Company was required to pledge all of its tangible and intangible properties, including the stock and membership interests of its subsidiaries. The Credit Facility Amendment contains covenants requiring the maintenance of a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio if excess availability falls below the greater of (i) $6.0 million and (ii) 15% of the revolving credit facility. The borrowing capacity under the amended credit facility totals $60.0 million consisting of a $60.0 million revolving line of credit which includes a $7.6 million machinery and equipment sub-limit.
The revolving line of credit interest rate was 0.35% and 6.20% as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The interest rate in 2024 consisted solely of the Company's unused commitment fee under the Credit Facility Amendment. The Company
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
had no average borrowings under the revolving line of credit during 2024. The Company had $55.6 million of average borrowings under the revolving line of credit with a weighted average interest rate of 7.22% in 2023.
The Company made interest payments on all credit facilities of $0.3 million and 4.0 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company has no principal payments outstanding on long-term debt.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $47.4 million of remaining availability under it credit facility.
Note 7: Leases
The Company's portfolio of leases contains both finance and operating leases that relate to real estate and manufacturing equipment. Substantially all of the value of the Company's leased plants and facilities relate to the Master Lease with Store Master Funding XII, LLC (“Store”), an affiliate of Store Capital Corporation ("Store Capital"), that was entered into in 2016 and since amended, with the latest amendment occurring in 2024. During the third quarter of 2024, the Company and Store closed on a transaction pursuant to which Store sold to a third party approximately 20,200 square feet of warehouse space located at Ascent’s facility in Cleveland, Tennessee. As a result of the sale, the Company and Store entered into a Fourth Amended and Restated Master Lease Agreement (the “Fourth Master Lease”) to reduce the Company's rent at the Cleveland facility pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Third Amended and Restated Master Lease Agreement between the parties dated September 10, 2020. The Fourth Master Lease was determined to be a lease modification that qualified for a remeasurement of the existing lease and not a separate contract. Upon modification of the Fourth Master Lease, the right-of-use asset and operating lease liability were remeasured using an incremental borrowing rate determined on the date of modification. As such, the Company recognized an increase in the right-of-use asset and operating lease liability related to the Fourth Master Lease of $1.3 million and recognized a gain on the modification of $0.1 million, which is reported within operating expenses on the consolidated statements of income (loss).
As of December 31, 2024, operating lease liabilities related to the master lease agreement with Store Capital totaled $30.9 million, or 94% of the total lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company entered into new operating lease agreements resulting in an additional $0.5 million of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities.
Balance Sheet Presentation
Operating and finance lease amounts from continuing operations are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Classification Financial Statement Line Item 2024 2023
Operating lease assets Right-of-use assets, operating leases $ 28,225 $ 27,784
Finance lease assets Property, plant and equipment, net 1,267 1,543
Current liabilities Current portion of lease liabilities, operating leases 1,513 1,140
Current liabilities Current portion of lease liabilities, finance leases 334 292
Non-current liabilities Non-current portion of lease liabilities, operating leases 30,039 29,729
Non-current liabilities Non-current portion of lease liabilities, finance leases $ 1,015 $ 1,307
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Total Lease Cost
Individual components of the total lease cost incurred by the Company are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands) 2024 2023
Operating lease cost1
$ 3,945 $ 3,945
Finance lease cost:
Reduction in carrying amount of right-of-use assets 322 334
Interest on finance lease liabilities 86 85
Sublease income (419) (394)
Total lease cost $ 3,934 $ 3,970
1Includes short term leases, which are immaterial
Reduction in carrying amounts of right-of-use assets held under finance leases is included in depreciation expense. Minimum rental payments under operating leases are recognized on a straight-line method over the term of the lease including any periods of free rent and are included in selling, general, and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income (loss).
Maturity of Leases
The amounts of undiscounted future minimum lease payments under leases as of December 31, 2024 are as follows:
(in thousands) Operating Finance
2025 $ 3,698 $ 403
2026 3,750 361
2027 3,825 361
2028 3,903 303
2029 3,971 85
Thereafter 27,966 -
Total undiscounted minimum future lease payments 47,113 1,513
Imputed Interest (15,561) (164)
Total lease liabilities $ 31,552 $ 1,349
Lease Term and Discount Rate
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases 7.17 % 8.33 %
Finance leases 5.97 % 5.92 %
Weighted-average remaining lease term
Operating leases 11.61 years 12.67 years
Finance leases 4.03 years 5.07 years
Subleases
During the second quarter of 2024, the Company entered into a sublease agreement with a third party to sublease the former Specialty Pipe and Tube, Inc. facilities in Mineral Ridge, Ohio and Houston, Texas. The sublease agreement continues through the remaining term of the Master Lease Agreement and will expire on September 30, 2036, unless terminated in accordance with the sublease agreement. The sublease provides for an annual base rent of approximately $0.1 million in the first year, which increases on an annual basis by 2.0%. The sublessee is responsible for taxes and all operating expenses related to the subleased space
