Karat Packaging Inc.

Previous wording

We are a rapidly-growing specialty distributor and select manufacturer of disposable foodservice products and related items. We are a nimble supplier of a wide range of products for the foodservice industry, including food and take-out containers, bags, tableware, cups, lids, cutlery, straws, specialty beverage ingredients, equipment, gloves and other products. Our products are available in plastic, paper, biopolymer-based and other compostable forms. Our Karat Earth® line provides environmentally friendly options to our customers, who are increasingly focused on sustainability. We offer customized solutions to our customers, including new product development, design, printing and logistics services.

Current wording

We are a rapidly-growing and nimble distributor and manufacturer of disposable foodservice products and related items, including food and take-out containers, bags, boxes, tableware, cups, lids, cutlery, straws, specialty beverage ingredients, gloves, janitorial supplies, and other products. Our products are available in plastic, paper, biopolymer-based and other compostable forms. We are a leader in product innovation, offering a growing line of environmentally-friendly products to our customers, who are increasingly focused on sustainability. We also offer customized solutions to our customers, including new product design and development, custom printing, distribution of specialty food and beverage products, and logistics services.

Previous wording

We operate our business strategically and with broad flexibility to provide both our large and small customers with the wide spectrum of products they need to successfully run and grow their businesses. We believe we have established ourselves as a differentiated provider of high-quality products relative to our competitors. Our operating model entails generating the majority of our revenue from the distribution of our vendors' products complemented by select manufacturing capabilities in the U.S., which allows us to provide customers with broad product choices and customized offerings with short lead times even during global supply chain disruptions. This model provides us with the flexibility to adjust the mix of our product offering from import and manufacturing in evolving economic environment to drive operating efficiency and sustained margin expansion.

Current wording

We operate our business strategically and with broad flexibility to provide both our large and small customers with the wide spectrum of products they need to successfully run and grow their businesses. We believe we have established ourselves as a differentiated provider of high-quality products relative to our competitors. Our operating model entails generating the majority of our revenue from the distribution of our vendors' products complemented by select manufacturing capabilities in the U.S., which allows us to provide customers with broad product choices and customized offerings with short lead times. This model provides us with the flexibility to adjust the mix of our product offering from import and manufacturing in evolving economic environment to drive operating efficiency and sustained margin expansion. We are focusing on strengthening our supply chain resilience and efficiency by prioritizing strong partnerships with reliable and cost-efficient sources and diversifying sourcing to countries with more favorable trade conditions and minimal tariffs. This has enabled us to expand our supplier base, minimize reliance on individual suppliers, enhance the resilience of our supply chain, expand our margin and improve our operating cash flows.

Previous wording

We operate an approximately 500,000 square foot distribution center located in Rockwall, Texas, an approximately 300,000 square foot distribution center in Chino, California, and an approximately 76,000 square foot distribution center located in Kapolei, Hawaii. We have selected manufacturing capabilities in all of these facilities. In addition, we operate seven other warehouse spaces and distribution centers located in Puyallup, Washington; Summerville, South Carolina; Branchburg, New Jersey; Kapolei, Hawaii; Aurora, Illinois; Mesa, Arizona; and Sugar Land, Texas. Our distribution centers are strategically located in proximity to major population centers, including the Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Honolulu metro areas.

Current wording

We operate an approximately 500,000 square foot distribution center located in Rockwall, Texas, an approximately 300,000 square foot distribution center in Chino, California, and an approximately 76,000 square foot distribution center located in Kapolei, Hawaii. We have selected manufacturing capabilities in all of these facilities. In addition, we operate seven other warehouse spaces and distribution centers located in Puyallup, Washington; Summerville, South Carolina; Branchburg, New Jersey; Kapolei, Hawaii; Aurora, Illinois; Mesa, Arizona; and Sugar Land, Texas. Our distribution centers are strategically located in proximity to major population centers, including the Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Honolulu metro areas. On March 3, 2025, we entered into a lease agreement for an additional distribution center of approximately 187,000 square foot in Chino, California and are currently in the process of setting up this location to be fully operational by end of May 2025.

