UUU Universal Security Instruments Inc

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 10-K

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Commission file number: 001-31747

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UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

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

None

Title of Class

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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

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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 ☐

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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 ☐

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Indicate by check mark if 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.

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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. ☐

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

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If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

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Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to § 240.10D-1(b). ☐

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

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The aggregate market value of Common Stock, $.01 par value, held by non-affiliates of the registrant based on the closing sales price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE MKT LLC) on September 30, 2023, was $4,956,199.

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The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of July 12, 2024, was 2,312,887.

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UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC.

2024 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

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PART I

General

Universal Security Instruments, Inc. (“we” or “the Company”) designs and markets a variety of popularly priced safety products consisting primarily of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and related products. Most of our products require minimal installation and are designed for easy installation by the consumer without professional assistance and are sold through retail stores. We also market products to the electrical distribution trade through our wholly owned subsidiary, USI Electric, Inc. (“USI Electric”). The electrical distribution trade includes electrical and lighting distributors as well as manufactured housing companies. Products sold by USI Electric usually require professional installation.

Our sales for the year ended March 31, 2024, were $19,902,673 compared to $22,178,873 for the year ended March 31, 2023. We reported a net loss of $395,790 in fiscal 2024 compared to net income of $720,411 in fiscal 2023, a decrease in net earnings of $1,116,201. The net loss for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, is attributed to a decrease in sales to retail customers, and increased selling, general, and administrative expense, principally increased insurance, professional fees, salaries, and allowances for credit losses.

The Company was incorporated in Maryland in 1969. Our principal executive office is located at 11407 Cronhill Drive, Suite A, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117, and our telephone number is 410-363-3000. Information about us may be obtained from our website www.universalsecurity.com. Copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K, are available free of charge on our website as soon as they are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through a link to the SEC’s EDGAR reporting system. Simply select the “Investor Relations” menu item, and then click on the “SEC Filings” link. The SEC’s EDGAR reporting system can also be accessed directly at www.sec.gov.

Safety Products

We market a line of residential smoke and carbon monoxide alarms under the trade names “UNIVERSAL” and “USI Electric” both of which are manufactured by Eyston Company Limited (Eyston) in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), a principal supplier of the Company’s products.

Our line of safety alarms consists of units powered by replaceable batteries, ten-year sealed batteries, or 120-volt units with a battery backup. Our replaceable battery products contain different types of batteries with different battery lives, and some include alarm silencers. The smoke alarms marketed to the electrical distribution trade also include hearing impaired and heat alarms with a variety of features. We also market door chimes, ventilation products, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI’s), and other electrical devices.

Our wholly owned subsidiary, USI Electric, Inc., focuses its sales and marketing efforts to maximize safety product sales, especially smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms manufactured by Eyston, to the electrical distribution trade.

Import Matters

We import all our products. As an importer, we are subject to numerous tariffs which vary depending on types of products and country of origin, changes in economic and political conditions in the country of manufacture, potential trade restrictions, and currency fluctuations. Substantially all our safety products are imported from the People’s Republic of China. Certain of these products are currently subject to tariffs of twenty-five percent.

We have attempted to protect ourselves from fluctuations in currency exchange rates to the extent possible by negotiating commitments in U.S. dollars. Our inventory purchases are also subject to delays in delivery due to problems with shipping and docking facilities, as well as other problems associated with purchasing products abroad.

Sales and Marketing; Customers

We sell our products to various customers, and our total sales market can be divided generally into two categories; sales by the Company to retailers, including wholesale distributors, chain, discount, television retailers and home center stores, catalog and mail order companies and other distributors (“retailers”), and sales by our USI Electric subsidiary to the electrical distribution trade (primarily

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electrical and lighting distributors and manufactured housing companies) and foreign customers. Products marketed by the Company have historically been retailed to “do-it-yourself” consumers by these retailers. Products marketed by our USI Electric subsidiary to the electrical distribution trade typically require professional installation. We do not currently market a significant portion of our products directly to end users.