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company also currently subleases the former Palmer facility and records cash receipts related to the subleases in other expense (income) on the consolidated statements of income (loss). Sublease payments fully offset the amounts the Company incurs in the Master Lease related to sublet facilities.
Future expected cash receipts from the Company's subleases as of December 31, 2024 are as follows:
(in thousands) Sublease Receipts
2025 $ 582
2026 594
2027 606
2028 618
2029 631
Thereafter 4,598
Total sublease receipts $ 7,629
Note 8: Accrued Expenses & Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses for continuing operations consist of the following:
(in thousands) 2024 2023
Salaries, wages, and commissions $ 2,393 $ 1,706
Taxes, other than income taxes 540 359
Insurance 964 1,129
Professional fees 303 694
Warranty reserve 15 4
Benefit plans 292 427
Customer rebate liability 176 243
Other accrued items 359 484
Total accrued expenses $ 5,042 $ 5,046
Note 9: Shareholders' Equity
Authorized shares of common stock were $24.0 million ($1.00 par value) at December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Share Repurchase Program
The Company's previous share repurchase program allowed for repurchase of up to 790,383 shares of the Company's outstanding common stock and expired on February 17, 2025. On February 17, 2025, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program allowing for repurchase of up to 1.0 million shares of the Company's outstanding common stock over 24 months. See Note 16 for additional information. The shares will be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. Under the program, the purchases will be funded from available working capital, and the repurchased shares will be returned to the status of authorized, but unissued shares of common stock or held in treasury. There is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares that will be repurchased by the Company, and the Company may discontinue purchases at any time that management determines additional purchases are not warranted. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had 435,608 shares of its previous share repurchase authorization remaining.
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Shares repurchased for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023
Number of shares repurchased 101,263 143,108
Average price per share $ 10.21 $ 8.97
Total cost of shares repurchased1
$ 1,037,346 $ 1,287,416
1Includes broker fees incurred as part of repurchase transactions
Dividends
At the end of each fiscal year the Board reviews the financial performance and capital needed to support future growth to determine the amount of cash dividend, if any, which is appropriate. In 2024 and 2023, no dividends were declared or paid by the Company.
Note 10: Accounting for Share-Based Payments
Overview of Share-Based Payment Plans
The Company has a number of active and inactive equity incentive plans (the "Incentive Plans") under which the Company has been authorized to grant share-based awards to key employees and non-employee directors. A total of 0.8 million shares have been authorized for grant to key employees and non-employee directors under the Company's currently active Incentive Plans. As of December 31, 2024, there were 0.5 million shares remaining available for grants under the currently active equity Incentive Plans.
The Company recognized share-based compensation expense within SG&A expense on the consolidated statements of income (loss) of $0.8 million and $1.1 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Total unrecognized share-based payment expense for all share-based payment plans was $0.3 million at December 31, 2024, of which $0.2 million is expected to be recognized in 2025 and $0.1 million in 2026. This results in these amounts being recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.52 years.
Stock Options
Stock options have terms of 10 years and vest in 20% or 33% increments annually on a cumulative basis, beginning one year after the date of grant, and are assigned an exercise price equal to the average of the high and low common stock price on the day prior to the date of grant. Options are expensed on a straight-line basis over the grant vesting period, which is considered to be the requisite service period. There was no compensation expense charged against income for options in 2024 or 2023.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. When determining expected volatility, the Company considers the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant, based on the options’ expected term. The Company granted no new options in 2024 or 2023.
Transactions related to stock options for the year ended December 31, 2024 are summarized as follows:
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Options
Outstanding Weighted
Average
Contractual
Term
(in years) Intrinsic
Value of
Options
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 $ 13.65 106,197 4.8 $ -
Exercised - -
Canceled, forfeited, or expired 14.76 (8,109)
Outstanding at December 31, 2024 $ 13.56 98,088 4.2 $ -
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2024 $ - - - $ -
Exercisable options $ 13.56 98,088 4.2 $ -
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock awards are valued based on the average of the high and low common stock price on the day prior to the date of grant. In general, these awards vest in either 20% or 33% increments annually on a cumulative basis, beginning one year after the date of grant. Certain of these awards vest 100% at the end of a three-year period from the date of grant. In order for the awards to vest, the employee must be in the continuous employment of the Company since the date of the award. Except for death, disability, or qualifying retirement, any portion of an award that has not vested is forfeited upon termination of employment. An employee is not entitled to any voting rights with respect to any shares not yet vested, and the shares are not transferable.
All awards are expensed on a straight-line basis over the grant vesting period, which is considered to be the requisite service period. The weighted average period over which the restricted stock awards compensation expense is expected to be recognized is 1.99 years.
Transactions related to restricted stock awards for the year ended December 31, 2024 are summarized as follows:
Shares Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2023 68,207 $ 12.57
