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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
Form 10-Q 
(Mark One)
☒QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2022
OR
☐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 001-12488 
Powell Industries, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware 88-0106100
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)		 (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
8550 Mosley Road 
Houston
Texas77075-1180
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(713) 944-6900
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per sharePOWLNASDAQ Global Market
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 (§232.405 of this chapter) 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, a 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☒Non-accelerated filer☐Smaller reporting company☐Emerging growth 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
At January 30, 2023, there were 11,834,683 outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share.
1




POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 Page

2




PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
December 31, 2022September 30, 2022
ASSETS  
Current Assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$99,632 $101,954 
Short-term investments11,070 14,554 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses of $348 and $344
151,375 106,111 
Contract assets63,911 88,351 
Inventories55,002 50,415 
Income taxes receivable84 105 
Prepaid expenses4,703 4,679 
Other current assets3,467 3,814 
Total Current Assets389,244 369,983 
Property, plant and equipment, net99,051 98,628 
Operating lease assets, net2,159 2,179 
Goodwill and intangible assets, net1,003 1,003 
Deferred income taxes10,056 9,161 
Other assets12,159 12,426 
Total Assets$513,672 $493,380 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Current Liabilities:  
Accounts payable$38,632 $63,423 
Contract liabilities133,753 79,857 
Accrued compensation and benefits10,395 24,785 
Accrued product warranty2,380 2,345 
Current operating lease liabilities1,545 1,777 
Income taxes payable2,738 1,720 
Other current liabilities14,331 12,466 
Total Current Liabilities203,774 186,373 
Deferred compensation8,930 7,749 
Long-term operating lease liabilities713 545 
Other long-term liabilities1,783 1,507 
Total Liabilities215,200 196,174 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note F)
Stockholders' Equity:  
Preferred stock, par value $0.01; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
— — 
Common stock, par value $0.01; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 12,640,701 and 12,588,011 shares issued, respectively
126 126 
Additional paid-in capital68,454 67,439 
Retained earnings281,493 283,638 
Treasury stock, 806,018 shares at cost
(24,999)(24,999)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(26,602)(28,998)
Total Stockholders' Equity298,472 297,206 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity$513,672 $493,380 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3




POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
 Three months ended December 31,
 20222021
Revenues$126,858 $106,569 
Cost of goods sold107,394 93,133 
Gross profit19,464 13,436 
Selling, general and administrative expenses16,873 15,902 
Research and development expenses1,501 1,824 
Operating income (loss)1,090 (4,290)
Interest income, net(523)(3)
Income (loss) before income taxes1,613 (4,287)
Income tax provision (benefit)451 (1,441)
Net income (loss)$1,162 $(2,846)
Earnings (loss) per share:  
Basic$0.10 $(0.24)
Diluted$0.10 $(0.24)
Weighted average shares:  
Basic11,859 11,765 
Diluted12,077 11,765 
Dividends per share$0.26 $0.26 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4




POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
 
 Three months ended December 31,
 20222021
Net income (loss)$1,162 $(2,846)
Foreign currency translation adjustments2,178 54 
Gain on cash flow commodity hedge218 — 
Comprehensive income (loss)$3,558 $(2,792)
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

5




POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

Accumulated
AdditionalOther
 Common StockPaid-inRetainedTreasury StockComprehensive 
 SharesAmountCapitalEarningsSharesAmountIncome/(Loss)Totals
Balance, September 30, 202212,588 $126 $67,439 $283,638 (806)$(24,999)$(28,998)$297,206 
Net income— — — 1,162 — — — 1,162 
Foreign currency translation adjustments— — — — — — 2,178 2,178 
Stock-based compensation53 — 1,307 — — — — 1,307 
Shares withheld in lieu of employee tax withholding— — (423)— — — — (423)
Dividends— — 131 (3,307)— — — (3,176)
Gain on cash flow commodity hedge— — — — — — 218 218 
Balance, December 31, 202212,641 126 68,454 281,493 (806)(24,999)(26,602)298,472 




Accumulated
AdditionalOther
 Common StockPaid-inRetainedTreasury StockComprehensive 
 SharesAmountCapitalEarningsSharesAmountIncome/(Loss)Totals
Balance, September 30, 202112,498 $125 $63,948 $282,505 (806)$(24,999)$(20,356)$301,223 
Net loss— — — (2,846)— — — (2,846)
Foreign currency translation adjustments— — — — — — 54 54 
Stock-based compensation72 1 1,007 — — — — 1,008 
Shares withheld in lieu of employee tax withholding— — (660)— — — — (660)
Dividends— — 69 (3,269)— — — (3,200)
Balance, December 31, 202112,570 $126 $64,364 $276,390 (806)$(24,999)$(20,302)$295,579 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

6




POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 Three months ended December 31,
 20222021
Operating Activities:  
Net income (loss)$1,162 $(2,846)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:  
Depreciation2,136 2,414 
Stock-based compensation1,307 1,008 
Bad debt expense, net6 91 
Deferred income taxes(895)(915)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:  
Accounts receivable, net(44,547)(1,189)
Contract assets and liabilities, net78,298 (6,730)
Inventories(4,406)(6,312)
Income taxes1,048 (578)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets368 857 
Accounts payable (24,149)(2,918)
Accrued liabilities(12,741)(11,035)
Other, net1,864 320 
Net cash used in operating activities(549)(27,833)
Investing Activities:  
Purchases of short-term investments— (3,937)
Maturities of short-term investments3,690 — 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment(2,726)(436)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment11 — 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities975 (4,373)
Financing Activities:  
Payments on industrial development revenue bonds— (400)
Shares withheld in lieu of employee tax withholding(423)(660)
Dividends paid(3,074)(3,048)
Net cash used in financing activities(3,497)(4,108)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(3,071)(36,314)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents749 (95)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period101,954 114,314 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$99,632 $77,905 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

