brc-20201031

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q


☑			QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended October 31, 2020


☐			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from to

Commission File Number 1-14959

BRADY CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Wisconsin						39-0178960
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)						(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


6555 West Good Hope Road,
Milwaukee,	Wisconsin	53223
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(414) 358-6600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	BRC	New York Stock Exchange

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 pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

☑

Accelerated filer

☐

Emerging growth company

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☐

Smaller reporting company

☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑

As of November 17, 2020, there were 48,475,600 outstanding shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and 3,538,628 shares of Class B Voting Common Stock. The Class B Voting Common Stock, all of which is held by affiliates of the Registrant, is the only voting stock.

Table of Contents

FORM 10-Q

BRADY CORPORATION

INDEX



			Page
PART I. Financial Information			3
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)			3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets			3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income			4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income			5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows			6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition			17
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			23
Item 4. Controls and Procedures			23
PART II. Other Information			24
Item 1A. Risk Factors			24
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			25
Item 6. Exhibits			25
Signatures			26

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)


	October 31, 2020		July 31, 2020
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	256,333	$	217,643
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $7,704 and $7,157, respectively	156,735		146,181
Inventories	120,220		135,662
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	11,489		9,962
Total current assets	544,777		509,448
Property, plant and equipment—net	119,960		115,068
Goodwill	412,718		416,034
Other intangible assets	20,910		22,334
Deferred income taxes	8,976		8,845
Operating lease assets	41,013		41,899
Other assets	27,353		28,838
Total	$	1,175,707	$	1,142,466
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	62,907	$	62,547
Accrued compensation and benefits	55,410		41,546
Taxes, other than income taxes	8,497		8,057
Accrued income taxes	10,707		8,652
Current operating lease liabilities	16,097		15,304
Other current liabilities	51,343		49,782
Total current liabilities	204,961		185,888
Long-term operating lease liabilities	29,951		31,982
Other liabilities	60,394		61,524
Total liabilities	295,306		279,394
Stockholders’ equity:
Class A nonvoting common stock—Issued 51,261,487 shares, and outstanding 48,497,649 and 48,456,954 shares, respectively	513		513
Class B voting common stock—Issued and outstanding, 3,538,628 shares	35		35
Additional paid-in capital	332,121		331,761
Retained earnings	726,546		704,456
Treasury stock—2,763,838 and 2,804,533 shares, respectively, of Class A nonvoting common stock, at cost	(109,146)		(107,216)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(69,668)		(66,477)
Total stockholders’ equity	880,401		863,072
Total	$	1,175,707	$	1,142,466

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts, Unaudited)


	Three months ended October 31,
	2020		2019
Net sales	$	277,227	$	286,947
Cost of goods sold	141,799		145,542
Gross margin	135,428		141,405
Operating expenses:
Research and development	10,203		10,967
Selling, general and administrative	83,037		89,547
Total operating expenses	93,240		100,514
Operating income	42,188		40,891
Other income (expense):
Investment and other income	155		1,380
Interest expense	(106)		(701)
Income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate	42,237		41,570
Income tax expense	8,582		4,072
Income before losses of unconsolidated affiliate	33,655		37,498
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliate	(174)		—
Net income	$	33,481	$	37,498
Net income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share:
Basic	$	0.64	$	0.71
Diluted	$	0.64	$	0.70
Dividends	$	0.22	$	0.22
Net income per Class B Voting Common Share:
Basic	$	0.63	$	0.69
Diluted	$	0.62	$	0.68
Dividends	$	0.20	$	0.20
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	52,021		53,143
Diluted	52,292		53,736

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)


	Three months ended October 31,
	2020		2019
Net income	$	33,481	$	37,498
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(4,192)		50

Cash flow hedges:
Net gain recognized in other comprehensive loss	697		196
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net income	211		(381)
	908		(185)

Pension and other post-retirement benefits actuarial gain amortization	(106)		(105)

Other comprehensive loss, before tax	(3,390)		(240)
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss	199		211
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(3,191)		(29)
Comprehensive income	$	30,290	$	37,469

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)


	Three months ended October 31,
	2020		2019
Operating activities:
Net income	$	33,481	$	37,498
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,635		5,634
Stock-based compensation expense	3,574		3,618
Deferred income taxes	(1,175)		1,009
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliate	174		—
Other	(266)		1,533
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(11,371)		(4,362)
Inventories	14,758		249
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(1,398)		(1,404)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	17,363		(5,193)
Income taxes	2,063		266
Net cash provided by operating activities	62,838		38,848

Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(9,321)		(7,724)
Other	119		527
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,202)		(7,197)

Financing activities:
Payment of dividends	(11,391)		(11,533)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	160		3,411
Payments for employee taxes withheld from stock-based awards	(2,617)		(7,269)
Purchase of treasury stock	(2,720)		—
Other	17		65
Net cash used in financing activities	(16,551)		(15,326)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,605		(304)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	38,690		16,021
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	217,643		279,072

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	256,333	$	295,093

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three Months Ended October 31, 2020

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

NOTE A — Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Brady Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company," "Brady," "we," or "our") without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of the Company, the foregoing statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of October 31, 2020 and July 31, 2020, its results of operations and comprehensive income for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, and cash flows for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 2020, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts therein. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results in future periods may differ from the estimates.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statement presentation. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2020.

