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EX-32.2 - EX-32.2 - AMCON DISTRIBUTING COdit-20200331ex3220deb97.htm
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EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - AMCON DISTRIBUTING COdit-20200331ex31132caf0.htm

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ___________to _________

 

Commission File Number 1-15589


amcon_4c_logo.eps

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

    

47-0702918

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(I.R.S. Employer

of incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

7405 Irvington Road, Omaha NE

 

68122

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (402) 331-3727

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

 

Title of each class

Trading symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value

DIT

NYSE American

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files)  Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☐

 

Accelerated filer ☐

 

Non-accelerated filer ☒

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smaller reporting company ☒Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)  Yes ☐  No ☒

The Registrant had 565,526 shares of its $.01 par value common stock outstanding as of April 17, 2020.

 

 

 

Form 10-Q

2nd Quarter

 

INDEX

 

 

 

March 31, 2020

PAGE

 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

 

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements 

 

 

 

Condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2020 (unaudited) and September 30, 2019 

3

 

 

Condensed consolidated unaudited statements of operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 

4

 

 

Condensed consolidated unaudited statements of shareholders’ equity for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 

5

 

 

Condensed consolidated unaudited statements of cash flows for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 

6

 

 

Notes to condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements 

7

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

17

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

25

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures 

26

 

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION 

 

 

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings 

27

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors 

27

 

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 

27

 

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 

27

 

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 

27

 

 

Item 5. Other Information 

27

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits 

28

 

 

2

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.      Financial Statements  

AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March

 

September

 

    

2020

    

2019

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

661,957

 

$

337,704

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1.3 million at March 2020 and $0.9 million at September 2019

 

 

27,811,495

 

 

24,665,620

Inventories, net

 

 

84,912,508

 

 

102,343,517

Income taxes receivable

 

 

172,365

 

 

350,378

Prepaid and other current assets

 

 

6,986,997

 

 

7,148,459

Total current assets

 

 

120,545,322

 

 

134,845,678

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

18,287,881

 

 

17,655,415

Operating lease right-of-use assets, net

 

 

19,689,507

 

 

 —

Goodwill

 

 

4,436,950

 

 

4,436,950

Other intangible assets, net

 

 

500,000

 

 

500,000

Other assets

 

 

406,653

 

 

273,579

Total assets

 

$

163,866,313

 

$

157,711,622

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

22,985,979

 

$

18,647,572

Accrued expenses

 

 

6,650,445

 

 

8,577,972

Accrued wages, salaries and bonuses

 

 

3,107,209

 

 

3,828,847

Current operating lease liabilities

 

 

5,433,800

 

 

 —

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

542,004

 

 

532,747

Total current liabilities

 

 

38,719,437

 

 

31,587,138

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit facility

 

 

43,218,080

 

 

60,376,714

Deferred income tax liability, net

 

 

1,925,536

 

 

1,823,373

Long-term operating lease liabilities

 

 

14,597,065

 

 

 —

Long-term debt, less current maturities

 

 

2,852,112

 

 

3,125,644

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

 —

 

 

42,011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Common stock, $.01 par value, 3,000,000 shares authorized, 565,526 shares outstanding at March 2020 and 552,614 shares outstanding at September 2019

 

 

8,692

 

 

8,561

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

24,224,145

 

 

23,165,639

Retained earnings

 

 

67,184,900

 

 

66,414,397

Treasury stock at cost

 

 

(28,863,654)

 

 

(28,831,855)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

62,554,083

 

 

60,756,742

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

163,866,313

 

$

157,711,622

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements.

3

AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Statements of Operations

for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended March

 

For the six months ended March

 

 

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

Sales (including excise taxes of $87.5 million and $82.9 million, and $181.5 million and $175.9 million, respectively)

 

$

337,886,516

 

$

310,715,873

 

$

697,987,619

 

$

655,449,793

Cost of sales

 

 

317,193,063

 

 

290,126,453

 

 

656,449,455

 

 

614,228,235

Gross profit

 

 

20,693,453

 

 

20,589,420

 

 

41,538,164

 

 

41,221,558

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

18,512,890

 

 

17,391,681

 

 

37,465,626

 

 

35,348,896

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

790,901

 

 

641,228

 

 

1,516,361

 

 

1,249,236

 

 

 

19,303,791

 

 

18,032,909

 

 

38,981,987

 

 

36,598,132

Operating income

 

 

1,389,662

 

 

2,556,511

 

 

2,556,177

 

 

4,623,426

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

387,263

 

 

396,576

 

 

859,686

 

 

719,526

Other (income), net

 

 

(29,920)

 

 

(36,280)

 

 

(36,697)

 

 

(39,636)

 

 

 

357,343

 

 

360,296

 

 

822,989

 

 

679,890

Income from operations before income taxes

 

 

1,032,319

 

 

2,196,215

 

 

1,733,188

 

 

3,943,536

Income tax expense

 

 

333,000

 

 

673,000

 

 

582,000

 

 

1,175,000

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

699,319

 

$

1,523,215

 

$

1,151,188

 

$

2,768,536

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders

 

$

1.24

 

$

2.49

 

$

2.04

 

$

4.50

Diluted earnings per share available to common shareholders

 

$

1.22

 

$

2.45

 

$

2.02

 

$

4.44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

565,697

 

 

611,824

 

 

564,129

 

 

614,874

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

571,852

 

 

620,769

 

 

569,856

 

 

623,848

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared and paid per common share

 

$

0.46

 

$

0.46

 

$

0.64

 

$

0.64

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements.

 

 

4

AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Treasury Stock

 

Paid in

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

   

Shares

   

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Total

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, January 1, 2019

 

856,039

 

$

8,561

 

(238,744)

 

$

(22,242,837)

 

$

23,110,713

 

$

64,796,415

 

$

65,672,852

Dividends on common stock, $0.18 per share

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(116,164)

 

 

(116,164)

Compensation expense and issuance of stock in connection with equity-based awards

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

37,659

 

 

 —

 

 

37,659

Repurchase of common stock

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

(24,527)

 

 

(2,268,761)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(2,268,761)

Net income

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,523,215

 

 

1,523,215

Balance, March 31, 2019

 

856,039

 

$

8,561

 

(263,271)

 

$

(24,511,598)

 

$

23,148,372

 

$

66,203,466

 

$

64,848,801

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, January 1, 2020

 

869,367

 

$

8,692

 

(303,534)

 

$

(28,840,011)

 

$

24,192,954

 

$

66,592,637

 

$

61,954,272

Dividends on common stock, $0.18 per share

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(107,056)

 

 

(107,056)

Compensation expense and issuance of stock in connection with equity-based awards

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

31,191

 

 

 —

 

 

31,191

Repurchase of common stock

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

(307)

 

 

(23,643)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(23,643)

Net income

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

699,319

 

 

699,319

Balance, March 31, 2020

 

869,367

 

$

8,692

 

(303,841)

 

$

(28,863,654)

 

$

24,224,145

 

$

67,184,900

 

$

62,554,083

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Treasury Stock

 

Paid in

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

Shares

 

Amount

   

Capital

   

Earnings

   

Total

SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, October 1, 2018

 

844,089

 

$

8,441

 

(228,312)

 

$

(21,324,752)

 

$

22,069,098

 

$

63,848,030

 

$

64,600,817

Dividends on common stock, $0.64 per share

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(413,100)

 

 

(413,100)

Compensation expense and issuance of stock in connection with equity-based awards

