Greystone Logistics : Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending May 31, 2022 (Form 10-K) – Marketscreener.com

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 May 31, 2022
☐TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______________ to______________
Commission file number 000-26331
GREYSTONE LOGISTICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1613 East 15th Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma74120
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(918)583-7441
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
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 and posted 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 and post 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” and “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No☒
As of November 30, 2021, the aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by using the average of the high and low price on such date, was $15,079,000($0.96 per share).
As of August 12, 2022, the issuer’s outstanding $0.0001 par value common stock was 28,279,701.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
GREYSTONE LOGISTICS, INC.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item 1. Business.
Organization
Greystone Logistics, Inc. (“Greystone” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on February 24, 1969, under the name Permaspray Manufacturing Corporation. It subsequently changed its name to Browning Enterprises Inc. in April 1982, to Cabec Energy Corp. in June 1993, to PalWeb Corporation in April 1999 and to Greystone Logistics, Inc. in March 2005, as further described below. In December 1997, Greystone acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of Plastic Pallet Production, Inc., a Texas corporation (“PPP”), and since that time, Greystone has primarily been engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling plastic pallets.
Effective September 8, 2003, Greystone acquired substantially all of the assets of Greystone Plastics, Inc., an Iowa corporation, through the purchase of such assets by Greystone’s newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary, Greystone Manufacturing, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability company (“GSM”). Greystone Plastics, Inc. was a manufacturer of plastic pallets used in the beverage industry.
Effective March 18, 2005, the Company caused its newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary, Greystone Logistics, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation, to be merged with and into the Company. In connection with such merger and as of the effective time of the merger, the Company amended its certificate of incorporation by changing its name from PalWeb Corporation to Greystone Logistics, Inc., pursuant to the terms of the certificate of ownership and merger filed by Greystone with the Secretary of State of Oklahoma.
Current Business
Products
Greystone’s primary business is the manufacturing of plastic pallets utilizing recycled plastic and selling the pallets through its wholly owned subsidiary, GSM. Greystone sells its pallets through a network of independent contractor distributors and direct sales by its President and sales department. As of May 31, 2022, Greystone had an aggregate in-house production capacity of approximately 180,000 pallets per month and uses a third-party manufacturer for certain pallets.
Greystone’s product line as of May 31, 2022 consists of the following:
The principal raw materials used in manufacturing Greystone’s plastic pallets are in abundant supply, and some of these materials may be obtained from recycled plastic containers. At the present time, these materials are being purchased from local, national and international suppliers.
Pallet Industry
Pallets are devices used for moving and storing freight. A pallet is used as a base for assembling, storing, stacking, handling, and transporting goods as a unit load. A pallet is constructed to facilitate the placement of a lift truck’s forks between the levels of a platform so it may be moved easily.
Pallets are used worldwide for the transportation of goods and they are primarily made of wood. An estimated 80-90 percent of all U.S. commerce is carried on pallets which amounts to an estimated 2.6 billion pallets in circulation daily in the United States. The manufacture of wood pallets is estimated to consume more than 45 percent of total U.S. hardwood lumber production. “Pallets move the world,” says Dr. Marshall S. “Mark” White, an emeritus professor at Virginia Tech University and director of the William H. Sardo Jr. Pallet and Container Research Laboratory and Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design.
The largest industry users of pallets such as the food, chemical, pharmaceutical, beverage and dairy industries are populated with large public or private entities for which profitable financial performance is paramount. The trend for pallets is expected to expand because of overall pallet demand resulting from growth in the U.S. economy and the current U.S. government administration’s efforts to move manufacturing capacity back to the U.S. The operating issues presented by wood pallets have been tolerated to date as there has been no viable alternative in sufficient size for replacement. A report on the market for pallets in North America by Zoe Biller, an industry analyst for Freedonia Group, provided the following on wood and plastic pallets:
Wood: Although not highlighted in her report, Biller estimates that about 60% of wooden pallets are used and about 40% are new. Those percentages could shift in favor of new pallets going forward because the industry has been reporting a shortage of quality used pallets, known as cores, for the last year or so. “The core shortage appears to be real and it is going to be part of what’s going on going forward,” Biller said. “But it should correct itself in the long term as end users buy new pallets that replenish the pool.”
Nearly five years ago, Costco announced that it was going entirely to a block pallet. Biller believes Costco’s decision is a symptom of the overall trend towards block pallets rather than a driver. “Costco is part of a broader trend towards pallets that are easier to use, especially in an automated system or with pallet jacks,” Biller said. Block pallets fit both of those bills. She adds, “There’s also a bigger trend to turn products and processes that aren’t a core business to a third party and pallet management is definitely part of that trend.”
Plastic: The move towards plastic appears to be driven by companies that can control their pallet pools and take advantage of plastics’ longevity as well as “growing sanitation concerns related to wood pallets,” Biller said. “Food safety regulations may have something to do with it going forward.” Asked if she was surprised by any of the results, Biller said she was surprised by how far the pallet market declined during the recession. “A big part of the market advance is the need to bring the number of pallets available for use to required levels,” she said.
According to Bob Trebilcock of Modern Materials Handling Magazine, one important bullet point for pallet users from the Freedonia report’s executive summary was that plastic pallets have seen their strongest advances in percentage terms ever and will continue to record above average growth.
According to Persistence Market Research, rising demand for alternative pallet types is anticipated to boost the growth of plastic pallets in the global pallets market.
In a June 2018 article, Persistence Market Researchpublished an article that non-wood pallets are likely to experience a massive increase in demand across the globe. Among these, plastic pallets are expected to be the most attractive option. The major reason behind the increase in popularity of and demand for plastic pallets is due to the ease with which these can be cleaned. In addition, they are made of recycled materials. This is a very attractive benefit for companies working towards becoming more environment friendly. This factor is creating a positive impact on the plastic pallets market.
Another factor which is driving the growth of plastic pallets is the adoption of pallets by new users. The pallet utilization in various regions across the globe is typically low compared to the size of their manufacturing, warehousing, and construction sectors. However, in the coming years, greater numbers of potential pallet users will strive to become more competitive on a global scale by improving operating efficiencies and reducing product damage in shipments through the use of plastic pallets.
The increase in trade volume especially in the Middle East and African regions is also anticipated to fuel the growth of the plastic pallets market. Gulf Cooperation Council countries, located in between the Far East and Europe, can be considered as the gateway to the world’s most progressive markets such as India and China. The transport and logistics sector in the Middle East region is showing substantial growth rates with a long-term positive outlook. The plastic pallets market is thus expected to witness significant growth and is a vital link in supply chain and storage.
With a huge incremental opportunity, the global pallets market is projected to grow at more than 5% Compound Annual Growth Rate (“CAGR”) during the period of assessment.
During the period 2012 – 2016, the global pallets market expanded at a CAGR of 4.7%. However, during the forecast period – that is between 2018 and 2025 – the market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% owing to increasing demand for better and safe transportation coupled with the rise in demand for pallets from various industries like food, agriculture, chemicals etc. The global pallets market is projected to represent incremental opportunity of more than $25 billion between 2018 and 2025.
Types of Pallets
The most common size pallet is the 48″ x 40″ 4-way pallet or otherwise referred to as the GMA (Grocery Manufacturer Association) pallet or sometimes known in the industry as the “GMA Pallet,” “The GMA Pallet,” “GMA 48 x 40 Pallet,” or “GMA Block Pallet.” The GMA pallet acts as a commodity in the pallet industry, as price is often determined by availability. As wood pallets move through their life cycle from a new pallet to a used pallet, they are repaired and put back in service until they are sent to a landfill or used as wood compost.
Pallets are the primary interface between the packaged product and today’s highly automated material handling equipment. Although pallets are not the most glamorous part of the warehouse, they are important because users have expectations based on specifications and wood pallets lack critical manufacturing details that determine performance. The end user becomes frustrated when these pallets do not perform to expectation. Shipments can be damaged or rejected entirely resulting in significant product and revenue losses. This angst is aggravated when new multi-million-dollar automated systems are in use.
Employees
As of May 31, 2022, Greystone had full-time equivalents (“FTE’s” is a unit of measure that translates number of weekly hours worked by all employees where 40 hours per week is a single person) of approximately 217 full time employees. A temporary personnel service provides additional production personnel on an as needed basis of which there were FTE’s of approximately 81 employees as of May 31, 2022.
Marketing and Customers
Greystone’s primary focus is to provide quality plastic pallets to its existing customers while continuing its marketing efforts to broaden its customer base. Greystone’s existing customers are primarily located in the United States and engaged in the beverage, pharmaceutical and other industries. Greystone has generated and plans to continue to generate interest in its pallets by attending trade shows sponsored by industry segments that would benefit from Greystone’s products. Greystone hopes to gain wider product acceptance by marketing the concept that the widespread use of plastic pallets could greatly reduce the destruction of trees on a worldwide basis. Greystone sells to customers through contract distributors or by direct contract through its President and other employees.