NOTE B — New Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted Standards

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," which changes the impairment model for most financial instruments. Prior guidance required the recognition of credit losses based on an incurred loss impairment methodology that reflected losses once the losses were probable. Under ASU 2016-13, the Company is required to use a current expected credit loss model ("CECL") that immediately recognizes an estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the financial instruments that are in the scope of this update, including trade receivables. The CECL model uses a broader range of reasonable and supportable information in the development of credit loss estimates. The guidance is effective for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective August 1, 2020, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Goodwill and Other, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." The new guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which required a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment is now the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance remains largely unchanged. The guidance is effective for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASC 2017-04 effective August 1, 2020. This guidance only impacts the Company's consolidated financial statements if there is a future impairment of goodwill.

Standards not yet adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)." The new guidance removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 such as recognizing deferred taxes for equity investments, the incremental approach to performing intraperiod tax allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The standard also simplifies accounting for income taxes under U.S. GAAP by clarifying and amending existing guidance, including the recognition of deferred taxes for goodwill, the allocation of taxes to members of a consolidated group and requiring that an entity reflect the effect of enacted changes in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Table of Contents

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting." Subject to meeting certain criteria, the new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions to applying contract modification accounting under existing U.S. GAAP, to address the expected phase out of the London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") by the end of 2021. This guidance is effective upon issuance and allows application to contract changes as early as January 1, 2020. Some of the Company's contracts with respect to its borrowing agreements already contain comparable alternative reference rates that would automatically take effect upon the phasing out of LIBOR. The Company is in the process of reviewing its bank facilities and commercial contracts that utilize LIBOR as the reference rate and is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

NOTE C — Additional Balance Sheet Information

Inventories

Inventories as of October 31, 2020, and July 31, 2020, consisted of the following:


	October 31, 2020		July 31, 2020
Finished products	$	74,933	$	85,547
Work-in-process	20,815		24,044
Raw materials and supplies	24,472		26,071
Total inventories	$	120,220	$	135,662

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is presented net of accumulated depreciation in the amount of $269,510 and $276,248 as of October 31, 2020, and July 31, 2020, respectively.

NOTE D — Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets as of October 31, 2020, and July 31, 2020, consisted of the following:


	October 31, 2020							July 31, 2020
	Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value		Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Definite-lived other intangible assets:
Customer relationships and tradenames	9	$	45,346	$	(33,986)	$	11,360	9	$	45,385	$	(32,670)	$	12,715
Indefinite-lived other intangible assets:
Tradenames	N/A	9,550		—		9,550		N/A	9,619		—		9,619
Total		$	54,896	$	(33,986)	$	20,910		$	55,004	$	(32,670)	$	22,334

The change in the gross carrying amount of other intangible assets as of October 31, 2020 compared to July 31, 2020 was due to the effect of currency fluctuations during the three-month period.

Amortization expense on intangible assets was $1,351 and $1,291 for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amortization expense over each of the next five fiscal years is projected to be $5,404, $5,116, and $2,191 for the fiscal years ending July 31, 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. No amortization expense for intangible assets is projected after July 31, 2023.

NOTE E — Leases

The Company leases certain manufacturing facilities, warehouses and office space, computer equipment, and vehicles accounted for as operating leases. Lease terms typically range from one year to ten years. As of October 31, 2020, the Company did not have any finance leases.

Table of Contents

Operating lease expense was $4,073 and $5,405 for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which was recognized in either "Cost of goods sold" or "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the condensed consolidated statements of income, based on the nature of the lease. Short-term lease expense, variable lease expenses, and sublease income was immaterial to the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019.

Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's operating leases for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, was as follows:


	Three months ended October 31,
	2020		2019
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	4,297	$	4,010
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	2,936		9,952

NOTE F – Stockholders' Equity

The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of stockholders' equity for the three months ended October 31, 2020:


	Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings		Treasury Stock		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		Total Stockholders' Equity
Balances at July 31, 2020	$	548	$	331,761	$	704,456	$	(107,216)	$	(66,477)	$	863,072
Net income	—		—		33,481		—		—		33,481
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—		—		(3,191)		(3,191)
Issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock under stock plan	—		(3,246)		—		790		—		(2,456)
Tax benefit and withholdings from deferred compensation distributions	—		32		—		—		—		32
Stock-based compensation expense	—		3,574		—		—		—		3,574
Repurchase of shares of Class A Common Stock	—		—		—		(2,720)		—		(2,720)
Cash dividends on Common Stock:
Class A — $0.22 per share	—		—		(10,671)		—		—		(10,671)
Class B — $0.20 per share	—		—		(720)		—		—		(720)
Balances at October 31, 2020	$	548	$	332,121	$	726,546	$	(109,146)	$	(69,668)	$	880,401

The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of stockholders' equity for the three months ended October 31, 2019:


	Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings		Treasury Stock		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		Total Stockholders' Equity
Balances at July 31, 2019	$	548	$	329,969	$	637,843	$	(46,332)	$	(71,254)	$	850,774
Net income	—		—		37,498		—		—		37,498
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—		—		(29)		(29)
Issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock under stock plan	—		(6,410)		—		2,553		—		(3,857)
Tax benefit and withholdings from deferred compensation distributions	—		64		—		—		—		64
Stock-based compensation expense	—		3,618		—		—		—		3,618
Repurchase of shares of Class A Common Stock	—		—		—		—		—		—
Cash dividends on Common Stock:
Class A — $0.22 per share	—		—		(10,822)		—		—		(10,822)
Class B — $0.20 per share	—		—		(711)		—		—		(711)
Balances at October 31, 2019	$	548	$	327,241	$	663,808	$	(43,779)	$	(71,283)	$	876,535

Table of Contents

Incentive Stock Plans

The Company has an incentive stock plan under which the Board of Directors may grant nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), or restricted and unrestricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to employees and non-employee directors. Certain awards may be subject to pre-established performance goals. The majority of the Company’s annual share-based awards are granted in the first quarter of the fiscal year.

