10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024

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: 333-60608

JANEL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada	86-1005291
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
80 Eighth Avenue New York, New York	10011
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code	(212) 373-5895

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

Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
None	None	None

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

Title of Class

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

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

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 ☒

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 if the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition 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 checkmark 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. ☐

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. ☐

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). ☐

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

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value (“Common Stock”), held by non-affiliates of the registrant based on the closing sales price of the Common Stock on the Pink tier of the OTC market on March 31, 2024, was $16,674,126.

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of December 6, 2024 was 1,186,354.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

			Page
PART I			2
	ITEM 1	BUSINESS	2
	ITEM 1A	RISK FACTORS	7
	ITEM 1B	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS	20
	ITEM 1C	CYBERSECURITY	21
	ITEM 2	PROPERTIES	22
	ITEM 3	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	22
	ITEM 4	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES	22
PART II			23
	ITEM 5	MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES	23
	ITEM 6	RESERVED	23
	ITEM 7	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	23
	ITEM 7A	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK	34
	ITEM 8	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA	34
	ITEM 9	CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES	34
	ITEM 9A	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	34
	ITEM 9B	OTHER INFORMATION	35
	ITEM 9C	DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS	35
PART III			36
	ITEM 10	DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE	36
	ITEM 11	EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	41
	ITEM 12	SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS	43
	ITEM 13	CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE	45
	ITEM 14	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES	45
PART IV			46
	ITEM 15	EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES	46
	ITEM 16	FORM 10-K SUMMARY	49
SIGNATURES			50

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Report") contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward – looking statements may generally be identified using the words “may,” “will,” “intends,” “plans,” projects,” “believes,” “should,” “expects,” “predicts,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” and similar expressions or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are necessarily estimates reflecting management’s best judgment based upon current information and involve several risks, uncertainties and assumptions. 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, but not limited to, those set forth elsewhere in this Report, could affect our financial performance and could cause our actual results for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, such factors include, but are not limited to, our strategy of expanding our business through acquisitions of other businesses; we may be required to record a significant change to earnings related to the impairment of acquired assets; we may fail to realize the expected benefits or strategic objectives of any acquisition, or we may spend resources exploring acquisitions that are not consummated; risks associated with litigation and indemnification claims and other unforeseen claims and liabilities that may arise from an acquisition; changes in tax rates, laws or regulations and our ability to utilize anticipated tax benefits; the impact of rising interest rates on our investments, business and operations; conflicts of interest with the minority shareholders of our business; we may not have sufficient working capital to continue operations; we may lose customers who are not obligated to long-term contracts to transact with us; changes or developments in U.S. laws or policies, including the potential imposition of tariffs; competition from companies with greater financial resources and from companies that operate in areas in which we plan to expand; our dependence on technically skilled employees; impacts from climate change, including the increased focus by third-parties on sustainability issues and our ability to comply therewith; the impact of evolving corporate governance and public disclosure regulation; competition from parties who sell their businesses to us and from professionals who cease working for us; terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war; security breaches or cybersecurity attacks;  the impact of catastrophic events, such as health crises, natural disasters and armed conflict; the level of our insurance coverage, including related to product and other liability risks; our compliance with applicable privacy, security and data laws; risks related to the diverse platforms and geographies that host our management information and financial reporting systems; our dependence on the availability of cargo space from third parties; the impact of claims arising from transportation of freight by the carriers with which we contract, including an increase in premium costs; the impact of higher carrier prices; risks related to the classification of owner-operators in the transportation industry; recessions, economic developments and other events affecting the volume of international trade and international operations; risks arising from our ability to comply with governmental permit and licensing requirements or statutory and regulatory requirements; the impact of seasonal trends and other factors beyond our control on our Logistics business; changes in governmental regulations applicable to our Life Sciences business; the ability of our Life Sciences business to continually produce products that meet high-quality standards such as purity, reproducibility and/or absence of cross-reactivity; the ability of our Life Sciences business to maintain, determine the scope of and defend its and its competitors’ intellectual property rights; the impact of pressures in the life sciences industry to increase the predictability of or reduce healthcare costs; any decrease in the availability, or increase in the cost or supply shortages, of raw materials used by Indco; risks arising from the environmental, health and safety regulations applicable to Indco; the reliance of our Indco business on a single location to manufacture their products; the controlling influence exerted by a small number of our stockholders; the unlikelihood that we will issue dividends in the foreseeable future; and risks related to ownership of our common stock, including share price volatility, the lack of a guaranteed continued public trading market for our common stock, our ability to issue shares of preferred stock with greater rights than our common stock and costs related to maintaining our status as a public company; and such other factors that may be identified from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings including those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part 1 Item 1A of this report. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those projected. You should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Our Business

Janel Corporation (“Janel,” the “Company” or the “Registrant”) is a holding company with subsidiaries in three business segments: Logistics, Life Sciences and Manufacturing. The Company strives to create shareholder value primarily through three strategic priorities: supporting its businesses’ efforts to make investments and to build long-term profits; allocating Janel’s capital at high risk-adjusted rates of return; and attracting and retaining exceptional talent.

Management at the Janel holding company focuses on significant capital allocation decisions, corporate governance and supporting Janel’s subsidiaries where appropriate. Janel expects to grow through its subsidiaries’ organic growth and by completing acquisitions. We plan to either acquire businesses within our existing segments or expand our portfolio into new strategic segments. Our acquisition strategy focuses on reasonably priced companies with strong and capable management teams, attractive existing business economics and stable and predictable earnings power.

Janel was incorporated on August 31, 2000 and is domiciled in the state of Nevada. Its corporate headquarters are located in New York, New York.

As of September 30, 2024, Janel and its consolidated subsidiaries employed 334 full-time employees in the United States. None of these employees is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Janel and its subsidiaries have experienced no work stoppages and consider relations with their employees to be good. Successful execution of our strategy is dependent on attracting, developing and retaining key employees and members of our management team. The skills, experience and industry knowledge of our employees significantly benefit our operations and performance. We continuously evaluate, modify and enhance our internal processes and technologies to increase employee engagement, productivity, efficiency opportunities, skills and resources needed for success.

Our Business Segments

We have three reportable segments: Logistics, Life Sciences and Manufacturing. The following provides greater detail regarding each of these segments.

Logistics

The Company’s Logistics segment is comprised of several wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Logistics segment is a non-asset based, full-service provider of cargo transportation logistics management services, including freight forwarding via air, ocean and land-based carriers; customs brokerage services; warehousing and distribution services; trucking and other value-added logistics services. In addition to these revenue streams, the Company earns accessorial revenues in connection with its core services. Accessorial revenues include, but are not limited to, fuel service charges, wait time fees, hazardous cargo fees, labor charges, handling, cartage, bonding and additional labor charges.

On June 5, 2024, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired a majority ownership position in Airschott, a non-asset-based freight forwarder and customs broker.  At closing, the Company purchased 80% of the outstanding stock of Airschott.  The Company also agreed to purchase the remaining 20% of Airschott stock in three years subject to certain closing conditions.

Life Sciences

The Company’s Life Sciences segment is comprised of several wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company’s Life Sciences segment manufactures and distributes antibodies as well as research and diagnostic reagents for, and provides custom services to academic, non-profit and commercial customers.

On November 1, 2022, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of ImmunoBioScience Corporation, which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

On March 2, 2023, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of Stephen Hall, PhD Ltd., which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

On May 22, 2023, the Company acquired all the rights, title and interests to a royalty agreement for certain antibody products, which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

2

On February 1, 2024, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of ViraQuest Inc., which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

Manufacturing

The Company’s Manufacturing segment is comprised of Indco, Inc. (“Indco”). Indco is a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company that manufactures and distributes mixing equipment and apparatuses for specific applications within various industries. Indco’s customer base is comprised of small- to mid-sized businesses as well as other larger customers for which Indco fulfills repetitive production orders.

Investment in Marketable Securities - Rubicon

As of each of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2024, the Company owned 1,108,000 shares or approximately 46.6%, of the common stock of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (“Rubicon”). Rubicon is an advanced materials provider specializing in monocrystalline sapphire for applications in optical and industrial systems. The purpose of our investment in Rubicon was for Janel to acquire a significant ownership interest in Rubicon, together with representation on Rubicon’s Board, in an attempt to (i) restructure the Rubicon business to achieve profitability and (ii) assist Rubicon in utilizing its net operating loss carry-forward assets. Our investment involves risks and uncertainties are discussed herein under Item 1A, Risk Factors.

Logistics

The Company’s Logistics segment helps clients move and manage freight efficiently to reduce inventories and to increase supply chain speed and reliability. Key services include customs entry filing; arrangement of freight forwarding by air, ocean and ground; warehousing; cargo insurance procurement; logistics planning; product repackaging; online shipment tracking and hazardous material warehousing and distribution.

Our Logistics segment earns flat fees for certain services, such as customs entry filing. For brokered services, Logistics earns the difference between the rate charged by a service provider and the rate Logistics charges the customer for the provider’s service. Its freight consolidation activities, in addition to on-going volume-based relationships with providers, allow Logistics to command preferred service rates that can be passed on profitably to the customer.

As a non-asset-based logistics provider, we own only a minimal amount of equipment. We generally expect to neither own nor operate any material transportation assets and, consequently, arrange for transportation of our customers’ shipments via trucking companies, commercial airlines, air cargo carriers, railroads, ocean carriers and other non-asset based third-party providers. By not owning the transportation equipment used to transport the freight, which results in relatively minimal fixed operating costs, we are able to leverage our network of locations to offer competitive pricing and flexible solutions to our customers. Moreover, our balanced product offering provides us with revenue streams from multiple sources and enables us to retain customers even as they shift across various modes of transportation. We believe our low capital intensity model allows us to provide low-cost solutions to our customers, operate our business with strong cash flow characteristics and retain significant flexibility in responding to changing industries and economic conditions.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, Logistics handled approximately 151,200 individual import and export shipments originating or terminating in countries around the world. Approximately 46% of the revenues from these activities related to trucking, 25% to ocean freight, 17% to air freight, with the remainder of 12% to customs brokerage and other.

Based upon revenues, our customers are diverse, with the largest individual customer accounting for about 2.2% of revenues and the top ten customers accounting for 17.4% of revenues during fiscal 2024.

As of September 30, 2024, our Logistics segment operated out of twenty-seven full-service locations in the United States and maintained a network of independent agent relationships in many trading countries, giving it the ability to provide a global service to its clients.

Each office is responsible for its growth and profitability. Logistics management helps the offices as needed with efforts such as human resources, maintaining a common information technology platform and centralized accounting services. Our growth strategy includes servicing existing customers well and acquiring more of their business, hiring new people who can grow our company and adding new companies or services through acquisitions.

3

The logistics industry is highly fragmented, with low barriers to entry and intense competition. Our Logistics segment competes against providers ranging in size from “mom-and-pop” businesses to multi-national firms with hundreds of offices worldwide. Many of our Logistics customers utilize more than one logistics provider.

The freight forwarding industry requires dealings in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. As a result, our Logistics segment is exposed to the inherent risks of international currency markets and governmental interference. Some countries in which the Logistics segment maintains agent relationships have currency control regulations that influence our ability to hedge foreign currency exposure. Logistics tries to manage these exposures by accelerating international currency settlements among those agents.

Historically, the quarterly operating results of the Logistics segment have been subject to seasonal trends. The fiscal third and fourth quarters have traditionally been the strongest, and the fiscal second quarter has traditionally been the weakest. This pattern has been the result of, or influenced by, numerous factors including climate, national holidays, consumer demand, economic conditions and other similar and subtle forces.

A significant portion of Logistics segment revenues are derived from customers in industries with shipping patterns tied to consumer demand and/or just-in-time production schedules. Many Logistics customers may ship a significant portion of their goods at or near the end of a quarter. Therefore, the timing of revenues is, to a large degree, affected by factors beyond the segment’s control, such as shifting consumer demand for retail goods and manufacturing production delays. We cannot accurately forecast many of these factors, nor can we estimate the relative impact of any given factor. Therefore, historical patterns experienced may not continue in the future.

Government Regulation

Interstate and international transportation of freight is highly regulated. Failure to comply with applicable state and federal regulations, or to maintain required permits or licenses, can result in substantial fines or revocation of operating permits or authorities imposed on both transportation intermediaries and their shipper customers. We cannot give assurance as to the degree or cost of future regulations on our business. Some of the regulations affecting our current and prospective operations are described below.

Logistics is a customs broker licensed and permitted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”). All U.S. customs brokers are required to maintain prescribed records and are subject to periodic audits by CBP. Logistics is a registered Ocean Transportation Intermediary (“OTI”) and is licensed as a non-vessel operating common carrier (“NVOCC”) by the Federal Maritime Commission (“FMC”). The FMC has established certain qualifications for shipping agents, including certain surety bonding requirements. We also operate as a Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) certified Indirect Air Carrier (“IAC”), providing air freight services, subject to commercial standards set forth by the International Air Transport Association (“IATA”) and federal regulations issued by the Transportation Security Administration.

Air freight forwarding operations are subject to regulation, as an indirect air cargo carrier, under the Federal Aviation Act, as enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Transportation Security Administration of the Department of Homeland Security. While air freight forwarders are exempted from most of the Federal Aviation Act’s requirements by the Economic Aviation Regulations, the industry is subject to ongoing regulatory and legislative developments that can impact the economics of the industry by requiring changes to operating practices or influencing the demand for, and the costs of, providing services to customers.

Surface freight forwarding operations are subject to various state and federal statutes and are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation and, to a very limited extent, the Surface Transportation Board. These federal agencies have broad investigatory and regulatory powers, including the power to issue a certificate of authority or license to engage in the business; to approve specified mergers, consolidations and acquisitions; and to regulate the delivery of some types of domestic shipments and operations within particular geographic areas.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also has the authority to regulate interstate motor carrier operations, including the regulation of certain rates, charges and accounting systems; to require periodic financial reporting; and to regulate insurance, driver qualifications, operation of motor vehicles, parts and accessories for motor vehicle equipment, hours of service of drivers, inspection, repair, maintenance standards and other safety related matters. The federal laws governing interstate motor carriers have both direct and indirect application to the Company. The breadth and scope of the federal regulations may affect our operations and the motor carriers that are used in the provisioning of the transportation services. In certain locations, state or local permits or registrations may also be required to provide or obtain intrastate motor carrier services.

Risk Management and Insurance

As a property freight broker, we are not legally liable for loss or damage to our customers’ cargo. In our customer contracts, we may agree to assume cargo liability up to a stated maximum.

4

We typically do not assume cargo liability above minimum industry standards in our international freight forwarding, ocean transportation or air freight businesses on international or domestic air shipments. With regards to international freight forwarding, ocean transportation and international domestic air freight shipments, we offer our customers the option to purchase shippers’ insurance coverage to insure goods in transit. When we agree to store goods for our customers for longer terms, we provide limited warehouseman’s coverage to our customers and typically contract for warehousing services from companies that provide us with the same degree of coverage.

We maintain a broad cargo liability insurance policy to help protect us against catastrophic losses that may not be recovered from the responsible contracted carrier. We also carry various liability insurance policies, including automobile and general liability, with an umbrella policy.

Life Sciences

The Company’s Life Sciences segment manufactures and distributes antibodies as well as research and diagnostic reagents for, and provides custom services to academic, non-profit and commercial customers.

Our Life Sciences segment also produces products for life science companies on an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis. Through a combined portfolio of nearly 3,000 products and a range of custom services, the Life Sciences segment provides the scientific community with high-quality tools to support critical research efforts.

Our Life Sciences segment is based in Davis, California on an owned 40-acre facility and three other leased locations in the U.S. Our growth strategy is to place high-quality products in the hands of more researchers to accelerate scientific discovery.

Our growth strategies include:

• Product innovation: By working with key researchers and scientific organizations, we seek to develop new products to enhance the range of tools available and thereby expand the capabilities of life science researchers.

• Operational improvement: We continue to enhance our operational designs and processes to be more efficient, which supports higher profitability and enables us to devote more resources to investments in growth and innovation.

• Attract and retain exceptional talent: High-quality scientists enable our top-quality products and services to be offered, which are key to our reputation in the marketplace.

• Acquisitions and investments: We intend to grow by acquiring new businesses with high-quality reputations that will benefit from our combined innovational and operational strength.

• Customers and distribution methods: We sell our biotechnology products directly to customers, principally direct through our website or distributors. Some of our customers utilize our scientific expertise and production capabilities and purchase our products and re-label them. Our reputation for quality products is critical to our ability to attract new customers for both our products and services.

• Broad product offering: A number of companies supply protein-related research and diagnostic reagents. Customers choose their products based upon product quality, reputation and price. We believe a number of our products have long-standing reputations and that our portfolio overall is well-regarded, especially amongst the academic, diagnostic and pharmaceutical research community.

• Manufacturing: Our antibodies are produced using a variety of technologies including traditional animal immunization and hybridoma technology as well as recombinant antibody techniques. We are not dependent on key or sole source suppliers for most of our products, as we typically have several outside sources for all critical raw materials necessary for the manufacture of our products.

The majority of our life science products are shipped within two days of receipt of customers’ orders. Consequently, we typically do not maintain a significant backlog of orders for our Life Sciences segment products.

5

Our Life Sciences segment is subject to regulation. One of our subsidiaries, Antibodies, Inc., maintains International Organization of Standardization certification for medical devices to support our manufacturing operation. We also comply with regulations related to the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institutes of Health, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare and the United States Food and Drug Administration. Many of our customers are regulated and must verify our compliance with their standards throughout the supply chain, which requires us to maintain careful records. The failure to comply with these regulations may impair our ability to compete in the marketplace.

Manufacturing

The Company’s Manufacturing segment is composed of Indco, which is a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company that manufactures and distributes mixing equipment and apparatuses for specific applications within various industries. Indco’s headquarters and manufacturing operations are located in a single owned facility in New Albany, Indiana.

Indco provides solutions for the mixing needs of customers operating in diverse industries, including chemicals, inks, paints, construction, plastics, adhesives, cosmetics, food and pharmaceuticals. Solutions include standard product configurations, both manufactured and distributed, available for order from Indco’s website and its print catalog, which is mailed quarterly. In addition, Indco manufactures custom-designed mixing solutions that Indco helps specify, design, machine, assemble and distribute. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, Indco made approximately 3,900 individual shipments to customers. In fiscal 2024, approximately 86% of Indco’s revenues came from manufacturing activity. The remainder of its revenues came from non-manufactured product distribution activity. Indco’s revenues are generally level throughout the year with little seasonality.

Indco relies on a variety of providers of raw materials, mechanical components and other services in order to manufacture its products. These providers include national and multi-national suppliers for common industrial components such as motors, gear drives, motor controls and many other standard hardware products. Additionally, regional and local suppliers provide Indco-specific parts such as castings and fabricated metal components. Raw materials, primarily steel bars, plates and shafts, are sourced from domestic steel mills through local distributors. Alternative or substantially similar options are available from suppliers other than those Indco currently employs. While custom cast or fabricated parts are at greater risk of supply interruption, alternative equivalent suppliers are typically available.

Our growth strategy within the industrial mixer business is to enhance our reputation as a high-quality manufacturer of often customized products to meet specialized mixing needs. Indco’s products are frequently utilized in mission-critical applications, making our high-quality and strong service offering highly valuable to our customers. Our growth strategy includes keeping our direct relationship with the customer relevant through our web presence, introducing new relevant products and expanding our reach into new and existing markets with sales efforts and partners.

The industrial mixer manufacturing industry is highly fragmented with low barriers to entry. Indco competes with companies of all sizes based on a combination of pricing, lead-times, service, quality and ability to reach customers through internet presence and catalog circulation.

Government regulation directly governing Indco’s industrial mixer product line is minimal. Changing energy efficiency standards, however, as mandated by the Department of Energy, can, over time, affect electric motor manufacturers whose products are used by Indco. Historically, these changes have resulted in only minor changes to our product line.

Indco is subject to U.S. federal, state and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise for the protection of the environment. Although current operations have not been significantly affected by compliance with these environmental laws, the Company cannot predict what impact future environmental regulations may have on Indco. Indco does not anticipate making any material capital expenditures for environmental control purposes during the remainder of the current or succeeding fiscal years.

Additional information with respect to Janel’s business

Our principal executive offices and corporate headquarters are located at 80 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011, and our telephone number is (212) 373-5895.

We disclose information to the public concerning Janel, Janel’s products, content and services and other items through our website in order to achieve broad, non-exclusionary distribution of information to the public. Some of the information distributed through this channel may be considered material information. For information concerning Janel and its products, content and services, please visit (http://www.janelcorp.com).*

*This corporate website and the contents thereof are not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K nor deemed filed with the SEC.

6

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following risk factors should be read carefully in connection with an evaluation of the Company’s business and any forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and elsewhere. See the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” set forth above. Any of the following risks or others discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or the Company’s other SEC filings could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition. An investment in Janel’s common stock is subject to risks inherent to the Company’s business. The material risks and uncertainties that management believes affect Janel are described below. Additional risks and uncertainties that management is not aware of or focused on or that management currently deems immaterial may also impair the Company’s business operations.

Risk Factors Related to Janel’s Growth Strategy

Janel’s strategy of expanding its business through acquisitions of other businesses presents special risks.

We expect to grow our businesses in part by completing acquisitions, either through acquisitions of businesses within our existing segments or the expansion of our portfolio into new segments. In either case:

• our financial condition may not be sufficient to support the funding needs of an expansion program;

• we may not be able to successfully identify suitable investment opportunities;

• acquisitions that we undertake may not be successfully consummated or enhance profitability; or

• expansion opportunities may not be available to us upon reasonable terms.

There may be a limited number of operating companies available for acquisition that we deem to be desirable targets. At times, there may be a limited number of operating companies available for acquisition and fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require more time, effort and resources to identify a suitable target and to consummate an acquisition. We may compete with entities whose financial resources, technical expertise and managerial capabilities are significantly greater than ours. Therefore, we may be at a competitive disadvantage in negotiating and executing possible acquisitions. Even if we are successful in a competitive bidding process for an acquisition, this competition may affect the terms of completed transactions, and, as a result, we may pay more or receive less favorable terms than we expected for potential acquisitions.

In addition, even if we are able to successfully compete with these entities, we expect future acquisitions to encounter risks similar to those that past acquisitions have encountered, such as:

• difficulty in assimilating/integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired businesses;

• potential disruption of our or the target’s ongoing business;

• inability to realize the projected operational and financial benefits from the acquisition or to maximize financial and strategic benefits through the incorporation of acquired personnel and clients, particularly in a high interest environment;

• difficulty maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies;

• impairment of relationships with employees and clients resulting from integration of the newly acquired company;

• strain on managerial and operational resources as management tries to oversee larger operations;

• significantly increased need for working capital to operate the acquired companies; and

• exposure to unforeseen liabilities of acquired companies.

Furthermore, management’s attention may be diverted by acquisition, investment, transition or integration activities. We may be required to dedicate additional management and other resources to newly acquired businesses.

Additionally, should we acquire a new line of business in which we have no operating history, the success of such a new business cannot be assured. If an acquired entity is not efficiently or completely integrated, there may be a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

7

Janel may be required to record a significant change to earnings if its goodwill and other amortizable intangible assets, or other investments, become impaired, which could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and/or stock price.

Under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), we are required to test goodwill for impairment at least annually and to review our goodwill, amortizable intangible assets and other assets acquired through merger and acquisition activity for impairment when events or changes in circumstance indicate that the carrying value of such assets may no longer be recoverable. Factors that could lead to impairment of goodwill, amortizable intangible assets and other assets acquired via acquisitions include significant adverse changes in the business climate, actual or projected operating results affecting us or any of our particular segments, and a decline in the financial condition of our business. If our goodwill, amortizable intangible assets or other investments become impaired in the future, we may be required to record additional charges to earnings. Such charges would have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Janel might fail to realize the expected benefits or strategic objectives of any acquisition it undertakes, or it may spend resources exploring acquisitions that are not consummated.

Due to our acquisition strategy, we face a number of risks that may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. We might not achieve our expected return on investment or may lose capital. Furthermore, we may be materially adversely impacted by liabilities that we assume from an acquired business, including from that business’s known and unknown obligations, intellectual property or other assets, terminated employees, current or former clients or other third parties.

In addition, we may fail to identify or adequately assess the magnitude of certain liabilities, shortcomings or other circumstances prior to acquiring, investing in or partnering with a company, including potential exposure to regulatory sanctions or liabilities resulting from an acquired business’s previous activities, internal controls and security environment. If any of these circumstances occurs, they could result in unexpected legal or regulatory exposure, unfavorable accounting treatment, unexpected increases in taxes or other adverse effects on our business and operations.

Litigation, indemnification claims and other unforeseen claims and liabilities may arise from the acquisition or operation of acquired businesses.

We may face litigation or other claims as a result of certain terms and conditions of our acquisition agreements, stock purchase agreements, tender offers and other agreements to purchase equity interests in target companies, such as earnout payments or closing net asset adjustments. Alternatively, shareholder litigation may arise as a result of proposed acquisitions. Acquired businesses may have liabilities, or be subject to claims, litigation, or investigations that we did not anticipate or which exceed our estimates at the time of the acquisition. Any litigation relating to a potential acquisition will increase expenses associated with the acquisition or cause a delay in completing the acquisition, which may impact our profitability. Litigation related to acquisitions would also divert management time and resources. We may experience disruptions that could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations, especially where an acquisition target may have pre-existing compliance issues or deficiencies, or material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting.

Our subsidiaries may not be able to fully utilize their tax benefits, which could result in increased cash payments for taxes in future periods.

Net operating losses (“NOLs”) may be carried forward to offset federal and state taxable income in future years and reduce the amount of cash paid for income taxes otherwise payable on such taxable income, subject to certain limits and adjustments. If fully utilized, the NOLs and other carryforwards of our minority-owned investment could provide our subsidiaries with significant tax savings in future periods. Our subsidiaries’ ability to utilize these tax benefits in future years will depend upon their ability to generate sufficient taxable income and to comply with the rules relating to the preservation and use of NOLs, as well as potential future changes in tax laws. The potential benefit of the NOLs and other carryforwards may be limited or permanently lost as a result of the following:

• a change in control of our subsidiaries that would trigger limitations on the amount of taxable income in future years that may be offset by NOLs and other carryforwards that existed prior to the change in control; and

• examinations and audits by the IRS and other taxing authorities could reduce the amount of NOLs and other credit carryforwards that are available for future years.

Our actions may have an impact on the NOL’s of our minority-owned investment. The inability to use these NOLs, or the diminution in value of such NOLs, could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

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Rising interest rates may negatively impact our investments and have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates with total increases of 450 basis points since March 2022, although rates have decreased by 75 basis points in the second half of 2024. Changes in interest rates could have an adverse impact on our business by increasing the cost of borrowing, affecting our interest costs and our ability to make new investments on favorable terms or at all. Additionally, interest rate fluctuations and changes in credit spreads on floating rate loans may have a negative impact on our investments and investment opportunities and, accordingly, may have a material adverse effect on our rate of return on invested capital, our net investment income, our net asset value and the market price of our securities. In addition, an increase in interest rates may make it difficult or impossible to make payments on outstanding debt. Any increase in interest rates could have a negative effect on our interest costs and investments, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

We may experience conflicts of interest with the minority shareholders of our businesses.

The Board of Directors and Officers of Janel’s non-wholly owned affiliated businesses have fiduciary duties to their respective shareholders. As a result, to the extent Janel engages in transactions with these affiliates, they may make decisions that are in the best interest of their shareholders generally, but which are not necessarily in the best interest of our shareholders. In dealings with us, the directors and officers of our affiliated businesses may make decisions that are different from the decisions we would make. These decisions may not be in the best interests of our shareholders, which may have an adverse effect on our business and operations.

Risk Factors Related to Janel’s Business and Industries

(in thousands except per share data)

Janel may not have sufficient working capital to continue operations, and our current asset-based lending facility is dependent upon an accounts receivable balance that may fluctuate as a result of national and global events.

Our cash needs are currently met by commercial bank credit facilities, cash on hand and cash generated from current operations. Actual short- and long-term working capital needs will depend upon numerous factors, including operating results, the availability of a revolving line of credit, competition and the cost associated with growing, either internally or through acquisition, none of which can be predicted with certainty. If results of operations and availability under our bank lines of credit are insufficient to meet cash needs, we will be required to obtain additional investment capital or debt funding to continue operations. Our substantial debt obligations could restrict our operations and financial condition. Additionally, our ability to generate cash to make payments on our indebtedness depends on many factors beyond our control.