Greystone’s customers generally either have a recurring need for pallets such as a distributor and an end-user who acquires pallets for a closed loop distribution system or end users who acquire pallets for internal warehouse use. The latter group of customers may or may not have a recurring demand for pallets each year. Accordingly, revenues from customers that qualify as substantial in any one year may vary. Greystone derived a substantial portion of its revenue from three customers (four in fiscal year 2021). These customers accounted for approximately 76% and 83% of total sales in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. Greystone’s recycled plastic pallets are designed to meet the respective customer’s needs and are the only pallets approved for use by these customers. There is no assurance that Greystone will retain these customers’ business at the same level, or at all. The loss of a material amount of business from one of these customers could have a material adverse effect on Greystone.
Competition
Greystone’s primary competitors are a large number of small, privately held firms that sell wood pallets in very limited geographic locations. Greystone believes that it can compete with manufacturers of wood pallets by emphasizing the cost savings realized over the longer life of its plastic pallets as well as the environmental benefits (principally elimination from landfill and recycling) of its plastic pallets as compared to wood pallets. Greystone also competes with three large and approximately ten small manufacturers of plastic pallets. Some of Greystone’s competitors may have substantially greater financial and other resources than Greystone and, therefore, may be able to commit greater resources than Greystone in such areas of product development, manufacturing and marketing. However, Greystone believes that its proprietary designs coupled with the competitive pricing of its products gives Greystone an advantage over other plastic pallet manufacturers.
Government Regulation
Although Greystone recycles approximately 88 million pounds of post-consumer plastic per year which would otherwise be destined for the landfill, business operations of Greystone are subject to existing and potential federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the handling and disposition of wastes (including solid and hazardous wastes) or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. In addition, both the plastics industry and Greystone are subject to existing and potential federal, state, local and foreign legislation designed to reduce solid wastes by requiring, among other things, plastics to be degradable in landfills, minimum levels of recycled content, various recycling requirements, disposal fees and limits on the use of plastic products.
Patents and Trademarks
Greystone seeks to protect its technical advances by pursuing national and international patent protection for its products and methods when appropriate.
Management Plastic Pallet Summation
During the past two decades both timber prices and landfill fees have increased and have compelled businesses to modify the way pallets are managed. Businesses can evaluate and improve their pallet management systems and reduce associated waste by utilizing recycled plastic pallets.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, deforestation is a significant contributor to global carbon dioxide gas emissions. Deforestation leads to CO2 emissions because the carbon sequestered in trees is emitted into the atmosphere and not counter-balanced by re-growth of new trees. Additionally, estimates are that up to 20 percent of total pallet wood waste ends up in land fill.
ESG, an acronym for environmental, social and governance, consists of three broad categories or areas of interest of what is termed “socially responsible investors.” Within each ESG category are various specific related concerns that may or may not be pertinent in a given situation depending on the specific investment being examined. The environmental category concerns include pollution or waste material that a company produces and factors related to climate change. The environmental circumstances surrounding deforestation implies that continued and growing interest in ESG compliance will lead companies to strongly consider the change to plastic pallets. Use of recycled plastics to produce pallets, as Greystone does, demonstrates commitment to ESG by reducing plastic disposition to landfills,
Greystone’s management believes that the gradual shifting trend from wood to 100 percent recyclable plastic pallets will continue, with the primary limiting factors being a front-end higher price and some regulatory limits to certain applications of pallet use. The savings come in the recyclability and significantly longer life which lowers the cost per trip dramatically. Greystone intends to continue to conduct research on pallet design for strength and coefficient of friction, on the materials used to make the plastic pallets as required to meet market demands and to improve its existing products. Plastic pallets reduce wood waste, are hygienic, weigh less which lowers fuel consumption and transport costs and are fully recyclable.
The principal raw materials used in manufacturing Greystone’s plastic pallets are in abundant supply. At the present time, these materials are being purchased from local, national and international suppliers.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Not applicable.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2. Properties.
Greystone leases two primary buildings for a total of 120,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space. These two buildings located on approximately 3 acres of land in Bettendorf, Iowa are leased from Greystone Real Estate, L.L.C. (“GRE”), a variable interest entity owned by Robert B. Rosene, Jr., a director of Greystone. The manufacturing and warehouse space is sufficiently equipped and designed to accommodate the manufacturing of plastic pallets and is also used for grinding, processing and pelletizing recycled plastic.
In addition, Greystone owns three buildings located within a 30-mile radius of its primary facility for an additional 95,000 square feet of warehouse space. These buildings are currently used for warehousing inventory and grinding operations.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
Greystone’s common stock is traded on the OTCQB under the symbol “GLGI.” The following table sets forth the range of high and low per share bid quotations for Greystone’s common stock during the time periods indicated. The source of the foregoing quotations was the Financial Industry Regulatory Composite Feed or other qualified inter dealer quotation medium as provided by OTC Market Group, Inc.:
Quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission and may not represent actual transactions.
Holders
As of approximately May 31, 2022, Greystone had approximately 217 common stockholders of record.
Dividends
Greystone paid no cash dividends to its common stockholders during the last two fiscal years and does not plan to pay any cash dividends in the near future. The loan agreement dated January 31, 2014 (the “IBC Loan Agreement”), as amended, among Greystone, GSM and International Bank of Commerce (“IBC”) prohibits Greystone from declaring or paying any dividends in respect to its common stock without IBC’s prior written consent. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information. In addition, accrued preferred stock dividends must be paid before a dividend on common stock may be declared or paid, as set forth in the Certificate of Designation, Preferences, Rights and Limitations relating to the preferred stock. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Greystone paid dividends on its 2003 preferred stock in the amounts of $243,082 and $407,329 in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively.
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
This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements concern Greystone’s plans, expectations and objectives for future operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Form 10-K that address activities, events or developments that Greystone expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, such things as:
These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Greystone believes are reasonable based on current expectations and projections about future events and industry conditions and trends affecting Greystone’s business. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to Greystone’s expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed under the section of this Form 10-K entitled “Risk Factors.” In addition, Greystone’s historical financial performance is not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future and Greystone believes that such comparisons cannot be relied upon as indicators of future performance.
Risk Factors
Greystone has attained operating profits and positive cash flows from operating activities but there is no assurance that it will be able to sustain profitability.
Greystone’s current operations of manufacturing plastic pallets commenced in 1996. Greystone incurred losses from operations from such time through fiscal year 2007. The results of Greystone’s operations for the fiscal years after fiscal year 2007 showed an operating profit and positive cash flows from operations with the exception of fiscal year 2011 for which Greystone incurred a loss but had positive operating income and positive cash flows from operations. There is no assurance that Greystone will maintain a positive operating profit or otherwise obtain funds to finance capital and debt service requirements.
Greystone has granted security interests in substantially all of its assets in connection with certain debt financings and other transactions.
In connection with certain debt financings and other transactions, Greystone has granted third parties security interests in substantially all of its assets pursuant to agreements entered into with such third parties. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under such agreements, the secured parties may enforce their rights and Greystone may lose all or a portion of its assets. As a result, Greystone could be forced to materially reduce its business activities or cease operations.
Greystone’s business could be affected by changes in availability of raw materials.
Greystone uses a proprietary mix of raw materials to produce its plastic pallets. Such raw materials are generally readily available, and some may be obtained from a broad range of recycled plastic suppliers and unprocessed waste plastic. At the present time, these materials are being purchased from local and national suppliers and international suppliers if available. The availability of Greystone’s raw materials could change at any time for various reasons. For example, the market demand for Greystone’s raw materials could suddenly increase, or the rate at which plastic materials are recycled could decrease, affecting both availability and price. Additionally, the laws and regulations governing the production of plastics and the recycling of plastic containers could change and, as a result, affect the supply of Greystone’s raw materials. Any interruption in the supply of raw materials or components could have a material adverse effect on Greystone. Furthermore, certain potential alternative suppliers may have pre-existing exclusive relationships with Greystone’s competitors and others that may preclude Greystone from obtaining raw materials from such suppliers.
Greystone’s business could be affected by competition and rapid technological change.
Greystone currently faces competition from many companies that produce wooden pallets at prices that are substantially lower than the prices Greystone and other companies that manufacture plastic pallets charge for their plastic pallets. It is anticipated that the plastic pallet industry will be subject to intense competition and rapid technological change. Greystone could potentially face additional competition from recycling and plastics companies, many of which have substantially greater financial and other resources than Greystone and, therefore, are able to spend more than Greystone in areas such as product development, manufacturing and marketing. Competitors may develop products that render Greystone’s products or proposed products uneconomical or result in products being commercialized that may be superior to Greystone’s products. In addition, alternatives to plastic pallets could be developed, which would have a material adverse effect on Greystone.
Greystone is dependent on a few large customers.
Greystone derives a large portion of its revenue from a few large customers and expects that this trend will continue in the foreseeable future. Three customers (four in fiscal year 2021) currently account for approximately 76% of its total sales in fiscal year 2022 (83% in fiscal year 2021). There is no assurance that Greystone will retain these customers’ business at the same level, or at all. The loss of a material amount of business from one of these customers would have a material adverse effect on Greystone.
Greystone’s business could be affected by the Coronavirus, COVID-19.
The impact of COVID-19 has created much uncertainty in the marketplace. If the pandemic created by COVID-19 continues for an extended time, there is no assurance that Greystone will be able to maintain customers’ business at the same level or maintain adequate work force to meet customer demands for pallets.
Greystone may not be able to effectively protect Greystone’s patents and proprietary rights.