A significant portion of our sales are made by approximately 40 independent sales organizations, compensated by commission, which represents approximately 100 sales representatives, some of which have warehouses where USI Electric products are maintained for sale. In addition, the Company has established a national distribution system with eight regional stocking warehouses throughout the United States which generally enables customers to receive their orders the next day without paying for overnight freight charges. Our agreements with these sales organizations are generally cancelable by either party upon 30 days notice. We do not believe that the loss of any one of these organizations would have a material adverse effect upon our business. Sales are also made directly by the officers and full-time employees of the Company and our USI Electric subsidiary, some of whom have other responsibilities for the Company. Sales outside the United States are made by our officers and through exporters and amounted to less than five percent of total net sales in fiscal years 2024 and 2023.

We also market our products through our website and through our own sales catalogs and brochures, which are mailed directly to customers. Our customers, in turn, may advertise our products in their own catalogs and brochures and in their ads in newspapers and other media. We also exhibit and sell our products at various trade shows, including the annual National Hardware Show.

Our backlog of orders as of March 31, 2024, was approximately $ 5,314,000. Our backlog as of March 31, 2023, was approximately $2,382,000. The increase in backlog is primarily due to pending orders to a large retailer and to delays in receiving products from the factory for shipment to customers due to delays experienced in obtaining certain electronic components and delays in ocean freight shipments.

Suppliers

The majority of our products are manufactured for us by Eyston and amounted to approximately 84.3% and 88.5% of our purchases for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Certain other private label products are also manufactured for us by foreign suppliers. We believe that our relationships with our suppliers are good. The loss of any of our other suppliers would have a short-term adverse effect on our operations, but replacement sources for these suppliers could be developed.

Competition

In fiscal years 2024 and 2023, sales of safety products accounted for substantially all of our total sales. In the sale of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, we compete in all of our markets with First Alert and Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Inc. These companies have greater financial resources and financial strength than we have. However, we believe that our safety products compete favorably in the market primarily on the basis of styling, features, and pricing.

The safety industry in general involves changing technology. The success of our products may depend on our ability to improve and update our products in a timely manner and to adapt to new technological advances.

Employees

As of March 31, 2024, we had eleven employees, seven of whom are engaged in administration and sales, and the balance of whom are engaged in product development. Our employees are not unionized, and we believe that our relations with our employees are satisfactory.

Not applicable.

Our business is not dependent on the internet. Accordingly, we believe that the Company has minimal risks related to cybersecurity. Developing a program to identify, detect, prevent and remediate potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities, including those

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arising from third-party hackers, hardware or software, is extremely costly and time consuming. Management believes that the minimal risk does not justify the significant expense needed to develop a program which will identify, detect, prevent or remediate cybersecurity risks.

During the year ended March 31, 2024, we did not identify any cybersecurity threats that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. However, we may not be aware of all vulnerabilities or might not accurately assess the risks of incidents, and such preventative measures cannot provide absolute security and may not be sufficient in all circumstances or mitigate all potential risks.

Effective March 2022, we extended our operating lease for a 15,000 square foot office and warehouse located in Baltimore County, Maryland to expire in April 2025 subject to a right to terminate the lease if the Company enters into a binding agreement to sell the assets of the Company. Monthly rental expense, with common area maintenance, currently approximates $15,000 and increases 3.0% per year.

Effective March 2003, we entered into an operating lease for office space in Naperville, Illinois. This lease, consisting of 3,400 square feet, is continued on a month-to-month basis. The monthly rental, with common area maintenance, was approximately $4,900 per month during the current fiscal year.

The Company believes that its current facilities are currently suitable and adequate.

From time to time the Company is involved in various claims and routine litigation matters. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the outcomes of such matters are not anticipated to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

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PART II

Market for Common Stock

Our common stock, $.01 par value (the “Common Stock”) trades on the NYSE MKT LLC exchange, under the symbol UUU. As of March 31, 2024, there were 121 record holders of the Common Stock. The closing price for the Common Stock on that date was $1.59. We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock, and it is our present intention to retain all cash flow for use in future operations.

