Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

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ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
The Company

The Company

 

Polar Power, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Washington as Polar Products, Inc. and in 1991 reincorporated in the State of California under the name Polar Power, Inc. In December 2016, Polar Power, Inc. reincorporated in the State of Delaware (the “Company”). The Company designs, manufactures and sells direct current, or DC, power systems to supply reliable and low-cost energy to off-grid, bad-grid and backup power, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and nano-grid applications. The Company’s products integrate DC generator, proprietary electronic control systems, lithium batteries and solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies to provide low operating cost and emissions for telecommunications, defense, automotive, nano-grid, EV charging and industrial markets.

 

Going Concern

Going Concern

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Going Concern, the Company’s management has evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the accompanying financial statements were issued. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a net loss of $6,548 and used cash in operations of $3,430. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date that the financial statements are issued. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

 

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a cash balance of $549, with borrowing capacity of $376, and a working capital of $11,775. Historically, the Company has financed its operations through public and private sales of common stock, issuance of term loans and credit lines from financial institutions, and cash generated from operations. As we seek additional sources of financing, there can be no assurance that such financing would be available to us on favorable terms or at all. Our ability to obtain additional financing in the debt and equity capital markets is subject to several factors, including market and economic conditions, our performance and investor sentiment with respect to us and our industry. The Company has taken action to improve its margins, and is continuing to build a strong backlog, and expects to continue investing in product development and sales and marketing activities. The long-term continuation of the Company’s business plan is dependent upon the generation of sufficient revenues from its products to offset expenses. In the event that the Company does not generate sufficient cash flows from operations and is unable to obtain funding, the Company will be forced to delay, reduce, or eliminate some or all of its discretionary spending, which could adversely affect the Company’s business prospects, ability to meet long-term liquidity needs or ability to continue operations.

 

COVID-19

COVID-19

 

The aftermath of the pandemic has had a significant negative impact on our overall operations including revenues, productivity, gross margins and liquidity. The pandemic has resulted in labor shortages, disruptions in the chain of supply, and higher material costs. We believe that Covid-19 will be an ongoing challenge for years to come and to adapt will require us to further globalize our vendors, engineering, and customers. The Company’s business is directly dependent upon, and correlates closely with, the marketing levels and ongoing business activities of its existing customers and suppliers. The extent to which COVID-19 may impact the Company’s business activities and capital raising efforts will depend on future developments, which are uncertain and cannot be predicted.

 

Inflation

Inflation

 

The continuing impact of higher inflation, the actions by the Federal Reserve to address inflation, most notably sustained increases in interest rates, and rising energy prices create uncertainty about the future economic environment which will continue to evolve and, we believe, has impacted the Company’s business in 2023 and may continue to impact its business in 2024. The implications of higher government deficits and debt, tighter monetary policy, and potentially higher long-term interest rates may drive a higher cost of capital for the business and an increase in the Company’s operating expenses.

 

 

Estimates

Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Material estimates relate to the assumptions made in determining estimates for credit loss reserves for accounts receivable, assumptions used in valuing inventories at net realizable value, impairment testing of recorded long-term assets, the realizability of deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowance, accruals for warranty reserves, accruals for potential liabilities, assumptions made in valuing stock instruments issued for services, and assumptions used in the determination of the Company’s liquidity. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). The underlying principle of ASC 606 is to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at the amount expected to be collected. ASC 606 creates a five-step model that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of contract(s), which includes (1) identifying the contract(s) or agreement(s) with a customer, (2) identifying the Company’s performance obligations in the contract or agreement, (3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations, and (5) recognizing revenue as each performance obligation is satisfied.

 

Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is derived from product sales. Product revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract are satisfied, which occurs for the Company upon shipment or delivery of products or services to its customers based on written sales terms, which is also when control is transferred. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring the products or services to a customer. The Company determines whether delivery has occurred based on when title transfers and the risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the customer, which usually occurs when the Company places the product with the customer’s carrier or delivers the product to a customer’s location. The Company regularly reviews its customers’ financial positions to ensure that collectability is reasonably assured.

 

The Company also recognizes revenues from engineering services, technical support, and sale of accessories that support the Company’s direct current, or DC, power systems. Revenue is recognized when transfer of control to the customer has been made and the Company’s performance obligation has been fulfilled. The Company’s revenue from engineering services, technical support services, and product accessories are clearly defined in each transaction with its customers and have not been significant to date.

 

The Company also recognizes revenues from the rental of equipment. The Company’s rental revenues have not been significant to date and have accounted for less than one percent of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company’s rental contracts are fixed price contracts for fixed durations of time and include freight and delivery charges and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the rental period.