Greystone relies upon a combination of patents and trade secrets to protect its proprietary technology, rights and know-how. There can be no assurance that such patent rights will not be infringed upon, that Greystone’s trade secrets will not otherwise become known to or independently developed by competitors, that non-disclosure agreements will not be breached, or that Greystone would have adequate remedies for any such infringement or breach. Litigation may be necessary to enforce Greystone’s proprietary rights or to defend Greystone against third-party claims of infringement. Such litigation could result in substantial cost to, and a diversion of effort by, Greystone and its management and may have a material adverse effect on Greystone. Greystone’s success and potential competitive advantage is dependent upon its ability to exploit the technology under these patents. There can be no assurance that Greystone will be able to exploit the technology covered by these patents or that Greystone will be able to do so exclusively.
Greystone’s business could be affected by changing or new legislation regarding environmental matters.
Greystone’s business is subject to changing federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the discharge of materials into the environment, the handling and disposition of waste (including solid and hazardous waste) or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. As is the case with manufacturers in general, if a release of hazardous substances occurs on or from Greystone’s properties or any associated off-site disposal location, or if contamination from prior activities is discovered at any of Greystone’s properties, Greystone may be held liable. No assurances can be given that additional environmental issues will not require future expenditures. In addition, the plastics industry is subject to existing and potential federal, state, local and foreign legislation designed to reduce solid wastes by requiring, among other things, plastics to be degradable in landfills, minimum levels of recycled content, various recycling requirements and disposal fees and limits on the use of plastic products. Also, various consumer and special interest groups have lobbied from time to time for the implementation of these and other such similar measures. Although Greystone believes that the legislation promulgated to date and such initiatives to date have not had a material adverse effect on it, there can be no assurance that any such future legislative or regulatory efforts or future initiatives would not have a material adverse effect.
Greystone’s business could be subject to potential product liability claims.
The testing, manufacturing and marketing of Greystone’s products and proposed products involve inherent risks related to product liability claims or similar legal theories that may be asserted against Greystone, some of which may cause Greystone to incur significant defense costs. Although Greystone currently maintains product liability insurance coverage that it believes is adequate, there can be no assurance that the coverage limits of its insurance will be adequate under all circumstances or that all such claims will be covered by insurance. In addition, these policies generally must be renewed every year. While Greystone has been able to obtain product liability insurance in the past, there can be no assurance it will be able to obtain such insurance in the future on all of its existing or future products. A successful product liability claim or other judgment against Greystone in excess of its insurance coverage, or the loss of Greystone’s product liability insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect upon Greystone.
Greystone currently depends on certain key personnel.
Greystone is dependent on the experience, abilities and continued services of its current management. In particular, Warren Kruger, Greystone’s President and CEO, has played a significant role in the development, management and financing of Greystone. The loss or reduction of services of Warren Kruger or any other key employee could have a material adverse effect on Greystone. In addition, there is no assurance that additional managerial assistance will not be required, or that Greystone will be able to attract or retain such personnel.
Greystone’s executive officers and directors control a large percentage of Greystone’s outstanding common stock and all of Greystone’s 2003 preferred stock, which entitles them to certain voting rights, including the right to elect a majority of Greystone’s Board of Directors.
Greystone’s executive officers and directors (and their affiliates), in the aggregate, own approximately 44.7% of Greystone’s outstanding common stock and have approximately 50.57% of the voting power. Therefore, Greystone’s executive officers and directors can have significant influence with respect to the outcome of matters submitted to Greystone’s shareholders for approval (including the election and removal of directors and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of Greystone’s assets) and to control Greystone’s management and affairs. In addition, two of Greystone’s directors (including one who also serves as Greystone’s chief executive officer) own all of Greystone’s outstanding 2003 preferred stock, with each owning 50%. The terms and conditions of Greystone’s 2003 preferred stock provide that such holder has the right to elect a majority of Greystone’s Board of Directors. Such concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination or discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control, which in turn could have an adverse effect on the market price of Greystone’s common stock.
Greystone’s stock trades in a limited public market and is subject to price volatility. There can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop or be sustained.
There has been a limited public trading market for Greystone’s common stock and there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop or be sustained. The trading price of Greystone’s common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations in response to variations in quarterly operating results or even mild expressions of interest on a given day. Accordingly, Greystone’s common stock should be expected to experience substantial price changes in short periods of time. Even if Greystone is performing according to its plan and there is no legitimate company-specific financial basis for this volatility, it must still be expected that substantial percentage price swings will occur in Greystone’s common stock for the foreseeable future. In addition, the limited market for Greystone’s common stock may restrict Greystone’s shareholders ability to liquidate their shares.
Greystone does not expect to declare or pay any dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future.
Greystone has not declared or paid any dividends on its common stock. Greystone currently intends to retain future earnings to fund the development and growth of its business, to repay indebtedness and for general corporate purposes, and, therefore, does not anticipate paying any cash dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of certain loan documentation with International Bank of Commerce and the terms and conditions of Greystone’s 2003 preferred stock, Greystone is restricted in its ability to pay dividends to holders of its common stock.
Greystone’s common stock may be subject to secondary trading restrictions related to penny stocks.
Certain transactions involving the purchase or sale of Greystone’s common stock may be affected by a Commission rule for “penny stocks” that imposes additional sales practice burdens and requirements upon broker-dealers that purchase or sell such securities. For transactions covered by this penny stock rule, among other things, broker-dealers must make certain disclosures to purchasers prior to the purchase or sale. Consequently, the penny stock rule may impede the ability of broker-dealers to purchase or sell Greystone’s common stock for their customers and the ability of persons now owning or subsequently acquiring Greystone’s common stock to resell such securities.
Greystone may issue additional equity securities, which would lead to further dilution of Greystone’s issued and outstanding stock.
The issuance of additional common stock or securities convertible into common stock would result in further dilution of the ownership interest in Greystone held by existing shareholders. Greystone is authorized to issue, without shareholder approval, an additional 20,700,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share, in one or more series, which may give other shareholders dividend, conversion, voting and liquidation rights, among other rights, which may be superior to the rights of holders of Greystone’s common stock. In addition, Greystone is authorized to issue, without shareholder approval, over 4.9 billion additional shares of its common stock and securities convertible into common stock.
Results of Operations
General
The consolidated financial statements include Greystone and its two wholly owned subsidiaries, Greystone Manufacturing, L.L.C. (“GSM”), and Plastic Pallet Production, Inc. (“PPP”), and one variable interest entity, Greystone Real Estate, L.L.C. (“GRE”).
Greystone’s primary business is the manufacturing of plastic pallets utilizing recycled plastic and selling the pallets through one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, GSM.
As of May 31, 2022 and 2021, Greystone had FTE’s of approximately 217 and 261 employees, respectively. Temporary personnel from a personnel service entity are utilized as needed. There were FTE’s of approximately 81 and 30 temporary personnel as of May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Greystone’s in-house production capacity for its injection molding machines capable of producing pallets is approximately 180,000 plastic pallets per month, or 2,160,000 per year. Production levels generally vary proportionately with sales orders, machine downtime or customer restrictions for maintaining stringent sizing on certain pallets.
Year Ended May 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended May 31, 2021
Sales
Sales were $74,170,351 for fiscal year 2022 compared to $64,925,059 for fiscal year 2021 for an increase of $9,245,292, or about 14%. The increase in pallet sales from fiscal year 2021 to 2022 is principally due to (i) pricing adjustments of approximately 8.1% on certain pallets to compensate for inflationary increases in raw materials costs and (ii) net increases in number of pallets sold of about 6.3% primarily to distributors.
Greystone had three customers (four in fiscal year 2021) who accounted for approximately 76% and 83% of total sales in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. Customers that account for significant sales may vary in any one year. Generally, customers purchasing substantial quantities to replace or add pallets to their inventory consistently comprise a significant portion of sales. Any customer(s) needing a substantial quantity of pallets to fulfill a specific need may vary from year to year.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales was $66,395,792 (89% of sales) and $53,468,239 (82% of sales) in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in cost of sales to sales during fiscal year 2022 was the result of several factors, including increased cost of raw materials resulting from inflationary factors that were occurring faster than Greystone’s ability to compensate through pricing, a shortage of personnel and machine downtime during the first two quarters of fiscal year 2022 resulting in increased production costs per pallet due to Greystone’s relatively inflexible cost structure, and increased wages. Greystone is striving to purchase more unprocessed material to affect a reduction in the average cost of resin. Currently, Greystone’s capacity to process resin is at a maximum thereby creating more reliance on purchasing processed resin at a relatively higher cost per pound. To increase the capacity for processing resin, Greystone has purchased a new shredder and pelletizing system which are expected to become operational during the period from November 2022 to February 2023.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative (SGA) expense was $5,200,387, (7.0% of sales) for fiscal year 2022 compared to $5,202,231 (8.0% of sales) for fiscal year 2021 for a decrease of $(1,844). Legal expenses included in SGA totaled approximately $494,000 and 456,000 during fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. These legal fees were primarily attributable to an arbitration proceeding which was terminated with prejudice in fiscal year 2022.
Other Income (Expenses)
During fiscal year 2022, a gain was recognized on the forgiveness of debt and accrued interest in the amount of $3,068,497 for the Paycheck Protection Program loan under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
Other income for fiscal years 2022 and 2021 included (i) a $246,079 refund for the Employee Retention Credit Program, $22,336 from the sale of equipment and $12,634 from sales of scrap material and (ii) sales of scrap material in the amount of $19,122, respectively.