7




POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Overview and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Overview
Powell Industries, Inc. (we, us, our, Powell or the Company) is incorporated in the state of Delaware. Powell's predecessor companies were founded 76 years ago by William E. Powell in 1947. Our major subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned, include Powell Electrical Systems, Inc.; Powell (UK) Limited; Powell Canada Inc.; and Powell Industries International, B.V.
We develop, design, manufacture and service custom-engineered equipment and systems that (1) distribute, control and monitor the flow of electrical energy and (2) provide protection to motors, transformers and other electrically powered equipment. We are headquartered in Houston, Texas and serve the oil and gas and petrochemical markets, which include onshore and offshore production, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and terminals, pipelines, refineries and petrochemical plants. Additional markets include electric utility, light rail traction power as well as mining and metals, pulp and paper and other municipal, commercial and other industrial markets.
Basis of Presentation
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Powell and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information. Certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP), have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state the financial position, results of operations and cash flows with respect to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been included. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year. We believe that these financial statements contain all adjustments necessary so that they are not misleading.
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Powell and its subsidiaries included in Powell’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2022, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on December 6, 2022.
References to Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022 used throughout this report shall mean the current fiscal year ending September 30, 2023 and the prior fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, respectively.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes. The most significant estimates used in our condensed consolidated financial statements affect revenue recognition and estimated cost recognition on our customer contracts, the allowance for credit losses, provision for excess and obsolete inventory, warranty accruals and income taxes. The amounts recorded for warranties, legal, income taxes, impairment of long-lived assets (when applicable), liquidated damages and other contingent liabilities require judgments regarding the amount of expenses that will ultimately be incurred. We base our estimates on historical experience, forecasts and various other assumptions, as well as the specific circumstances surrounding these contingent liabilities, in evaluating the amount of liability that should be recorded. Additionally, the recognition of deferred tax assets requires estimates related to future income and other assumptions regarding timing and future profitability because the ultimate realization of net deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Estimates routinely change as new events occur, additional information becomes available or operating environments change. Actual results may differ from our prior estimates.

8




B. Earnings Per Share
We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common and potential common share includes the weighted average of additional shares associated with the incremental effect of dilutive restricted stock and restricted stock units.
The following table reconciles basic and diluted weighted average shares used in the computation of earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):
 Three months ended December 31,
 20222021
Numerator:  
Net income (loss)$1,162 $(2,846)
Denominator:  
Weighted average basic shares11,859 11,765 
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units218 — 
Weighted average diluted shares12,077 11,765 
Earnings (loss) per share:  
Basic$0.10 $(0.24)
Diluted$0.10 $(0.24)

For the three months ended December 31, 2021, we incurred a net loss and therefore all potential common shares were deemed to be anti-dilutive.

C. Detail of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts
Inventories
The components of inventories are summarized below (in thousands):
December 31, 2022September 30, 2022
Raw materials, parts and sub-assemblies, net$53,336 $49,213 
Work-in-progress1,666 1,202 
Total inventories$55,002 $50,415 

Accrued Product Warranty
Activity in our product warranty accrual consisted of the following (in thousands):
 Three months ended December 31,
 20222021
Balance at beginning of period$2,345 $2,531 
Increase to warranty expense479 293 
Deduction for warranty charges(454)(382)
Change due to foreign currency translation10 1 
Balance at end of period$2,380 $2,443 
 

D. Revenue
Revenue Recognition
Our revenues are primarily generated from the manufacturing of custom-engineered products and systems under long-term fixed-price contracts under which we agree to manufacture various products such as traditional and arc-resistant distribution switchgear and control gear, medium-voltage circuit breakers, monitoring and control communications systems, motor control
9




centers, switches and bus duct systems. These products may be sold separately as an engineered solution but are typically integrated into custom-built enclosures which we also build. These enclosures are referred to as power control room substations (PCRs®), custom-engineered modules or electrical houses (E-Houses). Some contracts may also include the installation and the commissioning of these enclosures.
Revenue from these contracts is generally recognized over time utilizing the cost-to-cost method. Under the cost-to-cost method, the extent of progress towards completion is measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. We believe that this method is the most accurate representation of our performance because it directly measures the value of the services transferred to the customer over time as we incur costs on our contracts. Contract costs include all direct materials, labor and indirect costs related to contract performance, which may include indirect labor, supplies, tools, repairs and depreciation costs.
We also have contracts to provide field service inspection, installation, commissioning, modification, and repair services, as well as retrofit and retrofill components for existing systems. If the service contract terms give us the right to invoice the customer for an amount that corresponds directly with the value of our performance completed to date (i.e., a service contract in which we bill a fixed amount for each hour of service provided), then we recognize revenue over time in each reporting period corresponding to the amount with which we have the right to invoice. Our performance obligations are satisfied as the work progresses. Revenues from our custom-engineered products and value-added services transferred to customers over time accounted for approximately 93% of total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 94% of total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2021.
We also have sales orders for spare parts and replacement circuit breakers for switchgear that are obsolete or that are no longer produced by the original manufacturer. Revenues from these sales orders are recognized at the time we fulfill our performance obligation to the customer, which is typically upon shipment and represented approximately 7% of total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 6% of total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2021.
Additionally, some contracts may contain a cancellation clause that could limit the amount of revenue we are able to recognize over time. In these instances, revenue and costs associated with these contracts are deferred and recognized at a point in time when the performance obligation is fulfilled.
Selling and administrative costs incurred in relation to obtaining a contract are typically expensed as incurred. We periodically utilize a third-party sales agent to obtain a contract and will pay a commission to that agent. We record the full commission liability to the third-party sales agents at the order date, with a corresponding deferred asset. As the project progresses, we record commission expense based on percentage of completion rates that correlate to the project and reduce the deferred asset. Once we have been paid by the customer, we pay the commission and the deferred liability is reduced.
Performance Obligations
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract or with a customer to transfer a distinct good or service. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue as the performance obligations are satisfied. To determine the proper revenue recognition for contracts, we evaluate whether a contract should be accounted for as more than one performance obligation or, less commonly, whether two or more contracts should be combined and accounted for as one performance obligation. This evaluation of performance obligations requires significant judgment. The majority of our contracts have a single performance obligation where multiple engineered products and services are combined into a single custom-engineered solution. Our contracts include a standard one-year assurance warranty. Occasionally, we provide service-type warranties that will extend the warranty period. These extended warranties qualify as a separate performance obligation, and revenue is deferred and recognized over the warranty period. If we determine during the evaluation of the contract that there are multiple performance obligations, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation using our best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract.
Remaining unsatisfied performance obligations, which we refer to as backlog, represent the estimated transaction price for goods and services for which we have a material right, but work has not been performed. As of December 31, 2022, we had backlog of $679.8 million, of which approximately $464.2 million is expected to be recognized as revenue within the next twelve months. Backlog may not be indicative of future operating results as orders may be cancelled or modified by our customers. Our backlog does not include service and maintenance-type contracts for which we have the right to invoice as services are performed.
Contract Estimates
Actual revenues and project costs may vary from previous estimates due to changes in a variety of factors. The cost estimation process is based upon the professional knowledge and experience of our engineers, project managers and financial
10




professionals. Factors that are considered in estimating the work to be completed and ultimate contract recovery include the availability and productivity of labor, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, the availability of materials, and the effect of any delays on our project performance. We periodically review our job performance, job conditions, estimated profitability and final contract settlements, including our estimate of total costs and make revisions to costs and income in the period in which the revisions are probable and reasonably estimable. We bear the risk of cost overruns in most of our contracts, which may result in reduced profits. Whenever revisions of estimated contract costs and contract values indicate that the contract costs will exceed estimated revenues, thus creating a loss, a provision for the total estimated loss is recorded in that period.
For the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, our operating results were positively impacted by $3.6 million and $2.8 million, respectively, as a result of changes in contract estimates related to projects in progress at the beginning of the respective period. These changes in estimates resulted primarily from favorable project execution and negotiations of variable consideration, discussed below, as well as revenue and reduced costs recognized from project cancellations and other changes in facts and circumstances during these periods.
Variable Consideration
It is common for our long-term contracts to contain variable consideration that can either increase or decrease the transaction price. Due to the nature of our contracts, estimating total cost and revenue can be complex and subject to variability due to change orders, back charges, spare parts, early completion bonuses, customer allowances and liquidated damages. We estimate the amount of variable consideration based on the expected value method, which is the sum of the probability-weighted amounts, or the most likely amount method which uses various factors including experience with similar transactions and assessment of our anticipated performance. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if legally enforceable and to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur once the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved.

Contract Modifications
Contracts may be modified for changes in contract specifications and requirements. We consider contract modifications to exist when the modification either creates new or changes the enforceable rights and obligations under the contract. Most of our contract modifications are for goods and services that are not distinct from the existing performance obligation. Contract modifications result in a cumulative catch-up adjustment to revenue based on our measure of progress for the performance obligation.
Contract Balances
The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections affects accounts receivable, contract assets and contract liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Contract assets are recorded when revenues are recognized in excess of amounts billed for fixed-price contracts as determined by the billing milestone schedule. Contract assets are transferred to accounts receivable when billing milestones have been met, or we have an unconditional right to payment.
Contract liabilities typically represent advance payments from contractual billing milestones and billings in excess of revenue recognized. It is unusual to have advanced milestone payments with a term greater than one year, which could represent a financing component on the contract.
Our contract assets and liabilities are reported in a net position on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period and are generally classified as current.
Contract assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022 are summarized below (in thousands):
December 31, 2022September 30, 2022
Contract assets$63,911 $88,351 
Contract liabilities(133,753)(79,857)
Net contract asset (liability)$(69,842)$8,494 
Our net contract billing position improved to a net liability at December 31, 2022 from a net asset position at September 30, 2022 primarily due to favorable contract billing milestones. To determine the amount of revenue recognized during the period from contract liabilities, we first allocate revenue to the individual contract liability balance outstanding at the beginning of the
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period until the revenue exceeds that balance. During the three months ended December 31, 2022, we recognized revenue of approximately $36.4 million that was related to contract liabilities outstanding at September 30, 2022.
The timing of our invoice process is typically dependent on the completion of certain milestones and contract terms and subject to agreement by our customer. Payment is typically expected within 30 days of invoice. Any uncollected invoiced amounts for our performance obligations recognized over time, including contract retentions, are recorded as accounts receivable in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain contracts allow customers to withhold a small percentage of billings pursuant to retainage provisions, and such amounts are generally due upon completion of the contract and acceptance of the project by the customer. Based on our experience in recent years, the majority of these retainage balances are expected to be collected within approximately twelve months. As of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, accounts receivable included retention amounts of $7.2 million and $6.9 million, respectively. Of the retained amount at December 31, 2022, $6.9 million is expected to be collected in the next twelve months and is recorded in accounts receivable. The remaining $0.3 million is recorded in other assets.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following tables present our disaggregated revenue by geographic destination and market sector for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
Three months ended December 31,
20222021
United States$100,112 $82,145 
Canada18,496 15,125 
Europe, Middle East and Africa6,559 7,830 
Asia/Pacific776 944 
Mexico, Central and South America915 525 
     Total revenues by geographic destination$126,858 $106,569 

Three months ended December 31,
20222021
Oil and gas (excludes petrochemical)$43,510 $43,021 
Petrochemical22,490 17,228 
Electric utility28,407 21,533 
Traction power7,072 11,372 
Commercial and other industrial17,050 5,646 
All others8,329 7,769 
     Total revenues by market sector$126,858 $106,569 


