UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☒ Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.
☐ 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 0-16106
CLEARFIELD, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Minnesota
(State of incorporation)
41-1347235
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
7050 Winnetka Avenue North
Suite 100
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55428
(Address of principal executive office)
(763) 476-6866
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol
CLFD
Name of each exchange on which registered
The Nasdaq Stock Market
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
☐ YES ☒ NO
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
☐ YES ☒ NO
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, a 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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over
financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing
reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any
of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
☐ YES ☒ NO
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently
completed second fiscal quarter computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold was approximately $603,165,864.
As of November 13, 2023, there were 15,254,525 shares of the issuer’s common stock outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
Portions of our proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report, are
incorporated by reference into Part III.
CLEARFIELD, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BUSINESS
RISK FACTORS
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
PROPERTIES
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF
EQUITY SECURITIES
[RESERVED]
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
OTHER INFORMATION
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
FORM 10-K SUMMARY
PART I
ITEM 1.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 4.
PART II.
ITEM 5.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9B.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 14.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 16.
SIGNATURES
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PART I
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Clearfield, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is referred to in this report as “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company.” We make statements from time to time regarding our
business and prospects, such as projections of future performance, statements of management’s plans and objectives, forecasts of market trends, and other matters that are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Statements containing the words or phrases “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,”
“estimates,” “projects,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “target,” “goal,” “plans,” “objective,” “aims,” “should,” “could” or similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may appear in documents, reports, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), news releases,
written or oral presentations made by our authorized officers or other representatives. For such statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking
statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Our future results, including results expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements, involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future actions, outcomes, results, or performance. Any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf speaks only as of the date on which such
statement is made. We do not undertake any obligation to update or keep current any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date of
such statement, except as required by law.
In addition to the factors identified or described by us from time to time in filings with the SEC, there are many important factors that could cause our future results to differ
materially from historical results or trends, results anticipated or planned by us, or the results expressed in or implied by any forward-looking statements. These important
factors are described below under Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Company Overview
We design, manufacture, and distribute fiber protection, fiber management, and fiber delivery solutions to enable rapid and cost-effective fiber-fed deployment throughout
the broadband service provider space primarily across North America. Our “fiber to anywhere” platform serves the unique requirements of Community Broadband
customers (Tier 2 and 3 telco carriers, utilities, municipalities, and alternative carriers), Multiple System Operators (cable television), Large Regional Service Providers
(ILEC operating a multi-state network with more than 500,000 subscribers), National Carriers (wireline/wireless national telco carriers (Tier 1)), and International
customers (primarily Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean Markets).
Our mission is to enable the lifestyle that better broadband provides through innovative product design that accelerates fiber-based deployment, making communications
simpler and more affordable for people everywhere. We believe our products offer broadband service providers a competitive advantage at a crucial time when demand for
fiber-based services is increasing to historic levels as providers focus on passing and connecting more homes. We are driven to help broadband service providers reduce the
cost - and increase the speed - of fiber deployment.
Strategy Overview
In 2022, we launched a transformative multi-year strategy plan called LEAP. To leap means jumping higher, further and with greater force. The LEAP plan is our roadmap
to how we intend to scale as a company to seize the opportunity Clearfield was built to achieve. There are four tenets in our LEAP plan, one for each letter.
The L is to leverage our decade-long excellence in community broadband. We are a leader in community broadband fiber connectivity and have been focused on serving
this market since we were founded. We make decisions by listening to our customers and understanding their evolving needs. Building on our decade plus of success in this
market, we’ve demonstrated that we can nimbly adapt to a changing marketplace and grow with our customers as they grow.
The E is to execute capacity enhancement. This tenet is centered around aligning us closer to market demand by building production capacity that facilitates optimal time to
market. We are structured to maintain our market leadership position and to gain market share from competitors and grow the business overall, by matching our capacity to
address the significant market demand for fiber broadband.
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The A is to accelerate infrastructure investments. This tenet reflects our commitment to continue investing in our organizational infrastructure to support the growing
business and effectively manage our expanded capacity. This includes attracting and retaining key personnel, optimizing internal processes, and adding information systems
to take advantage of the opportunity to achieve scalable company growth.
Finally, the P in LEAP stands for position innovation at the forefront of our value proposition. Accelerating our customers’ time to revenue by designing craft-friendly
products that require less skilled labor is the foundation of our value proposition. We intend to achieve this tenet by emphasizing innovation in our product designs and
increasing the cadence of our product expansions with the goal of facilitating our customers’ fiber broadband deployments.
Segments
We are engaged in global operations. Our operations currently comprise of two reportable segments: the Clearfield Operating Segment (referred to herein as “Clearfield”),
and the Nestor Cables Operating Segment (referred to herein as “Nestor Cables” or “Nestor”), which we established following our acquisition of Nestor Cables on July 26,
2022. Prior to July 26, 2022, we had a single reportable segment structure.
Clearfield Operating Segment
Clearfield is focused on providing fiber management, fiber protection, and fiber delivery products that accelerate the turn-up of fiber-based networks in residential homes,
businesses, and network infrastructure in the wireline and wireless access network. We offer a broad portfolio of fiber products that allow service providers to build fiber
networks faster, meet service delivery demands, and align build costs with take rates.
Clearfield’s products allow its customers to connect twice as many homes in their Fiber to the Home (“FTTH”) builds by using fewer resources in less time. Our products
speed up the time to revenue for our service provider customers in Multiple Dwelling Units (“MDUs”) and Multiple Tenant Units (“MTUs”) by reducing the amount of
labor and materials needed to provide gigabit service. Our products help make business services more profitable through faster building access, easier reconfiguration, and
quicker services turn-up. Finally, Clearfield is removing barriers to wireless 4G/5G deployments in backhaul from the tower to the cloud and fiber fronthaul from the tower
to the antenna at the cell site through better fiber management, test access, and fiber protection.
Substantially all of the final build and assembly is completed at Clearfield’s plants in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and Tijuana, Mexico, with manufacturing support from a
network of domestic and global manufacturing partners. Clearfield specializes in producing these products on both a quick-turn and scheduled delivery basis.
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Nestor Cables Operating Segment
As of July 26, 2022, Clearfield, through its newly created Finnish subsidiary, Clearfield Finland Oy, acquired Nestor Cables. Nestor Cables is based in Oulu, Finland, with
operations in Estonia through its wholly owned subsidiary, Nestor Cables Baltics OÜ. Nestor Cables manufactures fiber optic and copper telecommunication cables and
equipment which it distributes to telecommunication operators, network owners, electric companies, building contractors, and industrial companies. Prior to the acquisition,
Nestor Cables had been a supplier to Clearfield for over a decade and that relationship continued following the closing of the acquisition. Nestor has two types of production
processes, the process of making cable in its Finland facility and the finished assembly portion of its business performed in Estonia. Nestor Cables’ customer base includes
telecom operators, network owners, contractors, industries and wholesalers. Products are sold via distributors and directly to end users. Nestor Cables is subject to Finnish
government regulation and Nestor Cables Baltics is subject to Estonian government regulation.
Products
Our product strategy involves analyzing the broadband communications industry environment and technology, with a particular focus on simplifying our customers’
business, and developing innovative, high-quality products utilizing modular designs wherever possible. We are committed to make fiber deployment success easier by
providing craft-friendly, pre-connectorized plug-and-play fiber assemblies, fiber management and pathway products to speed deployments and provide the lowest total cost
of ownership for our customer’s networks. With the innovation of forward-thinking products, a 100 percent plug-and-play platform and creative deployment methods, we
are fulfilling our mission to enable the lifestyle that better broadband provides.
Throughout the fiber deployment journey from the Inside Plant (ISP) to the Outside Plant (OSP), into the Access Network and all the way to the fiber connection at the
home, our labor lite solutions solve service provider fiber network design and installation challenges. Our methodologies provide easy to engineer and easy to install
solutions that take the mystery out of deploying fiber networks.
Leveraging factory terminated single-fiber and multi-fiber plug-and-play connectors, homes passed, and homes connected metrics can be greatly increased. The speed to
turn up the entire network is maximized, while helping ensure superior optical performance achieved by using low-loss connectors, terminated in the factory.
Whether inside a cabinet or at the home, innovative slack storage spools and deploy reels reduce the dependence on making exact cable measurements. This enables the
deployment of double-ended, standard cable lengths rather than relying on highly engineered, built to order cable assemblies or multiple field splicing events.
Product development for the Company’s product line program has mainly been conducted internally. We believe that the communication industry environment is constantly
evolving, and our success depends on our ability to anticipate and respond to these changes. Research and development are reflected in Selling, General, & Administrative
expenses.
Some of our products currently offered are described below:
FieldSmart® is a series of panels, cabinets, wall boxes and other enclosures that provide a consistent design from the inside plant of the telco’s “central office” or cable
television’s head-end, all the way through the outside plant to the access network to within the home or business. The Clearview® Cassette is the core building block of
every product within the FieldSmart fiber management system. Clearview configuration options support tool-less installation, in-cassette buffer tube/ribbon slack storage as
well as front access-only designs. The small footprint reduces real estate costs and improves density without compromising critical design elements of access, bend-radius
protection, physical fiber protection and route path diversity. All types of fiber cable construction can be integrated within the cassette to support all patch only, patch and
splice (in-cassette splicing), passive optical component hardware and plug-and-play scenarios.
WaveSmart® optical components are integrated for signal coupling, splitting, termination, multiplexing, demultiplexing and attenuation for a seamless integration within
our fiber management platform. The products are built and tested for harsh environments to meet the strictest industry standards ensuring customers trouble-free
performance in extreme outside plant conditions.
Active Cabinets using our FiberFlex product lines feature either fully integrated, fully engineered cabinets equipped with specific active electronics configurations or
universal cabinets ready for mounting other electronic equipment. This product line features Clearfield’s fiber management solutions housing the Clearview Cassette. The
FieldSmart® FiberFlex product line of outdoor active cabinets feature multiple sizes for universal configurations of electronic equipment.
CraftSmart® FiberFirst™ pedestals are designed to support fiber-only networks. Purpose-built to support a wide variety of service network designs, the pedestal
eliminates the need for multiple, specialty pedestals and can support a passive optical network (PON) option, a splice-only option, or an access terminal option. The
FiberFirst Pedestal Access Terminal options provide a cable management and mounting bracket kit that supports the deployment of all Clearfield access terminals.
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Access Terminals from Clearfield are designed to ensure every service provider has the freedom of choice to match drop cable configuration and technology with the needs
of their environment and first-cost priorities. The patented SeeChange® terminal and hardened connector system lets the operator push fiber deeper in the neighborhood
using a completely plug-and-play approach. The YOURx® access terminals also offer flexibility with cable mid-span and internal splicing options. Clearfield access
terminals can be deployed in a variety of locations including pedestal, vault, flowerpot, pole-mount, smart-pole, or strand mounted options.
FieldShield® platform is a patented fiber pathway and protection method aimed at reducing the cost of broadband deployment. Our FieldShield fiber drop cable assemblies
are designed to connect the fiber access point (hand hole, pedestal or aerial) to the optical network terminal (ONT), on the home, in a fiber to the home (FTTH) network.
FieldShield starts with a ruggedized microduct designed to support all aerial, direct bury, and inside plant “last mile” needs. FieldShield microduct is strong enough to be
placed using traditional methods of boring and plowing, leveraging existing conduit placement equipment, as well as newer, less disruptive technologies such as micro
trenching or saw cutting.
Fiber Assemblies - Clearfield manufactures high quality fiber assemblies with an industry-standard or customer-specified configuration. In addition, Clearfield’s
engineering services team works alongside the engineering design departments of our original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) customers to design and manufacture
custom solutions for both in-the-box as well as network connectivity assemblies specific to that customer’s product line.
Fiber Optic Cables manufactured by Nestor Cables include a comprehensive range of optical fiber cables that offer dependable solutions for various installation conditions
and special requirements, including direct buried cables, duct cables, microduct cables, indoor/outdoor cables, aerial cables and submarine cable.
Copper Cables manufactured by Nestor cables include copper conducted instrumentation and automation cables as well as central and signaling cables Nestor also
manufactures copper cable for telecommunications networks.
Nestor Optimus product family is a complete solution which includes all needed products - cables, microducts, microduct accessories and tools - for construction of
microduct networks which are easily expandable, suitable for changing and growing urban and suburban areas, and enables the use of lighter installation techniques, which
reduces construction costs and interference during installation.
NesCon Connectivity Products is a product family by Nestor Cables that includes essential installation and connection accessories for fiber optic networks, all of which
are compatible with Nestor Cable’s optical fiber cables.
Markets and Customers
The Company’s products are sold across broadband service providers, which we categorize as National Carrier (wireline/wireless national telco carriers (Tier 1)),
Community Broadband (Tier 2 and 3 telco carriers, utilities, municipalities, and alternative carriers), Large Regional Service Providers (ILEC operating a multi-state
network with more than 500,000 subscribers), Multiple System Operators (cable television), International (primarily Europe, Central/Latin America and Canada), and
Legacy build-to-print copper and fiber assemblies (primarily contract manufacturing). Nestor’s products are sold to telecommunication wholesalers and telecommunication
operators, primarily in Europe.
The Company’s products are sold direct to customers through the Company’s sales force as well as through authorized distributors. In addition, the Company uses
manufacturing sales representatives and sales agents for customer and geography specific needs.
The Company considers the primary markets for its products to be as follows:
FTTP
Fiber to the Premise (also called Fiber to the Home) is a means of delivering the highest possible level of bandwidth directly to the user. The Company’s sales and
marketing efforts have principally been focused on the U.S., with additional efforts in Canada and Central/Latin America. We intend to leverage our Nestor platform to cross
sell connectivity products into Europe.
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FTTB
Fiber to the Business is principally for Multiple System Operators (cable television) and wireline/wireless national telco carriers (Tier 1) to penetrate the business
marketplace.
FTT-Cell site
Fiber to the Cell site is the trend in which wireless service providers enhance their coverage for bandwidth. Currently, the majority of these cell sites are served by fiber
backhaul and fronthaul.
Build to Print
In addition to a proprietary product line designed for the broadband service provider marketplace, Clearfield provides contract manufacturing services for original
equipment manufacturers requiring copper and fiber cable assemblies built to their specification.
Competition
The market for the fiber management, fiber protection, and fiber delivery products provided by the Clearfield segment is highly competitive. Competition is largely based
on any one or a combination of the following factors: functionality and features, price, product quality, product availability and lead times, cost and ease of installation,
service and support, long-term returns to customers, scalability, product innovation, and manufacturing capability.
Competitors to the FieldSmart product lines include, but are not limited to, products offered by Corning Cabling Systems, Inc., OFS (Furukawa Electric North America,
Inc.), AFL Telecommunications (a subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd.), Fujikura Ltd., Nokia, Hextronics Group and CommScope, Inc. Competitors to the CraftSmart and FiberFlex
active cabinet product lines include products offered by Emerson Network Power, a subsidiary of Vertiv Co., and Charles Industries, Ltd., a subsidiary of Amphenol.
Competitors to FieldShield product lines include products offered by PPC Broadband, a subsidiary of Belden, Inc and Emtelle UK Limited. In various geographic or vertical
markets, there are also several smaller companies with which we compete. Clearfield believes that it has a competitive advantage with customers who can leverage the cost
savings the Clearview Cassette can provide and those who require quick-turn, high-performance customized products, and that it is at a competitive disadvantage with
customers who principally seek large volume commodity products.
The Nestor Cables segment faces competition from numerous competitors within each of the markets it serves. The Nestor Cables segment competes primarily on the basis
of its product performance and its ability to meet its customers’ highly specified design, engineering and delivery needs on a timely basis. The market demand and resulting
build rates of fiber optic networks and capital expenditures by telecommunications wholesalers and telecommunications providers, has a large and direct influence on the
demand for the Nestor Cables segment products.
Many of our competitors have greater resources than we do, including greater sales, product development, marketing, financial, technical, or engineering resources. As a
result, our competitors may be able to procure necessary components and labor at much lower prices than we can or may offer competitive products at below market prices,
which could prevent us from competing effectively.
Sources of Materials and Supply Chain
Numerous purchased materials and components and sources of labor are used in the manufacturing of the Company’s products. Most of these are available from multiple
suppliers. However, some components and third-party contract manufacturing services are purchased from a single or a limited number of suppliers. The loss of access to
some components and third-party contract manufacturing services could have an adverse effect on our ability to deliver products on a timely basis and on our financial
performance.
Clearfield’s Mexico facility operates under a Maquiladora arrangement. Under this arrangement, we contract with a company to provide certain personnel and other services
at the production facilities in Mexico that complete final build and assembly of a significant portion of Clearfield’s products. Maquiladora status also allows us to import
certain items from the United States into Mexico duty-free, provided that such items, after processing, are exported from Mexico within a stipulated time frame.
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Our supply chain management team oversees our suppliers to source and procure materials, manufacture and deliver our products to customers from the site of manufacture,
whether at Clearfield’s facility in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota or the facility in Tijuana, Mexico that operates as Maquiladoras. Our supply chain management team consists of
planning, sourcing, and logistics personnel. We tightly integrate our supply chain management, our product innovation activities, and our manufacturing operations. Our
supply chain team also manages the critical logistics and transport services for our materials, components and finished products in and out of Mexico to ensure sufficient
materials to timely produce products and to ensure timely export of products in order to qualify as duty-free.
Over the last several years, we have taken steps to improve our supply chain operations, enhance resiliency and mitigate risk of disruption.
Major Customers and Financial Information about Geographic Areas
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, the Company had one customer that comprised 16% of net sales. This customer is a distributor. For the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2022, the Company had one customer that comprised 14% of net sales. This customer was a distributor. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, the
Company had two customers that comprised a combined 28% of net sales. Both of these customers were distributors. These major customers, like our other customers,
purchase our products from time to time through purchase orders and we do not have any agreements that obligate these major customers to purchase products in the future
from us.
As of September 30, 2023, three customers accounted for a combined 40% of accounts receivable. These customers are all distributors. As of September 30, 2022, one
customer accounted for 20% of accounts receivable. This customer is a distributor.
The Company allocates sales from external customers to geographic areas based on the location to which the product is transported. Sales outside the United States are
principally to customers in Canada as well as countries in the Caribbean, Europe and Central and South America. Since our acquisition of Nestor Cables in July 2022, we
experienced an increased concentration of customers based in Europe.
Patents and Trademarks
As of September 30, 2023, Clearfield has 47 patents granted and multiple patent applications pending both inside and outside the United States. These patents begin to
expire in 2028. We have also developed and are using multiple trademarks and logos to market and promote our products.
Seasonality
We are affected by the seasonal trends in the industries we serve. We typically experience sequentially lower sales in our first and second fiscal year quarters, primarily due
to customer budget cycles, deployment schedules of outdoor products, some customer geographical concentrations, as well as standard vacation and holiday calendars.
Sales have usually reached a seasonal peak in our third and fourth fiscal quarters.
Human Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2023, the Company had approximately 400 full-time employees, of which 65% were based in the United States (“U.S.”) and 35% were based outside
of the U.S., primarily in Finland and Estonia due to our Nestor Cables operations. We also employ seasonal, part-time employees and independent contractors. Subject to
customarily local collective bargaining arrangements for employees in Finland and Estonia, none of our employees are covered by any collective bargaining agreement.
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Our U.S. employees include approximately 165 office personnel and 100 manufacturing personnel as of September 30, 2023. The substantial majority of these employees
work out of our Brooklyn Park, Minnesota headquarters. The Company’s office personnel are comprised of sales, marketing, engineering, and administrative personnel. The
manufacturing personnel include both individuals directly involved in the manufacturing of our products, as well as warehouse and operations supervisory personnel.
Certain positions within our organization require industry specific technical knowledge. Our manufacturing personnel currently work in one shift as needed at our Brooklyn
Park facility.
We invest significant management attention, time, and resources to attract, engage, develop, and retain our employees, particularly for positions that require technical
knowledge or expertise. For this reason, we offer rigorous training programs for manufacturing and other technical employees to allow them to develop the necessary
skillset for their roles and promote career development. To date, our training programs and overall collaborative working environment have allowed us to be successful in
attracting and retaining qualified technical personnel for these positions.
Nestor Cables has approximately 30 office personnel and 105 manufacturing personnel as of September 30, 2023.
As of September 30, 2023, we had contracted for approximately 600 personnel in the Mexico facility through a Maquiladora agreement.