As of September 30, 2024, we had approximately $32,390 of short-term borrowings and long-term debt. We may also incur additional indebtedness in the future.

Our debt service obligations will require us to use a portion of our operating cash flow to pay interest and principal on indebtedness rather than for other corporate purposes, including funding future expansion of our business and ongoing capital expenditures, which could impede our growth. Our substantial indebtedness could have other adverse consequences, including:

• making it more difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations;

• increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic, regulatory and industry conditions, and placing us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors that are less leveraged;

• limiting our ability to compete and our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we operate;

• limiting our ability to borrow additional funds for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes; and

• exposing us to greater interest rate risk, including the risk to variable borrowings of a rate increase and the risk to fixed borrowings of a rate decrease.

Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our ability to generate cash is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

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Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations, and future borrowings may not be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness when scheduled payments are due or to fund other liquidity needs. In these circumstances, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require make-whole payments and compliance with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness or obtain additional financing would depend on, among other things, our financial condition at the time, restriction in the agreements governing our indebtedness and the condition of the financial markets and the industries in which we operate. As a result, we may not be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Without this financing, we may have to seek additional equity or debt financing or restructure our debt, which could harm our long-term business prospects. Our failure to comply with the terms of any existing or future indebtedness could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of the payment of all of our debt.

Pursuant to the borrowing agreement, our ability to borrow under our current asset-based lending facility relies on our accounts receivable balance as collateral. This accounts receivable balance is heavily influenced by tariffs, global freight prices, international trade and other global events. Our ability to collect on these accounts receivables may further impact our ability to borrow under our current agreement. In the event that our accounts receivable balance decreases, we may face limited opportunities to borrow on our line of credit.

Our subsidiaries do not have long-term contracts with all of their customers, and the loss of customers with which we do not have long-term contracts may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

Our businesses, especially Indco, are based primarily upon individual orders, sales and service agreements with customers—not long-term contracts. Therefore, customers could cease purchasing products or using our services at any time, for any reason, and with little or no notice, and we would have no recourse. If a significant number of our customers reduce or choose not to purchase products or use our services, or we have to lower prices to retain customers, it may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

Significant changes or developments in U.S. laws or policies, including changes in U.S. trade policies and tariffs and the reaction of other countries thereto, may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial statements.

Significant changes or developments in U.S. laws and policies, such as laws and policies surrounding international trade, foreign affairs, manufacturing and development and investment in the territories and countries where we or our customers operate, can materially adversely affect our business and financial statements. Previously, the imposition of significant tariffs and increased trade tension between the United States and China greatly impacted domestic industries’ access to foreign markets. President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that he intends to impose tariffs, including a 60% tariff on goods imported from China and a 20% on all other U.S. imports, which could result in a trade war. Similar trade restrictions in the future may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial statements.

Janel’s businesses face aggressive competition from other companies with greater financial resources and from companies that operate in areas in which our companies plan to expand in the future.

Our businesses face intense competition within the logistics, manufacturing and life science industries on a local, regional, national, and global basis. Competitors include companies ranging from start-up companies, which may be able to respond to customers’ needs more quickly, to large multinational companies, which may have greater financial, marketing, operational and research and development resources than Janel.

In the freight forwarding industry, our Logistics business competes with a large and diverse group of freight forwarding concerns, commercial air and ocean carriers and a large number of locally established companies in geographic areas where our Logistics business does business or intends to do business in the future. The loss of customers, agents or employees to competitors could adversely impact the ability of our Logistics business to be profitable. In addition, the transport of freight, both domestically and internationally, is highly competitive and price sensitive, and new competitors emerge annually. Changes in the volume of freight transported, shippers’ preferences as to the timing of deliveries as a means to control shipping costs, economic and political conditions, both in the United States and abroad, work stoppages, labor constraints, U.S. and foreign laws relating to tariffs, trade restrictions, foreign investments and taxation may all have significant impact on our Logistics business overall business, growth and profitability.

Indco competes within the highly fragmented industrial mixer manufacturing industry, which has low barriers to entry. New competitors emerge annually, and many aggressively market through electronic media. Our competitors may be more innovative than us, and, as a result, Indco may be unable to compete effectively.

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Our Life Sciences business faces significant competition across many of its product lines. To remain competitive, Life Sciences must develop new products and periodically enhance its existing products, otherwise, it may lose market share and be unable to achieve revenue growth targets. We anticipate that Life Sciences may also have to adjust the prices of many of its products to stay competitive. In addition, new competitors, technologies, or market trends may emerge to threaten or reduce the value of our product lines. Failure to innovate and develop new products may impact the future sales and earnings of Life Sciences and, therefore, Janel.

Janel’s businesses are dependent upon technically skilled employees, and failure to obtain and retain skilled technical personnel could materially adversely affect their operations.

We believe that the success of our business is highly dependent on the continuing efforts of certain technically skilled employees, particularly experienced engineers in our Manufacturing segment and scientists in our Life Sciences segment. For example, Indco’s production facilities require skilled personnel to operate and provide technical services and support for its business. Competition for the personnel required for Indco’s business intensifies as activity increases. In periods of high utilization, it may become more difficult to find and retain qualified individuals. This could increase Indco’s costs or have other adverse effects on its operations. Only some of our employees are subject to employment agreements. The loss of the services of technically skilled employees may have an adverse effect on our business and operations.

In order to respond to the high variability in our Logistics business model, it may be necessary to adjust staffing levels to changing market demands. In periods of rapid change, it is more difficult to match our Logistics business staffing levels to its business needs.

Climate change and increased focus by governmental and non-governmental organizations, stockholders and customers on sustainability issues, including those related to climate change, may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

Scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, droughts, floods, wildfires and other climatic events. Our Life Sciences business operates out of three locations and our Manufacturing business in a single location. Increased frequency of extreme weather could cause increased incidence of disruption to the production and distribution of our products at these locations. Increasing natural disasters in connection with climate change could also be a direct threat to our third-party vendors, service providers or other stakeholders, including disruptions on supply chains or information technology or other necessary services for us. If our facilities, supply chains, distribution systems, or information technology systems experience any catastrophic loss as a result of such natural disasters, such event could disrupt the company’s operations, delay production and shipments, result in defective products or services, diminish demand, damage customer relationships and our reputation and result in legal exposure and significant repair or replacement expenses.

Federal, state and local governments, as well as some of our customers, are beginning to respond to climate change issues. This increased focus on sustainability may result in new legislation or regulations and customer requirements that could negatively affect us as we may incur additional costs or be required to make changes to our operations in order to comply with any new regulations or customer requirements. Legislation or regulations that potentially impose restrictions, caps, taxes, or other controls on emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, a by-product of burning fossil fuels such as those used in the trucks in our Logistics segment, may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

More specifically, legislative, or regulatory actions related to climate change may have a material adverse effect on us by increasing our Logistics’ business fuel costs and reducing fuel efficiency and could result in the creation of substantial additional capital expenditures and operating costs in the form of taxes, emissions allowances, or required equipment upgrades. Any of these factors could impair our operating efficiency and productivity and result in higher operating costs. In addition, revenues could decrease if we are unable to meet regulatory or customer sustainability requirements. Furthermore, over the past several years, new rules relating to the disclosure of a range of climate-related risks have been proposed and/or adopted by certain authorities, including the SEC and the state of California. We are currently assessing the applicability of these rules, but at this time we cannot predict the costs of implementation or any potential adverse impacts resulting therefrom, particularly in light of the forthcoming presidential administration. We could ultimately incur increased costs relating to the assessment and disclosure of climate-related risks as a result of these regulatory and legislative actions. These additional costs, changes in operations, or loss of revenues may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. For example, the motor carriers we contract with are subject to increasingly restrictive laws protecting the environment, including those relating to climate change, which could directly or indirectly have a material adverse effect on our business. Future and existing environmental regulatory requirements may have a material adverse effect on operations and increase operating expenses, which in turn could increase our purchased transportation costs. Our customers, our business and operations could be materially adversely affected by these new rules and costs.

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Our business is subject to evolving corporate governance and public disclosure regulations and expectations, including with respect to environmental, social and governance matters, that could expose us to numerous risks.

We are subject to changing rules and regulations promulgated by a number of governmental and self-regulatory organizations, including the SEC and the Financial Accounting Standards Board. These rules and regulations continue to evolve in scope and complexity and many new requirements have been created in response to laws enacted by Congress, making compliance more difficult and uncertain. In addition, regulators, customers, investors, employees and other stakeholders are increasingly focusing on environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters and related disclosures. These changing rules, regulations and stakeholder expectations have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and increased management time and attention spent complying with or meeting such regulations and expectations. For example, developing and acting on initiatives within the scope of ESG, and collecting, measuring and reporting ESG-related information and metrics can be costly, difficult and time-consuming and is subject to evolving reporting standards, including California’s recently enacted climate-related reporting requirements, and similar proposals by other international regulatory bodies. We may also communicate certain initiatives and goals, regarding environmental matters, diversity, responsible sourcing and social investments and other ESG related matters, in our SEC filings or in other public disclosures. These initiatives and goals within the scope of ESG could be difficult and expensive to implement, the technologies needed to implement them may not be cost-effective and may not advance at a sufficient pace, and we could be criticized for the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the disclosure. Further, statements about our ESG-related initiatives and goals, and progress toward those goals, may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future. In addition, we could be criticized for the scope or nature of such initiatives or goals, or for any revisions to these goals. If our ESG-related data, processes and reporting are incomplete or inaccurate, or if we fail to achieve progress with respect to our goals within the scope of ESG on a timely basis, or at all, our reputation, business, financial performance and growth could be adversely affected.

Janel may face competition from parties who sell their businesses to Janel and from professionals who cease working for Janel.

While we typically enter into non-competition and non-solicitation agreements with parties that sell their businesses to us, one or more of the former owners of an acquired business who cease working for us or persons who leave Janel’s employment may compete with us or solicit our employees or clients in the future. Even if ultimately resolved in our favor, any litigation associated with enforcing non-competition or non-solicitation agreements could be time consuming, costly and distract management’s focus from our business. Moreover, states and foreign jurisdictions may interpret restrictions on competition narrowly and in favor of employees. Therefore, certain restrictions on competition or solicitation may be unenforceable. In addition, we may decide not to pursue legal remedies if we determine that the costs or other factors outweigh the benefits of any possible legal recourse. Such persons, because they have worked for us or an acquired business, may be able to compete more effectively with us and may be more successful in soliciting its employees and clients than unaffiliated third parties.

Our inability to successfully recover should we experience a catastrophic event, disaster or other business continuity problem could cause material financial loss, loss of human capital, regulatory actions, reputational harm or legal liability.

Our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect our personnel, offices and technology infrastructure against damage from business continuity events that could have a significant disruptive effect on our operations. Should we or a key vendor or other third party experience a local or regional disaster or other business continuity problem, such as an earthquake, fire, flood, hurricane, or other weather event power loss, terrorist attack, pandemic, security breach, power loss, telecommunications failure, software or hardware malfunctions or other natural or man-made disaster, our continued success will depend, in part, on the availability of our personnel, office facilities and the proper functioning of existing, new or upgraded computer systems, telecommunications and other related systems and operations. In events like these, while our operational size and our existing back-up systems provide us with some degree of flexibility, we still can experience near-term operational challenges with regard to particular areas of our operations. We could potentially lose access to key executives and personnel, sensitive data or experience material adverse interruptions to our operations or delivery of services to our customers in a disaster recovery scenario.

We regularly assess and take steps to improve our existing business continuity plans and key management succession. However, a disaster on a significant scale or affecting certain of our key operating areas within or across regions, or our inability to successfully recover should we experience a disaster or other business continuity problem, could materially interrupt our business operations and cause material financial loss, loss of human capital, regulatory actions, reputational harm, damaged client relationships or legal liability.

Janel may be subject to product and other liability risks for which it may not have adequate insurance coverage.

We may be named a defendant in product liability lawsuits alleging that products or services provided by us have resulted or could result in an unsafe condition or injury to consumers, particularly for our Life Sciences and Manufacturing segments’ products. There are several factors beyond our control that could lead to liability claims, such as the reliability and competence of the customers’ operators and the training of such operators. Any such third-party claims and product liability claims filed against us could carry potential liabilities in excess of our insurance coverage. We cannot be certain that our current insurance will be sufficient to cover any adverse determinations in such product liability lawsuits.

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In the ordinary course of our Logistics business, we are a defendant in several legal proceedings arising out of the conduct of our Logistics business. These proceedings include third-party claims for property damage or bodily injury incurred in connection with our services. Within our Logistics segment, ELFS maintains auto liability for commercial trucking claims of up to $6,000,000 per occurrence, and general liability with of up to $6,000,000 per occurrence. Any such third-party claims filed against ELFS could carry potential liabilities in excess of our insurance coverage. We cannot be certain that our current insurance will be sufficient to cover any adverse determinations in such liability claims or lawsuits.

Life Sciences faces an inherent business risk of exposure to product and other liability claims if its products or services are alleged or found to have caused injury, damage or loss. While we retain product liability insurance, we may be unable to obtain insurance with adequate levels of coverage for potential liability on acceptable terms or claims of this nature may be excluded from coverage under the terms of any insurance policy that we obtain. If we are unable to obtain such insurance or the amounts of any claims successfully brought against us substantially exceed our coverage, our business could be materially adversely affected.

If Indco’s customers successfully assert product liability claims against it due to defects in Indco’s products, its operating results may suffer, and its reputation may be harmed. Indco faces an inherent risk of exposure to claims in the event that the failure, use or misuse of its products results, or is alleged to result, in bodily injury, property damage or economic loss. While Indco believes that it meets or exceeds existing professional specification standards recognized or required in the industries in which it operates, Indco has been subject to claims in the past, and it may be subject to claims in the future. A successful product liability claim or series of claims against Indco, or a significant warranty claim or series of claims against it, could materially decrease its liquidity, and, therefore, Janel’s financial condition. There are several factors beyond our control that could lead to liability claims, such as the reliability and competence of the customers’ operators and the training of such operators. Any such product liability claims filed against Indco could carry potential liabilities in excess of our insurance coverage. We cannot be certain that our current insurance will be sufficient to cover any adverse determinations in such product liability lawsuits.

If we fail to comply with applicable privacy, security and data laws, regulations and standards, our business and reputation may be materially adversely affected.

As disclosed above, we connect and store certain personal identifying and confidential information relating to our customers, vendors, employees and suppliers. The collection, maintenance, protection, use, transmission, disclosure and disposal of sensitive personal information are regulated at the federal, state, international and industry levels and requirements are also imposed on us by contracts with clients. In some cases, such laws, rules, regulations and contractual requirements also apply to our vendors and require us to obtain written assurances of their compliance with such requirements. International laws, rules and regulations governing the use and disclosure of such information, such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation and various regulations being adopted by states throughout the U.S., can be more stringent than laws in the United States, and they vary across jurisdictions. In addition, more jurisdictions are regulating the transfer of data across borders and domestic privacy and data protection laws are generally becoming more onerous.

These laws, rules and contractual requirements are subject to change and the regulatory environment surrounding data security and privacy is increasingly demanding. Compliance with existing or new privacy, security and data laws, regulations and requirements may result in increased operating costs and may constrain or require us to alter our business model or operations.

Our management information and financial reporting systems are spread across diverse platforms and geographies.

The growth of our business through acquisitions has resulted in our reliance on the accounting, business information and other computer systems of these acquired entities to capture and transmit information concerning customer orders, carrier payment, payroll and other critical business data. We continue to make progress towards migrating our various legacy operating and accounting systems to a singular system. As long as an acquired business remains on another information technology system, we face additional manual calculations, training costs, delays and an increased possibility of inaccuracies in the data we use to manage our business and report our financial results. Any delay in compiling, assessing and reporting information could materially adversely impact our business; our ability to react timely to changes in volumes, prices, or other trends; or to take actions to comply with financial covenants, all of which could negatively impact our stock price.

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Risk Factors Related to Janel’s Logistics Business

Our Logistics business depends on third-party carriers to transport our customers’ cargo.

As a non-asset-based provider of global logistics services, our Logistics business’s ability to serve its customers depends on the availability of air and sea cargo space, including space on passenger and cargo airlines, ocean carriers that service the transportation lanes and trucking companies that our Logistics business uses. Shortages of cargo space are most likely to develop around holidays and in especially heavy transportation lanes. In addition, available cargo space could be reduced as a result of decreases in the number of airlines or ocean carriers serving particular shipment lanes at particular times. Consequently, our ability to provide services for our customers could be adversely impacted by, among other things: shortages in available cargo capacity; changes by carriers and transportation companies in policies and practices such as scheduling, pricing, payment terms and frequency of service, increases in the cost of fuel, taxes and labor, changes in the financial stability or operating capabilities of carriers and other factors not within our control. Reductions in airfreight or ocean freight capacity may have a material adverse effect on our yields. Material interruptions in service or stoppages in transportation, whether caused by strike, work stoppage, lock-out, slowdown or otherwise, may materially adversely affect our business and operations.

Quality customer service is important to our success, and any challenges in meeting our customers’ needs and requirements may result in loss of business, thereby materially adversely affecting our operating results.

In addition, any determination that our third-party carriers have violated laws and regulations could seriously damage our reputation and brands, resulting in diminished revenues and profit and increased operating costs.

We may be subject to claims arising from transportation of freight by the carriers with which we contract, and increased insurance premium costs may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

We use the services of multiple transportation companies in connection with our transportation operations. From time to time, drivers are, or may be, involved in accidents which may cause injuries and in which goods carried by them are lost or damaged. Such accidents usually result in equipment damage and, unfortunately, can also result in injuries or death. The resulting types and/or amounts of damages may be excluded from or exceed the amount of insurance coverage maintained by the contracted carrier. Although these drivers are not our employees and all of these drivers are employees, owner-operators, or independent contractors working for carriers, from time to time, claims may be asserted against us for their actions, or for our actions in retaining them. Claims against us may exceed the amount of our insurance coverage or may not be covered by insurance at all. A material increase in the frequency or severity of accidents, liability claims or workers’ compensation claims, or unfavorable resolutions of claims, may materially adversely affect our operating results. A material increase in the frequency or severity of accidents, claims for lost or damaged goods, liability claims, workers’ compensation claims, or unfavorable resolutions of any such claims could materially adversely affect our results of operations to the extent claims are not covered by our insurance or such losses exceed our reserves. Significant increases in insurance costs or the inability to purchase insurance as a result of these claims could also reduce our profitability and have an adverse effect on our results of operations. The timing of the incurrence of these costs may also materially adversely affect our operating results compared to prior periods.

Additionally, insurance carriers may increase premiums for transportation companies generally. We may also experience additional increases in our insurance premiums in the future if our claims experience worsens. If our insurance or claims expense increases and we are unable to offset the increase with desired levels of insurance at reasonable rates, it may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position. In some instances, certain insurance could become unavailable or available only for reduced amounts of coverage. If we were to incur a significant liability for which we were not fully insured, it may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

Finally, we face risks associated with the handling of customer inventory. Some of our operating agreements include maintaining the inventory of our customers. Failure to property handle such inventory could expose us to monetary claims and expenses, as well as reputational harm to our business.

Higher carrier prices may result in decreased adjusted gross profit.

Carriers can be expected to charge higher prices if market conditions warrant, including as a result of increased costs of fuel, labor shortages, and increased shipping times due to supply chain disruptions. Our adjusted gross profit and income from operations may decrease if we are unable to increase our pricing accordingly. Increased demand for truckload services and pending changes in regulations may reduce available capacity and also lead to increased carrier pricing.

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A determination that owner-operators are employees, rather than independent contractors, could expose us to various liabilities and additional costs.

Federal and state legislation as well as tax and other regulatory authorities may seek to assert that independent contractors in the transportation service industry, such as our owner-operators, are employees rather than independent contractors. For example, on September 18, 2019, the state of California passed Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), which codified a standard test for determining a worker’s status as an employee or independent contractor for purposes of determining employee benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, meals, rest breaks and overtime, known as the ABC test. The ABC test is generally thought to lower the threshold for classifying a worker as an employee as opposed to an independent contractor. A particular aspect of the ABC test poses a distinct threat to the trucking industry; the test maintains that an independent contractor must undertake “work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business” to avoid classification as an employee. For trucking companies hiring third-party truck drivers, it is unclear whether this prong of the test is satisfied or not. In August 2022, a federal District Court formally lifted the injunction that had previously kept AB5 from applying to California’s trucking sector. The lifting of the injunction further increases the likelihood that owner-operators may be classified as employees within the state.

While relatively new in California, versions of the ABC test have existed in a number of other states over the years and have been challenged in various courts as violating the federal government’s exclusive right to regulate motor carriers in interstate commerce. There can be no assurance that these interpretations and tax laws that consider these persons independent contractors will not change, that other federal or state legislation will not be enacted or that various authorities will not successfully assert a position that reclassifies independent contractors to be employees. If our owner-operators are determined to be our employees, that determination could materially increase our exposure under a variety of federal and state tax, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, labor, employment and tort laws, as well as our potential liability for employee benefits.

In addition, such changes may be applied retroactively, and, if so, we may be required to pay additional amounts to compensate for prior periods. Any of the above increased costs would materially adversely affect our business and operations.

Recessions and other economic developments that reduce freight volumes could have a material adverse impact on our Logistics business.

The transportation industry historically has experienced cyclical fluctuations in financial results due to economic recession, downturns in business cycles of customers like those serviced by our Logistics business, interest rate fluctuations, government shutdowns and other economic factors beyond the control of our Logistics business. Deterioration in the economic environment subjects our Logistics business to various risks that may have a material impact on its operating results and cause it, and, therefore, Janel, to not reach its long-term growth goals, as a result of, for example, the following:

• a reduction in overall freight volumes in the marketplace, reducing our Logistics business’s opportunities for growth;

• economic difficulties encountered by some of our Logistics business customers, who may, therefore, not be able to pay our Logistics business in a timely manner or at all, or may go out of business;

• economic difficulties encountered by a significant number of our Logistics business’s transportation providers, who may go out of business and, therefore, leave our Logistics business unable to secure sufficient equipment or other transportation services to meet commitments to its customers; and

• the inability of our Logistics business to appropriately adjust its expenses to changing market demands.

In addition, if a downturn in the business cycles of our Logistics business customers causes a reduction in the volume of freight shipped by those customers, its, and, therefore, Janel’s, operating results could be materially adversely affected.

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Other events affecting the volume of international trade and international operations may have a material adverse effect on our Logistics international operations.

In addition to economic conditions, our Logistics business’s international supply chain services are directly related to, and dependent on, the volume of international trade, particularly trade between the United States and foreign nations. This trade, as well as our Logistics business’s international supply chain services, is influenced by many factors, including:

• economic and political conditions in the United States and abroad;

• major work stoppages;

• exchange controls, currency conversion and fluctuations;

• war, other armed conflicts and terrorism, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict; and

• U.S. and foreign laws relating to tariffs, trade restrictions, foreign investment and taxation.

As previously noted, President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that he intends to impose tariffs, including a 60% tariff on goods imported from China and a 20% tariff on all other U.S. imports, which could result in a trade war. The foregoing and other events beyond the control of our Logistics business, such as a failure of various nations to reach or adopt international trade agreements or an increase in bilateral or multilateral trade restrictions, may have a material adverse effect on our Logistics segment.

The difficulty in accurately forecasting timing or volumes of customer shipments and/or rate changes by carriers could increase the cost of our operations. The unpredictability of short- and long-term fluctuations in such factors is influenced by volatile market conditions, global developments, consumer trends and numerous other factors outside of our company’s direct control.

Failure to comply with governmental permit and licensing requirements or statutory and regulatory requirements could result in civil and criminal sanctions, fines or revocation of our Logistics business’s operating authorities, and changes in these requirements may have a material adverse effect on our Logistics business.

Our Logistics business’s operations are subject to various state, local, federal and foreign statutes and regulations prohibiting various activities that in many instances require permits and licenses. Failure to maintain compliance with applicable law and regulations, required permits or licenses, or to comply with applicable regulations, could result in substantial fines or revocation of our Logistics business operating authorities. Moreover, government deregulation efforts, “modernization” of the regulations governing customs clearance and changes in the international trade and tariff environment could require material expenditures or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our Logistics business specifically.

Our Logistics business is subject to seasonal trends and other factors beyond our control.

Historically, our Logistics business’s operating results have been subject to seasonal trends when measured on a quarterly basis. Its second fiscal quarter has traditionally been the weakest, and the third and fourth fiscal quarters have traditionally been the strongest. As a result, its quarterly operating results are likely to continue to fluctuate. This trend is dependent on numerous factors, including the markets in which our Logistics business operates, holiday seasons, consumer demand, climate, economic conditions and numerous other factors. This historical seasonality has also been influenced by the growth and diversification of our Logistics business international network and service offerings. A substantial portion of our Logistics business’s revenues is derived from customers in industries whose shipping patterns are tied closely to consumer demand which can sometimes be difficult to predict or are based on just-in-time production schedules. Therefore, our Logistics business’s revenues is, to a large degree, affected by factors that are outside of its control. In addition, our Logistics business has several primarily variable expenses that are fixed for a period of time, and it may not be able to adequately adjust them in a period of rapid change in market demand. Our Logistics business historic operating patterns may not continue in future periods as it cannot influence or forecast many of these factors. Comparisons of our operating results from period to period are, therefore, not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance.

Risk Factors Related to Janel’s Life Sciences Business

Changes in governmental regulations may reduce demand for our products and/or increase our expenses.

Life Sciences competes in markets in which it or its customers must comply with federal, state, local and foreign regulations, such as environmental, health and safety, and food and drug regulations. We develop, configure and market our products to meet customer needs created by these regulations. Any significant change in these regulations could reduce demand for our products and/or increase our costs of producing these products.

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The success of Life Sciences depends on its ability to continually produce products that meet high quality standards such as purity, reproducibility and/or absence of cross- reactivity.

Product quality and reputation are key purchasing decision factors for our Life Sciences customers. While our Life Sciences operations have experienced and qualified personnel, long operating histories and substantial production systems and protocols in place, failure on our part to meet our customers’ high-quality product expectations (in particular with respect to product purity, reproducibility and specificity) may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

The success of Life Sciences is affected by its ability to maintain its intellectual property rights. If we are unable to adequately protect our intellectual property, if third parties infringe on our intellectual property rights, or if we are involved in disputes to determine the scope and validity of others’ proprietary rights, we may suffer competitive injury or expend significant resources enforcing our rights.

Intellectual property rights heavily influence product development and differentiation. We own several patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and other intellectual property and licenses to intellectual property owned by others, which together are important to our business operations. However, the intellectual property rights we obtain are not always sufficiently broad and do not always guarantee a significant competitive advantage, and patents may not be issued for pending or future patent applications owned, submitted by, or licensed to us. Despite the steps that we and our licensors have taken to maintain and protect our intellectual property, we cannot fully prevent such intellectual property from being challenged, invalidated, circumvented, designed-around or becoming subject to compulsory licensing. Sometimes, enforcement may not be available to us because a third-party may have a dominant intellectual property position or for other business reasons.

We also rely on nondisclosure and noncompetition agreements with employees, consultants and other parties to protect, in part, trade secrets and other proprietary rights. There can be no guarantee that these agreements sufficiently protect our trade secrets and other proprietary rights and will not be breached, that we will have sufficient remedies for any breach, that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information, or that third parties will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or other proprietary rights.

We may also be sued by third parties alleging that we have infringed their intellectual property rights. Such lawsuits are expensive, time-consuming and divert management’s focus away from other business concerns. If we are found to be infringing the intellectual property of others, we could be required to cease certain activities, alter our products or processes, or pay licensing fees, any of which could cause unexpected costs and delays that may materially adversely affect us. If we are unable to obtain a required license on acceptable terms, or if we are unable to design around any third-party patent, we may be unable to sell some of our products and services, which could reduce revenues. Additionally, if we do not prevail in such lawsuits, a court may find damages or award other remedies in favor of the opposing party, which may materially adversely affect our earnings.

The biomedical and life sciences industries that we serve are under constant pressures to increase the predictability of or reduce healthcare costs, all of which may materially adversely affect our business and financial results due to our role in the healthcare supply chain.

Our Life Sciences products are sold primarily to research scientists at biomedical and life sciences companies and at academic research institutions. Development spending by our customers and the availability of government research funding can fluctuate due to changes in available resources, mergers of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, spending priorities, general economic conditions and institutional and governmental budgetary policies. Efforts to reduce or increase the predictability of healthcare costs may impact all stages of the healthcare supply chain, including the acquisition of antibodies, diagnostic reagents, diagnostic kits and other immunoreagents for biomedical research and antibody manufacturing. In addition, consolidation trends in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostic industries have served to create fewer customer accounts and to concentrate purchasing decisions for some customers. Failure to anticipate and respond to competitors’ actions may materially adversely affect the future sales and earnings of Life Sciences and, therefore, Janel.