As previously announced, while the Company continues to generate sufficient capital to satisfy the ongoing cash requirements for its current operations, management believes that access to additional funding or other resources, or identifying the right strategic business combination, would allow the Company to drive long term value for its shareholders while taking advantage of sales growth opportunities that the Company seeks to execute. Management believes that it would be advantageous to the Company and its shareholders to explore strategic alternatives as the Company pursues additional sources of capital. There is no deadline or definitive timetable set for completion of the strategic alternatives process, and there can be no assurance any proposal will be made or accepted, any agreement will be executed, or any transaction will be consummated.

Forward-Looking Statements

When used in this discussion and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the words or phrases “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and readers are advised that various factors, including Risk Factors discussed in earlier filings, and other risks could affect our financial performance and could cause our actual results for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

General

We are in the business of marketing and distributing safety and security products which are primarily manufactured in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Our consolidated financial statements detail our sales and other operational results. Accordingly, the following discussion and analysis of the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, and 2023 relate to the operational results of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Our overall sales are primarily dependent upon the strength of the U.S. housing market. As stated elsewhere in this report, our USI Electric subsidiary markets our products to the electrical distribution trade (primarily electrical and lighting distributors and manufactured housing companies); conditions that impact new home construction and new home sales directly impacts sales by our USI Electric subsidiary. Our operating results for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, and 2023 continue to be dependent upon the economic conditions of the U.S. housing market.

We further believe that the movement of the smoke and carbon monoxide alarm retail markets toward ten-year sealed alarms to comply with new laws passed in several states will benefit future sales of our line of ten-year sealed battery units, GFCI’s, and other electrical devices. The importation of certain wiring devices, carbon-monoxide alarms, and photo-electric alarms are currently subject to tariffs of 25%.

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Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

Sales. In fiscal year 2024, our net sales were $19,902,673 compared to sales in the prior year of $22,178,873, a decrease of $2,276,200 (10.3%). The decrease in sales was primarily due to decreased sales to existing retail customers as a result of delays in obtaining certain electronic components used in manufacturing our products and due to delays in ocean freight shipments.

Gross Profit. Gross profit percentage is calculated as net sales less cost of goods sold expressed as a percentage of net sales. Our gross profit percentage for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, was 29.2% compared to 28.6% in fiscal 2023. The increase in 2024 gross margin is attributed to variations in the mix of products sold as certain products are subject to tariff charges that directly impact gross margin.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $5,645,584 in fiscal 2024 from $4,974,453 in fiscal 2023. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses were 28.4% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, and 22.4% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. These expenses increased as a percentage of net sales as they do not change in direct proportion to a change in sales. These expenses increased as a dollar amount due primarily to increases in the provision for credit losses, salaries as the prior fiscal year reflected an employee retention credit, and due to increased freight costs, insurance, and professional fees.

Engineering and Product Development. Engineering and product development expense for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, was $427,234. Engineering and product development expense for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, was $402,692. The increase in overall engineering and product development expense for the 2024 period compared to the 2023 period was due to independent testing of products.

Net Interest Expense and Interest Income. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company incurred net interest expense of $155,731 and $237,686, respectively, related to borrowing costs associated with interest paid on amounts borrowed from our factor. The decrease in interest expense resulted primarily from decreased borrowing from our factor during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 the Company received interest income of $24,746 related to refunds of customs payments made in the prior fiscal year.

Income Taxes. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, and 2023 our statutory Federal tax rate was 21.0%. The Company has accumulated net operating losses and other income tax credits for which a full valuation allowance has been established. Accordingly, income taxes or deferred income tax benefits indicated by the provision for income taxes as shown on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, and 2023 varies from the expected statutory rate. Footnote E to the financial statements provides a reconciliation of the amount of tax that would be expected at statutory rates and the amount of tax expense or benefit provided at the effective rate of tax for each fiscal period.

Net (Loss) Income. We reported a net loss of $395,790 for the fiscal year 2024, compared to net income of $720,411 for fiscal 2023, a decrease of $1,116,201 (154.9%) in net income. The net loss for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, is attributed to decreased sales resulting from manufacturing delays caused by shortages of critical components and to delays experienced in ocean freight shipments, to increases in salaries as the prior fiscal year reflected an employee retention credit, an increase in the provision for credit losses, and due to increased freight costs, insurance, and professional fees.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company reported a net loss of $395,790, and net income of $720,411 for the years ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, working capital (computed as the excess of current assets over current liabilities) decreased by $391,075 from $5,176,475 on March 31, 2023, to $4,785,400 on March 31, 2024.