Granted 20,061 9.97
Vested (37,584) 15.60
Forfeited (20,819) 9.01
Nonvested at December 31, 2024 29,865 $ 9.49
Performance Stock Units
The Company issues performance stock units classified as equity awards which contain market conditions that must be satisfied for an employee to earn the right to benefit from the award. Performance stock units vest upon the achievement of specific thirty-day volume-weighted average price targets of a share of the Company's common stock over a period of three years. In order for the awards to vest, the employee must be in the continuous employment of the Company since the date of the award. Except for death, disability, or qualifying retirement, any portion of an award that has not vested is forfeited upon termination of employment. An employee is not entitled to any voting rights with respect to any shares not yet vested, and the shares are not transferable.
The performance stock units are divided into tranches, each one vesting on the date the thirty-day volume-weighted average price of the Company's common stock `meets or exceeds the price target as set forth in the table below:
Shares Volume Weighted Average Price Target
Tranche I 11,590 $ 13.00
Tranche II 11,589 16.00
Tranche III 11,588 19.00
Tranche IV 50,000 25.00
Tranche V 40,000 27.50
Tranche VI 30,000 30.00
Tranche VII 30,000 $ 35.00
The fair value of the performance stock units granted with a market performance condition are determined using a Monte Carlo simulation considering historical performance of the Company's stock as well as the probability of attaining the market performance condition determined on the date of grant. Expense is recognized on a straight-line method over the requisite service period. Performance stock units do not have dividend rights. The weighted average period over which the performance stock units compensation expense is expected to be recognized is 1.98 years.
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The weighted-average grant-date fair value per unit of performance stock units granted was $2.61 and $0.64 in 2024 and 2023, respectively. There were no performance stock units vesting in 2024 and 2023.
Transactions related to performance stock units for the year ended December 31, 2024 were as follows:
Units Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 324,635 $ 2.16
Granted 20,061 2.61
Forfeited (159,929) 0.61
Outstanding at December 31, 2024 184,767 $ 3.49
Inducement Awards
The Company has previously granted stock-based awards to incoming executive officers as incentives to enter into an at-will employment agreement with the Company. These inducement awards were approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and did not require shareholder approval in accordance with NASDAQ Rule 5635(c)(4). In accordance with the rule, the only persons eligible to receive incentive awards are individuals not previously an employee or director of the Company.
In general, 50% of the inducement awards vest based on the achievement of thirty-day volume weighted average price targets of a Company share of stock and 50% vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. The fair value of the market based portion of inducement awards are determined using a Monte Carlo simulation considering historical performance of the Company's stock as well as the probability of attaining the market condition determined on the date of grant. The fair value of the time based portion of inducement awards are determined based on the average of the high and low common stock price on the day prior to the date of grant. Transactions related to inducement stock awards as of December 31, 2024 were as follows:
Units Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding December 31, 2023 4,902 $ 10.21
Vested (4,902) 2.61
Forfeited/Canceled - $ -
Outstanding December 31, 2024 - $ -
The Company has no outstanding inducement awards as of December 31, 2024.
Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan
Non-employee directors are paid an annual retainer of $115,000. Each non-employee director appointed to serve as a chairperson of a standing board committee receives the following annual retainer: Audit Committee: $10,000; Compensation Committee: $7,500; Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: $6,000. The committee chairperson retainer is in addition to the board retainer. Each director has the opportunity to elect to receive 100% of the retainer in restricted stock with a minimum of $30,000 of the retainer in restricted stock. The amount of the retainer elected to be paid in restricted stock vests quarterly over a one year period. The number of restricted shares is determined by the average of the high and low sale price of the Company's stock on the day prior to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 27,230 shares of restricted stock to non-employee directors in lieu of $0.3 million of their annual cash retainer fees. The weighted average period over which the non-employee director award compensation expense is expected to be recognized is 0.04 years.
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 11: Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities from continuing operations are as follows at the respective year ends:
(in thousands) 2024 2023
Deferred income tax assets:
Inventory valuation reserves $ 1,570 $ 1,829
Inventory capitalization 550 360
Accrued bonus 318 127
State net operating loss carryforwards 2,055 2,239
Federal net operating loss carryforwards 4,075 2,209
Lease liabilities 7,484 7,415
Interest Limitation Carryforwards 1,488 1,396
Intangible asset basis differences 781 2,564
Other 1,444 1,932
Total deferred income tax assets 19,765 20,071
State valuation allowance (2,026) (1,641)
Federal valuation allowance (7,040) -
Total net deferred income tax assets 10,699 18,430
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Fixed asset basis differences 4,010 5,478
Prepaid expenses 300 445
Lease assets 6,709 6,699
Total deferred income tax liabilities 11,019 12,622
Deferred income taxes, net $ (320) $ 5,808
Significant components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:
(in thousands) 2024 2023
Current:
Federal $ (42) $ (561)
State 69 191
Total current 27 (370)
Deferred:
Federal 5,552 (5,965)
State 580 (589)
Total deferred 6,132 (6,554)
Total $ 6,159 $ (6,924)
