Transcat (TRNS) 10-Q2024 Q3 Quarterly report

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

TRANSCAT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRANSCAT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In Thousands)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRANSCAT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRANSCAT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRANSCAT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In Thousands, Except Par Value Amounts)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRANSCAT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – GENERAL

Description of Business: Transcat, Inc. (“Transcat,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of accredited calibration services, enterprise asset management services, and value-added distributor and rental source for professional grade handheld test, measurement and control instrumentation. The Company is focused on providing services and products to highly regulated industries, particularly the life science industry, which includes pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and other FDA-regulated businesses. Additional industries served include industrial manufacturing; energy and utilities, including oil and gas; chemical manufacturing; FAA-regulated businesses, including aerospace and defense and other industries that require accuracy in their processes, confirmation of the capabilities of their equipment, and for which the risk of failure is very costly.

Basis of Presentation: Transcat’s unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, the Consolidated Financial Statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) have been included. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of what the results will be for the fiscal year. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the fiscal year ended March 25, 2023 (“fiscal year 2023”) contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2023 filed with the SEC.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of Transcat’s Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires that the Company 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. Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but not limited to, allowance for credit losses and returns, inventory reserves, estimated levels of achievement for performance-based restricted stock units, fair value of stock options, depreciable lives of fixed assets, estimated lives of major catalogs and intangible assets, fair value of the goodwill reporting units, and the valuation of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration transferred in business acquisitions. Future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty; accordingly, accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the operating environment changes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such changes and refinements in estimation methodologies are reflected in reported results of operations in the period in which the changes are made and, if material, their effects are disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with an original maturity when purchased of three months or less and are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

Revenue Recognition: Distribution non-rental sales are recorded when an order’s title and risk of loss transfers to the customer, which is generally upon shipment. Distribution rental sales are recognized over time using the output method-time elapsed as this portrays the transfer of control to the customer. The Company recognizes the majority of its Service revenue based upon when the calibration or other activity is performed and then shipped and/or delivered to the customer. The majority of the Company’s revenue generating activities have a single performance obligation and are recognized at the point in time when control transfers and/or our obligation has been fulfilled. Some Service revenue is generated from managing customers’ calibration programs in which the Company recognizes revenue over time using the output method-time elapsed as this portrays the transfer of control to the customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for product shipped or services performed. Sales taxes and other taxes billed and collected from customers are excluded from revenue. The Company generally invoices its customers for freight, shipping, and handling charges. Freight billed to customers is included in revenue. Shipping and handling is not included in revenue. Provisions for customer returns are provided for in the period the related revenue is recorded based upon historical data.

Under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, we use judgments that could potentially impact both the timing of our satisfaction of performance obligations and our determination of transaction prices used in determining revenue recognized. Such judgments include considerations in determining our transaction prices and when our performance obligations are satisfied for our standard product sales that include general payment terms that are between net 30 and 90 days.

Revenue recognized from prior period performance obligations for the third quarter of the fiscal year ending March 30, 2024 (“fiscal year 2024”) was immaterial. As of December 23, 2023, the Company had no unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected duration of greater than one year. Pursuant to ASC Topic 606, the Company applied the practical expedient with respect to disclosure of the deferral and future expected timing of revenue recognition for transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations. Deferred revenue, unbilled revenue and deferred contract costs recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 23, 2023 and March 25, 2023 were immaterial. See Note 4 for disaggregated revenue information.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: Transcat has determined the fair value of debt and other financial instruments using a valuation hierarchy. The hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value, consists of three levels. Level 1 uses observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2 uses inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, which is defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, requires the Company to develop its own assumptions. The carrying amount of debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximates fair value due to the variable interest rate pricing on a portion of the debt with the balance bearing an interest rate approximating current market rates, and the carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. Investment assets, which fund the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan, consist of mutual funds and are valued based on Level 1 inputs. At each of December 23, 2023 and March 25, 2023, investment assets totaled $0.2 million, and are included as a component of other assets (non-current) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Stock-Based Compensation: The Company measures the cost of services received in exchange for all equity awards granted, including stock options and restricted stock units, based on the fair market value of the award as of the grant date. The Company records compensation cost related to unvested equity awards by recognizing, on a straight-line basis, the unamortized grant date fair value over the remaining service period of awards expected to vest. Excess tax benefits for share-based award activity are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of the provision for income taxes. Excess tax benefits are realized benefits from tax deductions for exercised awards in excess of the deferred tax asset attributable to stock-based compensation costs for such awards. The Company did not capitalize any stock-based compensation costs as part of an asset. The Company estimates forfeiture rates based on its historical experience. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2023, the Company recorded non-cash stock-based compensation cost of $3.3 million and $2.8 million, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions: The accounts of Cal OpEx Limited (d/b/a Transcat Ireland), an Irish company, and Transcat Canada Inc., both of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, are maintained in the local currencies, the Euro and the Canadian dollar, respectively, and have been translated to U.S. dollars. Accordingly, the amounts representing assets and liabilities have been translated at the period-end rates of exchange and related revenue and expense accounts have been translated at an average rate of exchange during the period. Gains and losses arising from translation of Cal OpEx Limited’s and Transcat Canada Inc.’s financial statements into U.S. dollars are recorded directly to the accumulated other comprehensive loss component of shareholders’ equity.