Previous wording

•We recorded net sales of $112.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of 6.9% in amount and 9.9% in volume, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded net sales of $321.0 million, an increase of 3.5% in amount and 5.6% in volume, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Current wording

•We recorded net sales of $103.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of 8.4% in amount and 10.9% in volume, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Previous wording

•We generated $19.5 million and $39.7 million in net cash from operating activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared to $12.0 million on and $43.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

Current wording

•We generated $7.7 million in net cash from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of 17.8% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Previous wording

•We generated consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure defined below, of $14.7 million and $43.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, a decrease of 3.4% and 14.9% from the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

Current wording

•We generated consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure defined below, of $11.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, a decrease of 12.0% from the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Previous wording

•We achieved Adjusted EBITDA margin, a non-GAAP measure defined below, of 13.0% and 13.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, a decrease of 140 and 290 basis points from the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

Current wording

•Our Adjusted EBITDA margin, a non-GAAP measure defined below, was 11.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, a decrease of 270 basis points from the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Previous wording

•We had financial liquidity of $75.1 million and additional short-term investments of $21.5 million as of September 30, 2024.

Current wording

•We had financial liquidity of $46.7 million and additional short-term investments of $23.8 million as of March 31, 2025.

Previous wording

•On November 5, 2024, our Board of Directors declared another quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share on our common stock, which will be paid on or around November 29, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 20, 2024.

Current wording

•On May 6, 2025, our Board of Directors declared another quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share on our common stock, which will be paid on or about May 23, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 16, 2025.

Previous wording

•One of the most noticeable recent changes in the restaurant industry is how customers view food delivery and take-out as compared to the traditional form of on-premise dining. There now appears to be a growing preference for the former and we believe this trend will continue to have a positive impact on our results of operations, as more of our customers will require packaging and containers to meet the demands of their increased food delivery and take-out dining consumers.

Current wording

•A significant trend in the restaurant industry is the changing perception of food delivery and take-out compared to traditional on-premise dining. There is a clear growing preference for delivery and take-out, and we expect this trend to continue positively influencing our operating results, as more customers will need packaging and containers to support the rising demand from food delivery and take-out consumers.

Previous wording

•Environmental concerns regarding disposable products, broadly, have resulted in a number of significant changes that are specific to the food-service industry, including regulations applicable to our customers. We believe this trend will have a positive long-lasting impact on our results of operations, as we expect there will be an increased demand for eco-friendly and compostable single-use disposable products. Our eco-friendly products made up 33.4% of total sales during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 32.7% during the same period last year.

Current wording

•Environmental concerns regarding disposable products, broadly, have resulted in a number of significant changes to the food-service industry, including regulations applicable to our customers. We believe this trend will have a positive long-lasting impact on our results of operations, as we expect there will be an increased demand for eco-friendly and compostable single-use disposable products.

Previous wording

•The cost of raw materials used to manufacture our products, including polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, plastic resin, aluminum and paper boards may continue to fluctuate. Since negotiated sales contracts and the market largely determine the pricing for our products, we are, at times, limited in our ability to raise prices and pass through any impacts of inflation to our costs. There can also be lags between cost inflation and the implementation of price increases, which could negatively impact our gross margin. We believe price fluctuations will have either a positive or a negative impact on our results of operations in the future, depending on whether raw material costs increase or decrease and whether we can successfully implement price increases to offset the impacts of inflation.

Current wording

•The cost of raw materials used to manufacture our products, including polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, plastic resin, aluminum, and paper boards, may continue to fluctuate. Since negotiated sales contracts and the market largely determine the pricing for our products, we are, at times, limited in our ability to raise prices and pass through any impacts of inflation to our costs. There can also be lags between cost inflation and the implementation of price increases, which could negatively impact our gross margin. Conversely, periods of deflation, where raw material costs decrease, may create pricing pressure and start price wars, potentially requiring us to lower prices, which could also affect our gross margin. We believe price fluctuations will have either a positive or a negative impact on our results of operations in the future, depending on whether raw material costs increase or decrease and whether we can successfully implement price adjustments to maintain gross margin.