Interest expense was $841,701 in fiscal year 2022 compared to $1,177,799 in fiscal year 2021 for a decrease of $336,098. This decrease is primarily attributable to a net decrease in long-term debt and financing leases during fiscal year 2022 by approximately $4.8 million offset by an increase in Greystone’s revolver loan by $3,700,000.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was $535,417 in fiscal year 2022 compared to $1,480,590 in fiscal year 2021 for a decrease of $945,173. The effective tax rate differs from federal statutory rates due to net income from GRE which, as a limited liability company, is not taxed at the corporate level, state income taxes, income which is not subject to income tax in fiscal year 2022, charges which have no income tax benefit and changes in the valuation allowance.
Based upon a review of its income tax filing positions, Greystone believes that its positions would be sustained upon an audit by the Internal Revenue Service and does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material change to its financial position. Therefore, no reserves for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded.
Net Income
Net income was $4,546,600 in fiscal year 2022 compared to $3,625,526 in fiscal year 2021 for an increase of $921,074 for the reasons discussed above.
Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders
After deducting preferred dividends and income attributable to non-controlling interests, the net income attributable to common stockholders was $3,938,478, or $0.14 per share, in fiscal year 2022 compared to $3,030,165, or $0.11 per share, in fiscal year 2021 for the reasons discussed above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
A summary of Greystone’s cash flows for the year ended May 31, 2022, was as follows:
Contractual obligations of Greystone as of May 31, 2022, were as follows:
Greystone had a working capital deficit of $(5,247,286) as of May 31, 2022.
Greystone’s principal long-term debt obligations include a $4,000,000 revolving line of credit and several term notes with IBC with various maturities and a note payable to Mr. Rosene maturing on January 15, 2024. To provide for the funding to meet Greystone’s operating activities and contractual obligations as of May 31, 2022, Greystone will have to continue to produce positive operating results or explore various options including long-term debt and equity financing. However, there is no guarantee that Greystone will continue to create positive operating results or be able to raise sufficient financing to meet these obligations.
A substantial portion of debt financing that Greystone has received through May 31, 2022, has been provided by loans or through bank loan guarantees from the officers and directors of Greystone. Greystone continues to be dependent upon its officers and directors to provide and/or secure additional financing and there is no assurance that either will do so.
Greystone has 50,000 outstanding shares of cumulative 2003 Preferred Stock for a total of $5,000,000 with a preferred dividend rate at the prime rate of interest plus 3.25%. Greystone paid accrued dividends to its preferred stockholders during fiscal years 2022 and 2021 of $243,082 and $407,329, respectively, and plans to continue to make preferred stock dividend payments to the holders of its preferred stock as allowed under the terms of the IBC Loan Agreement as discussed herein under the caption “Loans from International Bank of Commerce” which allows for such payments not to exceed $500,000 per year. Greystone does not anticipate that it will make cash dividend payments to any holders of its common stock unless and until the financial position of Greystone improves through increased revenues, additional financing or otherwise. Further, pursuant to the terms and conditions of certain loan documentation with International Bank of Commerce, as discussed herein under the caption “Loans from International Bank of Commerce,” and the terms and conditions of Greystone’s 2003 preferred stock, Greystone is restricted in its ability to pay dividends to holders of its common stock.
Transactions with Warren Kruger and Related Entities
Yorktown Management & Financial Services, LLC (“Yorktown”), an entity wholly owned by Mr. Kruger, Greystone’s CEO and President, owns and rents to Greystone (1) grinding equipment used to grind raw materials for Greystone’s pallet production and (2) extruders for pelletizing recycled plastic into pellets for use as raw material in the manufacture of pallets. Greystone compensates Yorktown for the use of equipment as discussed below.
Rental fees. GSM pays weekly rental fees of $27,500 to Yorktown for grinding equipment and pelletizing equipment. Total rental fees of approximately $1,430,000 were paid in both fiscal years 2022 and 2021.
Yorktown provides administrative office space for Greystone in Tulsa, Oklahoma under a one-year lease agreement at a rental rate of $5,200 per month.
Sale and leaseback transaction. Effective December 28, 2018, Greystone and Yorktown entered into an agreement whereby Greystone sold certain newly acquired equipment to Yorktown at net book value, $968,168 and leased the equipment from Yorktown under a four-year agreement at a monthly rent of $27,915 for the initial thirty-six months and $7,695 for the remaining twelve months. The lease agreement provides for a bargain purchase option of $10,000 at the end of the lease term on December 31, 2022.
Loans from International Bank of Commerce (“IBC”)
On January 31, 2014, Greystone and GSM (the “Borrowers”) and IBC entered into a Loan Agreement (the “IBC Loan Agreement”), as amended. The IBC Loan Agreement includes a revolving loan in an aggregate principal amount of up to $4,000,000 and several term loans primarily to fund acquisition of production equipment, as discussed in Note 4, Long-term Debt, to the consolidated financial statements. These loans are supported by a $3,500,000 guarantee by Warren Kruger, Greystone’s President and CEO, and Robert Rosene, a Greystone board member.
On July 29, 2022, Greystone and International Bank of Commerce (“IBC”) entered into an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Restated IBC Loan Agreement”) as further described in a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2022. The Restated IBC Loan Agreement provides for the IBC to make to Greystone (i) a term loan in the amount of $7,854,707.54 to consolidate all existing term loans in the aggregate amount of $2,669,891.67 with Lender, extend credit in the amount of $3,271,86.98 to pay off a note payable to Robert B. Rosene, Jr. and extend additional credit to fund the purchase in the amount of $1,912,828.89 of the equipment subject to the iGPS Logistics, LLC, leases, (ii) an advancing term loan facility whereby Greystone may obtain advances up to the aggregate amount of $7,000,000 (items i and ii referred to as “Term Loans”), and (iii) a renewal of the revolving loan with an increase of $2,000,000 (the “Revolving Loan”). The exact amount which can be borrowed under the Revolving Loan from time to time is dependent upon the amount of the borrowing base but can in no event exceed $6,000,000. The Restated Loan Agreement requires limited guarantees from Warren F. Kruger, President and CEO, and Robert B. Rosene, Jr., a director of Greystone.
Financing Leases
Effective May 10, 2016, Greystone and a private pallet leasing company (“Lessor”) entered into a Master Lease Agreement, with a bargain purchase option, for injection molding machines to increase production of pallets for the Lessor. Currently, there are three machines leased under the Master Lease Agreement. Generally, lease payments are based on sales to the Lessor of pallets produced from each machine.
Transactions with Robert B. Rosene, Jr.
Loan. Effective December 15, 2005, Greystone entered into an agreement with Robert B. Rosene, Jr., a member of Greystone’s Board of Directors, to convert $2,066,000 of advances into a note payable at 7.5% interest.
Effective June 1, 2016, the note payable to Mr. Rosene was restated (the “Restated Note”) whereby the accrued interest as of June 1, 2016 of $2,475,690 was combined with the outstanding principal of $2,066,000 resulting in a note payable in the principal amount of $4,541,690 with an interest rate of 7.5% and a maturity of January 15, 2019, subsequently amended to January 15, 2024. The Restated Note requires the payment of accrued interest to Mr. Rosene. In addition, the Restated Note allows Greystone to make additional payments, at Greystone’s discretion, up to an amount allowed by the IBC Loan Agreement.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Greystone does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The consolidated financial statements of Greystone are set forth on pages F-1 through F-21 inclusive, found at the end of this report.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Greystone’s CEO and CFO have concluded that the design and operation of Greystone’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective as of May 31, 2022. This conclusion is based on an evaluation conducted under the supervision and participation of Greystone’s CEO and CFO along with Greystone’s management. Disclosure controls and procedures are those controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that Greystone files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Greystone’s management, including Greystone’s CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Greystone’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of Greystone’s management, including Greystone’s CEO and CFO, Greystone evaluated the effectiveness of Greystone’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Because of 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.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
None.
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons
The following lists the directors and executive officers of Greystone. Directors of Greystone are elected at annual meetings of shareholders unless appointed by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy upon the resignation or removal of a member or an increase in the number of members of the Board of Directors. Executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
Term as Director
Expires
Warren F. Kruger, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Mr. Warren F. Kruger, Manager/CEO of privately held Yorktown Management & Financial Services, L.L.C., is 65 years old. Yorktown is involved in investment banking, real estate, manufacturing and energy endeavors. Mr. Kruger is the non-executive chairman of the board of directors of Kruger Family Holdings, LLC, which owns TriEnda Holdings, LLC. and PendaForm, LLC. TriEnda Holdings manufactures plastic pallets utilizing a thermoform process. Because of the different qualities between the pallets manufactured by Greystone and TriEnda, there is no direct competition between the two companies. Mr. Kruger earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma and an Executive M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University. Mr. Kruger has over forty years of experience in the financial services industry. In 1980, Mr. Kruger co-founded MCM Group, Ltd., which owned and controlled United Bank Club Association, Inc. until 1996 when the firm was sold to a subsidiary of Cendant Corp. (a former NYSE company). He also owned and operated Century Ice, a manufacturer and distributor of ice products from 1996 to 1997, when Packaged Ice, Inc., acquired Century Ice in an industry rollup.