Transcat records foreign currency gains and losses on business transactions denominated in foreign currency. The net foreign currency was a net loss of $0.1 million for each of the first nine months of fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2023. The Company continually utilizes short-term foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce the risk that its future earnings denominated in Canadian dollars would be adversely affected by changes in currency exchange rates. The Company does not apply hedge accounting and therefore the net change in the fair value of the contracts, which totaled a loss of $0.1 million and a gain of $0.3 million during the first nine months of fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively, was recognized as a component of Interest and Other Expenses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The change in the fair value of the contracts is offset by the change in fair value on the underlying accounts receivables denominated in Canadian dollars being hedged. On December 23, 2023, the Company had a foreign exchange contract, which matured in January 2024, outstanding in the notional amount of $2.0 million. This contract was subsequently renewed and remains in place. The Company does not use hedging arrangements for speculative purposes.

Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share of the Company's common stock, par value $0.50 per share ("common stock"), are computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share of common stock reflect the assumed conversion of stock options and unvested restricted stock units using the treasury stock method in periods in which they have a dilutive effect. In computing the per share effect of assumed conversion, proceeds received from the exercise of options and unvested restricted stock units are considered to have been used to purchase shares of common stock at the average market prices during the period, and the resulting net additional shares of common stock are included in the calculation of average shares of common stock outstanding.

For the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, the net additional common stock equivalents had a ($0.01) effect on the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the third quarter of fiscal year 2023, the net additional common stock equivalents had no effect on the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the first nine months of each of fiscal years 2024 and 2023, the net additional common stock equivalents had a ($0.01) effect on the calculation of diluted earnings per share. The average shares outstanding used to compute basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Goodwill and Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the underlying net assets of an acquired business. The Company tests goodwill for impairment for each reporting unit on an annual basis during the fourth quarter of its fiscal year, or immediately if conditions indicate that such impairment could exist. The Company is permitted, but not required, to qualitatively assess indicators of a reporting unit’s fair value to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If a quantitative test is deemed necessary, a discounted cash flow analysis is prepared to estimate fair value.

Intangible assets, namely customer base and covenants not to compete, represent an allocation of purchase price to identifiable intangible assets of an acquired business. Intangible assets are evaluated for impairment when events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. A summary of changes in the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets is as follows (amounts in thousands):

Other Liabilities: A summary of other current and non-current liabilities is as follows (amounts in thousands):

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements: In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), which significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The ASU replaces the "incurred loss" model with an "expected credit loss" model that requires entities to estimate an expected lifetime credit loss on financial assets, including trade accounts receivable. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022. Allowance for credit losses for accounts receivable is the most significant item for the Company under this ASU. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective on March 26, 2023.  The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 – LONG-TERM DEBT

On July 7, 2021, the Company entered into the Second Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (“M&T”), that amended and restated in its entirety the Company’s prior credit agreement with M&T.

The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit commitment (the “Revolving Credit Commitment”) of $80.0 million through June 2026, with a letter of credit subfacility of $10.0 million.  The Company's 2018 term loan, with an original principal amount of $15.0 million (the "2018 Term Loan"), is also provided for under the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement allows the Company to use up to $50.0 million under the Revolving Credit Commitment for acquisitions in any single fiscal year.  The Credit Agreement restricts the Company's ability to complete acquisitions of businesses with a principal place of business located in the United Kingdom or the European Union to an aggregate purchase price of $40.0 million during the term of the Credit Agreement, if the acquisition is financed directly or indirectly with the Revolving Credit Commitment.