In our manufacturing operations, we monitor key metrics and goals based on quality, productivity, and ability to meet shipping promise dates. As a measure of quality, we
focus on First Pass Yield (“FPY”), which is calculated as the percentage of product that meets all performance criteria upon first completion from our manufacturing floor
and requires no rework. The Company’s target for FPY ranges from 92-99%, depending on key manufacturing steps and the product line being produced. We also measure
our On-Time Delivery (“OTD”) which is determined by the Company’s ability to ship product on the date necessary, accounting for standard shipping times, in order to
meet the agreed upon delivery date with our customers. The Company’s OTD target is a minimum of 95%. This metric is important as the Company has taken a strategic
approach to be able to offer low industry lead times for our customers. The Company incentivizes certain of its personnel based on these metrics.
Climate Change
Certain government and regulatory bodies have introduced or are contemplating regulatory changes relating to climate change. While we do not believe climate-related risks
are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our business, results of operations, or financial condition at this time, we are continuing to assess the nature and extent of
risk from a changing climate and the potential for increased regulation.
The majority of our manufacturing operations calls for compiling raw material and other purchased components from suppliers. As part of our operations, we focus on
minimizing scrap and other waste and look to recycle and salvage this scrap wherever possible. Any new regulation of emissions may result in additional costs to our
suppliers which may be passed on to us.
In addition, the physical impacts of climate change and other natural events, including adverse weather conditions such as heavy or sustained rainfall, flooding, cold weather
and snow, can impact deployment schedules of outdoor products and potentially affect demand for our products. Additionally, we may need to take into account an increase
in the frequency of extreme weather events in the development of our products.
An increase in the frequency of extreme weather events, changes in weather patterns, drought, rising ocean and temperature levels, earthquakes and the like may impact our
manufacturing operations or the manufacturing operations of suppliers of our critical raw materials or components. These types of impacts may also result in transportation-
related supply chain challenges and negatively impact the delivery of raw materials, components, or products to or from our facilities. These potential physical effects may
increase costs, cause delays or shortages in components required to produce our products or cause delays in the shipment of our products to customers.
Changes in environmental and climate change laws or regulations, including laws relating to greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, could lead to new or additional investment
in the Company’s products or facilities and could increase environmental compliance expenditures. Changes in climate change concerns, or in the regulation of such
concerns, including GHG emissions, could subject the Company to additional costs and restrictions, including increased energy and raw material costs and other compliance
requirements which could negatively impact the Company’s reputation, business, capital expenditures, results of operations, and financial position.
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Corporate Information
Clearfield, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of Minnesota in 1979. Our corporate headquarters are located at 7050 Winnetka Avenue North, Suite 100, Brooklyn Park,
Minnesota, 55428, and our corporate website is www.seeclearfield.com. We do not incorporate the information on or accessible through our website into this annual report
on Form 10-K, and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this annual report on Form 10-K.
Our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available free of charge at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, like Clearfield, that file electronically
with the SEC and that internet site is http://www.sec.gov.
We use various trademarks and trade names in our business, including without limitation our corporate name and logo. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade
names in this annual report may be referred to without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that we will not assert, to the
fullest extent under applicable law, our rights thereto.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Risks Relating to Our Operations
Inflationary price pressures and uncertain availability of components, raw materials, labor and logistics used by us, and our suppliers could negatively impact our
profitability.
Increases in the price of raw materials, labor and other components utilized in the production of our products, along with logistics and other related costs, may lead to higher
production and shipping costs for our products. Additionally, increasing global demand for, and uncertain supply of, such materials could disrupt our ability to obtain such
materials in a timely manner to meet our supply needs and could lead to increased costs. An increase in the cost of inputs needed to produce our products could lead to
higher costs and could negatively impact our results of operation, future profitability, and ability to meet customer demand. Passing along these increased prices to our
customers to offset the impact of higher costs may cause certain customers to cancel, push out, or refrain from purchasing our products, which could negatively impact
demand for our products, and therefore also negatively impact our results of operations and future profitability.
We rely on single-source suppliers, which could cause delays, increases in costs, or prevent us from completing customer orders, all of which could materially harm our
business.
We assemble our products using materials and components supplied by various subcontractors and suppliers. We purchase critical components for our products, including
injected molded parts, various cabling, optical components, and connectors from third parties, some of whom are single- or limited-source suppliers. If any of our suppliers
are unable to ship critical components, we may be unable to manufacture and ship products to our distributors or customers. If the price of these components increases for
any reason, or if these suppliers are unable or unwilling to deliver, we may have to find another source, which could result in interruptions, increased costs, delays, lost
sales, and quality control problems.
Further, the costs to obtain certain raw materials and supplies, such as fiber and copper cabling, are subject to price fluctuations, which may be substantial, because of global
market demands. Many companies utilize the same raw materials and supplies in the production of their products as we use in our products. Companies with more resources
than us may have a competitive advantage in obtaining raw materials and supplies due to greater purchasing power. Some raw materials or supplies may be subject to
regulatory actions, which may affect available supplies. Further, tariffs may be imposed by the U.S. on imports from other countries that are the single- or limited-source of
our materials and components. Tariffs increase the cost of the materials and components that go into making our products, but we are generally unable to pass most of these
increased costs on to our customers. Accordingly, these increased costs adversely impact the gross margin that we earn on our products. Furthermore, due to general
economic conditions in the U.S. and globally, our suppliers may experience financial difficulties, which could result in increased delays, additional costs, or loss of a
supplier.
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The termination or interruption of any of these relationships, or the failure of these manufacturers or suppliers to supply components or raw materials to us on a timely basis
or in sufficient quantities, likely would cause us to be unable to meet orders for our products and harm our reputation and our business. Identifying and qualifying
alternative suppliers would take time, involve significant additional costs, and may delay the production of our products. If we fail to forecast our manufacturing
requirements accurately or fail to properly manage our inventory with our contract manufacturers, we could incur additional costs, experience manufacturing delays, and
lose sales. Further, if we obtain a new supplier or assemble our product using an alternative source of supply, we may need to conduct additional testing of our products to
ensure they meet our quality and performance standards. Any delays in delivery of our product to distributors or customers could be extended, and our costs associated with
the change in product manufacturing could increase.
The failure of our third-party manufacturers to manufacture the products for us or the failure of our suppliers of components and raw materials to supply us these items
consistent with our requirements as to quality, quantity and timeliness could materially harm our business by causing delays, lost sales, increases in costs and lower gross
profit margins.
An increasing number of products manufactured by the Company are produced outside the U.S., including in our Mexico facilities. The Company’s manufacturing facilities
in Mexico are authorized to operate as Maquiladoras by the Ministry of Economy of Mexico. Maquiladora status allows the Company to import certain items from the U.S.
into Mexico duty-free, provided that such items, after processing, are exported from Mexico within a stipulated time frame. Maquiladora status, which is renewed
periodically, is subject to various restrictions and requirements, including compliance with the terms of the Maquiladora program and other local regulations. Failure to
comply with these regulations or other disruptions within the program could adversely affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
We depend on the availability of sufficient supply of certain materials. Global disruptions in the supply chain for these materials could prevent us from meeting
customer demand for our products.
We purchase critical components for our products, including injected molded parts, various cabling, optical components, components for active cabinets, and connectors
from third parties, some of whom are single- or limited-source suppliers. We depend on the ability of these third-party suppliers to secure a sufficient supply of raw
materials and maintain sufficient manufacturing and shipping capacity. The global supply chain for raw materials critical to our products has in the past, and may again in
the future, suffer shortages, shipping delays and shipping shortages. This may lead some manufacturers who depend on these raw materials to experience shortages, delivery
delays and price increases for both the raw materials and shipping, with the corresponding consequence that these manufacturers may be delayed in delivering products to
us or may charge higher prices for these products, or there may be increased shipping costs associated with the products. Some manufacturers may also allocate short supply
of products among Clearfield and their other customers.
Increased demand for the Company’s products from its customers may put pressure on the Company’s supply chain, particularly during periods of disruption in the global
supply chain and may lead to increases in costs or delays in obtaining the materials and components for our products from our suppliers. The Company’s ability to recognize
revenue in the future for customer orders will depend on our ability to manufacture and deliver products to the customers and fulfill other contractual obligations. Our
ability to meet future customer demand for our products will in turn depend upon our suppliers receiving timely and adequate supplies of raw materials to be able to produce
the critical materials and components they supply to us. Although we place a high value on long-term relationships with our suppliers, generally we do not have long-term
supply contracts but instead conduct business on an order-by-order basis. Therefore, we also compete with other companies for the production capacity of manufacturers of
the materials and components we need for our products. We also are exposed to potentially increasing costs associated with the materials and components we purchase from
suppliers or increased costs associated with shipping generally. We may attempt to mitigate the effect of increases in our cost of goods sold through sourcing or stocking
initiatives and by selectively increasing the prices of our products. However, we may be unable to fully pass on these costs to our customers. Long lead times for certain
components and changes in demand for our products may impact our ability to accurately forecast our production requirements. As a result, certain component inventory
purchases may become excess or obsolete, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
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The reduction of available production capacity among our suppliers, their failures to meet production deadlines or increases to us in their manufacturing or shipping costs
may impact our ability to deliver quality products to our customers on a timely basis, make our products less competitive due to extended delivery times or increased price,
negatively impact our customer or distributor relationships, and result in lower net sales and profit. Any delays or inabilities in meeting customer required shipping dates
may also expose us to order cancellations in our sales order backlog by customers, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
A significant percentage of our sales in the last three fiscal years have been made to a small number of customers, and the loss of these major customers could
adversely affect us.
Our customer base includes direct customers, OEMs, and distributors. For fiscal year 2023, the Company had one customer that comprised 16% of net sales. For fiscal year
2022, the Company had one customer that comprised 14% of net sales, and for fiscal year 2021 the Company had two customers that comprised a combined 28%, of net
sales. These customers are all distributors.
These customers, like our other customers, purchase our products from time to time through purchase orders. We do not have any agreements that obligate our customers to
purchase products in the future from us. Our agreements with our distributor customers do not prohibit them from purchasing or offering products or services that compete
with ours.
We believe that the loss of our major distributor customers would likely result in purchases being re-directed through other sales channels, for example our other
distributors, independent sales representatives, or through direct sales by the Company to customers. However, there can be no assurance that the loss of a distributor
customer would not have an adverse effect on our sales or gross margins in this event.
The loss of any one or more of our key customers, the substantial reduction, delay, or cancellation of orders received from any of our customers in our sales backlog or our
inability to collect the accounts receivable from these customers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
Further consolidation among our customers may result in the loss of some customers and may reduce sales during the pendency of business combinations and related
integration activities.
We believe consolidation among our customers in the future will continue in order for them to increase market share and achieve greater economies of scale. In connection
with this merger and acquisition activity, our customers may postpone or cancel orders for our product based on revised plans for technology or network expansion pending
consolidation activity. Customers integrating large-scale mergers or acquisitions may also reduce their purchases of equipment during the integration period or postpone or
cancel orders.
The impact of significant mergers and acquisitions among our customers on our business is likely to be unclear until sometime after such transactions are completed, which
may take a year or more. After a consolidation occurs, a customer may choose to reduce the number of vendors from which it purchases equipment and may choose one of
our competitors as its preferred vendor. There can be no assurance that we will continue to supply equipment to the surviving company after a business combination is
completed.
We may be subject to risks associated with acquisitions, and the risks could adversely affect future operating results.
We monitor our product portfolio and business and customer trends. In response, we have made and may continue to make acquisitions. The success of our acquisitions will
depend on our ability to successfully identify and properly value suitable acquisition candidates, negotiate appropriate acquisition terms, obtain financing at a reasonable
cost, prevail against competing acquirers, complete the acquisitions, and integrate the acquired businesses into our existing business. We cannot ensure that the expected
benefits of any acquisition will be realized or will be realized within the time frames we expect. Costs could be incurred on pursuits or proposed acquisitions that have not
yet or may not close which could impact our operating results, financial condition, or cash flows. Additionally, after the acquisition, unforeseen issues could arise which
adversely affect the anticipated returns, or which are otherwise not recoverable as an adjustment to the purchase price. The price we pay for a business or product line may
exceed the value we realize, and we cannot provide assurance that we will obtain the expected revenues, anticipated synergies, and strategic benefits of any acquisition
within the time we expect or at all. Acquisitions may result in the recording of goodwill and other intangible assets which are subject to potential impairments in the future
that could negatively impact our financial results.
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If we are unable to complete acquisitions or successfully integrate and develop acquired businesses, our financial results could be materially and adversely affected. The
risks inherent in pursuing or completing an acquisition include:
● diversion of management’s time and attention away from existing business activities;
● difficulties or delays in integrating and assimilating information and financial systems, operations and products of an acquired business or other business venture or
in realizing projected efficiencies, growth prospects, cost savings and synergies;
● potential difficulties in managing our expanded operations and, in the case of international acquisitions, potential difficulties in managing non-U.S. subsidiaries,
including the burden and cost of complying with a variety of international laws;
● potential loss of key employees, customers and suppliers of the acquired businesses or adverse effects on relationships with existing customers and suppliers;
● adverse impact on overall profitability if the acquired business does not achieve the return on investment projected at the time of acquisition;
● currency translations and fluctuations may adversely affect the financial performance of our consolidated operations; and
● with respect to the acquired assets and liabilities, inaccurate assessment of additional post-acquisition capital investments; undisclosed, contingent, or other
liabilities; problems executing backlog of material supply or installation projects; unanticipated costs; and an inability to recover or manage such liabilities and
costs.
These risks associated with acquisition, integration of acquired businesses and management of our expanded operations may have a material adverse effect on our sales,
financial condition, and results of operations.
We have exposure to movements in foreign currency exchange rates.
Nestor Cables’ functional currency is the Euro, which is translated to the Company’s reporting currency of the U.S. dollar. Fluctuations in exchange rates between the Euro
and U.S. dollar may impact our results of operations, financial position and cashflows. The Company expects to continue to experience fluctuations in the value of the U.S.
dollar against the Euro and other currencies if it is not possible, cost-effective or should we not elect to hedge certain currency exposure. These factors, which are variable
and generally outside of our control, could materially impact our results of operations, anticipated future results, financial position, and cash flows.
Adverse global economic conditions and geopolitical issues could have a negative effect on our business, and results of operations and financial condition.
Our business, including global supply chain, is affected by global economic conditions and geopolitical issues. Geopolitical issues, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine
and related economic sanctions and tensions between Russia and NATO countries, has resulted in increasing global tensions, rising energy costs and creates uncertainty for
our global supply chain. Sustained or worsening global economic conditions and geopolitical issues may disrupt or increase our cost of doing business and otherwise disrupt
and delay our supply chain operations. These factors could negatively affect the cost and supply of components needed for our products, our ability to ship products to
customers and ultimately impact our business, financial condition, and result of operations.
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Growth may strain our business infrastructure, which could adversely affect our operations and financial condition.
As we grow, we will face the risk that our existing resources and systems, including management resources, enterprise technology and operating systems, may be
inadequate to support our growth. There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain the personnel or make the changes in our systems that may be required to support
our growth. Failure to secure these resources and implement these systems on a timely basis could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. In addition, hiring
additional personnel and implementing changes and enhancements to our systems will require capital expenditures and other increased costs that could also have a material
adverse impact on our operating results.
Product defects or the failure of our products to meet specifications or domestic content requirements could cause us to lose customers and sales or to incur unexpected
expenses.
If our products do not meet our customers’ performance requirements, our customer relationships may suffer. Also, our products may contain defects or fail to meet product
specifications. Any failure or poor performance of our products could result in:
● lack of or delayed market acceptance of our products;
● delayed product shipments;
● unexpected expenses and diversion of resources to replace defective products or identify and correct the source of errors;
● damage to our reputation and our customer relationships;
● delayed recognition of sales or reduced sales;
● increased product warranty claims; and
● product liability claims or other claims for damages that may be caused by any product defects or performance failures.
In addition, certain of our products will be required to meet Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act domestic content requirements to enable certain customers to qualify
for grant funding under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Any failure of such products to meet BABA domestic content requirements
would result in those products being ineligible for purchase and use by certain customers under the BEAD program, and could result in lost sales, lost business opportunity,
breach of warranty claims, and damage to our reputation and customer relationships.
Our products are often critical to the performance of telecommunications systems. We offer customers limited warranty provisions. If the limitations on the product
warranties are unenforceable in a particular jurisdiction or if we are exposed to product liability claims that are not covered by insurance, a claim could harm our business.
We are dependent on key personnel.
Our failure to attract, develop and retain skilled personnel could hinder the management and growth of our business, our research and development, our sales and marketing
efforts and our manufacturing capabilities. Our future success depends to a significant degree upon the continued services of key senior management personnel, including
Cheryl Beranek, our Chief Executive Officer, and John P. Hill, our Chief Operating Officer. We have employment agreements with Ms. Beranek and Mr. Hill that provide
that if we terminate the employment of either executive without cause or if the executive terminates her or his employment for good reason, we would be required to make
specified payments to them as described in their employment agreements. We have key person life insurance on Ms. Beranek and Mr. Hill. We also have employment
agreements with other key management. Further, our future success also depends on our continuing ability to attract, develop, retain, and motivate highly qualified
managerial, technical and sales personnel. Our inability to attract, develop and retain qualified personnel could have a significant negative effect and thereby materially
harm our business and financial condition.
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Cyber-security incidents, including ransomware, data breaches or computer viruses, could disrupt our business operations, damage our reputation, result in increased
expense and potentially lead to legal proceedings.
Cybersecurity threats continue to expand and evolve, making it difficult to detect and prevent such threats from impacting the Company. While we monitor our networks
and continue to enhance our network security measures, cyber-attacks have increased in frequency and sophistication, and our efforts may not be adequate to prevent all
cybersecurity incidents. Cybersecurity threats to the Company could lead to unauthorized access to the Company’s information technology systems, customers, suppliers,
and third-party service providers. Cybersecurity incidents could potentially result in the disruption of our business operations and/or the theft, destruction, publication, or
corruption of critical data and confidential or proprietary information. Cybersecurity events could also result in the Company being unable to access critical data in a timely
manner, or at all. Cybersecurity incidents could also result from unauthorized parties gaining access to our systems or information through fraudulent or other means of
deceiving our employees, suppliers, customers, or third-party service providers. Despite the Company’s implementation of preventative security measures and controls to
prevent, detect, and mitigate these threats, our infrastructure may still be susceptible to disruptions from cybersecurity incidents including ransomware attacks, security
breaches, computer viruses, outages, and systems failures, any of which could include the inability to access critical data, reputational damage, loss of our intellectual
property, release of highly sensitive confidential information, litigation with third parties and/or governmental investigations and fines, which could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, as cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, we may be required to devote additional resources to
continue to enhance our information security measures and controls to mitigate these new and emerging threats.
Our business is dependent on interdependent management information systems.
We rely on effective management information systems, including our enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) software, for critical business operations and to support strategic
business decisions. We rely on our ERP system to support such important business operations as processing sales orders and invoicing, manufacturing, shipping, inventory
control, purchasing and supply chain management, human resources, and financial reporting. Some of these systems are made up of multiple software and system providers.
The interdependence of these solutions and systems is a risk, and the failure of any one system could have a material adverse effect on our overall information technology
infrastructure. We are in the process of consolidating several of these solutions and systems into one integrated ERP system for our North American operations. Failure to
successfully consolidate and integrate these solutions and systems could result in disruptions to our operations and adversely impact our business. Failure or abandonment
of all or any part of the ERP system consolidation and integration project could result in a write-off of all or part of the costs that have been capitalized in connection with
the project, which may negatively impact our financial results. We also rely on management information systems to produce information for business decision-making and
planning. If we are unable to maintain our management information systems, including our IT infrastructure, to support critical business operations and to produce
information for business decision-making activities, we could experience a material adverse impact on our business or an inability to timely and accurately report our
financial results.
Our IT systems may also be vulnerable to disruptions from human error, outdated applications, computer viruses, natural disasters, unauthorized access, cyber-attack, and
other similar disruptions. Any system failure, accident or security breach could result in disruptions to our operations. To the extent that any disruptions, cyber-attack or
other security breach results in a loss or damage to our data, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential information, it could harm our business. In addition, we may be
required to incur significant costs to protect against damage caused by these disruptions or security breaches in the future.
Natural disasters, extreme weather conditions or other catastrophic events could negatively affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Natural disasters, extreme weather events and other catastrophic events such as flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, unusually heavy precipitation, earthquakes, tsunamis, fires,
explosions, acts of war, terrorism, civil unrest, or pandemics could increase the cost of doing business or otherwise harm our operations, our suppliers and our customers.