Total stock-based compensation expense recognized during the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, was $3,574 ($3,300 net of taxes) and $3,618 ($3,089 net of taxes), respectively. As of October 31, 2020, total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based awards was $14,460 pre-tax, net of estimated forfeitures, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.

Stock Options

The stock options issued under the plan have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant and generally vest ratably over a three-year period, with one-third becoming exercisable one year after the grant date and one-third additional in each of the succeeding two years. Options issued under the plan, referred to herein as “time-based” options, generally expire 10 years from the date of grant.

The Company has estimated the fair value of its time-based option awards granted during the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model are reflected in the following table:


	Three months ended October 31,
Black-Scholes Option Valuation Assumptions	2020			2019
Expected term (in years)	6.21			6.20
Expected volatility	30.71		%	25.85		%
Expected dividend yield	2.49		%	2.63		%
Risk-free interest rate	0.38		%	1.64		%
Weighted-average market value of underlying stock at grant date	$	39.92		$	54.05
Weighted-average exercise price	$	39.92		$	54.05
Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the period	$	8.65		$	10.63

The following is a summary of stock option activity for the three months ended October 31, 2020:


Time-Based Options	Options Outstanding	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at July 31, 2020	1,273,382	$	37.84
New grants	303,052	39.92
Exercised	(22,300)	29.10
Forfeited or expired	—	—
Outstanding at October 31, 2020	1,554,134	$	38.37	7.2	$	5,410
Exercisable at October 31, 2020	1,004,641	$	34.88	6.1	$	5,410

The total fair value of stock options vested during the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, was $2,371 and $2,537, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, based upon the average market price at the time of exercise during the period, was $373 and $10,225, respectively.

The cash received from the exercise of stock options during the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, was $160 and $3,411, respectively. The tax benefit from the exercise of stock options during the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, was $93 and $2,541, respectively.

RSUs

RSUs issued under the plan have a grant date fair value equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. Shares issued under the plan are referred to herein as either "time-based" or "performance-based" RSUs. The time-based RSUs issued under the plan generally vest ratably over a three-year period, with one-third vesting one year after the grant date

Table of Contents

and one-third additional in each of the succeeding two years. The performance-based RSUs granted under the plan vest at the end of a three-year service period provided specified financial performance metrics are met.

The following tables summarize the RSU activity for the three months ended October 31, 2020:


Time-Based RSUs	Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at July 31, 2020	154,960	$	47.39
New grants	75,352	39.92
Vested	(63,339)	44.85
Forfeited	—	—
Outstanding at October 31, 2020	166,973	$	44.98

The time-based RSUs granted during the three months ended October 31, 2019, had a weighted-average grant date fair value of $54.10.


Performance-Based RSUs	Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at July 31, 2020	126,060	$	50.61
New grants (1)	64,634	60.73
Vested (1)	(71,413)	33.12
Forfeited	—	—
Outstanding at October 31, 2020	119,281	$	61.05

(1) Includes 23,805 shares granted and vested during the three months ended October 31, 2020, resulting from the payout of performance-based RSUs granted in fiscal year 2018 due to achievement of performance metrics exceeding the target payout.

The performance-based RSUs granted during the three months ended October 31, 2020, had a weighted-average grant-date fair value determined by a third-party valuation involving the use of a Monte Carlo simulation. The performance-based RSUs granted during the three months ended October 31, 2019, had a weighted-average grant date fair value of $75.00.

The aggregate intrinsic value of time-based and performance-based RSUs vested during the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, was $5,844 and $8,708, respectively.

NOTE G — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Other comprehensive loss consists of foreign currency translation adjustments which includes the settlements of net investment hedges, unrealized gains and losses from cash flow hedges and the unamortized gain on post-retirement plans, net of their related tax effects.

The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the three months ended October 31, 2020:


	Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges		Unamortized gain on post-retirement plans		Foreign currency translation adjustments		Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, July 31, 2020	$	(200)	$	2,181	$	(68,458)	$	(66,477)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	701		—		(4,185)		(3,484)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	159		134		—		293
Ending balance, October 31, 2020	$	660	$	2,315	$	(72,643)	$	(69,668)

The increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of October 31, 2020, compared to July 31, 2020, was primarily due to the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against certain other currencies during the three-month period.

Table of Contents

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax, for the three months ended October 31, 2019, were as follows:


	Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges		Unamortized gain on post-retirement plans		Foreign currency translation adjustments		Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, July 31, 2019	$	707	$	2,800	$	(74,761)	$	(71,254)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification	136		—		226		362
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(286)		(105)		—		(391)
Ending balance, October 31, 2019	$	557	$	2,695	$	(74,535)	$	(71,283)

The increase in the accumulated other comprehensive loss as of October 31, 2019, compared to July 31, 2019, was negligible primarily due to the stability of the U.S. dollar against certain other currencies during the three-month period.

Of the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss during the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, unrealized (losses) gains on cash flow hedges were reclassified to "Cost of goods sold" and unamortized gains on post-retirement plans was reclassified into "Investment and other income" on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

The following table illustrates the income tax benefit on the components of other comprehensive loss for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019:


	Three months ended October 31,
	2020		2019
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss:
Cash flow hedges	$	(48)	$	35
Pension and other post-retirement benefits	240		—
Other income tax adjustments and currency translation	7		176
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss	$	199	$	211

NOTE H — Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when control of the product or service transfers to the customer at an amount that represents the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those products and services. The Company’s revenues are primarily from the sale of identification solutions and workplace safety products that are shipped and billed to customers. All revenue is from contracts with customers and is included in “Net sales” on the condensed consolidated statements of income. See Note I, “Segment Information,” for the Company’s disaggregated revenue disclosure.

