SUPERIOR GROUP OF COMPANIES INC

Previous wording

Superior is comprised of three reportable business segments: (1) Branded Products, (2) Healthcare Apparel and (3) Contact Centers. Beginning in the second quarter of 2022, the Company realigned its reportable segments to correspond with changes to its organizational responsibilities, management structure and operating model. Prior to implementing the current segment reporting, the Company’s Uniforms and Related Products segment included both healthcare apparel and uniforms. As part of the change in reportable segments, the branded portion of the uniforms business was combined with the previous Promotional Products segment to form the Branded Products segment, the healthcare apparel business became its own segment named Healthcare Apparel and income and expenses related to corporate functions that are not specifically attributable to an individual reportable segment are no longer presented in segment results. The previous Remote Staffing Solutions segment was renamed Contact Centers segment. All prior period segment information has been recast to reflect this change in reportable segments.

Current wording

Superior Group of Companies, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “Superior,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is comprised of three reportable business segments: (1) Branded Products, (2) Healthcare Apparel and (3) Contact Centers.

Previous wording

World events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting economic sanctions, have impacted the global economy, including by exacerbating inflationary and other pressures. In addition, the threat of a wider war in the Middle East after the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel could affect oil prices and have other effects on the global economy. Both crises have potentially far-reaching impacts on energy and food markets and global trade.

Current wording

Economic and political events over the past several years have altered the landscape in which we and other U.S. companies operate in a variety of ways. World events, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting economic sanctions have impacted the global economy, including by exacerbating inflationary and other pressures. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East could continue to affect oil prices and have other negative effects on the global economy. Civil unrest in countries where we manufacture products, such as Haiti, may result in our facilities incurring damage or destruction that interrupts our manufacturing processes and adversely affects our reputation and our relationships with our customers. While inflation and interest rates decreased in 2024, the effects of the conflict in the Middle East, further fluctuations in inflationary conditions and interest rates, additional sanctions or retaliatory measures related to the Russia-Ukraine crisis or other situations, including deteriorating or prolonged diplomatic tension between the United States and China, could further negatively affect U.S. and international commerce and exacerbate or prolong the period of high energy prices.

Previous wording

The Company generated net income of $8.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 and a net loss of $32.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in net income during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment charges of $51.5 million incurred in the prior year period, a decrease in inventory write-downs of $11.2 million, partially offset by increases in income tax expense, Contact Centers selling and administrative expenses and interest expense.

Current wording

The Company generated net income of $12.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 and net income of $8.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in net income during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to increases in net sales and gross margins in all three of our reportable segments, and a decrease in interest expense, partially offset by an increase in selling and administrative expenses across all of our reportable segments.

Previous wording

Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) was $33.5 million and $27.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 increased primarily due to a decrease in inventory write-downs, partially offset by an increase in Contact Centers selling and administrative expenses. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), its most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please read “Non-GAAP Financial Measure” below.

Current wording

EBITDA was $34.1 million and $33.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 increased primarily due to increased net sales and gross margins in all three of our reportable segments, partially offset by an increase in selling and administrative expenses across all of our reportable segments. For a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income, its most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please read “Non-GAAP Financial Measure” below.

Previous wording

Contact Centers net sales increased 8.6% before intersegment eliminations and 11.8% after intersegment eliminations for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. These increases were primarily attributed to onboarding of new customers in 2023.

Current wording

Contact Centers net sales increased 6.0% before intersegment eliminations and 7.4% after intersegment eliminations for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in net sales was attributable to sales growth from both new and existing customers.

Previous wording

Gross margin rate for our Branded Products segment was 33.5% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 29.6% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The rate increase was primarily driven by a favorable shift in the mix of pricing and customers, lower supply chain costs and a decrease in inventory write-downs of $1.4 million.

Current wording

Gross margin rate for our Healthcare Apparel segment was 38.4% for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 37.1% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The rate increase was primarily driven by lower supply chain costs.

Previous wording

Gross margin rate for our Contact Centers segment was 53.7% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 59.1% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The rate decrease was primarily due to increased employee related costs of our agents, partially offset by price increases.

Current wording

As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses for our Branded Products segment was 26.7% for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 25.7% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The rate increase was primarily due to increased employee related costs and sales commissions, partially offset by a decrease in bad debts expense for customer accounts.

Previous wording

As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses for our Healthcare Apparel segment was 33.6% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 34.7% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The rate decrease was primarily driven by reductions in overhead costs.

Current wording

As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses for our Healthcare Apparel segment was 34.5% for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 33.6% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The rate increase was primarily attributable to an increase in expenditures related to marketing and advertising activities along with employee related costs which were partially offset by expense leverage on increased net sales.