Under the Credit Agreement, the Company may make restricted payments up to $25.0 million in the aggregate over the term of the Credit Agreement and $10.0 million in any single fiscal year to repurchase shares and pay dividends.

As of December 23, 2023, $80.0 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility.  As of December 23, 2023, there were no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2024, $12.9 million was drawn from the revolving credit facility and used for business acquisitions.

As of December 23, 2023, $4.7 million was outstanding on the 2018 Term Loan, of which $2.3 million was included in current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with the remainder included in long-term debt. The 2018 Term Loan requires total amortizing repayments (principal plus interest) of $0.2 million per month through its maturity date in December 2025.

Interest and Other Costs: Effective July 1, 2023, interest on outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility accrue, at Transcat’s election, at either the variable Daily Simple SOFR or a fixed rate for a designated period at the SOFR corresponding to such period (subject to a 0.25% floor), in each case, plus a margin.  Unused fees accrue based on the average daily amount of unused credit available on the revolving credit facility. Interest rate margins and unused fees are determined on a quarterly basis based upon the Company’s calculated leverage ratio. The Company’s interest rate for the revolving credit facility for the first nine months of fiscal year 2024 ranged from 6.4% to 7.1%.  Interest on outstanding borrowings under the 2018 Term Loan accrue at a fixed rate of 3.90% over the term of the loan. 

Covenants: The Credit Agreement has certain covenants with which the Company must comply, including a fixed charge ratio covenant, which prohibits the Company's fixed charge ratio from being less than 1.15 to 1.00, and a leverage ratio covenant, which prohibits the Company's leverage ratio from exceeding 3.00 to 1.00. The Company was in compliance with all loan covenants and requirements during the first nine months of fiscal year 2024. The Company's leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, was 0.12 at December 23, 2023, compared with 1.60 at March 25, 2023.

Other Terms: The Company has pledged all of its U.S. tangible and intangible personal property, the equity interests of its U.S.-based subsidiaries, and a majority of the common stock of Transcat Canada Inc. as collateral security for the loans made under the revolving credit facility.

NOTE 3 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

In September 2021, the Transcat, Inc. 2021 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”) was approved by shareholders and became effective. The 2021 Plan replaced the Transcat, Inc. 2003 Incentive Plan (the “2003 Plan”). Shares available for grant under the 2021 Plan include any shares remaining available for issuance under the 2003 Plan and any shares that are subject to outstanding awards under the 2003 Plan that are subsequently canceled, expired, forfeited, or otherwise not issued or are settled in cash. The 2021 Plan provides for, among other awards, grants of restricted stock units and stock options to directors, officers and key employees at the fair market value at the date of grant. At December 23, 2023, 0.6 million shares of common stock were available for future grant under the 2021 Plan.

The Company receives an excess tax benefit related to restricted stock vesting and stock options exercised and redeemed. The discrete tax benefits related to share-based compensation and stock option activity during the first nine months of fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2023 were $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units: The Company grants time-based and performance-based restricted stock units as a component of executive and key employee compensation. Expense for restricted stock unit grants is recognized on a straight-line basis for the service period of the stock award based upon fair value of the award on the date of grant. The fair value of the restricted stock unit grants is the quoted market price for the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. These restricted stock units are either time vested, or vest following the third fiscal year from the date of grant subject to cumulative diluted earnings per share or cumulative adjusted EBITDA targets over the eligible period.

Compensation cost ultimately recognized for performance-based restricted stock units will equal the grant date fair market value of the unit that coincides with the actual outcome of the performance conditions. On an interim basis, the Company records compensation cost based on the estimated level of achievement of the performance conditions. The expense relating to the time vested restricted stock units is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

The following table summarizes the non-vested restricted stock units outstanding as of December 23, 2023 (in thousands, except per unit data):

Total expense relating to restricted stock units, based on grant date fair value and the achievement criteria, was $2.4 million and $1.7 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2023, respectively. As of December 23, 2023, unearned compensation, to be recognized over the grants’ respective service periods, totaled $4.4 million.

Stock Options: The Company grants stock options to employees and directors with an exercise price equal to the quoted market price of the Company’s stock at the date of the grant. The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing formula that requires assumptions for expected volatility, expected dividends, the risk-free interest rate and the expected term of the option. Expense for stock options is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each award. Options vest either immediately or over a period of up to five years using a straight-line basis and expire either five years or ten years from the date of grant.