Such events could reduce demand for our products or make it difficult or impossible for us to receive raw materials from suppliers and deliver products to our customers.
Pandemics and other health crises, including COVID-19, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Pandemics and other health crises, including COVID-19, and governmental, business, and societal responses to pandemics or other health crises, have had, and in the future
may have, an adverse effect on our operations, work force, supply chains, distribution channels, and customers. Constraints and limits imposed on our operations due to
pandemics or other health crises may slow or diminish our sales and marketing programs, product development activities and qualification activities with our customers.
Restrictions on our manufacturing, support operations or workforce, or similar limitations for our suppliers, could limit our ability to meet customer demand. Restrictions or
disruptions of transportation, such as reduced availability of air transport, port closures and increased border controls or closures, resulting in higher costs and delays, could
harm our profitability, make our products less competitive, or cause our customers to seek alternative suppliers. Employee health, availability, productivity, and efficiency
may be adversely impacted. The degree to which pandemics and other health crises impact our results will depend on numerous factors and future developments, which are
highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the outbreak, its severity, the actions to contain the pandemic and address
its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.
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Risks Relating to Our Markets and Industry
To compete effectively, we must continually improve existing products and introduce new products that achieve market acceptance.
The telecommunications equipment industry is characterized by rapid technological changes, evolving industry standards, changing market conditions and frequent new
product and service introductions and enhancements. The introduction of products using new technologies, or the adoption of new industry standards can make our existing
products, or products under development, obsolete or unmarketable. In order to remain competitive and increase sales, we will need to anticipate and adapt to these rapidly
changing technologies, enhance our existing products and introduce new products to address the changing demands of our customers.
Many of our competitors have greater engineering and product development resources than we have. Although we expect to continue to invest resources in product
development activities, our efforts to achieve and maintain profitability will require us to be selective and focused with our research and development expenditures. In
addition, sales to certain broadband service providers may require third-party independent laboratory testing in order to obtain industry certifications to be able to sell to
those customers. Further, our existing and development-stage products may become obsolete if our competitors introduce newer or more appealing technologies. If these
technologies are patented or proprietary to our competitors, we may not be able to access these technologies.
If we fail to anticipate or respond in a cost-effective and timely manner to technological developments, changes in industry standards or customer requirements, or if we
experience any significant delays in product development or introduction, our business, operating results, and financial condition could be affected adversely.
If the telecommunications market does not continue to expand, our business may not grow as fast as we expect, which could adversely impact our business, financial
condition, and operating results.
Our future success as a provider of fiber management, fiber protection and fiber delivery products depends on the continued growth of demand for fiber broadband and, in
particular, the continued expansion in the United States and in our other markets of information networks, particularly those directly or indirectly dependent upon a fiber
optic infrastructure. As part of that growth, we anticipate that demand for voice, video, and other data services delivered over high-speed connections (both wired and
wireless) will continue to increase. If this demand does not increase, the need for enhanced high-speed bandwidth using fiber connections may not increase. Currently,
demand for high-speed broadband capabilities and access is increasing, but future growth may be limited by several factors, including, among others: (1) relative strength or
weakness of the global economy or certain countries or regions, (2) an uncertain regulatory environment, (3) uncertainty regarding long-term sustainable business models as
multiple industries, such as the cable, traditional telecommunications, wireless and satellite industries, offer competing content delivery solutions, (4) excess product
inventory in the marketplace, (5) lack of available skilled labor to install product; and (6) delays in the permitting process for fiber optic network installations. If the factors
described above were to occur and cause the demand for fiber broadband capabilities or access to slow, stop or reverse, our business, financial condition and operating
results would be negatively affected.
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Changes in U.S. government funding programs may cause our customers and prospective customers to delay, reduce, or accelerate purchases, leading to unpredictable
and irregular purchase cycles.
The telecommunications and cable television industries are subject to significant and changing U.S. federal and state regulation, some of which subsidizes or encourages
spending on initiatives that utilize our products.
For example, programs like the Connect America Fund (CAF), which provides a capital expenditure subsidy for the build-out of the country’s broadband network, the Rural
Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), which will provide a capital expenditure subsidy for the support of high-speed broadband networks in rural America, and the Broadband
Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, among others, which will provide funding for broadband deployment, mapping and adoption projects in unserved and
underserved areas in the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia, may subsidize or encourage spending by our customers or prospective customers on
capital spending projects that utilize our products. Customers may seek to time or otherwise adjust their technology or network expansion projects to the availability of
subsidies under these or other programs, which will affect the timing and size of orders for our products. In addition, other universal service and inter-carrier compensation
reforms scheduled to begin in the coming years will eliminate subsidies that carriers have traditionally relied upon to support service in high-cost, rural areas. Changes in
government programs in our industry or uncertainty regarding future changes could adversely impact our customers’ or prospective customers’ decisions regarding timing
and amounts of capital spending, which could decrease demand for our products, delay orders or result in pricing pressure from these customers. Moreover, disruptions at
U.S. government agencies responsible for implementing broadband programs and subsidies, including as a result of government shutdowns or pandemics like COVID-19,
may also delay the availability of subsidies or implementation of programs affecting our customers, which may adversely affect our business.
Intense competition in our industry may result in price reductions, lower gross profits, and loss of market share.
Competition in the telecommunications equipment and services industry is intense. Our competitors may have or could develop or acquire marketing, financial,
development and personnel resources that exceed ours. Our ability to compete successfully will depend on whether we can continue to advance the technology of our
products and develop new products, the acceptance of our products among our customers and prospective customers, and our ability to anticipate customer needs in product
development, as well as the price, quality and reliability of our products, our delivery and service capabilities and our control of production capacity and operating expenses.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully against our current or future competitors. Competition from manufacturers of telecommunications
equipment such as ours may result in price reductions, lower gross profit margins, increased discounts to customers, and loss of market share, which could require increased
spending by us on research and development, sales and marketing, and customer support.
Our success depends upon adequate protection of our patent and other intellectual property rights.
Our future success depends in part upon our proprietary technology. We attempt to protect our proprietary technology through patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade
secrets. However, these legal means afford us only limited protection and may not adequately protect our rights or remedies to gain or keep any advantages we may have
over our competitors. Accordingly, we cannot predict whether these protections will be adequate, or whether our competitors will develop similar technology independently,
without violating our proprietary rights.
Our competitors, many of which have significant resources, may make substantial investments in competing products and technologies, or may apply for and obtain patents
that will prevent, limit, or interfere with our ability to manufacture or market our products. We may litigate to enforce patents issued to us and to defend against claimed
infringement of the rights of others or to determine the ownership, scope, or validity of our proprietary rights and the rights of others.
Litigation has been necessary in the past and may be necessary in the future to defend or enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our patents and trade secrets, and
to determine the validity and scope of our proprietary rights. Any litigation also may involve substantial costs and diversion of the attention of Company management away
from operational activities. Any claim of infringement against us could involve significant liabilities to third parties, could require us to seek licenses from third parties, and
could prevent us from manufacturing, selling or using our products. The occurrence of litigation or the effect of any settlement or an adverse determination in litigation
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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We face risks associated with expanding our sales outside of the United States.
We believe that our future growth depends in part upon our ability to manage our international operations and increase sales in international markets. These sales are subject
to a variety of risks, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates, tariffs, import restrictions and other trade barriers, unexpected changes in legal and regulatory
requirements, longer accounts receivable payment cycles, potentially adverse tax consequences, and export license requirements. In addition, we are subject to the risks
inherent in conducting business internationally, including political and economic instability, unexpected changes in diplomatic and trade relationships, and a complex
system of commercial and trade laws, regulations, and policies, including those related to data privacy, trade compliance, anti-corruption, and anti-bribery. Currency
fluctuations may also increase the cost of our international operations and increase the relative price of our product in international markets and thereby cause our products
to become less affordable or less price competitive than those of international manufacturers. These risks associated with international operations may have a material
adverse effect on our revenue from or costs associated with international operations or sales.
Expectations relating to environmental, social and governance matters may increase our cost of doing business and expose us to reputational harm and potential
liability.
Many regulators, investors, employees, vendors, customers, community members and other stakeholders are increasingly focused on environmental, social and governance
matters relating to businesses, including climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, human capital, civil rights, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. We may make public
statements about various environmental, social and governance matters and initiatives from time to time through our website, press releases and other communications.
Addressing stakeholder expectations relating to environmental, social and governance matters requires an investment of time, money and other resources, and depends in
part on third-party performance or data that is outside of our control, any, or all of which may increase our cost of doing business. In addition, as investor and other
stakeholder expectations relating to environmental, social and governance matters change and evolve over time, any failure or perceived failure by us to adequately address
those expectations may damage our reputation and adversely affect our business and results of operations. Similarly, public statements we make about environmental, social
and governance matters and initiatives may result in increased scrutiny by our stakeholders and require additional attention relating to these issues. Federal, state or
international government bodies or agencies have in the past adopted, and may in the future adopt, laws and regulations relating to environmental, social or governance
matters. These laws or regulations could require us to modify our business practices to comply and could result in increased costs. Additionally, any failure to comply with
federal, state, or international environmental, social and governance laws and regulations, could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
Our operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, which may make budgeting for expenses difficult and may negatively affect the market price
of our common stock.
Because many purchases by customers of our products relate to a specific customer project and are procured by the customer from time to time through purchase orders, the
short-term demand for our products can fluctuate significantly. This fluctuation can be further affected by the long sales cycles necessary to obtain contracts to supply
equipment for these projects, the availability of capital to fund our customers’ projects, changes or delays in customer deployment schedules, and the impact of government
programs to encourage service to unserved or underserved communities, rural areas or other high-cost areas on customer buying patterns. These long sales cycles may result
in significant effort expended with no resulting sales or sales that are not made in the anticipated quarter or fiscal year. Certain customers and prospective customers,
typically larger broadband service providers, are conducive to these long sales cycles which may be multi-year efforts. Demand for our products will also depend upon the
extent to which our customers and prospective customers initiate these projects and the extent to which we are selected to provide our equipment in these projects, neither of
which can be assured. In addition, a sharp increase in demand could result in actual lead times longer than quoted, and a sharp decrease in demand could result in excess
stock. These factors generally result in fluctuations, sometimes significant, in our operating results. Other factors that may affect our quarterly operating results include:
● the volume and timing of orders from and shipments to our customers, particularly significant customers;
● mergers and acquisitions activity among our customers;
● work stoppages and other developments affecting the operations of our customers;
● the timing of and our ability to obtain required certifications or qualifications to sell products, the timing of and our ability to obtain new customer contracts, and
the timing of revenue recognition;
16
● the timing of new product and service announcements;
● the availability of products and services;
● seasonal trends in the industries we serve;
● market acceptance of new and enhanced versions of our products and services, including the impact of government programs on customers purchasing decisions;
● variations in the mix of products and services we sell;
● the utilization of our production capacity and employees, including foreign operations;
● the availability and cost of key components of our products, including the impact of new or increased tariffs; and
● accounting treatment related to stock-based compensation.
Further, we budget our expenses based in part on expectations of future sales. If sales levels in a particular quarter are lower than expected, our operating results will be
affected adversely.
Because of these factors, our quarterly operating results are difficult to predict and are likely to vary in the future. If our operating results are below financial analysts’ or
investors’ expectations, the market price of our common stock may fall abruptly and significantly.
Our stock price has been volatile historically and may continue to be volatile. The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.
The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations. Our stock price may fluctuate in response to a number of events and
factors, such as quarterly variations in operating results, announcements of technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors, changes in financial
estimates and recommendations by securities analysts, the operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable to us, and new
reports relating to trends in our markets or general economic conditions.
In addition, the stock market is subject to price and volume fluctuations that affect the market prices for companies in general, and small-capitalization, high-technology
companies like us in particular. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance.
Further, any failure by us to meet or exceed the expectations of financial analysts or investors is likely to cause a decline in our common stock price. Further, recent industry
and economic conditions have resulted in significant fluctuations in stock prices for many companies, including Clearfield. We cannot predict when the stock markets and
the market for our common stock may stabilize. In addition, although our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, our common stock has at times experienced
low trading volume in the past. Limited trading volume subjects our common stock to greater price volatility and may make it difficult for our shareholders to sell shares at
an attractive price.
Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents, Minnesota law and other agreements could prevent or delay a change in control of our Company.
Certain provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws, Minnesota law, and other agreements may make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or discourage a
third-party from attempting to acquire, control of our Company, including:
● the provisions of our bylaws setting forth the advance notice and information requirements for shareholder proposals, including nominees for directors, to be
considered properly brought before shareholders;
● the right of our board of directors to establish more than one class or series of shares and to fix the relative rights and preferences of any such different classes or
series;
● the provisions of Minnesota law relating to business combinations and control share acquisitions; and
● the provisions of our equity compensation plans allowing for the acceleration of vesting or payments of awards granted under the plans in the event of specified
events that result in a “change in control” and provisions of agreements with certain of our executive officers requiring payments if their employment is terminated
and there is a “change in control.”
17
These measures could discourage or prevent a takeover of us or changes in our management, even if an acquisition or such changes would be beneficial to our shareholders.
This may have a negative effect on the price of our common stock.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Clearfield leases an 85,000 square foot facility at 7050 Winnetka Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, consisting of corporate offices, manufacturing, and warehouse
space. The lease term is ten years and two months, ending on February 28, 2025, and is renewable. The renewal options have not been included within the lease term
because it is not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise either option.
In July 2021, Clearfield entered into an indirect lease arrangement for an approximately 318,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico. The lease term is for
7 years of which 5 years are mandatory, commencing March 2022. The lease contains written options to renew for two additional consecutive periods of 5 years each. The
lease calls for monthly rental payments of $162,000, increasing 2% annually. The renewal options have not been included within the lease term because it is not reasonably
certain that the Company will exercise either option.
Clearfield’s Mexico facility operates under a Maquiladora arrangement pursuant to which we contract with a company to provide certain personnel and other services at the
Tijuana, Mexico facility. Maquiladora status allows us to import certain items from the United States into Mexico duty-free, provided that such items, after processing, are
exported from Mexico within a stipulated time frame. Maquiladora status, which is renewed with the Ministry of the Economy of Mexico periodically, is subject to various
restrictions and requirements, including compliance with the terms of the Maquiladora program and other local regulations, which have become stricter in recent years.
On November 19, 2021, Clearfield signed a lease for a 105,000 square foot warehouse in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The lease term is five years commencing March 2022
and ending on February 28, 2027, with rent payments increasing annually. The lease includes an option to extend the lease for an additional five years. The renewal option
has not been included within the lease term because it is not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the option. The lease commenced in the second quarter of
fiscal 2022.
Nestor leases an approximately 25,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Oulu, Finland, which is utilized for the operations of Nestor Cables. The original lease term
ends on October 31, 2022, but auto renews indefinitely until terminated with two years written notice. It is not reasonably certain that the Company will not exercise the
termination option. The lease calls for monthly rental payments of approximately €40,000. Rent is increased each year on January 1st based upon the cost-of-living index
published by the Finnish government.
On May 11, 2023, Nestor Cables signed a lease for an approximately 49,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Tabasalu, Estonia, to be utilized for the operations of
Nestor Cables Baltics. The lease is without a fixed term and requires two years’ written notice to terminate the lease. Additionally, the lease grants to Nestor Cables the
option to lease an expansion facility that is to be constructed no later than August 31, 2024. The expansion facility will be constructed on the same premises as the existing
facility. Once the expansion option is exercised and the expansion facility is made available for use, the lease term of the existing facility will become a minimum of 60
months. The lease calls for monthly rental payments of approximately €20,400 until April 2024 and €25,000 afterwards. Rent is increased each year on May 1st based upon
the cost-of-living index published by the Estonian government and capped at 5%.
18
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no pending legal proceedings against or involving the Company for which the outcome is likely to have a material adverse effect upon its financial position or
results of operations.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDERMATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY
SECURITIES
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “CLFD.”
Number of Holders of Common Stock
There were 290 holders of record of our common stock as of September 30, 2023.
Dividends
We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain any earnings for use in our operations, continued organic growth, and potential
future strategic transactions, as well as execution of the repurchase program described below, and do not intend in the foreseeable future to pay cash dividends on our
common stock.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph shows a comparison of the 5-year cumulative total return on Clearfield, Inc.’s common stock relative to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index
(S&P500 Index), which the Company has selected as a broad market index, and The Standard & Poor’s 1500 Communications Equipment Index (S&P 1500
Communications Equipment Index), which the Company has selected as a published industry index. The graph assumes an investment of $100 (with reinvestment of all
dividends) is made in the Company’s common stock and in each index on September 30, 2018, and its relative performance is tracked through September 30, 2023. The
returns shown are based on historical results and are not intended to suggest future performance.
19
Company/Index
Clearfield, Inc.
S&P 500 Index
S&P 1500 Communications Equipment Index
September 30,
2018
September 30,
2019
September 30,
2020
September 30,
2021
September 30,
2022
September 30,
2023
$
100.00 $
100.00
100.00
87.13 $
117.95
138.73
148.31 $
133.49
114.40
324.63 $
170.98
160.72
769.41 $
142.32
130.81
212.72
170.20
171.24
20
Issuer Repurchases
The Company repurchased a total of 7,084 shares of our common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 in connection with payment of taxes upon the vesting of
restricted stock previously issued to employees. These repurchases are unrelated to the stock repurchase program.
Effective January 27, 2022, the Company reinstated its stock repurchase program that had been suspended due to COVID uncertainty in April 2020. In addition, effective
January 27, 2022, the Company’s board of directors increased the share repurchase program by an additional $10 million to an aggregate of $22 million, from the previous
$12 million. As of September 30, 2023, we have repurchased an aggregate of 565,590 shares for approximately $7,019,000, leaving approximately $14,981,000 available
within our $22,000,000 stock repurchase program. The repurchase program does not obligate Clearfield to repurchase any particular amount of common stock during any
period. The repurchase will be funded by cash on hand. During the year ended September 30, 2023, the Company did not repurchase any shares under the stock repurchase
program.
The following table presents the total number of shares repurchased during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 by month and the average price paid per share:
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period
July 1-31, 2023
August 1-31, 2023
September1-30, 2023
Total
Total Number
of
Shares
Purchased as
Part
of Publicly
Announced
Plans
or Programs
Approximate
Dollar Value
of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Program (1)
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average
Price Paid
per Share
- $
7,084
-
7,084 $
-
37.50
-
37.50
- $
-
-
- $
14,980,671
14,980,671
14,980,671
14,980,671
(1) Amount remaining from the aggregate $22,000,000 repurchase authorizations approved by the Company’s board of directors on January 27, 2022.
On November 7, 2023, the Company’s board of directors increased the share repurchase program to an aggregate of $40 million from the previous $22 million, leaving
approximately $32,980,671 available for repurchase.
Equity compensation plans information is incorporated by reference from Part III, Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder Matters,” of this Annual Report, and should be considered an integral part of Item 5.
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
Not applicable.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in the Company’s other SEC filings, in press releases and in oral statements, that are not statements of historical fact
are “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results or
performance of the Company to be materially different from the results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The words “believes,”
“expects,” “anticipates,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and
adversely from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include those risks described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors.”
Overview of Business: The Clearfield operating segment designs, manufactures, and distributes fiber optic management, protection, and delivery products for
communications networks. Its “fiber to the anywhere” platform serves the unique requirements of leading broadband service providers in the United States, which include
Community Broadband, Large Regional Service Provider, National Carriers, and Multiple System Operators (“MSOs” or “cable TV”), while also serving the broadband
needs of the International markets, primarily in the European, Caribbean Markets, Canada, and Mexico. These customers are collectively included in the category of
Broadband Service Providers. The Clearfield operating segment also provides contract manufacturing services to its Legacy customers for build-to-print services which
include OEM requiring copper and fiber cable assemblies built to their specifications. The Company’s sales channels include direct to customer, through distribution
partners, and to original equipment suppliers who private label its products. The Company’s products are sold by its sales employees and independent sales representatives.
21
The Nestor Cables operating segment manufactures fiber optic and copper telecommunication cables and equipment which it distributes to telecommunication operators,
network owners, electric companies, building contractors, and industrial companies. Nestor Cables has been a supplier to Clearfield for over a decade. Nestor has two types
of production processes, the process of manufacturing cable in its Finland facility and the finished assembly portion of its business performed in Estonia. Nestor Cables sells
its products predominantly to customers in Europe.