 

11,950

 

 

120

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,079,274

 

 

 —

 

 

1,079,394

Repurchase of common stock

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

(34,959)

 

 

(3,186,846)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(3,186,846)

Net income

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

2,768,536

 

 

2,768,536

Balance, March 31, 2019

 

856,039

 

$

8,561

 

(263,271)

 

$

(24,511,598)

 

$

23,148,372

 

$

66,203,466

 

$

64,848,801

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, October 1, 2019

 

856,039

 

$

8,561

 

(303,425)

 

$

(28,831,855)

 

$

23,165,639

 

$

66,414,397

 

$

60,756,742

Dividends on common stock, $0.64 per share

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(380,685)

 

 

(380,685)

Compensation expense and issuance of stock in connection with equity-based awards

 

13,328

 

 

131

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,058,506

 

 

 —

 

 

1,058,637

Repurchase of common stock

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

(416)

 

 

(31,799)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(31,799)

Net income

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,151,188

 

 

1,151,188

Balance, March 31, 2020

 

869,367

 

$

8,692

 

(303,841)

 

$

(28,863,654)

 

$

24,224,145

 

$

67,184,900

 

$

62,554,083

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements.

 

5

 

AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Statements of Cash Flows

for the six months ended March  31, 2020 and 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March

 

March

 

    

2020

    

2019

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1,151,188

 

$

2,768,536

Adjustments to reconcile net income from operations to net cash flows from (used in)
operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

1,516,361

 

 

1,217,986

Amortization

 

 

 —

 

 

31,250

Loss (Gain) on sales of property and equipment

 

 

33,642

 

 

(17,832)

Equity-based compensation

 

 

446,114

 

 

622,390

Deferred income taxes

 

 

102,163

 

 

226,918

Provision for losses on doubtful accounts

 

 

390,000

 

 

59,000

Inventory allowance

 

 

55,746

 

 

240,699

Other

 

 

(42,011)

 

 

1,978

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(3,535,875)

 

 

3,353,602

Inventories

 

 

17,375,263

 

 

20,978,357

Prepaid and other current assets

 

 

(100,883)

 

 

(2,402,722)

Other assets

 

 

(133,074)

 

 

7,897

Accounts payable

 

 

4,401,077

 

 

(467,687)

Accrued expenses and accrued wages, salaries and bonuses

 

 

(1,432,939)

 

 

(2,275,795)

Income taxes receivable

 

 

178,013

 

 

273,742

Net cash flows from (used in) operating activities

 

 

20,404,785

 

 

24,618,319

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

 

(2,245,139)

 

 

(2,159,232)

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

 

 

 —

 

 

23,700

Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities

 

 

(2,245,139)

 

 

(2,135,532)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings under revolving credit facility

 

 

680,161,101

 

 

642,850,736

Repayments under revolving credit facility

 

 

(697,319,735)

 

 

(661,055,136)

Principal payments on long-term debt

 

 

(264,275)

 

 

(556,969)

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

(31,799)

 

 

(3,186,846)

Dividends on common stock

 

 

(380,685)

 

 

(413,100)

Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities

 

 

(17,835,393)

 

 

(22,361,315)

Net change in cash

 

 

324,253

 

 

121,472

Cash, beginning of period

 

 

337,704

 

 

520,644

Cash, end of period

 

$

661,957

 

$

642,116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for interest

 

$

927,322

 

$

774,784

Cash paid during the period for income taxes

 

 

301,824

 

 

674,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment acquisitions classified in accounts payable

 

$

6,583

 

$

212,800

Issuance of common stock in connection with the vesting and exercise of
equity-based awards

 

 

990,653

 

 

1,005,792

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements.

 

6

AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries (“AMCON” or the “Company”) operate two business segments:

 

·

Our wholesale distribution segment (“Wholesale Segment”) distributes consumer products and provides a full range of programs and services to our customers that are focused on helping them manage their business and increase their profitability. We serve customers in 26 states and primarily operate in the Central, Rocky Mountain, and Mid-South regions of the United States.

 

·

Our retail health food segment (“Retail Segment”) operates twenty-one health food retail stores located throughout the Midwest and Florida.

 

WHOLESALE SEGMENT

 

Our Wholesale Segment is one of the largest wholesale distributors in the United States serving approximately 4,100 retail outlets including convenience stores, grocery stores, liquor stores, drug stores, and tobacco shops. We currently distribute over 17,000 different consumer products, including cigarettes and tobacco products, candy and other confectionery, beverages, groceries, paper products, health and beauty care products, frozen and refrigerated products and institutional foodservice products. Convenience stores represent our largest customer category. In November 2019, Convenience Store News ranked us as the eighth (8th) largest convenience store distributor in the United States based on annual sales.

 

Our Wholesale Segment offers retailers the ability to take advantage of manufacturer and Company sponsored sales and marketing programs, merchandising and product category management services, and the use of information systems and data services that are focused on minimizing retailers’ investment in inventory, while seeking to maximize their sales and profits. In addition, our wholesale distributing capabilities provide valuable services to both manufacturers of consumer products and convenience retailers. Manufacturers benefit from our broad retail coverage, inventory management, efficiency in processing small orders, and frequency of deliveries. Convenience retailers benefit from our distribution capabilities by gaining access to a broad product line, inventory optimization and merchandising expertise, information systems, and access to trade credit.

 

Our Wholesale Segment operates six distribution centers located in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Tennessee. These distribution centers, combined with cross-dock facilities, include approximately 685,000 square feet of permanent floor space. Our principal suppliers include Altria, RJ Reynolds, ITG Brands, Hershey, Kelloggs, Kraft, and Mars. We also market private label lines of water, candy products, batteries, and other products. We do not maintain any long-term purchase contracts with our suppliers.

 

RETAIL SEGMENT

 

Our Retail Segment, through our Healthy Edge, Inc. subsidiary, is a specialty retailer of natural/organic groceries and dietary supplements which focuses on providing high quality products at affordable prices, with an exceptional level of customer service and nutritional consultation. All of the products carried in our stores must meet strict quality and ingredient guidelines, and include offerings such as gluten-free and antibiotic-free groceries and meat products, as well as products containing no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or partially hydrogenated oils. We design our retail sites in an efficient and flexible small-store format, which emphasizes a high energy and shopper-friendly environment.

 

We operate within the natural products retail industry, which is a subset of the U.S. grocery industry. This industry includes conventional, natural, gourmet and specialty food markets, mass and discount retailers, warehouse clubs, health food stores, dietary supplement retailers, drug stores, farmers markets, mail order and online retailers, and multi-level marketers.

 

7

Our Retail Segment operates twenty-one retail health food stores as Chamberlin’s Natural Foods (“Chamberlin’s”), Akin’s Natural Foods (“Akins”), and Earth Origins Market (“EOM”). These stores carry over 33,000 different national and regionally branded and private label products including high-quality natural, organic, and specialty foods consisting of produce, baked goods, frozen foods, nutritional supplements, personal care items, and general merchandise. Chamberlin’s, which was established in 1935, has a total of seven locations in and around Orlando, Florida. Akin’s, which was also established in 1935, has a total of six locations in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Earth Origins Market has a total of eight locations in Florida.