Mr. Kruger became a director of Greystone on January 4, 2002, served as President and Chief Executive Officer from January 10, 2003 to August 15, 2005 and, most recently, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer from November 18, 2006 to the present.
Mr. Kruger’s business experience and knowledge of the day-to-day operations of Greystone make him well suited to serve on Greystone’s Board of Directors.
Mr. Larry J. LeBarre, Director
Mr. LeBarre, age 66, was President and CEO of privately-held Native American Marketing (“Native American”) until 2014 when the company was sold to Seminole Energy. Native American was founded by Mr. LeBarre in 2004 as an oil transportation, storage, and marketing business. Mr. LeBarre earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma, became a Certified Public Accountant while working for Price Waterhouse & Co. (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP) and continued his career in the hazardous waste industry and later with Plains Resources. Mr. LeBarre is also actively involved in investment banking, real estate, and oil and gas investments.
Mr. LeBarre became a director of Greystone effective May 5, 2012. Mr. LeBarre’s business experience makes him qualified to serve as a member of Greystone’s Board of Directors.
Mr. Robert B. Rosene, Jr., Director
Mr. Rosene, age 68, is President of Patriot Auto Group, L.L.C., which owns seven auto dealerships in Oklahoma. In addition, Mr. Rosene oversees a variety of investments including oil and gas interests, commercial real estate and other investments. Mr. Rosene co-founded Summit Exploration, L.L.C., an oil and gas production company that owns oil and gas production interests in several states. Mr. Rosene has a B.A. with an emphasis in accounting from Oklahoma Baptist University.
Mr. Rosene became a director of Greystone effective June 14, 2004. Mr. Rosene’s business experience and longstanding relationship with Greystone make him a good fit as a member of Greystone’s Board of Directors.
William W. Rahhal, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Rahhal, age 81, served as managing partner of Rahhal Henderson Johnson, PLLC, Certified Public Accountants, in Ardmore, Oklahoma, from 1988 to 2010 and retired from the firm effective December 31, 2013. Mr. Rahhal previously served as Greystone’s Chief Financial Officer from October 1, 2002 to October 1, 2004 and subsequently served Greystone as an accounting and financial consultant until his appointment as its Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Rahhal earned his B.B.A. from the University of Oklahoma and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Oklahoma and Texas. Mr. Rahhal has also previously served as a Senior Manager with Price Waterhouse & Co. (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP) and as financial manager of a privately-held oil and gas production company and contract drilling company.
Identification of the Audit Committee; Audit Committee Financial Expert
As of May 31, 2022, Greystone had not established an audit committee and the entire board of directors essentially serves as Greystone’s audit committee.
Code of Ethics
Effective April 8, 2008, Greystone adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to Greystone’s officers and directors, including Greystone’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or persons performing similar functions. Greystone undertakes to provide any person without charge, upon request, a copy of such Code of Ethics. Requests may be directed to Greystone Logistics, Inc., 1613 East 15th Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120, or by calling (918) 583-7441.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Greystone’s directors, officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of any class of Greystone’s equity securities registered under Section 12 to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of such registered securities of Greystone. Officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by regulation to furnish to Greystone copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
Based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to Greystone and any written representations that no other reports were required during fiscal year 2022, to Greystone’s knowledge, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners during fiscal year 2022 were complied with on a timely basis.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The following table sets forth the compensation paid to named executive officers during the fiscal years ended May 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020:
Summary Compensation Table
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
None.
Directors’ Compensation
Greystone pays compensation to members of the Board of Directors in the amount of $12,500 per meeting attended. In fiscal years 2022 and 2021, $50,000 and $50,000, respectively, was paid to each of Messrs. Kruger, Rosene and LeBarre.
Because the Board of Directors consists of three persons of which two are outside directors, the Board has not considered it necessary to create a compensation committee. All of Greystone’s directors participate in determining compensation for officers with Mr. Kruger abstaining from any discussions concerning his compensation.
Compensation Program as it Relates to Risk
We have reviewed our compensation policies and practices for both executives and non-executives as they relate to risk and have determined that at this time they are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.
Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan
General. Greystone’s Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (the “Stock Plan”) is administered by the Board of Directors of Greystone or, if the Board so authorizes, by a committee of the Board of Directors consisting of not less than two members of the Board of Directors. The Stock Plan is presently administered by the entire Board of Directors since no separate committee of the Board has been designated to administer the Stock Plan. Accordingly, many of the references below in this description of the Stock Plan to the Board of Directors could also be construed to be a committee thereof. All managerial and other key employees of Greystone and/or its subsidiaries who hold positions of significant responsibility or whose performance or potential contribution, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, will benefit the future success of Greystone are eligible to receive grants under the Stock Plan. In addition, each director of Greystone who is not an employee of Greystone is eligible to receive certain option grants pursuant to provisions of the Stock Plan. Previously, the Stock Plan was set to expire on May 11, 2011 and the maximum number of shares of common stock in respect of which options could be granted under the Stock Plan was 2,000,000. However, on May 5, 2012, the Board of Directors voted to cause the Stock Plan to be extended for another 10 years and to increase the number of shares of common stock in respect of which options could be granted to 2,500,000. This number is subject to appropriate equitable adjustment in the event of a reorganization, stock split or stock dividend or other similar change affecting Greystone’s common stock.
Price and Terms. Each option is evidenced by an agreement between Greystone and the optionee. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors at the time of grant, all options become exercisable at the rate of 25% of the total shares subject to the option on each of the first four anniversary dates of the date of grant, provided that the Board of Directors may, at any time, accelerate the date any outstanding option becomes exercisable. The exercise price for each share placed under option pursuant to the Stock Plan is determined by the Board of Directors but cannot in any event be less than 100% of the fair market value of such share on the date the option was granted.
Effect of Termination or Death. If an optionee’s employment with Greystone is terminated for any reason other than death or termination for cause, an option will be exercisable for a period of three months after the date of termination of employment as to all then vested portions of the option. In addition, the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, approve acceleration of the vesting of any unvested portions of the option. If an optionee’s employment with Greystone is terminated for cause (as defined in the Stock Plan), the option shall terminate as of the date of such termination of employment, and the optionee shall have no further rights to exercise any portion of the option. If an optionee dies while employed by Greystone, any unvested portion of the option as of the date of death shall be vested as of the date of death, and the option shall be exercisable in full by the heirs or legal representatives of the optionee for a period of 12 months following the date of death. In any event, options terminate and are no longer exercisable after 10 years from the date of the grant.
Continued Service as a Director. In the event any optionee who is an employee and also a director of Greystone ceases to be employed by Greystone but continues to serve as a director of Greystone, the Board of Directors may determine that all or a portion of such optionee’s options shall not expire three months following the date of employment as described above, but instead shall continue in effect until the earlier of the date the optionee ceases to be a director of Greystone or the date the option otherwise expires according to its stated date of expiration. Termination of any such option in connection with the optionee’s termination of service as a director will be on terms similar to those described above in connection with termination of employment.
Grants to Non-Employee Directors. In order to retain, motivate and reward non-employee directors of Greystone, the Stock Plan extends participation to non-employee directors on the terms and conditions described below. The exercise price for options granted to non-employee directors is equal to 100% of the fair market value per share of common stock on the date the option is granted. As with options granted to employees, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors at the time of grant, all options granted to non-employee directors become exercisable at the rate of 25% of the total shares subject to the option on each of the first four anniversary dates of the date of grant. The Board of Directors is also entitled at any time to accelerate the date any outstanding option becomes exercisable. If a non-employee director’s service on the Board of Directors is terminated for any reason other than death or removal from the Board of Directors for cause, an option will be exercisable for a period of three months after the date of removal from the Board of Directors as to all then vested portions of the option. If a non-employee director is removed from the Board of Directors for cause, the option will terminate as of the date of such removal, and the optionee shall have no further rights to exercise any portion of the option. If a non-employee director optionee dies while serving on the Board of Directors, any unvested portion of the option as of the date of death shall be vested as of the date of death, and the option shall be exercisable in full by the heirs or legal representatives of the optionee for a period of 12 months following the date of death. In any event, options terminate and are no longer exercisable after 10 years from the date of the grant.
Other than as described above, all options granted to non-employee directors are subject to the same terms and conditions generally applicable to options granted to employees under the Stock Plan.
Exercise of Options. The exercise price of options may be paid in cash, by certified check, by tender of stock of Greystone (valued at fair market value on the date immediately preceding the date of exercise), by surrender of a portion of the option, or by a combination of such means of payment. The prior consent of the Board of Directors is required in connection with the payment of the exercise price of options by tender of shares or surrender of a portion of the option, except that the consent of the Board of Directors is not required if the exercise price is paid by surrender of shares that have been owned by the optionee for more than six months prior to the date of exercise of the option or by a combination of cash and shares that have been owned for more than six months.