Previous wording

As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses for our Contact Centers segment was 43.4% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 39.9% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The rate increase was primarily attributed to increased employee related expenses, including pay rate increases and costs associated with employees returning to the office, and an increase in depreciation expense.

Current wording

As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses for our Contact Centers segment was 44.4% for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 43.4% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The rate increase was primarily attributable to an increase in employee related expenses, including both headcount and select pay rate increases to support sales growth, as well as, an increase in bad debts expense.

Previous wording

The effective income tax rate was 10.2% and 15.9% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Income tax expense and the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily impacted by the variability in the mix of earnings across the Company’s foreign and domestic operations subject to various statutory tax rates in those jurisdictions. Income tax expense and the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2022 was impacted by a tax benefit of $7.0 million relating to the impairment of intangible assets and a nondeductible portion of the goodwill impairment charge totaling $21.1 million. For further discussion of changes in the effective tax rate, refer to Note 9 to the Financial Statements.

Current wording

Income tax expense increased to $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The effective tax rate was 16.0% and 10.2% for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Income tax expense and the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was primarily impacted by the variability in the mix of earnings across the Company’s foreign and domestic operations, subject to various statutory tax rates in those jurisdictions. The effective tax rate may vary from year to year due to discrete, unusual or non-recurring items, the resolution of income tax audits, changes in tax laws, the tax impact from employee share-based payments, or other items.

Previous wording

For the next twelve months, our primary capital requirements are for capital to maintain our operations, meet the contractual obligations shown in the column titled “2024” in the contractual obligations table below, and to fund capital expenditures, dividends and other general corporate purposes. We currently anticipate that we will spend more in capital expenditures in 2024 than we spent in 2023. Management currently believes that the combination of our current cash level, cash flows provided by operating activities and availability under the revolving credit facility will be sufficient to satisfy the above requirements for the next twelve months.

Current wording

For the next twelve months, our primary capital requirements are for capital to maintain our operations, meet contractual obligations, primarily consisting of our revolving credit facility, term loan, operating leases and acquisition-related contingent liabilities, and fund capital expenditures, dividends, stock repurchases, any potential merger and acquisition activity and other general corporate purposes. We currently anticipate that we will spend more in capital expenditures in 2025 than we spent in 2024. Management currently believes that the combination of our current cash level, cash flows provided by operating activities and availability under the revolving credit facility will be sufficient to satisfy the above requirements for the next twelve months.

Previous wording

Beyond the next twelve months, our principal demand for funds will be for maintenance of our core business, to satisfy the requirements shown in the columns “2025-2026” and “2027-2028” in the contractual obligations table below, as well as the obligations described in footnote (3) to the table, and the continuation of the Company’s ongoing capital expenditure program designed to improve the effectiveness and capabilities of its facilities and technology. The Company at all times evaluates its capital expenditure program in light of prevailing economic conditions. Management currently believes that the combination of our current cash level, cash flows provided by operating activities and availability under the revolving credit facility will be sufficient to satisfy the above requirements.

Current wording

Beyond the next twelve months, our principal demand for funds will be for maintenance of our core business, to satisfy long-term contractual obligations, stock repurchases, any potential merger and acquisition activity and the Company’s ongoing capital expenditure program designed to improve the effectiveness and capabilities of its facilities and technology. The Company at all times evaluates its capital expenditure program in light of prevailing economic conditions. The Company's material contractual obligations include outstanding debt, operating leases, long-term pension liability and non-qualified deferred compensation plan liabilities in Other Liabilities. For additional details related to the Company’s long-term contractual obligations for long-term debt see Note 5, for contractual obligations for leases see Note 14 and for contractual obligations for acquisition-related contingent liabilities see Note 7. Management currently believes that the combination of our current cash level, cash flows provided by operating activities and availability under the revolving credit facility will be sufficient to satisfy the above requirements. Please refer to Notes 5 and 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements located in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for our contractual obligations, including schedules of future minimum payments.

Previous wording

Superior carries inventories of both raw materials and finished products, the practice of which requires substantial working capital, which we believe to be common in the industry.

Current wording

The Company carries inventories of both raw materials and finished products, the practice of which requires substantial working capital, which we believe to be common in the industry. The Company also requires working capital to invest in new product lines and technologies.

Previous wording

The Company’s primary source of liquidity has been its net income and the use of credit facilities and term loans as described further below. The cost of borrowing increased in 2023, with the weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility of 6.7% at December 31, 2023 compared to 6.2% at December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had undrawn capacity of $100.0 million under the revolving credit facility.