    

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company’s fiscal year ends on September 30. The results for the interim period included with this Quarterly Report may not be indicative of the results which could be expected for the entire fiscal year. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in our annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements (“financial statements”) contain all adjustments necessary to fairly present the financial information included herein. The Company believes that although the disclosures contained herein are adequate to prevent the information presented from being misleading, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K. For purposes of this report, unless the context indicates otherwise, all references to “we”, “us”, “our”, the “Company”, and “AMCON” shall mean AMCON Distributing Company and its subsidiaries. Additionally, the three month fiscal periods ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019 have been referred to throughout this quarterly report as Q2 2020 and Q2 2019, respectively. The fiscal balance sheet dates as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 have been referred to as March 2020 and September 2019, respectively.

 

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

Accounting Pronouncement Adopted

 

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)”. Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC”) 842 supersedes the lease accounting requirements in “ASC 840 - Leases”. The most significant among the changes in ASU 2016-02 is the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and corresponding lease liabilities for leases classified as operating leases. The accounting for finance leases, which were classified as capital leases under historical GAAP, remains substantially unchanged. The lease liabilities are equal to the present value of the remaining lease payments while the ROU asset is determined based on the amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs incurred less lease incentives. The Company elected the optional transition method to apply ASU 2016-02 prospectively at adoption during Q1 2020, which resulted in recognition of ROU assets of approximately $21.9 million, lease liabilities of $22.2 million, and a decrease of deferred rent recorded under ASC 840 of $0.3 million. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. Comparative periods presented in the financial statements prior to Q1 2020 continue to be presented under ASC 840. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact on the Company’s debt-covenant compliance under its revolving credit facility.

 

In accordance with an accounting policy election under ASC 842, the Company does not recognize assets or liabilities for leases with an initial term of twelve months or less; these short-term lease payments are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company elected the package of practical expedients within ASC 842 that allows an entity to not reassess, prior to the effective date, (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, or (iii) initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company also elected the practical expedient to account for non-lease components as part of the lease for all asset classes.

 

8

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, which introduces a forward-looking approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. The estimate of expected credit losses will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU also expands the disclosure requirements to enable users of financial statements to understand the entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating expected credit losses. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 (fiscal 2024 for the Company) with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently reviewing this ASU and its potential impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

2. INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consisted of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost (determined on a FIFO basis for our wholesale segment and using the retail method for our retail segment) or net realizable value. The wholesale distribution and retail health food segment inventories consist of finished products purchased in bulk quantities to be redistributed to the Company’s customers or sold at retail. Finished goods included total reserves of approximately $1.1 million at March 2020 and $1.0 million at September 2019. These reserves include the Company’s obsolescence allowance, which reflects estimated unsalable or non-refundable inventory based upon an evaluation of slow moving and discontinued products.

 

3. LEASES

 

The Company’s wholesale segment leases certain warehouse facilities, office space, vehicles and office equipment. The Company’s retail segment leases store space in various shopping center complexes. Certain of the warehouse and retail store leases include one or more options to renew or terminate the applicable lease agreement, with the exercise of such options at the Company’s discretion. The Company’s leases do not contain any significant residual value guarantees nor do they impose any significant restrictions or covenants other than those customarily found in similar types of leases.

 

The operating right-of-use (ROU) lease assets and liabilities recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet consist of fixed lease payments. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Additionally, certain leases contain variable payments such as vehicle leases with per-mile charges or retail leases with an additional rent payment based on store performance. These variable payments are expensed as incurred. The Company combines lease components and non-lease components for all asset classes for purposes of recognizing lease assets and liabilities. The Company determines its incremental borrowing rates based on information available at the lease commencement date in calculating the present value of lease payments.

 

Leases consist of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

    

Classification

    

March 2020

Operating

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

$

19,689,507

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

$

5,433,800

Non-current:

 

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

Long-term operating lease liabilities

 

 

14,597,065

Total lease liabilities

 

 

 

$

20,030,865

 

9

The components of lease costs were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Total

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 2020

 

 

 

Operating lease cost

 

$

1,660,850

Short-term lease cost

 

 

83,936

Variable lease cost

 

 

79,954

Net lease cost

 

$

1,824,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 2020

 

 

 

Operating lease cost

 

$

3,331,624

Short-term lease cost

 

 

167,441

Variable lease cost

 

 

169,227

Net lease cost

 

$

3,668,292

 

Maturities of lease liabilities as of March 2020 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Operating Leases

2020

 

$

6,124,577

2021

 

 

5,236,472

2022

 

 

3,882,209

2023

 

 

3,222,946

2024

 

 

1,873,836

2025 and thereafter

 

 

1,505,992

Total lease payments

 

 

21,846,032

Less: interest

 

 

(1,815,167)

Present value of lease liabilities

 

$

20,030,865

 

Weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate information regarding the Company’s leases were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Lease Term

    

March 2020

 

Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):

 

 

 

Operating

 

4.4

 

Discount Rate

 

 

 

Weighted-average discount rate:

 

 

 

Operating

 

4.04

%  

 

Other information regarding the Company’s leases were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

For the six months ended March 2020

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 

 

 

Operating cash flows used by operating leases

 

$

3,304,184

Lease liabilities arising from obtaining new ROU assets:

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

$

732,287

 

 

10

Future minimum operating lease payments as of September 2019, as reported in the 2019 Form 10-K under ASC 840, were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Operating

Fiscal Year Ending

 

Leases

2020

 

$

6,468,837

2021

 

 

5,418,617

2022

 

 

4,299,261

2023

 

 

3,216,671

2024

 

 

2,456,810

Thereafter

 

 

2,387,618

Total minimum lease payments

 

$

24,247,814

 

 

 

4. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Goodwill by reporting segment of the Company consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

March

    

September

 

 

2020

 

2019

Wholesale Segment

 

$

4,436,950

 

$

4,436,950

 

 

Other intangible assets of the Company consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

March

    

September

 

 

2020

    

2019

Trademarks and tradenames (Retail Segment)

 

$

500,000

 

$

500,000

 

Goodwill, trademarks and tradenames are considered to have indefinite useful lives and therefore no amortization has been taken on these assets. Goodwill recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet represents amounts allocated to its wholesale reporting unit which totaled $4.4 million at both March 2020 and September 2019. The Company performs its annual impairment testing during the fourth fiscal quarter of each year or as circumstances change or necessitate. There have been no material changes to the Company’s impairment assessments since its fiscal year ended September 2019.

 

5. DIVIDENDS

 

The Company paid cash dividends on its common stock totaling $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the three and six month periods ended March 2020, respectively, and $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the three and six month periods ended March 2019, respectively.

11

 

6. EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders is calculated by dividing net income less preferred stock dividend requirements by the weighted average common shares outstanding for each period. Diluted earnings per share available to common shareholders is calculated by dividing income from operations less preferred stock dividend requirements (when anti-dilutive) by the sum of the weighted average common shares outstanding and the weighted average dilutive equity awards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended March

 

 

2020

 

2019

 

    

Basic

    

Diluted

    

Basic

    

Diluted

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

565,697

 

 

565,697

 

 

611,824

 

 

611,824

Weighted average net additional shares outstanding assuming dilutive options exercised and proceeds used to purchase treasury stock and conversion of preferred stock (1)

 

 

 —

 

 

6,155

 

 

 —

 

 

8,945

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

 

 

565,697

 

 

571,852

 

 

611,824

 

 

620,769

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

699,319

 

$

699,319

 

$

1,523,215

 

$

1,523,215

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings per share available to common shareholders

 

$

1.24

 

$

1.22

 

$

2.49

 

$

2.45


(1)

Diluted earnings per share calculation includes all stock options and restricted stock units deemed to be dilutive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the six months ended March

 

 

2020

 

2019

 

    

Basic

    

Diluted

    

Basic

    

Diluted

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

564,129

 

 

564,129

 

 

614,874

 

 

614,874

Weighted average net additional shares outstanding assuming dilutive options exercised and proceeds used to purchase treasury stock and conversion of preferred stock (1)

 

 

 

 

5,727

 

 

 

 

8,974

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

 

 

564,129

 

 

569,856

 

 

614,874

 

 

623,848

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

1,151,188

 

$

1,151,188

 

$

2,768,536

 

$

2,768,536

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings per share available to common shareholders

 

$

2.04

 

$

2.02

 

$

4.50

 

$

4.44


(1)

Diluted earnings per share calculation includes all stock options and restricted stock units deemed to be dilutive.