Effect of Certain Corporate Transactions. In the event of any change in capitalization affecting the common stock of Greystone, such as a stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, split-up, combination or exchange of shares or other form of reorganization, liquidation, or any other change affecting the common stock, proportionate adjustments will be made with respect to the aggregate number and type of securities for which options may be granted under the Stock Plan, the number and type of securities covered by each outstanding option, and the exercise price of outstanding options so that optionees will be entitled upon exercise of options to receive the same number and kind of stock, securities, cash, property or other consideration that the optionee would have received in connection with the change in capitalization if such option had been exercised immediately preceding such change in capitalization. The Board of Directors may also make such adjustments in the number of shares covered by, and the price or other value of any outstanding options in the event of a spin-off or other distribution, other than normal cash dividends, of company assets to shareholders. In addition, unless the Board of Directors expressly determines otherwise, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Stock Plan) of Greystone, all outstanding options will become immediately and fully exercisable and optionees will be entitled to surrender, within 60 days following the Change in Control, unexercised options or portions of options in return for a cash payment equal to the difference between the aggregate exercise price of the surrendered options and the fair market value of the shares of common stock underlying the surrendered options.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
None.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
As of May 31, 2022, Greystone had 28,279,701 shares of its common stock and 50,000 shares of its 2003 preferred stock outstanding. Each share of the 2003 preferred stock is convertible into approximately 66.67 shares of Greystone’s common stock.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the shares of Greystone’s common stock beneficially owned as of May 31, 2022, by (i) each person known by Greystone to own beneficially 5% or more of Greystone’s outstanding common stock, (ii) each of Greystone’s directors and named officers, and (iii) all of Greystone’s directors and named officers as a group:
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Transactions with Related Persons
General
For information regarding loans from Warren Kruger, see “Transactions with Warren Kruger and Related Entities” under the heading “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 of this Form10-K.
For information regarding an advance from Robert Rosene, see “Transactions with Robert B. Rosene, Jr.” under the heading “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 of this Form10-K.
For information regarding the loan from IBC and Messrs. Kruger’s and Rosene’s relationship thereto, see “Loan from International Bank of Commerce (“IBC”) in Item 7 of this Form 10-K.
Transactions with TriEnda Holdings, L.L.C.
TriEnda Holdings, L.L.C. (“TriEnda”) is a manufacturer of plastic pallets, protective packaging and dunnage utilizing thermoform processing. Warren F. Kruger, Greystone’s President and CEO, is the non-executive chairman of the board of directors of Kruger Family Holdings, LLC (“KBH”), which owns a majority interest in TriEnda. Greystone may purchase pallets from TriEnda for resale or sell Greystone pallets to TriEnda. During fiscal year 2022 and 2021, Greystone purchases from TriEnda totaled $4,222 and $143,589, respectively and sales to TriEnda totaled $126,037 and $123,166, respectively. As of May 31, 2022, TriEnda owed Greystone $152,152.
Transactions with Green Plastic Pallets
Green Plastic Pallets (“Green”) is an entity owned by James Kruger, a brother to Warren Kruger, Greystone’s President and CEO. Green purchased pallets from Greystone totaling $617,100 and $544,636 in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of May 31, 2022, the amount that Green owed to Greystone was $99,960.
Other Transactions
Greystone leases two buildings located in Bettendorf, Iowa, from which it conducts its manufacturing operations, from Greystone Real Estate, L.L.C., a variable interest entity which is owned by Robert B. Rosene, Jr., a member of Greystone’s board of director, and Warren Kruger, Greystone’s President and CEO and a member of Greystone’s Board of Directors. Rental payments for both buildings are $42,381 per month.
Director Independence
Greystone has determined that Messrs. LeBarre and Rosene are “independent” within the meaning of Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ listing standards. Because of the small size of Greystone’s Board of Directors, it has not established any committees. Rather, the entire Board acts as, and performs the same functions as, the audit committee, compensation committee and nominating committee. Mr. Kruger is not considered “independent” within the meaning of Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ listing standards.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
The following is a summary of the fees billed to Greystone by HoganTaylor LLP, Greystone’s independent registered public accounting firm, for professional services rendered for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2022 and May 31, 2021:
(1)Audit Fees consist of aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of Greystone’s annual consolidated financial statements and review of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports or services that are normally provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements during the fiscal years ended May 31, 2022 and May 31, 2021, respectively.
The entire Board of Directors of Greystone is responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm and approves in advance any services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm, whether audit-related or not. The entire Board of Directors reviews each proposed engagement to determine whether the provision of services is compatible with maintaining the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm. All of the fees shown above were pre-approved by the entire Board of Directors.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
10.6
10.9
10.11
31.2
** Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this report.
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.
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.
Index to Financial Statements
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GREYSTONE LOGISTICS, INC.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Greystone Logistics, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Greystone Logistics, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of May 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of May 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purposes of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the 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 financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
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 our especially challenging subjective, or complex judgements. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
August 19, 2022
Greystone Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Greystone Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Greystone Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
Additional
Paid-in
Total Greystone
Stockholders’
Non-
controlling
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Greystone Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Greystone Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
May 31, 2022 and 2021
Note 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization
Greystone Logistics, Inc. (“Greystone”), through its two wholly owned subsidiaries, Greystone Manufacturing, LLC (“GSM”) and Plastic Pallet Production, Inc. (“PPP”), is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of plastic pallets and pelletized recycled plastic resin.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Greystone, its subsidiaries and entities required to be consolidated by the accounting guidance for variable interest entities (“VIE”). All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Greystone consolidates its VIE, Greystone Real Estate, L.L.C. (“GRE”), which owns the manufacturing facilities which are occupied by Greystone. GRE is owned by Warren F. Kruger, President and CEO, and Robert B. Rosene, Jr., a member of Greystone’s Board of Directors.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of Greystone’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires Greystone’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid temporary cash investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains accounts at financial institutions which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Cash balances at times are in excess of FDIC insurance limits.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts
Greystone records its accounts receivable at their face value less an allowance for credit losses in an amount sufficient to absorb losses inherent in its accounts receivable portfolio based on projected expected credit losses. Greystone evaluates its accounts receivable and establishes an allowance for uncollectible accounts based on a combination of specific customer circumstances, credit conditions and history of collections.
Inventory
Inventory consists of finished pallets and raw materials which are stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Greystone’s property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, as follows:
Leases
Greystone recognizes right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements.
Greystone has operating and finance leases for facilities, office space and plant equipment. Operating leases are included in right-of-use (“ROU”) operating lease assets and finance lease ROU assets are included in property, plant and equipment, net in the consolidated balance sheet. The lease liabilities are included in operating leases and financing leases (current and non-current) in the consolidated balance sheet.
The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate is defined as the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.
For finance leases, lease expenses are the sum of interest on the lease obligations and amortization of the ROU assets. Finance lease ROU assets are amortized based on the lesser of the lease term and the useful life of the leased asset according to the capital asset accounting policy. If ownership of the ROU assets transfers to Greystone at the end of the lease term or if Greystone is reasonably certain to exercise a purchase option, amortization is calculated using the estimated useful life of the leased asset.
For operating leases, the lease expenses are generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and recorded to general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 842, Greystone has made accounting policy elections (1) to not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for lease arrangements with a term of twelve months or less and (2) to combine lease and non-lease components. The non-lease components are not material and do not result in significant timing differences in the recognition of lease expense. Short-term leases include real estate and vehicles and are not significant in comparison to Greystone’s overall lease portfolio. For these leases, the Company recognizes the leases as an operating expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
Debt Issuance Costs
The Company capitalizes debt issuance costs as incurred and amortizes such costs on a straight-line basis across the term of the debt. Debt issuance costs are fully amortized when the debt is repaid or refinanced.
Stock Options
The grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees is amortized on the straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award as compensation cost. The fair value of new option grants is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility, dividend yields and expected holding periods.
Recognition of Revenues
Revenue is recognized at the point in time a good or service is transferred to a customer and the customer obtains control of that good or receives the service performed. Sales arrangements with customers are short-term in nature involving single performance obligations related to the delivery of goods and generally provide for transfer of control at the time of shipment. In limited circumstances, where acceptance of the goods is subject to approval by the customer, revenue is recognized upon approval by the customer unless, historically, there have been insignificant rejections of goods by the customer. Contract liabilities associated with sales arrangements primarily relate to deferred revenue on prepaid sales of goods. Greystone generally purchases damaged pallets from its customers which are reground and used in Greystone’s pallet production process; however, damaged pallet purchases are historically insignificant.
Income Taxes
Greystone accounts for income taxes under the liability method, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the consolidated financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities and tax loss carryforwards using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year. In arriving at income available to common stockholders, income attributable to non-controlling interest and preferred stock dividends are deducted from net income for the year.
Basic and diluted earnings per share of common stock for the years ending May 31, are as follows:
Note 2. INVENTORY
Inventory consists of the following as of May 31:
Note 3. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of the property, plant and equipment for Greystone is as follows, as of May 31:
Property, plant and equipment includes production equipment with a carrying value of $3,175,990which had not been placed into service as of May 31, 2022.
Two plant buildings and land located in Bettendorf, Iowa are owned by GRE, a variable interest entity, and had a net book value of $2,548,933as of May 31, 2022. Effective July 29, 2022, GRE’s relationship with Greystone as a VIE will terminate. The carrying values of the buildings will be eliminated and replaced by a right-of-use financing lease asset in the amount of the present value of the rentals under the lease agreement for the buildings.
Depreciation expense for the years ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, was $5,359,993and $5,796,357, respectively.