Our operating activities provided cash of $604,076 for the year ended March 31, 2024. Operating activities provided cash principally by decreasing trade accounts receivable and amounts due from factor of $354,794, and by increasing accounts payable and accrued expenses by $1,382,394 and offset by increases in inventories of $688,194, increased prepaid expenses of $61,354, and a net loss of $395,790.

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Our operating activities provided cash of $1,491,943 for the year ended March 31, 2023. Operating activities provided cash principally from a decrease in inventories of $2,165,429, net income of $720,411, and decreases in accounts receivable and amounts due from factor of $425,165. Operating activities used cash principally due to repayment of accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1,918,493.

Our investing activities did not provide or use cash during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, or 2023.

Financing activities used cash of $690,497 reflecting the decrease in net borrowing from the Factor during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Financing activities used cash of $1,779,176 reflecting the decrease in net borrowing from the Factor of $697,736 and the repayment of the Note Payable to Eyston in the amount of $1,081,440 during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

Our overall sales are primarily dependent upon the strength of the U.S. housing market. As stated elsewhere in this report, our USI Electric subsidiary markets our products to the electrical distribution trade (primarily electrical and lighting distributors and manufactured housing companies); demand in new home construction and new home sales directly impacts sales by our USI Electric subsidiary. Our operating results for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, and 2023 continue to be dependent upon the economic conditions of the U.S. housing market. Management believes that with an improved housing market and sales of our sealed products, the Company will continue to improve profitability.

Management expects our product offerings, including sealed battery alarm and ground fault circuit interrupter products, will compete in price and functionality with similar products offered by our larger competitors. While we believe there will be market acceptance of our products, we cannot be assured of this. Should our products not achieve the level of acceptance we anticipate, this could have a significant effect on our future operations, and our sales may decline, affecting our ability to continue operating in our current fashion.

Our short-term borrowings to finance operations, trade accounts receivable, and foreign inventory purchases are provided pursuant to the terms of our Factoring Agreement with Merchant Factors Corporation (Merchant or Factor). Borrowings under our Factoring Agreement bear interest at prime plus 2% and are secured by all of the Company’s assets. Advances from Merchant are at the sole discretion of Merchant based on their assessment of the Company’s receivables, inventory and financial condition at the time of each request for an advance. The unused availability of this facility totaled approximately $610,000 on March 31, 2024.

Related Party Transactions

Pursuant to its written charter, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company reviews and approves all transactions with related persons that are required to be disclosed under applicable regulation. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, inventory purchases and other company expenses of approximately $1,699,000 and $1,748,000, respectively, were charged to credit card accounts of Harvey B. Grossblatt, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and certain of his immediate family members. The Company subsequently reimbursed these charges in full. Mr. Grossblatt receives travel mileage and other credit card benefits from these charges. The maximum amount outstanding and due to Mr. Grossblatt at any point during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, and 2023 may include amounts submitted for personal expense reimbursement and amounts paid by Mr. Grossblatt for inventory purchases or other company expenses and amounted to approximately $276,000 and $217,000, respectively, and the amount outstanding at March 31, 2024 and 2023 is approximately $0 and $0, respectively.

Critical Accounting Policies

Management’s discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial statements and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements included as part of this document. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate these estimates, including those related to credit losses, inventories, income taxes, and contingencies and litigation. We base these estimates on historical experiences and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

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We believe that the following critical accounting policies affect management’s more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note A to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report. Certain of our accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty and actual results could differ from these estimates. These judgments are based on our historical experience, terms of existing contracts, current economic trends in the industry, information provided by our customers, and information available from outside sources, as appropriate. Our critical accounting policies include:

Income Taxes: The Company recognizes a liability or asset for the deferred tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets or liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. These temporary differences may result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years when the reported amounts of the assets or liabilities are recovered or settled. The deferred tax assets are reviewed periodically for recoverability and a valuation allowance is provided whenever it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. After a review of projected taxable income, the components of the deferred tax asset, and current global economic conditions, it was determined that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits associated with the remaining components of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. This determination was made based on the Company’s prior history of losses from operations and the uncertainty as to whether the Company will generate sufficient taxable income to use the deferred tax assets prior to their expiration. Accordingly, a valuation allowance was established to fully offset the value of the deferred tax assets. Our ability to realize the tax benefits associated with the deferred tax assets depends primarily upon the timing of future taxable income and the expiration dates of the components of the deferred tax assets. If sufficient future taxable income is generated, we may be able to offset a portion of future tax expenses.