 

 

 

 

 

7. DEBT

 

The Company primarily finances its operations through a credit facility agreement (the “Facility”) and long-term debt agreements with banks. The Facility is provided through Bank of America acting as the senior agent and with BMO Harris Bank participating in a loan syndication.

 

On March 20, 2020, the Company amended the Facility which was set to expire in November 2022.  The significant terms of the newly amended Facility at March 2020 are as follows:

 

·

A  March 2025 maturity date without a penalty for prepayment.

 

·

$110.0 million revolving credit limit.

 

·

Loan accordion allowing the Company to increase the size of the credit facility agreement by $25.0 million.

 

·

A provision providing an additional $10.0 million of credit advances for certain inventory purchases.

12

 

·

Evergreen renewal clause automatically renewing the agreement for one year unless either the borrower or lender provides written notice terminating the agreement at least 90 days prior to the end of any original or renewal term of the agreement.

 

·

The Facility bears interest at either the bank’s prime rate, or at LIBOR (or equivalent successor rate index) plus 125 - 150 basis points depending on certain credit facility utilization measures, at the election of the Company. In no event shall LIBOR be less than 100 basis points.

 

·

Lending limits subject to accounts receivable and inventory limitations.

 

·

An unused commitment fee equal to one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) per annum on the difference between the maximum loan limit and average monthly borrowings.

 

·

Secured by collateral including all of the Company’s equipment, intangibles, inventories, and accounts receivable.

 

·

A financial covenant requiring a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.0 as measured by the previous twelve month period then ended only if excess availability falls below 10% of the maximum loan limit as defined in the credit agreement. The Company’s fixed charge coverage ratio was over 1.0 for the trailing twelve months.

 

·

Provides that the Company may use up to $3.5 million annually, on a collective basis, for the payment of dividends on its common stock, or other distributions or investments, provided the Company is not in default before or after such dividends, distributions or investments. Additionally, the Company may pay dividends on its common stock, or make other distributions or investments in excess of $3.5 million annually provided the Company meets certain excess availability and proforma fixed charge coverage ratios and is not in default before or after such dividends, distributions or investments.

 

The amount available for use on the Facility at any given time is subject to a number of factors including eligible accounts receivable and inventory balances that fluctuate day-to-day. Based on our collateral and loan limits as defined in the Facility agreement, the credit limit of the Facility at March 2020 was $89.6 million, of which $43.2 million was outstanding, leaving $46.4 million available.

 

At March 2020, the revolving portion of the Company’s Facility balance bore interest based on the bank’s prime rate and various short-term LIBOR rate elections made by the Company. The average interest rate was 2.63% at March 2020. For the six months ended March 2020, our peak borrowings under the Facility were $71.6 million, and our average borrowings and average availability under the Facility were $42.9 million and $30.0 million, respectively.

 

Cross Default and Co-Terminus Provisions

 

The Company owns real estate in Bismarck, ND, Quincy, IL, and Rapid City, SD, which is financed through a single term loan with BMO Harris Bank (the “Real Estate Loan”) which is also a participant lender on the Company’s revolving line of credit. The Real Estate Loan contains cross default provisions which cause the loan to be considered in default if the loans where BMO is a lender, including the revolving credit facility, are in default. There were no such cross defaults at March 2020. In addition, the Real Estate Loan contains co-terminus provisions which require all loans with BMO to be paid in full if any of the loans are paid in full prior to the end of their specified terms.

 

Other

 

The Company has issued a letter of credit for $0.5 million to its workers’ compensation insurance carrier as part of its self‑insured loss control program. 

13

8. BUSINESS SEGMENTS

 

The Company has two reportable business segments: the wholesale distribution of consumer products and the retail sale of health and natural food products. The retail health food stores’ operations are aggregated to comprise the Retail Segment because such operations have similar economic characteristics, as well as similar characteristics with respect to the nature of products sold, the type and class of customers for the health food products and the methods used to sell the products. Included in the “Other” column are intercompany eliminations, and assets held and charges incurred by our holding company. The segments are evaluated on revenues, gross margins, operating income (loss), and income (loss) before taxes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale

 

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

    

Segment

    

Segment

    

Other

    

Consolidated

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cigarettes

 

$

228,865,603

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

228,865,603

Tobacco 

 

 

51,639,145

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

51,639,145

Confectionery

 

 

18,027,050

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

18,027,050

Health food

 

 

 —

 

 

12,994,651

 

 

 —

 

 

12,994,651

Foodservice & other

 

 

26,360,067

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

26,360,067

Total external revenue

 

 

324,891,865

 

 

12,994,651

 

 

 —

 

 

337,886,516

Depreciation

 

 

443,143

 

 

347,758

 

 

 —

 

 

790,901

Amortization

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 —

Operating income (loss)

 

 

2,907,818

 

 

85,521

 

 

(1,603,677)

 

 

1,389,662

Interest expense

 

 

32,590

 

 

 —

 

 

354,673

 

 

387,263

Income (loss) from operations before taxes

 

 

2,902,907

 

 

87,760

 

 

(1,958,348)

 

 

1,032,319

Total assets

 

 

142,552,270

 

 

20,835,266

 

 

478,777

 

 

163,866,313

Capital expenditures

 

 

439,019

 

 

349,425

 

 

 —

 

 

788,444

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cigarettes

 

$

211,572,049

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

211,572,049

Tobacco

 

 

44,665,339

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

44,665,339

Confectionery

 

 

18,092,990

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

18,092,990

Health food

 

 

 

 

11,973,455

 

 

 —

 

 

11,973,455

Foodservice & other

 

 

24,412,040

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

24,412,040

Total external revenue

 

 

298,742,418

 

 

11,973,455

 

 

 —

 

 

310,715,873

Depreciation

 

 

378,172

 

 

247,431

 

 

 —

 

 

625,603

Amortization

 

 

15,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,625

Operating income (loss)

 

 

3,797,109

 

 

259,043

 

 

(1,499,641)

 

 

2,556,511

Interest expense

 

 

36,823

 

 

 —

 

 

359,753

 

 

396,576

Income (loss) from operations before taxes

 

 

3,793,759

 

 

261,849

 

 

(1,859,393)

 

 

2,196,215

Total assets

 

 

100,479,809

 

 

17,961,404

 

 

241,143

 

 

118,682,356

Capital expenditures

 

 

824,557

 

 

389,717

 

 

 —

 

 

1,214,274

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale

 

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

    

Segment

    

Segment

    

Other

    

Consolidated

SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cigarettes

 

$

473,915,657

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

473,915,657

Tobacco 

 

 

105,956,693

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

105,956,693

Confectionery

 

 

38,863,912

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

38,863,912

Health food

 