We calculate the fair value of the stock options granted using the Black-Scholes model. The following weighted-average assumptions were used to value options granted during the first three and nine months of fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2023:

We calculate expected volatility for stock options by taking an average of historical volatility over the expected term. The computation of expected term was determined based on safe harbor rules, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards and vesting schedules. The interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the award is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant. We assume no expected dividends. Under FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”, the Company has elected to account for forfeitures as they occur.

During the first nine months of fiscal year 2024, the Company granted options for 7,000 shares of common stock in the aggregate to Company employees that vest over three years, an option for 10,000 shares of common stock to a Company employee that vests over five years and options for 20,000 shares of common stock (10,000 each) to two Company directors that vest over five years.

During the first nine months of fiscal year 2023, the Company granted options for 46,000 shares of common stock in the aggregate to Company employees that vest over three years and an option for 10,000 shares of common stock to a Company director that vests over five years.

The expense related to all stock option awards was $0.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2024 and $1.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2023.

The following table summarizes the Company’s options as of and for the first nine months ended December 23, 2023 (in thousands, except price per option data and years):

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options) that would have been received by the option holders had all holders exercised their options on December 23, 2023. The amount of aggregate intrinsic value will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock.

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options as of December 23, 2023 was $2.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a period of three years. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the first nine months of fiscal year 2024 was $0.3 million and during the first nine months of fiscal year 2023 was $0.2 million. Cash received from the exercise of options in the first nine months of fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2023 was $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively.

NOTE 4 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

The basis for determining our operating segments is the manner in which financial information is used in monitoring our operations. Transcat has two reportable segments: Service and Distribution. Through our Service segment, we offer calibration, repair, inspection, analytical qualifications, preventative maintenance, consulting and other related services. Through our Distribution segment, we sell and rent national and proprietary brand instruments to customers globally. The Company has no inter-segment sales. We believe that reporting performance at the operating income level is the best indicator of segment performance. The following table presents segment and geographic data for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2023 (dollars in thousands):

NOTE 5 – BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

Axiom: Effective August 8, 2023, Transcat purchased all of the outstanding capital stock of Axiom Test Equipment, Inc. (“Axiom”), a privately-held California rental provider of electronic test equipment to customers across the United States. This transaction aligned with a key component of the Company’s acquisition strategy of targeting businesses that expand the depth and breadth of the Company’s Distribution capabilities.

The Axiom goodwill is primarily attributable to the workforce acquired, as well as operational synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition. All the goodwill and intangible assets relating to the Axiom acquisition has been allocated to the Distribution segment. Intangible assets related to the Axiom acquisition are being amortized for financial reporting purposes on an accelerated basis over the estimated useful life of up to twelve years and are not deductible for tax purposes. Amortization of goodwill related to the Axiom acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes.

The total purchase price for Axiom was approximately $38.6 million and was paid with $10.0 million in cash and the issuance of our common stock valued at $28.6 million. Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, the Company held back approximately $3.9 million of the purchase price for certain potential post-closing adjustments.

The purchase price allocation is subject to revision based upon our final review of tangible and intangible asset valuation assumptions, working capital adjustments, assets acquired, and liabilities assumed. The amount of goodwill changed since September 23, 2023 due to the finalization of inventory and property and equipment values.  The following is a summary of the preliminary purchase price allocation, in the aggregate, to the fair value, based on Level 3 inputs, of Axiom's assets and liabilities acquired on August 8, 2023 (in thousands):

From the date of acquisition through the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, Axiom has contributed revenue of $4.3 million and operating income of $0.4 million, which includes the negative impact of amortization of the acquired intangible assets.

SteriQual: Effective July 12, 2023, Transcat purchased all of the outstanding capital stock of SteriQual, Inc. (“SteriQual”), a Florida based provider of expert consulting services to pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostic equipment manufacturers. This transaction aligned with a key component of the Company’s acquisition strategy of targeting businesses that expand the depth and breadth of the Company’s Service capabilities.

The SteriQual goodwill is primarily attributable to the workforce acquired, as well as operational synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition. All the goodwill and intangible assets relating to the SteriQual acquisition has been allocated to the Service segment. Intangible assets related to the SteriQual acquisition are being amortized for financial reporting purposes on an accelerated basis over the estimated useful life of up to fifteen years and are not deductible for tax purposes. Amortization of goodwill related to the SteriQual acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes.