Risk Factors Related to Janel’s Manufacturing Business

Any decrease in the availability, or increase in the cost, of raw materials could materially affect Indco’s revenues and earnings.

The availability of certain critical raw materials such as motors, gear drivers, motor controls, standard hardware products, castings and steel bars, plates and shafts are subject to factors that are not within Indco’s control. In some cases, these critical raw materials are purchased from suppliers operating in countries that may be subject to unstable political and economic conditions, or there may be other supply chain issues related to the procurement of such raw materials, including as a result of international conflicts, or climate change.

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While Indco has historically been able to source its raw materials from an assortment of suppliers, at any given time, Indco may be unable to obtain an adequate supply of critical raw materials on a timely basis, at prices and other terms acceptable to it, or at all. If Indco is unable to obtain adequate and timely deliveries of required raw materials, it may be unable to timely manufacture sufficient quantities of products. This could cause Indco to lose sales, incur additional costs, delay new product introductions or suffer harm to its reputation.

If suppliers increase the price of critical raw materials or are unwilling or unable to meet Indco’s demand, it may not have alternative sources of supply. In addition, costs of certain critical raw materials have been volatile due to factors beyond Indco’s control. Raw material costs are included in Indco’s contracts with customers, but in some cases Indco is exposed to changes in raw material costs from the time purchase orders are placed to when it purchases the raw materials for production. Changes in business conditions may have a material adverse effect on Indco’s ability to recover rapid increases in raw material costs and may materially adversely affect Indco’s, and, therefore, Janel’s, results of operations.

The extensive environmental, health and safety regulatory regimes applicable to Indco’s operations create potential exposure to significant liabilities.

The nature of Indco’s manufacturing business subjects its operations to numerous and varied federal, state, local and international laws and regulations relating to pollution, protection of public health and the environment, natural resource damages and occupational safety and health. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations, or with the permits required for Indco’s operations, could result in fines or civil or criminal sanctions, third-party claims for property damage or personal injury and investigation and cleanup costs. Potentially significant expenditures could be required in order to comply with new environmental laws or requirements that may be adopted or imposed in the future. Indco has used, and currently uses, certain substances that are considered hazardous, extremely hazardous or toxic under worker safety and health laws and regulations. Although Indco implements controls and procedures designed to reduce the continuing risk of adverse impacts and environmental, health and safety issues, Indco could incur substantial cleanup costs, fines and civil or criminal sanctions, and third-party property damage or personal injury claims as a result of violations, non-compliance or liabilities under these regulatory regimes.

As a manufacturing business, Indco also must comply with federal and state environmental laws and regulations that relate to the manner in which Indco stores and disposes of materials and the related reports that Indco is required to file. Indco cannot ensure that it will not incur additional costs to maintain compliance with environmental laws and regulations or that it will not incur significant penalties for failure to be in compliance.

Indco relies on a single location to manufacture its products.

Indco’s business operates out of a single location in New Albany, Indiana. Indco employs lean manufacturing techniques and, therefore, carries little inventory. Indco could experience prolonged periods of reduced production due to unforeseen catastrophic events occurring in or around its facility in Indiana. As a result, Indco may be unable to shift manufacturing capabilities to alternate locations, accept materials from suppliers, meet customer shipment needs or address other severe consequences that may be encountered, and Indco may suffer damage to its reputation. Indco’s, and, therefore, Janel’s, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected were such events to occur.

Risk Factors Related to Ownership of Janel’s Common Stock

A small number of Janel’s stockholders have a controlling influence over Janel.

A small number of our stockholders control the vote of approximately 75.4% of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of September 30, 2024, which includes Janel common stock such persons can acquire through the exercise of vested options granted to them. As a result, these stockholders could control the election of our directors and, therefore, have the ability to control the affairs of Janel. Furthermore, one particular investor in the Company has the right to appoint 50% of the members of our Board of Directors.

As a result, these few stockholders have controlling influence over, among other things, the ability to amend our certificate of incorporation and bylaws or effect or preclude fundamental corporate transactions involving Janel, including the acceptance or rejection of any proposals relating to a merger of Janel or an acquisition of Janel by another entity. The interests of these officers, directors and stockholders may conflict with those of other stockholders. This concentration of ownership may also delay, deter or prevent a change in control of Janel, and some transactions may be more difficult or impossible without the support of these parties.

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It is unlikely that Janel will issue dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future.

We have never declared nor paid cash dividends on our common stock, and we do not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

Janel’s stock price is subject to volatility.

Our common stock trades on the Pink tier of the OTC market under the symbol “JANL.” The market price of Janel’s common stock has been subject to significant fluctuations. There is an absence of a true market for Janel shares and thus a valid valuation is not readily maintained. This result is caused in part by the concentrated holdings of Janel, which has led to abnormal price volatility. Such fluctuations as well as economic conditions generally may adversely affect the market price of Janel’s common stock.

Our common stock is not as frequently traded as compared to the volume of trading activity associated with larger companies whose shares trade on the larger national exchanges. Because of this limited liquidity, stockholders may be unable to sell their shares at the prices or volumes they desire. As a result, the trading price of our shares may occasionally fluctuate drastically. The trading price may be affected by a number of factors including events described in the risk factors set forth in this report as well as our operating results, financial condition, announcements, general conditions in the industry and the financial markets and other events or factors. In recent years, broad stock market indices, in general, and smaller capitalization companies, in particular, have experienced substantial price fluctuations. In a volatile market, we may experience wide fluctuations in the market price of our common stock. These fluctuations may have a negative effect on the market price of our common stock.

We have issued, and may continue to issue, shares of preferred stock with greater rights than our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors to issue shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms for those shares without the approval of our stockholders. As of September 30, 2024, for example, we had 11,368 shares of Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock outstanding. Any such preferred stock we may issue in the future could rank ahead of our common stock with respect to certain rights or obligations, including in terms of dividends and liquidation rights.

Janel has no assurance of a continued public trading market.

Our common stock is quoted in the over-the-counter market on the Pink tier of the OTC market and, to the extent the market price of our common stock falls below $5.00 per share, may be subject to the low-priced security or so-called “penny stock” rules that impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell such securities. For any transaction involving a penny stock, the rules require, among other things, the delivery, prior to the transaction, of a disclosure schedule required by the SEC relating to the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must disclose the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, monthly statements must be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stocks held in the customer’s account. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the stock that is subject to these penny stock rules. Consequently, to the extent we are subject to the penny stock rules, such rules may affect the ability of broker-dealers to trade our securities. As a result, characterization as a “penny stock” can discourage investor interest in and limit the marketability of our common stock.

Janel incurs significant costs to comply with the laws and regulations affecting public companies, which could harm its business and results of operations.

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), and other applicable securities rules and regulations. These rules and regulations have increased, and will continue to increase, Janel’s legal, accounting and financial compliance costs and have made, and will continue to make, some activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, these rules and regulations could make it more difficult and more costly for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and Janel may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or to incur substantial costs to maintain the same or similar coverage.

These rules and regulations could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on its Board of Directors or its Board committees or as executive officers. Our management and other personnel devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could harm our business and operating results.

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General Risk Factors

Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war may affect any market on which the Company’s shares trade, the markets in which the Company’s subsidiaries operate and the Company’s business operations and profitability.

Terrorist acts or acts of war or armed conflict may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. Any of these acts could result in increased volatility in, or damage to, the United States and worldwide financial markets and economy, and, in particular, could lead to increased regulatory requirements with respect to the security and safety of freight shipments and transportation. Acts of terrorism or armed conflict, and the uncertainty caused by such conflicts, could cause a reduction in demand for our businesses. In particular, this would have a corresponding adverse effect on our Logistics business.

Security breaches or cybersecurity attacks may have a material adverse effect on Janel’s ability to operate, could result in personal information being misappropriated and may cause Janel to be held liable or suffer harm to its reputation.

We are dependent on information technology systems and infrastructures to carry out important operational activities and to maintain our business records. In addition, we rely on the systems of third parties. As part of our normal business operations, we connect and store certain personal identifying and confidential information relating to our customers, vendors, employees and suppliers. External and internal risks, such as malware, insecure coding, “Acts of God,” data leakage and human error pose a direct threat to our information technology systems and operations.

We, and the third parties with whom we conduct business, have faced, and may continue to be subject to, cybersecurity attacks and other intentional hacking. Any failure to identify and address such defects or errors or prevent a cyber-attack, including a ransomware attack, could result in service interruptions, operational difficulties, loss of revenues or market share, liability to customers or others, diversion of resources, injury to our reputation and increased service and maintenance costs. Addressing such issues could prove to be impossible or very costly and responding to resulting claims or liability could similarly involve substantial cost.

In addition, our insurance coverage and/or indemnification arrangements that we enter into, if any, may not be adequate to cover all of the costs related to cybersecurity attacks or disruptions resulting from such events. We must also rely on the safeguards put in place by customers, suppliers, vendors or other third parties to minimize the impact of cyber threats, other security threats or business disruptions. These third parties may have varying levels of cybersecurity expertise and safeguards. In the event of a breach affecting these third parties, our business and financial results could suffer materially.

While, to date, we have not had a significant cyber-attack or breach that has had a material impact on our business or results of operations, we remain at risk of a data breach due, in part, to the intentional or unintentional non-compliance by a third party’s employee or agent, the breakdown of a third party’s data protection processes or a cyber-attack on a third party’s information network and systems. Additionally, acquired companies will need to be integrated with our information technology systems, which may cause additional training or licensing cost, along with potential delays and disruption. In such an event, our revenues, financial results and ability to operate profitably could be materially adversely affected. The challenges associated with integration of our acquisitions may increase these risks.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

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ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY

Risk Management and Strategy

The Company maintains a comprehensive risk management program designed to assess, identify, and manage material risks facing the Company, including material risks associated with cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities. Through this risk management program, the Company seeks to mitigate the potential impact of any cybersecurity incidents on the Company’s operations and financial condition. We have a comprehensive set of processes to monitor the prevention, detection, mitigation and remediation of cybersecurity incidents.

These processes include:

• Implementation of cybersecurity measures, such as firewalls, endpoint intrusion detection and response systems, and anti-virus/anti-malware software.

• Employee training and awareness programs to educate all employees about cybersecurity threats, incident reporting and prevention measures.

• Monitoring of network traffic and information technology systems for signs of potential threats.

• Incident response plan to ensure swift, effective and accurate disclosure of cybersecurity incidents to the appropriate employees of the Company, as well as our Board of Directors, if applicable.

We engaged a third-party expert in January 2021 for the development of our information technology (“IT”) risk management program, which included the development of a common framework for assessing and mitigating IT risks for the Company. The framework included a specific cybersecurity category to address measures to protect the Company from malware, ransomware and phishing, among others. The outcome was the creation of Company IT narratives and an IT risk control matrix. We regularly work with a third-party expert to test and update our risk mitigation controls.

As of the date of this annual report, we are not aware of any cybersecurity incidents that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a materially adverse effect on our operations, business, results of operations, or financial condition. As discussed more fully under “Item 1A—Risk Factors”, the sophistication of cyber threats continues to increase, and the preventative actions the Company takes to reduce the risk of cyber incidents and protect its systems and information may be insufficient. No matter how well designed or implemented the Company’s cybersecurity controls are, it will not be able to anticipate all security breaches, and it may not be able to implement effective preventive measures against cybersecurity breaches in a timely manner. See “Item 1A—Risk Factors—Security breaches or cybersecurity attacks may have a material adverse effect on Janel’s ability to operate, could result in personal information being misappropriated and may cause Janel to be held liable or suffer harm to its reputation” and “—Our inability to successfully recover should we experience a catastrophic event, disaster or other business continuity problem could cause material financial loss, loss of human capital, regulatory actions, reputational harm or legal liability.”

Governance

The Board of Directors maintains oversight of cybersecurity risk primarily through its Audit Committee. The Audit Committee receives regular updates from management on cybersecurity risks and incidents and the overall effectiveness of our cybersecurity programs.

The Company’s cybersecurity program is led by the Company’s Chief Information Officer (the “CIO”), who has served in such role since October 2018. Our CIO has over 25 years of experience in the technology industry, which includes experience in data security and cybersecurity. Prior to joining the Company, our CIO ran a web tech consulting company serving small- and medium- sized businesses in healthcare and other industries. The Company conducts quarterly meetings of the IT and financial leadership of the Company’s segments, including the CIO, and information from those meetings is provided to the Company’s Audit Committee, which typically meets on a quarterly basis. At each Audit Committee meeting, the CIO and Chief Financial Officer provide an update to the Audit Committee on any relevant current and new IT risks and the general health of the IT risk management program, including cybersecurity risks. They also provide the Audit Committee with a quarterly written cybersecurity brief from IT leadership, including an incident reporting log, a review of emerging cybersecurity risks and developments, an assessment of the overall effectiveness of our cybersecurity programs and recommended updates to our cybersecurity risk assessment program. Management, along with our CIO, is responsible for developing the cybersecurity strategy and supervising our cybersecurity risk management program. Our IT team supports these efforts by managing day-to-day operations, including threat detection, incident response and system monitoring. Our cybersecurity incident reporting and escalation plan governs our assessment and response upon the occurrence of a material cybersecurity incident, including the process for informing senior Company management and our Audit Committee and/or Board of Directors, as applicable.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Janel’s executive offices are located in approximately 3,300 square feet of leased space in New York, New York. The lease term ends September 1, 2025.

As of September 30, 2024, Logistics leased 6,900 square feet of office space in Garden City, New York. This location serves as the executive offices of the Logistics segment. The lease term ends August 31, 2030.

As of September 30, 2024, Logistics leased twenty-six additional office spaces, some of which are on a month-to-month basis, in seventeen states located in the United States. Lease terms for these locations expire at various dates through August 31, 2030.

As of September 30, 2024, Indco owned an approximately 12,600 square-foot manufacturing facility on a 1.2-acre parcel of land in New Albany, Indiana.

As of September 30, 2024, Life Sciences owned an approximately 25,000 square-foot manufacturing facility on a 40-acre parcel of land in Davis, California. The Life Sciences segment also leases three other offices in the United States. Lease terms for these locations expire at various dates through February 28, 2034.

The Company believes that its owned and leased properties are adequate to meet its occupancy needs in the foreseeable future.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Janel is occasionally subject to claims and lawsuits that typically arise in the normal course of business. While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. The information otherwise called for by this item is incorporated herein by reference to Note 19, Risks and Uncertainties, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Janel Corporation’s Common Stock is traded on the Pink tier of the OTC market under the symbol “JANL.”

The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices for the common stock for each full quarterly period during the fiscal years indicated. The prices reflect the high and low bid prices as available through the Pink tier of the OTC market and represent prices between dealers. They do not reflect retailer markups, markdowns or commissions and may not represent actual transactions.

	Fiscal Year 2024				Fiscal Year 2023
Fiscal Quarter	High		Low		High		Low
First Quarter, ended December 31,	$	27.00	$	20.51	$	49.00	$	36.00
Second Quarter, ended March 31,	$	41.02	$	23.01	$	39.00	$	28.00
Third Quarter, ended June 30,	$	42.00	$	24.00	$	34.00	$	25.00
Fourth Quarter, ended September 30,	$	42.01	$	30.00	$	28.25	$	21.00

On September 30, 2024, the Company had 52 holders of its shares of common stock. This amount does not include “street name” holders or beneficial holders of our common stock, whose holders of record are banks, brokers and other financial institutions.

The closing price of the common stock on September 30, 2024 was $40.50 per share.

Common Stock Dividends

We have not declared, and currently do not plan to declare in the foreseeable future, dividends on our common stock.

Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock (“Series C Stock”)

The Company had 11,368 shares of Series C Stock outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

ITEM 6. RESERVED

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our discussions below in this Item 7 should be read along with Janel’s audited financial statements and related notes thereto as of September 30, 2024 and 2023 and for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 2024 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

INTRODUCTION

Janel is a holding company with subsidiaries in three business segments: Logistics, Life Sciences and Manufacturing. The Company strives to create shareholder value primarily through three strategic priorities: supporting its businesses’ efforts to make investments and to build long-term profits; allocating Janel’s capital at high risk-adjusted rates of return; and attracting and retaining exceptional talent. Management at the holding company level focuses on significant capital allocation decisions and corporate governance. Janel expects to grow through its subsidiaries’ organic growth and by completing acquisitions. We plan to either acquire businesses within our existing segments or expand our portfolio into new strategic segments. Our acquisition strategy focuses on reasonably-priced companies with strong and capable management teams, attractive existing business economics and stable and predictable earnings power.

Year Ended September 30, 2024 Acquisitions

On June 5, 2024, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired a majority ownership position in Airschott, a non-asset-based freight forwarder and customs broker. At closing, the Company purchased 80% of the outstanding stock of Airschott. The Company also agreed to purchase the remaining 20% of Airschott stock in three years subject to certain closing conditions.

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On February 1, 2024, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of ViraQuest Inc., which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

Year Ended September 30, 2023 Acquisitions

On May 22, 2023, the Company acquired all the rights, title and interests to a royalty agreement for certain antibody products, which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

On March 2, 2023, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of Stephen Hall, PhD Ltd., which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

On November 1, 2022, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of ImmunoBioScience Corporation, which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

Investment in Marketable Securities - Rubicon

As of each of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2024, the Company owned 1,108,000 shares, or approximately 46.6%, of the common stock of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (“Rubicon”). Rubicon is an advanced materials provider specializing in monocrystalline sapphire for applications in optical and industrial systems. The purpose of our investment in Rubicon was for Janel to acquire a significant ownership interest in Rubicon, together with representation on Rubicon’s Board, in an attempt to (i) restructure the Rubicon business to achieve profitability and (ii) assist Rubicon in utilizing its net operating loss carry-forward assets.

Results of Operations – Janel Corporation

Our results of operations and period-over-period changes are discussed in the following section. The tables and discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto appearing in Item 8.

Refer to Item 7. “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023, filed on December 8, 2023, for a comparison of fiscal year 2023 results of operations to the fiscal year 2022 results of operations, which specific discussion is incorporated herein by reference.

Our consolidated results of operations are as follows:

Financial Summary

Fiscal years ended September 30,

(in thousands)

	2024		2023
Revenues	$	183,184	$	186,449
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues		124,800		130,777
Gross profit		58,384		55,672
Operating expenses		54,626		53,073
Income from operations	$	3,758	$	2,599
Net income	$	551	$	723
Adjusted operating income (1)	$	6,720	$	5,353

Consolidated revenues for the year ended September 30, 2024 were $183,184, or 1.8% lower than fiscal 2023. Revenues decreased primarily due to lower freight prices in our Logistics segment as a result of lower freight demand relative to improved global transportation capacity. Income from operations for fiscal 2024 was $3,758 compared to income from operations of $2,599 for fiscal 2023, an increase of $1,159, largely as a result of increased profits across all of our operating segments. Adjusted operating income for fiscal 2024 increased to $6,720 versus $5,353 in the prior fiscal year primarily due to an overall increase in profits at our business segments.

The Company’s net income for the year ended September 30, 2024 totaled $551 or $0.45 per diluted share, compared to net income of $723 or $0.60 per diluted share for the year ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in net income was largely due to an increase in the fair value of mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest and higher income tax expense, partially offset by higher profits in our business segments.

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(1) The following table sets forth a reconciliation of income from operations to adjusted operating income:

Adjusted Operating Income

Fiscal years ended September 30,

(in thousands)

	2024		2023
Income from operations	$	3,758	$	2,599
Amortization of intangible assets		2,299		2,098
Stock-based compensation		321		231
Cost recognized on sale of acquired inventory		342		425
Adjusted operating income	$	6,720	$	5,353

BUSINESS PERFORMANCE

Results of Operations – Logistics

Our Logistics business helps its clients move and manage freight efficiently to reduce inventories and to increase supply chain speed and reliability. Key services include freight forwarding via air, ocean and land-based carriers; customs brokerage services; warehousing and distribution services; trucking and other value-added logistics services. In addition to these revenue streams, the Company earns accessorial revenues in connection with its core services. Accessorial revenues include, but are not limited to, fuel service charges, wait time fees, hazardous cargo fees, labor charges, handling, cartage, bonding and additional labor charges.

Financial Summary

Fiscal years ended September 30,

(in thousands)

	2024			2023
Revenues	$	159,958		$	166,052
Forwarding expense		117,501			123,938
Gross profit	$	42,457		$	42,114
Gross profit margin		26.5	%		25.4	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	37,057		$	37,310
Income from operations	$	5,400		$	4,804

Fiscal 2024 compared with fiscal 2023

Revenues

Total revenues in fiscal 2024 were $159,958 as compared to $166,052 in fiscal 2023, a decrease of $6,094 or 3.7%. Revenues decreased primarily due to lower freight prices as a result of lower freight demand relative to improved global transportation capacity. Lower prices for ocean, air and trucking services led to a decrease in both gross revenues and forwarding expenses. Compared to fiscal 2023, our volume in fiscal 2024, as measured in ocean freight by twenty-foot equivalent units, fell 4%, while air freight volume as measured by metric tons fell 5% and customs entries increased 5%. Organic growth, which represents revenues growth excluding revenues from acquisitions within the preceding 12 months, decreased in fiscal 2024 by 7.3%.

Gross Profit

Gross profit in fiscal 2024 was $42,457, an increase of $343, or 0.8%, as compared to $42,114 in fiscal 2023. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased to 26.5% compared to 25.4% for the prior fiscal year, primarily due to lower freight prices. The increase of $343 was the result of $1,562 in gross profit from an acquisition, partially offset by a decrease in gross profit from the remainder of the Logistics segment.

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2024 were $37,057 as compared to $37,310 in fiscal 2023. The decrease of $253, or 0.7%, was mainly due to lower personnel expenses and insurance costs. As a percentage of gross revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses were 23.2% and 22.5% for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue largely reflected the decrease in transportation rates.

Income from Operations

Income from operations increased to $5,400 in fiscal 2024 compared to $4,804 in fiscal 2023. Income from operations increased as a result of normalization in the market, lower personnel expense, insurance costs, and the additional profit from an acquisition. Operating margin as a percentage of gross profit was 12.7% in fiscal 2024 compared to 11.4% in fiscal 2023, largely due to higher gross profits.

Results of Operations - Life Sciences

The Company’s Life Sciences segment is comprised of several wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company’s Life Sciences segment manufactures and distributes antibodies as well as research and diagnostic reagents for, and provides custom services to academic, non-profit and commercial customers.

Financial Summary

Fiscal years ended September 30,

(in thousands)

	2024			2023
Revenues	$	13,154		$	11,059
Cost of sales		2,296			1,951
Cost recognized upon sale of acquired inventory		342			425
Gross profit	$	10,516		$	8,683
Gross profit margin		79.9	%		78.5	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	7,216		$	6,149
Income from operations	$	3,300		$	2,534

Fiscal 2024 compared with fiscal 2023

Revenues

Total revenues were $13,154 in fiscal 2024 compared with $11,059 in fiscal 2023. Revenues increased 18.9% or $2,095 primarily related to increased product demand and current year acquisitions. Organic growth, which represents revenues growth excluding revenues from acquisitions within the preceding 12 months,  increased in fiscal 2024 by 15.6%.

Gross Profit

Gross profit was $10,516 and $8,683 for fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively, representing a year-over-year increase of $1,833. In the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Life Sciences segment had a gross profit margin of 79.9% and 78.5%, respectively. The increase in gross profit margin resulted from an improvement in product mix.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Life Sciences segment were $7,216 and $6,149 for fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively. The year-over-year increase was due to additional expenses from acquired businesses. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses were 54.9% and 55.6% for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively.

Income from Operations

The Life Sciences business earned $3,300 and $2,534 in income from operations for fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in operating income was primarily due to increased product demand and incremental revenue from acquisitions. As a result of these factors, income from operations as a percentage of revenue increased from 22.9% in fiscal year 2023 to 25.1% in fiscal year 2024.

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Results of Operations - Manufacturing

The Company’s Manufacturing segment manufactures and distributes mixing equipment and apparatuses for specific applications within various industries. The customer base is comprised of small- to mid-sized businesses as well as other larger customers for which they fulfill repetitive production orders.

Financial Summary

Fiscal years ended September 30,

(in thousands)

	2024			2023
Revenues	$	10,072		$	9,338
Cost of sales		4,661			4,463
Gross profit	$	5,411		$	4,875
Gross profit margin		53.7	%		52.2	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	3,129		$	2,978
Income from operations	$	2,282		$	1,897

Fiscal 2024 compared with fiscal 2023

Revenues

Total revenues were $10,072 in fiscal 2024 compared with $9,338 in fiscal 2023, an increase of 7.9%. The increase in revenues largely reflected an increase in manufacturing volume in the business.

Gross Profit

Gross profit was $5,411 and $4,875 for fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively. The year-over-year increase in gross profit reflected an increase in sales volume.  Gross profit margin for the Manufacturing segment during fiscal 2024 was 53.7%, as compared to 52.2%, in fiscal 2023. The increase in gross profit margin was generally due to the increase in sales volume and economies of scale.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Manufacturing segment were $3,129 and $2,978 for fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $151, or 5.1%. As a percentage of gross revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses were 31.1% and 31.9% for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively. This decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of gross revenues was the result of our leverage over overhead expenses due to higher volumes and revenues.

Income from Operations

Income from operations for fiscal 2024 was $2,282 compared to $1,897 in fiscal 2023, representing a 20.3% increase compared to the prior fiscal year and consistent with the increase in revenues and gross margin, combined with a proportionally lower increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.

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Results of Operations – Corporate and Other

Below is a reconciliation of income from operating segments to net (loss) available to common stockholders:

	Years Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
	(In thousands)
Total income from operating segments	$	10,982		$	9,235
Corporate expenses		(4,620	)		(4,331	)
Amortization expense		(2,299	)		(2,098	)
Stock-based compensation - Corporate		(305	)		(207	)
Total Corporate expenses		(7,224	)		(6,636	)
Interest expense		(2,318	)		(1,998	)
Other expense		(346	)		(76	)
Net income before taxes		1,094			525
Income tax benefit (expense)		(543	)		198
Net Income		551			723
Preferred stock dividends		(328	)		(284	)
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders	$	223		$	439

Total Corporate Expenses

Corporate expenses, which include amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation and merger and acquisition expenses, increased by $588 to $7,224, or 8.9%, in fiscal 2024 as compared to fiscal 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher stock-based compensation expense and amortization expense. We incur merger and acquisition deal-related expenses and intangible amortization at the Corporate level rather than at the segment level.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the consolidated company increased $320, or 16.0%, to $2,318 in fiscal 2024 from $1,998 in fiscal 2023. The increase was primarily due to a higher average debt outstanding and higher interest rates.

Income Tax Benefit (Expense)

On a consolidated basis, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $543 in fiscal 2024, as compared to an income tax benefit of $198 in fiscal 2023. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to an increase in pretax income.

Preferred Stock Dividends

Preferred stock dividends include the Company’s Series C Stock dividends accrued or paid. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, preferred stock dividends were $328 and $284, respectively. Preferred stock dividends for fiscal 2024 increased by $44, or 15.5%, compared to fiscal 2023. The increase in preferred stock dividends was the result of the increase in the dividend rate of the Series C Stock by 1% on January 1, 2024. Such rate is set to increase on each January 1 thereafter for three years to a maximum rate of 9%. The dividend rate of the Series C Stock as of each of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was 6% and 5%, respectively. Dividends accrued on the Company’s Series C Stock were $2,271 and $2,029 as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Net Income

Net income was $551, or $0.45 per diluted share, for fiscal 2024 and $723, or $0.60 per diluted share, for fiscal year 2023. The decrease in net income was primarily due to a change in fair value of an earnout, higher stock-based compensation and higher income tax expense, partially offset by higher profits in our operating segments.

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Net income Available to Common Stockholders

Net income available to common stockholders was $223 or $0.18 per diluted share for fiscal 2024 and $439 or $0.36 per diluted share for fiscal 2023. The decrease in net income available to common stockholders was due to the change in net income discussed above and higher preferred stock dividends.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

General

Our ability to satisfy liquidity requirements–including satisfying debt obligations and funding working capital, day-to-day operating expenses and capital expenditures–depends upon future performance, which is subject to general economic conditions, competition and other factors, some of which are beyond Janel’s control. Our Logistics segment depends on commercial credit facilities to fund day-to-day operations, as there is a difference between the timing of collection cycles and the timing of payments to vendors.