The Company offers extended warranty coverage that is included in the sales price of certain products, which it accounts for as service warranties. The Company accounts for the deferred revenue associated with extended service warranties as a contract liability. The balance of contract liabilities associated with service warranty performance obligations was $2,552 and $2,559 as of October 31, 2020 and July 31, 2020, respectively. The current portion and non-current portion of contract liabilities are included in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities," respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognized revenue of $297 and $315 during the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the respective period from the amortization of extended service warranties. Of the contract liability balance outstanding at October 31, 2020, the Company expects to recognize 32% by the end of fiscal 2021, an additional 31% by the end of fiscal 2022, and the remaining balance thereafter.

NOTE I — Segment Information

The Company is organized and managed on a global basis within three operating segments, Identification Solutions ("IDS"), Workplace Safety ("WPS"), and People Identification ("PDC"), which aggregate into two reportable segments that are organized around businesses with consistent products and services: IDS and WPS. The IDS and PDC operating segments aggregate into the IDS reporting segment, while the WPS reporting segment is comprised solely of the Workplace Safety operating segment.

Table of Contents

The following is a summary of net sales by segment and geographic region for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019:


	Three months ended October 31,
	2020		2019
Net sales:
ID Solutions
Americas	$	133,267	$	149,363
Europe	42,582		43,381
Asia	22,343		22,243
Total	$	198,192	$	214,987
Workplace Safety
Americas	$	24,031	$	24,303
Europe	41,266		36,026
Australia	13,738		11,631
Total	$	79,035	$	71,960
Total Company
Americas	$	157,298	$	173,666
Europe	83,848		79,407
Asia-Pacific	36,081		33,874
Total	$	277,227	$	286,947

The following is a summary of segment profit for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019:


	Three months ended October 31,
	2020		2019
Segment profit:
ID Solutions	$	40,279	$	42,443
Workplace Safety	7,988		5,157
Total Company	$	48,267	$	47,600

The following is a reconciliation of segment profit to income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019:


	Three months ended October 31,
	2020		2019
Total profit from reportable segments	$	48,267	$	47,600
Unallocated amounts:
Administrative costs	(6,079)		(6,709)
Investment and other income	155		1,380
Interest expense	(106)		(701)
Income before income taxes and losses of unconsolidated affiliate	$	42,237	$	41,570

Table of Contents

NOTE J — Net Income per Common Share

Reconciliations of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted per share computations for the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock are summarized as follows:


	Three months ended October 31,
	2020		2019
Numerator (in thousands):
Net income (Numerator for basic and diluted income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share)	$	33,481	$	37,498
Less:
Preferential dividends	(808)		(828)
Preferential dividends on dilutive stock options	(4)		(10)
Numerator for basic and diluted income per Class B Voting Common Share	$	32,669	$	36,660
Denominator: (in thousands)
Denominator for basic income per share for both Class A and Class B	52,021		53,143
Plus: Effect of dilutive equity awards	271		593
Denominator for diluted income per share for both Class A and Class B	52,292		53,736
Net income per Class A Nonvoting Common Share:
Basic	$	0.64	$	0.71
Diluted	$	0.64	$	0.70
Net income per Class B Voting Common Share:
Basic	$	0.63	$	0.69
Diluted	$	0.62	$	0.68

Potentially dilutive securities attributable to outstanding stock options and restricted stock units were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share where the combined exercise price and average unamortized fair value were greater than the average market price of Brady's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. The amount of anti-dilutive shares were 740,745 and 323,719 for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

NOTE K — Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with fair value accounting guidance, the Company determines fair value based on the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following hierarchy:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that are accessible as of the reporting date.

Level 2 — Other significant pricing inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable.

Level 3 — Significant unobservable pricing inputs, which result in the use of management's own assumptions.

The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at October 31, 2020 and July 31, 2020:


	October 31, 2020		July 31, 2020		Fair Value Hierarchy
Assets:
Trading securities	$	17,434	$	18,606	Level 1
Foreign exchange contracts	1,017		594		Level 2
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange contracts	449		777		Level 2

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Trading securities: The Company’s deferred compensation investments consist of investments in mutual funds, which are included in "Other assets" on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. These investments were classified as Level 1 as the shares of these investments trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Table of Contents

Foreign exchange contracts: The Company’s foreign exchange contracts were classified as Level 2 as the fair value was based on the present value of the future cash flows using external models that use observable inputs, such as interest rates, yield curves and foreign exchange rates. See Note L, “Derivatives and Hedging Activities,” for additional information.

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other liabilities approximated carrying values due to their short-term nature.

NOTE L — Derivatives and Hedging Activities

The Company utilizes forward foreign exchange currency contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk of specific foreign currency denominated transactions. These contracts typically require the exchange of a foreign currency for U.S. dollars at a fixed rate on a future date, with maturities of less than 18 months, which qualify as cash flow hedges or net investment hedges under the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The primary objective of the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk management program is to minimize the impact of currency movements due to transactions in other than the respective subsidiaries’ functional currency and to minimize the impact of currency movements on the Company’s net investment denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar. To achieve this objective, the Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward foreign exchange currency contracts.

Main foreign currency exposures are related to transactions denominated in the British Pound, Euro, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Mexican Peso, Chinese Yuan, Malaysian Ringgit and Singapore dollar. Generally, these risk management transactions will involve the use of foreign currency derivatives to minimize the impact of currency movements on non-functional currency transactions.