Previous wording

•Supplier chain effectiveness could have a long-lasting impact on our operations and financial results. We believe this trend will have either a positive or a negative impact on our results of operations, depending on whether we are able to manage our global supply chain effectively, including the accurate forecast of demand, the successful procurement of raw materials and products, and the effective management of our inventory, production and distribution.

Current wording

•Supplier chain effectiveness could have a long-lasting impact on our operations and financial results. We believe this trend will have either a positive or a negative impact on our results of operations, depending on whether we are able to manage our global supply chain effectively, including the accurate forecast of demand, the successful procurement and transportation of raw materials and products, and the effective management of our inventory, production and distribution.

Previous wording

There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies, or in the estimates and assumptions underlying those policies, from those described under the heading “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Item 7 of Part II of our 2023 Form 10-K.

Current wording

There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies, or in the estimates and assumptions underlying those policies, from those described under the heading “Critical Accounting Estimates” in Item 7 of Part II of our 2024 Form 10-K.

Previous wording

Net sales were $112.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $105.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $7.2 million, or 6.9%. The increase is primarily driven by an increase of $9.4 million in volume and change in product mix, and an increase of $3.0 million due to the inclusion of online sales platform fees for the three months ended September 30, 2024, partially offset by a $5.7 million unfavorable year-over-year pricing comparison, as the overall pricing environment remains competitive especially in the distributor channel.

Current wording

Net sales were $103.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $95.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $8.0 million, or 8.4%. Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were understated by $0.7 million, which represented products shipped and recognized as revenue in 2023 but not delivered until 2024. Including this impact, the year-over-year increase in net sales was primarily driven by an increase of $11.7 million in volume and change in product mix, partially offset by a $3.9 million unfavorable year-over-year pricing comparison, as the Company continued to be competitive on the pricing front.

Previous wording

Cost of goods sold was $196.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $191.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $5.4 million, or 2.8%. Cost of goods sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was understated by $0.4 million related to products shipped and recognized as cost of goods sold in 2023 and not delivered until 2024, as discussed above. Including this impact, the year-over-year increase in cost of goods sold was primarily driven by an increase in freight and duty costs of $5.5 million as a result of increased import volume coupled with higher freight container rates, as well as an increase in inventory reserve adjustment of $0.3 million. Additionally, cost of goods sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 included $1.9 million of production expenses primarily related to machinery repair and maintenance. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in inventory adjustments and write-offs of $2.1 million as the nine months ended September 30, 2023 included more inventory write-offs from expired products and a write-off of $1.7 million of raw materials as we disposed of certain machinery and equipment in executing the plan to scale back production in certain locations.

Current wording

Cost of goods sold was $62.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $58.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $4.9 million, or 8.4%. Cost of goods sold for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was understated by $0.4 million related to products shipped and recognized as cost of goods sold in 2023 but not delivered until 2024, as discussed above. Including this impact, the year-over-year increase in cost of goods sold was primarily driven by an increase in product costs of $3.0 million, as a result of increased sales volume partially offset by more favorable vendor pricing and product mix, and an increase in ocean freight and duty costs of $2.0 million as a result of a 15.5% increase in import volume coupled with 4.3% higher freight container rates.

Previous wording

Gross profit was $43.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $38.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $4.6 million, or 11.7%. Gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was 38.6% compared to 36.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024 included a net favorable impact of 110 basis points from the adjustments to net sales related to online platform fees and cost of goods sold related to production expenses, as discussed above. Compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024 benefited from lower product pricing as product costs as a percentage of net sales decreased to 49.6% from 52.8% during the three months ended September 30, 2023. This is primarily due to more favorable vendor pricing and increased import as a percentage of total product mix, in keeping with our asset-light strategy. At the same time, gross margin during the three months ended September 30, 2024 was negatively impacted by the increase in ocean freight and duty costs, as discussed above, which as a percentage of net sales increased from 7.9% during the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 8.6%.