The total purchase price for SteriQual was approximately $4.3 million and was paid by the issuance of our common stock.  Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, the Company held back approximately $0.9 million of the purchase price for certain potential post-closing adjustments. Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, the purchase price is subject to reduction by $0.5 million if certain revenue targets are not met through July 12, 2024. This contingent consideration is remeasured quarterly. If, as a result of remeasurement, the value of the contingent consideration changes, any charges or income will be included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. The purchase price was reduced to $3.8 million as of December 23, 2023 as the Company recorded a receivable in the amount of $0.5 million related to the revenue target contingent consideration. This receivable was recognized based on the facts and circumstances at the date of acquisition and is recognized as a component of goodwill and not recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income. 

The purchase price allocation is subject to revision based upon our final review of intangible asset valuation assumptions, working capital adjustments, assets acquired, and liabilities assumed. The amount of goodwill changed since September 23, 2023 due to the accounts receivable balance as part of the contingent consideration.  The following is a summary of the preliminary purchase price allocation, in the aggregate, to the fair value, based on Level 3 inputs, of SteriQual's assets and liabilities acquired on July 12, 2023 (in thousands):

From the date of acquisition through the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, SteriQual has contributed revenue of $1.9 million and operating income of less than $0.1 million, which includes the negative impact of amortization of the acquired intangible assets.

TIC-MS: Effective March 27, 2023, Transcat purchased all of the outstanding capital stock of TIC-MS, Inc. (“TIC-MS”), a Missouri based provider of calibration services. This transaction aligned with a key component of the Company’s acquisition strategy of targeting businesses that expand the depth and breadth of the Company’s Service capabilities.

The TIC-MS goodwill is primarily attributable to the workforce acquired, as well as operational synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition. All the goodwill and intangible assets relating to the TIC-MS acquisition has been allocated to the Service segment. Intangible assets related to the TIC-MS acquisition are being amortized for financial reporting purposes on an accelerated basis over the estimated useful life of up to fifteen years and are not deductible for tax purposes. Amortization of goodwill related to the TIC-MS acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes.

The total purchase price for TIC-MS was approximately $9.8 million and was paid with $2.9 million in cash, including $0.5 million placed in escrow for contingent consideration, certain post-closing adjustments and indemnification claims, if any, and the issuance of 77,387 shares of our common stock valued at $6.9 million. Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, the purchase price will be subject to reduction by up to $0.5 million if a key customer relationship is not retained through March 27, 2024. This contingent consideration is remeasured quarterly. If, as a result of remeasurement, the value of the contingent consideration changes, any charges or income will be included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. As of December 23, 2023, we continued to retain this key customer relationship. As a result, there has not been a receivable recognized relating to the $0.5 million contingent consideration.

The following is a summary of the purchase price allocation, in the aggregate, to the fair value, based on Level 3 inputs, of TIC-MS's assets and liabilities acquired on March 27, 2023 (in thousands):

From the date of acquisition through the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, TIC-MS has contributed revenue of $2.7 million and operating income of $1.1 million, which includes the negative impact of amortization of the acquired intangible assets.

Elite: Effective February 2, 2023, Transcat acquired substantially all of the assets of Elite Calibration LLC (“Elite”), a California based provider of calibration services. This transaction aligned with a key component of the Company’s acquisition strategy of targeting businesses that can leverage the Company’s already existing operating infrastructure.

All the goodwill related to the Elite acquisition has been allocated to the Service segment. Amortization of goodwill related to the Elite acquisition is deductible for tax purposes.  The goodwill is primarily attributable to the workforce acquired, as well as operational synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition.

The total purchase price for the assets of Elite was approximately $0.9 million, of which $0.8 million was paid in cash. Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, the Company held back $0.1 million of the purchase price for certain potential post-closing adjustments.  As of December 23, 2023, no amounts have been paid.  The following is a summary of the purchase price allocation, in the aggregate, to the fair value, based on Level 3 inputs, of Elite’s assets and liabilities acquired on February 2, 2023 (in thousands):

Since this operation was integrated immediately into our existing operations, its separate contributed revenue and operating income is undeterminable.

Complete Calibrations: Effective September 28, 2022, Transcat purchased all of the outstanding capital stock of Galium Limited (d/b/a Complete Calibrations) ("Complete Calibrations"), an Irish company.  This transaction aligned with a key component of the Company’s acquisition strategy of targeting businesses that expand the depth and breadth of the Company’s Service capabilities. 

All the goodwill related to the Complete Calibrations acquisition has been allocated to the Service segment. Amortization of goodwill related to the Complete Calibrations acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes.  The goodwill is primarily attributable to the workforce acquired, as well as operational synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition.