The U.S. dollar equivalent notional amounts of outstanding forward exchange contracts were as follows:


	October 31, 2020		July 31, 2020
Designated as cash flow hedges	$	19,247	$	24,600
Non-designated hedges	3,242		3,107
Total foreign exchange contracts	$	22,489	$	27,707

Cash Flow Hedges

The Company has designated a portion of its forward foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges and recorded these contracts at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. For these instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income ("OCI") and reclassified into income in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects income. As of October 31, 2020 and July 31, 2020, unrealized gains of $523 and losses of $385 have been included in OCI, respectively.

The following table summarizes the amount of pre-tax gains and losses related to foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments:


	Three months ended October 31,
	2020		2019
Gains recognized in OCI	$	697	$	196
(Losses) gains reclassified from OCI into cost of goods sold	(211)		381

Fair values of derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were as follows:


	October 31, 2020				July 31, 2020
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		Other current liabilities		Prepaid expenses and other current assets		Other current liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts (cash flow hedges)	$	1,017	$	(434)	$	588	$	761
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts (non-designated hedges)	—		(15)		6		16
Total derivative instruments	$	1,017	$	(449)	$	594	$	777

Table of Contents

NOTE M – Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019 was 20.3% and 9.8%, respectively. The Company expects its ongoing annual effective income tax rate to be approximately 20% based on its current global business mix. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended October 31, 2019 was lower than the expected income tax rate due to the favorable settlement of a domestic income tax audit and tax benefits from stock-based compensation.

NOTE N — Subsequent Events

On November 17, 2020, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock of $0.22 per share payable on January 29, 2021, to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 8, 2020.

Table of Contents

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

Overview

Brady Corporation is a global manufacturer and supplier of identification solutions and workplace safety products that identify and protect premises, products and people. The IDS segment is primarily involved in the design, manufacture, and distribution of high-performance and innovative safety, identification and healthcare products. The WPS segment provides workplace safety, identification and compliance products, approximately half of which are internally manufactured and half of which are externally sourced.

The ability to provide customers with a broad range of proprietary, customized and diverse products for use in various applications across multiple industries and geographies, along with a commitment to quality and service, have made Brady a leader in many of its markets. The long-term sales growth and profitability of our segments will depend not only on improved demand in end markets and the overall economic environment, but also on our ability to continuously improve the efficiency of our global operations, deliver a high level of customer service, develop and market innovative new products, and to advance our digital capabilities. In our IDS business, our strategy for growth includes an increased focus on certain industries and products, a focus on improving the customer buying experience, and the development of technologically advanced, innovative and proprietary products. In our WPS business, our strategy for growth includes a focus on workplace safety critical industries, innovative new product offerings, compliance expertise, customization expertise, and improving our digital capabilities.

The following are key initiatives supporting our strategy in fiscal 2021:

•Investing in organic growth by enhancing our research and development process and utilizing customer feedback to develop innovative new products.

•Providing our customers with the highest level of customer service.

•Expanding and enhancing our sales capabilities through an improved digital presence and the use of data-driven marketing automation tools.

•Driving operational excellence and executing sustainable efficiency gains within our global operations and within our selling, general and administrative structures.

•Building on our culture of diversity and inclusion to increase employee engagement and enhance recruitment and retention practices.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Our Business

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economic environment has resulted in reduced demand across the majority of our end markets. In the near-term, the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to continue to have adverse effects on our sales, overall profitability, and cash provided by operating activities. As of the date of this filing, significant uncertainty exists concerning the magnitude of the impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brady Corporation is deemed an essential business under the majority of local government orders. Our products support first responders, healthcare workers, food processing companies, and many other critical industries. During the quarter ended October 31, 2020, our facilities were operating globally with enhanced safety protocols designed to protect the health and safety of our employees.

We have taken actions throughout our business to reduce controllable costs, including actions to reduce labor costs, eliminating non-essential travel, and reducing discretionary spend. We believe we have the financial strength to continue to invest in organic sales growth opportunities and research and development ("R&D"), while continuing to drive sustainable efficiencies and automation in our operations and selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") functions. At October 31, 2020, we had cash of $256.3 million, an undrawn credit facility of $200 million, which can be increased up to $400 million at the Company's option and subject to certain conditions, and outstanding letters of credit of $3.5 million, for total available liquidity of approximately $653 million.

Due to the speed with which the COVID-19 pandemic developed and the resulting uncertainty, including the depth and duration of any disruptions to customers and suppliers, its future effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition cannot be predicted. Despite this uncertainty, we believe that our financial resources, liquidity levels and debt-free status, along with various contingency plans to reduce costs are sufficient to manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may result in reduced sales, reduced net income, and reduced cash provided by operating activities. Refer to Risk Factors, included in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2020, for further discussion of the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business.

Table of Contents

Results of Operations

A comparison of results of operating income for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:


	Three months ended October 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2020		% Sales		2019		% Sales
Net sales	$	277,227			$	286,947
Gross margin	135,428		48.9	%	141,405		49.3	%
Operating expenses:
Research and development	10,203		3.7	%	10,967		3.8	%
Selling, general and administrative	83,037		30.0	%	89,547		31.2	%
Total operating expenses	93,240		33.6	%	100,514		35.0	%
Operating income	$	42,188	15.2	%	$	40,891	14.3	%

References in this Form 10-Q to “organic sales” refer to sales calculated in accordance with GAAP, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation. The Company's organic sales disclosures exclude the effects of foreign currency translation as foreign currency translation is subject to volatility that can obscure underlying business trends. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measure of organic sales is meaningful to investors as it provides them with useful information to aid in identifying underlying sales trends in our businesses and facilitating comparisons of our sales performance with prior periods.