As a customs broker, our Logistics segment makes significant cash advances for a select group of our credit-worthy customers. These cash advances are for customer obligations, such as the payment of duties and taxes to customs authorities primarily in the United States. Increases in duty rates could result in increases in the amounts we advance on behalf of our customers. Cash advances are a “pass through” and are not recorded as a component of revenues or expense. The billings of such advances to customers are accounted for as a direct increase in accounts receivable from the customer and a corresponding increase in accounts payable to governmental customs authorities. These “pass through” billings can influence our traditional credit collection metrics. For customers that meet certain criteria, we have agreed to extend payment terms beyond our customary terms. Management believes that it has established effective credit control procedures and has historically experienced relatively insignificant collection problems.

Janel’s cash flow performance for the 2024 fiscal year may not necessarily be indicative of future cash flow performance.

As of September 30, 2024, and compared with the prior fiscal year, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents increased by $371, or 15.1%, to $2,832 from $2,461 as of September 30, 2023. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, Janel’s net working capital deficiency (current assets less current liabilities) increased by $5,855, from ($19,549) at September 30, 2023 to ($25,404) at September 30, 2024.

Cash flows from operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal years 2024 and 2023 was $6,832 and $11,388, respectively. The decrease in cash provided by operations for the year ended September 30, 2024 was driven principally by reduced net income, unrealized loss on marketable securities, and  the timing of cash collections for accounts receivables primarily in our Logistics segment for the year ended September 30, 2024.

Cash flows used in investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities, mainly for the acquisition of subsidiaries, was $5,636 for fiscal 2024 and $6,500 for fiscal 2023. Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2024 related to two acquisitions; one in our Life Sciences segment and one in our Logistics segment. The fiscal 2023 net cash used in investing activities related to the two acquisitions in our Life Sciences segment and earnout payments to the former owners of ELFS. The Company also used $1,003 for the acquisition of property and equipment for the year ended September 30, 2024 compared to $360 for the year ended September 30, 2023.

Cash flows used in financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $574 for fiscal 2024 and $9,018 for fiscal 2023. Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2024 primarily came from repayments on our term loan as well as repayment on our subordinated promissory note, partially offset by borrowings from our line of credit. Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal year 2023 primarily included repayment of our term loan and line of credit.

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Credit Facilities

Logistics

Santander Bank Facility

The wholly-owned subsidiaries that comprise the Company’s Logistics segment (collectively, the “Janel Group Borrowers”), with the Company as a guarantor, have a Loan and Security Agreement (as amended, the “Santander Loan Agreement”) with Santander Bank, N.A. (“Santander”) with respect to a revolving line of credit facility (the “Santander Facility”). The Santander Loan Agreement provides for the following: (i) the maximum revolving facility amount available of $35,000 (limited to 90% of the Janel Group Borrowers’ eligible accounts receivable borrowing base and reserves, subject to adjustments set forth in the Santander Loan Agreement); (ii) the LIBOR basis on which interest under the Santander Loan Agreement was calculated under certain circumstances was changed to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) and interest on the Santander Facility accrues at an annual rate equal to the one-month SOFR plus 2.75%; (iii) a one-time increase from $1,000 to $3,000 in the amount the Company was permitted to distribute to holders of the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock if specified conditions are met; and (iv) the amount of indebtedness of the Company’s Antibodies Incorporated subsidiary that the Company was permitted to guaranty was increased from $2,920 to $5,000.

The Santander Loan Agreement matures on September 21, 2026. The Janel Group Borrowers’ obligations under the Santander Facility are secured by all of the assets of the Janel Group Borrowers, while the Santander Loan Agreement contains customary terms and covenants. As a result of its terms, the Santander Facility is classified as a current liability on the consolidated balance sheet.

On January 30, 2023, the Santander Loan Agreement was further amended by the Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Third Santander Amendment”). As amended by the terms of the Third Santander Amendment, the percentage of the Borrowers’ eligible accounts receivable used to calculate the borrowing base under the Loan Agreement was increased from 85% to 90% for Domestic Insured Accounts (as defined in the Amendment), subject to adjustments set forth in the Loan Agreement.

On April 25, 2023, in connection with an amendment to the Credit Agreement entered into with First Merchants Bank (“First Merchants”) as described further below, we entered into the Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Fourth Santander Amendment”).  The Fourth Santander Amendment (i) included modifications to address the amendments made to the First Merchants Credit Facilities (as defined below) and the consolidation of the debt thereunder and (ii) terminated the subordination agreement relating to the Company’s guarantee of the First Merchant’s Credit Facilities.

On August 22, 2023, we entered into the Fifth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Fifth Santander Amendment”).  The Fifth Santander Amendment permitted certain unsecured guaranties by the Company in the ordinary course of business guarantying obligations of subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $4,000 and related modifications to certain negative covenants.

On December 1, 2023, in connection with an amendment (the “Purchase Agreement Amendment”) to that certain Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated as of September 21, 2021 (the “Purchase Agreement”) among Janel Group, Inc. (“Janel Group”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC (“ELFS”) and former shareholders of ELFS (the “ELFS Sellers”), (i) the Janel Group Borrowers and Santander entered into an Acknowledgment and Consent Agreement pursuant to which Santander consented to the Purchase Agreement Amendment and the effect of the modifications thereunder on the Santander Loan Agreement and (ii) the ELFS Sellers and Santander entered into an Acknowledgment and Consent Agreement pursuant to which Santander consented to the Purchase Agreement Amendment and the effect of the modifications thereunder on the Subordination Agreement (as defined in the Santander Loan Agreement) between Santander and the ELFS Sellers.

On December 21, 2023, we entered into the Sixth Amendment to the Santander Loan Agreement (the “Sixth Santander Amendment”). The Sixth Santander Amendment modified the reporting due date of the monthly borrowing base calculation from the fifth day to the fifteenth day of each month.

On June 5, 2024, we entered into the Seventh Amendment to the Santander Loan Agreement (the “Seventh Santander Amendment”).  The Seventh Santander Amendment added Airschott as a loan party obligor and borrower.

At September 30, 2024, outstanding borrowings under the Santander Facility were $19,313, representing 55.2% of the $35,000 available thereunder, and interest was accruing at an effective interest rate of 7.65%.

At September 30, 2023, outstanding borrowings under the Santander Facility were $18,759, representing 53.6% of the $35,000 available thereunder, and interest was accruing at an effective interest rate of 7.60%.

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The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants defined in the Santander Loan Agreement at both September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

Working Capital Requirements

Through September 30, 2024, the Logistics segment’s cash needs were met by the Santander Facility and cash on hand. As of September 30, 2024, the Logistics segment had, subject to collateral availability, $5,852 available for future borrowings under its $35,000 Santander Facility and $748 in cash.

The Company believes that its current financial resources will be sufficient to finance the operations and obligations (current and long-term liabilities) of the Logistics segment for the short- and long-term. However, the actual working capital needs of the Logistics segment will depend upon numerous factors, including operating results; the costs associated with growing the Logistics segment, either organically or through acquisitions; competition and availability under the Santander Facility, none of which can be predicted with certainty. If cash flow and available credit are not sufficient to fund working capital, the operations of the Logistics segment will be materially negatively impacted.

Life Sciences and Manufacturing

First Merchants Bank Credit Facility

On February 29, 2016, Indco entered into a Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Prior First Merchants Credit Agreement”) with First Merchants Bank (“First Merchants”).

On April 25, 2023, Indco and certain other Subsidiaries of the Company that are part of the Life Science and Manufacturing segments (together with Indco, the “Borrowers” and each, a “Borrower”), entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with First Merchants.  The Credit Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of  the Prior First Merchants Credit Agreement.  The credit facilities provided under the Credit Agreement (the “First Merchants Credit Facilities”) consist of a $3,000 revolving loan (limited to the borrowing base and reserves), a $5,000 acquisition loan, a $6,905 Term A loan and a $620 Term B loan as a continuation of the mortgage loan under the Prior First Merchants Credit Agreement.  Interest accrues on the outstanding revolving loan, Term A loan and acquisition loan at an annual rate equal to one-month adjusted term SOFR plus either (i) 2.75% (if the Borrowers’ total funded debt to EBITDA ratio is less or equal to 1.75:1.00) or (ii) 3.50% (if the Borrowers’ total funded debt to EBITDA ratio is greater than to 1.75:1.00).  Interest accrues on the Term B loan at an annual rate of 4.19%.  The Borrowers’ obligations under the First Merchants Credit Facilities are secured by all of the Borrowers’ real property and other assets, and are guaranteed by the Company, and the Company’s guarantee of the Borrowers’ obligations is secured by a pledge of the Company’s equity interests in certain of the Borrowers.  The revolving loan portion will expire on August 1, 2027, the Term A loan portion will mature on April 25, 2033, the Term B loan portion will mature on July 1, 2025 and the acquisition loan will permit multiple draws until October 25, 2024, at which point the outstanding principal amount will amortize, with all remaining amounts due at maturity of the acquisition loan on April 25, 2029; each of the foregoing maturities, subject to earlier termination as provided in the Credit Agreement and unless renewed or extended.

On January 10, 2024, the First Merchants Credit Facilities was amended to provide for, among other changes, permitted affiliate loans provided availability on its revolving loan both before and after giving effect to any such loan, is not less than $1,000 and maturity of such permitted affiliate loans are not to exceed fourteen days from disbursement.

As of September 30, 2024, there were $3,700 of outstanding borrowings under the acquisition loan, $4,028 of outstanding borrowings under the Term A loan and $585 of outstanding borrowings under the Term B loan, with interest accruing on the acquisition loan and revolving loan at an effective interest rate of 7.82% each, and on the Term A loan and Term B loan at an effective interest rate of 7.82% and 4.19%, respectively.

As of September 30, 2023, there were $500 of outstanding borrowings under the acquisition loan, $450 of outstanding borrowings under the revolving loan, $6,235 of outstanding borrowings under the Term A loan and $610 of outstanding borrowings under the Term B loan, with interest accruing on the acquisition loan and revolving loan at an effective interest rate of 8.18% and on the Term A loan and Term B loan at an effective interest rate of 8.18% and 4.19%, respectively.

The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants defined in the First Merchants Credit Agreement at September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

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Working Capital Requirements

Life Sciences and Manufacturing’s cash needs are currently met by the Term A loan, Term B loan, revolving loan and acquisition loan under the First Merchants Credit Facilities and cash on hand. As of September 30, 2024, Life Sciences and Manufacturing had $3,000 available under its $3,000 revolving loan and had $1,300 available under its $5,000 acquisition loan subject to collateral availability and $800 and $1,075 in cash, respectively. The Company believes that the current financial resources will be sufficient to finance the Life Sciences and Manufacturing segment’s operations and obligations (current and long-term liabilities) for the long- and short- term. However, actual working capital needs will depend upon numerous factors, including operating results; the cost associated with growing the Life Sciences and Manufacturing segments, either organically or through acquisitions; competition; and availability under the revolving credit facility, none of which can be predicted with certainty. If cash flow and available credit are not sufficient to fund working capital, Life Sciences and Manufacturing’s operations will be materially negatively impacted.

CURRENT OUTLOOK

The results of operations in the Logistics, Life Sciences and Manufacturing segments are affected by the general economic cycle, particularly as it influences global trade levels and specifically the import and export activities of our Logistics segment’s various current and prospective customers. Historically, the Company’s annual results of operations have been subject to seasonal trends which have been the result of, or influenced by, numerous factors including climate, national holidays, consumer demand, economic conditions, the growth and diversification of the segment’s international network and service offerings and other similar and subtle forces.

The Company cannot accurately forecast many of these factors, nor can it estimate accurately the relative influence of any particular factor and, as a result, there can be no assurance that historical patterns, if any, will continue in future periods.

The Company’s subsidiaries are implementing business strategies to grow revenues and profitability for fiscal 2025 and beyond. Our Logistics strategy calls for additional branch offices, introduction of new revenue streams for existing locations, sales force expansion, additional acquisitions and a continued focus on implementing lean methodologies to contain operating expenses.

Our Life Sciences and Manufacturing segments expect to introduce new product lines and wider distribution and promotion of their products with internet sales efforts. In addition to supporting its subsidiaries’ growth plans, the Company may seek to grow by entering new business segments through acquisition.

Certain elements of the Company’s profitability and growth strategy, including proposals for acquisition and accelerating revenue growth, are contingent upon the availability of adequate financing on terms acceptable to the Company.

Without adequate equity and/or debt financing, the implementation of significant aspects of the Company’s strategic growth plan may be deferred beyond the originally anticipated timing, and the Company’s operations may be materially negatively impacted.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our accounting policies are described in Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, included herein, which contains a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Our financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We consider the following policies to be the most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved in preparing our financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Business Combinations and Related Acquired Intangible Assets and Goodwill. We record all tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination at fair value as of the acquisition date in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805 Business Combinations. Acquisition date fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as measured on the acquisition date. The valuations are based on information that existed as of the acquisition date. During the measurement period, which shall not exceed one year from the acquisition date, we may adjust provisional amounts recorded for assets acquired and liabilities assumed to reflect new information that we have subsequently obtained regarding facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. Such fair value assessments require judgments and estimates, which may cause final amounts to differ materially from original estimates.

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As part of acquisitions of businesses, we acquired certain identifiable intangible assets, which are valued as of the acquisition date using a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model. Key assumptions in the DCF model include (i) future revenues, (ii) earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and (iii) the weighted average cost of capital discount rate. Estimated future revenues include assumptions about our ability to renew contracts in a competitive bidding process. A decrease in revenues or gross and EBITDA margins may adversely affect the value of identifiable intangible assets. The discount rate focuses on rates of return for equity and debt and is calculated using public information from selected guideline companies. The magnitude of the discount rate reflects the perceived risk of an investment. A change in the estimated risk of the acquired company cash flows would change the discount rate, which in turn could significantly affect the valuation of acquired identifiable intangible assets.

The excess amount of the aggregated purchase consideration paid over the fair value of the net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change, such as material deterioration in performance that would indicate an impairment may exist. When evaluating goodwill for impairment, we may first perform a qualitative assessment (“step zero” of the impairment test) to determine whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit is impaired. If we decide not to perform a qualitative assessment, or if we determine that it is more likely than not the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its the fair value, then we perform a quantitative assessment (“step one” of the impairment test) and calculate the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, an impairment charge would be recorded to reduce the carrying amount to its estimated fair value. The decision to perform a qualitative impairment assessment in a given year is influenced by a number of factors, including the significance of the excess of the reporting units’ estimated fair value over carrying amount at the last quantitative assessment date, the amount of time in between quantitative fair value assessments and the date of our acquisitions.

No indicators of impairment were identified from the date of our annual impairment test through September 30, 2024.

A qualitative assessment is performed for intangibles and long-lived assets to determine if there are any indicators that the carrying amount might not be recovered. A quantitative analysis may be performed in order to test the intangibles and long-lived assets for impairment. If a quantitative analysis is necessary, an income approach, specifically a relief from royalty method, is used to estimate the fair value of the intangibles and long-lived assets. Principal factors used in the relief from royalty method that require judgment are projected net sales, discount rates, royalty rates and terminal growth assumptions.

The estimated fair value of each intangible and long-lived assets is compared to its carrying amount to determine if impairment exists. If the carrying amount of intangibles and long-lived assets exceeds the estimated fair value, an impairment charge would be recorded to reduce the carrying amount of the intangibles and long-lived assets. No indicators of impairment of our intangibles and long-lived assets were identified from the date of our annual impairment test through September 30, 2024.

RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

The recent accounting standards is discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements contained in this report.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

While we prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we also utilize and present certain financial measures, in particular adjusted operating income, which is not based on or included in U.S. GAAP (we refer to these as “non-GAAP financial measures”).

Organic Growth

Our non-GAAP financial measure of organic growth represents revenues growth excluding revenues from acquisitions within the preceding 12 months. The organic growth presentation provides useful period-to-period comparison of revenues results as it excludes revenues from acquisitions that would not be included in the comparable prior period.

Adjusted Operating Income

As a result of our acquisition strategy, our net income includes material non-cash charges relating to the amortization of customer-related intangible assets in the ordinary course of business as well as other intangible assets acquired in our acquisitions. Although these charges may increase as we complete more acquisitions, we believe we will be growing the value of our intangible assets such as customer relationships. Because these charges are not indicative of our operations, we believe that adjusted operating income is a useful financial measure for investors because it eliminates the effect of these non-cash costs and provides an important metric for our business that is more representative of the actual results of our operations.

Adjusted operating income (which excludes the non-cash impact of amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation and cost recognized on the sale of acquired inventory valuation) is used by management as a supplemental performance measure to assess our business’s ability to generate cash and economic returns.

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Adjusted operating income is a non-GAAP measure of income and does not include the effects of preferred stock dividends, interest and taxes.

We believe that organic growth and adjusted operating income provide useful information in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as management. However, organic growth and adjusted operating income are not financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for total revenues, operating income or any other operating performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Using these non-GAAP financial measures to analyze our business has material limitations because the calculations are based on the subjective determination of management regarding the nature and classification of events and circumstances that users of the financial statements may find significant.

In addition, although other companies in our industry may report measures titled organic growth, adjusted operating income or similar measures, such non-GAAP financial measures may be calculated differently from how we calculate our non-GAAP financial measures, which reduces their overall usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, you should consider organic growth and adjusted operating income alongside other financial performance measures, including total revenues, operating income and our other financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Consistent with the rules applicable to “smaller reporting companies”, we have omitted the information required by Item 7A.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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 and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Janel maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that information, which is required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and is accumulated and communicated to management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2024, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Consistent with guidance issued by the SEC that an assessment of internal controls over financial reporting of a recently acquired business may be omitted from management’s evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, management is excluding an assessment of such internal controls of ViraQuest and Airschott from its evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. ViraQuest, which the Company acquired on February 1, 2024, constituted approximately 1 percent of the Company’s total assets and 4 percent of income before income taxes of the Company as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Airschott, which the Company acquired on June 5, 2024, constituted approximately 2 percent of the Logistics segment’s total assets and a 4 percent of income before income taxes of the Logistics segment as of and for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

As referenced above, the Company acquired ViraQuest on February 1, 2024 and Airschott on June 5, 2024. The Company is in the process of reviewing the internal control structure of ViraQuest and Airschott and, if necessary, will make appropriate changes as it integrates ViraQuest and Airschott into the Company’s overall internal control over financial reporting process.  Other than as described above, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the year ended September 30, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as amended, as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP and 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 financial statements in accordance with U.S. 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 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.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Commission. Based on this assessment, management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2024.

This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to the exemption provided to issuers that are neither “large accelerated filers” nor “accelerated filers” under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not applicable

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PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors and Executive Officers

The current executive officers and directors of the Company are as follows:

Name	Age	Position
Darren C. Seirer	50	Board Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
John Eidinger	44	Board Vice Chairman
Gerard van Kesteren	75	Director, Chair of Audit Committee
Karen M. Ryan	60	Director, Chair of Compensation Committee, Senior Advisor to Life Sciences
Gregory J. Melsen	72	Director, Chair of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
John J. Gonzalez, II	74	Director, Senior Advisor for Mergers and Acquisitions
Gregory B. Graves	64	Director
Joseph R. Ferrara	60	Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

Darren C. Seirer has served as Board Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since January 1, 2023. Mr. Seirer has been a private investor since 2019 and he has served as an advisor to the Company since 2021. Mr. Seirer was previously at Select Equity Group, L.P. from 1993 to 2019.  Mr. Seirer has also served as a director of Rubicon since 2022. Mr. Seirer is well-qualified to serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors based on his extensive experience in financial services and mergers and acquisitions.

John Eidinger has served as Vice Chairman of the Board since January 1, 2023.  Since 2019, Mr. Eidinger has advised and assisted the Company in business development.  Previously, Mr. Eidinger was a private investor.  From 2011 until 2017, Mr. Eidinger was an associate portfolio manager from Select Equity Group, L.P. Mr. Eidinger is well-qualified to serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors based on his extensive experience in financial services and mergers and acquisitions.

Gerard van Kesteren has served as a Director of Janel since November 2015. From 1999 until 2014, Mr. van Kesteren served as the Chief Financial Officer of Kuehne + Nagel Group, an international freight forwarder and leading global provider of innovative and fully integrated supply chain solutions. Mr. van Kesteren has served as a director of Raben Group NV (Netherlands) and Planzer Holding AG (Switzerland) since 2015, and Deufol SE (Germany) since 2022. Additionally, Mr. van Kesteren had previously served as a director of CTP NV (Netherlands) from 2021 to 2024. Mr. van Kesteren is well-qualified to serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors based on his extensive experience in the freight forwarding and logistics industry. Mr. van Kesteren serves as the chair of the Audit Committee.

John J. Gonzalez, II has served as a Director of Janel since June 2016. Prior to that, he was a Senior Managing Director of Janel Group, following the August 2014 purchase by the Company of Alpha International and President Container Lines (“Alpha/PCL”), which he co-founded in 1979. Mr. Gonzalez has been involved in the transportation business since 1969. Mr. Gonzalez is well-qualified to serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors based on his extensive experience in the freight forwarding and logistics industry and also serves as a senior advisor to the Company.

Gregory J. Melsen has served as a Director of Janel since January 2018. From 2005 to 2014, he was Vice President-Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Techne Corporation (now Bio-Techne Corporation), a leading developer and manufacturer of specialty biological products that were sold to biomedical researchers and clinical research laboratories, and hematology controls that were used in hospital and clinical laboratories to check the performance of blood analysis instruments. Mr. Melsen has 50 years of business experience, primarily in the accounting and finance areas. He has served as Chief Financial Officer at a number of companies and has 19 years of public accounting experience, including nine years as partner at Deloitte. Mr. Melsen is well-qualified to serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors based on his extensive experience in accounting and finance. Mr. Melsen serves as Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Karen M. Ryan, also known professionally as Karen Padgett, has served as a Director of Janel since October 2021. Prior to that, she served as Vice President of Global Marketing and Vice President of the Antibody Business Unit of Bio-Techne, a public global life science business from 2014 until 2019. From 1996 until 2014, Ms. Ryan was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Novus Biologicals, a private research reagent company, which she successfully grew until its sale to Bio-Techne. Ms. Ryan is well qualified to serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors based on her extensive life science and executive leadership experience. Ms. Ryan serves as chair of the Compensation Committee.

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Gregory B. Graves has served as a Director of Janel since May 31, 2023. Mr. Graves served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Entegris, Inc. (“Entegris”), a company focused on specialty chemicals and advanced materials solutions, from March 2007 to May 15, 2023.  Prior to March 2007, he served as Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning & Business Development of Entegris. Prior to joining Entegris Minnesota in September 2002, Mr. Graves held positions in investment banking, corporate development and public accounting, including at U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray, Dain Rauscher, The Pillsbury Company and Deloitte. Mr. Graves has served as a director of Axcelis Technology since February of 2024. In 2022, Mr. Graves joined the Board of Directors of Skywater Technologies, Inc. (a semiconductor manufacturer).  Mr. Graves has served as a director of Laird Superfood, Inc. (a plant-based food company) since September 2018, and was a member of the Board of Directors of Plug Power Inc. (an energy solutions provider) from May 2017 to June 2019. Mr. Graves is well-qualified to serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors based on his extensive experience in accounting and finance.

Joseph R. Ferrara is Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the Company and has served in such capacities since February 2024. Before joining the Company, Mr. Ferrara was the Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (Rubicon), an OTC listed industrial company, from February 2023 to October 2023. Prior to joining Rubicon, Mr. Ferrara spent 15 years as a financial consultant to various other private companies. Prior to that Mr. Ferrara spent 17 years at Louis Dreyfus Commodities, North America, most recently as its Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that Mr. Ferrara spent five years with Ernst & Young as a senior auditor. Mr. Ferrara has a B.S. in Accounting from the University at Albany, State University of New York and an MBA in finance and international business from New York University’s Stern School of Business.

Directors hold office for a one-year term until they are re-elected, or their successors have been duly elected and qualified. The executive officers are elected by the Board of Directors on an annual basis and serve under the direction of the Board. Executive officers devote all of their business time to the Company’s affairs.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors, executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of its Class A common stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and to furnish the Company with copies of all such reports they file.

Based on the Company’s review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that none of its directors, executive officers or persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company’s common stock failed to comply with Section 16(a) reporting requirements during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.

Board of Directors

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, the Board of Directors met eleven times. No incumbent director attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company and the total number of meetings held by all Board committees in which that director served.

Committees.

The Company’s Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each committee operates under a charter that has been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and is available on its website located at www.janelcorp.com.

Audit Committee.

The Company’s audit committee (“Audit Committee”) oversees its corporate accounting and financial reporting process. The Audit Committee consists of Mr. van Kesteren as the chair, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Melsen, Mr. Graves and Ms. Ryan. The Audit Committee met five times during fiscal 2024. The Audit Committee has the following responsibilities, among others, as set forth in the Audit Committee charter:

• reviewing and assessing the effectiveness of external auditors, their independence from Janel and any additional assignments they may be given, as well as reviewing their appointment, termination and remuneration;

• reviewing and assessing the scope and plan of the audit, the examination process, audit results and reports, as well as whether auditor recommendations have been implemented by management;

• recommending the approval of the annual internal audit report, including the responses of management thereto;

• assessing management’s established risk assessment and any proposed measures to reduce risk;

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• assessing the Company’s efforts and policies of compliance with relevant laws and regulations;

• reviewing, in tandem with external auditors, as well as the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, whether accounting principles and the financial control mechanisms of Janel and its subsidiaries are appropriate in view of Janel’s size and complexity; and

• reviewing annual and interim statutory and consolidated financial statements intended for publication and recommending such financial statements to the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors of the Company has determined that Messrs. Gonzalez, Graves, Melsen and van Kesteren and Ms. Ryan meet the definition of independent directors under the Company’s criteria. The Board of Directors of the Company has also determined that Mr. Graves and Mr. Melsen meet the Company’s independence criteria for audit committee membership, which is based on the Nasdaq rules regarding audit committee independence. The Board of Directors of the Company has determined that Mr. Gonzalez does not meet the Company’s independence criteria for audit committee membership, as he received an annual $90,000 consulting fee and cost of health insurance of $19,000 during fiscal year 2024 for services rendered to the Company’s Logistics segment. The Board of Directors of the Company has also determined that Ms. Ryan does not meet the Company’s independence criteria for audit committee membership, as she received $12,500 of consulting fees during fiscal year 2024 for services rendered to the Company’s Life Sciences segment. The Board of Directors of the Company has also determined that Mr. van Kesteren does not meet the Company’s independence criteria for audit committee membership, as he received an annual $40,000 consulting fee during fiscal year 2024 for services rendered to the Company’s Logistics segment. While the Company’s Board of Directors has determined each of Messrs. Graves, Melsen and van Kesteren to be an audit committee financial expert based on their respective experiences, the Company’s Board of Directors designated Gerard van Kesteren as the audit committee financial expert considering his experience as Chief Financial Officer of Kuehne + Nagel Group.

Compensation Committee

The Company’s compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”) formulates, reviews and recommends compensation policies that are consistent with Janel’s established compensation philosophy and that will enable it to attract and retain high-quality leadership.

The Compensation Committee met four times during fiscal 2024. The Compensation Committee has the following responsibilities, among others, as set forth in the Compensation Committee’s charter:

• reviewing and approving the Company’s general compensation philosophy and objectives;

• reviewing and approving the corporate goals and individual objectives relevant to the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer considering these objectives;

• approving base salary amounts, incentive and bonus compensation amounts and individual stock and/or option grants and awards for the Chief Executive Officer and, based on the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, all corporate officers at or above the Vice President level;

• reviewing all forms of compensation for the Company’s senior management, including the form and amount of current salary, deferred salary, cash and non-cash benefits, and all compensation plans;

• reviewing the Company’s significant severance or similar termination payments and administering the Company’s stock option and other incentive compensation plans and programs;

• amending or modifying, where appropriate, the provisions of any compensation or benefit plan that does not require stockholder approval;

• preparing and approving reports to stockholders on compensation matters which are required by the SEC and other government bodies;

• performing an annual performance appraisal for members of the Company’s senior management designated by the Board of Directors;

• establishing levels of director compensation to include marketplace reviews of retainers, meeting fees, stock plans and other similar components of compensation; and

• annually reviewing succession plans for key positions within the Company.

The Company’s Compensation Committee consists of Ms. Ryan as the chair and Messrs. Gonzalez, Graves, Melsen and van Kesteren.  The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Ryan and Messrs. Gonzalez, Graves, Melsen and van Kesteren are independent members of the Compensation Committee.

