Note 11. Liquidity risk and going concern

The Company evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date on which this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is filed. During 2024, the Company incurred significant recurring operating losses primarily driven by continuous decline in revenues, recurring negative cash flows from operations and continued reduction in liquidity. The Company reported operating income of $70,174 and operating loss of $903,303 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The Company’s liquid assets at March 31, 2025 consist of cash and cash equivalents totaling $765,645. The Company’s declining revenues, recurring operating losses and negative cash flows, and continued reduction in liquidity, raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the issuance date of these financial statements.

In response to these challenges, the Company has developed and begun implementing a series of strategic actions aimed at improving liquidity and ensuring business continuity. These actions include:

(a) execution of the sale of Albia real estate in February 2025, which generated net cash proceeds of approximately $678,000, and the October 2024 consolidation of the Albia operations into the Tyrone manufacturing facility, enhancing economies of scale and contributing towards improved margins from cost reductions,

(b) leveraging recently-added resources to the Company's sales team, and adding additional resources to the Company's sales team, to identify and execute on new sales opportunities and increase revenue. In addition, on May 1, 2025 the Company announced that Mr. James T. Tanner has joined the Company as its new Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, effective immediately. Mr. Tanner brings over 30 years of sales and leadership experience in manufacturing and spent over 10 years in the fastener industry,

(c) entering into the new March 2025 Credit Agreement on March 6, 2025, consisting of a $2,500,000 revolving line of credit and a $500,000 non-revolving line of credit to finance operations. Subsequent to March 31, 2025, the Company borrowed $500,000 under its revolving line of credit to support working capital and general corporate purposes, and

(d) evaluating other financing sources in addition to the March 2025 Credit Agreement, including exploring the potential for a real estate sale leaseback or similar transaction, or seeking to potentially raise additional capital.

Management believes that these actions, if successfully executed, will mitigate the conditions giving rise to substantial doubt. However, uncertainty remains with respect to the Company's ability to increase sales, secure additional financing or liquidity, comply with loan covenants, or achieve projected cost savings. If these efforts are not successful, the Company may be required to seek alternative strategic actions. As a result, substantial doubt remains regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern, and they do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.