Net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2020, decreased 3.4% to $277.2 million, compared to $286.9 million in the same period in the prior year. The decrease consisted of an organic sales decline of 4.9% and an increase from foreign currency translation of 1.5%. Organic sales declined 8.4% in the IDS segment and grew 5.5% in the WPS segment during the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to the same period in the prior year.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on organic sales during the three months ended October 31, 2020, with the impact varying between the IDS and WPS segments. The IDS segment realized reduced demand across all major product lines, while the WPS segment realized increased demand globally for personal protective equipment and other pandemic-related safety and identification products during this same period.

Gross margin for the three months ended October 31, 2020, decreased 4.2% to $135.4 million, compared to $141.4 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin decreased to 48.9% for the three months ended October 31, 2020, from 49.3% in the same period in the prior year. The decrease in gross margin as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to the decline in sales volumes in the IDS segment resulting from the economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as product mix in our WPS segment, which was partially mitigated by our ongoing efforts to streamline manufacturing processes and drive sustainable operational efficiencies.

R&D expenses for the three months ended October 31, 2020, declined 7.0% to $10.2 million, compared to $11.0 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of sales, R&D expenses declined slightly to 3.7% for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to 3.8% in the same period in the prior year. The decrease in R&D spending was due to a decrease in headcount, improved efficiency, and the timing of expenditures related to ongoing new product development costs compared to the same period in the prior year. The Company remains committed to investing in new product development to increase sales within our IDS and WPS businesses. Investments in new printers and materials continue to be the primary focus of R&D expenditures.

SG&A expenses include selling and administrative costs directly attributed to the IDS and WPS segments, as well as certain other corporate administrative expenses including finance, information technology, human resources, and other administrative expenses. SG&A expenses declined 7.3% to $83.0 million for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $89.5 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of sales, SG&A was 30.0% for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to 31.2% in the same period in the prior year. The decrease in both SG&A expenses and SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales from the same period of the prior year was primarily due to ongoing efficiency gains, a reduction in the SG&A cost structure, along with a reduction in discretionary spend, including travel for our sales people, which was partially offset by the impact of foreign currency translation.

Operating income increased 3.2% to $42.2 million for three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $40.9 million in the same period in the prior year. The increase in operating income was primarily due to increased segment profit in the WPS segment as a result of organic sales growth as well as a reduction in the SG&A cost structure in both segments.

Table of Contents

OPERATING INCOME TO NET INCOME


	Three months ended October 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2020		% Sales		2019		% Sales
Operating income	$	42,188	15.2	%	$	40,891	14.3	%
Other income (expense):
Investment and other income	155		0.1	%	1,380		0.5	%
Interest expense	(106)		—	%	(701)		(0.2)	%
Income before income tax and losses of unconsolidated affiliate	42,237		15.2	%	41,570		14.5	%
Income tax expense	8,582		3.1	%	4,072		1.4	%
Income before losses of unconsolidated affiliate	33,655		12.1	%	37,498		13.1	%
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliate	(174)		(0.1)	%	—		—	%
Net income	$	33,481	12.1	%	$	37,498	13.1	%

Investment and other income was $0.2 million for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $1.4 million for the same period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to reduced interest income as a result of the decline in interest rates.

Interest expense decreased to $0.1 million for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $0.7 million for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in interest expense was due to the repayment of the Company's remaining principal balance under its private placement debt agreement during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020.

The Company’s income tax rate was 20.3% for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to 9.8% in the same period in the prior year. Refer to Note M "Income Taxes" for additional information on the Company's effective income tax rate.

Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliate of $0.2 million for the three months ended October 31, 2020 represented the Company's proportionate share of the loss in its equity interest in React Mobile, Inc., an employee safety software and hardware company based in the United States.

Business Segment Operating Results

The Company evaluates short-term segment performance based on segment profit and customer sales. Interest expense, investment and other income, income tax expense, equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliate, and certain corporate administrative expenses are excluded when evaluating segment performance.

The following is a summary of segment information for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019:


	Three months ended October 31,
	2020		2019
SALES GROWTH INFORMATION
ID Solutions
Organic	(8.4)	%	(0.2)	%
Currency	0.6	%	(1.2)	%
Total	(7.8)	%	(1.4)	%
Workplace Safety
Organic	5.5	%	(0.8)	%
Currency	4.3	%	(3.4)	%
Total	9.8	%	(4.2)	%
Total Company
Organic	(4.9)	%	(0.4)	%
Currency	1.5	%	(1.7)	%
Total	(3.4)	%	(2.1)	%
SEGMENT PROFIT AS A PERCENT OF NET SALES
ID Solutions	20.3	%	19.7	%
Workplace Safety	10.1	%	7.2	%
Total	17.4	%	16.6	%

Table of Contents

ID Solutions

IDS net sales decreased 7.8% for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to the same period in the prior year, which consisted of an organic sales decline of 8.4% and an increase from foreign currency translation of 0.6%. The economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on organic sales during the quarter, which resulted in organic sales declines across all major product lines for the three months ended October 31, 2020.

Organic sales in the Americas declined in the high-single digits for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to the same period in the prior year. Organic sales declined across all major product lines due to the economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Organic sales declined by approximately 10% in the United States and declined in the low-single digits in remainder of the Americas region.

Organic sales in Europe declined in the mid-single digits for the three months ended October 31, 2020, as compared to the same period in the prior year. Organic sales declined across all major product lines due to the economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The organic sales decline was broad-based throughout Western Europe, which was partially offset by mid-single digit organic sales growth for certain businesses based in emerging geographies.

Organic sales in Asia declined in the low-single digits for the three months ended October 31, 2020, as compared to the same period in the prior year. Organic sales growth in the safety and facility identification and wire identification product lines was offset by an organic sales decline in the product identification product line. The low-single digit decline was broad-based throughout Asia.