Note 4. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following as of May 31, 2022 and 2021:
As of May 31, 2022, the prime rate of interest was 4.00%. Effective July 28, 2022, the prime rate of interest increased to 5.50%.
Debt Issuance Costs consists of the amounts paid to third parties in connection with the issuance and modification of debt instruments. These costs are shown on the consolidated balance sheet as a direct reduction to the related debt instrument. Amortization of these costs is included in interest expense. Greystone recorded amortization of debt issuance costs of $5,727and $5,160for the years ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Loan Agreement between Greystone and International Bank of Commerce (“IBC”)
On January 31, 2014, Greystone and GSM (the “Borrowers”) and International Bank of Commerce (“IBC”) entered into a Loan Agreement (the “IBC Loan Agreement”). The IBC Loan Agreement, as amended, provides for certain term loans and a revolver loan.
The IBC term loans make equal monthly payments of principal and interest in such amounts sufficient to amortize the principal balance of the loans over the remaining lives. The monthly payments of principal and interest on the IBC term loans vary as a result of changes in the prime rate of interest. Currently, the aggregate payments for the IBC term loans is approximately $190,000per month.
The IBC Loan Agreement, as amended, provides a revolving loan in an aggregate principal amount of up to $4,000,000(the “Revolving Loan”). The exact amount which can be borrowed under the Revolving Loan from time to time is dependent upon the amount of the borrowing base but in no event can exceed $4,000,000. The Revolving Loan bears interest at greater of the prime rate of interest plus 0.5%, or 4.5% and matures July 29, 2024. The Borrowers are required to pay all interest accrued on the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loan on a monthly basis. Any principal on the Revolving Loan that is repaid by the Borrowers does not reduce the original amount available to the Borrowers. Under these limitations, Greystone’s available revolving loan borrowing capacity was $300,000at May 31, 2022.
The IBC Loan Agreement includes customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants which include (i) requiring the Borrowers to maintain a debt service coverage ratio of 1:25 to 1:00 and a funded debt to EBIDA ratio not exceeding 3:00 to 1:00, (ii) subject to certain exceptions, limiting the Borrowers’ combined capital expenditures on fixed assets to $1,500,000per year, (iii) prohibiting Greystone, without IBC’s prior written consent, from declaring or paying any dividends, redemptions of stock or membership interests, distributions and withdrawals (as applicable) in respect of its capital stock or any other equity interest, other than additional payments to holders of its preferred stock in an amount not to exceed $500,000in any fiscal year, (iv) subject to certain exceptions, prohibiting the incurrence of additional indebtedness by the Borrowers, and (v) requiring the Borrowers to prevent (A) any change in capital ownership such that there is a material change in the direct or indirect ownership of (1) Greystone’s outstanding preferred stock, and (2) any equity interest in GSM, or (B) Warren Kruger from ceasing to be actively involved in the management of Greystone as President and/or Chief Executive Officer. The foregoing list of covenants is not exhaustive and there are several other covenants contained in the IBC Loan Agreement.
The IBC Loan Agreement includes customary events of default, including events of default relating to non-payment of principal and other amounts owing under the IBC Loan Agreement from time to time, inaccuracy of representations, violation of covenants, defaults under other agreements, bankruptcy and similar events, the death of a guarantor, certain material adverse changes relating to a Borrower or guarantor, certain judgments or awards against a Borrower, or government action affecting a Borrower’s or guarantor’s ability to perform under the IBC Loan Agreement or the related loan documents. Among other things, a default under the IBC Loan Agreement would permit IBC to cease lending funds under the IBC Loan Agreement and require immediate repayment of any outstanding loans with interest and any unpaid accrued fees.
The IBC Loan Agreement is secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets of the Borrowers. In addition, the IBC Loan Agreement is secured by a mortgage granted by GRE on the real property owned by GRE in Bettendorf, Iowa (the “Mortgage”). GRE is owned by Robert B. Rosene, Jr., a director of Greystone. Messrs. Warren F. Kruger, President and CEO and Rosene provided a combined limited guaranty as of January 31, 2014, of the Borrowers’ obligations under the IBC Loan Agreement, with such guaranty being limited to a combined amount of $6,500,000(the “Guaranty”). The Guaranty was amended and restated as of January 7, 2016, to provide that the maximum aggregate guaranty will be limited to $3,500,000if Greystone maintains a Debt Coverage Ratio of at least 1.35:1.00 for a period of six consecutive quarters. Greystone notified IBC that the conditions of the amended and restated Debt Service Coverage Ratio were maintained for the four consecutive quarters ending May 31, 2022. The Mortgage and the Guaranty also secure or guaranty, as applicable, the obligations of GRE under the Loan Agreement between GRE and IBC dated January 31, 2014 as discussed in the following paragraph.
Amended and Restated Loan Agreement between Greystone and IBC
On July 29, 2022, Greystone and GSM (collectively “Greystone”) and IBC entered into an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Restated IBC Loan Agreement”) as further described in a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2022. The Restated IBC Loan Agreement provides for IBC to make to Greystone (i) a term loan in the amount of $7,854,707.54to consolidate all existing term loans in the aggregate amount of $2,669,891.67with Lender, extend credit in the amount of $3,271,86.98to pay off a note payable to Robert B. Rosene, Jr. and extend additional credit to fund the purchase in the amount of $1,912,828.89of the equipment subject to the iGPS Logistics, LLC, leases and (ii) an advancing term loan facility whereby Greystone may obtain advances up to the aggregate amount of $7,000,000(items i and ii referred to as “Term Loans”) (iii) a renewal of the revolving loan with an increase of $2,000,000(the “Revolving Loan”). The exact amount which can be borrowed under the Revolving Loan from time to time is dependent upon the amount of the borrowing base but can in no event exceed $6,000,000. The Restated IBC Loan Agreement is secured by substantially all of the assets of Greystone but eliminates the collateralization of the real estate owned by GRE. The Restated Loan Agreement requires limited guarantees from Warren F. Kruger, President and CEO, and Robert B. Rosene, Jr., a director of Greystone.
Loan Agreement with First Interstate Bank (formerly Great Western Bank)
On August 23, 2021, Greystone and First Interstate Bank (formerly Great Western Bank) entered into a loan agreement (the “FIB Loan Agreement”) in connection with certain prior loans and a mortgage loan to refinance certain land and buildings located in Bettendorf, IA.
The FIB Loan Agreement includes customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants which include (i) requiring the Borrowers to maintain a debt service coverage ratio of 1:25 to 1:00 as of the end of each fiscal year end and debt to tangible net worth ratio of 4:00 to 1:00 as of the end of each fiscal year end with a decrease of 0.50 in the ratio each year thereafter until reaching a minimum ratio of 3:00 to 1:00. In addition, the FIB Loan Agreement provides that Greystone shall not, without prior consent of the bank, incur or assume additional indebtedness or capital leases.
Loan Agreement between GRE and IBC
On January 31, 2014, GRE and IBC entered into a Loan Agreement, as amended, providing for a mortgage loan to GRE of $3,412,500. The loan provides for a 5.5% interest rate and a maturity of April 30, 2023, secured by a mortgage on the two buildings in Bettendorf, Iowa which are leased to Greystone.
Note Payable between Greystone and Robert B. Rosene, Jr.
Effective December 15, 2005, Greystone entered into an agreement with Robert B. Rosene, Jr., a member of Greystone’s Board of Directors, to convert $2,066,000of advances into a note payable at 7.5% interest.
Effective June 1, 2016, the note payable with Mr. Rosene was restated (the “Restated Note”) to aggregate the accrued interest with the outstanding principal resulting in a combined note payable in the principal amount of $4,541,690with an interest rate of 7.5% and a maturity of January 15, 2019, subsequently amended to January 15, 2024. The Restated Note requires the payment of accrued interest to Mr. Rosene. In addition, the Restated Note allows Greystone to make additional payments, at Greystone’s discretion, up to an amount allowed by the IBC Loan Agreement.
Maturities
Maturities of Greystone’s long-term debt for the five years subsequent to May 31, 2022, are $4,160,403, $8,256,351, $412,684, $49,091and $50,861with $566,801due thereafter.
Note 5. LEASES
Financing Leases
Financing leases consist of the following as of May 31:
Greystone and an unrelated private company entered into three separate lease agreements which have an effective interest rate of 7.4% and a term of five years. The leased equipment was placed into production during February 2018, August 2018 and December 2018, at a total cost of approximately $6.9million. The lease agreements include bargain purchase options to acquire the production equipment at the end of the leases’ term. The leased equipment is used to manufacture pallets to sell to the private company. Rental payments are made as a credit on every sales invoice of pallets produced on the respective leased equipment at the rate of $3.32per pallet. The aggregate monthly rental is estimated to be approximately $142,000. The agreements provide for minimum monthly lease rental payments based upon the total pallets sold in excess of a specified amount not to exceed the monthly productive capacity of the leased machines.
Yorktown and Greystone entered into a sale and leaseback agreement effective December 28, 2018, whereby Yorktown purchased certain production equipment from Greystone at its net book value of $968,168and entered into a four-year lease agreement with Greystone at a monthly rent of $27,915for the initial thirty-six months and $7,695for the remaining twelve months. The lease agreement provides for a purchase option of $10,000at the end of the lease on December 31, 2022.