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The reconciliation of income tax computed at the U. S. federal statutory tax rates to income tax expense is:
(in thousands) 2024 2023
Amount % Amount %
Tax at U.S. statutory rates $ (1,064) 21.0 % $ (8,616) 21.0 %
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
112 (2.2) % (585) 1.4 %
State valuation allowance 400 (7.9) % 270 (0.7) %
Federal valuation allowance 6,539 (129.2) % - - %
Stock option compensation 37 (0.7) % 87 (0.2) %
Other nondeductible expenses (5) 0.1 % 33 (0.1) %
Goodwill impairment - - % 2,049 (5.0) %
Other, net 140 (2.7) % (162) 0.5 %
Total $ 6,159 (121.6) % $ (6,924) 16.9 %
The Company's effective tax rate for 2024 was less than the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to discrete tax charges associated with recording a valuation allowance on cumulative US Federal and state deferred tax assets. The Company's effective tax rate for 2023 was less than the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily driven by tax benefits associated with non-deductible goodwill impairment.
The Company made no income tax payments in 2024 and $0.9 million in 2023, respectively. The Company has $19.4 million of U.S. Federal net operating loss carryforwards and $7.1 million of interest limitation carryforwards at the end of 2024 compared to $10.5 million of U.S. Federal net operating loss carryforwards and $6.6 million interest limitation carryforwards at the end of 2023. During the period, the Company determined that these carryforwards are unrealizable and not more likely than not to be utilized in future periods. The majority of these carryforwards are not subject to expiration.
In addition, on a gross basis the Company had state net operating loss carryforwards of $46.2 million and $49.0 million at the end of 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of the end of 2024, the Company had recognized a state valuation allowance of $2.0 million. This represents a $0.4 million increase year-over-year primarily driven by losses in jurisdictions for which we believe it is not more likely than not to be utilized in future periods. The majority of these losses will expire between the years of 2024 and 2044, while certain losses are not subject to expiration.
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations for years before 2020 or state examinations for years before 2019.
The Company had no uncertain tax position activity during 2024 or 2023. The Company's continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in the provision for income taxes. The Company had no accruals for uncertain tax positions including interest and penalties at the end of 2024.
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 12: Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
(in thousands, except per share data) 2024 2023
Numerator:
Net loss from continuing operations $ (11,225) $ (34,151)
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations (2,373) 7,522
Net loss (13,598) (26,629)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding 10,106 10,140
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - weighted average shares 10,106 10,140
Net loss per share from continuing operations:
Basic $ (1.11) $ (3.37)
Diluted $ (1.11) $ (3.37)
Net (loss) income per share from discontinued operations:
Basic $ (0.23) $ 0.74
Diluted $ (0.23) $ 0.74
Net loss per share:
Basic $ (1.34) $ (2.63)
Diluted $ (1.34) $ (2.63)
The diluted earnings per share calculations exclude the effect of potentially dilutive shares when the inclusion of those shares in the calculation would have an anti-dilutive effect. The Company's dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss share. Therefore, the weighted average number of common shares used to calculate the basic and diluted net loss per share is identical. The Company had $0.1 million shares of common stock that were anti-dilutive in 2024 and 2023.
Note 13: Industry Segments
Ascent Industries Co. has two reportable segments: Specialty Chemicals and Tubular Products. The Specialty Chemicals segment includes the operating results of the Company’s plants involved in the production of specialty chemicals. The Specialty Chemicals segment produces critical ingredients and process aids for the oil & gas, household, industrial and institutional ("HII"), personal care, coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE), pulp and paper, textile, automotive, , agricultural, water treatment, construction and other industries.
The Tubular Products segment includes the operating results of the Company’s plants involved in the production of stainless steel pipe and tube. The Tubular Products segment serves markets through pipe and tube and customers in the appliance, architectural, automotive and commercial transportation, brewery, chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, mining, power generation (including nuclear), water and waste-water treatment, liquid natural gas ("LNG"), food processing, pharmaceutical, oil and gas and other industries.
The chief executive officer, who is also the chief operating decision maker (CODM), evaluates performance and determines resource allocations based on a number of factors, the primary measures being gross margin and segment net income (loss).
The accounting principles applied at the operating segment level are the same as those applied at the consolidated financial statement level. The significant expense categories and amounts below align with the segment-level information that is regularly provided to the CODM. Intersegment sales and transfers are eliminated at the corporate consolidation level.
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following tables summarizes certain information regarding segments of the Company's continuing operations:
Year Ended December 31, 2024
(in thousands) Specialty Chemicals Tubular Products Corporate & Other1
Total Continuing Operations
Net sales $ 80,764 $ 97,108 $ - $ 177,872
Cost of goods sold - material 40,903 53,284 - 94,187
Cost of goods sold - other2
28,671 32,402 498 61,571
Gross profit 11,190 11,422 (498) 22,114
Selling, general and administrative expense3
9,546 8,743 8,297 26,586
Interest expense, net 75 1 342 418
Income taxes - - 6,159 6,159
Other expense (income) 476 29 (329) 176
Net income (loss) 1,093 2,649 (14,967) (11,225)
Identifiable assets $ 38,928 $ 61,980 $ 46,296 $ 147,204
Capital expenditures 1,180 773 (61) 1,892