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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Company’s nominating and corporate governance committee (the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”) is responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures that are intended to assure that Janel’s Board of Directors and the Boards of Directors (or equivalent) of its subsidiaries will be appropriately constituted and organized to meet its fiduciary obligations to the Company and its stockholders on an ongoing basis. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met four times during fiscal 2024. Among other matters, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for the following, as set forth in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s charter:

• making recommendations to Janel’s Board of Directors regarding matters and practices concerning the Board, its committees and individual directors, as well as matters and practices of the Boards, committees and individual directors of each of Janel’s subsidiaries;

• periodically evaluating the size, composition and governance structure of Janel’s Board of Directors and its committees and the Boards and committees of Janel’s subsidiaries and determining the future requirements of each such body;

• periodically making recommendations concerning the qualifications, criteria, compensation and retirement age of members of Janel’s Board of Directors and the Boards of its subsidiaries, which recommendations, upon approval by Janel’s Board of Directors, shall be incorporated in Janel’s Corporate Governance Guidelines;

• recommending nominees for election to Janel’s Board of Directors and the Boards of its subsidiaries and establishing and administering a Board evaluation process; and

• reviewing timely nominations by stockholders for the election of individuals to Janel’s Board of Directors and ensure that such stockholders are advised of any action taken by the Board of Directors with respect thereto.

The Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of the Company’s full Board of Directors. Mr. Melsen serves as the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Independence of Directors

The Company is not currently subject to listing requirements of any national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system which has requirements that a majority of the Board of Directors be “independent” and, as a result, is not at this time required to (and does not) have a Board of Directors comprised of a majority of independent directors. Pursuant to Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K, however, Janel must disclose each director that is independent under the independence standards of either the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq, as selected by Janel. The Company has elected to use the independence standards prescribed under Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2), which defines an “independent director” as a person who does not have any relationship with the Company which, in the opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Based on the applicable criteria, the Company’s Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Seirer and Eidinger are not independent by virtue of the fact that they are Executive Officers of the Company.

The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Gonzalez, Graves, Melsen, and van Kesteren and Ms. Ryan are independent directors.

Director Compensation

The following table summarizes the compensation paid to the Company’s non-executive directors for their services during the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 (actual dollar amounts):

Name	Fees Earned or Paid in Cash(1)		Option Awards(2)		All Other Compensation			Total
John J. Gonzalez	$	40,000	$	41,567	$	109,000	(3)	$	190,567
Gerard van Kesteren	$	50,000	$	41,567	$	40,000	(4)	$	131,567
Karen M. Ryan	$	50,000	$	41,567	$	12,500	(5)	$	104,067
Gregory J. Melsen	$	50,000	$	41,567	$	—		$	91,567
Gregory B. Graves	$	40,000	$	41,567	$	—		$	81,567

(1) Compensation is paid on a monthly basis.

(2) The aggregate number of options outstanding as of September 30, 2024 for each director is as follows: Gerard van Kesteren – 9,999, John J. Gonzalez II – 9,999,  Gregory J. Melsen – 16,875, Karen M. Ryan – 7,500, and Gregory B. Graves - 2,500.

(3) Represents compensation paid to Mr. Gonzalez in connection with his consulting agreement and medical premium

(4) Represents compensation paid to Mr. van Kesteren in connection with his consulting agreement.

(5) Represents compensation paid to Ms. Ryan in connection with her consulting agreement

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For fiscal year 2024 non-employee directors received a retainer at an annual rate of $40,000, payable on a monthly basis, and 2,500 options, pursuant to the Amended and Restated Janel Corporation 2017 Equity Incentive Plan or such other equity plan that the Company may adopt from time to time. Directors who also serve as executive officers of the Company do not receive additional compensation for their Board service.

Committee chairs receive an additional retainer at an annual rate of $10,000. Non-employee directors are reimbursed for their reasonable travel and other expenses incurred to attend Board of Directors or Board committee meetings.

Employment Arrangements

The Company has no active employment agreements with any of its officers or directors.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Company has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics, including a whistleblower policy, that applies to all of its employees, including executive officers and directors. The code of business conduct and ethics, including our whistleblower policy, is available on the Company’s website at www.janelcorp.com. The Company intends to disclose, if required, any future amendments to, or waivers from, the code of business conduct and ethics within four business days of the waiver or amendment through a website posting or by filing a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted corporate governance guidelines that serve as a flexible framework within which its Board of Directors and its committees operate. These guidelines cover a number of areas, including the size and composition of the Board of Directors, director selection criteria and qualifications, the agenda for Board meetings, Board member access to management and independent advisors, director compensation, director orientation and continuing education and annual Board and committee self-evaluations. A copy of the corporate governance guidelines is available on the Company’s website at www.janelcorp.com.

Communications with the Board

Any stockholder desiring to contact the Board, or any specific director(s), may send written communications to: Board of Directors (Attention: (Name(s) of director(s), as applicable)), c/o the Company’s Secretary, 80 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011. Any proper communication so received will be processed by the Secretary. If it is unclear from the communication received whether it was intended or appropriate for the Board, the Secretary will (subject to any applicable regulatory requirements) use his or her judgment to determine whether such communication should be conveyed to the Board of Directors or, as appropriate, to the member(s) of the Board of Directors named in the communication.

Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

While the Board of Directors believes that there are various structures that can provide successful leadership to the Company, the Company’s executive functions are carried out by Mr. Seirer, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, who also serves as chair of the Company’s Board of Directors and, together with the other directors, brings experience, oversight and expertise to the management of the Company.

The Board of Directors believes that, due to the small size of the Company, this leadership structure best serves the Company and its stockholders. Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks the Company faces, while the Board of Directors has collective responsibility for the oversight of risk management. In its risk oversight role, the Board of Directors has the responsibility to satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed. To do this, management discusses with the Board of Directors the risks facing the Company and its strategy for managing them.

Insider Trading Arrangements and Policies

We have adopted an Insider Trading Policy governing the purchase, sale, and/or other dispositions of the Company’s securities by our directors, officers and employees, and the Company itself, that we believe is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations and the exchange listing standards applicable to us. A copy of our Insider Trading Policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Introduction

(actual dollar amounts)

The following table provides summary information concerning compensation paid by the Company to our Chief Executive Officer and President, Vice Chairman, our former Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary, and our Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary. We refer to these individuals collectively as the “named executive officers”.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information regarding the total compensation awarded to, paid to the named executive officers as compensation for their services in all capacities during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (actual dollar amounts):

Name and Principal Position	Year	Base Salary ($)		Bonus ($)			All Other Comp. ($)			Total ($)
Darren C. Seirer, Chief Executive Officer and President	2024		100,000		—			1,252	(1)		101,252
	2023		100,000		—			751			100,751
John Eidinger, Vice Chairman	2024		144,000		—			—			144,000
	2023		144,000		—			—			144,000
Vincent A. Verde, Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary	2024		105,885		26,131	(2)		165,008	(2)		297,024
	2023		215,000		208,355			35,494			458,849
Joseph R. Ferrara, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary	2024		155,754		25,000			3,254	(3)		184,008

(1) The amount reported under “All Other Compensation” for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 includes $1,252 of 401(k) contributions paid on behalf of Mr. Seirer for the fiscal year ended 2024.

(2) Mr. Verde served as Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary through February 16, 2024. The amount reported under the “Bonus” column for fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 includes a discretionary bonus of $26,131 related to fiscal year 2023 performance. Amounts reported under “All Other Compensation” for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 includes $150,000 relating to a separation agreement, $11,531 of insurance premiums, and $3,477 of 401(k) contributions paid on behalf of Mr. Verde for the fiscal year ended 2024.

(3) Mr. Ferrara was appointed as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary on February 14, 2024. The amount reported under the “Bonus” column for fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 includes a discretionary bonus of $25,000 related to fiscal year 2024 performance. The amount reported under “All Other Compensation” for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 includes $3,254 of 401(k) contributions paid on behalf of Mr. Ferrara for the fiscal year ended 2024.

Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards

While the Company has adopted the Amended and Restated 2017 Equity Incentive Plan pursuant to which certain stock awards may be granted to the Company’s directors, officers, employees and consultants, our current intent is to utilize this plan only to make annual equity awards to the Company’s non-employee directors.

Savings and Stock Option Plans

401(k) and Profit-Sharing Plan

(actual dollar amounts)

The Company maintains a qualified retirement plan, commonly referred to as a 401(k) plan covering substantially all full-time employees under each segment.

The Janel Corporation 401(k) Plan allows for employee salary deferrals including Roth 401(k) deferrals, employer matching contributions, employer profit sharing contributions and employee rollovers. The Janel Corporation 401(k) Plan provides for participant contributions of up to 50% of annual compensation (not to exceed the IRS limit), as defined by the plan. The Company contributes an amount equal to 50% of the participant’s first 6% of contributions.

The combined expenses charged to operations for contributions made to the plans for the benefit of the employees for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were approximately $548,500 and $535,200, respectively.

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The administrative expense charged to operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 aggregated approximately $75,800 and $65,600, respectively.

Equity Plans

On October 30, 2013, the Board of Directors adopted Janel’s 2013 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “2013 Option Plan”) providing for options to purchase up to 100,000 shares of common stock for issuance to directors, officers, employees of and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries. The exercise price and other terms of any nonqualified option granted under the 2013 Option Plan is determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

On September 21, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Amended and Restated 2017 Janel Corporation Equity Incentive Plan (the “Amended and Restated Plan”), which amended and restated the prior 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as previously amended, and pursuant to which non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights with respect to up to 200,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, may be granted to employees, directors and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries. Participants and all terms of any grant under the Amended and Restated Plan are in the discretion of the Company’s Compensation Committee.

Outstanding Equity Awards at September 30, 2024

None of our named executive officers had any outstanding stock awards at September 30, 2024.

Policies and Practices Related to the Grant of Certain Equity Awards Close in Time to the Release of Material Nonpublic Information

As noted above, we do not grant equity awards to our named executive officers or other employees of the Company and therefore do not have a policy regarding the timing of grants of option awards in relation to the disclosure of material non-public information by the Company. If, in the future, we anticipate granting stock options, SARs or similar option-like instruments to our named executive officers or other employees of the Company, we expect to establish a policy and/or practice regarding how the Board of Directors determines when to grant such awards and how the Board or Compensation Committee will take material non-public information into account when determining the timing and terms of such awards.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The following tables set forth information concerning beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of September 30, 2024. For purposes of calculating beneficial ownership, Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act requires inclusion of shares of common stock that may be acquired within sixty days of the stated date. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to a table, beneficial ownership of shares represents sole voting and investment power with respect to those shares.

Certain Beneficial Owners

The following table reflects the names and addresses of the only persons or entities known to the Company to be the beneficial owners of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock as of September 30, 2024.

Name and address of Beneficial Owner (1)	Shares Beneficially Owned		Percent of Class
Oaxaca Group L.L.C. (2)		485,302		40.0	%
John Eidinger		186,704		15.4	%
John J. Gonzalez, II (3)		96,069		7.9	%
van Kesteren Foundation (4)		85,000		7.0	%
Brendan Killackey		61,300		5.1	%

(1) The address of each person and entity included in this table is 80 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10011, except for the van Kesteren Foundation which is Seestrasse 39, 8846 Willerzell, Switzerland.

(2) These shares are held by Oaxaca Group L.L.C. Dominique Schulte is the sole member of Oaxaca Group L.L.C. and, therefore, shares beneficial ownership of the shares.

(3) Includes 833 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options that may be exercised within 60 days of September 30, 2024.

(4) Mr. van Kesteren, a director of the Company, and his wife are members of the Board of Directors of the van Kesteren Foundation. Mr. van Kesteren disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of the Company’s common stock held by the van Kesteren Foundation.

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock as of September 30, 2024 by each “named executive officer”, each current director and each nominee for election as a director and all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. An asterisk (*) indicates ownership of less than 1%.

Name of Beneficial Owner	Shares Beneficially Owned		Percent of Class
John Eidinger		186,704		15.4	%
John J. Gonzalez, II (1)		96,069		7.9	%
Gerard van Kesteren (1)		37,999		3.1	%
Gregory J. Melsen (1)		11,875		*
Karen M. Ryan (1)		6,944		*
Gregory B. Graves		3,082		*
Joseph R. Ferrara		—		*
Darren C. Seirer (2)		—		*
All directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons)		342,673		26.4	%

(1) Includes 833 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options that may be exercised within 60 days of September 30, 2024.

(2) Does not include shares beneficially owned by Dominique Schulte, Mr. Seirer’s spouse, which are referenced above.

43

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information, as of September 30, 2024, with respect to all compensation arrangements maintained by the Company under which shares of common stock may be issued:

	Column A		Column B		Column C
Plan Category: Equity Compensation plans not approved by security holders:	Number of securities to be issued, upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights		Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights		Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans
2013 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (1)		3,121	$	8.01		39,201
Amended and Restated 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (2)		46,872	$	26.46		57,254
Total		49,993	$	25.31		96,455

(1) On October 30, 2013, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Company’s 2013 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan providing for options to purchase up to 100,000 shares of common stock for issuance to directors, officers, employees of and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries. The exercise price and other terms of any nonqualified option granted under the 2013 Option Plan is determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

(2) On September 21, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Amended and Restated 2017 Janel Corporation Equity Incentive Plan pursuant to which non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights with respect to up to 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock may be granted to employees, directors and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries. Participants and all terms of any grant under the Amended and Restated Plan are in the discretion of the Compensation Committee.

44

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Related Party Transactions

(actual dollar amounts)

Brendan J. Killackey, beneficial owner of 5.1% of the Company and serves as its Chief Information Officer. For fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, Mr. Killackey received a base salary of $173,333 and a discretionary bonus of $68,059.

We are not aware of any other transactions since October 1, 2023 or any proposed transactions in which the Company was a party where the amount involved exceeded the lesser of 1% of the average of the Company’s total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years and $120,000, and in which a director, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of our common stock or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

(actual dollar amounts)

The following reflects the fees of Prager Metis CPAs, LLC, the Company’s sole independent public accountant, for the audit of our financial statements for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, and fees billed for other services provided by Prager Metis during those periods.

	Year End September 30,
Fee Category	2024		2023
Audit Fees	$	350,000	$	338,750
Audit-Related Fees		16,582		50,195
Tax Fees		—		55,495
Total Fees	$	366,582	$	444,440

Audit Fees

Audit fees include fees paid and accrued for professional services rendered by Prager Metis CPA’s for 2024 and 2023, fees for the audits of our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2024 and 2023, and reviews of the financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Audit fees also include comfort letter fees for 2023.

Audit-Related Fees

Audit-related services fees include fees paid and accrued for transaction related audit services and agreed upon procedures.

Tax Fees

Tax fees include fees paid and accrued for corporate tax compliance, counsel and advisory services.

Approval of Independent Auditor Services and Fees

The Audit Committee reviews all fees charged by the Company’s independent auditors and actively monitors the relationship between audit and non-audit services provided. The Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent auditors and fees charged.

45

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) Documents filed as part of this report

(1) Financial Statements.

The Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of this report are listed on the Table of Contents to Consolidated Financial Statements.

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, are not required, or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

(b) Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
* 2.1	Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated July 1, 2022, between Janel Corporation and Rubicon Technology, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 5, 2022)
3.1	Articles of Incorporation of Wine Systems Design, Inc. (predecessor name) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3A to Wine Systems Design, Inc. (predecessor name) Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed May 10, 2001)
3.2	Amended and Restated By-Laws of Janel Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 1, 2013)
3.3	Certificate of Designations of Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 29, 2014)
3.4	Certificate of Change filed Pursuant to NRS 78.209 for Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 21, 2015)
3.5	Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 21, 2015)
3.6	Amendment to Certificate of Designation After Issuance of Class or Series pursuant to NRS 78.1955 for Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 25, 2016)
3.7	Amendment to Certificate of Designation After Issuance of Class or Series pursuant to NRS 78.1955 for Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017)
3.8	Amendment to Certificate of Designation After Issuance of Class or Series pursuant to NRS 78.1955 for Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed October 17, 2017)
3.9	Amendment to Certificate of Designation After Issuance of Class or Series pursuant to NRS 78.1955 for Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 5, 2021)
3.10	Certificate, Amendment or Withdrawal of Designation pursuant to NRS 78.1955 with respect to Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 5, 2022)
4.1	Description of Registrant’s Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed December 9, 2022)
† 10.1	Janel World Trade, Ltd. 2013 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 1, 2013)
10.2	Credit Agreement, effective as of February 29, 2016, by and between Indco, Inc. and First Merchants Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 25, 2016)
10.3	Security Agreement, effective as of February 29, 2016, made by Indco and the Company, Inc. for the benefit of First Merchants Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 25, 2016)
10.4	Continuing Guaranty Agreement, effective as of February 29, 2016, made by Janel Corporation for the benefit of First Merchants Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 25, 2016)
† 10.5	Restricted Stock Award Agreement between Janel Corporation and Gerard van Kesteren dated May 12, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 5, 2017)

46

10.6	Business Loan Agreement, dated June 14, 2018, by and between AB Merger Sub, Inc. and First Northern Bank of Dixon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 27, 2018)
10.7	Promissory Note, dated June 14, 2018, made by AB Merger Sub, Inc. payable to First Northern Bank of Dixon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 27, 2018)
10.8	Deed of Trust, dated June 14, 2018, by Antibodies Incorporated, as Trustor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 27, 2018)
10.9	Commercial Guaranty, dated June 14, 2018, from Janel Corporation (as Guarantor) to First Northern Bank of Dixon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 27, 2018)
10.10	Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, effective as of August 30, 2019, by and between Indco, Inc. and First Merchants Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 6, 2019)
10.11	Term Loan Promissory Note, effective as of August 30, 2019, made by Indco, Inc. payable to First Merchants Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 6, 2019)
10.12	Revolving Loan Promissory Note, effective as of August 30, 2019, made by Indco, Inc. payable to First Merchants Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 6, 2019)
10.13	Pledge Agreement, effective as of August 30, 2019, by Janel Corporation to First Merchants Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 6, 2019)
† 10.14	Consulting Agreement, dated February 26, 2017, between Janel Corporation and John J. Gonzalez, II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2018, filed on July 26, 2019)
† 10.15	Consulting Agreement, dated September 28, 2016, between Janel Corporation and Gerard van Kesteren (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2018, filed on July 26, 2019)
10.16	Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement effective as of July 1, 2020, by and between Indco Inc. and First Merchants Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020)
10.17	Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, by and among Santander Bank, N.A., as lender, and Janel Group, Inc., Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and ELFS Brokerage, LLC (collectively as borrowers) and Janel Corporation and Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, as loan party obligors dated September 21, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021)
10.18	First Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement between (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022)
10.19	Consent, Waiver and Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2022, by and among Santander Bank, N.A., Janel Group, Inc., Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC, ELFS Brokerage LLC, Janel Corporation and Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 13, 2022)
10.20	Form letter purchase agreement, dated March 31, 2022, between the Company and holders of Series C Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022)
10.21	Amended and Restated 2017 Janel Corporation Equity Incentive Plan dated September 21, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021)
10.22	Subscription Agreement for sale of Series C Preferred Stock dated as of September 30, 2021 between Janel Corporation and Oaxaca Group LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 5, 2021)
10.23	Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement effective as of August 1, 2022 entered into by and among Indco, Inc., and First Merchants Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022)
10.24	Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, by and among Santander Bank, N.A., as lender, and Janel Group, Inc., Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and ELFS Brokerage, LLC (collectively as borrowers) and Janel Corporation and Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, as loan party obligors dated January 30, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2022)
10.25	Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, by and among Indco, Inc., Antibodies Incorporated, Aves Labs, Inc., Phosphosolutions LLC, Immunochemistry Technologies LLC, ECM Biosciences, LLC, Stephen Hall PhD LTD, Immunobioscience Corp., (collectively as borrowers), and each individually, a “Borrower”), and First Merchants Bank dated April 25, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023).

47

10.26	First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, by and among Indco, Inc. a Tennessee corporation, Antibodies Incorporated, a California corporation, Aves Labs, Inc., an Oregon corporation, PhosphoSolutions LLC, a Nevada limited liability company, ImmunoChemistry Technologies LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company, ECM BioSciences, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company, Stephen Hall, PHD LTD, an Indiana corporation, ImmunoBioScience Corp., a Washington corporation (collectively as borrowers) and Janel Corporation, a Nevada corporation, as guarantor, and First Merchants Bank, as bank, dated January 10, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024)
10.27	Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, by and among Santander Bank, N.A., as lender, and Janel Group, Inc., Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC, and ELFS Brokerage, LLC (collectively as borrowers) and Janel Corporation and Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC, as loan party obligors dated April 25, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023).
10.28	Fifth Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, by and among Santander Bank, N.A., as lender, and Janel Group, Inc., Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC, and ELFS Brokerage, LLC (collectively as borrowers) and Janel Corporation and Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC, as loan party obligors dated August 22, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023).
10.29	Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, by and among Santander Bank, N.A., as lender, and Janel Group, Inc., Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC, and ELFS Brokerage, LLC (collectively as borrowers) and Janel Corporation and Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC, as loan party obligors dated December 21, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2023).
10.30	Consent, Joinder and Seventh Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2024, by and among Santander Bank, N.A., as lender, Janel Group, Inc., Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC, ELFS Brokerage LLC, Janel Corporation, Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC and Airschott, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter June 30, 2024)
10.31	Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated September 21, 2021, by and among Janel Group, Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC and former shareholders of Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021)
10.32	Amendment, dated December 1, 2023, to Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated September 21, 2021, by and among Janel Group, Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC and former shareholders of Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2023)
† 10.33	Separation Agreement with Vincent A. Verde, dated as of March 4, 2024 (filed herewith)
† 10.34	Consulting Agreement, dated July 3, 2024, between Janel Corporation and Karen Ryan (filed herewith)
19.1	Insider Trading Policy, effective May 2, 2024 (filed herewith)
21	Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith)
23.1	Consent of Prager Metis CPAs, LLC (filed herewith)
31.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer (filed herewith)
31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer (filed herewith)
32.1	Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer (furnished herewith)
32.2	Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer (furnished herewith)
101	Interactive data files providing financial information from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (filed herewith)
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in the Interactive Data Files submitted as Exhibit 101) (filed herewith)

† Represents management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement in which directors and/or executive officers are entitled to participate.

48

* Schedules to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Registration S-K. The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any omitted schedules to the SEC upon request

The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

49

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Janel Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

	JANEL CORPORATION (Registrant)
Date: December 6, 2024	By:	/s/ Darren C. Seirer
	Darren C. Seirer
	Director, Board Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: December 6, 2024	By:	/s/ Joseph R. Ferrara
	Joseph R. Ferrara
	Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer)

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.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Darren C. Seirer	Director, Board Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer	December 6, 2024
Darren C. Seirer
/s/ John Eidinger	Director, Board Vice Chairman	December 6, 2024
John Eidinger
/s/ Joseph R. Ferrara	Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary	December 6, 2024
Joseph R. Ferrara
/s/ John J. Gonzalez, II	Director	December 6, 2024
John J. Gonzalez, II
/s/ Gregory J. Melsen	Director	December 6, 2024
Gregory J. Melsen
/s/ Karen M. Ryan	Director	December 6, 2024
Karen M. Ryan
/s/ Gerard van Kesteren	Director	December 6, 2024
Gerard van Kesteren
/s/ Gregory B. Graves	Director	December 6, 2024
Gregory B. Graves

50

Report of Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm – Prager Metis CPAs, LLC (PCAOB ID number 273)	F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024 and 2023	F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023	F-4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023	F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023	F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	F-7

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and the Board of

Directors of Janel Corporation and Subsidiaries

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Janel Corporation and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and its cash flows for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

Critical audit matters are a matter 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 an account or disclosure that is material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.

/s/ Prager Metis CPAs, LLC

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019

Basking Ridge, New Jersey

December 6, 2024

F-2

JANEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

	September 30,
	2024			2023
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash	$	2,832		$	2,461
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts		33,815			27,518
Inventory, net		4,478			4,850
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		4,829			4,459
Total current assets		45,954			39,288
Property and Equipment, net		5,492			4,922
Other Assets:
Intangible assets, net		25,117			22,683
Goodwill		23,030			20,317
Restricted cash		250			—
Investment in marketable securities at fair value		1,574			1,573
Operating lease right of use asset		8,621			7,460
Security deposits and other long-term assets		572			591
Total other assets		59,164			52,624
Total assets	$	110,610		$	96,834
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Line of credit	$	23,013		$	19,709
Accounts payable - trade		32,000			25,447
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		7,489			6,337
Dividends payable		2,271			2,029
Current portion of earnout		1,262			592
Current portion of long-term debt		1,276			715
Current portion of subordinated promissory note-related party		1,628			1,988
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		2,419			2,020
Total current liabilities		71,358			58,837
Other Liabilities:
Long-term debt		3,028			5,784
Long-term portion of earnout		2,119			1,738
Subordinated promissory notes-related party		3,445			3,424
Mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest		1,529			565
Deferred income taxes		2,514			1,341
Long-term operating lease liabilities		6,585			5,689
Other liabilities		531			483
Total other liabilities		19,751			19,024
Total liabilities		91,109			77,861
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000 shares authorized		—			—
Series C 30,000 shares authorized and 11,368 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, liquidation value of $7,957 and $7,713 at September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively		—			—
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 4,500,000 shares authorized, 1,206,354 issued and 1,186,354 outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively		1			1
Paid-in capital		17,084			17,107
Common treasury stock, at cost, 20,000 shares		(240	)		(240	)
Accumulated earnings		2,656			2,105
Total stockholders’ equity		19,501			18,973
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	110,610		$	96,834

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

F-3

JANEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

	Year Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
Revenues:
Logistics	$	159,958		$	166,052
Life Sciences and Manufacturing		23,226			20,397
Total Revenues		183,184			186,449
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues:
Forwarding expenses - Logistics		117,501			123,938
Cost of revenues - Life Sciences and Manufacturing		7,299			6,839
Total forwarding expenses and cost of revenues		124,800			130,777
Gross profit		58,384			55,672
Operating Expenses:
Selling, general and administrative		52,327			50,975
Amortization of intangible assets		2,299			2,098
Total Operating Expenses		54,626			53,073
Income from Operations		3,758			2,599
Other Items:
Interest expense		(2,318	)		(1,998	)
Other expense		(346	)		(76	)
Income Before Income Taxes		1,094			525
Income tax benefit (expense)		(543	)		198
Net Income		551			723
Preferred stock dividends		(328	)		(284	)
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders	$	223		$	439
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.46		$	0.61
Diluted	$	0.45		$	0.60
Net income per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	$	0.19		$	0.37
Diluted	$	0.18		$	0.36
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic		1,186.4			1,186.4
Diluted		1,206.2			1,206.2

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

F-4

 JANEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

	PREFERRED STOCK				COMMON STOCK				PAID-IN CAPITAL			COMMON TREASURY STOCK					ACCUMULATED EARNING (DEFICIT)		TOTAL EQUITY
	Shares			$	Shares			$		$		Shares			$			$		$
Balance - September 30, 2022		11,368	$	—		1,206,354	$	1	$	17,184			20,000	$	(240	)	$	1,382	$	18,327
Net Income		—		—		—		—		—			—		—			723		723
Dividends to preferred stockholders		—		—		—		—		(284	)		—		—			—		(284	)
Stock based compensation		—		—		—		—		207			—		—			—		207
Balance - September 30, 2023		11,368	$	—		1,206,354	$	1	$	17,107			20,000	$	(240	)	$	2,105	$	18,973
Net Income		—		—		—		—		—			—		—			551		551
Dividends to preferred stockholders		—		—		—		—		(328	)		—		—			—		(328	)
Stock based compensation		—		—		—		—		305			—		—			—		305
Balance - September 30, 2024		11,368	$	—		1,206,354	$	1	$	17,084			20,000	$	(240	)	$	2,656	$	19,501

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

F-5

JANEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

	Year Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	551		$	723
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Recovery of uncollectible accounts		(37	)		(100	)
Depreciation		551			508
Deferred income tax provision		196			(1,200	)
Amortization of intangible assets		2,299			2,098
Amortization of acquired inventory valuation		342			425
Amortization of loan costs		81			89
Stock based compensation		321			231
Unrealized loss on marketable securities		41			798
Change in fair value of earnout		774			(857	)
Change in fair value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest		964			135
Gain on extinguishment		(21	)		—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable		(4,515	)		29,799
Inventory		39			34
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(250	)		(1,036	)
Security deposits and other long-term assets		19			(48	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		5,296			(20,396	)
Other liabilities		181			185
Net cash provided by operating activities		6,832			11,388
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment, net of disposals		(1,003	)		(360	)
Investment in marketable securities (net of dividends)		(42	)		—
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(3,851	)		(4,447	)
Earnout payment		(740	)		(1,693	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(5,636	)		(6,500	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to preferred stockholders		(84	)		—
Repayments of term loan		(2,277	)		(1,748	)
Line of credit borrowings (payments)		3,304			(6,687	)
Repayment of subordinated promissory note-related party		(1,517	)		(583	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(574	)		(9,018	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash		621			(4,130	)
Cash at beginning of the period		2,461			6,591
Cash and restricted cash at end of period		3,082			2,461
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest		1,999			1,862
Income taxes		585			1,393
Non-cash operating activities:
Contingent earnout acquisition		64			300
Due to former owner		740			455
Non-cash investing activities:
Airschott subordinated promissory note		1,200			—
Airschott contingent deferred consideration		952			—
Non-cash financing activities:
Dividends declared to preferred stockholders		328			284

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

F-6

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands except share and per share data)

1. SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business description

Janel is a holding company with subsidiaries in three business segments: Logistics, Life Sciences and Manufacturing. The Company strives to create shareholder value primarily through three strategic priorities: supporting its businesses’ efforts to make investments and to build long-term profits; allocating Janel’s capital at high risk-adjusted rates of return; and attracting and retaining exceptional talent.