The Company follows ASC 740-10 which provides guidance for tax positions related to the recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and requires that we recognize in our consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not to be sustained upon an examination, based on the technical merits of the position. Interest and penalties, if any, related to income tax matters are recorded as income tax expenses.

Revenue Recognition: The Company’s primary source of revenue is the sale of safety and security products based upon purchase orders or contracts with customers. Revenue is recognized at a point in time once the Company has determined that the customer has obtained control over the product. Control is typically deemed to have been transferred to the customer when the product is shipped or delivered to the customer. Customers may not return, exchange, or refuse acceptance of goods without our approval. Generally, the Company does not grant extended payment terms. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight, after control over a product has transferred to a customer, are accounted for as a cost of completing the sale and are recorded in selling, general and administrative expense.

The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for products sold. Revenue is recorded at the transaction price net of estimates of variable consideration. The Company uses the expected value method based on historical data in considering the impact of estimates of variable consideration, which may include trade discounts, allowances, product returns (including rights of return) or warranty replacements. Estimates of variable consideration are included in revenue to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur.

We have established a provision to cover anticipated credit losses based upon historical experience.

Inventories: Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined on the first in/first out method. We evaluate inventories on a quarterly basis and write down inventory that is deemed obsolete or unmarketable in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated net realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. We have not created, and are not party to, any special-purpose or off balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating parts of our business that are not consolidated into our financial statements and do not have any arrangements or relationships with entities that are not consolidated into our financial statements that are reasonably likely to materially affect our liquidity or the availability of our capital resources.

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Concentrations

The Company is primarily a distributor of safety products for use in home and business under both its trade names and private labels for other companies. The Company had three customers during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, that represented 13.7%, 13.7%, and 10.6% of the Company’s net sales. The Company had one customer during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, that represented 18.2% of the Company’s net sales. The Company had no customers in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, that represented greater than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable. The Company acquires all the smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm safety products that it sells from Eyston Company, Ltd. Products manufactured for us by Eyston amounted to approximately 84.3% and 88.5% of our purchases for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively. At March 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company had accounts receivable due from Eyston of $133,401 and $75,947, respectively.

New Accounting Standards

See Note A, Recently issued accounting pronouncements, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recently adopted new accounting guidance and new accounting guidance not yet adopted.

The financial statements and supplementary data required by this Item 8 are included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and set forth in the pages indicated in Item 15(a) of this Annual Report.

Not applicable.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as such item is defined in Rules 13a – 15(e) and 15d – 15(e) of the Exchange Act) that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that information, which is required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is accumulated and communicated to management in a timely manner. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated this system of disclosure controls and procedures in accordance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission guidance as of the end of the period covered by this annual report and have concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were not effective.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with US GAAP. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, and that the Company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.

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Our Chief Financial Officer, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the 1992 framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of March 31, 2024, because of a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting as discussed below.

Material weaknesses arose during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, in the management review controls over classification of and disclosure of amounts within the financial statements. The Company plans to remediate the material weakness by clarification of the classification of amounts and inclusion of the required disclosures.

Material weaknesses arose during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, in the management review controls over the classification of and accounting for income taxes. The Company plans to remediate the material weakness by clarification of the classification of amounts and inclusion of the required disclosures.

Material weaknesses arose during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, in management’s review and control over documentation supporting entries posted to the Company’s general ledger. The Company plans to remediate the material weakness by implementing procedures to improve documentation used to support entries to the Company’s general ledger.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Except for the material weaknesses noted above there have been no other changes in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

Not applicable.