The total purchase price paid for Complete Calibrations was approximately $1.2 million in cash.  In connection with this transaction, the Company also entered into a Technology License Agreement with Calibration Robots Limited, an Irish company and related party to Complete Calibrations, for the use of their proprietary robotics in completing calibrations.  The Technology License Agreement includes transactional royalties in the amount of 3 Euros ($3.19) per calibration performed by technology covered under this license agreement, with a royalty term of up to ten years commencing from the earlier of (i) the date on which cumulative revenue earned from technology covered under this license agreement equals 0.75 million Euros ($0.80 million), and (ii) March 28, 2024.  In addition to the transactional royalties, as long as a key employee is employed by the Company, there is an annual royalty fee of 0.1 million Euros ($0.11 million).  For purposes of this paragraph, we used a conversion rate of 1.1014 to convert Euro to U.S. dollar as of December 23, 2023.  As of December 23, 2023, the key employee is still employed by the Company.

The following is a summary of the purchase price allocation, in the aggregate, to the fair value, based on Level 3 inputs, of Complete Calibrations’ assets and liabilities acquired on September 28, 2022 (in thousands):

During the first nine months of fiscal year 2024, Complete Calibrations has contributed revenue of $0.3 million and operating loss of less than $0.1 million.

e2b: Effective September 27, 2022, Transcat acquired substantially all of the assets of e2b Calibration (“e2b”), an Ohio based provider of calibration services.  This transaction aligned with a key component of the Company’s acquisition strategy of targeting businesses that expand the depth and breadth of the Company’s Service capabilities. 

The e2b goodwill is primarily attributable to the workforce acquired, as well as operational synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition. All the goodwill and intangible assets relating to the e2b acquisition has been allocated to the Service segment. Intangible assets related to the e2b acquisition are being amortized for financial reporting purposes on an accelerated basis over the estimated useful life of up to fifteen years and are deductible for tax purposes. Amortization of goodwill related to the e2b acquisition is deductible for tax purposes.

The total purchase price paid for the assets of e2b was approximately $3.1 million in cash.  Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, the Company held back $0.9 million of the purchase price in escrow for certain potential post-closing adjustments.  During the third quarter of fiscal year 2023, $0.6 million of the escrow was released to the sellers.  During the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, $0.3 million was released to the sellers.  As of December 23, 2023, there is no money remaining in escrow.

The following is a summary of the purchase price allocation, in the aggregate, to the fair value, based on Level 3 inputs, of e2b’s assets and liabilities acquired on September 27, 2022 (in thousands):

During the first nine months of fiscal year 2024, e2b has contributed revenue of $2.6 million and operating income of $0.4 million, which includes the negative impact of amortization of the acquired intangible assets.

Alliance: Effective May 31, 2022, Transcat acquired substantially all of the assets of Charlton Jeffmont Inc., Raitz Inc. and Toolroom Calibration Inc. d/b/a Alliance Calibration (“Alliance”), an Ohio based provider of calibration services. This transaction aligned with a key component of the Company’s acquisition strategy of targeting businesses that expand the depth and breadth of the Company’s Service capabilities.

The Alliance goodwill is primarily attributable to the workforce acquired, as well as operational synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition. All the goodwill and intangible assets relating to the Alliance acquisition has been allocated to the Service segment. Intangible assets related to the Alliance acquisition are being amortized for financial reporting purposes on an accelerated basis over the estimated useful life of up to fifteen years and are deductible for tax purposes. Amortization of goodwill related to the Alliance acquisition is deductible for tax purposes.

The purchase price for Alliance was approximately $4.7 million and was paid with $4.0 million in cash and the issuance of 2,284 shares of our common stock valued at $0.1 million. Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, the Company held back $0.5 million of the purchase price for certain potential post-closing adjustments, and the purchase price would have been subject to reduction by $0.5 million if a key customer relationship was not retained. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, $0.5 million of the holdback was released to the sellers.

The following is a summary of the purchase price allocation, in the aggregate, to the fair value, based on Level 3 inputs, of Alliance’s assets and liabilities acquired on May 31, 2022 (in thousands):

During the first nine months of fiscal year 2024, Alliance has contributed revenue of $2.0 million and operating income of $0.6 million, which includes the negative impact of amortization of the acquired intangible assets.