Management at the holding company focuses on significant capital allocation decisions, corporate governance and supporting Janel’s subsidiaries where appropriate. Janel expects to grow through its subsidiaries’ organic growth and by completing acquisitions. We plan to either acquire businesses within our existing segments or expand our portfolio into new strategic segments. Our acquisition strategy focuses on reasonably priced companies with strong and capable management teams, attractive existing business economics and stable and predictable earnings power.

Logistics

The Company’s Logistics segment is comprised of several wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Logistics segment is a non-asset based, full-service provider of cargo transportation logistics management services, including freight forwarding via air, ocean and land-based carriers; customs brokerage services; warehousing and distribution services; trucking and other value-added logistics services. In addition to these revenue streams, the Company earns accessorial revenues in connection with its core services. Accessorial revenues include, but are not limited to, fuel service charges, wait time fees, hazardous cargo fees, labor charges, handling, cartage, bonding and additional labor charges.

On June 5, 2024, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired a majority ownership position in Airschott, a non-asset-based freight forwarder and customs broker.  At closing, the Company purchased 80% of the outstanding stock of Airschott.  The Company also agreed to purchase the remaining 20% of Airschott stock in three years subject to certain closing conditions.

Life Sciences

The Company’s Life Sciences segment is comprised of several wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company’s Life Sciences segment manufactures and distributes antibodies as well as  research and diagnostic reagents for, and provides custom services to, academic, non-profit and commercial customers.

On November 1, 2022, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of ImmunoBioScience Corporation, which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

On March 2, 2023, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of Stephen Hall, PhD Ltd., which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

On May 22, 2023, the Company acquired all the rights, title and interests to a royalty agreement for certain antibody products, which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

On February 1, 2024, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all the outstanding stock of ViraQuest Inc., which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

Manufacturing

The Company’s manufacturing segment is comprised of Indco, Inc. (“Indco”), a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company that manufactures and distributes mixing equipment and apparatuses for specific applications within various industries. Indco’s customer base is comprised of small- to mid-sized businesses as well as other larger customers for which Indco fulfills repetitive production orders.

F-7

Investment in Marketable Securities - Rubicon

As of each of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2024, the Company owned 1,108,000 shares, or approximately 46.6%, of the common stock of Rubicon. Rubicon is an advanced materials provider specializing in monocrystalline sapphire for applications in optical and industrial systems. The purpose of our investment in Rubicon was for Janel to acquire a significant ownership interest in Rubicon, together with representation on Rubicon’s Board, in an attempt to (i) restructure the Rubicon business to achieve profitability and (ii) assist Rubicon in utilizing its net operating loss carry-forward assets.

Basis of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as Indco, of which Janel owns 90.2%, with a non-controlling interest held by existing Indco management. The Indco non-controlling interest is mandatorily redeemable and is recorded as a liability. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Uses of estimates in the preparation of financial statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most critical estimates made by the Company are those relating to accounts receivables valuation, the useful lives of long-term assets, accrual of cost related to ancillary services the Company provides, accrual of tax expense on an interim basis and potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, long-lived assets impairment.

Cash

The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions. Accounts at each institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250. The Company’s accounts at these institutions may, at times, exceed the federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Restricted Cash

Commencing in the second half of 2024, the Company insures certain risks through a newly formed wholly-owned captive insurance company, Gainesville Insurance Company, Inc. (“Gainesville”). In addition, we also maintain some of our normal, historical insurance policies with third-party insurers. Restricted cash represents deposits held by Gainesville that are required by state insurance regulations to remain in the captive insurance company as cash or cash equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at the contractual amount. The Company records its allowance for doubtful accounts based upon its assessment of various factors. The Company considers historical collection experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, credit quality of the Company’s customers, any specific customer collection issues that have been identified, current economic conditions and other factors that may affect the customers’ ability to pay. The Company writes off accounts receivable balances that have aged significantly once all collection efforts have been exhausted and the receivables are no longer deemed collectible from the customer. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $582 and $1,255, respectively.

Inventory

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost (using the first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. The Company maintains an inventory valuation reserve to provide for slow moving and obsolete inventory, inventory not meeting quality control standards and inventory subject to expiration for its Life Sciences business. The products of the Life Sciences business require the initial manufacture of multiple batches to determine if quality standards can consistently be met. In addition, the Company will produce larger batches of established products than current sales requirements due to economies of scale. The manufacturing process for these products, therefore, has and will continue to produce quantities in excess of forecasted usage. The Company values acquired manufactured antibody inventory based on a three-year forecast. Inventory quantities in excess of the forecast are not valued due to uncertainty over salability.

F-8

Property and equipment and depreciation policy

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Property and equipment acquired in business combinations are initially recorded at fair value. Depreciation is provided for in amounts sufficient to amortize the costs of the related assets over their estimated useful lives on the straight-line and accelerated methods for both financial reporting and income tax purposes. Maintenance and repairs are recorded as expenses when incurred.

Goodwill

The Company records as goodwill the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Under current authoritative guidance, goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually as well as when an event or change in circumstance indicates impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is tested for impairment by comparing the fair value of the Company’s individual reporting units to their carrying amount to determine if there is potential goodwill impairment. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of the goodwill of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If there is a material change in economic conditions, or other circumstances influencing the estimate of future cash flows or significantly affecting the fair value of our reporting units, the Company could be required to recognize impairment charges in the future.

The fair value of our reporting units were in excess of carrying value and goodwill was not deemed to be impaired as of September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Intangibles and long-lived assets

Long-lived assets, including fixed assets and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In reviewing for impairment, the carrying value of such assets is compared to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition.

If such cash flows are not sufficient to support the asset’s recorded value, an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the carrying value of the long-lived asset to its estimated fair value.

The determination of future cash flows, as well as the estimated fair value of long-lived assets, involves significant estimates on the part of management. If there is a material change in economic conditions, or other circumstances influencing the estimate of future cash flows or fair value, the Company could be required to recognize impairment charges in the future.

The Company concluded that the fair value of intangibles and long-lived assets were not deemed to be impaired as of September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Equity-Method Investments

The Company has determined that its investment in Rubicon is subject to the equity method of accounting, and the Company has elected the fair value option under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 825-10, Financial Instruments (“ASC 825-10”) to account for the equity method investment. In accordance with ASC 825-10, the Company will present its equity method investment in Rubicon at fair value each reporting period with changes in fair value and dividends received from Rubicon recorded to income from investment in unconsolidated affiliate on the Company’s statements of operations.

See Notes 16 and 17 for further information about the Company’s investment in Rubicon’s equity securities accounted for under the fair value option.

Business segment information

The Company operates in three reportable segments: Logistics, Life Sciences and Manufacturing. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer regularly reviews financial information at the reporting segment level in order to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segments and to assess their performance.

F-9

Revenues and revenue recognition

Logistics

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services to customers. With respect to its Logistics segment, the Company has determined that in general each shipment transaction or service order constitutes a separate contract with the customer. When the Company provides multiple services to a customer, different contracts may be present for different services.

The Company typically satisfies its performance obligations as services are rendered at a point in time. A typical shipment would include services rendered at origin, such as pick-up and delivery to port, freight services from origin to destination port and destination services, such as customs clearance and final delivery. The Company measures the performance of its obligations as services are completed at a point in time during the life of a shipment, including services at origin, freight and destination. The Company fulfills nearly all of its performance obligations within a one to two-month period.

The Company evaluates whether amounts billed to customers should be reported as gross or net revenues. Generally, revenues are recorded on a gross basis when the Company is acting as principal and is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the services, when it has discretion in setting the prices for the services to the customers, and the Company has the ability to direct the use of the services provided by the third party. Revenues is recognized on a net basis when the Company is acting as agent and we do not have latitude in carrier selection or establish rates with the carrier.

In the Logistics segment, the Company disaggregates its revenues by its four primary service categories: trucking, ocean freight, air freight, customs brokerage and other. A summary of the Company’s revenues disaggregated by major service lines for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

	Year Ended September 30,
Service Type	2024		2023
Trucking	$	73,193	$	80,364
Ocean		40,567		42,047
Air		26,753		23,095
Customs Brokerage and Other		19,445		20,546
Total	$	159,958	$	166,052

Life Sciences and Manufacturing

Revenues from the Life Sciences segment are derived from the sale of high-quality monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, diagnostic reagents and diagnostic kits and other immunoreagents for biomedical research and antibody manufacturing. Revenues from the Company’s Manufacturing segment, which is comprised of Indco, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company that manufactures and distributes mixing equipment and apparatus for specific applications within various industries, are derived from the engineering, manufacture and delivery of specialty mixing equipment and accessories. Revenues for Life Sciences and Manufacturing are recognized when products are shipped, and risk of loss is transferred to the carrier(s) used.

Income (loss) per common share

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, excluding unvested restricted stock, during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects the additional dilution from potential issuances of common stock, such as stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options. The treasury stock method is used to calculate the potential dilutive effect of these common stock equivalents. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share when their effect is anti-dilutive.

Equity classified share-based awards

The Company recognizes compensation expense for stock-based payments granted based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation- Stock Compensation.” For employee stock-based awards, we calculate the fair value of the award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes method for stock options and the quoted price of our common stock for restricted shares; the expense is recognized over the service period for awards expected to vest.

F-10

Stock-based compensation to non-employees

Liability classified share-based awards

The Company maintains other share unit compensation grants for shares of Indco, which vest over a period of up to three years following their grant. The shares contain certain put features where the Company is either required or expects to settle vested awards on a cash basis.

These awards are classified as liability awards, measured at fair value at the date of grant and re-measured at fair value at each reporting date up to and including the settlement date. The determination of the fair value of the share units under these plans is described in Note 10. The fair value of the awards is expensed over the respective vesting period of the individual awards with recognition of a corresponding liability. Changes in fair value after vesting are recognized through compensation expense. Compensation expense reflects estimates of the number of instruments expected to vest. The impact of forfeitures and fair value revisions, if any, are recognized in earnings such that the cumulative expense reflects the revisions, with a corresponding adjustment to the settlement liability. Liability-classified share unit liabilities due within 12 months of the reporting date are presented in trade and other payables while settlements due beyond 12 months of the reporting date are presented in non-current liabilities.

Non-employee share-based awards

The Company grants restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options to certain directors, officers and employees. The Company accounts for share-based compensation as equity awards such that compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is expensed ratably over the vesting period. The fair value of restricted stock is the market price as of the grant date, and the fair value of each stock option grant is estimated as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment about, among other things, stock volatility, the expected life of the award and other inputs. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

The Company issues new shares of common stock to satisfy exercises and vesting of awards granted under its stock plans. Share-based compensation expense is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as part of selling general and administrative expenses.

Mandatorily Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests

The non-controlling interests that are reflected as mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests in the consolidated financial statements consist of non-controlling interests related to the Indco acquisition whose owners have certain redemption rights that allow them to require the Company to purchase the non-controlling interests of those owners upon certain events outside the control of the Company, including upon the death of the holders. The Company is required to purchase 20% per year of the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest at the option of the holders beginning on the third anniversary of the date of the Indco acquisition, which was March 21, 2019. As of September 30, 2024, the holders had not exercised their redemption rights.

On December 13, 2021, two minority owners of Indco exercised 7,000 and 3,372 options to purchase Indco’s common stock at an exercise price of $6.48 and $12.07 for an aggregate purchase price of $45 and $41, respectively. Indco issued related party promissory notes in the amount of $45 and $41, respectively, which bear interest at 1% per annum; both interest and principal are payable on the maturity date of December 31, 2024. On November 30, 2020, a minority owner of Indco exercised 7,000 options to purchase Indco’s common stock at an exercise price of $6.48 for an aggregate purchase price of $45. Indco issued a related party promissory note in the amount of $45, which bears interest at 1% per annum; both interest and principal were payable on the maturity date of December 31, 2023. These notes are included in security deposits and other long-term assets. The fair value of the shares issued of Indco’s common stock was recorded as an increase in mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest. As a result of the exercise of options to purchase Indco’s stock, the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest percentage was 9.8% as of  each of September 30, 2024 and 2023.

On the date the Company acquired the controlling interest in a business combination, the fair value of the non-controlling interest is recorded in the long-term liabilities section of the consolidated balance sheet under the caption “Mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest.” The mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest is adjusted each reporting period, if required, to its then current redemption value, based on the predetermined formula defined in the respective agreement. The Company reflects any adjustment in the redemption value and any earnings attributable to the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest in its consolidated statements of operations by recording the adjustments and earnings to other income and expense in the caption “Other expense.”

F-11

Income taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of: (i) taxes payable or refundable for the current year and (ii) deferred tax consequences of temporary differences resulting from matters that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the period in which related temporary differences become deductible. The benefit of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the Company’s income tax returns are recognized in the consolidated financial statements if such positions are more likely than not of being sustained.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Assets and obligations related to operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets; current portion of operating lease liability; and operating lease liability, net of current portion in our consolidated balance sheets. Assets and obligations related to finance leases are included in property, technology and equipment, net; current portion of finance lease liability; and finance lease liability, net of current portion in our consolidated balance sheets.

ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date is used in determining the present value of lease payments. We use the implicit rate when readily determinable. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option.

The Company’s agreements with lease and non-lease components are all each accounted for as a single lease component.

For leases with an initial term of twelve months or less, the Company elected the exemption from recording right of use assets and lease liabilities for all leases that qualify and records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Expenses for these short-term leases for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 amounted to $348 and 372, respectively.

Contingent Earnout Liabilities

The Company accounts for contingent consideration relating to business combinations as a contingent earnout liability and a decrease (increase) to goodwill at the date of the acquisition and continually remeasures the asset or liability at each balance sheet date by recording changes in the fair value through change in fair value of contingent consideration in the consolidated statements of operations. The ultimate settlement of contingent earnout liabilities relating to business combinations may be for amounts that are materially different from the amounts initially recorded and may cause volatility in the Company’s results of operations.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06 to temporarily ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The standards provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying accounting principles generally accepted in the United States to existing contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The standards apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The standards were effective upon issuance and can generally be applied through December 31, 2024. While there has been no material effect to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows from reference rate reform as of September 30, 2024, we continue to monitor our contracts and transactions for potential application of these ASUs.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which expands disclosures in an entity’s income tax rate reconciliation table and regarding cash taxes paid both in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. The update will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 (fiscal 2026). We are assessing the effect of this update on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

F-12

2. ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS

Fiscal 2024 Acquisitions

Logistics

On June 5, 2024, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired a majority ownership position in Airschott, Inc. (“Airschott”), a non-asset-based freight forwarder and customs broker, for an aggregate purchase price of $5,810.  At closing, the Company purchased 80% of the outstanding stock of Airschott for $3,600 in cash, a $1,200 floating-rate seller’s note, and net liabilities assumed of $170.  The Company also agreed to purchase the remaining 20% of Airschott stock in three years for deferred consideration of the greater of 20% of 1.25 times the trailing twelve months gross profit of Airschott and $1,200.  The acquisition was funded by our existing acquisition draw facility with First Merchants Bank (“First Merchants”) and through our existing asset-backed facility with Santander Bank, N.A. (“Santander”). In connection with the combination, the Company recorded an aggregate of $1,661 in goodwill and $4,320 in other identifiable intangibles. Subsequently, the Company recorded a deferred tax liability related to the acquisition of $977 and increased the goodwill related to the acquisition by the same amount. Supplemental pro forma information has not been provided as the acquisition did not have a significant impact on Janel’s consolidated results of operations, individually or in aggregate. Airschott was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Dulles, Virginia. The acquisition of Airschott was completed to expand our service offerings in our Logistics segment.

Life Sciences

On February 1, 2024, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all the outstanding stock of ViraQuest, Inc. (“ViraQuest”), for an aggregate purchase price of $635, net of $29 cash received. At closing, $600 was paid in cash and $64 was recorded as a preliminary earnout consideration. The acquisition was funded with cash provided by operating activities, and the results of operations of ViraQuest are included in Janel’s consolidated results of operations since the date of the acquisition. In connection with the combination, the Company recorded an aggregate of $74 in goodwill and $412 in other identifiable intangibles. Supplemental pro forma information has not been provided as the acquisition did not have a significant impact on Janel’s consolidated results of operations, individually or in aggregate. ViraQuest is a biotechnology custom service provider specializing in adenovirus production services. ViraQuest was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in North Liberty, Iowa. The acquisition of ViraQuest was completed to expand our service offerings in our Life Sciences segment.

Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions

Life Sciences

On November 1, 2022, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of ImmunoBioScience Corporation (“IBSC”), for an aggregate purchase price of $3,602, net of $153 cash received.  At closing, $3,000 was paid in cash, $250 was due to the former stockholder of IBSC as a deferred acquisition payment upon integration, $300 was recorded as a preliminary earnout consideration (not to exceed $750) and $205 was recorded as a preliminary working capital adjustment. The acquisition was funded with cash provided by normal operations, and the results of operations of IBSC are included in Janel’s consolidated results of operations since the date of the acquisition. In connection with the combination, the Company recorded an aggregate of $1,468 in goodwill and $1,680 in other identifiable intangibles. Supplemental pro forma information has not been provided as the acquisition did not have a significant impact on Janel’s consolidated results of operations, individually or in aggregate. IBSC is a developer and manufacturer of high-quality reagents used by research and diagnostic customers. IBSC was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Mukilteo, Washington. The acquisition of IBSC was completed to expand our product offerings in our Life Sciences segment.

F-13

On March 2, 2023, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of Stephen Hall PhD, Ltd. (“SH”) for an aggregate purchase price of $600. At closing, $500 was paid in cash and $100 was due to the former stockholder of SH as a deferred acquisition payment upon integration. The acquisition was funded with cash provided by normal operations, and the results of operations of SH are included in Janel’s consolidated results of operations since the date of the acquisition. In connection with the combination, the Company recorded an aggregate of $181 in goodwill and $202 in other identifiable intangibles. SH is a developer and manufacturer of antibodies and cell culture media for research and diagnostic uses. SH was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana. The acquisition of SH was completed to expand our product offerings in our Life Sciences segment.

On May 22, 2023, the Company acquired all the rights, title and interests to a royalty agreement for certain antibody products for a purchase price of $500. The Company recorded this acquisition as a royalty asset, which is included in intangible assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet (reclassed from Security deposits and other long-term assets in fiscal year 2024) and will be amortized over the estimated life of ten years.

Investment in Marketable Securities - Rubicon

As of each of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2024, the Company owned 1,108,000 shares, or approximately 46.6%, of the common stock of Rubicon. Rubicon is an advanced materials provider specializing in monocrystalline sapphire for applications in optical and industrial systems. The purpose of our investment in Rubicon was for Janel to acquire a significant ownership interest in Rubicon, together with representation on Rubicon’s Board, in an attempt to (i) restructure the Rubicon business to achieve profitability and (ii) assist Rubicon in utilizing its net operating loss carry-forward assets.

3. INVENTORY

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

	Year End September 30,
	2024			2023
Finished goods	$	1,860		$	2,095
Work-in-process		768			969
Raw materials		1,884			1,811
Gross inventory		4,512			4,875
Less – reserve for inventory valuation		(34	)		(25	)
Inventory net	$	4,478		$	4,850

F-14

4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

A summary of property and equipment and the estimated lives used in the computation of depreciation and amortization is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023			Life
Building and improvements	$	3,083		$	3,064		12-30 years
Land and improvements		1,387			1,385		Indefinite
Furniture and Fixture		561			373		3-7 years
Computer Equipment		854			988		3-5 years
Machinery & Equipment		1,984			1,454		3-15 years
Leasehold Improvements		906			270		3-5 years
		8,775			7,534
Less Accumulated Depreciation		(3,283	)		(2,612	)
	$	5,492		$	4,922

Depreciation expense for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $551 and $508, respectively.

5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

A summary of intangible assets and the estimated useful lives used in the computation of amortization is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023			Life
Customer relationships	$	29,790		$	25,238		10-24 Years
Trademarks/names		4,661			4,559		1-20 Years
Trademarks/names		521			521		Indefinite
Other		2,007			1,929		2-22 Years
		36,979			32,247
Less: Accumulated Amortization		(11,862	)		(9,564	)
	$	25,117		$	22,683

The composition of the intangible assets balance at September 30, 2024 and 2023 is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023
Logistics	$	22,494		$	18,174
Life Sciences		6,785			6,373
Manufacturing		7,700			7,700
		36,979			32,247
Less: Accumulated Amortization		(11,862	)		(9,564	)
	$	25,117		$	22,683

Amortization expense of intangible assets for the year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $2,299 and $2,098, respectively.

The future amortization of these intangible assets is expected to be as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year 2025	$	2,566
Fiscal Year 2026		2,566
Fiscal Year 2027		2,535
Fiscal Year 2028		2,513
Fiscal Year 2029		2,487
Thereafter		11,929
	$	24,596

6. GOODWILL

The Company’s goodwill carrying amounts relate to the acquisitions in the Logistics, Life Sciences and Manufacturing businesses.

The composition of the goodwill balance at September 30, 2024 and 2023 is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024		2023
Logistics	$	11,813	$	9,175
Life Sciences		6,171		6,096
Manufacturing		5,046		5,046
Total	$	23,030	$	20,317

F-15

7. NOTES PAYABLE - BANKS

(A) Santander Bank Facility

The wholly-owned subsidiaries that comprise the Company’s Logistics segment (collectively, the “Janel Group Borrowers”), with the Company as a guarantor, have a Loan and Security Agreement (as amended, the “Santander Loan Agreement”) with Santander with respect to a revolving line of credit facility (the “Santander Facility”).

On January 30, 2023, the Santander Loan Agreement was further amended by the Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Third Santander Amendment”). As amended by the terms of the Third Santander Amendment, the percentage of the Borrowers’ eligible accounts receivable used to calculate the borrowing base under the Santander Loan Agreement was increased from 85% to 90% for Domestic Insured Accounts (as defined in the Third Santander Amendment), subject to adjustments set forth in the Santander Loan Agreement.

On April 25, 2023, in connection with an amendment to the Credit Agreement entered into with First Merchants as described further below, we entered into the Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Fourth Santander Amendment”).  The Fourth Santander Amendment (i) included modifications to address the amendments made to the First Merchants Credit Facilities (as defined below) and the consolidation of the debt thereunder and (ii) terminated the subordination agreement relating to the Company’s guarantee of the First Merchants Credit Facilities (as defined below).

On August 22, 2023, we entered into the Fifth Amendment to the Santander Loan Agreement (the “Fifth Santander Amendment”).  The Fifth Santander Amendment permitted certain unsecured guaranties by the Company in the ordinary course of business guarantying obligations of subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $4,000 and related modifications to certain negative covenants.

On December 1, 2023, in connection with an amendment (the “Purchase Agreement Amendment”) to that certain Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated as of September 21, 2021 (the “Purchase Agreement”) among Janel Group, Inc. (“Janel Group”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC (“ELFS”) and former shareholders of ELFS (the “ELFS Sellers”), (i) the Janel Group Borrowers and Santander entered into an Acknowledgment and Consent Agreement pursuant to which Santander consented to the Purchase Agreement Amendment and the effect of the modifications thereunder on the Santander Loan Agreement and (ii) the ELFS Sellers and Santander entered into an Acknowledgment and Consent Agreement pursuant to which Santander consented to the Purchase Agreement Amendment and the effect of the modifications thereunder on the Subordination Agreement (as defined in the Santander Loan Agreement) between Santander and the ELFS Sellers.

On December 21, 2023, we entered into the Sixth Amendment to the Santander Loan Agreement (the “Sixth Santander Amendment”). The Sixth Santander Amendment modified the reporting due date of the monthly borrowing base calculation from the fifth day to the fifteenth day of each month.

On June 5, 2024, we entered into the Seventh Amendment to the Santander Loan Agreement (the “Seventh Santander Amendment”).  The Seventh Santander Amendment added Airschott as a loan party obligor and borrower.

The Santander Loan Agreement matures on September 21, 2026.  Interest accrues on the Santander Facility at an annual rate equal to the one-month SOFR plus 2.75%. The Janel Group Borrowers’ obligations under the Santander Facility are secured by all of the assets of the Janel Group Borrowers, while the Santander Loan Agreement contains customary terms and covenants. As a result of its terms, the Santander Facility is classified as a current liability on the consolidated balance sheet.

At September 30, 2024, outstanding borrowings under the Santander Facility were $19,313, representing 55.2% of the $35,000 available subject to limitations thereunder, and interest was accruing at an effective interest rate of 7.65%.

At September 30, 2023, outstanding borrowings under the Santander Facility were $18,759, representing 53.6% of the $35,000 available thereunder, and interest was accruing at an effective interest rate of 7.60%.

The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants defined in the Santander Loan Agreement at both September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

(B) First Merchants Bank Credit Facility

On February 29, 2016, Indco entered into a Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Prior First Merchants Credit Agreement”) with First Merchants.

F-16

On April 25, 2023, Indco and certain other Subsidiaries of the Company that are part of the Life Sciences and Manufacturing segments (together with Indco, the “Borrowers” and each, a “Borrower”), entered into a Credit Agreement (the “First Merchants Credit Agreement”) with First Merchants.  The First Merchants Credit Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of  the Prior First Merchants Credit Agreement.  The credit facilities provided under the First Merchants Credit Agreement (the “First Merchants Credit Facilities”) consist of a $3,000 revolving loan (limited to the borrowing base and reserves), a $5,000 acquisition loan, a $6,905 Term A loan and a $620 Term B loan as a continuation of the mortgage loan under the Prior First Merchants Credit Agreement.  Interest accrues on the outstanding revolving loan, Term A loan and acquisition loan at an annual rate equal to one-month adjusted term SOFR plus either (i) 2.75% (if the Borrowers’ total funded debt to EBITDA ratio is less or equal to 1.75:1.00) or (ii) 3.50% (if the Borrowers’ total funded debt to EBITDA ratio is greater than to 1.75:1.00).  Interest accrues on the Term B loan at an annual rate of 4.19%.  The Borrowers’ obligations under the First Merchants Credit Facilities are secured by all of the Borrowers’ real property and other assets, and are guaranteed by the Company, and the Company’s guarantee of the Borrowers’ obligations is secured by a pledge of the Company’s equity interests in certain of the Borrowers.  The revolving loan portion will expire on August 1, 2027, the Term A loan portion will mature on April 25, 2033, and the Term B loan portion will mature on July 1, 2025. The acquisition loan will permit multiple draws until October 25, 2024, at which point the outstanding principal amount will amortize, with all remaining amounts of the acquisition loan due at maturity on April 25, 2029.

On January 10, 2024, the First Merchants Credit Facilities were amended to provide for, among other changes, permitted affiliate loans provided availability on its revolving loan both before and after giving effect to any such loan, is not less than $1,000 and maturity of such permitted affiliate loans are not to exceed fourteen days from disbursement.

As of September 30, 2024, there were $3,700 of outstanding borrowings under the acquisition loan, $4,028 of outstanding borrowings under the Term A loan and $585 of outstanding borrowings under the Term B loan, with interest accruing on the acquisition loan and revolving loan at an effective interest rate of 7.82% each, and on the Term A loan and Term B loan at an effective interest rate of 7.82% and 4.19%, respectively.