Geographic sales
United States 75,565 95,264 - 170,829
International $ 5,199 $ 1,844 - $ 7,043
Year Ended December 31, 2023
(in thousands) Specialty Chemicals Tubular Products Corporate & Other1
Total Continuing Operations
Net sales $ 83,616 $ 109,513 $ 50 $ 193,179
Cost of goods sold - material 46,377 67,323 (63) 113,637
Cost of goods sold - other2
31,429 45,864 723 78,016
Gross profit 5,810 (3,674) (610) 1,526
Selling, general and administrative expense3
6,966 7,537 12,209 26,712
Goodwill impairment 11,389 - - 11,389
Interest expense, net 74 1 4,163 4,238
Income taxes - - (6,924) (6,924)
Other expense (income) - (1) 263 262
Net loss (12,619) (11,211) (10,321) (34,151)
Identifiable assets $ 49,547 $ 70,548 $ 42,339 $ 162,434
Capital expenditures 1,519 1,104 262 2,885
Geographic sales
United States 79,498 108,693 50 188,241
International $ 4,118 $ 820 $ - $ 4,938
1All Other includes corporate overhead expenses and ongoing expenses for properties under the Master Lease not assigned to a segment in which the Company is the responsible party.
2Cost of good sold - other includes manufacturing labor and overhead expenses, depreciation expense, repair and maintenance expense, shipping expense, scrap and shrinkage expense, and other operational manufacturing overhead expenses.
3Selling, general and administrative expenses include sales and administrative salaries, wages and benefits and overhead expenses, professional fees, depreciation and amortization expense, corporate overhead allocation expense and other administrative overhead expenses.
Ascent Industries Co.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 14: Benefit Plans and Collective Bargaining Agreements
The Company has a 401(k) Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "401(k)/ESOP Plan") covering all non-union employees. Employees can contribute to the 401(k)/ESOP Plan up to 100% of their wages with a maximum of $23,000 for 2024. Under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, employees who are age 50 or older could contribute an additional $7,500 per year for a maximum of $30,500 for 2024. Contributions by the employees are invested in one or more funds at the direction of the employee; however, employee contributions cannot be invested in Company stock. Contributions by the Company are made in accordance with the investment elections made by each participant for his or her deferral contributions. The Company contributes on behalf of each eligible participant a matching contribution equal to a percentage determined each year by the Board of Directors. For 2024 and 2023 the maximum was 100% of employee contributions up to a maximum of 4% of their eligible compensation. The matching contribution is applied to the employee accounts after each payroll. Matching contributions of approximately $1.0 million were made for 2024 and 2023. The Company may also make a discretionary contribution, which if made, would be distributed to all eligible participants regardless of whether they contribute to the 401(k)/ESOP Plan. No discretionary contributions were made to the 401(k)/ESOP Plan in 2024 or 2023.
The Company has a 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan (the "Bristol Plan") covering all employees as part of the United Steel Workers of America, Local Union 4586 Collective Bargaining Agreement (the "Bristol CBA"). Employees can contribute to the Bristol Plan up to 60% of pretax annual compensation, as defined in the Bristol Plan, with a maximum of $23,000 for 2024. Under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, employees who are age 50 or older could contribute an additional 7,500 per year for a maximum of 30,500 for 2024. During 2024 and 2023, the Company contributed 4% of a participant's eligible compensation regardless of whether the participants contribute to the Bristol Plan. The Company's contributions were $0.3 million for both 2024 and 2023. Additional profit sharing amounts may also be contributed at the option of the Company's Board of Directors, which if made, would be allocated to participants based on the ratio of the participant's compensation to the total compensation of all participants eligible to participate in the Bristol Plan. No discretionary contributions were made to the Bristol Plan in 2024 or 2023.
The Company also maintains a Collective Bargaining Agreement (the "Virginia CBA") with the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local Union 400 (the "Virginia Union"), which represents employees at the Virginia facility and is required to make additional quarterly contributions for hourly employees who had a hire date prior to June 1, 2013. Additional quarterly matching contributions of approximately $30,358 were made for 2024 and $34,734 for 2023.
Note 15: Commitments and Contingencies
From time to time, we may become involved in various legal proceedings which arise from the normal course of business activities. Outside of the legal proceedings discussed in Note 2 related to the Munhall closure, we are not presently a party to any other such litigation the outcome of which, we believe, if determined adversely to us, would individually, or taken together, have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, cash flows, or financial condition. Defending such proceedings is costly and can impose a significant burden on management and employees. We may receive unfavorable preliminary or interim rulings in the course of litigation, and there can be no assurances that favorable final outcomes will be obtained.
Note 16: Subsequent Events
On February 17, 2025, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program. The previous share repurchase program had a term of 24 months and terminated on February 17, 2025. The new share repurchase program allows for repurchase of up to 1.0 million shares of the Company's outstanding common stock over 24 months. The shares will be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. Under the program, the purchases will be funded from available working capital, and the repurchased shares will be returned to the status of authorized, but unissued shares of common stock or held in treasury. There is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares that will be repurchased by the Company, if any, and the Company may discontinue purchases at any time that management determines additional purchases are not warranted.