NEXA: Effective August 31, 2021, Transcat purchased all of the outstanding capital stock of Cal OpEx Limited (d/b/a NEXA Enterprise Asset Management), an Irish company, which owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of its U.S.-based subsidiary, Cal OpEx Inc., a Delaware corporation (collectively, “NEXA”). On September 11, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to a Share Purchase Agreement dated August 31, 2021 (the “Purchase Agreement”) with John Cummins and Ross Lane (the “Sellers”) associated with the Company’s purchase of all of the outstanding capital stock of NEXA. As described below, the Amendment changes the conditions necessary for the Sellers to receive potential earn-out payments, changes the lines of business included in the calculation of earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), and changes the outside due date of any potential earn-out payments.

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Sellers were entitled to potential earn-out payments in an aggregate amount of up to $7.5 million for the calendar years ending December 31, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 (each, an “Earn-Out Year”) if NEXA’s consolidated gross revenue, as defined in the Purchase Agreement, equaled or exceeded 70% of the target revenue specified in the Purchase Agreement and NEXA’s consolidated EBITDA percentage, as defined in the Purchase Agreement, equaled or exceeded 25% for a given earn-out year. The potential earn-out payment of up to $0.4 million for the 2022 Earn-Out Year was not earned under the Purchase Agreement.

Pursuant to the Amendment, the Sellers are now entitled to potential earn-out payments in an aggregate amount of up to $7.1 million for the remaining Earn-Out Years (2023, 2024 and 2025) if NEXA’s consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Amendment, equals or exceeds 70% of the target EBITDA specified in the Amendment for a given earn-out year. Pursuant to the Amendment, the definition of EBITDA was revised to include EBITDA from the Commissioning, Qualification and Validation business ("CQV") and incremental EBITDA from the SteriQual, Inc. business. The maximum earn-out payment will be received if NEXA’s consolidated EBITDA equals or exceeds 150% of the target EBITDA specified in the Amendment. The earn-out payments, if any, will be paid in shares of common stock, calculated using the volume-weighted average closing price of the common stock for 30 consecutive trading days ending on the trading day that is two days prior to the date the earn-out payment is to be paid (“VWAP”). If the VWAP is less than $45.07 per share, then the Company may pay the earn-out payment in cash in lieu of shares of common stock.

As of March 25, 2023, the estimated fair value for the total earn-out obligations under the Purchase Agreement, classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, was zero. As of September 23, 2023, the estimated fair value for the total earn-out obligations under the Amendment, classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, was approximately $2.8 million. This amount was calculated using a Geometric Brownian motion distribution that was then used in a Monte Carlo simulation model. Assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulation model included: 1) discount rate of 9.00%, 2) risk-free interest rate of 5.00%, 3) asset volatility of 25.00%, and 4) forecasted revenue and EBITDA. This contingent consideration is remeasured quarterly. If, as a result of remeasurement, the value of the contingent consideration changes, any charges or income will be included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Due to the uncertainty with utilizing these significant unobservable inputs for this Level 3 fair value measurement, materially higher or lower fair value measurements may be recognized at subsequent remeasurement periods. The Company recognized a non-cash expense of $2.8 million, which was recorded in general and administrative expenses in its Consolidated Statement of Income for the quarter ended September 23, 2023.  As of December 23, 2023, the estimated fair value of the total earn-out obligations under the Amendment was approximately $2.9 million.  The change in accrual is due to the actual results of the 2023 calendar Earn-Out Year and the accretion of the 2024 and 2025 Earn-Out Years.  As a result, the Company recognized a non-cash expense of $0.1 million, which was recorded in general and administrative expenses in its Consolidated Statement of Income for the quarter ended December 23, 2023.  There were no material changes in assumptions that would impact the valuation as of December 23, 2023.

The results of acquired businesses are included in Transcat’s consolidated operating results as of the dates the businesses were acquired. The following unaudited pro forma information presents the Company’s results of operations as if the acquisitions of Axiom, SteriQual, TIC-MS, Elite, Complete Calibrations, e2b and Alliance had occurred at the beginning of fiscal year 2023. The pro forma results do not purport to represent what the Company’s results of operations actually would have been if the transactions had occurred at the beginning of the period presented or what the Company’s operating results will be in future periods.

Certain of the Company’s acquisition agreements include provisions for contingent consideration and other holdback amounts. The Company accrues for contingent consideration and holdback provisions based on their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and at subsequent remeasurement periods, as applicable.  As of December 23, 2023, $1.0 million contingent consideration and $2.7 million of other holdback amounts unpaid are reflected in current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $2.4 million of contingent consideration and $1.6 million of other holdback amounts unpaid are reflected in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2024, $0.8 million of holdback amounts were paid.  During the first nine months of fiscal year 2023, no contingent consideration or other holdback amounts were paid.