 

 —

 

 

23,091,146

 

 

 —

 

 

23,091,146

Foodservice & other

 

 

56,160,211

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

56,160,211

Total external revenue

 

 

674,896,473

 

 

23,091,146

 

 

 —

 

 

697,987,619

Depreciation

 

 

875,405

 

 

640,956

 

 

 —

 

 

1,516,361

Amortization

 

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 —

Operating income (loss)

 

 

6,556,832

 

 

(1,056,785)

 

 

(2,943,870)

 

 

2,556,177

Interest expense

 

 

66,564

 

 

 —

 

 

793,122

 

 

859,686

Income (loss) from operations before taxes

 

 

6,522,571

 

 

(1,052,392)

 

 

(3,736,991)

 

 

1,733,188

Total assets

 

 

142,552,270

 

 

20,835,266

 

 

478,777

 

 

163,866,313

Capital expenditures

 

 

1,232,700

 

 

949,769

 

 

 —

 

 

2,182,469

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cigarettes

 

$

449,933,631

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

449,933,631

Tobacco

 

 

92,860,385

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

92,860,385

Confectionery

 

 

37,810,656

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

37,810,656

Health food

 

 

 

 

22,964,078

 

 

 —

 

 

22,964,078

Foodservice & other

 

 

51,881,043

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

51,881,043

Total external revenue

 

 

632,485,715

 

 

22,964,078

 

 

 —

 

 

655,449,793

Depreciation

 

 

742,304

 

 

475,682

 

 

 —

 

 

1,217,986

Amortization

 

 

31,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,250

Operating income (loss)

 

 

7,500,992

 

 

213,600

 

 

(3,091,166)

 

 

4,623,426

Interest expense

 

 

74,597

 

 

 —

 

 

644,929

 

 

719,526

Income (loss) from operations before taxes

 

 

7,461,683

 

 

217,948

 

 

(3,736,095)

 

 

3,943,536

Total assets

 

 

100,479,809

 

 

17,961,404

 

 

241,143

 

 

118,682,356

Capital expenditures

 

 

1,608,673

 

 

762,106

 

 

 —

 

 

2,370,779

 

 

 

 

9. COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE

 

The Company repurchased a total of 307 and 416 shares of its common stock during the three and six months ended March 2020, respectively, for cash totaling less than $0.1 million in each respective period. For the three and six month periods ended March 2019, respectively, the Company repurchased 24,527 and 34,959 shares of its common stock for cash totaling approximately $2.3 million and $3.2 million, respectively. All repurchased shares were recorded in treasury stock at cost.

 

10. IMPACT OF COVID-19

 

In March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic. The Company is designated by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the Department of Homeland Security as a critical infrastructure supplier to the Convenience Store Industry. Both of the Company’s business segments have continued to operate during the pandemic as vital suppliers of goods and services and the Company has taken certain proactive and precautionary steps to ensure the safety of its employees, customers and suppliers, including frequent cleaning and disinfection of workspaces, property and equipment, instituting social distancing measures and mandating remote working environments for certain employees. We cannot, however, predict the long-term effects on our business, including our financial position or results of operations, if governmental restrictions such as Stay-At-Home Orders or other such directives continue for a prolonged period of time and materially disrupt our supply chain or our ability to procure products or fulfill orders due to disruptions in our warehouse operations.

15

11. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

In April 2020, the Company completed its previously announced transaction with Chas. M. Sledd Company (“Sledd”), a West Virginia wholesale distributor serving the convenience store industry, to jointly own and operate a limited liability company (“Team Sledd”) formed for the purpose of owning and operating Sledd’s wholesale distribution business. In conjunction with the transaction, Sledd contributed substantially all of its assets and stated liabilities to Team Sledd, while the Company contributed $10.0 million in cash, of which $6.5 million was structured as equity and $3.5 million was structured as a secured loan to Team Sledd and subordinate to the liens of Team Sledd's existing secured lenders.

 

In connection with the closing of the transaction, the Company and Sledd entered into an Operating Agreement for Team Sledd which sets forth each party’s respective ownership interests in and capital contributions to Team Sledd and provides for the management of the business and affairs of Team Sledd. At the transaction closing date, Sledd and AMCON owned approximately 55% and 45% of Team Sledd’s outstanding equity, respectively. As contemplated by the Operating Agreement, it is anticipated that certain membership interests in Team Sledd will be redeemed over a six year period, or potentially longer, with such redemptions funded from the operations of Team Sledd. These redemptions would result in corresponding increases in the percentage of the outstanding equity of Team Sledd owned by AMCON.

 

16

 

Item 2.      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties and which reflect management’s current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance and financial results. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company and those statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “future,” “position,” “anticipate(s),” “expect(s),” “believe(s),” “see,” “plan,” “further improve,” “outlook,” “should” or similar expressions. For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

 

It should be understood that the following important factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this document, could affect the future results of the Company and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements:

 

·

risks associated with the threat or occurrence of epidemics or pandemics (such as the recent COVID-19, or coronavirus outbreak) or other public health issues, including the imposition of governmental orders restricting our operations and the activities of our employees, suppliers and customers and the reduced demand for our goods and services, in particular, disruptions to our supply chain or our ability to procure products or fulfill orders due to disruptions in our warehouse operations,

 

·

increasing competition and market conditions in our wholesale and retail health food businesses and any associated impact on the carrying value and any potential impairment of assets (including intangible assets) within those businesses,

 

·

that our repositioning strategy for our retail business will not be successful,

 

·

risks associated with opening new retail stores,

 

·

risks associated with the acquisition of assets or new businesses by either of our business segments including, but not limited to, risks associated with purchase price and business valuation risks, vendor and customer retention risks, employee and technology integration risks, and risks related to the assumption of certain liabilities or obligations,

·

if online shopping formats such as Amazon continue to grow in popularity and further disrupt traditional sales channels, it may present a significant direct risk to our brick and mortar retail business and potentially to our wholesale distribution business,

 

·

the potential impact of ongoing trade tariffs may have on our product costs or on consumer disposable income and demand,

 

·

increases in fuel costs and expenses associated with operating a refrigerated trucking fleet,

 

·

the risks associated with a highly competitive labor market, particularly for truck drivers and warehouse workers, which may impact our ability to recruit and retain employees and result in higher employee compensation costs,

 

·

increases in state and federal excise taxes on cigarette and tobacco products and the potential impact on demand,

 

·

higher commodity prices and general inflation which could impact food ingredient costs and demand for many of the products we sell,

17

 

·

regulations, potential bans and/or litigation related to the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of certain cigarette, tobacco, and e-cigarette/vaping products by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), state or local governmental agencies, or other parties,

 

·

increases in manufacturer prices,

 

·

increases in inventory carrying costs and customer credit risks,

 

·

changes in promotional and incentive programs offered by manufacturers,

 

·

demand for the Company’s products, particularly cigarette, tobacco and e-cigarette/vaping products,

 

·

risks that product manufacturers may begin selling directly to convenience stores and bypass wholesale distributors,

 

·

changes in laws and regulations and ongoing compliance related to health care and associated insurance,

 

·

increasing health care costs for both the Company and consumers and its potential impact on discretionary consumer spending,

 

·

decreased availability of capital resources,

 

·

domestic regulatory and legislative risks,

 

·

poor weather conditions, and the adverse effects of climate change,

 

·

consolidation trends within the convenience store, wholesale distribution, and retail health food industries,

 

·

natural disasters and domestic or political unrest,

 

·

other risks over which the Company has little or no control, and any other factors not identified herein.