As of September 30, 2023, there were $500 of outstanding borrowings under the acquisition loan, $450 of outstanding borrowings under the revolving loan, $6,235 of outstanding borrowings under the Term A loan and $610 of outstanding borrowings under the Term B loan, with interest accruing on the acquisition loan and revolving loan at an effective interest rate of 8.18% and on the Term A loan and Term B loan at an effective interest rate of 8.18% and 4.19%, respectively.

The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants defined in the First Merchants Credit Agreement at each of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

The table below sets forth the total long-term debt, net of capitalized loan fees of $309 for the First Merchants Credit Agreement (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023
Total Debt	$	4,304		$	6,499
Less Current Portion		(1,276	)		(715	)
Long-term Portion	$	3,028		$	5,784

These obligations mature as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year 2025	$	1,276
Fiscal Year 2026		691
Fiscal Year 2027		691
Fiscal Year 2028		691
Fiscal Year 2029		691
Thereafter		264
	$	4,304

8. SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTES – RELATED PARTY

(A)    ICT Subordinated Promissory Note

Aves Labs, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is the obligor on a fixed 0.5% subordinated promissory note in the amount of $1,850 (the “ICT Subordinated Promissory Note”) issued to the former owner of ImmunoChemistry Technologies, LLC (“ICT”), in connection with a business combination whereby the Company acquired all of the membership interests of ICT. The ICT Subordinated Promissory Note is payable in sixteen scheduled quarterly installments of principal and interest beginning March 4, 2021, matures on December 4, 2024, and may be prepaid, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty. 

F-17

The ICT Subordinated Promissory Note is subordinate to and junior in right of payment for principal interest premiums and other amounts payable to Santander and First Merchants.

As of September 30, 2024, the amount outstanding under the ICT Subordinated Promissory Note was $55, all of which is included in the current portion of subordinated promissory notes.

As of September 30, 2023, the amount outstanding under the ICT Subordinated Promissory Note was $312, of which $288 is included in the current portion of subordinated promissory notes and $24 is included in the long-term portion of subordinated promissory notes.

(B)    ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes

Janel Group is the obligor on four fixed 4% subordinated promissory notes totaling $6,000 in the aggregate (together, the “ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes”), payable to certain former shareholders of ELFS, in connection with the Company’s business combination whereby it acquired all the membership interest of ELFS and its related subsidiaries.  All of the ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes are guaranteed by the Company and are subordinate to and junior in right of payment for principal, interest, premiums and other amounts payable to the Santander Facility and the First Merchants Credit Facility. The ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes are payable in twelve equal consecutive quarterly installments of principal together with accrued interest.  Beginning October 15, 2021 and on the same day of the next eight consecutive calendar quarters, thereafter payment of accrued interest and unpaid interest is due to the former shareholders.  Beginning October 15, 2023, and on the same day of the next twelve consecutive calendar quarters thereafter payment of principal together with accrued interest and unpaid interest is due to the former shareholders. In June 2022, the principal amount of the ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes was adjusted to $5,100 due to a revised working capital adjustment of $900.

On December 1, 2023, in connection with the Purchase Agreement Amendment among Janel Group and the ELFS Sellers, the Company extended the ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes maturity by two years and restored the working capital adjustment (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) by $900 which increased the principal amount of the ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes to $6,000. The Company evaluated the accounting treatment related to the amendment and determined the agreements are substantially different and extinguished the original subordinated promissory notes and recorded the amended subordinated promissory notes at fair value of $4,654. As a result, the Company recorded a debt discount of approximately $921 and a $21 gain on extinguishment.

As of September 30, 2024, the amount outstanding under the ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes was $3,918, of which $1,173 is included in the current portion of subordinated promissory notes and $2,745 was included in the long-term portion of subordinated promissory notes.

As of September 30, 2023, the amount outstanding under the ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes was $5,100, of which $1,700 was included in the current portion of subordinated promissory notes and $3,400 was included in the long-term portion of subordinated promissory notes.

(C)    Airschott Subordinated Promissory Note

Janel Group is the obligor on a floating rate (Prime Rate plus 2%) subordinated promissory note (the “Airschott Subordinated Promissory Note”) in the amount of $1,200 issued, to a former owner of Airschott, in connection with the business combination whereby Janel Group acquired Airschott.  The note is payable in twelve consecutive quarterly payments, which commenced in July 2024, of $100 together with accrued interest on the outstanding principal balance.

As of September 30, 2024, the amount outstanding under the Airschott Subordinated Promissory Note was $1,100, of which $400 was included in the current portion of subordinated promissory notes and $700 was included in the long-term portion of subordinated promissory notes.

	September 30,
	2024			2023
	(in thousands)
Total Subordinated Promissory Notes	$	5,073		$	5,412
Less Current Portion of Subordinated Promissory Notes		(1,628	)		(1,988	)
Long Term Portion of Subordinated Promissory Notes	$	3,445		$	3,424

F-18

These obligations mature as follows (in thousands):

	Total
2025	$	1,628
2026		1,315
2027		1,215
2028		915
Total	$	5,073

9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share per share data)

Janel is authorized to issue 4,500,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001. In addition, the Company is authorized to issue 100,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001. The preferred stock is issuable in series with such voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and other rights and such qualifications, limitations and restrictions as may be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof, without stockholder approval. The Board of Directors may fix the number of shares constituting each series and increase or decrease the number of shares of any series.

(A) Preferred Stock

Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock

Shares of the Company’s Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series C Stock”) were initially entitled to receive annual dividends at a rate of 7% per annum of the original issuance price of $500, when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, with such rate to increase by 2% annually beginning on the third anniversary of issuance of such Series C Stock to a maximum rate of 13%. By the filing of the Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation on March 31, 2022, the annual dividend rate decreased to 5% per annum of the original issuance price, when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, and increased by 1% on January 1, 2024. Such rate is to increase on each January 1 thereafter for four years to a maximum rate of 9%. The dividend rate of the Series C Stock as of September 30, 2024 and 2023 was 6% and 5%, respectively . In the event of liquidation, holders of Series C Stock shall be paid an amount equal to the original issuance price, plus any accrued dividends thereon. Shares of Series C Stock may be redeemed by the Company at any time upon notice and payment of the original issuance price, plus any accrued dividends thereon. The liquidation value of Series C Stock was $7,957 and $7,713 as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company declared dividends on Series C Stock of $328 and $284, respectively. At September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had accrued dividends of $2,271 and $2,029, respectively.

(B) Equity Incentive Plan

On May 12, 2017, the Company adopted the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”) pursuant to which (i) incentive stock options, (ii) non-statutory stock options, (iii) restricted stock awards and (iv) stock appreciation rights with respect to shares of the Company’s common stock may be granted to directors, officers, employees of and consultants to the Company. On September 21, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Amended and Restated 2017 Janel Corporation Equity Incentive Plan (the “Amended Plan”) pursuant to which non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), may be granted to employees, directors and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries.

The Amended Plan increases the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Amended Plan from 100,000 to 200,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company and adopts certain other non-substantive amendments.

Participants and all terms of any grant under the Amended Plan are in the discretion of the Company’s Compensation Committee.

10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

(in thousands, except share per share data)

On October 30, 2013, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Company’s 2013 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “2013 Option Plan”) providing for options to purchase up to 100,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance to directors, officers, employees of and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries.

On September 21, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Amended and Restated 2017 Janel Corporation Equity Incentive Plan (the “Amended and Restated Plan”), which amended and restated the prior 2017 plan, as previously amended, and pursuant to which non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights with respect to up to 200,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock may be granted to directors, officers, employees of and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries. The Amended and Restated Plan increased the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated Plan from 100,000 to 200,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company and adopts certain other non-substantive amendments. Participants and all terms of any grant under the Amended and Restated Plan are in the discretion of the Company’s Compensation Committee.

F-19

Total stock-based compensation for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 amounted to $321 and $231, respectively, and was included in selling, general and administrative expense in the Company’s statements of operations.

Stock Options

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of our share-based awards. In applying this model, we use the following assumptions:

• Risk-free interest rate - We determine the risk-free interest rate by using a weighted average assumption equivalent to the expected term based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate.

• Expected term - We estimate the expected term of our options on the average of the vesting date and term of the option.

• Expected volatility - We estimate expected volatility using daily historical trading data of our common stock.

• Dividend yield - We have never paid dividends on our common stock and currently have no plans to do so; therefore, no dividend yield is applied.

The fair values of our employee option awards were estimated using the assumptions below, which yielded the following weighted average grant date fair values for the periods presented:

	2024			2023
Risk-free interest rate		4.63	%		3.98	%
Expected option term in years		4.5 - 6.0			5.5 - 6.5
Expected volatility		58.2	%		93.6	%
Dividend yield		—	%		—	%
Weighted average grant date fair value		9.83 - 16.63			30.06 - 41.24

Options for Employees

	Number of Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding balance at September 30, 2023		40,993		$	22.53		6.6	$	862.16
Granted		12,500		$	28.25		9.3	$	153.13
Expired		(3,500	)	$	3.25		—	$	—
Outstanding balance at September 30, 2024		49,993		$	25.31		6.9	$	884.91
Exercisable at September 30, 2024		24,162		$	12.63		5.3	$	673.48

The aggregate intrinsic value in the above table was calculated as the difference between the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock at September 30, 2024 of $40.50 per share and the exercise price of the stock options that had strike prices below such closing price.

As of September 30, 2024, there was approximately $241 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested employee stock options which is expected to be recognized over the next year.

F-20

Liability classified share-based awards

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, there were no options granted and no options were exercised with respect to Indco’s common stock.

	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding Balance at September 30, 2023		35,607	$	12.22		5.8	$	375.02
Outstanding Balance at September 30, 2024		35,607	$	12.22		4.8	$	375.02
Exercisable on September 30, 2024		33,269	$	11.87		4.6		361.95

The aggregate intrinsic value in the above table was calculated as the difference between the valuation price of Indco’s common stock at September 30, 2024 of $22.75 per share and the exercise price of the stock options that had strike prices below such closing price.

The liability classified awards were measured at fair value at each reporting date until the final measurement date, which was the date of completion of services required to earn the option. The accrued compensation cost related to these options was approximately $350 and $334 as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, and is included in other liabilities in the consolidated financial statement.The compensation cost related to these options was approximately $16 and $23 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, and is included in other liabilities in the consolidated financial statement.The cost associated with the options issued on each grant date is being recognized ratably over the period of service required to earn each tranche of options.

Upon vesting, the options continue to be accounted for as a liability in accordance with ASC 480-10-25-8 and are measured in accordance with ASC 480-10-35 at every reporting period until the options are settled.

As a result of previous option exercise and stock repurchase activity, the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest percentage was 9.8% as of each of September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Changes in the fair value of the vested options are recognized in earnings in the consolidated financial statements.

The options are classified as liabilities, and the underlying shares of Indco’s common stock also contain put options which result in their classification as a mandatorily redeemable security. While their redemption does not occur on a fixed date, there is an unconditional obligation for the Company to repurchase the shares upon death.

As of September 30, 2024, there was no unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested Indco stock options.

F-21

11. INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

The following table provides a reconciliation of the basic and diluted income (loss) per share (“EPS”) computations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands, except share and per share data):

	Year Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
Income:
Net income	$	551		$	723
Preferred stock dividends		(328	)		(284	)
Non-controlling interest dividends		—			—
Net income available to common stockholders	$	223		$	439
Common Shares:
Basic - weighted average common shares		1,186			1,186
Effect of dilutive stock options		20			20
Diluted - weighted average common stock		1,206			1,206
Income per Common Share:
Basic -
Net income	$	0.46		$	0.61
Preferred stock dividends		(0.27	)		(0.24	)
Non-controlling interest dividends		—			—
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	0.19		$	0.37
Diluted -
Net income	$	0.45		$	0.60
Preferred stock dividends		(0.27	)		(0.24	)
Non-controlling interest dividends		—			—
Net income available to common stockholders	$	0.18		$	0.36

The computation for the diluted number of shares excludes unexercised stock options that are anti-dilutive. There were 10,000 anti-dilutive shares for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 10,000 anti-dilutive shares for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023.

Potentially diluted securities as of September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

	September 30,
	2024		2023
Employee stock options (Note 10)		49,993		40,993
		49,993		40,993

12. INCOME TAXES

The reconciliation of income tax computed at the Federal statutory rate to the provision for income taxes from operations is as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended September 30,
	2024		2023
Federal taxes at statutory rates	$	230	$	110
Permanent differences		109		250
State and local taxes, net of Federal benefit		155		(273	)
Other		49		(285	)
Total	$	543	$	(198	)

F-22

 The provisions of income taxes are summarized as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended September 30,
	2024		2023
Current	$	347	$	1,048
Deferred		196		(1,246	)
Total	$	543	$	(198	)

The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):

	2024			2023
Deferred tax assets - net operating loss carryforwards	$	48		$	52
Lease liability		2,115			1,814
Other		744			768
Stock based compensation		445			374
Total deferred tax assets		3,352			3,008
Valuation allowance		—			—
Total deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance		3,352			3,008
Deferred tax liabilities - depreciation and amortization		3,604			2,564
Prepaid expenses		237			30
Right of use assets		2,025			1,755
Total deferred tax liabilities		5,866			4,349
Net deferred tax liability	$	(2,514	)	$	(1,341	)

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions and no amounts have been recognized in the Company’s statement of operations. Income tax returns for tax years from 2019 through 2023 remain subject to examination by the taxing jurisdictions.

13. PROFIT SHARING AND 401(K) PLANS

The Company maintains a qualified retirement plan commonly referred to as a 401(k) Plan covering substantially all full-time employees under each segment.

The Janel Corporation 401(k) allows for employee salary deferrals including Roth 401(k) deferrals, employer matching contributions, employer profit sharing contributions and employee rollovers. The Janel Corporation 401(k) plan provides for participant contributions of up to 50% of annual compensation (not to exceed the IRS limit), as defined by the plan. The Company contributes an amount equal to 50% of the participant’s first 6% of contributions.

The combined expenses charged to operations for contributions made to the plans for the benefit of the employees for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were $549 and $535, respectively.

The administrative expense charged to operations for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 aggregated $76 and $65, respectively.

F-23

14. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

As discussed above in Note 1, the Company operates in three reportable segments: Logistics, Life Sciences and Manufacturing.

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer regularly reviews financial information at the reporting segment level in order to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segments and to assess their performance.

The following tables presents selected financial information about the Company’s reportable segments and Corporate for the purpose of reconciling to the consolidated totals for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

For the year ended September 30, 2024 (in thousands)	Consolidated		Logistics		Life Sciences		Manufacturing		Corporate
Revenues	$	183,184	$	159,958	$	13,154	$	10,072	$	—
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues		124,800		117,501		2,638		4,661		—
Gross profit		58,384		42,457		10,516		5,411		—
Selling, general and administrative		52,327		37,057		7,216		3,129		4,925
Amortization of intangible assets		2,299		—		—		—		2,299
Income (loss) from operations		3,758		5,400		3,300		2,282		(7,224	)
Interest expense		2,318		1,667		367		284		—
Identifiable assets		110,610		42,495		11,230		4,162		52,723
Capital expenditures, net of disposals	$	1,003	$	84	$	911	$	8	$	—

For the year ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands)	Consolidated		Logistics		Life Sciences		Manufacturing		Corporate
Revenues	$	186,449	$	166,052	$	11,059	$	9,338	$	—
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues		130,777		123,938		2,376		4,463		—
Gross profit		55,672		42,114		8,683		4,875		—
Selling, general and administrative		50,975		37,310		6,149		2,978		4,538
Amortization of intangible assets		2,098		—		—		—		2,098
Income (loss) from operations		2,599		4,804		2,534		1,897		(6,636	)
Interest expense		1,998		1,357		248		393		—
Identifiable assets		96,834		34,823		11,932		4,202		45,877
Capital expenditures, net of disposals	$	360	$	271	$	87	$	2	$	—

Goodwill and intangible assets are recorded at the Corporate level and are included in identifiable assets.

15. LEASES

The Company has operating leases for office and warehouse space in all districts where it conducts business. As of September 30, 2024, the remaining terms of the Company’s operating leases were between one and 126 months and certain lease agreements contain provisions for future rent increases. Payments due under the lease contracts include the minimum lease payments that the Company is obligated to make under the non-cancelable initial terms of the leases as the renewal terms are at the Company’s option and the Company is not reasonably certain to exercise those renewal options at lease commencement.

The components of lease cost for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

	2024		2023
Operating lease cost	$	2,522	$	2,102
Short-term lease cost		348		372
Total lease cost	$	2,870	$	2,474

Rent expense for the year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $2,870 and $2,474, respectively.

Operating lease right of use assets, current portion of operating lease liabilities and long-term operating lease liabilities reported in the consolidated balance sheets for operating leases as of September 30, 2024 were $8,621, $2,419 and $6,585, respectively.

Operating lease right of use assets, current portion of operating lease liabilities and long-term operating lease liabilities reported in the consolidated balance sheets for operating leases as of September 30, 2023 were $7,460, $2,020 and $5,689, respectively.

During the twelve months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company entered into new operating leases and recorded an additional $313 and $ 1,759, respectively in operating lease right of use assets and corresponding lease liabilities.

F-24

As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, the weighted-average remaining lease term and the weighted-average discount rate related to the Company’s operating leases were 5.3 years and 5.72% and 5.9 years and  4.01% respectively.

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease obligations were $2,395 and $2,012 for the twelve months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of September 30, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):

	Year End September 30, 2024
2025	$	2,883
2026		2,432
2027		1,726
2028		1,515
2029		505
Thereafter		1,559
Total undiscounted loan payments		10,620
Less imputed interest		(1,616	)
Total lease obligation	$	9,004

16. RUBICON INVESTMENT

(in thousands, except per share data)

As of each of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2024, the Company owned 1,108,000 shares, or approximately 46.6%, of the common stock of Rubicon. Rubicon is an advanced materials provider specializing in monocrystalline sapphire for applications in optical and industrial systems. The purpose of our investment in Rubicon was for Janel to acquire a significant ownership interest in Rubicon, together with representation on Rubicon’s Board, in an attempt to (i) restructure the Rubicon business to achieve profitability and (ii) assist Rubicon in utilizing its net operating loss carry-forward assets.

The Company revalued the investment in Rubicon’s securities on September 30, 2024 and 2023 and recorded a loss of $55 and $798, respectively within other income (loss), net of dividends on the Company’s consolidated. Below is reconciliation for the changes to the investment in Rubicon for the year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

	September 30,			September 30,
	2024			2023
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,573		$	2,371
Fair value adjustments to Rubicon investment		(55	)		(798	)
Total	$	1,518		$	1,573

17. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Topic 820 established a framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under Topic 820 are described below:

Level 1: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

Level 2: Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted market prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level 3: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

F-25

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on the three-level valuation hierarchy (in thousands):

	Total fair value at September 30, 2024		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investment in Rubicon at fair value	$	1,518	$	1,518	$	—	$	—
Investment in other marketable securities		56		56		—		—
	$	1,574	$	1,574	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liabilities	$	3,381	$	2,100	$	—	$	1,281
	$	3,381	$	2,100	$	—	$	1,281

The contingent earnout liability for ELFS was classified as Level 3 as of September 30, 2023. On December 1, 2023, in connection with the Purchase Agreement Amendment among Janel Group and the ELFS Sellers described above, the parties agreed to certain modifications fixing the amount of the remaining earnout payments to ELFS in earnout years three and four to $1,078 each year. As a result, the measurement of the earnout liability became a Level 1 fair value measurement based on the present value of the negotiated payments.

Inputs to the valuation approach for contingent earnout liabilities for Airschott include the Company’s forecasted gross profit for each of the next 3 fiscal years from the acquisition date, estimated volatility measure of 20%, expected term of 3 years, an underlying metric discount rate of 8.9%, and a discount rate on the earnout payments of 8.25%.

	Total fair value at September 30, 2023		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investment in Rubicon at fair value	$	1,573	$	1,573	$	—	$	—
	$	1,573	$	1,573	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liabilities	$	2,330	$	—	$	—	$	2,330
	$	2,330	$	—	$	—	$	2,330

Investment in Rubicon at fair value

As of each of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the Company held 46.6% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Rubicon and reported its investment under the fair value method pursuant to ASC 320. Management determined that it was appropriate to carry its investment in Rubicon at fair value because the investment was traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange through January 2, 2023, began trading on the OTCQB Capital Market on January 3, 2023 and had daily trading activity, the combination of which provide a better indicator of value. The investment in Rubicon is re-measured at the end of each quarter based on the trading price and any change in the value is reported on the income statement as an unrealized gain or loss on marketable securities in other income (expense). Refer to Note 16 to Consolidated Financial Statements for reconciliation of changes to the investment in Rubicon for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Contingent earnout liabilities

For the period ending September 30, 2024, these liabilities relate to the estimated fair value of earnout payments to former IBSC,ELFS,ViraQuest and Airschott owners. For the period ending September 30, 2023, these liabilities relate to the estimated fair value of earnout payments to former IBSC and ELFS owners. The current and non-current portions of the fair value of the contingent earnout liability at September 30, 2024 were $1,262 and $2,119, respectively. The current and non-current portions of the fair value of the contingent earnout liability at September 30, 2023 were $592 and $1,738, respectively.

F-26

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Company’s contingent earnout liabilities, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis utilizing Level 1 and Level 3 assumptions in their valuation (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023
Balance at beginning of year	$	2,330		$	4,580
Fair value of contingent consideration recorded in connection with business combinations		1,017			300
Earnout payment		(740	)		(1,693	)
Fair value adjustment of contingent earnout liabilities		774			(857	)
Total	$	3,381		$	2,330

The Company determined the fair value of the Level 3 contingent earnout liability using forecasted results through the expected earnout periods. The principal inputs to the approach include expectations of the specific business’s revenues in fiscal years 2024 through 2025 using an appropriate discount rate. Given the use of significant inputs that are not observable in the market, the contingent earnout liability is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Employment Agreements

The Company has various employment agreements, including employment agreements with the previous owners of ELFS and Airschott.

19. RISK AND UNCERTAINTIES

(A) Currency Risks

The nature of Janel’s operations requires it to deal with currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. As a result, the Company is exposed to the inherent risks of international currency markets and governmental interference. A number of countries where Janel maintains agent relationships have currency control regulations. The Company attempts to compensate for these exposures by accelerating international currency settlements among those agents.

(B) Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company’s assets that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and receivables from customers. The Company places its cash with financial institutions that have high credit ratings. The receivables from clients are spread over many customers. The Company maintains an allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable based on expected collectability and performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition. We have continued to experience heightened customer credit risk as a result of the negative impact to customers’ financial condition, employment levels and consumer confidence arising from economic disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we expect that our risk in this area will remain high as long as the disruptions persist.

(C) Legal Proceedings

Janel is occasionally subject to claims and lawsuits which typically arise in the normal course of business. While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

(D) Concentration of Customers

No customer accounts for 10% or more of consolidated sales for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. No customer accounted for 10% or more of consolidated accounts receivable at September 30, 2024 and 2023.

(E) Auto Insurance

In the ordinary course of our Logistics business, we are a defendant in several legal proceedings arising out of the conduct of our Logistics business. These proceedings include third party claims for property damage or bodily injury incurred in connection with our services. Although there can be no assurance as to the ultimate disposition of these proceedings, we do not believe, based upon the information available at this time, that these property damage or bodily injury claims, in the aggregate, will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Within our Logistics segment, ELFS maintains auto liability for commercial trucking claims of up to $6,000 per occurrence, and general liability with of up to $6,000 per occurrence. 

20. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On November 22, 2024, Antibodies Incorporated, Aves Labs, Inc., Indco, Inc., and their wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into the Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Joinder Agreement dated as of April 25, 2023 and first amended as of January 10, 2024. The Second Amendment increased the borrowing capacity by $6,700.

F-27

EX-10.33

Exhibit 10.33

SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

This Severance Agreement and General Release ("Agreement") is entered into this 4thday of March, 2024, by VINCENT VERDE ("Employee") and JANEL CORPORATION its related entities, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, predecessors, successors, assigns, employees: officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, "Employer" or "Company") to settle and resolve any claims or controversies Employer and the Employee may have against each other.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.           Termination Date. Employee will be relieved of all active work duties and responsibilities as of February 16, 2024 (the "Termination Date").

2.           Final Pay and Pay In Lieu of Notice. Employee will receive pay in lieu of notice through February 29, 2024, as a courtesy.

3.           Severance.

In consideration of the releases, contingencies, and other terms set forth in this Agreement, Employer will pay Employee the following amounts, each subject to applicable withholdings, and further subject to the conditions provided herein.

(a) Employer will pay Employee $100,000.00 severance pay. This lump sum payment will be made after the revocation period described below has expired.

(b) Employer will pay an additional sum of $50,000.00 on May 6, 2024, provided that Employee is in compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement at such time.

4.         Health Insurance. Employee is currently enrolled in active group benefits coverage through the Employer. As per standard Company practice, Employee will remain eligible to continue participation in these plans through February 29, 2024, or as otherwise defined by the individual plan documents. Effective March 1, 2024, Employee will be eligible to enroll on a self-paid basis in continued medical, dental and vision insurance coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act ("COBRA") per Federal COBRA regulations and as per regular company practice, for the maximum period allowable under the law. Detailed information regarding COBRA rights and enrollment practices will be provided under separate cover by TriNet.

Severance Agreement and General Release	1
Between Vincent Verde and Janel Corporation

5.         Nondisclosure of Confidential Information. Employee agrees to hold in strictest confidence and will not, without the prior written approval of Employer, knowingly disclose to any person or entity (other than as required by law) Employer's "Confidential Information." "Confidential Information" shall include Employer's (1) specific financial information that has not otherwise been made public; (2) any information of or relating to Employer or its customers that: (a) has been kept strictly confidential by Employer; and (b) has not been disclosed to any third party except under an obligation of confidentiality; and (c) is or was not otherwise available in the public domain. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this section does not prohibit Employee from disclosing Confidential Information to a federal, state or local government official or to an attorney for the purpose of reporting or investigating a violation of law or in a court filing under seal. Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or impede the Employee from communicating, cooperating or filing a complaint with any U.S. federal, state or local governmental or law enforcement branch, agency or entity (collectively, a "Governmental Entity") with respect to possible violations of any U.S. federal, state or local law or regulation, or otherwise making disclosures to any Governmental Entity, in each case, that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any such law or regulation; provided, that in each case such communications and disclosures are consistent with applicable law.

In the event that the Employee or his/her agents, representatives or attorneys are compelled by subpoena or otherwise to provide Confidential Information, he/she will provide Employer with not less than five (5) days' written notice, where possible, so that Employer has the opportunity to seek appropriate protection from a court of competent jurisdiction.

6.           Non-Contact and Solicitation. Employee agrees that for a period of twelve weeks following Employee's Termination Date, the Employee will not:

(a) visit or contact any customers, agents, vendors, or other similar commercial partners at their place of business or make any other contact (including but not limited to telephone, text, email, or any other type of written, verbal, electronic, or physical contact in any form or forum, directly or indirectly) regarding his/her employment, or this Agreement, or any aspect of his/her or their interaction or relationship in the past, present, or future with Employer;

(b) whether as employee, contractor, director, officer, investor, owner, lender, stockholder, partner, advisor, sole proprietor, owner, member, consultant, or in any other capacity, do any one or more of the following or cause, assist, aid, or enable any person or entity to do any one or more of the following, whether directly or indirectly:

1. solicit for hire, hire or contract with for employment, consulting or any other reason, any person or entity who is an employee, independent contractor, owner, consultant, officer, director, member or agent of Employer, or anyone who was an employee, independent contractor, owner, consultant, officer, director, member or agent of Employer during the last year of Employee's employment, to engage in, or propose to engage in, any business that provides or offers the same or similar products or services, as offered by Employer; and/or

11. induce or influence any person who is an employee, independent contractor, owner, consultant, officer, director or agent of Employer, or any other member of Employer, to terminate or modify its relationship with Employer; and/or

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Between Vincent Verde and Janel Corporation

111. service, call on, solicit, or take away, or attempt to call on, solicit, or take away any customer of the Employer with whom the Employee had business relations or contact on behalf of the Employer during the one (1) year prior to Employee's termination.

7.          Return of Property and Transition. Employee will return to Employer, without retaining copies, all tangible items, including, without limitation, all keys, reports, computer records, computer, cell phone and any and all other property of Employer that is currently in his/her possession or under his/her control.

8.           Breach of the Agreement. Employee agrees that the breach or failure to comply with the provisions of this Agreement will cause irreparable harm to Employer, for which monetary damages will not provide an adequate remedy. Employee agrees that in the event of any breach of the terms of this Agreement, Employer shall be entitled to injunctive relief in addition to such other legal and equitable remedies that may be available, without the necessity of posting any bond or other security.

