The Company sells its products to agencies of the United States and foreign governments, aircraft operators, aircraft modification centers and OEMs. Customers have been and may continue to be affected by changes in economic conditions both in the United States and abroad. Such changes may cause customers to curtail or delay their spending on both new and existing aircraft. Factors that can impact general economic conditions and the level of spending by customers include, but are not limited to, general levels of consumer spending, increases in fuel and energy costs, conditions in the real estate and mortgage markets, labor and healthcare costs, access to credit, consumer confidence, inflation, public health crises and pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic and other macroeconomic factors that affect spending behavior. Furthermore, spending by government agencies may be reduced in the future. If customers curtail or delay their spending or are forced to declare bankruptcy or liquidate their operations because of adverse economic conditions, the Company’s revenues and results of operations would be affected adversely. For example, in the 2020 fiscal year, certain of the Company’s customers temporarily suspended product deliveries as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while these deliveries subsequently resumed, there is a possibility that the COVID-19 or similar pandemics will result in other suspensions, delays or order cancellations by the Company’s customers or suppliers.
Environmental, Social and Governance Considerations
In recent years, environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues have become an increasing area of focus for some of our shareholders, customers and suppliers. Management and the Company’s Board of Directors are committed to identifying, assessing and understanding the potential impact of ESG issues and related risks on the Company’s business model, as well as potential areas of improvement.
We are committed to recruiting, motivating and developing a diversity of talent. We are an equal opportunity employer and a Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act federal contractor. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The nature of our business also supports long-term sustainability. Historically, a majority of the Company’s sales have come from the retrofit market, in which the Company, by making upgrades to improve the functionality and safety of existing machinery, facilitates the re-use and recycling of aircraft and equipment that might otherwise be scrapped as obsolete. The Company’s GPS receivers also facilitate reduced carbon footprint navigation. The Company also plans to enhance its focus on the environmental impact of its operations.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The discussion and analysis of financial condition and consolidated results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management has determined that the most critical accounting policies and estimates are those related to revenue recognition, inventory valuation and valuation of tangible and intangible assets acquired. On an ongoing basis, the Company’s management evaluates its estimates based upon historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable in the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The Company believes that its critical accounting policies affect its more significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 contains a discussion of these critical accounting policies. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies since September 30, 2023, except new critical accounting policies in acquisition, intangible assets and goodwill. See also Note 1 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-month period ended December 31, 2023 as set forth herein.
Acquisitions
The Company accounts for business acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method of accounting, assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their respective fair values at the date of the acquisition. When determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, management makes significant estimates and assumptions. The Company’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recognized