Effective July 29, 2022, GRE will no longer be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) as a result certain events discussed in Note 4, Long Term Debt. Currently, the rent expense that Greystone paid to GRE, as a VIE, has beeen eliminated in the consolidated financial statements of Greystone. Upon the termination of GRE as a VIE, the lease agreement between Greystone and GRE will become a right-of-use financing lease asset and the related rent expense will be recognized in the consolidated financial statements.
The production equipment under the non-cancelable financing leases as of May 31, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
Amortization of the carrying amount of the assets was $946,535and $1,012,870for the years ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The amortization was included in depreciation expense.
Operating Leases
Greystone recognizes a lease liability for each lease based on the present value of remaining minimum fixed rental payments, using a discount rate that approximates the rate of interest for a collateralized loan over a similar term. A right-of-use asset is recognized for each lease, valued at the lease liability. Minimum fixed rental payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease as costs and expenses on the consolidated statement of income. Variable and short-term rental payments are recognized as costs and expenses as they are incurred.
Greystone has two non-cancellable operating leases for equipment with terms of 4.5and 5.0years and a discount rate of 5.40%. The leases are single term with constant monthly rental rates.
The outstanding liability for right to use assets under operating leases as of May 31, 2022 and 2021 is as follows:
Lease Summary Information
For the years ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, a summary of lease activity follows:
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating and financing leases as of May 31, 2022, are approximately:

Note 6. REVENUE
Greystone’s principal product is plastic pallets produced from recycled plastic resin. Sales are primarily to customers in the continental United States of America. International sales are made to customers in Canada. Mexico and other Central America countries which totaled 1.45% and 0.92% of total sales in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Greystone’s customers include stocking and non-stocking distributors and direct sales to end-user customers. Sales to the following categories of customers for the fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively, were as follows:
Advances from a customer pursuant to a contract for the sale of plastics pallets is recognized as deferred revenue. Revenue related to these advances is recognized by Greystone as pallets are shipped to customers. Customer advances received totaled $13,560,500and $8,334,755in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. The unrecognized balance of deferred revenue as of May 31, 2022 and 2021, was $5,329,047and $6,430,607, respectively. The Company recognized $14,662,060and $5,697,315into revenue during the years ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Note 7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Transactions with Warren F. Kruger, Chairman
Yorktown Management & Financial Services, LLC (“Yorktown”), an entity wholly owned by Greystone’s CEO and President, owns and rents to Greystone (1) grinding equipment used to grind raw materials for Greystone’s pallet production and (2) extruders for pelletizing recycled plastic into pellets for resale and for use as raw material for manufacturing pallets. Greystone compensates Yorktown for the use of equipment as discussed below.
Rental fees. GSM pays weekly rental fees of $27,500to Yorktown for grinding equipment and pelletizing equipment. Total rental fees of $1,430,000were paid in both fiscal years 2022 and 2021.
Yorktown provides administrative office space for Greystone in Tulsa, Oklahoma under a one-year lease at a rental rate of $5,200per month. Total rent expense was $54,000and $48,000for fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Transactions with TriEnda Holdings, L.L.C.
TriEnda Holdings, L.L.C. (“TriEnda”) is a manufacturer of plastic pallets, protective packaging and dunnage utilizing thermoform processing of which Warren F. Kruger, Greystone’s President and CEO, is the non-executive chairman of the board of directors of Kruger Family Holdings, LLC (“KFH”), which owns a majority interest in TriEnda. Greystone may purchase pallets from TriEnda for resale or sell Greystone pallets to TriEnda. During fiscal year 2022 and 2021, Greystone purchases from TriEnda totaled $4,222and $143,589, respectively and sales to TriEnda totaled $126,037and $123,166, respectively. As of May 31, 2022, TriEnda owed $152,152to Greystone.
Transactions with Green Plastic Pallets
Green Plastic Pallets (“Green”) is an entity owned by James Kruger, a brother to Warren Kruger, Greystone’s President and CEO. Green purchased pallets from Greystone totaling $617,100and $544,636in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of May 31, 2022, Green owed $99,960to Greystone.
Note 8. INCOME TAXES
Deferred taxes as of May 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
A deferred tax asset is recognized for tax-deductible temporary differences and operating losses using the applicable enacted tax rate. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers the likelihood of whether it is more likely than not the net deferred tax asset will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which net operating losses and the reversal of timing differences may offset taxable income. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Future realization of deferred tax assets ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in carryforward periods under the tax law. Based on this evaluation, management has determined that Greystone will not be able to realize the full effect of the deferred tax assets and a valuation allowance of $1,601,134has been recorded as of May 31, 2022 and 2021. The NOLs that are anticipated to be utilized during the available years total $1,312,266.
The net change in deferred taxes for the year ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, is as follows:
The provision for income taxes as of May 31, 2022 and 2021 consists of the following:
Greystone’s provision for income taxes for the years ended May 31, 2022 and 2021 differs from the federal statutory rate as follows:
As of May 31, 2022, Greystone had net operating losses (NOLs) for Federal income tax purposes totaling $8,936,713, as follows:
Note 9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Convertible Preferred Stock
In September 2003, Greystone issued 50,000shares of Series 2003, cumulative, convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001, for a total purchase price of $5,000,000. Each share of the preferred stock has a stated value of $100and a dividend rate equal to the prime rate of interest plus 3.25% (7.25% at May 31, 2022) and may be converted into common stock at the conversion rate of $1.50per share or an aggregate of 3,333,333shares of common stock. The holder of the preferred stock has been granted certain voting rights so that such holder has the right to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of Greystone. Preferred stock dividends must be fully paid before a dividend on the common stock may be paid.
Warrants to Purchase Common Stock
Effective September 1, 2016, Greystone’s Board of Directors authorized the issuance of warrants to purchase 250,000shares of Greystone’s common stock for $0.01per share to each of Warren F. Kruger, President and CEO, and Robert B. Rosene, Jr., a member of Greystone’s Board of Directors, as compensation for providing guarantees on Greystone’s debt with IBC. The warrants are vested and expire January 10, 2027.
Note 10. STOCK OPTIONS
Greystone has a stock option plan that provides for the granting of options to key employees and non-employee directors. The options are to purchase common stock at not less than fair market value at the date of the grant. Stock options generally expire in ten yearsfrom the date of grant or upon termination of employment and are generally exercisable one year from date of grant in cumulative annual installments of 25%. A summary of option activity during the two years ended May 31, 2022, is as follows:
Note 11. RETIREMENT PLAN
Greystone implemented a defined contribution and profit-sharing plan effective January 1, 2019. The defined contribution plan is a IRC Section 401(K) plan. Greystone matches employee contributions up to 6% of employee contributions with a maximum employer contribution of 4% based on 100% of the first 3% and 50% of the next 2%. The employee is 100% vested for employer contributions to the 401(K) plan.Greystone’s contributions to the 401(K) plan totaled $322,983and $330,682in the fiscal years ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The profit-sharing plan is an employer nonelective plan. Greystone’s contributions are discretionary. Vesting is earned ratably over a five-year period. Greystone has not authorized or made any discretionary contributions since inception.
Note 12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The following methods and assumptions are used in estimating the fair-value disclosures for financial instruments:
Cash, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable: The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Long-Term Debt: The carrying amount of loans with floating rates of interest approximate fair value. Fixed rate loans are valued based on cash flows using estimated rates for comparable loans. As of May 31, 2022 and 2021, the carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet approximate fair value for the variable and fixed rate loans.
Note 13. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION OF CASH FLOWS
Supplemental information of cash flows for the years ended May 31, 2022 and 2021:
Note 14. CONCENTRATIONS, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
For the fiscal years 2022 and 2021, Greystone had three customers (four customers in fiscal year 2021) that accounted for approximately 76% and 83% of total sales, respectively.
Greystone purchases damaged pallets from its customers at a price based on the value of the raw material content of the pallet. A majority of these purchases is from one of Greystone’s major customers which totaled approximately $603,000and $753,000in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Greystone is subject to litigation, claims and other commitments and contingencies arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the asserted value of these matters may be significant, the company currently does not expect that the ultimate resolution of any open matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Note 15. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (VIE)
Greystone Real Estate, L.L.C.
GRE is owned by Robert B. Rosene, Jr., a member of the Board of Directors. GRE was created solely to own and lease two buildings that GSM occupies in Bettendorf, Iowa.
The buildings, having a carrying value of $2,548,933and $2,664,805as of May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, serve as collateral for GRE’s debt and Greystone’s debt under the Loan Agreement between Greystone and IBC. The debt had a carrying value of $1,826,361and $2,049,941as of May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
As further discussed in Note 4, Long-Term Debt, the real estate of GRE was cross collateralized with Greystone’s debt to IBC. Effective July 29, 2022, Greystone and IBC entered into an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement whereby the cross collateralized provision was terminated. In addition, the sole member of GRE made a capital contribution to GRE and the proceeds were used to retire the debt from GRE to IBC. Accordingly, the variable interest relationship between Greystone and GRE terminated effective July 29, 2022.
Note 16. COMMITMENTS
As of May 31, 2022, Greystone had outstanding commitments totaling $4,754,382for the acquisition of equipment.
Index to Exhibits
Attachments
Disclaimer
Greystone Logistics Inc. published this content on 19 August 2022 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 19 August 2022 21:55:04 UTC.

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