Results of Operations
Year ended September 30, 2023, compared to year ended September 30, 2022
The Company’s net sales for fiscal year 2023 decreased 1%, or $2,163,000 to $268,720,000 from net sales of $270,883,000 in fiscal year 2022. The Company allocates
sales from external customers to geographic areas based on the location to which the product is transported. Accordingly, international sales represented 19% and 6% of net
sales for the years ended September 30, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
The decrease in net sales for fiscal year 2023 of $2,163,000 compared to fiscal year 2022 is attributable to decreased demand across Clearfield’s core markets. Sales to the
Community Broadband market decreased 12% or $15,312,000 from $127,478,000 in fiscal year 2022 to $112,166,000 fiscal year 2023. Sales to Clearfield’s MSO/Cable
TV market decreased 5% or $2,252,000 from $47,921,000 in fiscal year 2022 to $45,669,000 in fiscal year 2023. Sales to National Carriers decreased 17% or $1,817,000
from $10,772,000 in fiscal year 2022 to $8,954,000 in fiscal year 2023. The decrease in sales to these customers was due to a lull in demand for fiber connectivity products
as customers digest their larger than normal inventory levels built up during the pandemic which were purchased over the previous several quarters. Net sales to
International customers increased 226% or $34,570,000 from $15,316,000 in fiscal year 2022 to $49,885,000 in fiscal year 2023, primarily driven by the Company’s
acquisition of Nestor Cables on July 26, 2022.
Revenue from customers is obtained from purchase orders submitted from time to time, with a limited number of customers recently issuing purchase orders for longer time
frames. The Company’s ability to predict orders in future periods or trends affecting orders in future periods is limited. The Company’s ability to predict revenue is further
limited by global supply chain issues, customer deployment schedules and factors affecting customer ordering patterns, which may result in changes in customer ordering
trends in a relatively short period of time. The Company’s ability to recognize revenue in the future for customer orders will depend on the Company’s ability to
manufacture and deliver products to the customers and fulfill its other contractual obligations.
22
Cost of sales for fiscal year 2023 was $183,441,000, an increase of $25,505,000, or 16%, from the $157,936,000 in fiscal year 2022. Gross profit decreased 25%, or
$27,669,000 from $112,947,000 for fiscal year 2022 to $85,278,000 for fiscal year 2023. The decrease in gross profit was due to lower net sales and lower gross profit
margin in fiscal year 2023.
Gross profit percent was 31.7% in fiscal year 2023 compared to 41.7% for fiscal year 2022. Gross profit margin was negatively affected by excess overhead and production
capacity in the Company’s Clearfield segment that was underutilized. The Company continues to realign capacity to current market conditions. Gross profit was also
affected by lower gross profit realized in our Nestor Cables cable manufacturing business which was acquired in July 2022 and was not included in the comparable period
of fiscal 2022. The Company expects to operate at gross profit percentage levels at or below these levels for several quarters until revenue levels increase, which is expected
to bring improved margins.
Selling, general and administrative expense for fiscal year 2023 was $47,992,000, a decrease of $1,155,000, or 2%, compared to $49,130,000 for fiscal year 2022. While
relatively consistent year over year, expense for the year ended September 30, 2023, decreased due to lower performance-based compensation and transaction costs, offset
by additional professional and legal expenses related to the Nestor Cables business acquired in July 2022, as well as increased Clearfield employee compensation costs,
stock-based compensation and travel and entertainment expenses.
Income from operations for fiscal year 2023 was $37,286,000 compared to $63,817,000 for fiscal year 2022. The decrease is attributable to lower gross profit as a result of
higher unabsorbed overhead related to expanded manufacturing capacities in the Clearfield segment, as well as a full year of Nestor Cables, which has a lower gross profit
profile related to its bulk cable and duct product offerings. Nestor Cables was acquired in July 2022.
Net investment income in fiscal year 2023 was $5,206,000 compared to $328,000 for fiscal year 2022. The increase in interest income is due to a higher average
investments balance and higher interest rates earned for the year ended September 30, 2023. The higher investments balance is a result of the Company’s capital raise of
approximately $130,000,000 completed in the first fiscal quarter of 2023. The Company invests its excess cash primarily in Federal Deposit Insurance Company (“FDIC”)
backed bank certificates of deposit, United States (“U.S.”) treasury securities, and money market funds and accounts. We expect interest income to remain at these levels
through fiscal year 2024, subject to changes in market interest rates and changes in the average investments balance.
Interest expense in fiscal year 2023 was $881,000 compared to $311,000 for fiscal year 2022. The increase is primarily due to incurring a full year of interest expense on the
factoring liability held by Nestor Cables which was acquired in July 2022.
Income tax expense for fiscal year 2023 was $9,079,000 compared to $14,472,000 for fiscal year 2022. The decrease in tax expense of $5,393,000 from the year ended
September 30, 2022 is primarily due to the decrease in taxable income for fiscal year 2023. The decrease in the income tax expense rate to 21.8% for fiscal year 2023 from
22.7% for fiscal year 2022 is due to decreased permanent addback items including nondeductible compensation and transaction costs. Our provision for income taxes
includes current U.S. federal tax expense and state tax expense, Finland taxes and deferred tax expense.
Net income for fiscal year 2023 was $32,533,000 or $2.17 per basic and diluted share compared to $49,362,000 or $3.58 per basic and $3.55 per diluted share for fiscal year
2022.
Year ended September 30, 2022, compared to year ended September 30, 2021
The Company’s net sales for fiscal year 2022 increased 92%, or $130,128,000, to $270,883,000 from net sales of $140,755,000 in fiscal year 2021. The Company allocates
sales from external customers to geographic areas based on the location to which the product is transported. Accordingly, international sales represented 6% and 7% of net
sales for the years ended September 30, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
The increase in net sales for fiscal year 2022 of $130,128,000 compared to fiscal year 2021 was attributable to increased demand across Clearfield’s core markets. Sales to
the Community Broadband market increased 84% or $82,651,000 from $97,978,000 in fiscal year 2021 to $180,629,000 fiscal year 2022. Sales to Clearfield’s MSO/Cable
TV market increased 164% or $30,379,000 from $18,490,000 in fiscal year 2021 to $48,868,000 in fiscal year 2022. Sales to National Carriers increased 96% or
$11,499,000 from $11,956,000 in fiscal year 2021 to $23,456,000 in fiscal year 2022. The increase in sales to these customers was due to continuing increased demand for
fiber connectivity products in response to COVID-19 driven by customers accelerating their purchasing decisions and deployment schedules of our fiber optic solutions and
the need for high-speed broadband required in the work from anywhere environment. Net sales to International customers increased 62% or $5,846,000 from $9,470,000 in
fiscal year 2021 to $15,276,000 in fiscal year 2022, partially driven by the Company’s acquisition of Nestor Cables on July 26, 2022.
23
Cost of sales for fiscal year 2022 was $157,936,000, an increase of $78,358,000, or 98%, from the $79,578,000 in fiscal year 2021. Gross profit increased 85%, or
$51,770,000 from $61,177,000 for fiscal year 2021 to $112,947,000 for fiscal year 2022.
Gross profit percent was 41.7% in fiscal year 2022 compared to 43.5% for fiscal year 2021. The decrease in gross profit margin for the period was primarily due to
component cost increases absorbed by the Company due to the inflationary economic environment, increased facility costs from our expanded Mexico manufacturing and
Minnesota distribution center operations, and increased freight and transportation costs. Despite the decrease in gross profit percentage, gross profit dollars increased due to
the increase net sales.
Selling, general and administrative expense for fiscal year 2022 was $49,130,000, an increase of $13,187,000, or 37%, compared to $35,943,000 for fiscal year 2021. This
increase was primarily comprised of an increase of $6,976,000 in Clearfield’s compensation costs due to additional personnel in fiscal year 2022 over fiscal year 2021,
higher performance-based compensation accruals as well as sales commissions due to significantly higher sales volumes, expenses and fees related to the acquisition of
Nestor Cables of $1,647,000, increased travel, entertainment, and tradeshows cost of $1,382,000 due to reduced COVID-19 travel restrictions as compared to fiscal year
2021, and increased stock compensation expenses of $990,000 due to issuances of equity awards in fiscal year 2022.
Income from operations for fiscal year 2022 was $63,817,000 compared to $25,234,000 for fiscal year 2021. This increase was attributable to increased sales and gross
profit, partially offset by increased selling, general and administrative expenses as described above.
Net investment income in fiscal year 2022 was $328,000 compared to $500,000 for fiscal year 2021. The decrease was due to lower interest rates earned on decreased
investment balances in fiscal year 2022.
Interest expense in fiscal year 2022 was $311,000. The increase was due to $141,000 in interest as a result of $16,700,000 borrowed on the Company’s line of credit drawn
on in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 to fund the acquisition of Nestor Cables, and $170,000 in interest on debt held with Nestor Cables. The Company did not have any
interest expense for fiscal year 2021.
Income tax expense for fiscal year 2022 was $14,472,000 compared to $5,407,000 for fiscal year 2021. The increase in tax expense of $9,065,000 from the year ended
September 30, 2021, was primarily due to the increase in taxable income for fiscal year 2022. The increase in the income tax expense rate to 22.7% for fiscal year 2022
from 21.0% for fiscal year 2021 was due to increased permanent addback items including nondeductible compensation and transaction costs. Our provision for income
taxes included current U.S. federal tax expense and state tax expense, Finland taxes and deferred tax expense.
Net income for fiscal year 2022 was $49,362,000 or $3.58 per basic and $3.55 per diluted share compared to $20,327,000 or $1.48 per basic and $1.47 per diluted share for
the fiscal year 2021.
24
Reportable Segments
The Company’s reportable segments are based on the Company’s method of internal reporting. These results are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that
would have occurred had each segment been an independent, stand-alone entity during the periods presented. The internal reporting of these operating segments is defined
based, in part, on the reporting and review process used by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
On July 26, 2022, Clearfield, through its newly created Finnish subsidiary, Clearfield Finland Oy, acquired all of the equity of Nestor Cables Oy, which has a wholly owned
Estonian subsidiary Nestor Cables Baltics OÜ. Following the closing of the acquisition of Nestor Cables on July 26, 2022, the Company reassessed its operating segments
as defined under ASC 280, Segment Reporting. Under ASC 280, operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise where discrete financial information is
available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”), in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Prior to July 26,
2022, we were considered to be a single operating segment structure. Based upon the Company’s assessment following the acquisition of Nestor Cables, the Company
determined that the business of Nestor Cables was considered a second reportable segment as of July 26, 2022. Accordingly, beginning with the year ended September 30,
2022, the Company has two reportable segments: (1) Clearfield and (2) Nestor Cables. The entities that comprise the Nestor Cables segment are Clearfield Finland Oy,
Nestor Cables Oy and Nestor Cables Baltics OÜ.
Reportable segments are as follows:
● Clearfield Segment - The Clearfield segment designs, manufactures, and sells fiber management, protection, and delivery solutions. For fiscal year 2023, net
sales from the Clearfiled segment comprised 84% of the Company’s total net sales.
● Nestor Cables Segment - The Nestor Cables segment designs, manufactures, and sells fiber optic and copper telecommunication cables and equipment. For
fiscal year 2023, net sales from the Nestor Cables segment comprised 16% of the Company’s total net sales.
Clearfield Segment
The following table provides net sales and net income for the Clearfield segment for the fiscal years ended:
(In thousands)
Segment net sales
Segment net income
September 30, 2023 September 30, 2022 September 30, 2021
140,755
$
20,327
$
225,722 $
32,834 $
263,822 $
49,771 $
Net sales in the Clearfield segment decreased 14% or $38,100,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, resulting from decreased sales to its Community
Broadband, MSO/Cable TV, and Large Regional customers as these customers work to digest inventory that was purchased previously.
Net income in the Clearfield segment for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, decreased 34% or $16,937,000 from the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, driven
by the changes in sales outlined above, as well as lower gross profit margin which was negatively affected by the buildup in capacity that was not utilized.
Nestor Cables Segment
The following table provides net sales and net income for the Nestor Cables segment for the fiscal year ended:
(In thousands)
Segment net sales
Segment net loss
September 30, 2023 September 30, 2022 September 30, 2021
-
$
-
$
42,998 $
(301) $
7,061 $
(409) $
Net sales in the Nestor Cables segment increased 509% or $35,937,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, due to a full year of operations in fiscal 2023 after
being acquired in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.
25
Net loss in the Nestor Cables segment for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 decreased 26% or $108,000 from the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, driven by
non-recurring acquisition related expenses in the prior year.
Sales Backlog
Sales backlog reflects purchase order commitments for our products received from customers that have yet to be fulfilled. The Company had a backlog of $57,285,000 and
$164,914,000 as of September 30, 2023, and 2022, respectively. The decrease in backlog was primarily due to a lull in demand for fiber connectivity products as customers
digest their larger than normal inventory levels built up during the pandemic which were purchased over the previous several quarters. As of September 30, 2023, most of
the Company’s backlog orders are scheduled to ship within the next nine months. We believe that the Nestor Cables segment generally experiences the same seasonality as
the Clearfield segment.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2023, the Company had combined consolidated balances of cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments of $174,456,000 compared to
$45,199,000 as of September 30, 2022. Additionally, we have a line of credit for $40 million that has no outstanding borrowing as of September 30, 2023. Our excess cash
is invested mainly in certificates of deposit backed by the FDIC, U.S. Treasury securities, and money market funds.
On April 27, 2022, Clearfield entered into a loan agreement and a security agreement to provide the Company with a $40 million revolving line of credit that is secured by
certain of the Company’s U.S. assets. The line of credit matures on April 27, 2025, and borrowed amounts will bear interest at a variable rate of the CME Group one-month
term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1.85%, but not less than 1.80% per annum. As of September 30, 2023, the interest rate was 7.18%. The loan
agreement and the security agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and requirements relating to the Company and its operations, including a
requirement that the Company maintain a debt service coverage ratio of not less than 1.20 to 1 as of the end of each fiscal year for the fiscal year then ended and maintain a
debt to cash flow ratio of not greater than 2 to 1 measured as of the end of each of the Company’s fiscal quarters for the trailing twelve (12) month period. Debt service
coverage ratio is the ratio of Cash Available for Debt Service to Debt Service, each as defined in the loan agreement. Debt and Cash Flow are also as defined in the loan
agreement for the purposes of the debt to cash flow ratio covenant. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had no borrowings against this line of credit. As of September
30, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all covenants. We had no long-term debt obligations as of September 30, 2023, and $18,666,000 as of September 30, 2022.
We believe the combined balances of short-term cash and investments, along with long-term investments and available bank lines of credit provide a more accurate
indication of our available liquidity.
We believe our existing cash equivalents and short-term investments, along with cash flow from operations and line of credit, will be sufficient to meet our working capital
and investment requirements beyond the next 12 months. The Company intends on utilizing its available cash and assets primarily for its continued organic growth and
potential future strategic transactions, as well as execution of the share repurchase program adopted by our board of directors. Effective January 27, 2022, the Company
reinstated its stock repurchase program that had been suspended due to COVID uncertainty in April 2020. In addition, effective January 27, 2022, the Company’s board of
directors increased the share repurchase program by an additional $10 million to an aggregate of $22 million, from the previous $12 million. As of September 30, 2023, we
have repurchased an aggregate of 565,590 shares for approximately $7,019,000, leaving approximately $14,981,000 available within our $22,000,000 stock repurchase
program. The repurchase program does not obligate Clearfield to repurchase any particular amount of common stock during any period. The repurchase will be funded by
cash on hand. During the year ended September 30, 2023, the Company did not repurchase any shares under the stock repurchase program.
On November 7, 2023, the Company’s board of directors increased the share repurchase program to an aggregate of $40 million from the previous $22 million, leaving
approximately $32,980,671 available for repurchase.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, totaled $20,010,000. Cash provided by operations included net income of $32,533,000 for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization of $6,043,000, stock-based compensation of $3,578,000, amortization of
discount on investments of $3,512,000, in addition to changes in operating assets and liabilities using cash. Changes in operating assets and liabilities using cash include an
increase in net inventories of $15,083,000 and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $26,257,000. The increase in inventory is a result of additional
stocking levels to support the Company’s anticipated customer demand, as well as stocking of long lead time components to limit manufacturing delays due to raw material
component shortages and supply chain delays experienced during the pandemic. The decrease in accounts payable is due to lower purchasing activity of inventory near the
end of the period in response to lower demand from customers, as well as lower performance-based compensation accruals as of September 30, 2023. Also, changes in
operating assets and liabilities providing cash include a decrease in accounts receivable of $26,277,000, due to lower net sales in the Company’s fourth quarter of fiscal
2023 compared to the prior year. Days sales outstanding (“DSO”), which measures how quickly receivables are collected, remained relatively consistent as it increased 1
day from 52 to 53 from September 30, 2022, to September 30, 2023.
26
Net cash provided by operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, totaled $1,001,000. Cash provided by operations included net income of $49,362,000 for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization of $3,413,000, stock-based compensation of $2,339,000, in addition to changes
in operating assets and liabilities using cash. Changes in operating assets and liabilities using cash include an increase in net inventories of $43,744,000 and accounts
receivables of $24,234,000. The increase in inventory is a result of additional stocking levels to support the Company’s increased sales backlog and higher demand, and
stocking of high turn and long lead time components to limit manufacturing delays due to raw material component shortages and supply chain delays. The increase in
accounts receivable was due to higher net sales as well as increased DSO due to higher sales to certain customers with longer payment terms. DSO increased 13 days from
39 to 52 from September 30, 2021, to September 30, 2022. Also, changes in operating assets and liabilities providing cash include an increase in accounts payable and
accrued expenses of $14,502,000, due to timing of accounts payable and $8,738,000 in fiscal year 2022 incentive compensation accruals to be paid after year end.
Net cash provided by operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, totaled $10,903,000. Cash provided by operations included net income of $20,327,000 for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization of $2,302,000, stock-based compensation of $1,280,000, and decrease in
allowance for doubtful accounts of $210,000, in addition to changes in operating assets and liabilities using cash. Changes in operating assets and liabilities using cash
include an increase in net inventories of $13,116,000 and accounts receivables of $9,151,000. The increase in inventory is a result of additional stocking levels to support
the Company’s increased sales backlog and higher demand, and stocking of high turn and long lead time components to limit manufacturing delays due to raw material
component shortages and delays. The increase in accounts receivable was due to higher net sales experienced over the prior year. The Company’s DSO increased 1 day from
38 to 39 from September 30, 2020, to September 30, 2021. Also, changes in operating assets and liabilities providing cash include an increase in accounts payable and
accrued expenses of $9,776,000, due to timing of accounts payable and $6,513,000 in fiscal year 2021 incentive compensation accruals to be paid after year end.
Investing Activities
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, the Company received proceeds from maturities of investments of $107,060,000 and used cash to purchase $210,923,000 of
investments in certificates of deposit below FDIC insured levels and U.S. Treasuries. The Company used $8,384,000 in cash to purchase fixed and intangible assets. The
result is cash used in investing activities of $112,247,000 in fiscal year 2023. In fiscal year 2024, the Company intends to continue investing in the necessary information
technology, manufacturing equipment and facility needs.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Company had $17,386,000 of FDIC-backed certificates of deposit and U.S. Treasuries mature or be sold. The Company
used $9,148,000 in cash to purchase fixed and intangible assets. Additionally, the Company used $16,187,000 in cash to acquire Nestor Cables on July 26, 2022. The result
was cash used in investing activities of $8,197,000 in fiscal year 2022.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, we purchased $24,809,000 of FDIC-backed certificates of deposit and U.S. Treasuries and had $13,255,000 of FDIC-backed
certificates of deposit and U.S. Treasuries mature or be called. The result was cash used in investing activities of $13,600,000 in fiscal year 2021. The increase in cash used
in investing activities was driven by increased investment of cash in excess of operating needs into long-term investments. During fiscal year 2021, we used $2,046,000 in
cash for the purchase of capital equipment and software and for obtaining patents. These purchases were mainly related to manufacturing and information technology
equipment.
Financing Activities
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, the Company received $130,262,000 of net proceeds through the issuance of common stock in the first quarter of fiscal 2023.