 

Changes in these factors could result in significantly different results. Consequently, future results may differ from management’s expectations. Moreover, past financial performance should not be considered a reliable indicator of future performance. Any forward-looking statement contained herein is made as of the date of this document. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or correct any of these forward-looking statements in the future to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of material events or changes in future operating results, financial conditions or business over time.

 

IMPACT OF COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) ON OUR BUSINESS

 

In March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic. The Company is designated by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the Department of Homeland Security as a critical infrastructure supplier to the Convenience Store Industry.  Both of the Company’s business segments have continued to operate during the pandemic as vital suppliers of goods and services and the Company has taken certain proactive and precautionary steps to ensure the safety of its employees, customers and suppliers, including frequent cleaning and disinfection of workspaces, property and equipment, instituting social distancing measures and mandating remote working environments for certain employees. We cannot, however, predict the long-term effects on our business, including our financial position or results of operations, if  governmental restrictions such as Stay-At-Home Orders or other such directives continue for a prolonged period of time and materially disrupt our supply chain or our ability to procure products or fulfill orders due to disruptions in our warehouse operations.

 

18

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

Certain accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements (“financial statements”) require us to make judgments and estimates and the financial results we report may vary depending on how we make these judgments and estimates. Our critical accounting estimates are set forth in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There have been no significant changes with respect to these policies during the six months ended March 2020 other than the adoption of ASC 842 which did have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

 

SECOND FISCAL QUARTER 2020 (Q2 2020)

 

The following discussion and analysis includes the Company’s results of operations for the three and six months ended March 2020 and March 2019:

 

Wholesale Segment

 

Our Wholesale Segment is one of the largest wholesale distributors in the United States serving approximately 4,100 retail outlets including convenience stores, grocery stores, liquor stores, drug stores, and tobacco shops. We currently distribute over 17,000 different consumer products, including cigarettes and tobacco products, candy and other confectionery, beverages, groceries, paper products, health and beauty care products, frozen and refrigerated products and institutional foodservice products. Convenience stores represent our largest customer category. In November 2019, Convenience Store News ranked us as the eighth (8th) largest convenience store distributor in the United States based on annual sales.

 

Our Wholesale Segment offers retailers the ability to take advantage of manufacturer and Company sponsored sales and marketing programs, merchandising and product category management services, and the use of information systems and data services that are focused on minimizing retailers’ investment in inventory, while seeking to maximize their sales and profits. In addition, our wholesale distributing capabilities provide valuable services to both manufacturers of consumer products and convenience retailers. Manufacturers benefit from our broad retail coverage, inventory management, efficiency in processing small orders, and frequency of deliveries. Convenience retailers benefit from our distribution capabilities by gaining access to a broad product line, inventory optimization and merchandising expertise, information systems, and access to trade credit.

 

Our Wholesale Segment operates six distribution centers located in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Tennessee. These distribution centers, combined with cross-dock facilities, include approximately 685,000 square feet of permanent floor space. Our principal suppliers include Altria, RJ Reynolds, ITG Brands, Hershey, Kelloggs, Kraft, and Mars. We also market private label lines of water, candy products, batteries, and other products. We do not maintain any long-term purchase contracts with our suppliers.

 

Retail Segment

 

Our Retail Segment, through our Healthy Edge, Inc. subsidiary, is a specialty retailer of natural/organic groceries and dietary supplements which focuses on providing high quality products at affordable prices, with an exceptional level of customer service and nutritional consultation. All of the products carried in our stores must meet strict quality and ingredient guidelines, and include offerings such as gluten-free and antibiotic-free groceries and meat products, as well as products containing no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or partially hydrogenated oils. We design our retail sites in an efficient and flexible small-store format, which emphasizes a high energy and shopper-friendly environment.

 

We operate within the natural products retail industry, which is a subset of the U.S. grocery industry. This industry includes conventional, natural, gourmet and specialty food markets, mass and discount retailers, warehouse clubs, health food stores, dietary supplement retailers, drug stores, farmers markets, mail order and online retailers, and multi-level marketers.

 

Our Retail Segment operates twenty-one retail health food stores as Chamberlin’s Natural Foods (“Chamberlin’s”), Akin’s Natural Foods (“Akins”), and Earth Origins Market (“EOM”). These stores carry over 33,000 different national and regionally branded and private label products including high-quality natural, organic, and specialty foods consisting of

19

produce, baked goods, frozen foods, nutritional supplements, personal care items, and general merchandise. Chamberlin’s, which was established in 1935, has a total of seven locations in and around Orlando, Florida. Akin’s, which was also established in 1935, has a total of six locations in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Earth Origins Market has a total of eight locations in Florida.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 2020:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

2020

    

2019

    

Incr (Decr)

    

% Change

CONSOLIDATED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales(1)

 

$

337,886,516

 

$

310,715,873

 

$

27,170,643

 

8.7

Cost of sales

 

 

317,193,063

 

 

290,126,453

 

 

27,066,610

 

9.3

Gross profit

 

 

20,693,453

 

 

20,589,420

 

 

104,033

 

0.5

Gross profit percentage

 

 

6.1

%  

 

6.6

%  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expense

 

$

19,303,791

 

$

18,032,909

 

$

1,270,882

 

7.0

Operating income

 

 

1,389,662

 

 

2,556,511

 

 

(1,166,849)

 

(45.6)

Interest expense

 

 

387,263

 

 

396,576

 

 

(9,313)

 

(2.3)

Income tax expense

 

 

333,000

 

 

673,000

 

 

(340,000)

 

(50.5)

Net income

 

 

699,319

 

 

1,523,215

 

 

(823,896)

 

(54.1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUSINESS SEGMENTS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

324,891,865

 

$

298,742,418

 

$

26,149,447

 

8.8

Gross profit

 

 

16,159,058

 

 

15,878,750

 

 

280,308

 

1.8

Gross profit percentage

 

 

5.0

%  

 

5.3

%  

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

12,994,651

 

$

11,973,455

 

$

1,021,196

 

8.5

Gross profit

 

 

4,534,395

 

 

4,710,670

 

 

(176,275)

 

(3.7)

Gross profit percentage

 

 

34.9

%  

 

39.3

%  

 

 

 

 


(1)

Sales are reported net of costs associated with incentives provided to retailers. These incentives totaled $6.9 million in Q2 2020 and $6.3 million in Q2 2019.

 

SALES

 

Changes in sales are driven by two primary components:

 

(i)

changes to selling prices, which are largely controlled by our product suppliers, and excise taxes imposed on cigarettes and tobacco products by various states; and

 

(ii)

changes in the volume of products sold to our customers, either due to a change in purchasing patterns resulting from consumer preferences or the fluctuation in the comparable number of business days in our reporting period.

 

SALES – Q2 2020 vs. Q2 2019

 

Sales in our Wholesale Segment increased $26.1 million during Q2 2020 as compared to Q2 2019. Significant items impacting sales during Q2 2020 included a $9.3 million increase in sales related to price increases implemented by cigarette manufacturers, a $8.9 million increase in sales related to higher sales volumes in our tobacco, confectionery, foodservice, and other categories (“Other Products”), a $4.4 million increase in sales related to the volume and mix of cigarette cartons sold and a $3.5 million increase in sales related to an increase in cigarette state excise taxes. Sales in our Retail Segment increased $1.0 million for Q2 2020 as compared to Q2 2019. Of this increase, approximately $1.2 million related to higher sales volumes in our existing stores which experienced a temporary increase in demand as customers restocked their home pantries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase was partially offset by a  $0.2 million decrease in sales

20

volume related to the closure of one non-performing store in our Midwest market which was nearing the end of its lease term.