Current wording

In 2024 and 2023, we paid interest of $5.9 million and $9.6 million, respectively. The cost of borrowing decreased in 2024, with the weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facilities of 5.5% at December 31, 2024 compared to 6.7% at December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had undrawn capacity of $103.0 million under the revolving credit facility.

Previous wording

On August 23, 2022, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) among the Company, the domestic subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”), and PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent for the Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”), pursuant to which the Lenders are providing the Company senior secured credit facilities maturing in August 2027 consisting of a revolving credit facility in the aggregate maximum principal amount of $125.0 million and a term loan in the original aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million (collectively, the “Credit Facilities”), and the ability to request incremental revolving credit or term loan facilities in an aggregate amount of up to an additional $75.0 million, subject to obtaining additional lender commitments and satisfying certain other conditions.

Current wording

The Company’s primary source of liquidity has been its net income and the use of credit facilities and term loans. The Company has access to a Revolving Credit Facility with a maximum principal amount of $125.0 million and a term loan in the original aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million and the ability to request incremental revolving credit or term loan facilities in an aggregate amount of up to an additional $75.0 million, subject to obtaining additional lender commitments and satisfying certain other conditions.

Previous wording

In the future, the Company may continue to use credit facilities and other secured and unsecured borrowings as a source of liquidity. The Company may also begin relying on the issuance of equity or debt securities. There can be no assurance that any such financings would be available to us on reasonable terms. Any future issuances of equity securities or securities convertible into or exercisable for equity securities may be dilutive to our shareholders. Additionally, the cost of the Company’s future sources of liquidity may differ from the costs of the Company’s sources of liquidity to date.

Current wording

In the future, the Company may continue to use credit facilities and other secured and unsecured borrowings as a source of liquidity. Additionally, the cost of the Company’s future sources of liquidity may differ from the costs of the Company’s sources of liquidity to date.

Previous wording

During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company paid cash dividends of $9.2 million and $8.7 million, respectively. The Company anticipates that it will continue to pay dividends in the future as financial conditions permit.

Current wording

During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company paid cash dividends of $9.3 million and $9.2 million, respectively. The Company anticipates that it will continue to pay dividends in the future as financial conditions permit.

Previous wording

Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as net income (loss) excluding interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization expense, impairment charges and the other items described in the following sentence. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure of operating performance because it allows management, investors and others to evaluate and compare the Company’s core operating results from period to period by removing (i) the impact of the Company’s capital structure (interest expense from outstanding debt), (ii) tax consequences, (iii) asset base (depreciation and amortization), (iv) the non-cash charges from asset impairments and (v) gains or losses on the sale of property, plant and equipment. The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA internally to monitor operating results and to evaluate the performance of its business. In addition, the compensation committee has used Adjusted EBITDA in evaluating certain components of executive compensation, including performance-based annual incentive programs.

Current wording

EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as net income excluding interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization expense and impairment charges. The Company believes EBITDA is an important measure of operating performance because it allows management, investors and others to evaluate and compare the Company’s core operating results from period to period by removing (i) the impact of the Company’s capital structure (interest expense from outstanding debt), (ii) tax consequences and (iii) asset base (depreciation and amortization). The Company uses EBITDA internally to monitor operating results and to evaluate the performance of its business. In addition, the compensation committee has used EBITDA in evaluating certain components of executive compensation, including performance-based annual incentive programs.

Previous wording

Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income (loss), cash flows from operating activities or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP. The items excluded to calculate Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing the Company’s results of operations. The presentation of the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA may change from time to time, including as a result of changed business conditions, new accounting pronouncements or otherwise. If the presentation changes, the Company undertakes to disclose any change between periods and the reasons underlying that change. The Company’s Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure of another company because other entities may not calculate Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner.

Current wording

EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP. The items excluded to calculate EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing the Company’s results of operations. The presentation of the Company’s EBITDA may change from time to time, including as a result of changed business conditions, new accounting pronouncements or otherwise. If the presentation changes, the Company undertakes to disclose any change between periods and the reasons underlying that change. The Company’s EBITDA may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure of another company because other entities may not calculate EBITDA in the same manner.

Previous wording

The following table reconciles net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands):

Current wording

The following table reconciles net income to EBITDA (in thousands):

Previous wording

Revenue is measured at the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for the goods or services. Variable consideration for estimated returns, allowances and other price variances is recorded based upon historical experience and current allowance programs. Contract termination terms may involve variable consideration clauses such as sales discounts and customer rebates, and revenue is adjusted accordingly for these provisions. Estimated amounts are included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved.