The Company also received $611,000 from employees’ purchase of stock through our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) and $954,000 related to issuance of stock as
payment for incentive compensation. The Company used $16,700,000 to pay down in full the then-outstanding principal on our line of credit, which was originally drawn in
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 to fund the acquisition of Nestor Cables. The Company also used $491,000 related to share withholding for exercise and taxes associated
with the issuance of common stock upon cashless exercise of stock options and used $1,220,000 to pay for taxes as a result of employees’ vesting of restricted shares using
share withholding. As a result, the net cash provided by financing activities during fiscal year 2023 was $113,416,000.
27
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Company borrowed $16,700,000 on its line of credit to fund the July acquisition of Nestor Cables. The Company received
$544,000 from employees’ purchase of stock through our ESPP. The Company used $5,183,000 related to share withholding for exercise and taxes associated with the
issuance of common stock upon cashless exercise of stock options and used $1,406,000 to pay for taxes as a result of employees’ vesting of restricted shares using share
withholding. As a result, the net cash provided by financing activities during fiscal year 2022 was $10,655,000.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, the Company received $384,000 from employees’ purchase of stock through our ESPP. The Company used $462,000 to pay
for taxes related to employees’ exercises of stock options and $458,000 to pay for taxes related to employees’ vesting of restricted shares using share withholding. As a
result, the net cash used in financing activities during fiscal year 2021 was $536,000.
Operating Leases
We have entered into various non-cancelable operating lease agreements for office equipment and our office and manufacturing spaces in Minnesota, Mexico, Finland, and
Estonia expiring at various dates through August 2034. Certain of these leases have escalating rent payment provisions. We recognize rent expense under such leases on a
straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
Critical Accounting Estimates
In preparing our financial statements, we make estimates, assumptions and judgments that can have a significant impact on our sales, income from operations and net
income, as well as on the value of certain assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. We believe that there are several accounting policies that are critical to an
understanding of our historical and future performance, as these policies affect the reported amounts of sales, expenses and significant estimates and judgments applied by
management. While there are a number of accounting policies, methods and estimates affecting our financial statements, areas that are particularly significant include:
● Accounting for stock-based compensation
● Income taxes
● Valuation of inventory, long-lived assets, finite lived intangible assets and goodwill
● Valuation in business combinations
Stock-Based Compensation
We measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based awards at fair value over the requisite service period. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model
to determine the fair value of options. For restricted stock grants, fair value is determined as the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Equity-based
compensation expense is broken out between cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses based on the classification of the employee. The determination
of fair value of stock-based awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as by assumptions regarding a number of
subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock
option exercise behaviors.
The expected terms of the options are based on evaluations of historical and expected future employee exercise behavior. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S.
Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected life at grant date. Volatility is based on historical and expected future volatility of
the Company’s stock. The Company has not historically issued any dividends and does not expect to in the future. Forfeitures for both option and restricted stock grants are
estimated at the time of the grant and revised in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from estimates.
If factors change and we employ different assumptions in the determination of the fair value of grants in future periods, the related compensation expense that we record
may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current periods.
28
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, under which deferred income taxes are recognized based on the estimated future tax effects of
differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities given the provisions of enacted tax laws. Deferred income tax provisions and benefits are
based on changes to the assets or liabilities from year to year. In providing for deferred taxes, we consider tax regulations of the jurisdictions in which we operate, estimates
of future taxable income, and available tax planning strategies. If tax regulations, operating results, or the ability to implement tax-planning strategies vary, adjustments to
the carrying value of deferred tax assets and liabilities may be required. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be
realized. The recorded valuation allowance is based on significant estimates and judgments and if the facts and circumstances change, the valuation allowance could
materially change.
In accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, we recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would
more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements
is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. The Company recognizes interest
and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
As of September 30, 2023, and 2022, the Company had no U.S. federal, state, or Estonia net operating loss (“NOL”) carry-forwards. As of September 30, 2023, and 2022
there is a Finnish NOL of $1,000 and $4,000, respectively.
As part of the process of preparing our financial statements, we are required to estimate our income tax liability in each of the jurisdictions in which we do business. This
process involves estimating our actual current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting
purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. We must then assess the likelihood that these deferred tax assets will be recovered from future
taxable income and, to the extent we believe that recovery is not more likely than not or unknown, we must establish a valuation allowance. If the valuation allowance is
reduced, the Company would record an income tax benefit in the period in which that determination is made. If the valuation allowance is increased, the Company would
record additional income tax expense.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. Based on its evaluation, the Company has concluded that it
has no significant unrecognized tax benefits. The Company is generally subject to U.S. federal examination for all tax years after 2018. The Company is subject to state
examinations for all tax years after 2013 due to unexpired research and development credit carryforwards still open under statute. Nestor is generally subject to Finland
examination for all tax years after 2019 and Estonia examination for all tax years after 2019.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Intangible Assets and Goodwill
The Company’s long-lived assets as of September 30, 2023, consisted primarily of property, plant and equipment, right of use lease assets, patents, intangibles, and
goodwill. The Company reviews the carrying amount of its property, plant and equipment, right of use lease assets, and intangible assets if events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. When this review indicates the carrying amount of an asset or asset group exceeds the
sum of the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets, the Company recognizes an asset impairment charge against operations for the amount by
which the carrying amount of the impaired asset exceeds its fair value.
Determining fair values of property, plant, and equipment, right of use lease assets, and intangible assets using a discounted cash flow method involves significant judgment
and requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions, including long-term projections of cash flows, market conditions and appropriate discount rates.
Judgments are based on historical experience, current market trends, consultations with external valuation specialists and other information. If facts and circumstances
change, the use of different estimates and assumptions could result in a materially different outcome. The Company generally develops these forecasts based on recent sales
data for existing products, planned timing of new product launches or acquisitions, and estimated future growth of the FTTP market.
29
Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of tangible net assets acquired in acquisitions after amounts have been allocated to intangible assets.
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually at fiscal year-end, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.
Examples of such events or circumstances include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in legal or business climate, an adverse regulatory action or
unanticipated competition. The Company assesses qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances would indicate that it is more likely
than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. During the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021, there were no triggering
events that indicated goodwill or intangible assets may be impaired.
If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company were to determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its
carrying amount, then the Company would perform a quantitative test that compares the fair value to its carrying value to determine the amount of any impairment.
If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company would measure the possible goodwill impairment loss based on an allocation of the estimate
of fair value of the reporting unit to all of the underlying assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including any previously unrecognized intangible assets. The excess of
the fair value of a reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent
that a reporting unit's recorded goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss would be based on significant estimates and judgments, and if the
facts and circumstances change, a potential impairment could have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
No impairment of goodwill or intangible assets has occurred during the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Valuation of Inventory
The Company maintains a material amount of inventory to support its manufacturing operations and customer demand. This inventory is stated average cost, subject to the
lower of cost or net realizable value. On a regular basis, the Company reviews its inventory and identifies inventory which is excess, slow moving, or obsolete by
considering factors such as inventory levels, expected product life, and forecasted sales demand. Any identified excess, slow moving, and obsolete inventory is written
down to its market value through a charge to cost of sales. It is possible that additional inventory write-down charges may be required in the future if there is a significant
decline in demand for the Company’s products and the Company does not adjust its inventory procurement accordingly.
Valuation in Business Combinations
We record tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations under the purchase method of accounting under ASC 805, Business
combinations. Amounts paid for each acquisition are allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the dates of acquisition. The value
recorded is based on estimates of future financial projections. These cash flow projections are discounted with a risk adjusted rate. The fair value of identifiable intangible
assets is based on detailed valuations that use information and assumptions provided by management, which is considered management’s best estimate of inputs and
assumptions that a market participant would use. We allocate any excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities
assumed to goodwill.
30
New Accounting Pronouncements:
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued the Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial
Instruments. In November 2018, the FASB issued update ASU 2018-19 that clarifies the scope of the standard in the amendments in ASU 2016-13. This guidance
introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. Financial instruments impacted include
accounts receivable, other financial assets measured at amortized cost and other off-balance sheet credit exposures. The new guidance is effective for the Company
beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company has evaluated the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on its consolidated
financial statements and determined that the adoption of the new standard would not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company currently invests its excess cash in bank certificates of deposit that are fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and United States Treasury
securities with terms of not more than five years, as well as money market funds. The fair value of these investments fluctuates subject to changes in market interest rates.
As of September 30, 2023, and 2022, the Company had combined consolidated balances of cash, cash equivalents, short term, and long-term investments of $174,456,000
and $45,199,000, respectively.
Foreign Exchange Rates:
The Company uses the U.S. dollar as its reporting currency. The functional currency of Nestor Cables is the Euro. The changing relationships of the U.S. dollar to the Euro
could have a material impact on our financial results. Fluctuations in the Euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate impacts our consolidated balance sheets, as well as sales, cost of
sales, and net income. If the Euro had appreciated or depreciated by 10%, relative to the U.S. Dollar, our operating expenses for fiscal year 2023 would have increased or
decreased by approximately $570,000 or approximately 1%. We do not hedge against foreign currency fluctuations. As such, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates
could have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Inflation
Rising costs, including wages, logistics, components, and commodity prices are negatively impacting our profitability. We are subject to market risk from fluctuating market
prices of certain purchased commodities and raw materials which has outpaced our ability to reduce the cost structure and manufacturability. We do not hedge commodity
prices. Accordingly, inflation impacts our profitability, including cost of sales and operating expenses, and may have a material impact on the Company’s financial
statements.
31
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting of the Company. This system is designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with United
States generally accepted accounting principles.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and
fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in
accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to
future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures
may deteriorate.
Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the system of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2023. In making this evaluation,
management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—2013 Integrated
Framework. Based on management’s evaluation and those criteria, management concluded that the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting was
effective as of September 30, 2023.
Management’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2023, has been audited by Baker Tilly LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as
stated in their report appearing on the following page, in which they expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Date: November 29, 2023
/s/ Cheryl Beranek
Cheryl Beranek
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Daniel Herzog
Daniel Herzog
Chief Financial Officer
Further discussion of our internal controls and procedures is included in Item 9A of this report, under the caption “Controls and Procedures.”
32
Clearfield, Inc.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 23)
Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
33
Page
34
36
37
38
39
39
40
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the board of directors of Clearfield, Inc.:
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Clearfield, Inc. (the "Company") as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated
statements of earnings, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2023, and the related
notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September
30, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of
September 30, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying management report. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on the Company's consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public
accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the
Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud and whether effective internal control over financial
reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to
error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an
understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating
effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
34
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial
reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of
management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition
of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness
to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or
procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit
committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved or are especially challenging, subjective, or complex
judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
/s/ Baker Tilly, US, LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2013.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
November 29, 2023
35
CLEARFIELD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
September 30,
2023
September 30,
2022
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Accounts receivables, net
Inventories, net
Other current assets
Total current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
Other Assets
Long-term investments
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Right-of-use lease assets
Deferred tax asset
Other
Total other assets
Total Assets
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities
Current portion of lease liability
Current maturities of long-term debt
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation
Accrued expenses
Factoring liability
Total current liabilities
Other Liabilities
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
Long-term portion of lease liability
Deferred tax liability
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 500,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding
Common stock, authorized 50,000,000, $.01 par value; 15,254,725 and 13,818,452 shares issued and outstanding as of
September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Retained earnings
Total shareholders’ equity
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
$
$
$
$
37,827 $
130,286
28,392
98,055
1,695
296,255
21,527
6,343
6,528
6,092
13,861
3,039
1,872
37,735
355,517 $
3,737 $
2,112
8,891
5,571
2,404
6,289
29,004
-
10,629
721
40,354
-
153
188,218
(544)
127,336
315,163
355,517 $
16,650
5,802
53,704
82,208
1,758
160,122
18,229
22,747
6,402
6,376
13,256
1,414
582
50,777
229,128
3,385
-
24,118
13,619
6,181
4,391
51,694
18,666
10,412
774
81,546
-
138
54,539
(1,898)
94,803
147,582
229,128
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
36
CLEARFIELD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
Year Ended
September 30,
2023
Year Ended
September 30,
2022
Year Ended
September 30,
2021
$
268,720 $
270,883 $
140,755
183,441
157,936
85,279
112,947
47,992
37,287
5,206
(881)
49,130
63,817
328
(311)
41,612
63,834
9,079
32,533 $
2.17 $
2.17 $
14,472
49,362 $
3.58 $
3.55 $
79,578
61,177
35,943
25,234
500
-
25,734
5,407
20,327
1.48
1.47
14,975,972
15,012,527
13,771,665
13,905,984
13,720,699
13,784,294
$
$
$
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative
Income from operations
Net investment income
Interest expense
Income before income taxes
Income tax expense
Net income
Net income per share Basic
Net income per share Diluted
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
37
CLEARFIELD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS)
Comprehensive Income:
Net income
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
Year Ended
September 30,
2023
Year Ended
September 30,
2022
Year Ended
September 30,
2021
$
32,533 $
49,362 $
20,327
542
812
1,354
(1,590)
(308)
(1,898)
-
-
-
Total comprehensive income
$
33,887 $
47,464 $
20,327
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
38
For the year ended September 30, 2023
Balance as of September 30, 2022
Stock-based compensation expense
Issuance of common stock under equity
compensation plans, net
Issuance of common stock under employee stock
purchase plan
Exercise of stock options, net of shares exchanged
for payment
Repurchase of shares for payment of withholding
taxes for vested restricted stock grants
Issuance of common stock, net
Other comprehensive income
Net income
Balance at September 30, 2023
For the year ended September 30, 2022
Balance as of September 30, 2021
Stock-based compensation expense
Issuance of common stock under equity
compensation plans, net
Issuance of common stock under employee stock
purchase plan
Exercise of stock options, net of shares exchanged
for payment
Repurchase of shares for payment of withholding
taxes for vested restricted stock grants
Other comprehensive loss
Net income
Balance at September 30, 2022
For the year ended September 30, 2021
Balance as of September 30, 2020
Stock-based compensation expense
Issuance of common stock under equity
compensation plans, net
Issuance of common stock under employee stock
purchase plan
Exercise of stock options, net of shares exchanged
for payment
Repurchase of shares for payment of withholding
taxes for vested restricted stock grants
Net income
Balance at September 30, 2021
CLEARFIELD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
Common Stock
Shares
Amount
Additional
paid-in capital
Accumulated other
comprehensive
loss
Retained
earnings
$
13,818
-
$
138
-
$
54,539
3,578
(1,898) $
-
$
94,803
-
Total share-
holders’ equity
147,582
3,578
49
13
11
(17)
1,380
-
-
15,254
$
-
-
-
-
15
-
-
153
$
954
611
(491)
(1,220)
130,247
-
-
188,218
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,354
-
(544) $
-
-
-
32,533
127,336
$
954
611
(491)
(1,220)
130,262
1,354
32,533
315,163
Common Stock
Shares
Amount
Additional
paid-in capital
Accumulated other
comprehensive
loss
Retained
earnings
$
$
45,441
-
Total share-
holders’ equity
103,824
2,339
$
13,732
-
$
137
-
$
58,246
2,339
26
13
60
(13)
-
-
13,818
$
-
-
1
-
-
-
138
$
-
544
(5,184)
(1,406)
-
-
54,539
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1,898)
-
(1,898) $
-
-
-
-
-
49,362
94,803
$
-
544
(5,183)
(1,406)
(1,898)
49,362
147,582
Common Stock
Shares
Amount
Additional
paid-in capital
Accumulated other
comprehensive
loss
Retained
earnings
$
13,650
-
$
137
-
$
57,503
1,280
36
24
34
-
-
-
-
383
(458)
(12)
-
13,732
$
-
-
137
$
(462)
-
58,246
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$
$
25,114
-
-
-
-
-
20,327
45,441
$
$
Total share-
holders’ equity
82,754
1,280
-
383
(458)
(462)
20,327
103,824
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
39
CLEARFIELD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Year Ended
September 30,
2023
Year Ended
September 30,
2022
Year Ended
September 30,
2021
$
32,533 $
49,362 $
20,327
Depreciation and amortization
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts
Amortization of discount on investments
Deferred taxes
Stock-based compensation
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired amounts:
Accounts receivable
Inventories, net
Other assets
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
Purchases of investments
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance (Repayment) of long-term debt
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan
Repurchase of shares for payment of withholding taxes for vested restricted stock grants
Withholding related to exercise of stock options
Issuance of stock under equity compensation plans
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Effect of exchange rates on cash
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
Supplemental disclosures for cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for income taxes
Cash paid for interest
Non-cash financing activities
Cashless exercise of stock options
$
$
$
$
6,054
-
(3,512)
(2,114)
3,578
26,277
(15,083)
(1,466)
(26,257)
20,010
(8,384)
(210,923)
107,060
-
(112,247)
(16,700)
611
(1,220)
(491)
954
130,262
113,416
(2)
21,177
16,650
37,827 $
12,967 $
463 $
3,426
-
(42)
(326)
2,339
(24,234)
(43,744)
(282)
14,502
1,001
(9,148)
(248)
17,386
(16,187)
(8,197)
16,700
544
(1,406)
(5,183)
-
-
10,655
(24)
3,434
13,216
16,650 $
13,744 $
119 $
566 $
1,624 $
2,302
210
(7)
(187)
1,280
(9,151)
(13,116)
(531)
9,776
10,903
(2,046)
(24,809)
13,255
-
(13,600)
-
384
(462)
(458)
-
-
(536)
-
(3,233)
16,450
13,216
5,505
-
1,271
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
40
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business: Clearfield, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) manufactures a broad range of fiber connectivity products to customers throughout the United
States and internationally, and since the July 26, 2022, acquisition of Nestor Cables Oy, manufactures fiber optic and copper telecommunication cables and equipment
through its Finnish subsidiaries. Refer to Note 11 for further information regarding the acquisition of Nestor Cables.
We are engaged in global operations. Our operations currently comprise of two reportable segments: the Clearfield segment, (referred to herein as “Clearfield”) and, since
July 26, 2022, the Nestor Cables segment (referred to herein as “Nestor Cables” or “Nestor”). Prior to July 26, 2022, we were considered to be in a single operating
segment structure.
The Company’s products include fiber distribution systems, optical components, Outside Plant (“OSP”) cabinets, and fiber and copper cable assemblies that serve the
communication service provider markets, including Fiber-to-the-Premises (“FTTP”), large enterprise, and original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) markets.
Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Clearfield, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Revenue Recognition: Our revenue is comprised of the sale of our products to customers and is recognized when the Company satisfies its performance obligations
under the applicable sales contract. A performance obligation is a promise in a sales contract to transfer a distinct product or service to a customer. Substantially all our
sales contracts have a single performance obligation and are short term in nature. We recognize revenue by transferring the promised products to the customer, with
substantially all revenue recognized at the point in time when the customer obtains control of the products. Shipping and handling costs charged to our customers are
included in net sales, while the corresponding shipping expenses are included in cost of sales. Sales, value add, and other taxes collected from customers and remitted to
governmental authorities are accounted for on a net (excluded from revenue) basis.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The following
table presents the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balances:
(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash including money market accounts
Money market funds
Total cash and cash equivalents
September 30,
2023
September 30,
2022
$
$
11,360 $
26,467
37,827 $
16,635
15
16,650
The Company maintains cash balances at multiple financial institutions, and at times, such balances exceeded insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses
in such accounts.
Investments: The Company currently invests its excess cash in bank certificates of deposit (“CDs”) that are fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(“FDIC”) and United States Treasury (“Treasuries”) securities with terms of not more than five years, as well as money market accounts. Historically, the Company’s
investment portfolio had been classified as held-to-maturity and recorded at amortized cost. During the second quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company sold investments and
has reclassified its investment portfolio to available-for-sale, which is reported at fair value. The unrealized gain or loss on investment securities is recorded in other
comprehensive income, net of tax. Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are recognized upon sale and are included in net investment income in the
consolidated statement of earnings.
Foreign Currency Translation: Balance sheet and statement of earnings of our international subsidiaries are measured using local currency as their functional currency.
Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated at the exchange rates in effect at each fiscal year-end. Statements of operations accounts are translated at the
average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included as a
cumulative translation adjustment in shareholders’ equity.
41
Comprehensive Income (Loss): Total comprehensive income and the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are presented in the Consolidated Statements
of Comprehensive Income and the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity. Accumulated other comprehensive loss is composed of foreign currency translation
effects and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale marketable debt securities. We use the individual item approach for releasing income tax effects from
accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The financial statements include the following financial instruments: cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable
and accounts payable. The Company estimates the fair value of investments as of the balance sheet date. All other financial instruments’ carrying values approximate fair
values because of the short-term nature of the instruments.