 

GROSS PROFIT – Q2 2020 vs. Q2 2019

 

Our gross profit does not include fulfillment costs and costs related to the distribution network which are included in selling, general and administrative costs, and may not be comparable to those of other entities. Some entities may classify such costs as a component of cost of sales. Cost of sales, a component used in determining gross profit, for the wholesale and retail segments includes the cost of products purchased from manufacturers, less incentives we receive which are netted against such costs.

 

Gross profit in our Wholesale Segment increased $0.3 million during Q2 2020 as compared to Q2 2019. Significant items impacting gross profit during Q2 2020 included a $0.9 million increase in gross profit related to higher sales volumes and promotions in our Other Products category, offset by a $0.3 million decrease in gross profit related to the volume and mix of cigarette cartons sold and a $0.3 million decrease in gross profit due to the timing and related benefits of cigarette manufacturer price increases between the comparative periods. Gross profit in our Retail Segment decreased $0.2 million during Q2 2020 as compared to Q2 2019 primarily related to lower gross margins in our existing stores as a result of variations in volume and product mix between the comparative periods and the closure of one non-performing store in our Midwest market.

 

OPERATING EXPENSE – Q2 2020 vs. Q2 2019

 

Operating expense includes selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization. Selling, general, and administrative expenses primarily consist of costs related to our sales, warehouse, delivery and administrative departments, including purchasing and receiving costs, warehousing costs and costs of picking and loading customer orders. Our most significant expenses relate to costs associated with employees, facility and equipment leases, transportation, fuel, and insurance. Our Q2 2020 operating expenses increased $1.3 million as compared to Q2 2019. Significant items impacting operating expenses during Q2 2020 included a $0.6 million increase in employee compensation and benefit costs, a $0.3 million increase in insurance costs, and a $0.4 million increase in other operational expenses.

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE – Q2 2020 vs. Q2 2019

 

The change in the Q2 2020 income tax rate as compared to Q2 2019, was primarily related to nondeductible compensation expense in relation to the amount of income from operations before income tax expense between the comparative periods. On March 27, 2020, the U.S. federal government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). The CARES Act is an emergency economic stimulus package in response to the coronavirus outbreak which, among other things, contains numerous income tax provisions. While the Company continues to evaluate the impact of the CARES Act, it does not currently believe it will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

21

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

2020

    

2019

    

Incr (Decr)

    

% Change

CONSOLIDATED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales(1)

 

$

697,987,619

 

$

655,449,793

 

$

42,537,826

 

6.5

Cost of sales

 

 

656,449,455

 

 

614,228,235

 

 

42,221,220

 

6.9

Gross profit

 

 

41,538,164

 

 

41,221,558

 

 

316,606

 

0.8

Gross profit percentage

 

 

6.0

%  

 

6.3

%  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

38,981,987

 

 

36,598,132

 

 

2,383,855

 

6.5

Operating income

 

 

2,556,177

 

 

4,623,426

 

 

(2,067,249)

 

(44.7)

Interest expense

 

 

859,686

 

 

719,526

 

 

140,160

 

19.5

Income tax expense

 

 

582,000

 

 

1,175,000

 

 

(593,000)

 

(50.5)

Net income

 

 

1,151,188

 

 

2,768,536

 

 

(1,617,348)

 

(58.4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUSINESS SEGMENTS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

674,896,473

 

$

632,485,715

 

$

42,410,758

 

6.7

Gross profit

 

 

33,745,852

 

 

31,950,084

 

 

1,795,768

 

5.6

Gross profit percentage

 

 

5.0

%  

 

5.1

%  

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

23,091,146

 

$

22,964,078

 

$

127,068

 

0.6

Gross profit

 

 

7,792,312

 

 

9,271,474

 

 

(1,479,162)

 

(16.0)

Gross profit percentage

 

 

33.7

%  

 

40.4

%  

 

 

 

 


(1)

Sales are reported net of costs associated with incentives provided to retailers. These incentives totaled $13.0 million in Q2 2020 and $12.3 million in Q2 2019.

 

 

SALES – Six Months Ended March 2020

 

Sales in our Wholesale Segment increased $42.4 million for the six months ended March 2020 as compared to the same prior year period. Significant items impacting sales during the period included a $18.8 million increase in sales related to price increases implemented by cigarette manufacturers, a $18.4 million increase in sales related to higher sales volumes in our Other Products categories and a $7.3 million increase in sales related to an increase in cigarette state excise taxes. These increases were partially offset by a $2.1 million decrease in sales related to the volume and mix of cigarette cartons sold. Sales in our Retail Segment increased $0.1 million for the six months ended March 2020 as compared to the same prior year period. Of this increase, approximately $0.4 million related to higher sales volumes in our existing stores which experienced a temporary increase in demand as customers restocked their home pantries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase was partially offset by a $0.3 million decrease in sales volume related to the closure of one non-performing store in our Midwest market which was nearing the end of its lease term.

 

GROSS PROFIT – Six Months Ended March 2020

 

Gross profit in our Wholesale Segment increased $1.8 million for the six months ended March 2020 as compared to the same prior year period. Significant items impacting gross profit during the period included a $2.0 million increase in gross profit related to higher sales volumes and promotions in our Other Products category, offset by a $0.2 million decrease in gross profit related to the volume and mix of cigarette cartons sold. Gross profit in our Retail Segment decreased $1.5 million for the six months ended March 2020 as compared to the same prior year period primarily related to lower gross margins in our existing stores as a result of variations in volume and product mix between the comparative periods and the closure of one non-performing store in our Midwest market.

 

22

OPERATING EXPENSE – Six Months Ended March 2020

 

Operating expenses increased $2.4 million during the six months ended March 2020 as compared to the same prior year period. Significant items impacting operating expenses during the period included a $1.3 million increase in employee compensation and benefit costs, a $0.5 million increase in insurance costs, a $0.3 million increase in our provision for doubtful accounts, and a $0.5 million increase in other operational expenses, partially offset by a $0.2 million decrease in expenses in our Retail Segment. The change in our Retail Segment operating expenses was primarily related to reduced payroll and compensation costs and the closure of one non-performing store in our Midwest market.

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE – Six Months Ended March 2020

 

The change in the income tax rate for the six months ended March 2020 as compared to the same prior year period was primarily related to nondeductible compensation expense in relation to the amount of income from operations before income tax expense between the comparative periods. On March 27, 2020, the U.S. federal government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). The CARES Act is an emergency economic stimulus package in response to the coronavirus outbreak which, among other things, contains numerous income tax provisions. While the Company continues to evaluate the impact of the CARES Act, it does not currently believe it will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

23

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Overview

 

The Company’s variability in cash flows from operating activities is dependent on the timing of inventory purchases and seasonal fluctuations. For example, periodically we have inventory “buy‑in” opportunities which offer more favorable pricing terms. As a result, we may have to hold inventory for a period longer than the payment terms. This generates a cash outflow from operating activities which we expect to reverse in later periods. Additionally, during our peak time of operations in the warm weather months, we generally carry higher amounts of inventory to ensure high fill rates and customer satisfaction.