 

 

Disaggregation of Net Sales

 

The following table shows the Company’s disaggregated net sales by product type (in thousands):

    2023     2022  
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2023     2022  
DC power systems   $ 14,408     $ 15,219  
Engineering & Tech Support Services     347       589  
Accessories     538       248  
Total net sales   $ 15,293     $ 16,056  

 

The following table shows the Company’s disaggregated net sales by customer type (in thousands):

 

    2023     2022  
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2023     2022  
Telecom   $ 14,516     $ 15,357  
Government/Military     475       38  
Marine     206       205  
Other (backup DC power to various industries)     96       456  
Total net sales   $ 15,293     $ 16,056  

 

The following tables shows the Company’s net sales by the respective geographical regions of our customers (in thousands):

    2023     2022  
    Years Ended  
    December 31,  
    2023     2022  
United States   $ 12,078     $ 12,073  
Canada     267       87  
Other N. America     8        
Australia and South Pacific Islands     2,822       3,678  
Asia     9       90  
Europe and Middle East     85       128  
S. Africa     24        
Total net sales   $ 15,293     $ 16,056  

 

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, international sales totaled $3,215 and $3,983, respectively.

 

 

Product Warranties

Product Warranties

 

The Company provides limited warranties for parts and labor at no cost to its customers within a specified time period after the sale. The Company’s standard warranty on new products is two years from the date of delivery to the customer. The Company offers a limited extended warranty of up to five years on its certified DC power systems based on application and usage. The Company’s warranties are of an assurance-type and come standard with all Company products to cover repair or replacement should the product not perform as expected. Provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranties are made at the time products are sold. These estimates are established using historical information about the nature, frequency and average cost of warranty claim settlements as well as product manufacturing and recovery from suppliers. Management actively studies trends of warranty claims and takes action to improve product quality and minimize warranty costs. The Company estimates the actual historical warranty claims coupled with an analysis of unfulfilled claims to record a liability for specific warranty purposes, which are included in accrued liabilities and other current liabilities in the accompanying balance sheets. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had accrued a liability for warranty reserve of $600 and $600, respectively, which are included in other accrued liabilities in the accompanying balance sheets. Management believes that the warranty accrual is appropriate; however, actual claims incurred could differ from original estimates, requiring adjustments to the accrual.

 

The following is a tabular reconciliation of the product warranty liability, excluding the deferred revenue related to the Company’s warranty coverage (in thousands):

    2023     2022  
    Years End December 31,  
    2023     2022  
Changes in estimates for warranties                
Balance at beginning of the period   $ 600     $ 600  
Payments     (469 )     (508 )
Provision for warranties     469       508  
                 
Balance at end of the period   $ 600     $ 600  

 

Shipping Costs

Shipping Costs

 

Amounts billed to a customer in a sales transaction related to shipping and handling are reported as revenue. Costs incurred by the Company for shipping and handling are considered fulfillment costs and reported as cost of sales.

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash primarily consists of bank demand deposits maintained by a major financial institution. The Company’s policy is to maintain its cash balances with financial institutions with high credit ratings and in accounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). The Company may periodically have cash balances in financial institutions in excess of the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 per account per institution. The Company has not experienced any losses to date resulting from this policy.

 

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, cash denominated in Australian Dollar with a U.S. Dollar equivalent of $7 and $8, respectively, was held in an account at a financial institution located in Australia. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, cash denominated in Romanian Leu with a U.S. Dollar equivalent of $16 and $23, respectively, was held in an account at a financial institution located in Romania.

 

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

 

Trade receivables are recorded at their estimated collectible amounts consisting of the carrying amount less an allowance for credit losses, as needed. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for balances that appear to have specific collection issues and estimates an allowance for expected credit losses. Factors used to establish an allowance include the credit quality and payment history of the customer. The Company did not deem it necessary to provide an allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

Inventories

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. The Company records adjustments to its inventory based on an estimated forecast of the inventory demand, taking into consideration, among others, inventory turnover, inventory quantities on hand, unfilled customer order quantities, forecasted demand, current prices, competitive pricing, and trends and performance of similar products. If the estimated net realizable value is determined to be less than the recorded cost of the inventory, the difference is recognized as a loss in the period in which it occurs. Once inventory has been written down, it creates a new cost basis for inventory that may not be subsequently written up. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a write down of inventory of $450, which is included in cost of sales. For the year ended December 31, 2022, there was no write down of inventory recorded.

 

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

    2023     2022  
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2023     2022  
Raw materials   $ 14,313     $ 12,277  
Finished goods     2,209       3,183  
Inventories   $ 16,522     $ 15,460  

 

 

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Additions, improvements, and major renewals or replacements that substantially extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Repairs and maintenance expenditures are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life. Estimated useful lives of the principal classes of assets are as follows:

    Estimated life
Production tooling, jigs, fixtures   3-5 years
Shop equipment and machinery   5 years
Vehicles   3-5 years
Leasehold improvements   Shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life
Office equipment   5 years
Software   5 years

 

Management regularly reviews property, equipment and other long-lived assets for possible impairment. This review occurs annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Based upon management’s annual assessment, there were no indicators of impairment of the Company’s property and equipment and other long-lived assets as of December 31, 2023, or December 31, 2022.