Segment profit decreased 5.1% to $40.3 million for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $42.4 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, segment profit was 20.3% for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to 19.7% in the same period in the prior year. The increase in segment profit as a percentage of sales was primarily driven by the reduced cost structure throughout the IDS segment and a reduction in discretionary spending in response to the decline in revenue from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Workplace Safety

WPS net sales increased 9.8% for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to the same period in the prior year, which consisted of organic sales growth of 5.5% and an increase from foreign currency translation of 4.3%. Sales through the digital channel increased in the mid-teens and sales through the traditional catalog channel increased in the low-single digits. The WPS business realized increased demand globally for personal protective equipment, social distancing signage and floor markings, and other COVID-19 pandemic-related products.

Organic sales in Europe increased in the high-single digits for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to the same period in the prior year. Sales through the digital channel increased in the mid-teens, which was driven by digital marketing campaigns emphasizing personal protective equipment and other COVID-19 pandemic-related products. Sales through the traditional catalog channel increased in the mid-single digits. Organic sales growth in Europe was led by businesses in France followed by growth in Norway and the U.K., which was partially offset by a decline in organic sales in Germany.

Organic sales in North America declined in the low-single digits for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to the same period in the prior year. This decrease was driven by a low-single digit decline in traditional catalog sales, which was partially offset by low-single digit growth in sales through the digital channel. The increase in digital sales was primarily due to increased sales of personal protective equipment, social distancing signage and floor markings, and other COVID-19 pandemic-related products.

Organic sales in Australia increased just over 10% for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to the same period of the prior year. Digital channel sales grew approximately 40% over the same period in the prior year, which was driven by digital marketing campaigns emphasizing personal protective equipment along with floor markings and signage related to social distancing and personal hygiene. Sales through the traditional catalog channel increased in the mid-single digits. Our Australian business generated increased sales in a variety of product categories related to mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic, including various types of personal protective equipment and other healthcare supplies.

Segment profit increased to $8.0 million for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $5.2 million in the same period of the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, segment profit increased to 10.1% for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to 7.2% in the same period of the prior year. The increase in segment profit was primarily driven by increased organic sales volumes combined with the reduced SG&A cost structure, and to a lesser extent foreign currency translation.

Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's cash balances are generated and held in numerous locations throughout the world. At October 31, 2020, approximately 66% of the Company's cash and cash equivalents were held outside the United States. The Company's growth has historically been funded by a combination of cash provided by operating activities and debt financing. The Company believes that its cash flow from operating activities and its borrowing capacity are sufficient to fund its anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, research and development, common stock repurchases, and dividend payments for the next 12 months. Although the Company believes these sources of cash are currently sufficient to fund domestic operations, annual cash needs could require repatriation of cash to the U.S. from foreign jurisdictions, which may result in additional tax payments.

Cash Flows

Cash and cash equivalents were $256.3 million at October 31, 2020, an increase of $38.7 million from July 31, 2020. The significant changes were as follows:


	Three months ended October 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2020		2019
Net cash flow provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	62,838	$	38,848
Investing activities	(9,202)		(7,197)
Financing activities	(16,551)		(15,326)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,605		(304)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	38,690	$	16,021

Net cash provided by operating activities was $62.8 million for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $38.8 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to an increase in cash provided by working capital. Inventory levels were reduced which resulted in the majority of the increase in cash provided by operating activities, which was due to a planned reduction in inventory following a period of increased balances to reduce the risk of supply chain disruption resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the timing of accounts payable and other compensation-related withholding increased cash provided by working capital, which was partially offset by a decrease in cash provided by accounts receivable due to increasing sequential sales during the quarter.

Net cash used in investing activities was $9.2 million for the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $7.2 million used in the same period of the prior year. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily driven by an increase in capital expenditures for the purchase of facility upgrades and manufacturing equipment in Europe, the United States, and Mexico.

Net cash used in financing activities was $16.6 million during the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $15.3 million used in the same period of the prior year. The increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily driven by $2.7 million of share repurchases and a decrease in cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options, which was largely offset by a decrease in cash payments for employee taxes withheld from stock-based awards.

Credit Facilities

On August 1, 2019, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an unsecured $200 million multi-currency revolving loan agreement with a group of five banks that replaced and terminated the Company’s previous loan agreement that had been entered into on September 25, 2015. Under the new revolving loan agreement, the Company has the option to select either a Eurocurrency rate loan that bears interest at the LIBOR rate plus a margin based on the Company's consolidated net leverage ratio or a base interest rate (based upon the higher of the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, the prime rate of the Bank of Montreal plus a margin based on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio, or the Eurocurrency base rate at the LIBOR rate plus a margin based on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio plus 1%). At the Company's option, and subject to certain conditions, the available amount under the revolving loan agreement may be increased from $200 million to $400 million. The maximum amount outstanding on the Company's revolving loan agreement during the three months ended October 31, 2020 was $10.6 million. As of October 31, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding on the credit facility. The Company had letters of credit outstanding under the loan agreement of $3.5 million as of October 31, 2020 and there was $196.5 million available for future borrowing, which can be increased to $396.5 million at the Company's option, subject to

Table of Contents

certain conditions. The revolving loan agreement has a final maturity date of August 1, 2024, as such, any borrowing would be classified as long-term on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Covenant Compliance

The Company's revolving loan agreement requires it to maintain certain financial covenants, including a ratio of debt to the trailing twelve months EBITDA, as defined in the debt agreements, of not more than a 3.5 to 1.0 ratio (leverage ratio) and the trailing twelve months EBITDA to interest expense of not less than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio (interest expense coverage). As of October 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with these financial covenants.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have material off-balance sheet arrangements. The Company is not aware of factors that are reasonably likely to adversely affect liquidity trends, other than the risk factors described in this and other Company filings. However, the following additional information is provided to assist those reviewing the Company’s financial statements.