Accounts Receivable: Credit is extended based on the evaluation of a customer’s financial condition and collateral is generally not required. Accounts that are
outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The Company does not charge interest on past due receivables. The Company determines
its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade receivables are past due, the Company’s previous loss history,
the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as whole. The Company writes off accounts
receivable when they become uncollectible; payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts.
The allowance for doubtful accounts activity for the years ended September 30, 2023, and 2022 is as follows:
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
Year Ended
Additions
(Recoveries)
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
Balance at
Beginning of
Year
$
$
79,000 $
79,000
Less
Write-offs
Balance at End of
Year
- $
$
- $
- $
79,000
79,000
Inventories: Inventories consist of finished goods, raw materials, and work-in-process and are stated at average cost, subject to the lower of cost or net realizable value.
Certain components of the Company’s inventory classified as raw materials or finished goods can be used as a component to manufacture products or can be sold directly
to the customer. Inventory is valued using material costs, labor charges, and allocated factory overhead charges and consists of the following:
(In thousands)
Raw materials
Work-in-process
Finished goods
Inventories, gross
Inventory reserve
Inventories, net
September 30,
2023
September 30,
2022
$
$
73,657 $
1,462
29,696
104,815
(6,760)
98,055 $
69,142
4,592
10,803
84,537
(2,329)
82,208
On a regular basis, the Company reviews its inventory and identifies that which is excess, slow moving, and obsolete by considering factors such as inventory levels,
expected product life, and forecasted sales demand. A reserve is established for any identified excess, slow moving, and obsolete inventory through a charge to cost of
sales. Inventory write-down charges may be required in the future if there is a significant decline in demand for the Company’s products and the Company does not adjust
its manufacturing production accordingly or if new products are not accepted by the market.
42
Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Significant additions or improvements extending asset lives are capitalized, while
repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred. Depreciation is provided in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of assets to operations over their estimated
useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the remaining term of the lease or estimated life of the asset.
Estimated useful lives of the assets are as follows:
Equipment
Leasehold improvements
Vehicles
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
(In thousands)
Manufacturing equipment
Office equipment
Leasehold improvements
Vehicles
Construction in progress
Property, plant and equipment, gross
Less accumulated depreciation
Property, plant and equipment, net
Years
3 – 15
7-10 or life of lease
3
September 30,
2023
September 30,
2022
$
$
23,580 $
4,560
6,107
446
2,447
37,140
15,613
21,527 $
18,418
4,174
5,000
340
1,715
29,647
11,418
18,229
Depreciation expense for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $4,915,000, $2,647,000, and $1,699,000, respectively.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of tangible net assets acquired in acquisitions after amounts have been
allocated to intangible assets. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually at fiscal year-end, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
asset might be impaired. Examples of such events or circumstances include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in legal or business climate, an adverse
regulatory action or unanticipated competition. The Company assesses qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances would indicate
that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. During the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021, there
were no triggering events that indicated goodwill or intangible assets may be impaired.
If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company were to determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than
its carrying amount, then the Company would perform a quantitative test that compares the fair value to its carrying value to determine the amount of any impairment.
If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company would measure the possible goodwill impairment loss based on an allocation of the estimate
of fair value of the reporting unit to all the underlying assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including any previously unrecognized intangible assets. The excess of
the fair value of a reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent
that a reporting unit's recorded goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss would be based on significant estimates and judgments, and if the
facts and circumstances change, a potential impairment could have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
No impairment of goodwill or intangible assets has occurred during the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
The Company capitalizes legal costs incurred to obtain patents. Once accepted by either the U.S. Patent Office or the equivalent office of a foreign country, these legal
costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining estimated lives, not exceeding 20 years. As of September 30, 2023, the Company has 47 patents
granted and multiple pending applications both inside and outside the United States.
43
In addition, the Company has various finite life intangible assets, most of which were acquired as a result of the acquisition of a portfolio of Telcordia certified outdoor
active cabinet products from Calix, Inc. (“Calix”) during fiscal year 2018 and the acquisition of Nestor Cables as of July 26, 2022. Refer to Note 11 for further
information regarding the acquisition of Nestor Cables. Finite life intangible assets as of September 30, 2023, and 2022 are as follows:
(In thousands)
Customer relationships
Certifications
Trademarks
Patents
Developed Technology
Other
Software
Totals
(In thousands)
Customer relationships
Certifications
Trademarks
Patents
Developed Technology
Other
Software
Totals
Useful
Life
(Years)
Useful
Life
(Years)
September 30, 2023
Gross Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Book Value
Amount
4,894 $
584
1,333
1,119
311
6
2,613
10,860 $
1,582 $
267
700
165
22
6
2,026
4,768 $
3,312
317
633
954
289
-
587
6,092
September 30, 2022
Gross Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Book Value
Amount
4,833 $
584
1,306
931
295
6
2,452
10,407 $
1,273 $
133
586
118
5
6
1,909
4,030 $
3,559
451
720
813
290
-
543
6,376
15 $
8
8-10
20
10
5
1-3
$
15 $
8
8-10
20
10
5
1-3
$
Amortization expense related to these assets for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $1,128,000, $766,000, and $602,000, respectively.
Our future estimated amortization expense for intangibles is as follows as of September 30, 2023:
(In thousands)
FY 2024
FY 2025
FY 2026
FY 2027
FY 2028
Thereafter
Total
Estimated
amortization
expense
1,148
698
563
469
460
2,754
6,092
$
$
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: The Company assesses potential impairments to its long-lived assets or asset groups when there is evidence that events occur or
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recovered. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount
of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds
the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group.
Any required impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group exceeds its fair value and is recorded as a
reduction in the carrying value of the related asset or asset group and a charge to operating results. No impairment of long-lived assets occurred during the years ended
September 30, 2023, 2022, or 2021, respectively.
44
Income Taxes: The Company records income taxes in accordance with the liability method of accounting. Deferred taxes are recognized for the estimated taxes
ultimately payable or recoverable based on enacted tax law. The Company establishes a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets when it is more likely than
not that a deferred tax asset will not be realizable. Changes in tax rates are reflected in the tax provision as they occur.
In accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, we recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would
more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial
statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. As of September 30,
2023, and 2022, the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a
component of income tax expense. We do not expect any material changes in our unrecognized tax benefits over the next 12 months.
Stock-Based Compensation: We measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based awards at fair value over the requisite service period. We use the
Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of options. For restricted stock grants, fair value is determined as the average price of the Company’s stock
on the date of grant. Equity-based compensation expense is broken out between cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses based on the classification
of the employee. The determination of fair value of stock-based awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as by
assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and
actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors.
The expected terms of the options are based on evaluations of historical and expected future employee exercise behavior. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S.
Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected life at grant date. Volatility is based on historical and expected future volatility
of the Company’s stock. The Company has not historically issued any dividends and does not expect to in the future. Forfeitures for both option and restricted stock grants
are estimated at the time of the grant and revised in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from estimates.
If factors change and we employ different assumptions in the determination of the fair value of grants in future periods, the related compensation expense that we record
may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current periods.
Share Repurchase Program: Effective January 27, 2022, the Company reinstated its stock repurchase program that had been suspended in April 2020 due to COVID
uncertainty. In addition, effective January 27, 2022, the Company’s board of directors increased the share repurchase program by an additional $10 million to an aggregate
of $22 million, from the previous $12 million. As of September 30, 2023, we have repurchased an aggregate of 565,590 shares for approximately $7,019,000, leaving
approximately $14,981,000 available within our $22,000,000 stock repurchase program. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any
particular amount of common stock during any period. The repurchase will be funded by cash on hand. During the year ended September 30, 2023, the Company did not
repurchase any shares under the stock repurchase program. As of September 30, 2022, we had repurchased an aggregate of 565,590 shares for approximately $7,019,000,
leaving approximately $14,981,000 available within our $22,000,000 stock repurchase program.
On November 7, 2023, the Company's board of directors increased the share repurchase program to an aggregate of 40 million from the previous $22 million, leaving
approximately $32,980,671 available for repurchase.
The Company is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock at $.01 par value and 5,000,000 undesignated shares. From the undesignated shares, 500,000
shares have been designated as Series B Junior Participating Preferred Shares and none of such shares have been issued or are outstanding. The Board of Directors may,
by resolution, establish from the remaining undesignated shares different classes or series of shares and may fix the relative rights and preferences of shares in any class or
series.
Research and Development Costs: Research and development costs amounted to $3,115,000, $895,000 and $1,243,000 for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022,
and 2021, respectively, and are charged to expense when incurred.
45
Advertising Costs: Advertising costs amounted to $609,000, $537,000, and $436,000 for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, and are
charged to expense when incurred.
Net Income Per Share: Basic and diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and
the weighted average number of dilutive shares outstanding, respectively.
Weighted average common shares outstanding for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021 were as follows:
Year ended September 30,
(In thousands except share data)
Net income
Weighted average common shares
Dilutive potential common shares
Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding
Earnings per share:
Basic
Diluted
2023
2022
2021
$
$
$
32,533 $
14,975,972
36,555
15,012,527
2.17 $
2.17 $
49,362 $
13,771,665
134,319
13,905,984
3.58 $
3.55 $
20,327
13,720,699
63,593
13,784,294
1.48
1.47
There were no antidilutive shares for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, or 2021.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, related revenues and expenses and disclosure about
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Significant estimates include the rebates related to revenue recognition, stock-based compensation
and the valuation of inventory, long-lived assets, finite lived intangible assets and goodwill. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates.
Reclassification: For the purposes of comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period classification. There was no impact
to prior period net income or shareholders’ equity.
New Accounting Pronouncements:
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In November 2018, the FASB issued update ASU 2018-19 that
clarifies the scope of the standard in the amendments in ASU 2016-13. This guidance introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based
on an estimate of current expected credit losses. Financial instruments impacted include accounts receivable, other financial assets measured at amortized cost and other
off-balance sheet credit exposures. The new guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, with early adoption permitted. The
Company has evaluated the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on its consolidated financial statements and determined that the adoption of the new standard would
not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Note 2. Stock Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation: The Company’s stock-based compensation plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the board of directors, which selects
persons to receive awards and determines the number of shares subject to each award and the terms, conditions, performance measures and other provisions of the award.
On February 23, 2023, the Company’s shareholders approved the Clearfield, Inc. 2022 Stock Compensation Plan (the “2022 Plan”). The 2022 Plan became effective on
the date of shareholder approval, and no further awards may be made under the Clearfield, Inc. Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Compensation Plan (the “Prior Plan”)
following the effective date of the 2022 Plan. The total number of shares of stock reserved and available for distribution under the 2022 Plan upon approval was 1,461,461
shares, which includes the number of shares remaining for grant and delivery under the Prior Plan, plus any shares subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Plan as of
the effective date of the 2022 Plan that were forfeited, cancelled, or settled for cash.
46
As of September 30, 2023, $4,445,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested awards is expected to be recognized over a period of
approximately 2.9 years. The Company recorded related compensation expense for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021 of $3,578,000, $2,339,000, and
$1,280,000, respectively. For the year ended September 30, 2023, $3,407,000 of this expense was included in selling, general and administrative expense and $171,000
was included in cost of sales. For the year ended September 30, 2022, $2,213,000 of this expense was included in selling, general and administrative expense and
$126,000 was included in cost of sales. For the year ended September 30, 2021, $1,223,000 of this expense was included in selling, general and administrative expense
and $57,000 was included in cost of sales.
Stock Options: The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted. During the fiscal year ended September 30,
2023, the Company granted employees non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 40,266 shares of common stock with a weighted average contractual term
of five years, a weighted average three-year vesting term, and a weighted average exercise price of $64.38. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the
Company granted employees non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 62,730 shares of common stock with a weighted average contractual term of five
years, a weighted average three-year vesting term, and a weighted average exercise price of $66.48. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, the Company
granted employees non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 105,089 shares of common stock with a weighted average contractual term of 5 years, a 3-year
weighted average vesting term, and an exercise price of $23.74.
The fair value of stock option awards during the year ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was estimated as of the respective grant dates using the assumptions
listed below:
Dividend yield
Weighted average expected volatility
Weighted average risk-free interest rate
Weighted average expected life
Vesting period
Year ended September
30, 2023
Year ended September
30, 2022
Year ended September
30, 2021
0%
63.14%
3.75%
5 years
3 years
0%
52.02%
0.97%
5 years
3 years
0%
46.90%
0.24%
5 years
3 years
The expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock for a period approximating the expected life. The expected life represents
the period of time that options are expected to be outstanding after their grant date. The risk-free interest rate reflects the interest rate at grant date on zero-coupon U.S.
governmental bonds having a remaining life similar to the expected option term.
Options are generally granted at fair market values determined on the date of grant and vesting normally occurs over a three to five-year period. The maximum contractual
term is normally six years. Shares issued upon exercise of a stock option are issued from the Company’s authorized but unissued shares. There were 79,911 options vested
during the year ended September 30, 2023, 113,727 options vested during the year ended September 30, 2022, and 79,833 options vested during the year ended September
30, 2021. For the year ended September 30, 2023, there were 21,630 stock options that were exercised using a cashless method of exercise. For the year ended September
30, 2022, there were 125,651 stock options that were exercised using a cashless method of exercise. For the year ended September 30, 2021, there were 101,966 stock
options that were exercised using a cashless method of exercise. The intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was
$1,603,000, $11,279,000, and $1,315,000 respectively.
47
Option transactions under the 2022 Plan during the year ended September 30, 2023, and under the Prior Plan for the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 are
summarized as follows:
Outstanding as of September 30, 2020
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited and expired
Outstanding as of September 30, 2021
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited and expired
Outstanding as of September 30, 2022
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited and expired
Outstanding as of September 30, 2023
Number of shares
Weighted average
exercise price
Weighted average fair
value
337,100 $
105,089
(101,966)
(38,709)
301,514 $
62,730
(125,651)
(2,084)
236,509 $
40,266
(21,630)
(1,021)
254,124 $
12.48
23.74 $
12.47
13.68
16.25
66.48 $
12.92
19.94
31.30
64.38 $
26.16
18.18
37.04
8.14
25.54
30.83
The following table summarizes information concerning options exercisable under the 2022 Plan and the Prior Plan as of the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and
2021:
As of Year Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2021
Exercisable
Weighted average remaining
contractual life
Weighted average
exercise price
97,056
39,276
51,201
2.28 years $
2.78 years $
2.29 years $
28.13 $
20.26 $
12.28 $
The following table summarizes information concerning options currently outstanding at:
As of Year Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2021
Number outstanding
254,124
236,509
301,514
Weighted average remaining
contractual life
Weighted average
exercise price
2.72 years $
3.30 years $
3.22 years $
37.04 $
31.30 $
16.25 $
Aggregate intrinsic
value (in thousands)
2,731
3,314
1,632
Aggregate intrinsic
value (in thousands)
9,413
17,343
8,412
Restricted Stock: The 2022 Plan permits, and the Prior Plan permitted, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors to grant stock-based awards, including
stock options and restricted stock, to key employees and non-employee directors. The Company has made restricted stock grants that vest over one to ten years.
Restricted stock transactions during the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are summarized as follows:
Unvested shares as of September 30, 2020
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Unvested shares as of September 30, 2021
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Unvested share, s as of September 30, 2022
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Unvested shares as of September 30, 2023
Number of shares
109,070 $
39,807
(35,840)
(4,198)
108,839 $
29,512
(37,094)
(2,749)
98,508 $
41,492
(47,869)
(1,556)
90,575 $
Weighted average
grant date fair value
12.98
24.20
12.48
15.45
17.14
65.90
17.78
16.84
31.51
70.50
30.98
15.61
49.92
48
The fair value of restricted shares vested during the year end September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $3,141,000, $3,744,000, and $1,364,000 respectively. The
Company repurchased a total of 12,862 shares of our common stock at an average price of $62.20 in connection with payment of taxes upon the vesting of restricted stock
previously issued to employees for the year ended September 30, 2023. The Company repurchased a total of 13,292 shares of our common stock at an average price of
$105.78 in connection with payment of taxes upon the vesting of restricted stock previously issued to employees for the year ended September 30, 2022. The Company
repurchased a total of 11,754 shares of our common stock at an average price of $39.32 in connection with payment of taxes upon the vesting of restricted stock
previously issued to employees for the year ended September 30, 2021.
Bonus Stock: During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, the Company granted employees an aggregate of 9,144 shares of common stock as a discretionary bonus
for fiscal 2022 performance. The bonus stock consisted of common stock with no vesting period or restrictions. The fair value on the date of issuance was $104.36 per
share. No bonus stock was granted in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan: The Clearfield, Inc. 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) allows participating employees to purchase shares of the Company’s
common stock at a discount through payroll deductions. The ESPP is available to all employees subject to certain eligibility requirements. Terms of the ESPP provide that
participating employees may purchase the Company’s common stock on a voluntary after-tax basis. Employees may purchase the Company’s common stock at a price
that is no less than the lower of 85% of the fair market value of one share of common stock at the beginning or end of each stock purchase period or phase. The ESPP is
carried out in six-month phases, with phases beginning on July 1 and January 1 of each calendar year. For the phase that ended on June 30, 2023, employees purchased
7,754 shares at a price of $40.25 per share. For the phase that ended on December 31, 2022, employees purchased 5,585 shares at a price of $53.52 per share. As of
September 30, 2023, the Company has withheld approximately $154,000 from employees participating in the phase that began on July 1, 2023. In February 2020, the
shareholders of Clearfield, Inc. approved an increase of 200,000 in the shares authorized for issuance under the ESPP. After the employee purchase on June 30, 2023,
168,251 shares of common stock were available for future purchase under the ESPP.
Note 3. Investments
The Company invests in CDs in amounts that are fully insured by the FDIC and Treasuries with terms of not more than five years, as well as money market funds. During
the second quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company sold investments and has reclassified its investment portfolio to available-for-sale, which is reported at fair value. The
unrealized gain or loss on investment securities is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are
recognized upon sale and are included in net investment income in the consolidated statement of earnings. The Company did not sell investment securities during the
years ended September 30, 2023.
As of September 30, 2023, available-for-sale investments consist of the following:
(In thousands)
Short-Term
U.S. treasury securities
Certificates of deposit
Investment securities – short-term
Long-Term
U.S treasury securities
Certificates of deposit
Investment securities – long-term
September 30, 2023
Cost
Unrealized Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
122,534 $
8,014
130,548 $
6,719 $
248
6,967 $
$
$
$
$
49
- $
-
- $
- $
-
- $
143 $
119
262 $
596 $
28
624 $
122,391
7,895
130,286
6,123
220
6,343
As of September 30, 2022, available-for-sale investments consisted of the following:
(In thousands)
Short-Term
Certificates of deposit
Investment securities – short-term
Long-Term
U.S treasury securities
Certificates of deposit
Investment securities – long-term
September 30, 2022
Cost
Unrealized Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
$
$
$
$
5,945 $
5,945 $
16,178 $
8,016
24,194 $
- $
- $
- $
-
- $
143 $
143 $
1,085 $
362
1,447 $
5,802
5,802
15,093
7,654
22,747
The Company did not sell any investments in the year ended September 30, 2023. For the year ended September 30, 2022, proceeds from the sale of investments was
$14,365,000, upon which the Company realized within earnings gross realized gains on the sale of $92,000 partially offset by gross realized losses of $53,000. The
specific identification method is used to determine the cost of the securities sold. The Company’s sale of investment securities was associated with its need to respond to
significant unanticipated and unprecedented growth in its sales order backlog coupled with supply chain challenges to obtain the inventory necessary for fulfillment of
these orders, as well as the reevaluation of the Company’s approach to use of available capital.
As of September 30, 2023, investments in debt securities in an unrealized loss position were as follows:
(In thousands)
U.S treasury securities
Certificates of deposit
Investment securities
In Unrealized Loss Position For Less
Than 12 Months
In Unrealized Loss Position For
Greater Than 12 Months
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized
Losses
$
$
112,908 $
245
113,153 $
131 $
-
131 $
15,606 $
7,870
23,476 $
608
147
755
As of September 30, 2022, investments in debt securities in an unrealized loss position were as follows:
(In thousands)
U.S treasury securities
Certificates of deposit
Investment securities
In Unrealized Loss Position For Less
Than 12 Months
In Unrealized Loss Position For
Greater Than 12 Months
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized
Losses
$
$
- $
6,345
6,345 $
- $
176
176 $
15,093 $
7,111
22,204 $
1,085
329
1,414
As of September 30, 2023, there were 42 securities in an unrealized loss position which is due to the securities paying lower interest rates than the market. As of
September 30, 2023, there are no securities which are other than temporarily impaired as the Company intends to hold these securities until their value recovers and there
is negligible credit risk due to the nature of the securities which are backed by the FDIC and US federal government.