---

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

---

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures also include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers concluded as of December 31, 2024 that, based upon the ongoing ineffectiveness of its IT general controls, its disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level due to the material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting discussed below.
(b) Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, its CEO and CFO, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by its Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). 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 disposition 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 GAAP and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorization 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.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on its evaluation, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2024.
Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A material weakness, as defined in the standards established by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
We previously identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and based upon the continued IT general control ineffectiveness, we have been unable to assess for remediation as of December 31, 2024:
•Information Technology - Management did not design and maintain effective information technology (IT) general controls in the areas of user access, change management, segregation of duties, and cyber-security for systems supporting many of the Company's key financial reporting processes. As a result, IT application controls and business process controls that are dependent on the ineffective IT general controls, or that rely on data produced from systems impacted by the ineffective IT general controls, are also deemed ineffective, which affects substantially all financial statement account balances and disclosures within the Company.
•Inventory - Management did not appropriately design and maintain effective controls over inventory.
•Revenue recognition - Management did not design and maintain effective controls over revenue and accounts receivable.
•Period-end financial reporting, journal entries, reconciliations, and account analyses - Management did not design and maintain effective controls to detect potential material misstatements to period-end financial statements through review of account reconciliations and account analyses on a timely basis. Additionally, management did not design and maintain effective controls over the review of journal entries.
•Complex Accounting - Management did not design and maintain management review controls at a sufficient level of precision around complex accounting areas such as income taxes.
While there were no material misstatements in 2024, these material weaknesses, individually or in the aggregate, could result in misstatements of accounts or disclosures in the consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Accordingly, management has concluded that these control deficiencies constitute material weaknesses.
Remediation Efforts and Management’s Plan to Remediate the Remaining Material Weakness
The aforementioned material weaknesses were first identified in 2021 and 2022 and while the Company has significantly improved its internal control over financial reporting, the material weaknesses remain un-remediated as of December 31, 2024 due to the continued IT general control ineffectiveness. During the year ended December 31, 2024, management, with oversight from the Company's Audit Committee, continued executing a detailed plan for remediation which includes:
•Enhancing corporate oversight over process-level controls and structures to ensure that there is appropriate assignment of authority, responsibility and accountability as well as maintaining a sufficient number of qualified resources in key personnel areas over the performance and maintenance of the Company's control environment.
•Engaging an external advisor to assist with enhancing, designing, and implementing general information technology controls, including user access provisioning, cyber-security, and segregation of duties.
•Formalizing information technology policies and procedures to ensure that they are current and comprehensive and support the timely execution of information technology processes and control procedures.
•Enhancing review controls for inventory, revenue accounting, financial close processes and complex accounting to ensure accurate reporting and timely disclosures and ensuring evidence is appropriately retained.
•Improving and maintaining effective controls for communicating and sharing information between the operations, accounting, information technology, sales, finance and legal departments to ensure that the accounting department is consistently provided with complete and adequate support, documentation and information, and that matters are resolved in a timely and effective manner.
The Company's remediation efforts will continue throughout 2025. As the Company continues to evaluate the control deficiencies that gave rise to the material weaknesses, the Company may determine additional remediation measures are necessary. 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. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their cost.
c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Other than the material weaknesses described above, there were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2024 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to have a materially affect, on our internal control over financial reporting.
Moss Adams, LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued their report on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, which is included in Item 8 under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm."