 

Leases

Leases

 

The Company accounts for its leases in accordance with ASC 842, Leases. The Company determines whether a contract is, or contains, a lease at inception. Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset during the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Generally, the implicit rate of interest in arrangements is not readily determinable and the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is a hypothetical collateralized borrowing rate based on its understanding of what its credit rating would be.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company periodically issues stock-based compensation to officers, directors, and consultants for services rendered. Such issuances vest and expire according to terms established at the issuance date.

 

Stock-based payments to employees, directors, and for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees, which include grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the financial statements based on their grant date fair values in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. Stock option grants to employees, which are generally time vested, are measured at the grant date fair value and depending on the conditions associated with the vesting of the award, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line or graded basis over the vesting period. Recognition of compensation expense for non-employees is in the same period and manner as if the Company had paid cash for the services. The fair value of stock options granted is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which uses certain assumptions related to risk-free interest rates, expected volatility, expected life, and future dividends. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model could materially affect compensation expense recorded in future periods.

 

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized before the Company is able to realize their benefits, or that future deductibility is uncertain.

 

Tax benefits from an uncertain tax position are recognized only if it more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

 

 

Research and Development Costs

Research and Development Costs

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of salaries and other expenses relating to the design, development, and testing of the Company’s products. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, research and development expenditures totaled $1,222 and $1,460, respectively.

 

Net Loss Per Share

Net Loss Per Share

 

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if all dilutive potential shares of common stock had been issued using the treasury stock method. Potential shares of common stock are excluded from the computation when their effect is antidilutive. The dilutive effect of potentially dilutive securities is reflected in diluted net income per share if the exercise prices were lower than the average fair market value of shares of common stock during the reporting period.

 

The following potentially dilutive shares were excluded from the shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive:

    2023     2022  
    December 31,  
    2023     2022  
Options     140,000       140,000  
Warrants           24,122  
Total     140,000       164,122  

 

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

 

The Company uses various inputs in determining the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities. Financial assets recorded at fair value in the balance sheets are categorized by the level of objectivity associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value.

 

Authoritative guidance provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) defines the following levels directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these financial assets:

 

  Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
     
  Level 2 Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.
     
  Level 3 Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assumptions.

 

The carrying amounts of financial assets and liabilities, such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments. The carrying values of notes and loans payable approximate their fair values due to the fact that the interest rates on these obligations are based on prevailing market interest rates.

 

Segments

Segments

 

Under ASC 280, Segment Reporting, operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise where discrete financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s operating segment consists of one component, and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who is also the CODM, makes decisions and manages the Company’s operations as a single operating segment.

 

 

Concentrations

Concentrations

 

Revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2023, 50% and 18%, respectively, of our revenue was generated from the Company’s two largest customers, one being a Tier-1 telecommunications customer in the U.S. and one being a telecommunications customer outside the U.S In 2022, 66% and 23%, respectively, of our revenue was generated from the Company’s two largest customers, one being a Tier-1 telecommunications customer in the U.S. and one being a telecommunications customer outside the U.S. In 2023 and 2022, sales to telecommunications customers accounted for 95% and 96% of total revenue, respectively. In 2023 and 2022, sales to international customers accounted for 21% and 25% of total revenue, respectively.

 

Accounts receivable. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s two largest receivable accounts represented 69% and 16% of the Company’s total accounts receivable. At December 31, 2022, the Company’s largest receivable account represented 90% of the Company’s total accounts receivable. There was no other customer that accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable as of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

Accounts payable. On December 31, 2023, the three largest accounts payable accounts to the Company’s vendors represented 30%, 10%, and 5%, respectively. On December 31, 2022, the three largest accounts payable accounts to the Company’s vendors represented 51%, 3%, and 3%, respectively.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Credit Losses - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASC 326”). The standard significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets, including accounts and notes receivables. The standard will replace today’s “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model, under which companies will recognize allowances based on expected rather than incurred losses. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. As a smaller reporting company, ASU 2016-13 became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2023. The Company adopted ASU 2016-03 effective January 1, 2023, and there was no material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosure, which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expense categories that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included in each reported measure of a segment’s profit or loss. The update also requires all annual disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets to be provided in interim periods and for entities with a single reportable segment to provide all the disclosures required by ASC 280, Segment Reporting, including the significant segment expense disclosures. This standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2024 and interim periods beginning in fiscal year 2025, with early adoption permitted. The updates required by this standard should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 requires that public business entities on an annual basis (1) disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and (2) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold (if the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than 5 percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income or loss by the applicable statutory income tax rate). ASU 2023-99 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect that the guidance will have a material impact on our financial statements or notes to our financial statements.