50
Note 4. Fair Value Measurements
The Company determines the fair value of its assets and liabilities based on the market price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in
the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company
determines the fair value of Treasuries and CDs based on valuations provided by an external pricing service, which obtains them from a variety of industry standard data
providers.
The Company’s investments are categorized according to the three-level fair value hierarchy which distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, in one of
the following levels:
Level 1- Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2- Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for
identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3- Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the measurement of the
fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include those with fair value measurements that are determined using pricing models,
discounted cash flow valuation or similar techniques, as well as significant management judgment or estimation.
The following provides information regarding fair value measurements for the Company’s investment securities as of September 30, 2023, according to the three-level
fair value hierarchy:
(In thousands)
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds
Total cash equivalents
Investment securities:
Certificates of deposit
U.S. Treasury securities
Total investment securities
Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2023
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
$
$
$
$
26,467 $
26,467 $
8,115 $
128,514
136,629 $
26,467 $
26,467 $
- $
- $
- $
-
- $
8,115 $
128,514
136,629 $
-
-
-
-
-
During the year ended September 30, 2023, we owned no Level 3 securities and there were no transfers within the fair value level hierarchy.
Non-financial assets such as equipment and leasehold improvements, goodwill and intangible assets and right-of-use assets for operating leases are subject to non-
recurring fair value measurements if they are deemed impaired. We had no re-measurements of non-financial assets to fair value in the years-end September 30, 2023 and
2022.
The following provides information regarding fair value measurements for the Company’s investment securities as of September 30, 2022, according to the three-level
fair value hierarchy:
(In thousands)
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds
Total cash equivalents
Investment securities:
Certificates of deposit
U.S. Treasury securities
Total investment securities
Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2022
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
15 $
15 $
13,456 $
15,093
28,549 $
$
$
$
$
51
15 $
15 $
- $
-
- $
- $
- $
13,456 $
15,093
28,549 $
-
-
-
-
-
Note 5. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Changes in components of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, are as follows:
(In thousands)
Balances at September 30, 2021
Other comprehensive loss for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022
Balances at September 30, 2022
Other comprehensive income for the twelve months ended September 30, 2023
Balances at September 30, 2023
$
$
$
Available-for-Sale
Securities
Foreign Currency
Translation
- $
(1,224)
(1,224) $
542
(682) $
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss
-
(1,898)
(1,898)
1,354
(544)
- $
(674)
(674) $
812
138 $
The Company did not have any other comprehensive income or loss for the year ended September 30, 2021.
Note 6. Income Taxes
Components of income tax expense are as follows for the years ended:
(In thousands)
Current:
Federal
State
Foreign
Current income tax expense
Deferred:
Federal
State
Foreign
Deferred income tax expense
Income tax expense
September 30,
2023
September 30,
2022
September 30,
2021
$
$
9,449 $
1,435
144
11,028
(1,751)
(251)
53
(1,949)
9,079 $
13,230 $
1,532
48
14,810
(509)
6
165
(334)
14,472 $
5,154
440
-
5,594
(234)
47
-
(187)
5,407
The following is a reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to the effective tax rate as a percent of pre-tax income for the following years ended:
Federal statutory rate
State income taxes
Foreign income taxes
Permanent differences
Research and development credits
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
Effective Tax rate
September 30,
2023
September 30,
2022
September 30,
2021
21.0%
2.8%
(0.1%)
0.8%
(1.0%)
(1.7%)
21.8%
21.0%
2.1%
0.4%
4.6%
(0.5%)
(4.9%)
22.7%
21.0%
2.2%
-
-
(0.7%)
(1.5%)
21.0%
52
As of September 30, 2023, and 2022, the current income tax payable was approximately $84,000, and $1,791,000 respectively. Current income tax payable amounts are
included in accrued expenses in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
As of September 30, 2023, and 2022, the Company had no U.S. federal, state or Estonian net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards. As of September 30, 2023, and
September 30, 2022 there is a Finnish NOL of $1,000 and $4,000, respectively. The Company has not recorded a valuation allowance on these deferred tax assets as the
Company believes it is more likely than not they will be utilized. In addition, as of September 30, 2023, the Company had Minnesota research and development tax credits
of $255,000. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had Minnesota research and development tax credits of $292,000. The Company has not recorded a valuation
allowance on these research and development related deferred tax assets as the Company believes it is more likely than not they will be utilized before they begin to
expire in fiscal year 2038.
Significant components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows at:
(In thousands)
Inventories
R&D expenses
Stock-based compensation
Accrued expenses and reserves
Unrealized loss on investments
Net operating loss carry forwards and credits
Foreign currency translation loss
Total deferred tax asset
Goodwill
Property and equipment depreciation
Prepaid expenses
Intangibles
Foreign currency translation gain
Total deferred tax liability
Net deferred tax asset
September 30,
September 30,
2023
2022
$
2,154 $
832
600
515
204
201
-
4,506 $
(1,123)
(683)
(193)
(153)
(36)
(2,188) $
2,318 $
$
$
$
813
-
416
1,020
365
256
180
3,050
(1,077)
(1,068)
(163)
(102)
-
(2,410)
640
Realization of NOL carryforwards and other deferred tax temporary differences are contingent upon future taxable earnings. The deferred tax assets and deferred tax
liabilities are not netted due to being within different tax jurisdictions. The Company’s deferred tax assets were reviewed for expected utilization by assessing the
available positive and negative factors surrounding their recoverability. As of September 30, 2023, and 2022, no valuation allowance was deemed necessary as the
Company determined it was more likely than not that the Company’s deferred tax assets will be realized.
The Company is required to recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not
sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest
benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. The Company applies the interpretation to
all tax positions for which the statute of limitations remained open. The Company had no liability for unrecognized tax benefits and did not recognize any interest or
penalties during the years ended September 30, 2023, or 2022.
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal and various state and foreign jurisdictions, including Finland. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are
subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. Clearfield, Inc. is generally subject to U.S. federal
examination for all tax years after 2018 and state examinations for all tax years after 2014 due to unexpired research and development credit carryforwards still open
under statute. Nestor is generally subject to Finland examination for all tax years after 2019.
53
Note 7. Concentrations
Suppliers: The Company purchases critical components for our products, including injection molded parts and connectors from third parties, some of whom are single- or
limited-source suppliers. If any of our suppliers are unable to ship critical components, we may be unable to manufacture and ship products to our distributors or
customers. If the price of these components increases for any reason, or if these suppliers are unable or unwilling to deliver, we may have to find another source, which
could result in interruptions, increased costs, delays, loss of sales and quality control problems.
Customers: For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, the Company had one customer that comprised 16% of net sales. This customer is a distributor. For the fiscal
year ended September 30, 2022, the Company had one customer that comprised 14% of net sales. This customer is a distributor. For the fiscal year ended September 30,
2021, the Company had two customers that comprised a combined 28% of net sales. Both of these customers were distributors. These major customers, like our other
customers, purchase our products from time to time through purchase orders, and we do not have any agreements that obligate these major customers to purchase products
in the future from us.
As of September 30, 2023, three customers accounted for 16%, 13% and 11% of accounts receivable, respectively. These customers are all distributors. As of September
30, 2022, one customer accounted for 20% of accounts receivable. This customer is a distributor.
Disaggregation of Revenue: The Company allocates sales from external customers to geographic areas based on the location to which the product is transported. Sales
outside the United States are principally to customers in Europe, the Caribbean, Canada, and in Central and South America.
The following table presents our domestic and international sales for each of the last three fiscal years:
United States
All Other Countries
Total Net Sales
Year Ended September 30,
2023
2022
2021
$
$
218,835 $
49,885
268,720 $
255,607 $
15,276
270,883 $
131,285
9,470
140,755
The Company sells its products to the Broadband Service Provider marketplace. In addition, the Company provides Legacy services for original equipment manufacturers
requiring copper and fiber cable assemblies built to their specification.
The percentages of our sales by these markets were as follows for each of the last three fiscal years:
Broadband service providers
Other customers
Total Net Sales
Year Ended September 30,
2023
2022
2021
97%
3%
100%
99%
1%
100%
98%
2%
100%
Broadband Service Providers are made up of Community Broadband, which includes local and regional telecom companies, utilities, municipalities and alternative
carriers, also referred to as Tier 2 and 3 customers, National Carriers, which includes large national and global wireline and wireless providers also referred to as Tier 1’s,
Large Regional Service providers with a national footprint, MSO’s, which include cable television companies, and international customers.
Long-lived assets: As of September 30, 2023, and 2022, the Company had property, plant, and equipment with a net book value of $7,003,000, and $4,213,000,
respectively, located in Mexico. In addition, as of September 30, 2023, and 2022, the Company had property, plant, and equipment with a net book value of $6,703,000,
and $6,916,000, respectively, located in Finland and $660,000, and $280,000, respectively, located in Estonia. All other property, plant, and equipment is located within
the United States.
54
Note 8. Employee Benefit Plan
Clearfield, Inc. maintains a contributory 401(k) profit sharing benefit plan, whereby eligible employees may contribute a portion of their earnings, not to exceed annual
amounts allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company matched 100% of the first 3% and 50% of the next 3% of the participant’s eligible compensation that
was contributed by the participant. The Company’s contributions under this plan were $1,017,000, $1,129,000, and $915,000 for the years ended September 30, 2023,
2022 and 2021, respectively.
Nestor Cables is mandated by the Finnish government to participate in a pension and social expense plan to which Nestor and its employees make contributions. The plan
is accounted for as defined contribution plan and Nestor Cables is responsible for an average of 18.3% and 17.4% of employees’ wages for plan years ended September
30, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Nestor’s contributions under this plan were $1,112,000 and $204,000 for the years ended September 30, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
Note 9. Leases
Clearfield, Inc. leases an 85,000 square foot facility at 7050 Winnetka Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota consisting of corporate offices, manufacturing and
warehouse space. The lease term is ten years and two months, ending on February 28, 2025, and is renewable. The renewal options have not been included within the
lease term because it is not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise either option.
In July 2021, Clearfield, Inc. entered into an indirect lease arrangement for an approximately 318,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico. The lease
term is for 7 years of which 5 years are mandatory, commencing March 2022. The lease contains written options to renew for two additional consecutive periods of 5
years each. The lease calls for monthly rental payments of $162,000, increasing 2% annually. The renewal options have not been included within the lease term because it
is not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise either option.
On November 19, 2021, Clearfield, Inc. signed a lease for a 105,000 square foot warehouse in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The lease term is five years commencing March
2022 and ending on February 28, 2027, with rent payments increasing annually. The lease includes an option to extend the lease for an additional five years. The renewal
option has not been included within the lease term because it is not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the option. The lease commenced in the second
quarter of fiscal 2022.
Nestor Cables leases an approximately 25,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Oulu, Finland, which is utilized for the operations of Nestor Cables. The original lease
term ended on October 31, 2022, but auto renews indefinitely until terminated with two years written notice. It is not reasonably certain that the Company will not
exercise the termination option. The lease calls for monthly rental payments of approximately $40,000. Rent is increased each year on January 1st based upon the cost-of-
living index published by the Finnish government.
On May 11, 2023, Nestor Cables signed a lease for an approximately 49,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Tabasalu, Estonia, to be utilized for the operations of
Nestor Cables Baltics. The lease is without a fixed term and requires two years’ written notice to terminate the lease. Additionally, the lease grants to Nestor Cables the
option to lease an expansion facility that is to be constructed no later than August 31, 2024. The expansion facility will be constructed on the same premises as the existing
facility. Once the expansion option is exercised and the expansion facility is made available for use, the lease term of the existing facility will become a minimum of 60
months.
The lease calls for monthly rental payments of approximately €20,400 until April 2024 and €25,000 afterwards. Rent is increased each year on May 1st based upon the
cost-of-living index published by the Estonian government and capped at 5%.
Right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized as of the commencement date based on the present value of the remaining lease payments over the lease term
which includes renewal periods we are reasonably certain to exercise. Our leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
Operating lease expense included within cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expense was as follows:
55
(In thousands)
Operating lease expense under ASC842, Leases, within:
Cost of sales
Selling, general and administrative
Total lease expense
Year ended September
30, 2023
Year ended September
30, 2022
Year ended September
30, 2021
$
$
4,067 $
244
4,311 $
2,534 $
277
2,801 $
999
217
1,216
Our future lease obligations for leases that have commenced were as follows as of September 30, 2023:
(In thousands)
FY 2024
FY 2025
FY 2026
FY 2027
FY 2028
Thereafter
Total lease payments
Less: Interest
Present value of lease liabilities
Operating
Leases
4,064
3,921
3,242
1,572
384
2,626
15,809
(1,443)
14,366
$
$
As of September 30, 2023, the weighted average term and weighted average discount rate for our leases were 5.16 years and 3.59%, respectively. As of September 30,
2022, the weighted average term and weighted average discount rate for our leases were 4.04 years and 3.22%, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, the weighted
average term and weighted average discount rate for our leases were 3.09 years and 3.41%, respectively. For the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021 the
operating cash outflows from our leases were $3,954,000, $2,064,000, and $1,290,000, respectively.
Note 10. Debt
On April 27, 2022, the Company entered into a loan agreement and a security agreement with a bank that provides the Company with a $40,000,000 revolving line of
credit that is secured by certain of the Company’s U.S. assets. The line of credit matures on April 27, 2025, and borrowed amounts will bear interest at a variable rate of
the CME Group one-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1.85%, but not less than 1.80% per annum. As of September 30, 2023, the interest rate
was 7.18%. The loan agreement and the security agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and requirements relating to the Company and its
operations, including a requirement that the Company maintain a debt service coverage ratio of not less than 1.20 to 1 as of the end of each fiscal year for the fiscal year
then ended and maintain a debt to cash flow ratio of not greater than 2 to 1 measured as of the end of each of the Company’s fiscal quarters for the trailing twelve (12)
month period. Debt service coverage ratio is the ratio of Cash Available for Debt Service to Debt Service, each as defined in the loan agreement. Debt and Cash Flow are
also as defined in the loan agreement for the purposes of the debt to cash flow ratio covenant. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had no borrowings against this line
of credit. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had borrowed $16,700,000 against the line of credit. As of September 30, 2023, and 2022, the Company was in
compliance with all covenants. The line of credit is collateralized by Clearfield, Inc’s assets of $335,412,000 as of September 30, 2023.
During March 2021, Nestor Cables entered into a loan agreement, providing €2 million senior loan with a term of three years. The National Emergency Supply Agency of
Finland (“NESA”) pays the interest, capped at 5% with the interest to be paid by NESA when the loan is used for stockpiling purposes and is repayable with a 2%
additional interest penalty if there is a violation of the terms. The loan is due on March 31, 2024. The loan is fully secured by a Finnish Government guarantee. If used for
any purposes other than stockpiling, the lender has the right to terminate the agreement and the entire outstanding balance will become due. As of September 30, 2023,
and 2022, the Company owed €2,000,000 on this loan, which equates to $2,112,000 and $1,966,000, as of September 30, 2023, and 2022, respectively. As of September
30, 2023, and 2022, Nestor Cables was in compliance with all covenants. The interest expense associated with this loan has been presented net of government payments
on the Company’s income statement.
56
Note 11. Acquisition of Nestor Cables
On July 26, 2022, the Company, through its newly formed wholly owned subsidiary, Clearfield Finland Oy, acquired 100% of the share capital of Nestor Cables Oy, a
leading developer and manufacturer of fiber optic cable solutions located in Finland, upon the terms and conditions contained in a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement
entered into on May 17, 2022. The total purchase price and the acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred for the shares totaled €7.9 million ($8.0 million)
in addition to €7.6 million ($7.8 million) related to the repayment of certain of Nestor Cables' debt. The purchase price was funded from a draw of $16.7 million under the
Company’s revolving line of credit. The purchase of Nestor Cables is expected to provide the Company with the ability to vertically integrate the supply of fiber optic
cables and fulfill customer demand more rapidly. Nestor Cables' technical expertise is expected to extend the supply of the Company’s FieldShield product line into the
North American market, to reduce cost and complexity of transportation. Finally, Nestor Cables enhances the possibility of introducing Clearfield's cassette-based fiber
management solutions into the European market.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired as of July 26, 2022:
(in thousands)
Cash
Accounts receivables
Inventories
Other current assets
Total current assets
Property and equipment
Intangibles assets
Right of use lease asset
Goodwill
Other
Total assets
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation
Accrued expenses
Deferred tax liability
Lease liability
Factoring liability
Long term debt
Total liabilities
Net assets acquired
$
$
$
$
72
10,562
11,377
173
22,184
7,689
1,840
1,297
1,762
55
34,827
5,839
1,430
1,916
621
1,297
5,849
2,045
18,997
15,830
The Nestor Cablesacquisition resulted in approximately $1,700,000 of goodwill due to intangible assets not qualifying for separate recognition as well as expected
synergies. The goodwill created from the acquisition of Nestor Cables is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
57
Nestor Cables acquired accounts receivable balance is the gross amount which is expected to be collected, which approximates fair value. As of the acquisition date no
allowance for uncollectible amounts is deemed necessary.
The intangible assets acquired include customer relationships, developed technology and trademarks. The remaining weighted average useful life of intangible assets
acquired is 12.82 years as of the acquisition date. Refer to Note 1 for further detail.
The Company incurred approximately $1,600,000 in legal, professional, and other costs related to the acquisition which were accounted for as selling, general and
administrative expenses when incurred. Refer to Note 12-Segment Reporting for the operating results of Nestor Cables from the date of acquisition through September 30,
2022.
The Company has a fiscal year end of September 30 and reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Nestor Cables has historically had a fiscal year end of
December 31 and reported its results under Finnish Accounting Standards. Accordingly, it is impracticable to disclose the revenue and earnings of the combined entity as
though the business combination occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior year periods due to the differing basis of accounting and reporting periods of the
entities requiring assumptions about management’s intent that cannot be independently substantiated. In addition, these disclosures would require significant estimates
that are not possible to reliably establish in order to distinguish objective information that provides evidence of circumstances that existed on the dates at which those
amounts would have been recognized, measured and disclosed and would have been available when the financial statements for that prior period were issued.
Note 12. Segment Reporting
The Company’s reportable segments are based on the Company’s method of internal reporting. These results are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that
would have occurred had each segment been an independent, stand-alone entity during the periods presented. The internal reporting of these operating segments is defined
based, in part, on the reporting and review process used by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
Upon closing of the acquisition of Nestor Cables, the Company reassessed its operating segments as defined under ASC 280, Segment Reporting. Under ASC 280,
operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise where discrete financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-
maker (“CODM”), in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Based upon the Company’s assessment, the Company determined that the business
of Nestor Cables was considered a second reportable segment as of July 26, 2022.
For the year ended September 30, 2023, the Company has two reportable segments: (1) Clearfield and (2) Nestor Cables. Clearfield’s Finnish holding company Clearfield
Finland Oy purchased Nestor Cables Oy, including its Estonia subsidiary Nestor Cables Baltics on July 26, 2022. These entities comprise the Nestor Cables segment.
Refer to Note 11 - Acquisition of Nestor Cables for additional information on this transaction.
Financial results for the reportable segments are prepared on a basis consistent with the internal disaggregation of financial information to assist the CODM in making
internal operating decisions. For consolidated reporting, the Company eliminates transactions between reportable segments.