Current wording

Gross profit was $40.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $37.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $3.2 million, or 8.4%. Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was understated by $0.3 million related to products shipped and recognized as revenue and cost of goods sold in 2023 but not delivered until 2024, as discussed above. Gross margin remained consistent at 39.3% for both the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. Product costs as a percentage of net sales decreased to 49.5% during the three months ended March 31, 2025 from 50.5% during the three months ended March 31, 2024, due to more favorable vendor pricing, increased imports as a percentage of total product mix, and a positive impact from foreign currency due to a stronger United States Dollar compared to New Taiwan Dollar. This improvement in margin was offset by an increase in ocean freight and duty costs, as discussed above, which as a percentage of net sales increased to 8.6% during the three months ended March 31, 2025 from 7.3% during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Previous wording

Operating expenses were $32.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $27.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $4.7 million, or 16.9%. Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024 included $3.0 million of online sales platform fees. Additionally, rent and warehouse expenses increased $1.3 million due to the opening of new distribution centers in late 2023 and early 2024 and a higher rate on our Chino, California facility lease extension, shipping and transportation costs increased $1.2 million primarily as a result of the volume increase, and marketing expense increased $0.5 million as we increased online marketing efforts to grow our e-commerce sales channel. These increases in operating expenses were partially offset by a decrease of $0.7 million from the inclusion of production expenses in cost of goods sold for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and a decrease of $0.3 million in professional expenses primarily due to transaction costs incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2023 in connection with the secondary offering. See Note 16 — Secondary Offering for further information.

Current wording

Operating expenses were $32.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $29.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $3.4 million, or 11.6%. The increase in operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was driven by higher shipping and transportation costs of $3.4 million as a result of an increase in shipping volume and in online packages as a percentage of total shipments, an increase in rent expense of $0.9 million primarily due to a higher rate on our Chino, California facility lease extension plus the opening of a new Chino distribution center, an increase in marketing expense of $0.4 million as we increased online marketing efforts to grow our e-commerce sales channel, and an increase in professional services expense of $0.3 million. These increases were partially offset by a non-cash impairment of a ROU asset of $2.0 million resulting from the sublease of our City of Industry warehouse in California during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Previous wording

Operating income was $11.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $11.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 1.0%. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in operating expenses of $4.7 million, partially offset by an increase in gross profit of $4.6 million, as discussed above.

Current wording

Operating income was $7.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 3.2%. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in operating expenses of $3.4 million, partially offset by an increase in gross profit of $3.2 million, as discussed above.

Previous wording

Provision for income taxes was $2.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 10.6%. The Company’s effective tax rate was 21.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 24.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to the change in the non-taxable non-controlling interest income.

Current wording

Provision for income taxes was $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $0.1 million, or 7.4%. The Company’s effective tax rate was 23.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 23.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Previous wording

We use certain non-GAAP financial measures to assess our financial and operating performance that are not defined by, or calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that (i) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP in the Consolidated Statements of Income; or (ii) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the comparable measure so calculated and presented.

Current wording

We use certain non-GAAP financial measures to assess our financial and operating performance that are not defined by, or calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that (i) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP; or (ii) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Previous wording

Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure calculated as net income excluding (i) interest income, (ii) interest expense, (iii) provision for income taxes, (iv) depreciation and amortization, (v) stock-based compensation expense, (vi) secondary offering transaction costs, (vii) write-off of certain inventory items outside the normal course of business, (viii) impairment expense and (gain) loss, net, on disposal of machinery outside the normal course of business, and (ix) operating right-of-use asset impairment. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by net sales.

Current wording

Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure calculated as net income excluding (i) interest income, (ii) interest expense, (iii) provision for income taxes, (iv) depreciation and amortization, (v) stock-based compensation expense, and (vi) operating right-of-use asset impairment. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by net sales.

Previous wording

We present Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin as supplemental measures of our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin assist management in assessing our core operating performance. We also believe these measures provide investors with useful perspective on underlying business results and trends and facilitate a comparison of our performance from period to period.

Current wording

We present Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin as supplemental measures of our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin assist management in assessing our core operating performance. We believe these measures provide investors with useful perspective on underlying business results and trends and facilitate a comparison of our performance from period to period.

Previous wording

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net income or cash flows from operating activities and net income margin or other measures determined in accordance with US GAAP. Also, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

Current wording

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net income, net income margin, or other measures determined in accordance with US GAAP. Also, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

Previous wording

As described in Note 6 — Line of Credit to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Line of Credit is available for working capital and general corporate purposes, and is secured by our assets. It consists of a $40.0 million revolving loan facility and a standby letter of credit sublimit. We are not required to pay a commitment (unused) fee on the undrawn portion of the Line of Credit and interest is payable monthly. On March 14, 2023, we amended the Line of Credit. Prior to March 14, 2023, interest accrued at the annual rate of prime less 0.25% with a minimum floor of 3.25%. The amendment on March 14, 2023, among other things, (1) extended the maturity date to March 14, 2025, and (2) revised the interest on any Line of Credit borrowings to an annual rate of one month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus 2.50%, with a SOFR floor of 1.0%. On June 20, 2023, we further amended the Line of Credit which increased the standby letter of credit sublimit from $2.0 million to $5.0 million. As of September 30, 2024, the amount issued under the standby letter of credit was $3.8 million, and the maximum remaining amount that could be borrowed under the Line of Credit was $36.2 million.

Current wording

As described in Note 6 — Line of Credit to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Line of Credit is available for working capital and general corporate purposes, and is secured by our assets. It consists of a revolving loan facility and a standby letter of credit sublimit. We are not required to pay a commitment (unused) fee on the undrawn portion of the Line of Credit and interest is payable monthly. On March 3, 2025, the Company amended the Line of Credit. Prior to March 3, 2025, the revolving loan facility had a maximum borrowing capacity of $40.0 million and interest accrued at an annual rate of one month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus 2.50%, with a SOFR floor of 1.00%. The amendment on March 3, 2025, among other things, (1) extended the maturity date to March 14, 2027, (2) reduced the maximum borrowing capacity of the revolving loan facility to $20.0 million, and (3) revised the interest on any Line of Credit borrowings to an annual rate of one month term SOFR plus 2.25%, with a SOFR floor of 1.00%. On March 17, 2025, the Company entered into another amendment of the Line of Credit, increasing the standby letter of credit sublimit from $5.0 million to $7.5 million. As of March 31, 2025, the amount issued under the standby letter of credit was $5.8 million, and the maximum remaining amount that could be borrowed under the Line of Credit was $14.2 million.

Previous wording

As described in Note 8 —Long-Term Debt to the condensed consolidated financial statements, on June 17, 2022, we entered into a$28.7 million term loan agreement which matures July 1, 2027 (the “2027 Term Loan”). The 2027 Term Loan had an initial balance of$20.7 million and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of$8.0 million through June 2023, which we exercised in March 2023. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 4.375% per annum. Principal and interest payments of$0.1 million are due monthly throughout the term of the loan, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The 2027 Term Loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by one of our stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio. Proceeds from the 2027 Term Loan were used to pay down an existing term loan with the same lender, which was set to mature in May 2029 with interest accruing at prime rate less 0.25%, and had an outstanding balance of $20.6 million as of the repayment date.

Current wording

As described in Note 8 —Long-Term Debt to the condensed consolidated financial statements, on June 17, 2022, weentered into a $28.7 million term loan agreement which matures July 1, 2027 (the “2027 Term Loan”). The 2027 Term Loan had an initial balance of $20.7 million and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of $8.0 million through June 2023, which we exercised in March 2023. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 4.375% per annum. Principal and interest payments of $0.1 million are due monthly throughout the term of the loan, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The 2027 Term Loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by one of our stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio. Proceeds from the 2027 Term Loan were used to pay down an existing term loan with the same lender, which was set to mature in May 2029 with interest accruing at prime rate less 0.25%, and had an outstanding balance of $20.6 million as of the repayment date.

Previous wording

Additionally, as of September 30, 2024, we have a$23.0 million term loan that matures September 30, 2026 (the “2026 Term Loan”). The 2026 Term Loan had an initial balance of $16.1 million and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of$6.9 million through September 2022, which we exercised in February 2022. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 3.5% per annum. Principal and interest payments of$0.1 million are due monthly throughout the term of the loan, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The 2026 Term Loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by Global Wells and one of our stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio.

Current wording

Additionally, as of March 31, 2025, we have a $23.0 million term loan that matures September 30, 2026 (the “2026 Term Loan”). The 2026 Term Loan had an initial balance of $16.1 million and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of $6.9 million through September 2022, which we exercised in February 2022. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 3.5% per annum. Principal and interest payments of $0.1 million are due monthly throughout the term of the loan, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The 2026 Term Loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by Global Wells and one of our stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio.

Previous wording

As of September 30, 2024, we were in compliance with the financial covenants under all of our loan agreements, and do not expect material uncertainties in our continued ability to be in compliance with all financial covenants through the remaining term of all of our loan agreements. As of September 30, 2024, we had no borrowing on the Line of Credit, $27.8 million in outstanding balance under the 2027 Term Loan, and $21.1 million in outstanding balance under the 2026 Term Loan.

Current wording

As of March 31, 2025, we were in compliance with the financial covenants under all of our loan agreements, and do not expect material uncertainties in our continued ability to be in compliance with all financial covenants through the remaining term of all of our loan agreements. As of March 31, 2025, we had no borrowing on the Line of Credit, $27.5 million in outstanding balance under the 2027 Term Loan, and $20.8 million in outstanding balance under the 2026 Term Loan.

Previous wording

As discussed in Note 15 —Commitments and Contingenciesto the condensed consolidated financial statements, on February 5, 2024, we received a Notice of Determination from U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") related to its investigation to determine whether we have evaded the anti-dumping and countervailing duty on certain imported thermal paper products. On March 19, 2024, we initiated an appeal process by submitting a request for an administrative review of the initial determination issued by CBP. On June 11, 2024, CBP completed the administrative review and upheld its initial conclusion. We are in the process of assessing further appeal options. Although we currently have an import duty liability reserve of $3.0 million as of September 30, 2024, the amount of the final payments could vary significantly from this estimate.

Current wording

As discussed in Note 14 —Commitments and Contingenciesto the condensed consolidated financial statements, on February 5, 2024, we received a Notice of Determination from U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") related to its investigation to determine whether we have evaded the anti-dumping and countervailing duty on certain imported thermal paper products. On March 19, 2024, we initiated an appeal process by submitting a request for an administrative review of the initial determination issued by CBP. On June 11, 2024, CBP completed the administrative review and upheld its initial conclusion. In February 2025, we started to receive bills related to certain of our thermal paper shipments. We are in the process of protesting the received bills with CBP, and are also evaluating other appeal options. Payments on bills received will be due upon the resolution of the protests, currently expected to occur within the next 12 months. Although we have an import duty liability reserve of $3.1 million as of March 31, 2025, the amount of the final payments could vary significantly from the estimated liability reserve.

Previous wording

Our ongoing operations and growth strategy may require us to continue to make investments in new markets and products, logistics and manufacturing infrastructure, e-commerce platform, talent, and technology capabilities. In addition, we may consider making strategic acquisitions and investments which could require significant liquidity. The rapidly changing macroeconomic and geopolitical dynamics created significant uncertainty in the global economy and capital markets, which could have long-lasting adverse effects. We currently believe that our cash on hand, ongoing cash flows from our operations and funding available under our borrowings will be adequate to meet our working capital needs, service our debt, make lease payments, and fund capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. We continue to explore other options to further expand our liquidity to support the business growth and enhance shareholder value.

Current wording

Additionally, as described in Note 16 —Subsequent Events to the condensed consolidated financial statements, on May 6, 2025 our Board of Directors declared another regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share on our common stock, which will be paid on or about May 23, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 16, 2025. Prior to this, we paid out regular quarterly cash dividends totaling $9.0 million in the current fiscal year. Our ongoing operations and growth strategy may require us to continue to make investments in new markets and products, logistics and manufacturing infrastructure, e-commerce platform, talent, and technology capabilities. In addition, we may consider making strategic acquisitions and investments which could require significant liquidity. The rapidly changing macroeconomic, geopolitical and global trade dynamics created significant uncertainty in the global economy and capital markets, which could have long-lasting adverse effects. We currently believe that our cash on hand, ongoing cash flows from our operations and funding available under our borrowings will be adequate to meet our working capital needs, service our debt, make lease payments, and fund capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. We continue to explore other options to further expand our liquidity to support the business growth and enhance shareholder value.

Previous wording

As of September 30, 2024, we had working capital of $115.6 million compared to $110.5 million as of December 31, 2023, representing an increase of $5.1 million, or 4.6%. The improvement in working capital was driven by an increase of $15.2 million in current assets partially offset by an increase of $10.1 million in current liabilities. Within current assets, cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments increased $11.0 million, as our operating activities continued to generate strong cash flows. Accounts receivable increased $6.1 million as a result of stronger sales in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023. Such increases were partially offset by a decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $1.4 million resulting from the decrease in tax receivables, and a decrease in inventories of $0.6 million. The increase in current liabilities was primarily driven by an increase in operating lease liabilities, current portion of $3.8 million primarily from a higher rate on our Chino facility lease renewal, an increase in accounts payable and related party payables of $3.6 million, and an increase in accrued expenses of $2.2 million.

Current wording

As of March 31, 2025, we had working capital of $111.9 million compared to $114.6 million as of December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of $2.7 million, or 2.3%. The decrease in working capital was driven by an increase of $13.6 million in current liabilities, partially offset by an increase of $11.0 million in current assets. The increase in current liabilities was primarily driven by an increase in accounts payable and related party payables of $8.6 million, an increase in income tax payable of $2.1 million, an increase in operating lease liabilities, current portion of $2.0 million from a higher rate on our Chino, California facility lease extension plus the opening of a new Chino distribution center, and an increase in accrued expenses of $1.3 million, partially offset by a reduction in other current liabilities of $0.8 million due to the payment of Global Wells noncontrolling membership interest redemption gain tax withholding. The increase in current assets was primarily driven by an increase in inventories of $9.2 million as we stocked up inventory ahead of the summer peak season and the increase in forecast demand, an increase in accounts receivable of $5.7 million as a result of stronger sales in the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2024, partially offset by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $3.7 million.

Previous wording

The following table summarizes cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

Current wording

The following table summarizes cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:

Previous wording

Cash flows provided by operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $39.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily the result of net income of $25.0 million, adjusted for certain non-cash items totaling $19.3 million, consisting mainly of depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and operating right-of-use assets, ROU asset impairment, stock-based compensation, loss on disposal of fixed assets, write-off of inventory, and adjustments to inventory reserve. In addition, cash decreased $4.5 million from changes in working capital, which included a decrease of $6.3 million from an increase in accounts receivable from higher sales, a decrease of $4.5 million from reduction in operating lease liabilities, a decrease of $0.9 million from inventory build-up, and a decrease of $0.4 million from a reduction in deferred revenue. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $4.2 million from higher accounts and related party payables, an increase of $2.2 million from higher accrued expenses, and a decrease of $1.4 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets primarily resulting from the reduction of tax receivables.

Current wording

Cash flows provided by operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $7.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily the result of net income of $6.8 million, adjusted for certain non-cash items totaling $5.5 million, consisting mainly of depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and operating right-of-use assets, stock-based compensation, and adjustments to the allowance for doubtful accounts and inventory reserve. In addition, cash decreased by $4.6 million from changes in working capital, which included a decrease of $9.2 million from inventory build-up, a decrease of $5.9 million from an increase in accounts receivable from higher sales, and a decrease of $2.3 million from a reduction in operating lease liabilities. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $8.7 million from higher accounts and related party payables primarily associated with increased inventory purchases, an increase of $2.1 million from higher income tax payable, and an increase of $1.3 million from higher accrued expenses.

Previous wording

Net cash provided by operating activities was $43.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily the result of net income of $29.0 million, adjusted for certain non-cash items totaling $17.2 million, consisting mainly of depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and operating right-of-use assets, write-off of inventory, loss, net, on disposal of machinery, stock-based compensation, adjustments to allowance for doubtful accounts, and impairment of deposit. In addition, cash decreased $3.1 million, primarily as a result of changes in working capital, which included a decrease of $3.6 million from inventory build-up, a decrease of $3.4 million from an increase in accounts receivable, a decrease of $3.3 million from a reduction in operating lease liabilities, and a decrease of $0.7 million from lower accounts and related party payables, partially offset by an increase of $8.0 million from the deferral of federal and California state income taxes under the Winter Storm Relief declared by the IRS.

Current wording

Net cash provided by operating activities was $6.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily the result of net income of $6.5 million, adjusted for certain non-cash items totaling $6.7 million, consisting mainly of depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and operating right-of-use assets, write-off of inventory, stock-based compensation, ROU asset impairment, and accrued interest on certificates of deposit. In addition, cash decreased $6.6 million from changes in working capital, which included a decrease of $8.1 million from inventory build-up, a decrease of $2.3 million from an increase in accounts receivable, a decrease of $1.5 million from reductions in operating lease liabilities, and a decrease of $0.5 million from less deferred revenue. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $1.7 million from reductions in prepaid expenses, $3.4 million from higher accounts and related party payables, and $0.7 million from higher accrued expenses.

Previous wording

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities. Net cash provided by investing activities was $1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, which primarily included $38.6 million in redemptions of short-term investments, partially offset by $33.6 million in purchases of short-term investments, $2.6 million of deposits paid for the purchase of property and equipment, and $0.7 million paid to directly purchase property and equipment.

Current wording

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities. Net cash provided by investing activities was $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, which primarily included $12.7 million in redemptions of short-term investments, partially offset by $8.1 million in purchases of short-term investments, and $1.0 million of deposits paid for the purchase of property and equipment.

Previous wording

Net cash used in investing activities was $21.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, which primarily included $18.0 million in net purchases of short-term investments, $5.4 million of deposits paid for the purchase of property and equipment, and $2.9 million paid to directly purchase property and equipment, partially offset by $4.0 million of net refund from the joint venture investment, $0.6 million of proceeds from the sale of machinery and equipment, and $0.5 million of deposits refunded from cancelled machinery orders.

Current wording

Net cash used in investing activities was $7.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, which primarily included $12.2 million in purchases of short-term investments, $0.8 million of deposits paid for the purchase of property and equipment, and $0.2 million paid to directly purchase property and equipment, partially offset by $5.1 million in redemptions of short-term investments.

Previous wording

Cash flows used in financing activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $25.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, which primarily included $23.0 million of cash dividends paid to shareholders, $2.3 million paid for the redemption of a non-controlling member' interest in Global Wells, and $0.8 million of payments towards long-term debt, partially offset by cash proceeds of $0.4 million received from the exercise of stock options.

Current wording

Net cash used in financing activities was $8.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, which primarily included $6.0 million of cash dividends paid to shareholders, $2.3 million paid for the redemption of a non-controlling member's interest in Global Wells, and $0.3 million of payments towards long-term debt.