---

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
Our directors and officers (as defined in Section 16 of the Exchange Act ("Section 16") may from time to time enter into plans for the purchase or sale of Ascent stock that are intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act.
Any 10b5-1 trading arrangements adopted are precleared in accordance with Ascent's Insider Trading Policy and actual purchase or sale transactions made pursuant to such trading arrangements will be publicly disclosed in future Section 16 filings with the SEC.
No director or officer adopted, modified and/or terminated a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or a "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" as defined in Item 408 under Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act, during the last fiscal quarter.

---

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
In accordance with General Instruction G(3), information called for by Part III, Item 10, is incorporated herein by reference from the information appearing under the caption "Proposal 1 - Election of Directors," "Executive Officers," and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which definitive Proxy Statement will be filed electronically with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A.
Code of Conduct. The Company's Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and corporate and divisional controllers. The Code of Conduct is available on the Company's website at www.ascentco.com. Any amendment to, or waiver from, this Code of Conduct will be posted on the Company's website.
Audit Committee. The Company has a separately designated standing Audit Committee of the Board of Directors established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The members of the Audit Committee are Henry L. Guy, Aldo J. Mazzaferro, Jr. and John P. Schauerman.
Audit Committee Financial Expert. The Company's Board of Directors has determined that the Company has at least one "audit committee financial expert," as that term is defined by Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, serving on its Audit Committee. Mr. John P. Schauerman meets the terms of the definition and is independent, as independence is defined for audit committee members in the rules of the NASDAQ Global Market. Pursuant to the terms of Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K, a person who is determined to be an "audit committee financial expert" will not be deemed an expert for any purpose as a result of being designated or identified as an "audit committee financial expert" pursuant to Item 407(d), and such designation or identification does not impose on such person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and Board of Directors in the absence of such designation or identification. Further, the designation or identification of a person as an "audit committee financial expert" pursuant to Item 407(d) does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit Committee or Board of Directors.
Insider Trading Policy. The Company has adopted the Ascent Insider Trading Policy that sets forth terms, conditions, timing, limitations, and prohibitions with respect to trading in the Company’s securities. The Ascent Insider Trading Policy is included with this Annual Report as Exhibit 19.1.

---

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
In accordance with General Instruction G(3), information called for by Part III, Item 11, is incorporated herein by reference from the information appearing under the caption "Board of Directors and Committees - Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation," "Director Compensation," "Discussion of Executive Compensation" and "Compensation Committee Report" in the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which definitive Proxy Statement will be filed electronically with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A.

---

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
In accordance with General Instruction G(3), information called for by Part III, Item 12, is incorporated by reference from the information appearing under the caption "Beneficial Owners of More Than Five Percent of the Company's Common Stock" and "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" in the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which definitive Proxy Statement will be filed electronically with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A.
Equity Compensation Plan Information. The following table sets forth aggregated information as of December 31, 2024 about all of the Company's equity compensation plans.
Plan Category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(a) Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, and rights
(b) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))1
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 98,088 $ 13.56 531,951
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders - - -
Total 98,088 $ 13.56 531,951
1Represents shares remaining available for issuance under the 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
Non-employee directors are paid an annual retainer of $115,000. Each non-employee director appointed to serve as a chairperson of a standing board committee receives the following annual retainer in addition to the board retainer: Audit Committee: $10,000; Compensation Committee: $7,500; Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: $6,000. Each director has the opportunity to elect to receive 100% of the retainer in restricted stock with a minimum of $30,000 of the retainer in restricted stock. The amount of the retainer elected to be paid in restricted stock vests quarterly over a one year period. The number of restricted shares is determined by the average of the high and low sale price of the Company's stock on the day prior to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 27,230 shares of restricted stock to non-employee directors in lieu of $0.3 million of their annual cash retainer fees.