The following table summarizes the amounts between the two reportable segments for the year ended September 30, 2023:
(in thousands)
Revenue from external customers
Revenue from internal customers (Clearfield)
Net investment income
Interest Expense
Depreciation and amortization
Stock based compensation
Income taxes
Net Income
Capital Expenditures
Clearfield
Year ended September 30, 2023
Eliminations
Nestor Cables
225,722 $
-
5,315
170
4.598
3,528
8,883
32,834
6,759
$
58
42,998 $
5,408
7
827
1,456
50
196
719
925
- $
(5,408)
(116)
(116)
-
-
-
(1,020)
-
Consolidated
268,720
-
5,206
881
6,054
3,578
9,079
32,533
7,684
The following table summarizes the amounts between the two reportable segments for the year ended September 30, 2022:
(in thousands)
Revenue from external customers
Revenue from internal customers (Clearfield)
Net investment income
Interest Expense
Depreciation and amortization
Stock based compensation
Income taxes
Net Income (loss)
Capital Expenditures
Clearfield
Year ended September 30, 2022
Eliminations
Nestor Cables
$
263,822 $
-
327
141
3,187
2,339
14,258
49,771
8,487
7,061 $
182
1
170
239
-
214
(389)
13
- $
(182)
-
-
-
-
-
(20)
-
The following table summarizes the amounts between the two reportable segments as of September 30, 2023, and September 30, 2022:
(in thousands)
Goodwill
Total assets
(in thousands)
Goodwill
Total assets
Note 13. Financing Receivables
Clearfield
Year ended September 30, 2023
Eliminations
Nestor Cables
4,709 $
335,412 $
1,819 $
43,550 $
- $
(23,445) $
Clearfield
Year ended September 30, 2022
Eliminations
Nestor Cables
4,709 $
214,785 $
1,693 $
31,023 $
- $
(16,680) $
$
$
$
$
Consolidated
270,883
-
328
311
3,426
2,339
14,472
49,362
8,500
Consolidated
6,528
355,517
Consolidated
6,402
229,128
Nestor Cables factors certain of its accounts receivable, with recourse provisions that are accounted for as a secured borrowing. Nestor Cables has a total factoring
liability of $6,289,000and $4,391,000 as of September 30, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Nestor receives cash for 80% of the receivable balance from the bank initially
and the remaining 20% when the invoice is paid up to a limit of €12.5 million ($13.2 million). Due to the conditions mentioned above, these transactions do not qualify as
a sale and are thus accounted for as secured borrowing. The contractual interest rate on Nestor’s factoring arrangements is the 3-month Euribor rate plus a range of .75%
to 1.3%. The average interest rate for the year ended September 30, 2023, and 2022, was 3.89% and 2.14%, respectively. These agreements are indefinite with a
termination notice period ranging from zero to one month.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
59
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s
Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e)
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of September 30, 2023. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the
Company’s Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)
of the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we
conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2023 based on the framework in the 2013 Internal Control
– Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on that evaluation, management concluded
that, as of September 30, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on the COSO internal control criteria. The effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2023 has been audited by Baker Tilly US, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their
report included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 that have materially affected,
or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
During the quarter ended September 30, 2023, none of our directors or officers informed us of the adoption, modification or termination of a “Rule 10b5-1 trading
arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as those terms are defined in Regulation S-K, Item 408(a).
On November 10, 2023, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors added performance stock units (“PSUs”) to the executive compensation program for fiscal
2024 due to the strong alignment between performance-based equity awards and the Compensation Committee’s philosophy of emphasizing performance-based
compensation. The Compensation Committee determined to keep the overall target value of the equity grants to the named executive officers flat year-over-year, but to
divide the target value of the equity grants evenly between restricted shares and PSUs. Accordingly, for Ms. Beranek and Mr. Hill, the Compensation Committee targeted
$500,000 in restricted stock and $500,000 in PSUs, and for Mr. Herzog, the Compensation Committee targeted $250,000 in restricted stock and $250,000 in PSUs. The
PSUs will vest, and the restrictions on the PSUs will lapse, on the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to continued employment through such date and the
Company attaining fiscal 2024 target adjusted EBITDA. The Compensation Committee intends to grant PSUs that vest over a three-year period as part of the fiscal year
2025 executive compensation program.
All PSUs awarded to the named executive officers under the 2022 Stock Compensation Plan (the “2022 Plan”) will be subject to “clawback” under the Company’s
Compensation Recoupment Policy adopted September 23, 2021, as amended through September 28, 2023, and the terms of the 2022 Plan.
The form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement for awards of PSUs under the 2022 Plan is filed as Exhibit 10.16 hereto and is incorporated by reference in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information required by Item 10 to be included in our Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2024 Proxy Statement”), which will be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year for which this report is filed, is incorporated
herein by reference into this section.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by Item 11 to be included in the 2024 Proxy Statement, is incorporated herein by reference into this section.
60
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by Item 12 to be included in the 2024 Proxy Statement, is incorporated herein by reference into this section.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by Item 13 to be included in the 2024 Proxy Statement, is incorporated herein by reference into this section.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by Item 14 to be included in the 2024 Proxy Statement, is incorporated herein by reference into this section.
61
PART IV.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Documents filed as part of this report.
(1) Financial Statements.
The financial statements of Clearfield, Inc. are filed herewith under Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-
K.
(2) Certain financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not required, not applicable or the required information is provided in other
financial statements or the note to the financial statements.
(3) Exhibits: See Items 15(b) below.
(b) Exhibits.
62
Number
1.1
3.1
3.1 (a)
3.2
4.1
*10.1
*10.2
*10.3
*10.4
*10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
*10.9
EXHIBIT INDEX
Description
Underwriting Agreement dated December 6, 2022 by and among
Clearfield, Inc. and Cowen and Company, LLC and Needham &
Company, LLC as representatives for the several underwriters named
therein.
Restated Articles of Incorporation, of APA Optics, Inc. (n/k/a Clearfield,
Inc.) dated November 3, 1983 and Articles of Amendment dated
December 9, 1983, July 30, 1987, March 22, 1989, September 14, 1994
and August 17, 2000
Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated August 25,
2004
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Clearfield, Inc.
Incorporated
by Reference to
Exhibit 1.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December
9, 2022
Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2000
Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2004
Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February
25, 2016
Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended September 30, 2019
Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended September 30, 2017
Employment Agreement dated December 16, 2008 by and between
Clearfield, Inc. and Cheryl P. Beranek
Employment Agreement dated December 16, 2008 by and between
Clearfield, Inc. and John P. Hill
Clearfield, Inc. Code 280G Tax Gross Up Payment Plan Adopted
November 18, 2010
Clearfield, Inc. 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended
Description of the Registrant’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section
12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Form of Agreement regarding Indemnification of Directors and Officers
with certain current and former directors
2007 Stock Compensation Plan, as amended through December 23, 2016 Appendix A to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on
January 10, 2017 for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on
February 23, 2017
Exhibit 10.26 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
December 16, 2008
Exhibit 10.27 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
December 16, 2008
Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
November 18, 2010
Appendix A to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on
January 14, 2020 for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on
February 27, 2020
Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
September 10, 2014
Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 15,
2019
Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
November 16, 2017
Standard Form Industrial Building Lease dated September 9, 2014 by
and between Clearfield, Inc. and First Industrial, L.P.
First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated May 9, 2019 by and
between First Industrial, L.P. and Clearfield, Inc.
Employment Agreement dated November 16, 2017 by and between
Clearfield, Inc. and Daniel Herzog
63
Number
*10.10
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
21.1
23.1
31.1
31.2
32
97.1
Description
Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement dated December 3, 2019
by and between Daniel Herzog and Clearfield, Inc.
Loan Agreement dated April 27, 2022 by and between Clearfield, Inc.
and Bremer Bank, National Association †
Security Agreement dated April 27, 2022 by Clearfield, Inc. in favor of
Bremer Bank, National Association †
Clearfield, Inc. 2022 Stock Compensation Plan, as amended through
January 23, 2023
Form of Stock Option Agreement under the Clearfield, Inc. 2022 Stock
Compensation Plan
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Clearfield, Inc.
2022 Stock Compensation Plan.
Form of Performance Stock Unit Agreement under the Clearfield, Inc.
2022 Stock Compensation Plan.
Subsidiaries of Clearfield, Inc.
Consent of Baker Tilly US, LLP
Certification of Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act
Certification of Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)
Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350
Compensation Recoupment Policy, as amended September 28, 2023
101.INS
101.SCH
101.CAL
101.LAB
101.PRE
101.DEF
104
Inline XBRL Instance Document
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Labels Linkbase
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and
contained in Exhibit 101).
† Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K.
* Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
** Filed herewith.
(c) Financial Statement Schedules.
Incorporated
by Reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
December 6, 2019
Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 27,
2022
Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 27,
2022
Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January
25, 2023
Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February
24, 2023
Exhibit 10.3 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February
24, 2023
**
**
**
**
**
**
Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 4,
2023
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
64
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Date: November 29, 2023
Clearfield, Inc.
/s/ Cheryl Beranek
Cheryl Beranek
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
65
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cheryl Beranek and Daniel Herzog and each of them, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution, to sign on his behalf, individually and in each capacity stated below, all amendments to this Form 10-K and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto and any other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and
purposes as each might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming each act that said attorneys-in-fact and agents may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue thereof.
Signatures
Title
Date
/s/ Cheryl Beranek
Cheryl Beranek
/s/ Daniel Herzog
Daniel Herzog
/s/ Ronald G. Roth
Ronald G. Roth
/s/ Roger G. Harding
Roger G. Harding
/s/ Donald R. Hayward
Donald R. Hayward
/s/ Charles N. Hayssen
Charles N. Hayssen
/s/ Patrick F. Goepel
Patrick F. Goepel
/s/ Walter L. Jones, Jr.
Walter L. Jones, Jr.
/s/ Carol A. Wirsbinski
Carol Wirsbinski
President, Chief Executive Officer
(principal
November 29, 2023
executive officer) and Director
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and
November 29, 2023
accounting officer)
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
66
November 29, 2023
November 29, 2023
November 29, 2023
November 29, 2023
November 29, 2023
November 29, 2023
November 29, 2023
Exhibit 10.16
CLEARFIELD, INC.
2022 STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN
PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
PARTICIPANT:
AWARD DATE:
[____________]
[____________], 202_
NUMBER OF PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS:
[____________]
PERFORMANCE PERIOD:
PERFORMANCE GOALS:
VESTING PERCENTAGE:
Fiscal year 202_ beginning on October 1, 202_ and ending on September 30, 202_.
See Exhibit A.
The percentage achievement (which may be 0% but shall not be more than 100%) of the
Performance Goals for the Performance Period, as determined by the Committee.
THIS PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of the Award Date set forth above, by and between Clearfield,
Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the “Company”), and the person named above (“Participant”) setting forth the terms and conditions of an award of Performance Stock Units
granted pursuant to the terms of the Clearfield, Inc. 2022 Stock Compensation Plan (the “Plan”).
Capitalized terms used herein and not defined shall have the meaning given such terms in the Plan.
1. Grant of Performance Stock Units. In accordance with the terms of the Plan and subject to the further terms, conditions and restrictions contained in this
Agreement, the Company hereby grants to Participant the number of Performance Stock Units set forth above. Each Performance Stock Unit shall represent a contingent
right to receive one share of Stock (each, a “Share”) to the extent such Performance Stock Unit becomes vested and settled pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. As used
in this Agreement, “Settlement Date” means the date of determination and certification by the Committee of the Vesting Percentage with respect to the Performance Goals
for the Performance Period. Until Shares are issued in settlement of the Performance Stock Units on the Settlement Date, Participant will not be deemed for any purpose to
be, or have rights as, a shareholder of the Company, including no right to vote or receive dividends with respect to the Shares issuable upon settlement of the Performance
Stock Units.
1
2. Performance Vesting.
(a) On the Settlement Date, the Performance Stock Units will vest and the Company will issue Participant in settlement of the vested Performance Stock Units such
number of Shares equal to the number of Performance Stock Units covered by this Award multiplied by the Vesting Percentage, rounded down to the nearest whole Share.
The value of any fractional Share shall be paid to Participant in cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such fractional Share on the Settlement Date. No Shares will be
issued to Participant prior to the Settlement Date and only then to the extent the Performance Stock Units are vested in accordance with this Section 2(a).
(b) The Company shall, as soon as practicable after the Settlement Date, deliver to Participant a certificate or cause the Company’s transfer agent to make
appropriate credits to Participant’s book entry account for the Shares issuable upon settlement of the vested Performance Stock Units; provided that Participant shall be
deemed to be the record owner of such Shares as of the Settlement Date.
(c) If the Vesting Percentage shall be zero, the Performance Stock Units shall be forfeited to the Company without payment of any consideration therefor as of the
Settlement Date and Participant’s rights under this Agreement will terminate effective as of the Settlement Date.
3. Forfeiture; Change in Control.
(a) If Participant shall cease to be an employee of the Company for any reason, all Performance Stock Units shall thereupon be forfeited by Participant to the
Company without payment of any consideration therefor, and neither Participant, nor any successor, heir, assign or personal representative shall have any right or interest in
or to such Performance Stock Units or this Agreement as of the date of such termination.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Performance Stock Units shall vest in full and the Company shall issue the full number of Shares in
settlement of the Performance Stock Units upon (1) a termination of employment by the Company without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason, within twenty-four
(24) months following a Change in Control where the Plan is assumed by the successor corporation or the Company is the surviving entity and the Plan continues, or (2) the
occurrence of a Change in Control, if the Plan is not assumed by the successor corporation.
4. Non-Transferability. Neither the Performance Stock Units nor this Agreement nor any interest therein or in this Award may be alienated, encumbered, sold, pledged,
assigned, transferred or subjected to any charge or legal process, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and any sale, pledge, assignment or other
attempted transfer shall be null and void.
5. Successors and Heirs. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns, and upon any person that is an
acquiring person in a Change in Control involving the Company. In the event of Participant’s death, any Shares to which Participant may become entitled pursuant to this
Agreement or the Plan will be delivered to his or her heirs or personal representative in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
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6. Governing Law. This Agreement and any matter relating to this Award of Performance Stock Units will be construed, administered and governed in all respects
under and by the applicable laws of the State of Minnesota, excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or
interpretation of this Agreement, the Plan, or this Award of Performance Stock Units to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.
7. Tax Withholding. Participant will be responsible for all tax obligations that arise as a result of the grant, vesting, settlement and forfeiture of the Performance Stock
Units. As a condition precedent for the delivery by the Company of Shares in settlement of the Performance Stock Units, or any other amount or benefit provided under this
Agreement, and as further set forth in Section 14(e) of the Plan, Participant agrees to make adequate provision for federal, state or other tax withholding obligations, if any,
which arise upon the grant, vesting or settlement of the Performance Stock Units or dividend distribution thereon, whether by withholding, direct payment to the Company,
or by surrendering Shares (either directly or by stock attestation) that Participant previously acquired. The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or
withhold, or require Participant to remit to the Company, as a condition precedent for the delivery by the Company of the Shares on the Settlement Date, an amount
sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the
grant, vesting, settlement and forfeiture of the Performance Stock Units. Unless Participant has made arrangements prior to the date the tax withholding obligation arises to
satisfy such tax withholding amount in cash, Participant acknowledges and agrees that such tax withholding amount shall be satisfied by the Company retaining the number
of Shares from those Shares issuable to the Participant as the Company determines to be sufficient to satisfy such tax withholding obligation. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in no event shall payment of withholding taxes be made by retention of Shares by the Company unless the Company retains only Shares with a Fair Market Value
equal to the minimum amount of taxes required to be withheld. The Company may also deduct from any award under the Plan payment of any other amounts due by
Participant to the Company.
8. Plan Controls. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the terms of this Agreement shall be subject to the terms of the Plan. In accordance with
the Plan, all decisions of the Committee shall be final and binding upon Participant and the Company.
9. Recoupment Policy. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that this Award and the Performance Stock Units shall constitute “Covered Compensation” under the
Company’s Compensation Recoupment Policy.
10. Administration and Compliance with 409A of the Code. This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereunder and will
be construed, administered and interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, payments and settlements
provided under this Agreement may only be made upon an event and in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code or an applicable exemption. Any payments
under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A of the Code either as separation pay provided due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-
term deferral will be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. Any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of employment will
only be made upon a “separation from service” under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments
and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and in no event will the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties,
interest or other expenses that may be incurred by Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, if any payment or benefit provided to Participant in connection with termination of employment is determined to constitute “non-qualified deferred
compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and Participant is determined to be a “specified employee” at that time as defined in Section 409A of the
Code, then such payment or benefit will not be paid until the first payroll date to occur following the six-month anniversary of the date of termination (the “Specified
Employee Payment Date”) or, if earlier, on Participant’s death. The aggregate of any payments that would otherwise have been paid before the Specified Employee Payment
Date (and interest on such amounts calculated based on the applicable federal rate published by the Internal Revenue Service for the month in which Participant’s separation
from service occurs) shall be paid to Participant in lump sum on the Specified Employee Payment Date and thereafter, any remaining payments will be paid without delay in
accordance with their original schedule.
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11. Black-Out Periods. Participant acknowledges that, to the extent the vesting or settlement of any Performance Stock Units occur during a “blackout” period wherein
certain employees, including Participant, are precluded from selling Shares, the Committee retains the right, in its sole discretion, to defer the delivery of the Shares
pursuant to the Performance Stock Units; provided, however, that the Committee will not exercise its right to defer Participant’s receipt of such Shares if such Shares are
specifically covered by a trading plan of Participant that conforms to the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act and the Company’s policies and procedures with
respect to Rule 10b5-1 trading plans and such trading plan causes such Shares to be exempt from any applicable blackout period then in effect. In the event the receipt of
any Shares is deferred hereunder due to the existence of a regularly scheduled blackout period, such Shares will be issued to Participant on the first business day following
the termination of such regularly scheduled blackout period; provided, however, that in no event will the issuance of such Shares be deferred subsequent to March 15th of
the year following the year in which the Performance Stock Units are vested and settled. In the event the receipt of any Shares is deferred hereunder due to the existence of a
special blackout period, such Shares will be issued to Participant on the first business day following the termination of such special blackout period as determined by the
Company’s General Counsel or his or her delegatee; provided, however, that in no event will the issuance of such Shares be deferred subsequent to March 15th of the year
following the year in which such Shares vest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any deferred Shares will be issued promptly to Participant prior to the termination of the
blackout period in the event Participant ceases to be subject to the blackout period. Participant hereby represents that Participant accepts the effect of any such deferral on
Participant’s liability for taxes or otherwise.
12. Representations by Participant. The Participant has read this Agreement and is familiar with its terms and provisions. The Participant has reviewed with personal
tax advisors the Federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this Award and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Participant is relying solely on
such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents. The Participant understands that he or she (and not the Company) shall be
responsible for any tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Participant hereby agrees to accept as
binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board (or committee with delegated authority) upon any questions arising under this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Participant have each executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.
CLEARFIELD, INC.
By:
Its:
PARTICIPANT:
Print Name of Participant
Signature of Participant
5
Exhibit A
Performance Goals
The performance goals set forth below (the “Performance Goals”) for the Performance Period shall equal or exceed the following minimum amounts:
Performance Goal for Performance Period
Minimum
__________________________________
______________________________
6
SUBSIDIARIES OF CLEARFIELD, INC.
As of September 30, 2023
EXHIBIT 21.1
State or Other
Jurisdiction of Incorporation
Finland
Finland
Estonia
Entity Name
Clearfield Finland Oy (1)
Nestor Cables Oy (2)
Nestor Cables Baltics OÜ (3)
(1) 100% owned subsidiary of Clearfield, Inc.
(2) 100% owned subsidiary of Clearfield Finland Oy
(3) 100% owned subsidiary of Nestor Cables Oy
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Exhibit 23.1
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S‑8 (File No. 333‑44500, File No. 333‑136828, File No. 333‑151504, File No.
333‑166495, File No. 333‑173793, File No. 333‑217652, File No. 333‑237947 and File No. 333-269963) and Form S‑3 (File No. 333‑264533) of Clearfield, Inc. and
Subsidiaries of our report dated November 29, 2023, relating to the consolidated financial statements, which appears in this annual report on Form 10‑K for the year ended
September 30, 2023.
/s/ Baker Tilly US, LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
November 29, 2023
CERTIFICATION
Exhibit 31.1
I, Cheryl Beranek, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Clearfield, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in
light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material
information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in
which this annual report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles;
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the
disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
c)
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the
registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s control
over financial reporting.
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s
auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to
adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial
reporting.
November 29, 2023
/s/ Cheryl Beranek
Cheryl Beranek
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal executive officer)
CERTIFICATION
Exhibit 31.2
I, Daniel Herzog, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Clearfield, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in
light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material
information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in
which this annual report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles;
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the
disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
c)
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the
registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s control
over financial reporting.
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s
auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to
adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial
reporting.
November 29, 2023
/s/ Daniel Herzog
Daniel Herzog
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal financial and accounting officer)
The undersigned certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 that:
CERTIFICATION
1. The accompanying Annual Report on Form 10-K for Clearfield, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended September 30, 2023 fully complies with the
requirements of Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: November 29, 2023
Exhibit 32
/s/ Cheryl Beranek
Cheryl Beranek
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Daniel Herzog
Daniel Herzog
Chief Financial Officer