Current wording

Revenue is measured at the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for the goods or services. Variable consideration for estimated returns, allowances and other price variances is recorded based upon historical experience. Contract termination terms may involve variable consideration clauses such as sales discounts and customer rebates, and revenue is adjusted accordingly for these provisions. Estimated amounts are included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved.

Previous wording

The Company at all times carries inventories of both raw materials and finished products. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Judgments and estimates are used in determining the likelihood that goods on hand can be sold to customers. Historical inventory usage, current revenue trends and market conditions are considered in estimating both excess and obsolete inventories. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized a $2.4 million charge to cost of goods sold to write-down inventory to its net realizable value, of which $1.6 million related to our Healthcare Apparel segment and $0.8 million related to our Branded Products segment. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized a $13.6 million charge to cost of goods sold to write-down inventory to its net realizable value, of which $11.4 million related to our Healthcare Apparel segment and $2.2 million related to our Branded Products segment. If actual product demand and market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required, which may be material. An additional write-down in value of 5% of inventories would result in additional expense of approximately $5.0 million.

Current wording

The Company at all times carries inventories of both raw materials and finished products. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Judgments and estimates are used in determining the likelihood that goods on hand can be sold to customers. Historical inventory usage, current revenue trends and market conditions are considered in estimating both excess and obsolete inventories. If actual product demand and market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, inventory write-downs may be required, which may be material. An additional write-down in value of 5% of inventories would result in additional expense of approximately $5.0 million.

Previous wording

The Company has made acquisitions in the past that included goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets such as trade names are not amortized but are subject to an annual (or under certain circumstances more frequent) impairment test in the fourth quarter based on their estimated fair value. We test more frequently if there are indicators of impairment, or whenever such circumstances suggest that the carrying value of goodwill or trade names may not be recoverable. Examples of such events and circumstances that the Company would consider include the following:

Current wording

Indefinite-lived intangible assets such as trade names are not amortized but are subject to an annual impairment test in the fourth quarter based or on an interim basis if there are indicators of impairment present.

Previous wording

The Company is required to estimate and record income taxes payable for federal, state and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates. This process involves estimating actual current tax expense and assessing temporary differences resulting from differing accounting treatment between tax and book that result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. In addition, accruals are also estimated for federal and state tax matters for which deductibility is subject to interpretation. Taxes payable and the related deferred tax differences may be impacted by changes to tax laws, changes in tax rates and changes in taxable profits and losses. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”) enacted on December 22, 2017 imposes a U.S. tax on global intangible low taxed income (“GILTI”) that is earned by certain foreign affiliates owned by a U.S. shareholder. GILTI is generally intended to impose tax on the earnings of a foreign corporation that are deemed to exceed a certain threshold return relative to the underlying business investment. In accordance with guidance issued by FASB, the Company made a policy election to treat future taxes related to GILTI as a current period expense in the reporting period in which the tax is incurred. The Company was impacted by GILTI relative to the earnings of its foreign subsidiaries, and is expected to be impacted in future periods, which may be material to our financial statements. Deferred income taxes are provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries in the period in which the Company determines it no longer intends to permanently reinvest such earnings outside the United States. The Company expects to permanently reinvest the earnings from its wholly-owned Brazilian and UK subsidiaries, and accordingly, has not provided deferred taxes on the subsidiaries’ undistributed net earnings or basis differences. The Company believes that the tax liability that would be incurred upon repatriation of the earnings from its Brazilian and UK subsidiaries is immaterial at December 31, 2023.

Current wording

The Company is required to estimate and record income taxes payable for federal, state and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates. This process involves estimating actual current tax expense and assessing temporary differences resulting from differing accounting treatment between tax and book that result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. In addition, accruals are also estimated for federal and state tax matters for which deductibility is subject to interpretation.

Previous wording

Reserves are also estimated for uncertain tax positions that are currently unresolved. The Company routinely monitors the potential impact of such situations and believes that it is properly reserved. For the year ended December 31, 2023, there was no significant change in total unrecognized tax benefits. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accrued liability of $0.8 million for unrecognized tax benefits. We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense, and the related liability is included in other long-term liabilities in our balance sheet.

Current wording

Reserves are also estimated for uncertain tax positions that are currently unresolved. The Company routinely monitors the potential impact of such situations and believes that it is properly reserved. For the year ended December 31, 2024, there was no significant change in total unrecognized tax benefits. As of December 31, 2024, we had an accrued liability of $0.9 million for unrecognized tax benefits. We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense, and the related liability is included in other long-term liabilities in our balance sheet.