---

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
In accordance with General Instruction G(3), information called for by Part III, Item 13, is incorporated by reference from the information appearing under the caption "Board of Directors and Committees - Related Party Transactions" and "- Director Independence" in the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which definitive Proxy Statement will be filed electronically with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A.

---

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
In accordance with General Instruction G(3), information called for by Part III, Item 14, is incorporated by reference from the information appearing under the caption "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" and "- Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which definitive Proxy Statement will be filed electronically with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A.
PART IV

---

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
1.Financial Statements: The following consolidated financial statements of Ascent Industries Co. are included in Part II, Item 8:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2.Financial Statements Schedule: The following consolidated financial statements schedule of Ascent Industries Co. is included in Item 15:
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.
3.Listing of Exhibits:
See "Exhibit Index"
2. Financial Statement Schedule
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(in thousands) Balance at Beginning of Period Charged to (Reduction of) Cost and Expenses Deductions Balance at End of Period
Year ended December 31, 2024
Deducted from asset account:
Inventory reserves $ 6,119 $ (163) $ (167) $ 5,789
Year ended December 31, 2023
Deducted from asset account:
Inventory reserves $ 2,970 $ 3,318 $ (169) $ 6,119
3. Exhibits
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number Exhibit Description
Form File No. Exhibit Filing Date
2.1
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 22, 2021, by and between the Company and DanChem Holdings, LLC.†
8-K 001-05200 2.1 October 25, 2021
2.2
Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Specialty Pipe & Tube Operations LLC, Specialty Pipe & Tube, Inc., and Ascent Industries Co., as the sole shareholder of Specialty Pipe & Tube, Inc. dated as of December 22, 2023
8-K 001-05200 2.1 December 29, 2023
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant
8-K 001-05200 3.1 August 10, 2022
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant
8-K 001-05200 3.2 August 10, 2022
4.1
Description of Common Stock
10-K 001-05200 4.2 March 29, 2022
10.1
2011 Long-Term Incentive Stock Option Plan**
DEF 14A 000-19687 A March 25, 2011
10.2
2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan**
DEF 14A 001-05200 A April 27, 2022
10.3
Credit Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2021, between Registrant and BMO Harris Bank N.A.
8-K 001-05200 99.1 January 19, 2021
10.4
Joinder Agreement, dated November 5, 2021, between Registrant and BMO Harris Bank N.A.
10-Q 001-05200 10.1 November 9, 2021
10.5
Limited Consent, Second Amendment to Credit Agreement and Omnibus Amendment to Loan Documents with BMO Bank N.A. and the other lenders party thereto dated as of December 22, 2023
8-K 001-05200 2.1 December 29, 2023
10.6
Limited Consent, Third Amendment to Credit Agreement with BMO Bank N.A. dated as of November 6, 2024
8-K 001-05200 10.1 November 12, 2024
10.7
Offer Letter from the Company to J. Bryan Kitchen dated February 10, 2024
8-K 001-05200 10.1 February 15, 2024
10.8
Offer Letter from the Company to Ryan Kavalauskas dated February 10, 2024
8-K 001-05200 10.2 February 15, 2024
10.9
Employment Agreement between Registrant and Christopher G. Hutter dated October 26, 2020
8-K 001-05200 99.3 October 28, 2020
10.10
Third Amended and Restated Master Lease Agreement, dated as of September 10, 2020, between Registrant and Store Master Funding XII, LLC
10-Q 001-05200 10.1 November 9, 2020
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number Exhibit Description
Form File No. Exhibit Filing Date
10.11
Fourth Amended and Restated Master Lease Agreement, dated August 28, 2024, between Registrant and Store Master Funding XII, LLC
10-Q 001-05200 10.1 November 12, 2024
19.1
Insider Trading Policy
21.1
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23.1
Consent of Moss Adams LLP, independent registered public accounting firm
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications of Chief Executive Officer
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer
32.1
Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
97.1
Ascent Industries Co. Clawback Policy
101.INS* XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit 101*)
* In accordance with Regulation S-T, the XBRL-related information in Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K shall be deemed "furnished" and not "filed."
** Constitutes management contract or compensatory plans
† Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K.