Purchase Commitments - The Company has purchase commitments for materials, supplies, services, and property, plant and equipment as part of the ordinary conduct of its business. In the aggregate, such commitments are not in excess of current market prices and are not material to the financial position of the Company. Due to the proprietary nature of many of the Company’s materials and processes, certain supply contracts contain penalty provisions for early termination. The Company does not believe a material amount of penalties will be incurred under these contracts based upon historical experience and current expectations.

Other Contractual Obligations - The Company does not have material financial guarantees or other contractual commitments that are reasonably likely to adversely affect liquidity.

Forward-Looking Statements

In this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, statements that are not reported financial results or other historic information are “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the Company's future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, income, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations.

The use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain and are subject to risks, assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond Brady's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For Brady, uncertainties arise from:

•Adverse impacts of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic or other pandemics

•Decreased demand for the Company's products

•Ability to compete effectively or to successfully execute its strategy

•Ability to develop technologically advanced products that meet customer demands

•Raw material and other cost increases

•Difficulties in protecting websites, networks, and systems against security breaches

•Extensive regulations by U.S. and non-U.S. governmental and self-regulatory entities

•Risks associated with the loss of key employees

•Divestitures, contingent liabilities from divestitures and the failure to identify, integrate, and grow acquired companies

•Litigation, including product liability claims

•Foreign currency fluctuations

•Potential write-offs of goodwill and other intangible assets

•Changes in tax legislation and tax rates

•Differing interests of voting and non-voting shareholders

•Numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including major public health crises and government responses thereto and those of a political, economic, business, competitive, and regulatory nature contained from time to time in Brady's U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A of Part I of Brady's Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2020.

These uncertainties may cause Brady's actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Brady does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Table of Contents

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Refer to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2020. There has been no material change in this information since July 31, 2020.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Brady Corporation maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s President & Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that occurred during the Company's most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of Brady's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2020. Other than as set forth below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors set forth in the 2020 Form 10-K.

Our results of operations have been and will in the future be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or other pandemics, and the duration and extent to which it will impact our business and financial results remains uncertain.

The global spread of COVID-19 has resulted in significant economic disruption, has negatively impacted our financial results, and significantly increased future uncertainty. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact our business, results of operations, and financial condition will depend on numerous evolving factors and future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time. Such factors and developments may include the geographic spread, severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including whether there are periods of increased COVID-19 cases, disruption to our operations resulting from employee illnesses, the development and availability of effective treatment or vaccines, the extent and duration of the impact on the U.S. or global economy, including the pace and extent of recovery when the pandemic subsides, and the actions that have been and may be taken by various governmental authorities in response to the outbreak, including mandatory facility closures of non-essential businesses, stay-at-home orders, or similar restrictions, all of which may continue to effect our customers and customers' demand for our services and products, reduce demand for healthcare services, impact our suppliers or cause disruptions in the global supply chain, and impact our ability to sell and manufacture our products. Certain jurisdictions have begun lifting stay-at-home orders only to impose further restrictions in the wake of increases in new COVID-19 cases. As such, there is considerable uncertainty regarding how current and future health and safety measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will impact our business. In addition, the deterioration of macroeconomic conditions may impact the proper functioning of financial and capital markets, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity and energy prices, and interest rates. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, we may continue to experience adverse impacts to our business and financial results due to any economic recession or depression that has occurred, and due to any major public health crises that may occur in the future.

Although our current accounting estimates contemplate current and expected future conditions, as applicable, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could differ from our expectations, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial position. In particular, a number of estimates have been and will continue to be affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The severity, magnitude and duration, as well as the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, are uncertain, rapidly changing and difficult to predict. As a result, our accounting estimates and assumptions may change over time in response to COVID-19. Such changes could result in future impairments of goodwill, intangible assets, long-lived assets, incremental credit losses on accounts receivable, excess and obsolete inventory, or a decrease in the carrying amount of our deferred tax assets. Any of these events could amplify the other risks and uncertainties described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 and could have an adverse effect on our business and financial results.

Table of Contents

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The Company has a share repurchase program for the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. The plan may be implemented by purchasing shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, with repurchased shares available for use in connection with the Company's stock-based plans and for other corporate purposes. On February 16, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of 2,000,000 shares. As of October 31, 2020, 369,142 shares remained authorized to purchase in connection with this share repurchase program.

The following table provides information with respect to the purchase of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock during the three months ended October 31, 2020:


Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans	Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans
August 1, 2020 - August 31, 2020	—	$	—	—	461,796
September 1, 2020 - September 30, 2020	62,364	39.11		62,364	399,432
October 1, 2020 - October 31, 2020	30,290	38.10		30,290	369,142
Total	92,654	$	38.78	92,654	369,142

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS


Exhibit No.						Exhibit Description

31.1						Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of J. Michael Nauman

31.2						Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Aaron J. Pearce

32.1						Section 1350 Certification of J. Michael Nauman

32.2						Section 1350 Certification of Aaron J. Pearce

101.INS						XBRL Instance Document (The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.)

101.SCH						XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document

101.CAL						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE						XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Label Linkbase Document

104						Cover Page Inline XBRL data (contained in Exhibit 101)

Table of Contents

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

SIGNATURES

BRADY CORPORATION

Date: November 19, 2020

/s/ J. MICHAEL NAUMAN

J. Michael Nauman

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 19, 2020

/s/ AARON J. PEARCE

Aaron J. Pearce

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer)