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Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

Note 14 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

Legal Matters

 

From time to time, we may become involved in material legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business.

 

Bud & Mary’s Litigation

 

On September 15, 2022, the Company provided a notice of default to Bud & Mary’s and certain related parties notifying such parties that Bud & Mary’s was in default of its obligations under the Bud & Mary TTK Agreement. On October 5, 2022, Bud & Mary’s filed a complaint in the Superior Court of Massachusetts in Suffolk County, naming the Company as the defendant. Bud & Mary’s is seeking, among other relief, monetary damages in connection with alleged unfair or deceptive trade practices, breach of contract and conversion arising from the Agreement. While the Company believes the claim is without merit and will continue to vigorously defend itself against Bud & Mary’s allegations, litigation is inherently unpredictable and there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail in this matter. During the third quarter of 2022, the Company deemed it necessary to fully reserve for the outstanding $14.7 million note receivable balance due to the current litigation and the uncertainty of the customer’s ability to repay the balance. The $14.7 million represents the amount of the contingent loss that the Company has determined to be reasonably possible and estimable. The actual cost of resolving this matter may be higher or lower than the amount the Company has reserved. If the Company is unable to realize revenue from its TTK Solution offerings on a timely basis or at all, or if it incurs an additional loss as a result of the Bud & Mary’s claim, the Company’s business and financial performance will be adversely affected. On November 14, 2022, the Company filed its answers and affirmative defenses to the Bud & Mary’s complaint and counterclaims. The Company is seeking, among other relief, monetary damages in connection with the breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment, and enforcement of the guarantees. Bud & Mary’s is permitted to file an amended complaint, and Agrify will be permitted to make responsive filings, which may include an answer and counterclaim.

 

Bowdoin Construction Corp. Litigation

 

On February 22, 2023, Bowdoin Construction Corp. (“Bowdoin”) filed a complaint (the “Bowdoin Complaint”) in the Superior Court of Massachusetts in Norfolk County naming the Company, Bud & Mary’s and certain related parties as defendants, captioned Bowdoin Construction Corp. v. Agrify Corporation, Bud & Mary’s Cultivation, Inc. and BMLC2, LLC, case no. 2382CV00173. The Bowdoin Complaint relates to a construction contract between Bowdoin and the Company relating to the property that is the subject of the Bud & Mary’s Complaint, and alleges breach of contract by Bud & Mary’s and by the Company due to nonpayment of approximately $6.3 million due under the contract and related indemnification claims and mechanics’ liens. The $6.3 million is included in accounts payable in the consolidated balance sheet. One of Bowdoin’s subs, Hannon Electric, Inc. has filed a separate suit against Agrify in the amount of $1.498 million. The amount is part of the $6.3 million claimed in Bowdoin’s complaint. The Company is entitled to indemnification by Bud & Mary’s and intends to vigorously defend this claim.

 

Mack Molding Co.

 

In December 2020, the Company entered into a five-year supply agreement with Mack Molding Co. (“Mack”) pursuant to which Mack will become a key supplier of VFUs. In February 2021, the Company placed a purchase order with Mack amounting to approximately $5.2 million towards the initial production of VFUs during 2021. Since February 2021, the Company increased the purchase order with Mack to approximately $26.5 million towards production of VFUs during 2021 and 2022. The Company believed the supply agreement with Mack would provide the Company with increased scaling capabilities and the ability to meet the potential future demand of its customers more efficiently. The supply agreement contemplates that, following an introductory period, the Company will negotiate a minimum percentage of the VFU requirements that the Company will purchase from Mack each year based on the agreed-upon pricing formula. The introductory period is not time-based but rather refers to the production of an initial number of units after which the parties have rights to adjust pricing and negotiate a certain minimum requirements percentage. The Company believed this approach would result in both parties making a more informed decision with respect to the pricing and other terms of the supply agreement with Mack. On October 11, 2022, the Company received a $9.4 million invoice from Mack for inventory purchased on the Company’s behalf to build VFUs. As part of the terms of the contract manufacturing agreement, Mack had the contractual right to bill the Company for any inventory that had aged greater than nine months. Due to the slowdown in the demand for the VFUs and the lack of a demand forecast that the Company could provide to the vendor, Mack exercised the right to invoice the Company for the slow-moving inventory. As of December 31, 2022, the Company owed Mack $8.4 million for purchased inventory on behalf of the Company to produce VFUs, which is included in accounts payable in the consolidated balance sheet. On March 2, 2023, Mack filed an arbitration action seeking the amounts owed to Mack for purchased inventory. On October 27, 2023, and effective as of October 18, 2023, Mack and the Company entered into a Modification and Settlement Agreement (the “Modification Agreement”) with respect to the dispute.

 

On February 29, 2024, the Company met its performance obligations in terms of the Modification Agreement and a gain of $1,141,587 was recorded, within general and administrative expenses, on the Consolidated Statement of Operations during the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing the difference between the carrying value of the Contract liability owing by Agrify to Mack, prior to the execution of the Modification Agreement, and the aggregate of (a) the present value of the minimum cash payments required to be made by the Company over the term of the Modification Agreement, and (b) the fair value of the warrants issued to Mack by the Company, in terms of the Modification Agreement. The recognition of this gain also resulted in the derecognition of the Prepaid settlement asset balance, and the reduction of the outstanding accounts payable balance based on the terms of the Modification Agreement. At this time, the outstanding accounts payable balance owing to Mack, was reclassified from Accounts payable to Notes payable, current in the amount of $1,374 and Notes payable, net of current in the amount of $3,464, per the face of the condensed consolidated balance sheet, as of March 31, 2024.

 

Further, following the meeting of certain conditions, including making predetermined quarterly payments to Mack in terms of the Modification Agreement, the Company is entitled to take possession of certain VFUs that were assembled under the Supply Agreement. These quarterly payments relate to the purchase from Mack of a minimum of 25 VFUs per quarter for each quarter during 2024 and a minimum of 50 VFUs per quarter for the six quarters beginning with the first quarter of 2025. In the first quarter of 2024, the Company recognized a gain of $564,277, within general and administrative expenses, associated with the revaluation of the contingent liability, originally recognized on losing control of this inventory and offset against the inventory balance during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, on regaining control of 25 units of the VFU inventory.

 

The Company is also required to pay a storage fee of $25,000 to Mack, per month, for VFUs subject to the Modification Agreement.

 

TRC Electronics Litigation

 

The Company was named as a defendant in a complaint filed by TRC Electronics, Inc. (“TRC”) on April 13, 2023 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In the Complaint, TRC asserts two causes of action against the Company: (1) breach of contract, and (2) promissory estoppel. TRC’s claims are based on allegations that the Company failed to make payments due under three purchase orders for commercial electronics parts. TRC seeks damages in the amount of $565,210, plus attorneys’ fees, costs, and post-judgment interest. The Company has filed an answer denying liability on TRC’s claims and is proceeding with discovery.

 

McCutchan, Inc.

 

In December 2021, the Company entered into a Standard Form of Agreement (“Agreement”) between Owner and Contractor whereby Valiant Group LLC (“Valiant”) is the general contractor for tenant improvements on certain real property located in Bellevue, Washington (the “Project”). McCutchan, Inc. (“McCutchan”) agreed to be a subcontractor on the Project and engaged various other subcontractors. The Company terminated Valiant as the general contractor for, among other allegations, breach of contract and unjust enrichment. Following the termination of Valiant, in October 2022, the Agreement was assigned and accepted (the “Assignment”) to Agxion, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The Assignment contemplates that, as a subcontractor to the Agreement, McCutchan is still bound to the subcontract agreement and will continue construction operations on the Project. The Company is pursuing Valiant in a separate litigation (the “Valiant Litigation”) to collect no less than approximately $1.4 million alleging overbilling, breach of the Agreement, and violation of Chapter 18.27 and 19.86 RCW in Washington. On March 5, 2024, McCutchan, Inc. (“McCutchan”) filed a complaint in the Superior Court of Washington for King County naming the Company, Valiant, and certain related parties as defendants. In the Complaint, McCutchan asserts two causes of action against the Company: (1) breach of contract, (2) voidable contract, (3) interference with business or economic expectancy, (4) unjust enrichment, and (5) defamation. McCutchan’s claims are based on allegations of misrepresentations made by the Company to pay McCutchan for work completed on the Project as well as a failure to pay under the Agreement. In the alternative, McCutchan is alleging the Assignment is void and not a valid contract. McCutchan is seeking to collect no less than $3 million against the Company and all other named defendants. The Company, Valiant, and McCutchan have all agreed to mediate the matter. McCutchan has asked to postpone the original scheduled May 7th mediation date, and the Company, Valiant and McCutchan are collectively working to set up a new three-way mediation date. In the event the parties cannot reach an agreement in the mediation, this matter will be moved to arbitration pursuant to the mandatory arbitration clause in the Agreement.

 

Valiant Grouop LLC

 

Agrify filed a separate complaint against Valiant for overbilling, misrepresentation, and breach for the Treehouse project in Nevada. Valiant has failed to respond and Agrify has since submitted an entry of default to the court and is currently seeking for award in the amount of $1.5 million. However, there is no guarantee that the Court would award the full amount and no guarantee that Agrify would be able to successfully collect the full amount from Valiant.

 

Other Litigation

 

In September 2023, the Company settled a legal dispute with a specific customer which resulted in the recognition of a gain of approximately $0.9 million, of which $0.3 million was paid in October 2023, with the remaining approximate $0.6 million to be paid in equal monthly installments, beginning in January, 2024. This gain was recognized as part of other income, net per the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024, with the approximate $0.9 million receivable balance recognized as part of prepaid expenses and other current assets, per the consolidated balance sheet, as of March 31, 2024. The settlement also resulted in the return of equipment to the Company in October 2023.

 

The Company is currently pursuing 10 separate legal proceedings in attempting to collect approximately $2.5 million outstanding receivables. The Company is not confident that all legal proceedings and collection efforts will yield in positive results or return of equipment.

 

On April 25, 2024, Medical Investor Holdings, LLC dba Vertical Companies (“MIH”) filed a complaint against Agrify demanding $288,000. MIH purchased an XMU hydrocarbon extraction system from Precision in October 2021. MIH chose to not include installation and training in the original purchase but is now having problems with this equipment. The Company this is a meritless case.

 

The Company is also a defendant or plaintiff in a variety of other litigation matters that are individually insignificant. The timing and amount of any settlements, including potential payments made or received, is uncertain. Nonetheless, management currently estimates that the Company’s aggregate net loss exposure with respect to these cases is within the range of approximately $150,000 to $300,000.

 

On July 2022, claimant, an ex-sales VP is claiming he is owed back wages, commission and is entitled to equity in the company, under theories of liability under Massachusetts labor laws including retaliation, breach of contract, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraudulent inducement, tortious interference & unjust enrichment. Company has filed its answer to the initial complaint in January 2023. The Company believes this is a meritless case and has responded to various discovery requests.

 

Commitments

 

Other Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is potentially subject to claims related to various non-income taxes (such as sales, value-added, consumption, and similar taxes) from various tax authorities, including in jurisdictions in which the Company already collects and remits such taxes. If the relevant taxing authorities successfully pursue these claims, the Company could be subject to additional tax liabilities.

 

Refer to Note 7 – Debt, included elsewhere in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for details of the Company’s future minimum debt payments. Refer to Note 8 – Leases, included elsewhere in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for details of the Company’s future minimum lease payments under operating and financing lease liabilities. Refer to Note 12 – Income Taxes, included elsewhere in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding income tax contingencies.