In general, the Company finances its operations through a credit facility agreement (the “Facility”) with Bank of America acting as the senior agent and with BMO Harris Bank participating in the loan syndication. On March 20, 2020, the Company amended the Facility which was set to expire in November 2022. The significant terms of the newly amended Facility at March 2020 are as follows:

·

A March 2025 maturity date without a penalty for prepayment.

 

·

$110.0 million revolving credit limit.

 

·

Loan accordion allowing the Company to increase the size of the credit facility agreement by $25.0 million.

 

·

A provision providing an additional $10.0 million of credit advances for certain inventory purchases.

 

·

Evergreen renewal clause automatically renewing the agreement for one year unless either the borrower or lender provides written notice terminating the agreement at least 90 days prior to the end of any original or renewal term of the agreement.

 

·

The Facility bears interest at either the bank’s prime rate, or at LIBOR (or equivalent rate index) plus 125 - 150 basis points depending on certain credit facility utilization measures, at the election of the Company. In no event shall LIBOR be less than 100 basis points.

 

·

Lending limits subject to accounts receivable and inventory limitations.

 

·

An unused commitment fee equal to one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) per annum on the difference between the maximum loan limit and average monthly borrowings.

 

·

Secured by collateral including all of the Company’s equipment, intangibles, inventories, and accounts receivable.

 

·

A financial covenant requiring a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.0 as measured by the previous twelve month period then ended only if excess availability falls below 10% of the maximum loan limit as defined in the credit agreement. The Company’s fixed charge ratio was over 1.0 for the trailing twelve months.

 

·

Provides that the Company may use up to $3.5 million annually, on a collective basis, for the payment of dividends on its common stock, or other distributions or investments, provided the Company is not in default before or after such dividends, distributions or investments.  Additionally, the Company may pay dividends on its common stock, or make other distributions or investments in excess of $3.5 million annually provided the Company meets certain excess availability and proforma fixed charge coverage ratios and is not in default before or after such dividends, distributions or investments.

 

The amount available for use on the Facility at any given time is subject to a number of factors including eligible accounts receivable and inventory balances that fluctuate day-to-day. Based on our collateral and loan limits as defined in the Facility agreement, the credit limit of the Facility at March 2020 was $89.6 million, of which $43.2 million was outstanding, leaving $46.4 million available.

24

 

At March 2020, the revolving portion of the Company’s Facility balance bore interest based on the bank’s prime rate and various short-term LIBOR rate elections made by the Company. The average interest rate was 2.63% at March 2020. For the six months ended March 2020, our peak borrowings under the Facility were $71.6 million, and our average borrowings and average availability under the Facility were $42.9 million and $30.0 million, respectively.

 

Cross Default and Co-Terminus Provisions

 

The Company owns real estate in Bismarck, ND, Quincy, IL, and Rapid City, SD, which is financed through a single term loan with BMO Harris Bank (the “Real Estate Loan”) which is also a participant lender on the Company’s revolving line of credit. The Real Estate Loan contains cross default provisions which cause the loan to be considered in default if the loans where BMO is a lender, including the revolving credit facility, are in default. There were no such cross defaults at March 2020. In addition, the Real Estate Loan contains co-terminus provisions which require all loans with BMO to be paid in full if any of the loans are paid in full prior to the end of their specified terms.

 

Dividends Payments

 

The Company paid cash dividends on its common stock totaling $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the three and six month periods ended March 2020, respectively, and $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the three and six month periods ended March 2019, respectively.

 

Other

 

The Company has issued a letter of credit for $0.5 million to its workers’ compensation insurance carrier as part of its self-insured loss control program.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Liquidity Risk

 

The Company’s liquidity position is significantly influenced by its ability to maintain sufficient levels of working capital. For our Company and industry in general, customer credit risk and ongoing access to bank credit heavily influence liquidity positions.

 

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the operating environment for the foreseeable future. While both of our businesses are considered essential services and remain open, the Company cannot predict the long term impact on its workforce, supply chain, or customer base, particularly as it relates to trade credit risk and customer liquidity/solvency.

 

Additionally, the Company does not currently hedge its exposure to interest rate risk or fuel costs and significant price movements in these areas can and do impact the Company’s profitability.

 

The Company believes it has  sufficient liquidity and access to capital.  The operating environment, however, is fluid and changing on a daily basis and it remains unclear how costs, revenues, profitability, or cash flows in future periods will be impacted. Accordingly, a further deterioration in economic conditions could materially impact the Company’s future revenue streams as well as its ability to collect on customer accounts receivable or secure bank credit.

 

Item 3.      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Not applicable.

 

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Item 4.      Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in company reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (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 include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in company reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

As required by Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act, an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2020 was made under the supervision and with the participation of our senior management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

 

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and fraud. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management’s override of the control.

 

The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 2020, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.      Legal Proceedings

 

None.

 

Item 1A.      Risk Factors

 

·

A Major Epidemic or Pandemic or other Widespread Public Health Issue Could Adversely Affect Our Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

The emergence and spread of a major epidemic or pandemic (such as the recent COVID-19, or coronavirus) or other widespread public health issue could affect our employees, suppliers and/or customers and cause disruption in our operations including, but not limited to, travel restrictions, temporary closing of one or more of our distribution warehouses or retail stores, labor shortages, business shutdowns, or regional quarantines.  These disruptions could negatively affect our ability to service our customers, could contribute to adverse economic conditions including decreases in demand for the products we distribute, resulting in lower sales and profitability, or could present increased credit risk to the Company from customer credit defaults resulting from an economic downturn. In addition to the potential operational risks described above, disruptions caused by a widespread public health issue could present increased reputational risk to the Company or result in legal claims or costly response measures.

 

There have been no other  material changes to the Company’s risk factors as previously disclosed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.

 

Item 2.      Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

The following table summarizes the purchases made by or on behalf of our Company or certain affiliated purchasers of shares of our common stock during the quarterly period ended March 2020:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period

 

Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased

 

Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)

 

Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs

 

Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs*

January 1 - 31, 2020

 

13

 

$

78.17

 

13

 

74,987

February 1 - 29, 2020

 

195

 

$

76.24

 

195

 

74,792

March 1 - 31, 2020

 

99

 

$

72.84

 

99

 

74,693

Total

 

307

 

$

75.22

 

307

 

74,693


*  In December 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors replenished the existing share repurchase authority to authorize purchases of up to 75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in open market or negotiated transactions. Management was given discretion to determine the number and pricing of the shares to be purchased, as well as the timing of any such purchases.

 

Item 3.      Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4.      Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5.      Other Information

 

27

Not applicable.

 

Item 6.      Exhibits

 

(a) Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

Fourth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 20, 2020, between AMCON Distributing Company and Bank of America (incorporatd by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of AMCON’s From 8-K filed on March 24, 2020)

 

 

 

 

31.1

Certification by Christopher H. Atayan, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman,  pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

 

 

 

 

31.2

Certification by Andrew C. Plummer, President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

 

 

 

 

32.1

Certification by Christopher H. Atayan, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, furnished pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

 

 

 

 

32.2

Certification by Andrew C. Plummer, President and Chief Financial Officer, furnished pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

 

 

 

 

101

Interactive Data File (filed herewith electronically)

 

 

28

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

AMCON DISTRIBUTING COMPANY

 

(registrant)

 

 

Date: April 20, 2020

/s/ Christopher H. Atayan

 

Christopher H. Atayan,

 

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

 

 

Date: April 20, 2020

/s/ Andrew C. Plummer

 

Andrew C. Plummer,

 

President and Chief Financial Officer

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

29