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PART III

The information with respect to the identity and business experience of the directors of the Company and their remuneration set forth in the section captioned “Election of Directors” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Regulation 14A and issued in conjunction with the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Proxy Statement”) is incorporated herein by reference. The information with respect to the identity and compensation of executive officers of the Company is in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Regulation 14A and issued in conjunction with the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference. The information with respect to the Company’s Audit Committee is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Corporate Governance” in the Proxy Statement. The information with respect to compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act” in the Proxy Statement. The information with respect to the Company’s Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Code of Ethics” in the Proxy Statement.

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections captioned “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation” in the Proxy Statement.

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The information required by this item regarding security ownership is incorporated herein by reference to the sections captioned “Beneficial Ownership” and “Information Regarding Share Ownership of Management” in the Proxy Statement. Information required by this item regarding our equity compensation plans is incorporated herein by reference to the Section entitled “Executive Compensation” in the Proxy Statement.

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The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections captioned “Transactions with Management”, if any, and “Election of Directors” in the Proxy Statement.

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The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Authorization For Appointment of Auditors” in the Proxy Statement.

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PART IV

(a)1. Financial Statements.

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(a)3. Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

Exhibit No.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

Universal Security Instruments, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Universal Security Instruments, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.

/s/ Marcum LLP

Marcum LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2015.

Philadelphia, PA

July 12, 2024

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F-1

Table of Contents

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

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

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F-2

Table of Contents

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

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

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F-3

Table of Contents

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

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

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F-4

Table of Contents

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

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

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F-5

Table of Contents

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

F-6

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F-7

Table of Contents

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F-8

Table of Contents

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F-9

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F-10

Table of Contents

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F-11

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F-12

EXHIBIT 23.1

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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S CONSENT

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We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of Universal Security Instruments, Inc. and Subsidiaries on Form S-8 (File No. 333-182633) of our report dated July 12, 2024, with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Universal Security Instruments, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2024 and 2023 and for the years then ended, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Universal Security Instruments, Inc. and Subsidiaries for the year ended March 31, 2024.

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/s/ Marcum LLP

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Marcum LLP

Philadelphia, PA

July 12, 2024

EXHIBIT 31.1

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CERTIFICATION

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I, Harvey B. Grossblatt, certify that:

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1.        I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Universal Security Instruments, Inc.;

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2.        Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

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3.        Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

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4.        The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

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5.        The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

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EXHIBIT 31.2

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CERTIFICATION

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I, James B. Huff, certify that:

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1.        I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Universal Security Instruments, Inc.;

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2.        Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

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3.        Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

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4.        The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

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5.        The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

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EXHIBIT 32.1

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SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATIONS

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In connection with the Annual Report of Universal Security Instruments, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to which this Certification is an exhibit (the “Report”), the undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

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Exhibit 99.1

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Universal Security Instruments Announces its Fourth-Quarter and Year-End Results

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OWINGS MILLS, Md. July 12, 2024 - Universal Security Instruments, Inc. (NYSE Amex: UUU) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and its fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

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The Company reported:

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Harvey Grossblatt, President and Chief Executive Officer said, “Included in the current year results is approximately $150,000 related to an insurance audit of a prior year and an increase in the provision for credit losses of approximately $168,000 recorded in the fourth fiscal quarter. The increase in the provision for credit losses includes amounts with respect to which the Company has filed suit against one of its customers. In addition, sales were impacted by supply chain issues and rising ocean freight rates.”

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11407 CRONHILL DRIVE, SUITE A · OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND 21117, USA

(410) 363-3000 · www.universalsecurity.com

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UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC. is a distributor of safety and security devices. Founded in 1969, the Company has an over 55-year heritage of developing innovative and easy-to-install products, including smoke, fire and carbon monoxide alarms.  For more information on Universal Security Instruments, visit our website at www.universalsecurity.com.

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"Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain matters discussed in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws that inherently include certain risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, among other items, currency fluctuations, the impact of current and future laws and governmental regulations, and other factors which may be identified from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and other public announcements.  We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.  We will revise our outlook from time to time and frequently will not disclose such revisions publicly.

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Universal/Page 2

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

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