During the first nine months of fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2023, acquisition costs of $0.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively, were recorded as incurred as general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

NOTE 6 – STOCK OFFERING

On September 21, 2023, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., as representative of several underwriters, for the sale of common stock in an underwritten public offering at a public offering price of $95.00 per share (the “Offering”). The Offering closed on September 25, 2023 and the Company sold an aggregate of 847,371 shares in the Offering, which included 110,526 shares issued upon the exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option, for total gross proceeds of $80.5 million. Net proceeds received after direct costs in the Offering were $75.2 million. A portion of the net proceeds from this Offering were used to pay off the Revolving Credit Facility in full.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements. This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, estimates, beliefs, assumptions and predictions of future events and are identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “potential,” “outlook,” “seek,” “strategy,” “target,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “would,” and other similar words. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and thus are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those expressed in such forward-looking statements. You should evaluate forward-looking statements in light of important risk factors and uncertainties that may affect our operating and financial results and our ability to achieve our financial objectives. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions applicable to our business, inflationary impacts, the impact of widespread public health crises, the highly competitive nature of the industries in which we compete and in the nature of our two business segments, the concentration of Service segment customers in the life science and other FDA-regulated and industrial manufacturing industries, the significant competition we face in our Distribution segment, any impairment of our goodwill or intangible assets, tariffs and trade relations, our ability to successfully complete and integrate business acquisitions, cybersecurity risks, the risk of significant disruptions in our information technology systems, our ability to recruit, train and retain quality employees, skilled technicians and senior management, fluctuations in our operating results, our ability to achieve or maintain adequate utilization and pricing rates for our technical service providers, the prices we are able to charge for our services in our Service segment, competition in the rental market, our ability to adapt our technology, reliance on our enterprise resource planning system, technology updates, supply chain delays or disruptions, the risks related to current and future indebtedness, foreign currency rate fluctuations, risks related to our intellectual property, geopolitical events, adverse weather events or other catastrophes or natural disasters, the volatility of our stock price, the relatively low trading volume of our common stock, changes in tax rates, changes in accounting standards, legal requirements and listing standards, and legal and regulatory risks related to our international operations. These risk factors and uncertainties are more fully described by us under the heading “Risk Factors” in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 25, 2023. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update, correct or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 25, 2023.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Recent Developments

On September 25, 2023, we closed an underwritten public offering of our common stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $80.5 million (the “Offering”). In the Offering, we sold an aggregate of 847,371 shares at $95.00 per share. We received net proceeds of $75.2 million in the Offering, a portion of which was used during the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 to repay in full our revolving credit facility. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for more information. 

Executive Summary

During our third quarter of fiscal year 2024, we had consolidated revenue of $65.2 million. This represented an increase of $7.8 million or 13.5% versus the third quarter of fiscal year 2023. This increase was primarily due to recently completed acquisitions, strong demand in our Service segment’s highly-regulated end markets and increased rental sales, which includes incremental revenue from an acquisition completed in fiscal year 2024.  See Note 5 – “Business Acquisitions” to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in this report for more information about the impact of our acquisitions.

Our third quarter of fiscal year 2024 gross profit was $20.9 million. This was an increase of $4.5 million or 27.7% versus the third quarter of fiscal year 2023. In addition, consolidated gross margin was 32.1%, an increase of 350 basis points versus the third quarter of fiscal year 2023. This increase was largely the result of operating leverage on our fixed costs, increased technician productivity and accretive gross margins from our rental business.

Total operating expenses were $16.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, an increase of $3.4 million or 25.7% when compared to the prior year third quarter. Included in operating expenses during the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 were incremental operating expenses from the acquisitions of Axiom, SteriQual, TIC-MS, investments in technology and higher incentive-based employee costs due to higher sales. As a percentage of total revenue, operating expenses were 25.5% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, up 240 basis points from 23.1% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023. Operating income was $4.3 million, an increase of $1.1 million, or 35.8% and operating margin increased from 5.5% to 6.6% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024.

Net income was $3.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 versus $1.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher operating income and lower interest expense associated with the repayment of our revolving credit facility, partially offset by higher provision for income taxes.

The following table presents, for the third quarter and for the first nine months of fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2023, the components of our Consolidated Statements of Income: