Also, a significant increase in the price of liquid asphalt could decrease demand for hot mix asphalt paving materials and certain of the Company’s products. Increases in oil prices also drive up the cost of gasoline and diesel, which results in increased freight costs. Where possible, the Company will pass increased freight costs on to its customers. However, the Company may not be able to recapture all of the higher costs and thus could have a negative impact on the Company’s financial performance.
The Company believes its strategy of continuing to invest in product engineering and development and its focus on delivering the highest quality products and superior service will strengthen the Company’s market position. The Company continues to review its internal processes to identify inefficiencies and cost-reduction opportunities. The Company will continue to scrutinize its relationships with suppliers to ensure it is achieving the highest quality materials and services at the most competitive cost.
Quarter Ended December 31, 2020 versus December 31, 2019
Net revenues for the quarters ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $18,964,000 and $18,030,000, respectively, an increase of $934,000. The improved revenues reflect an increase in parts and component sales over the comparative quarter in the prior year. There were no revenues generated by Blaw-Knox during the quarter ended December 31, 2020, as the facility is being readied to begin production.
As a percent of sales, gross profit margins were 15.7% in the quarter ended December 31, 2020, compared to 24.0% in the quarter ended December 31, 2019. The gross profit margins for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 were impacted by approximately $1.5 million of unabsorbed manufacturing labor and overhead expenses related to the Blaw-Knox paver product line. Excluding these expenses, the gross profit margin for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, would have been 23.5%, with increases in steel prices contributing to the lower overall gross margins.
Product engineering and development expenses increased $79,000 to $845,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, as compared to $766,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, due primarily to engineering wages related to the Blaw-Knox paver product line. Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased by $812,000 to $3,194,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2019. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to professional fees, salaries, travel and other general expenses of approximately $0.5 million related to the acquisition. In addition, increased advertising expenses contributed to the higher SG&A expenses during the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
Operating income decreased from $1,172,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 to an operating loss of $(1,058,000) for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, due primarily to the operational
start-up
costs related to the acquisition.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2020, interest and dividend income, net of fees, was $804,000 as compared to $632,000 in the quarter ended December 31, 2019. Interest income for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, included $456,000 collected from a customer due to permitting delays. The net realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities were $2,193,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 versus $1,317,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, due to a strong domestic stock market during the quarter ended December 31, 2020.
The effective income tax rate for the quarters ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, was 20.0% based on the expected annual effective income tax rate.
Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 was $1,551,000 or $0.11 basic and diluted earnings per share versus net income of $2,489,000 or $0.17 basic and diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2019.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company generates capital resources through operations and returns on its investments.