E. Long-Term Debt

U.S. Revolver
We have a credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (as amended, the U.S. Revolver), which is a $75.0 million revolving credit facility that is available for both borrowings and letters of credit and expires September 27, 2024. The U.S. Revolver states that up to $30 million may be deducted from the amount of letters of credit outstanding (not to be less than zero) when calculating the consolidated funded indebtedness, which is a component of the consolidated net leverage ratio. Additionally, we have the option to cash collateralize all or a portion of the letters of credit outstanding, which would favorably impact the consolidated funded indebtedness calculation and the consolidated net leverage ratio. As of December 31, 2022, there were no amounts borrowed under the U.S. Revolver, and letters of credit outstanding were $33.8 million. There was $41.2 million available for the issuance of letters of credit and borrowings under the U.S. Revolver as of December 31, 2022.
We are required to maintain certain financial covenants, the most significant of which are a consolidated net leverage ratio less than 3.0 to 1.0 and a consolidated interest coverage ratio of greater than 3.0 to 1.0. Our most restrictive covenant, the consolidated net leverage ratio, is the ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation (EBITDAS) to funded indebtedness. An increase in indebtedness, which includes letters of credit, or a decrease
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in EBITDAS could restrict our ability to issue letters of credit or borrow under the U.S. Revolver. Additionally, we must maintain a consolidated cash balance of $30 million at all times, which can be deducted from the letters of credit outstanding as noted above. The U.S. Revolver also contains a "material adverse effect" clause which is a material change in our operations, business, properties, liabilities or condition (financial or otherwise) or a material impairment of our ability to perform our obligations under our credit agreements. As of December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants of the U.S. Revolver.
The U.S. Revolver allows the Company to elect that any borrowing under the facility bears an interest rate based on either the base rate or the eurocurrency rate, in each case, plus the applicable rate. The base rate is generally the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) the Bank of America prime rate or (c) the Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index (BSBY) rate plus 1.00%. The applicable rate is generally a range from (0.25)% to 1.75% depending on the type of loan and the Company's consolidated net leverage ratio. On November 10, 2022, the Company entered into a second LIBOR Transition Amendment with Bank of America that states that LIBOR for U.S. dollar loans will be replaced with the BSBY rate in accordance with the U.S. Revolver.
The U.S. Revolver is collateralized by a pledge of 100% of the voting capital stock of each of our domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the voting capital stock of each non-domestic subsidiary. The U.S. Revolver provides for customary events of default and carries cross-default provisions with other existing debt agreements. If an event of default (as defined in the U.S. Revolver) occurs and is continuing, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the U.S. Revolver, amounts and letters of credit outstanding under the U.S. Revolver may be accelerated and may become immediately due and payable.
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds
We borrowed $8.0 million in October 2001 through a loan agreement funded with proceeds from tax-exempt industrial development revenue bonds (Bonds) for the completion of our Northlake, Illinois facility. The Bonds matured on October 1, 2021 and our final payment of $0.4 million was made.
 
F. Commitments and Contingencies
Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees and Bonds
Certain customers require us to post letters of credit, bank guarantees or surety bonds. These security instruments assure that we will perform under the terms of our contract. In the event of default, the counterparty may demand payment from the bank under a letter of credit or bank guarantee, or performance by the surety under a bond. To date, there have been no significant draws or claims related to security instruments for the periods reported. We were contingently liable for letters of credit of $33.8 million as of December 31, 2022. We also had surety bonds totaling $284.5 million that were outstanding, with additional bonding capacity of $315.5 million available, at December 31, 2022. We have strong surety relationships; however, a change in market conditions or the sureties' assessment of our financial position could cause the sureties to require cash collateralization for undischarged liabilities under the bonds.
We have a $9.7 million facility agreement (Facility Agreement) between Powell (UK) Limited and a large international bank that provides Powell (UK) Limited the ability to enter into bank guarantees as well as forward exchange contracts and currency options. At December 31, 2022, we had outstanding guarantees totaling $6.8 million. The Facility Agreement provides for customary events of default and carries cross-default provisions with our U.S. Revolver. If an event of default (as defined in the Facility Agreement) occurs and is continuing, per the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, obligations outstanding under the Facility Agreement may be accelerated and declared immediately due and payable. Additionally, we are required to maintain cash collateral for guarantees greater than two years. As of December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants of the Facility Agreement.
Litigation
We are involved in various legal proceedings, claims and other disputes arising from our commercial operations, projects, employees and other matters which, in general, are subject to uncertainties and in which the outcomes are not predictable. Although we can give no assurances about the resolution of pending claims, litigation or other disputes, and the effect such outcomes may have on us, management believes that any ultimate liability resulting from the outcome of such proceedings, to the extent not otherwise provided or covered by insurance, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations or liquidity.

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G. Stock-Based Compensation
Refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 for a full description of our existing stock-based compensation plans.
Restricted Stock Units
We issue restricted stock units (RSUs) to certain officers and key employees of the Company. The fair value of the RSUs is based on the price of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on the grant dates. Typically, these grants vest over a three-year period from the date of issuance and are a blend of time-based and performance-based shares. The portion of the grant that is time-based typically vests over a three-year period on each anniversary of the grant date, based on continued employment. The performance-based shares vest based on the three-year earnings performance of the Company following the grant date. At December 31, 2022, there were 308,917 RSUs outstanding. The RSUs do not have voting rights but do receive dividend equivalents upon vesting which are accrued quarterly. Additionally, the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs are not considered issued and outstanding until vested and common stock is issued.
Total RSU activity (number of shares) for the three months ended December 31, 2022 is summarized below:
Number of
Restricted
Stock
Units		Weighted
Average
Grant Value
Per Share
Outstanding at September 30, 2022239,862 $26.11 
Granted147,100 21.26 
Vested(63,334)30.78 
Forfeited/canceled(14,711)38.58 
Outstanding at December 31, 2022308,917 $22.86 
 
During the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we recorded compensation expense of $1.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, related to the RSUs. 
Restricted Stock
Each non-employee director receives 2,400 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock annually. Fifty-percent of the restricted stock granted to each of our non-employee directors vests immediately, while the remaining fifty-percent vests on the anniversary of the grant date. Compensation expense is recognized immediately for the first fifty-percent of the restricted stock granted, while compensation expense for the remaining fifty-percent is recognized over the remaining vesting period. During both the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, there were no restricted shares granted. During the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we recorded compensation expense of less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, related to restricted stock.  


H. Fair Value Measurements
We measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as an “exit price,” which represents the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability. The accounting guidance requires the use of valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. As a basis for considering such assumptions and inputs, a fair value hierarchy has been established which identifies and prioritizes three levels of inputs to be used in measuring fair value.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 — Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) 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, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
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Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market data and require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
The following table summarizes the fair value of our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
 
 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2022
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)		Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)		Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)		Fair Value at
December 31,
2022
Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents$99,632 $— $— $99,632 
Short-term investments11,070 — — 11,070 
Other assets— 8,067 — 8,067 
Liabilities:    
Deferred compensation— 8,905 — 8,905 
The following table summarizes the fair value of our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2022 (in thousands):
 Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2022
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)		Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)		Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)		Fair Value at
September 30,
2022
Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents$101,954 $— $— $101,954 
Short-term investments14,554 — — 14,554 
Other assets— 7,730 — 7,730 
Liabilities:    
Deferred compensation— 7,714 — 7,714 

Fair value guidance requires certain fair value disclosures be presented in both interim and annual reports.  The estimated fair value amounts of financial instruments have been determined using available market information and valuation methodologies described below.
Cash and cash equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents, primarily funds held in money market savings instruments, are reported at their current carrying value, which approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments and are included in cash and cash equivalents in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Short-term Investments – Short-term investments include time deposits with original maturities of three months or more.
Other Assets and Deferred Compensation – We hold investments in an irrevocable Rabbi Trust for our deferred compensation plan. The assets are primarily related to company-owned life insurance policies and are included in other assets in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Because the mutual funds and company-owned life insurance policies are combined in the plan, they are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value measurement hierarchy. The deferred compensation liability represents the investment options that the plan participants have designated to serve as the basis for measurement of the notional value of their accounts. Because the deferred compensation liability is intended to offset the plan assets, it is also categorized as Level 2 in the fair value measurement hierarchy.
There were no transfers between levels within the fair value measurement hierarchy during the quarter ended December 31, 2022.

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I. Leases

Our leases consist primarily of office and manufacturing space and construction equipment. All of our future lease obligations are related to non-cancelable operating leases. The most significant portion of our lease portfolio relates to leases of office and manufacturing facilities in Canada that we no longer occupy. We currently sublease the majority of these Canadian facilities. The following table provides a summary of lease cost components for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively (in thousands):

Three months ended December 31,
Lease Cost20222021
Operating lease cost$378 $571 
     Less: sublease income(162)(174)
Variable lease cost(1)
108 141 
Short-term lease cost(2)
387 273 
Total lease cost$711 $811 

(1) Variable lease cost represents common area maintenance charges related to our Canadian office space lease.
(2) Short-term lease cost includes leases and rentals with initial terms of one year or less.

We recognize operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities representing the present value of the remaining lease payments for leases with initial terms greater than twelve months. Leases with initial terms of twelve months or less are not recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of both December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, our operating lease assets have been reduced by a lease accrual of $0.1 million related to certain unused facility leases in Canada. The following table provides a summary of the operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities included in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, respectively (in thousands):

Operating LeasesDecember 31, 2022September 30, 2022
Assets:
Operating lease assets, net$2,159 $2,179 
Liabilities:
Current operating lease liabilities1,545 1,777 
Long-term operating lease liabilities713 545 
Total lease liabilities$2,258 $2,322 

The following table provides the maturities of our operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
Operating Leases
Remainder of 2023$1,476 
2024455 
2025195 
2026102 
202787 
Thereafter7 
Total future minimum lease payments$2,322 
Less: present value discount (imputed interest)(64)
Present value of lease liabilities$2,258 

The weighted average discount rate as of December 31, 2022 was 3.61%. The weighted average remaining lease term was 2.04 years at December 31, 2022.


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J. Income Taxes
The calculation of the effective tax rate is as follows (in thousands):
 Three months ended December 31,
 20222021
Income (loss) before income taxes$1,613 $(4,287)
Income tax provision (benefit)451 (1,441)
Net income (loss)$1,162 $(2,846)
Effective tax rate28 %34 %

Our income tax provision reflects an effective tax rate on pre-tax income of 28% for the first quarter of Fiscal 2023 compared to an income tax benefit that reflects an effective tax rate on pre-tax loss of 34% for the first quarter of Fiscal 2022. The effective tax rate for the first quarters of Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022 were favorably impacted by the estimated Research and Development Tax Credit (R&D Tax Credit), partially offset by discrete items primarily related to the vesting of restricted stock units. In addition, the first quarter of Fiscal 2022 was also impacted by a valuation allowance that prohibited the recognition of certain non-U.S. tax losses


K. Subsequent Events
Quarterly Dividend Declared
On January 31, 2023, our Board of Directors approved a 1% increase to the quarterly cash dividend on our common stock to $0.2625 per share, equating to an annualized dividend of $1.05 per share from the current amount of $1.04 per share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2023 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 15, 2023.





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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We are including the following discussion to inform our existing and potential shareholders generally of some of the risks and uncertainties that can affect our Company and to take advantage of the “safe harbor” protection for forward-looking statements that applicable federal securities law affords.
From time to time, our management or persons acting on our behalf may make forward-looking statements to inform existing and potential shareholders about our Company. These statements may include projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and our future backlog, revenues, income, acquisitions, liquidity and capital spending. Forward-looking statements include information concerning future results of operations and financial condition. Statements that contain words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “continue,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “will” or similar expressions may be forward-looking statements. In addition, sometimes we will specifically describe a statement as being a forward-looking statement and refer to this cautionary statement.
In addition, various statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including those that express a belief, expectation or intention, as well as those that are not statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report; we disclaim any obligation to update these statements unless required by securities law, and we caution you not to rely on them unduly. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. These risks, contingencies and uncertainties relate to, among other matters, the following:
Risk Factors Related to our Business and Industry
•Our business is subject to the cyclical nature of the end markets that we serve. This has had, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on our future operating results.
•Our industry is highly competitive.
•Technological innovations may make existing products and production methods obsolete.
•Unforeseen difficulties with expansions, relocations, or consolidations of existing facilities could adversely affect our operations.
•Quality problems with our products could harm our reputation and erode our competitive position.
•Growth and product diversification through strategic acquisitions involve a number of risks.
•Our business requires skilled and unskilled labor, and we may be unable to attract and retain qualified employees.
•We are exposed to risks relating to the use of subcontractors.
•Misconduct by our employees or subcontractors, or a failure to comply with laws or regulations, could harm our reputation, damage our relationships with customers and subject us to criminal and civil enforcement actions.
•Unsatisfactory safety performance may subject us to penalties, negatively impact customer relationships, result in higher operating costs, and negatively impact employee morale and turnover.
•Catastrophic events, including natural disasters, health epidemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic and any new variants), acts of war and terrorism, among others, could disrupt our business.
Risk Factors Related to our Financial Condition and Markets
•Global economic uncertainty and financial market conditions may impact our customer base, suppliers and backlog.
•Our backlog is subject to unexpected adjustments, cancellations and scope reductions and, therefore, may not be a reliable indicator of our future earnings.
•Revenues recognized over time from our fixed-price contracts could result in volatility in our results of operations.
•Many of our contracts contain performance obligations that may subject us to penalties or additional liabilities.
•Fluctuations in the price and supply of materials used to manufacture our products may reduce our profits and could adversely impact our ability to meet commitments to our customers.
•Obtaining surety bonds, letters of credit, bank guarantees, or other financial assurances, may be necessary for us to successfully bid on and obtain certain contracts.
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•Failure to remain in compliance with covenants or obtain waivers or amendments under our credit agreement could adversely impact our business.
•We extend credit to customers in conjunction with our performance under fixed-price contracts which subjects us to potential credit risks.
•A significant portion of our revenues may be concentrated among a small number of customers.
•We carry insurance against many potential liabilities, but our management of risk may leave us exposed to unidentified or unanticipated risks.
•Our international operations expose us to risks that are different from, or possibly greater than, the risks we are exposed to domestically and may adversely affect our operations.
•Failures or weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting could adversely affect our ability to report on our financial condition and results of operations accurately and/or on a timely basis.
•A failure in our business systems or cyber security attacks on any of our facilities, or those of third parties, could adversely affect our business and our internal controls.
Risk Factors Related to our Common Stock
•Our stock price could decline or fluctuate significantly due to unforeseen circumstances which may be outside of our control. These fluctuations may cause our stockholders to incur losses.
•There can be no assurance that we will declare or pay future dividends on our common stock.
Risk Factors Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters
•Our operations could be adversely impacted by the effects of government regulations.
•Changes in and compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including those regarding climate change, could adversely impact our financial results.
•Provisions of our charter documents or Delaware law could delay or prevent an acquisition of our company, even if the acquisition would be beneficial to our stockholders, and could make it more difficult to change management.
•Significant developments arising from tariffs and other economic proposals could adversely impact our business.
General Risk Factors
•Actual and potential claims, lawsuits and proceedings could ultimately reduce our profitability and liquidity and weaken our financial condition.
•Changes in tax laws and regulations may change our effective tax rate and could have a material effect on our financial results.
•The departure of key personnel could disrupt our business.
We believe the items we have outlined above are important factors that could cause estimates included in our financial statements and those expressed in a forward-looking statement made in this report or elsewhere by us or on our behalf to differ materially from actual results. We have discussed these factors in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2022. These factors are not necessarily all of the factors that could affect us. Unpredictable or unanticipated factors we have not discussed in this report could also have material adverse effects on actual results. We do not intend to update our description of important factors each time a potential important factor arises, except as required by applicable securities laws and regulations. We advise our shareholders that they should (1) be aware that factors not referred to above could affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements and (2) use caution when considering our forward-looking statements.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2022, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on December 6, 2022 and is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Overview
We develop, design, manufacture and service custom-engineered equipment and systems which (1) distribute, control and monitor the flow of electrical energy and (2) provide protection to motors, transformers and other electrically powered equipment. We are headquartered in Houston, Texas, and serve the oil and gas and petrochemical markets, which include onshore and offshore production, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and terminals, pipelines, refineries and petrochemical plants. Additional markets include electric utility and light rail traction power as well as mining and metals, pulp and paper and other municipal, commercial and other industrial markets. Revenues and costs are primarily related to custom engineered-to-order equipment and systems and are accounted for under percentage-of-completion accounting, which precludes us from providing detailed price and volume information. Our backlog includes various projects that typically take a number of months to produce.
The markets in which we participate are capital-intensive and cyclical in nature. Cyclicality is predominantly driven by customer demand, global economic and geopolitical conditions and anticipated environmental, safety or regulatory changes that affect the manner in which our customers proceed with capital investments. Our customers analyze various factors, including the demand and price for oil, gas and electrical energy, the overall economic and financial environment, governmental budgets, regulatory actions and environmental concerns. These factors influence the release of new capital projects by our customers, which are traditionally awarded in competitive bid situations. Scheduling of projects is matched to customer requirements, and projects typically take a number of months to produce. Schedules may change during the course of any particular project, and our operating results can, therefore, be impacted by factors outside of our control.
Within the industrial sector, specifically oil, gas and petrochemical, the demand for our electrical distribution solutions is very cyclical and closely correlated to the level of capital expenditures of our end-user customers as well as prevailing global economic conditions.
One element of our strategic focus is to diversify our project portfolio outside of our core oil, gas and petrochemical end market sectors. These efforts over the past year led to a record backlog of projects coming into Fiscal 2023. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in capital spending within North America on LNG facilities as the market responds to the increased international demand for LNG and processes utilizing gas feedstocks. As a result, the business has been awarded a few large contracts that have had a positive impact on our backlog. The substantial contract we were awarded in Fiscal 2020 will be fully completed in the next few months. Additionally, diversification efforts outside of our core oil, gas and petrochemical end markets have resulted in an increase in backlog across the utility and commercial and other industrial sectors as well.
Impact of Global Economic Uncertainty and Commodity Market Volatility on Powell
Various factors resulting in global economic uncertainty have negatively impacted our results over the past two years. Uncertainty and demand disruptions have resulted in considerable volatility across commodity markets. Although global oil prices have rebounded, the major oil and gas producers have responded with modest increases in capital expenditures. Additionally, we continue to experience supply chain disruptions driven predominately by availability and cost volatility across our raw materials, components and labor force. All of these factors have contributed to the lower margins realized in Fiscal 2022 and may continue to impact margins in Fiscal 2023. As we address disruptions and increased costs, we continue to work with our suppliers of key components and commodities to ensure that we are able to meet our customer commitments. Additionally, we have adjusted our pricing models with our customers in response to the increased cost environment.
As discussed further under the heading "Outlook" below, it is difficult to predict the economic impact that this global economic uncertainty, as well as commodity price volatility, may have on our business, results of operations and cash flows going forward.

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Results of Operations
Quarter Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to the Quarter Ended December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
Revenue and Gross Profit
Revenues increased by 19%, or $20.3 million, to $126.9 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023, primarily driven by the increase in project backlog at the beginning of Fiscal 2023. Backlog increased 43% to $592.2 million at September 30, 2022 compared to September 30, 2021. Domestic revenues increased by 22%, or $18.0 million, to $100.1 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023. Included in our domestic oil and gas sector revenues is the large domestic industrial project awarded in Fiscal 2020, which accounted for approximately 13% of our consolidated revenues for the first quarter of Fiscal 2023 compared to 19% in the same period in the prior year. International revenues increased by 10%, or $2.3 million, to $26.8 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023. Our international revenues include both revenues generated from our international facilities as well as revenues from export projects generated at our domestic facilities.
Revenue from our core oil and gas markets (excluding petrochemical) increased by 1%, or $0.5 million, to $43.5 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023, while petrochemical revenue increased by 31%, or $5.3 million, to $22.5 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023. Revenue from our utility markets increased by 32%, or $6.9 million, to $28.4 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023. Commercial and other industrial market revenue increased by 202%, or $11.4 million, to $17.1 million, driven by an increase in traditionally non-core markets such as data centers, university projects and other miscellaneous applications. Revenue from all other markets combined increased by 7%, or $0.6 million, to $8.3 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023. These increases in revenue were driven by improved market conditions and our strategic effort to diversify our business. Revenue from our traction market decreased by 38%, or $4.3 million, to $7.1 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023.
Gross profit increased by 45%, or $6.0 million, to $19.5 million for the first quarter of Fiscal 2023. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues increased to 15% in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023, compared to 13% in the first quarter of Fiscal 2022. The increase in gross profit was directly attributable to the increase in revenues and the increase in gross profit as a percentage of revenues was driven by the increased volume and related efficiencies, pricing initiatives and continued project execution.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 6%, or $1.0 million, to $16.9 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023, primarily due to increased variable incentive compensation and travel-related expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 13% during the first quarter of Fiscal 2023 compared to 15% during the first quarter of Fiscal 2022, primarily due to increased revenues.
Income Tax Benefit/Provision
We recorded an income tax provision of $0.5 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023, compared to an income tax benefit of $1.4 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2022. For each of the three months ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the effective tax rate was favorably impacted by the estimated Research and Development Tax Credit (R&D Tax Credit), partially offset by discrete items primarily related to the vesting of restricted stock units. In addition, the first quarter of Fiscal 2022 was also impacted by a valuation allowance that prohibited the recognition of certain non-U.S. tax losses.
Net Income/Loss
In the first quarter of Fiscal 2023, we recorded net income of $1.2 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2.8 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, in the first quarter of Fiscal 2022. This increase in net income was primarily due to the increase in bookings which led to an increase in revenues.
Backlog
The order backlog at December 31, 2022 was $679.8 million, an increase of 15% from $592.2 million at September 30, 2022 and an increase of 63% from $416.0 million at December 31, 2021. Bookings, net of cancellations and scope reductions, increased by 97% in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023 to $211.8 million, compared to $107.7 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2022, primarily driven by improved strength across our core oil, gas and petrochemical market sectors.
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Outlook
As noted in "Overview" above, the markets in which we participate are capital-intensive and cyclical in nature. A significant portion of our revenues has historically been from the oil, gas and petrochemical markets. Oil and gas commodity price levels can be volatile and our customers have in certain cases delayed or cancelled some of their major capital investment projects due to price volatility and changes in return expectations. We have been strategically focusing on diversification of our project portfolio to expand outside of our core oil, gas and petrochemical end market sectors. Recently we have seen increased global demand for cleaner-burning fuels as well as related processes utilizing gas feedstocks. As a result, the business has been awarded a few large contracts that have had a positive impact on our backlog. The substantial contract we were awarded in Fiscal 2020 will be fully completed in the next few months. Additionally, diversification efforts outside of our core oil, gas and petrochemical end markets have resulted in an increase in backlog across the utility and commercial and other industrial sectors as well.
Our operating results are impacted by factors such as the timing of new order awards, project backlog, customer approval of final engineering and design specifications and delays in customer construction schedules, all of which contribute to short-term earnings variability and the timing of project execution. Our operating results also have been, and may continue to be, impacted by the timing and resolution of change orders, project close-out and resolution of potential contract claims and liquidated damages, all of which could improve or deteriorate gross margins during the period in which these items are resolved with our customers. Disruption in the global supply chain has negatively impacted our business and operating results as well due to the reduction in availability and uncertainty in the timing of the receipt of certain key component parts and commodities. These factors may result in periods of underutilization of our resources and facilities, which may negatively impact our ability to cover our fixed costs, or inhibit our ability to deliver completed products on time. Additionally, the increases in commodity and component costs from projects awarded in prior years and increased labor costs may have a negative impact on our operating results in the event that we are not able to pass these cost increases to our customers. Considering the long cycle nature of our business, we are exposed to cyclical conditions in our business. We will continue to remain focused on the variables that impact our markets as well as cost management, labor and supply chain challenges. We will also continue to adjust to the global conditions in order to maintain competitive cost and technological advantages in the markets that we serve.



Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2022, current assets exceeded current liabilities by 1.9 times.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments decreased to $110.7 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $116.5 million at September 30, 2022. This decrease in cash was primarily driven by the payment of variable incentive compensation during the quarter. We believe that our strong working capital position, available borrowings under our credit facility and available cash should be sufficient to finance future operating activities, capital improvements and research and development initiatives for the foreseeable future.
We have a credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (as amended, the "U.S. Revolver") which is a $75.0 million revolving credit facility available for both borrowings and letters of credit and expires September 27, 2024. The U.S. Revolver states that up to $30 million may be deducted from the amount of letters of credit outstanding (not to be less than zero) when calculating the consolidated funded indebtedness, which is a component of the consolidated net leverage ratio. Additionally, we have the option to cash collateralize all or a portion of the letters of credit outstanding, which would favorably impact the consolidated funded indebtedness calculation and the consolidated net leverage ratio.
As of December 31, 2022, there were no amounts borrowed under the U.S. Revolver, and letters of credit outstanding were $33.8 million. As of December 31, 2022, $41.2 million was available for the issuance of letters of credit and borrowing under the U.S. Revolver. We are required to maintain certain financial covenants, the most significant of which are a consolidated net leverage ratio of less than 3.0 to 1.0 and a consolidated interest coverage ratio of greater than 3.0 to 1.0. Our most restrictive covenant, the consolidated net leverage ratio, is the ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation (EBITDAS) to funded indebtedness, which includes letters of credit. An increase in indebtedness or a decrease in EBITDAS could restrict our ability to issue letters of credit or borrow under the U.S. Revolver. For further information regarding our debt, see Notes E and F of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Approximately $26.2 million of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at December 31, 2022 was held outside of the U.S. for our international operations. It is our intention to indefinitely reinvest all current and future foreign earnings
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internationally in order to ensure sufficient working capital to support our international operations. In the event that we elect to repatriate some or all of the foreign earnings that were previously deemed to be indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S., we may incur additional tax expense upon such repatriation under current tax laws.
Operating Activities
Operating activities used net cash of $0.5 million during the three months ended December 31, 2022 and $27.8 million during the same period in Fiscal 2022. Cash flow from operations is primarily influenced by the timing of milestone payments from our customers, project volume and the associated working capital requirements, as well as payment terms with our suppliers. This increase in operating cash flow was primarily due to the timing of contract billing milestones and the increase in accounts receivable, partially offset by the decrease in accounts payable.
Investing Activities
Investing activities provided $1.0 million during the three months ended December 31, 2022 and used $4.4 million during the same period in Fiscal 2022. The increase in cash provided by investing activities in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023 is due to the increase in short-term investment maturities.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $3.5 million during the three months ended December 31, 2022 and $4.1 million during the same period in Fiscal 2022, which primarily consisted of approximately $3.0 million of dividends paid in each period.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities known to exist at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on December 6, 2022.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to certain market risks arising from transactions we have entered into in the normal course of business. These risks primarily relate to fluctuations in market conditions, commodity prices, foreign currency transactions and interest rates.
Market Risk
We are exposed to general market risk and its potential impact on accounts receivable or costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts. The amounts recorded may be at risk if our customers’ ability to pay these obligations is negatively impacted by economic conditions. Our customers are typically in the oil and gas and petrochemical markets, which include onshore and offshore production, LNG facilities and terminals, pipelines, refineries and petrochemical plants. Additional markets include electric utility and light rail traction power as well as mining and metals, pulp and paper and other municipal, commercial and other industrial markets. Occasionally, our customers may include an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firm which may increase our market risk exposure based on the business climate of the EPC firm. We maintain ongoing discussions with customers regarding contract status with respect to payment status, change orders and billing terms in an effort to monitor collections of amounts billed.
Commodity Price Risk
We are subject to market risk from fluctuating market prices of certain raw materials used in our products. While such materials are typically available from numerous suppliers, commodity raw materials are subject to price fluctuations. We attempt to pass
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along such commodity price increases to our customers on a contract-by-contract basis to avoid a negative effect on our profit margin. We have entered into a derivative contract to hedge a portion of our exposure to commodity price risk. This contract is immaterial for the first quarter of Fiscal 2023. In the future, we may enter into additional derivative contracts to further hedge our exposure to commodity price risk. We continue to experience price volatility with some of our key raw materials and components. Fixed-price contracts may limit our ability to pass cost increases to our customers, thus negatively impacting our earnings. Fluctuations in commodity prices may have a material impact on our future earnings and cash flows.
Foreign Currency Transaction Risk
We have foreign operations that expose us to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the British Pound Sterling, the Canadian Dollar and to a lesser extent the Singapore Dollar and the Euro, among others. Amounts invested in our foreign operations are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of stockholders’ equity in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We believe the exposure to the effects that fluctuating foreign currencies have on our consolidated results of operations is limited because the foreign operations primarily invoice customers and collect payments in their respective local currencies or U.S. Dollars. Additionally, expenses associated with these transactions are generally contracted and paid for in the same local currencies. For the three months ended December 31, 2022, our realized foreign exchange loss was $0.2 million and is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Our accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is included as a component of stockholders’ equity, was $26.6 million as of December 31, 2022, a decrease of $2.4 million compared to September 30, 2022. This decrease in comprehensive loss was primarily a result of fluctuations in the currency exchange rates for the Canadian Dollar and British Pound Sterling as we re-measured the foreign operations of those divisions.  

We do not typically hedge our exposure to potential foreign currency translation adjustments.
Interest Rate Risk
If we borrow under our U.S. Revolver, we will be subject to market risk resulting from changes in interest rates related to our floating rate bank credit facility. If we were to make such borrowings, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in variable interest rates may result in a material impact on our financial statements. While we do not currently have any derivative contracts to hedge our exposure to interest rate risk, in the past we have entered and may in the future enter into such contracts. During each of the periods presented, we have not experienced a significant effect on our business due to changes in interest rates.


Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We have established and maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on such evaluation, our CEO and CFO have each concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are involved in various legal proceedings, claims and other disputes arising from our commercial operations, projects, employees and other matters which, in general, are subject to uncertainties and in which the outcomes are not predictable. Although we can give no assurances about the resolution of pending claims, litigation or other disputes and the effect such outcomes may have on us, management believes that any ultimate liability resulting from the outcome of such proceedings, to the extent not otherwise provided or covered by insurance, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations or liquidity.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on December 6, 2022.

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Item 6. Exhibits
 
Number Description of Exhibits
3.1 —
   
3.2 —
3.3 —
*10.1
*31.1—
   
*31.2—
   
**32.1—
   
**32.2—
   
*101—
The following financial statements from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited); (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited); (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited); (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited); (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited); and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags.
   
*104—
The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL (included as Exhibit 101).
* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith


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SIGNATURES
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.
 
 POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC.
 (Registrant)
   
Date: February 1, 2023By:/s/ Brett A. Cope
Brett A. Cope
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer)
   
Date: February 1, 2023By:/s/  Michael W. Metcalf
  Michael W. Metcalf
  Executive Vice President
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer)

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