PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements relating to present or future trends or factors that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to: Escalade’s ability to achieve its business objectives; Escalade’s ability to successfully achieve the anticipated results of strategic transactions, including the integration of the operations of acquired assets and businesses and of divestitures or discontinuances of certain operations, assets, brands, and products; the continuation and development of key customer, supplier, licensing and other business relationships; Escalade’s ability to develop and implement our own direct to consumer e-commerce distribution channel; the impact of competitive products and pricing; product demand and market acceptance; new product development; Escalade’s ability to successfully negotiate the shifting retail environment and changes in consumer buying habits; the financial health of our customers; disruptions or delays in our business operations, including without limitation disruptions or delays in our supply chain, arising from political unrest, war, terrorism, labor strikes, natural disasters, public health crises such as the coronavirus pandemic, and other events and circumstances beyond our control; the impact of management’s conclusion, in consultation with the Audit Committee, that material weaknesses existed in the Company’s internal control procedures over financial reporting; the evaluation and implementation of remediation efforts designed and implemented to enhance the Company’s control environment, which remediation efforts are ongoing; the potential identification of one or more additional material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control of which the Company is not currently aware or that have not yet been detected; the Company’s inability or failure to fully remediate material weaknesses in our internal control procedures over financial reporting or any other material weaknesses in the future could result in material misstatements in our financial statements; Escalade’s ability to control costs, including managing inventory levels; Escalade’s ability to successfully implement actions to lessen the potential impacts of tariffs and other trade restrictions applicable to our products and raw materials, including impacts on the costs of producing our goods, importing products and materials into our markets for sale, and on the pricing of our products; general economic conditions, including inflationary pressures; fluctuation in operating results; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; changes in the securities markets; continued listing of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market; the Company’s inclusion or exclusion from certain market indices; Escalade’s ability to obtain financing, to maintain compliance with the terms of such financing and to manage debt levels; the availability, integration and effective operation of information systems and other technology, and the potential interruption of such systems or technology; the potential impact of actual or perceived defects in, or safety of, our products, including any impact of product recalls or legal or regulatory claims, proceedings or investigations involving our products; risks related to data security or privacy breaches; the potential impact of regulatory claims, proceedings or investigations involving our products; potential residual impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic on Escalade’s financial condition and results of operations; and other risks detailed from time to time in Escalade’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Escalade’s future financial performance could differ materially from the expectations of management contained herein. Escalade undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements after the date of this report.

Overview

Escalade, Incorporated (Escalade, the Company, we, us or our) is focused on growing its Sporting Goods business through organic growth of existing categories, strategic acquisitions, and new product development. The Sporting Goods business competes in a variety of categories including basketball goals, archery, billiards, indoor and outdoor game recreation and fitness products. Strong brands and on-going investment in product development provide a solid foundation for building customer loyalty and continued growth.

Within the sporting goods industry, the Company has successfully built a robust market presence in several niche markets. This strategy is heavily dependent on expanding our customer base, barriers to entry, strong brands, excellent customer service and a commitment to innovation. A key strategic advantage is the Company’s established relationships with major customers that allow the Company to bring new products to market in a cost effective manner while maintaining a diversified portfolio of products to meet the demands of consumers. In addition to strategic customer relations, the Company has substantial manufacturing and import experience that enable it to be a low cost supplier.

To enhance growth opportunities, the Company has focused on promoting new product innovation and development and brand marketing. In addition, the Company has embarked on a strategy of acquiring companies or product lines that complement or expand the Company's existing product lines or provide expansion into new or emerging categories in sporting goods. A key objective is the acquisition of product lines with barriers to entry that the Company can take to market through its established distribution channels or through new market channels. Significant synergies are achieved through assimilation of acquired product lines into the existing Company structure.

Management believes that key indicators in measuring the success of these strategies are revenue growth, earnings growth, new product introductions, and the expansion of channels of distribution.

As the most significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic appear to have waned, consumer demand for the Company’s products has slowed but remains above pre-COVID-19 demand. General economic conditions, inflation, recessionary fears, rising interest rates, changes in the housing market and declining consumer confidence also may impact the Company adversely. Management cannot predict the full impact of these factors on the Company. Due to the above circumstances and as described generally in this Form 10-Q, the Company’s results of operations for the period ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for fiscal year 2024.

Results of Operations

The following schedule sets forth certain consolidated statement of operations data as a percentage of net revenue:

Revenue and Gross Margin

Total net sales declined 7.7% on a year-over-year basis in the third quarter, due to soft consumer demand and inventory destocking in most categories, partly offset by growth in the archery, safety, and basketball categories. During the third quarter, sales declined across most of our sales channels, partly offset by growth in our international and e-commerce. Our e-commerce channel experienced growth driven by our owned e-commerce sales.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total net sales declined 5.3% compared to the same period in 2023 again due to soft consumer demand and channel destocking, partly offset by growth in the Company’s table tennis, basketball, and archery categories.

Gross margin increased to 24.8% for the third quarter of 2024 compared to 24.7% for the same period in 2023 primarily driven by improved fixed cost absorption, partly offset by increased cost of goods sold of $1.8 million due to non-recurring expenses associated with strategic cost rationalization initiatives, including the closure and sale of its Mexico operations.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $11.7 million for the third quarter of 2024 compared to $11.1 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $0.6 million or 5.5%. SG&A as a percent of sales is 17.2% for the third quarter of 2024 compared with 15.1% for the same period in the prior year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, SG&A were $32.4 million compared to $31.1 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $1.3 million, or 4.2%. SG&A as a percent of sales is 17.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared with 15.7% for the same period in the prior year.

Provision for Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was 23.9% compared to 19.0% for the same period last year.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

Total debt as of September 30, 2024 was $29.5 million, a decrease of $21.4 million from December 31, 2023. The following schedule summarizes the Company’s total debt:

As a percentage of stockholders’ equity, total debt was 17.3%, 30.9% and 44.7% at September 30, 2024, December 31, 2023, and September 30, 2023 respectively.

On January 21, 2022, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Indian Industries, Inc. (“Indian”), entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2022 Restated Credit Agreement”) with its issuing bank, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“Chase”), and the other lenders identified in the Restated Credit Agreement (collectively, the “Lenders”). The 2022 Restated Credit Agreement amended and restated the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 21, 2019, as amended, in its entirety, and continues the existing Company’s credit facilities which have been in place since April 30, 2009. The Company’s indebtedness under the 2022 Restated Credit Agreement continues to be collateralized by liens on all of the present and future equity of each of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and substantially all of the assets of the Company (excluding real estate). Under the terms of the 2022 Restated Credit Agreement, Old National Bank was added as a Lender. The Lenders made available to Escalade and Indian a senior revolving credit facility with increased maximum availability of $65.0 million (the “Revolving Facility”), up from $50.0 million, plus an accordion feature that would allow borrowings up to $90.0 million under the Revolving Facility subject to certain terms and conditions. The maturity date of the revolving credit facility was extended to January 21, 2027. The Company may prepay the Revolving Facility, in whole or in part, and reborrow prior to the revolving loan maturity date. The 2022 Restated Credit Agreement further extended the maturity date for the existing $50.0 million term loan facility to January 21, 2027.

In addition to the increased borrowing amount and extended maturity date, the 2022 Restated Credit Agreement provided a $7.5 million swingline commitment by Chase, replaced LIBOR with the replacement benchmark secured overnight financing rate, and adjusted certain financial covenants relating to the fixed charge coverage ratio.

On July 18, 2022, the Company entered into the First Amendment to the 2022 Restated Credit Agreement. Under the terms of the First Amendment, the Lender increased the maximum availability under the senior revolving credit facility from $65.0 million to $75.0 million pursuant to the accordion feature in the 2022 Restated Credit Agreement. The First Amendment also adjusted the funded debt to EBITDA ratio financial covenant to 3:00 to 1:00 as of the end of the Company’s third and fourth fiscal quarters of 2022.

On October 26, 2022, the Company entered into the Second Amendment ("Second Amendment”) to the 2022 Restated Credit Agreement. Under the terms of the Second Amendment, the Lender increased the maximum availability under the senior revolving credit facility from $75.0 million to $90.0 million pursuant to the accordion feature in the 2022 Restated Credit Agreement. The Second Amendment adjusted the funded debt to EBITDA ratio financial covenant to 3:25 to 1:00 as of the end of the Company’s third and fourth fiscal quarters of 2022 and 3:00 to 1:00 as of the end of the Company’s first fiscal quarter of 2023. The Second Amendment also modified the EBITDA definition to permit add-backs of a) up to $2.0 million for disposition related expenses; and b) up to $2.0 million for unusual or non-recurring expenses which are incurred prior to the end of fiscal year 2023 and which are subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent.

On May 8, 2023, the Company entered into the Third Amendment (the “Third Amendment”) to the Restated Credit Agreement. The Third Amendment adjusted the funded debt to EBITDA ratio financial covenant to 4:25 to 1:00 as of the end of the Company’s second fiscal quarter of 2023, 3:00 to 1:00 as of the end of the Company’s third fiscal quarter of 2023, and 2:75 to 1:00 as of the end of the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter of 2023 and thereafter. The Third Amendment adjusted the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant to 1:10 to 1:00 commencing as of the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter of 2023 and 1:25 to 1:00 as of the end of the Company’s first fiscal quarter of 2024 and thereafter. For the Company’s second and third fiscal quarters in 2023, the Third Amendment suspended the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant and added a minimum EBITDA covenant of $22.5 million as of the end of each such fiscal quarter. Under the terms of the Third Amendment, the Company and the Lender also agreed to decrease the maximum availability under the senior revolving credit facility from $90.0 million to $75.0 million, upon the consummation of the sale of the Company’s Mexican subsidiary and the dissolution of Escalade Insurance, Inc. The proceeds from such sale and dissolution, respectively, will be used to partially prepay the amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility. As reflected in the Fourth Amendment to the Restated Credit Agreement effective September 1, 2023, the maximum availability of the senior revolving credit facility was reduced to $85.0 million following the dissolution of Escalade Insurance, Inc.

On October 11, 2024, the Company entered into the Fifth Amendment (the “Fifth Amendment”) to the Restated Credit Agreement. The Fifth Amendment eliminated the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant and related provisions. The fixed charge ratio covenant was replaced by a new minimum interest coverage ratio covenant of 3.50 to 1:00 effective September 30, 2024. Under the terms of the Fifth Amendment, the Company and the Lender also agreed to decrease the maximum availability under the senior revolving credit facility from $75.0 million to $60.0 million, but added an accordion feature that could increase the facility in an amount not to exceed $85.0 million. The Fifth Amendment further revised the restricted payments covenant to provide that if at any time the Company’s Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio would exceed 1.75 to 1.0, then the aggregate combined total of cash dividends and Company share repurchases may not exceed $12.0 million in any trailing twelve month period.

The Company was in compliance with the debt covenants set forth in the Restated Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2024.

As of September 30, 2024, the outstanding principal amount of the term loan was $27.4 million and total amount drawn under the Revolving Facility was $2.1 million.

The Company funds working capital requirements and shareholder dividends through operating cash flows and revolving credit agreements with its Lenders. The Company expects that cash generated from its 2024 operations and its access to adequate levels of revolving credit will provide it with sufficient cash flows for its operations and to meet growth needs.

Item 3.         QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not Required.

Item 4.         CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Escalade maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based closely on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, could provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

In connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and identified material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2024. The Company did not design and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures because of the following material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting:

These material weaknesses did not result in a misstatement of the Company’s financial statements; however, they could have resulted in misstatements of interim or annual consolidated financial statements and disclosures that would result in a material misstatement that would not be prevented or detected.

Notwithstanding such material weaknesses, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Quarterly Report are fairly stated in all material respects in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America for each of the periods presented.

Remediation Plan and Status

The Company’s management and the Company’s Audit Committee are committed to achieving and maintaining a strong internal control environment. Management, with the Audit Committee’s oversight, is actively engaged in the planning for, and implementation of, remediation efforts to address the above described material weaknesses.

In response to the material weaknesses discussed above, we plan to continue efforts already underway to remediate internal control over financial reporting, including the following:

Management and our Audit Committee will monitor these specific remedial measures and the effectiveness of our overall control environment. The identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting will only be considered remediated when the relevant controls have operated effectively for a sufficient period of time for management to conclude that they have been remediated. We can provide no assurance as to when the remediation of these material weaknesses will be completed to provide for an effective control environment.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company has evaluated, under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the third quarter of 2024.

There have been no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred since the beginning of the Company’s first quarter of 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

None.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS.

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. These risks and uncertainties could materially and adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Our operations could also be affected by additional risks or uncertainties that are not presently known to us or that we currently do not consider material to our business. As of the date of this filing, there have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in the above-referenced Form 10-K, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company has one stock repurchase program which was established in February 2003 by the Board of Directors and which initially authorized management to expend up to $3,000,000 to repurchase shares on the open market as well as in private negotiated transactions. In February 2005, February 2006, August 2007 and February 2008 the Board of Directors increased the remaining balance on this plan to its original level of $3,000,000. In September 2019, the Board of Directors increased the stock repurchase program from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000. In December 2020, the Board of Directors increased the stock repurchase program to $15,000,000. From its inception date through September 30, 2024, the Company has repurchased 2,153,132 shares of its common stock under this repurchase program for an aggregate price of $28,812,686. The repurchase program has no termination date and there have been no share repurchases that were not part of a publicly announced program.

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

None.

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

Item 6. EXHIBITS

SIGNATURE

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.