If Employee breaches any of his/her obligations under this Agreement, including the agreement not to sue, Employee agrees to return any and all Severance of Final Pay payments for time not-worked provided to Employee, pursuant to Paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Agreement, and Employer will make no further payments to Employee under this Agreement. Employee acknowledges that in addition to the return of all severance payments, Employer has a right to seek any other monetary relief it may be entitled to under this Agreement or applicable law, due to Employee's breach.

9.          Complete Release by Employee. Employee voluntarily releases and forever discharges Employer and each of its past and present employees, agents, officers, directors and shareholders (individually, each "Employer Released Party" and collectively, the "Employer Released Parties") from any claims, charges, causes of action, demands or damages, known or unknown, fixed or contingent, at law or in equity, and waives and releases any and all rights and claims of any type that Employee may have had or now has at any time prior to the date of full execution of this Agreement, against Employer and/or the Employer Released Parties in any way related to Employee's employment, or his/her termination of employment with Employer other than for (i) the payment of the Severance Amount in accordance with and subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement; (ii) his/her COBRA rights; and (iii) his/her rights under any Qualified Retirement Plan ("the Reserved Matters"). This waiver and release includes, but is not limited to:

a.        any claims for any tort, including wrongful termination, wrongful discharge, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, intentional interference with a contractual relationship or any other common law claims;

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Between Vincent Verde and Janel Corporation

b.      any claims for the breach of any written, implied or oral contracts, including, but not limited to, any contract of employment;

c.        any claims of discrimination, harassment or retaliation based on age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or medical condition or any other class or category protected under applicable Federal, State or Local law;

d.       except for payments provided pursuant to this Agreement, any claims for payments of any nature, including, but not limited to, wages, attorney's fees, costs, overtime pay, vacation pay, severance pay, commissions, bonuses or the monetary equivalent of benefits;

e.        except for the consideration provided pursuant to this Agreement and any benefits under Employer's Qualified Retirement Plan, any claims or rights under any benefit plan, Vesting Agreement, or program of Employer; and

f.         any and all claims that may arise under common law and all federal, state and local statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations and orders, including, but not limited to, any claim or cause of action in law or in equity based on or arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the Civil Rights Acts of 1866, 1871 and 1991, as amended, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended, the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, as amended, and any other Federal or State of New York laws governing civil rights, age discrimination, disability discrimination, wage and hours, vacation and paid time off, and/or any other state employment laws, as each of them has been or may be amended, any state, federal or local laws governing whistleblowing or retaliation claims to the maximum extent permitted by law, including but not limited to the Sarbanes Oxley Act, any laws or agreements that provide for punitive, exemplary or statutory damages, and any laws or agreements that provide for payment of attorneys' fees, costs, or expenses, with the exclusion of any other benefits to which Employee is entitled, as a matter of law, subsequent to her termination.

10.         Waiver of Claims. Employee covenants that he/she has not and will not file suit in any court against Employer, that he/she has not and will not assist anyone else in filing suit in any court against Employer, except as required by law, that he/she has not transferred or assigned to any other person or entity any rights or claims against Employer, and that he/she has not and will not file or assist anyone else in filing any administrative complaint or charge with any federal, state or local agency against Employer, except (a) in connection with any Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) discrimination proceeding, based on any matter in connection with her employment prior to the execution of this Agreement, or his/her termination of employment from Employer; (b) any claim for unemployment insurance; (c) any claim under Section 806 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act; (d) any claim under Section 23 of the Commodity Exchange Act; (e) any claim under Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1984; (f) any claim under Section 1057 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; (g) the right to challenge Employer's compliance with the waiver requirements of the ADEA, as amended by the OWBPA; or (h) any other claim that, as a matter of law, cannot be released by private agreement.

Severance Agreement and General Release	4
Between Vincent Verde and Janel Corporation

Employee acknowledges and understands that pursuant to the Federal Trade Secrets Act of 20 I 6, he/she has been advised that he/she has immunity from being held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

11.        Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties hereto, and fully supersedes any prior agreements or understandings between the parties. This Agreement is based upon the mutual understanding of the parties. Employee acknowledges that he/she has not relied on any representations, promises, or agreements of any kind made to him/her in connection with her decision to sign this Agreement, except for those set forth in this Agreement. Employee agrees that he/she shall continue to be bound by the provisions contained in any agreement between him/her and Employer that existed and was in effect at the time of Employee's termination. In the event of a conflict between the provisions contained herein and the provisions contained in any such other agreement, the provisions in this Agreement shall control and govern.

12.        Affirmations. Employee further affirms, represents and warrants that, with the exception of the payments she will receive pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, he/she has been paid and/or has received all compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions, and/or benefits to which he/she may be entitled and that no other compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions and/or benefits are due to him/her, except for the Reserved Matters. Employee furthermore affirms, represents and warrants that he/she has no known workplace injuries and he/she has been provided and/or has not been denied any leave requested under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

I 3.        No Disparagement. Both parties agree that they will not make or make, cause or encourage other persons or entities to make, any disparaging remarks or comments about the other party. For the purpose of this paragraph, the term "disparaging" means any statement made or issued to the media, or other entities or persons, or in any judicial or quasi-judicial court proceeding that adversely reflects on Employee or Employer and its employees, officers, directors or shareholders and/or its business interests and/or portrays Employee or Employer and its employees, officers, directors or shareholders in a negative light.

14.         Competence. Employee understands that the only consideration for his/her execution of this Agreement are the terms stated herein; that no other promise or agreement of any kind has caused him/her to execute this Agreement; that he/she is competent to execute this Agreement; that the Agreement has not been obtained by any duress, and that he/she fully understands the meaning and intent of this document. Employee further acknowledges that she has signed this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily, and that he/she has not been threatened or coerced into signing this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon Employee's personal representatives, successors, assigns, heirs and devisees.

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Between Vincent Verde and Janel Corporation

15.         Non-admission of Wrongdoing. Employee agrees that this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed at any time for any purpose as an admission by Employer of any liability or unlawful conduct of any kind. On behalf of Employee, this Agreement, in turn, shall not be deemed or construed at any time for any purpose as an admission by Employee of any liability or unlawful conduct of any kind.

16.         Governing Law and Interpretation. This Agreement shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to any provision that would result in the application of the laws of any other state or jurisdiction. In the event that Employee or Employer breaches any provision of this Agreement, Employee and Employer affirm that either may institute an action to specifically enforce any term or terms of this Agreement. Should any provision of this Agreement be declared illegal or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction and cannot be modified to be enforceable, excluding the release provisions in Paragraph 9, such provision shall immediately become null and void, leaving the remainder of this Agreement in full force and effect.

17.         Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be deemed illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, by a court of competent jurisdiction and cannot be modified to be enforceable, excluding the release provisions in Paragraph 9, such provision shall immediately become null and void, leaving the remainder of this Agreement valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

18.         Amendment. This Agreement may not be modified, altered or changed except upon express written consent of both parties wherein specific reference is made to this Agreement.

19.         Obligation to Pay Attorneys' Fees and Costs. Employee understands and agrees that if he/she violates the commitments he/she has made in this Agreement, Employer shall be entitled to recover the actual attorneys' fees and costs incurred by Employer in enforcing this Agreement or in defending any released claim, if Employer prevails in such action.

20.         Future Cooperation. Employee agrees to cooperate with Employer in the future and to provide Employer truthful information, testimony or affidavits requested in connection with any matter that arose during his/her employment. This cooperation may be performed at reasonable times and places and in a manner as to not interfere with any other employment Employee may have at the time of request. Employer agrees to pay Employee upfront for expenses incurred in providing such cooperation so long as such expenses are approved in advance by Employer.

21.         21-Day Consideration Period. Employee represents, warrants and acknowledges that:

a.         He/she has been advised that he/she has the right to and it is recommended that she consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement.

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Between Vincent Verde and Janel Corporation

b.       Employee's performance of each and every provision, covenant and condition under this Agreement is a condition precedent to Employer's obligation to make any payment or confer any benefit hereunder.

c.        Pursuant to the Federal Older Workers' Benefit Protection Act, Employee has twenty-one (21) calendar days within which to consider whether or not to sign this Agreement prior to its execution and acknowledges that such time period has been offered by Employer.

d.        Pursuant to the Federal Older Workers' Benefit Protection Act, Employee has seven (7) calendar days following execution of this Agreement to revoke it, by delivering a written Notice of Revocation (the "Notice") to Joseph Ferrara, Chief Financial Officer, Janel Corporation, 80 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10011, by overnight delivery (e.g., Federal Express or UPS), and the Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until the revocation period has expired. Employee acknowledges that Employer has offered such seven (7) calendar days revocation period. Unless a Notice has been delivered before the end of such seven (7) day revocation period, this Agreement shall automatically become final and binding on the parties on the eighth (8^th) calendar day after it is signed by Employee and returned to Employer, (the "Effective Date") if the Notice is not delivered to Employer.

(continued on following page)

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Between Vincent Verde and Janel Corporation

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto knowingly and voluntarily execute this Severance Agreement and General Release as of the date set forth below:

March 4, 2024	/s/ Vincent Verde
Date	VINCENT VERDE
	Employee
	JANEL CORPORATION
March 4, 2024	/s/ Joseph Ferrara
Date

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Between Vincent Verde and Janel Corporation

EX-10.34

Exhibit 10.34

July 3, 2024

Karen Ryan

Director, Janel Corporation and Chair of Compensation Committee

Senior Advisor, Janel Life Sciences

Duties

As a member of the Board of Directors:

• Attendance at eight (8) board meetings per year, including four (4) in-person quarterly meetings and four (4) telephonic monthly results meetings.

As a Senior Advisor:

• Mentorship: Support the development of the Janel Life Sciences leadership team.

• Strategic Guidance: Support Janel Life Sciences in setting strategic direction, marketing, new product development and other general management topics.

• Participate in monthly meetings with the leadership team and lead the yearly strategic prioritization meeting.

• Assist with evaluation and integration (as requested) of M&A Targets.

Term

• One-year term, renewing automatically for additional one-year terms, unless cancelled by either party within six (6) months of the renewal date.

Compensation

• For service as a Director on the Board of Directors, you will receive Janel Corporation’s board fee of $40,000/year, paid monthly. For service as Chair of the Compensation Committee you will receive $10,000/year, paid monthly. You will be awarded 2,500 Stock options yearly.

• For service as a Senior Advisor to Janel Life Sciences you will receive $50,000/year, paid monthly.

• Reimbursement of travel and other expenses related to your service.

Janel Corporation     •     80 Eighth Avenue     •     New York, NY 10011      •     janelcorp.com

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this agreement as of the day and year first above written.

By:	/s/ Darren Seirer
Name: Darren Seirer
Title: Chairman, President and CEO
By:	/s/ Karen Ryan
Name: Karen Ryan
Title: Director and Chair of Compensation Committee
Senior Advisor, Janel Life Sciences

Janel Corporation     •     80 Eighth Avenue     •     New York, NY 10011      •     janelcorp.com

EX-19.1

Exhibit 19.1

Insider Trading Policy

Amended on May 2, 2024

Scope

The Janel Corporation (the “Company”) Insider Trading Policy (this “Policy”) is applicable to all Company and subsidiary or affiliated company Directors, officers, employees, consultants, contract workers, temporary staff and any other person (natural or otherwise) that has performed services for the Company, as well as (a) any Family Members of such person and (b) any trusts, corporations and other entities controlled by any of such persons (“Covered Persons”). Consultants, contract workers, and temporary staff are subject to this Policy even though not Company employees. “Family Members” refers to family members who reside with you, anyone else who lives in your household and any family members who do not live in your household but whose transactions in the Company’s securities are directed by you or are subject to your influence or control.

Policy

The insider trading laws of the United States (“U.S.”) prohibit buying or selling a company’s securities while aware of material, non-public information about that company. It may also violate U.S. securities laws to disclose material, non-public information (deliberately or inadvertently) to another person (including your spouse, parent, child or sibling) if that person either buys or sells securities while aware of the information disclosed, or passes that information to a third party who does. Providing advice regarding a company’s stock while aware of material, non-public information regarding that company may also violate civil and criminal U.S. securities laws. If a person makes such a disclosure or provides such advice, the person may be subject to damages, civil suits and criminal prosecution, regardless of whether the person receives financial gain from the transaction. Please refer to “Guidance on Understanding Material, Non-Public Information” below for further information.

It is the Company’s policy to comply with, and ensure Covered Persons’ compliance with, the U.S. insider trading laws and regulations. This Policy sets forth the requirements for Covered Persons’ compliance with insider trading laws and regulations. Many countries other than the U.S. have similar laws regarding insider trading. Even if the activities prohibited in this Policy are not illegal in another country, the Company’s requirements for insider trading compliance apply to all Covered Persons regardless of location.

Covered Persons are responsible for assuring that their Family Members comply with the provisions of this Policy as if they were Covered Persons.

General Prohibition on Insider Trading

It is against the Company’s Policy for:

• Covered Persons to purchase or sell any type of security while aware of material, non-public information relating to the issuer of the security, whether the issuer of that security is the Company or any other company;

• Covered Persons to directly or indirectly provide (“tip”) material, non-public information about any company to anyone who may trade while aware of such information;

Janel Corporation • 80 Eighth Avenue
• New York, NY 10011 • (212) 373-5895
• janelcorp.com 
 Page 1 of 6

It is therefore against this Policy for Covered Persons to pass along material, non-public information about any company, or to recommend buying or selling securities while aware of material, non-public information about any company to others, including Family Members, friends or casual acquaintances.

Pre-Clearance of Trades

No Restricted Person (as defined below) may, directly or indirectly, effect any transaction in the Company’s securities without first obtaining prior approval from the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”). Restricted Persons shall submit requests for approval in in writing to the CFO or, in the case of the CFO, the CFO shall submit requests for approval in writing to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO).  The CFO, or the CEO, as the case may be, shall advise the Restricted Person in writing whether the proposed transaction is permissible under this Policy, and such advice shall be final. Unless revoked, the grant of permission will remain valid until the close of trading three (3) business days following the day on which it was granted, provided that notwithstanding receipt of pre-clearance, such Restricted Person may not trade in Company securities if the Restricted Person subsequently becomes aware of material non-public information prior to effecting the transaction.  If the transaction does not occur during the three-day period, pre-clearance of the transaction must be re-requested. Notwithstanding the pre-clearance of any request, neither the CFO, the CEO nor the Company assume any liability for the consequences of any transaction made pursuant to such request.

“Restricted Person” refers to the Company’s Directors, officers (those required to make filings under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) and all subsidiary employees at the Vice President level and above, as well as all employees in the accounting group, and their Family Members. From time to time, the Company will notify persons other than Restricted Persons that they are subject to the pre-clearance requirements set forth herein if the Company believes that, in the normal course of their duties, they are likely to have regular access to material non-public information or if the Company otherwise believes that such individual may have access to material non-public information for a limited period of time (such person, a “Special Restricted Person”). Any person notified of their status as a Special Restricted Person will remain a Special Restricted Person subject to the pre-clearance requirements set forth herein unless otherwise notified by the CFO.

Trading Window Periods

Restricted Persons may buy, sell or trade in Company securities only while the Company’s trading window is open.  In general, the Company’s trading window opens after the close of business two (2) full days following public announcement of quarterly earnings and remains open until the 15^th day of the last month of the quarter (or the preceding business day if a weekend) (the “Trading Window”). The prohibition on trading in Company securities by such persons at all times other than the Trading Window Period is designed to prevent any inadvertent trading by such persons in the Company’s securities during times when there may be material financial information about the Company that has not been publicly disclosed. The grant or exercise of stock options to purchase the Company’s stock is permitted outside Trading Window Periods (although any sale of such stock outside Trading Window Periods is prohibited unless such sale is made pursuant to an approved Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan).

A Restricted Person who is subject to a quarterly earnings blackout period and who has an unexpected and urgent need to sell Company stock in order to generate cash may, in appropriate circumstances, be permitted to sell the Company’s stock even during the quarterly blackout period. Hardship exceptions may be granted only by the CFO and must be requested at least two (2) full days in advance of the proposed trade. A hardship exception may be granted only if the CFO reasonably concludes that the individual making the hardship exception request does not possess material, nonpublic information. Hardship exemptions are granted infrequently and only in exceptional circumstances.

Janel Corporation • 80 Eighth Avenue
• New York, NY 10011 • (212) 373-5895
• janelcorp.com 
 Page 2 of 6

Closed Window Communications

The Company reserves the right to issue “closed window notices” to specified persons when material, non-public information exists. Any person who receives such a notice shall treat the notice as confidential and shall not disclose its existence to anyone else. If the Company declared a closed window to which you are subject, then a member of the Company management will notify you when the window closes and when it opens. All those affected shall not trade in the Company’s securities while the suspension is in effect, and shall not disclose to others inside or outside the Company that trading has been suspended for certain individuals. Although these closed windows generally will arise because the Company is involved in a highly-sensitive transaction, incident or event, they may be declared for any reason.

Rule 10b5-1 Trading

Notwithstanding the restrictions stated in this Policy, such restrictions shall not apply to purchases or sales of securities of the Company made by Covered Persons who have entered into a written trading plan that complies with the various conditions and limitations set forth in Rule 10b5-1 (“Rule 10b5-1”) of the Exchange Act (a “10b5-1 trading plan”) and has been approved by the CFO.  For the purposes of this Policy and the U.S. securities laws, the entrance into, or amendment of, a 10b5-1 trading plan shall constitute a transaction in the Company’s securities and must therefore be undertaken only in compliance with the provisions of this Policy related to such transactions. A 10b5-1 trading plan can only be established when the Covered Persons does not possess material non-public information. Therefore, a Covered Person cannot enter into these plans at any time when in possession of material non-public information and, in addition, individuals subject to trading window restrictions can only enter these plans in an open trading window. In addition, a 10b5-1 trading plan must not permit you to exercise any subsequent influence over how, when, or whether the purchases or sales are made.

Compliance with Section 16 and Rule 144

Covered Persons who are also directors and executive officers are responsible for compliance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act and Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with their transactions in the Company’s securities. The requirements of this Policy do not supersede the required compliance with your obligations under Section 16 or Rule 144.

Prohibition Against Derivative Transactions

For the protection of both the Covered Persons and the Company, it is important to avoid the appearance as well as the fact of insider trading or disclosure of material, non-public information.  Therefore, it is against this Policy for Covered Persons to directly or indirectly participate in transactions involving trading activities that by their nature are aggressive or speculative or may give rise to an appearance of impropriety.

Covered Persons may not:

• Engage in short sales (sale of stock that the seller does not own or a sale that is completed by delivery of borrowed stock) with respect to Company securities;

Janel Corporation • 80 Eighth Avenue
• New York, NY 10011 • (212) 373-5895
• janelcorp.com 
 Page 3 of 6

• Purchase or pledge Company stock on margin (with the exception of the use of a margin account to purchase Company common stock in connection with the exercise of Company-granted stock options); or

• Enter into any derivative or similar transactions with respect to Company securities.

o Examples of prohibited derivative transactions include, but are not limited to, purchases or sales of puts and calls (whether written or purchased or sold), options (whether “covered” or not), forward contracts, including but not limited to prepaid variable forward contracts, put and call “collars”, “equity” or “performance” swap or exchange agreements or any similar agreements or arrangements however denominated in Company securities.

Permitted Transactions

This Policy does not:

• Apply to exercises of Company stock options, provided that none of the underlying shares of Company common stock received upon such exercise are sold while aware of material non-public information, whether to fund the exercise, pay taxes or otherwise;

• Transferring shares to an entity that does not involve a change in the beneficial ownership of the shares (for example, to certain types of trusts of which you are the sole beneficiary during your lifetime); or

• Prohibit investments in publicly traded mutual funds.

Third Party Information

Covered Persons who have access to material, non-public confidential or proprietary information regarding a company other than the Company, its products or activities, are prohibited from trading in the securities of these companies. In considering whether confidential or proprietary information is material, Covered Persons should remember that the threshold for what is considered material may be lower for other companies than it is for the Company, and that any legal determination may be made with the benefit of hindsight.

Post-Employment Transactions

The trading restrictions contained in this Policy apply to all Covered Persons who are aware of material, non-public information when they terminate employment or services. Such Covered Persons may not trade in the Company’s securities until that information has become public or is no longer material. In all other respects, the pre-clearance and window procedures set forth in this section of this Policy will cease to apply to such Covered Person’s transactions in the Company’s securities upon the expiration of any “closed window” that is applicable at the time of such person’s termination of employment or services.

Additional Procedures

The Company may elect, from time to time, to institute special securities procedures with respect to certain staff members, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Board of Directors, executive officers and senior management.

Janel Corporation • 80 Eighth Avenue
• New York, NY 10011 • (212) 373-5895
• janelcorp.com 
 Page 4 of 6

Guidance on Understanding Material, Non-Public Information

What Information is Material?

The standard Covered Persons should use in deciding whether information may be “material” for purposes of this Policy is whether the information is of such a nature that a reasonable investor would think it important in deciding whether to buy, hold or sell the security. In other words, if information would affect a person’s decision whether to buy or sell if that person were contemplating a transaction, it would probably have the same effect on others.

Examples of possible material information include (but are not limited to): corporate earnings or earnings forecasts; sales results; strategic plans; clinical results; product and research developments; important personnel changes; marketing plans; government inspections, approvals or other regulatory actions; collaborations, mergers or acquisitions; major litigation; significant borrowings or financings; stock splits; defaults on borrowings; cybersecurity incidents; and bankruptcies.

Moreover, material information does not have to be related to a company’s business. For example, advance knowledge of the contents of a forthcoming newspaper column that is expected to affect the market price of a security can be material.  In considering whether confidential or proprietary information is material, Covered Persons should remember that the threshold for what is considered material may be lower for other companies than it is for the Company. The fact that the Company is evaluating a transaction with another company may constitute material, non-public information with regard to the other company. Examples of the types of transactions that may provide access to material, non-public information about another company include: joint ventures, partnerships and collaborations; research and/or development agreements; in-licensing or out-licensing of products or product candidates; marketing, co-marketing, and co-promotion agreements; acquisitions or other business combinations and strategic equity investments by the Company

What Is Non-Public Information?

Information is “non-public” if it is not available to the general public. In order for information to be considered public, it must be widely disseminated in a manner making it generally available to investors through such media as Dow Jones, Reuters Economic Services, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, or United Press International. The circulation of rumors, even if accurate and reported in the media, does not constitute effective public dissemination.  In addition, even after a public announcement, a reasonable period of time must elapse in order for the market to react to the information. Generally, one should allow a minimum of two (2) full business days following publication as a reasonable waiting period before such information is deemed to be public, although some information may require longer periods to be deemed to be public.

Covered Persons Responsibility for Compliance

Every Covered Person is required to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities and to comply with all applicable laws and regulatory requirements.  Covered Persons should exert due diligence in preventing violations of such laws, regulations, and Company policies. Covered Persons must refer to the Company’s policies and/or request guidance from their manager and/or an officer of the Company.

The Company expects its managers to be familiar with (or take appropriate steps to become familiar with) the laws, regulations, and the Company’s policies applicable to the activities they manage or supervise, ensure their direct reports have appropriate training on compliance requirements to perform their job functions, and supervise their direct reports with respect to compliance requirements and activities.

Janel Corporation • 80 Eighth Avenue
• New York, NY 10011 • (212) 373-5895
• janelcorp.com 
 Page 5 of 6

Every Covered Person is responsible for reporting a violation of this Policy.  Any Covered Person who knows about a violation, or reasonably believes there has been a violation, is encouraged to report that information through normal reporting channels.

If the Company determines that any Covered Person has violated this Policy, related standards, procedures or controls, applicable laws or regulations, or any governance documents, appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken, up to and including immediate termination of employment, to the extent permitted by applicable laws. The following is a non-exhaustive list of possible disciplinary measures to which Covered Persons may be subject (subject to applicable law): oral or written warning, suspension, removal of job duties/responsibilities, demotion, reduction in compensation, and/or termination of employment.

Subject to applicable laws, the Company reserves the right to take whatever disciplinary or other measure(s) it determines in its sole discretion to be appropriate in any particular situation, including disclosure of the wrongdoing to governmental authorities.  Nothing in this Policy changes the at-will nature of employment at the Company, its affiliates or subsidiaries, where applicable. The Company may also terminate the services or work engagement of non-employee Covered Persons for violation of this Policy.

Confidentiality

Neither this Insider Trading Policy nor any provisions in the Company’s Code of Conduct or any other agreement with the Company or policy of the Company, shall be deemed to prohibit any current or former director, officer, or employee of the Company from communicating, cooperating or filing a charge or complaint with the SEC or any other governmental or law enforcement entity concerning possible violations of any legal or regulatory requirement, or making disclosures, including providing documents or other information to a governmental entity that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law or regulation without notice to or approval of the Company, so long as (i) such communications and disclosures are consistent with applicable law and (ii) the information disclosed was not obtained through a communication that was subject to the attorney-client privilege (unless disclosure of that information would otherwise be permitted by an attorney pursuant to the applicable federal law, attorney conduct rules or otherwise). The Company will not limit the right of any current or former director, officer, or employee to receive an award for providing information pursuant to the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law or regulation to the SEC or any other governmental agency. Any provisions of any agreement between the Company and any current or former director, officer, or employee that is inconsistent with the above language or that may limit the ability of any person to receive an award under the whistleblowing provision of applicable law is hereby deemed invalid and will not be enforced by the Company.

Janel Corporation • 80 Eighth Avenue
• New York, NY 10011 • (212) 373-5895
• janelcorp.com 
 Page 6 of 6

EX-21

EXHIBIT 21

SUBSIDIARIES OF JANEL CORPORATION

Name	State of Incorporation
Janel Group, Inc.	New York
Indco, Inc.	Tennessee
Aves Labs, Inc.	Oregon
Antibodies, Inc.	California
PhosphoSolutions, LLC	Nevada
ImmunoChemistry Technologies, LLC	California
Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC	Texas
Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC	Oklahoma
ELFS Brokerage LLC	Texas
ECM Biosciences LLC	Kentucky
ImmunoBioScience Corporation	Washington
Airschott, Inc.	Virginia
Gainesville Insurance Company, Inc.	Utah
ViraQuest, Inc.	Iowa
Janel Group Logistics, LLC	New York

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S CONSENT

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Janel Corporation and Subsidiaries   We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-222791, 333-253400, and 333-264121) of Janel Corporation of our report dated December 6, 2024 with respect to our audit of the consolidated financial statements of Janel Corporation and Subsidiaries appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Janel Corporation as of and for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.   /s/Prager Metis CPAs, LLC   Prager Metis CPAs, LLC Basking Ridge, New Jersey December 6, 2024

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO 17 CFR 240. 13a-14

PROMULGATED UNDER

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Darren C. Seirer, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Janel Corporation (the Registrant);

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;

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;

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:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

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 the Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: December 6, 2024	/s/ Darren C. Seirer
	Darren C. Seirer
	Board Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO 17 CFR 240. 13a-14

PROMULGATED UNDER

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Joseph R. Ferrara, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Janel Corporation (the Registrant);

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;

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;

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:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

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 the Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: December 6, 2024	/s/ Joseph R. Ferrara
	Joseph R. Ferrara
	Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. §1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K of Janel Corporation for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Darren C. Seirer, Board Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: December 6, 2024	/s/ Darren C. Seirer
	Darren C. Seirer
	Board Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code) and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided by the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. §1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K of Janel Corporation for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Joseph R. Ferrara, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: December 6, 2024	/s/ Joseph R. Ferrara
	Joseph R. Ferrara
	Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer)

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code) and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided by the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

XML

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Dec. 06, 2024	Mar. 31, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2024
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2024
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	333-60608
Entity Registrant Name	JANEL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001133062
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NV
Entity Tax Identification Number	86-1005291
Entity Address, Address Line One	80 Eighth Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10011
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	373-5895
Title of 12(g) Security	Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	false
Document Financial Statement Error Correction [Flag]	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 16,674,126
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,186,354
Auditor Firm ID	273
Auditor Name	Prager Metis CPAs, LLC
Auditor Location	New Jersey

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Current Assets:
Cash	$ 2,832	$ 2,461
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	33,815	27,518
Inventory, net	4,478	4,850
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,829	4,459
Total current assets	45,954	39,288
Property and Equipment, net	5,492	4,922
Other Assets:
Intangible assets, net	25,117	22,683
Goodwill	23,030	20,317
Restricted cash	250	0
Investment in marketable securities at fair value	1,574	1,573
Operating lease right of use asset	8,621	7,460
Security deposits and other long-term assets	572	591
Total other assets	59,164	52,624
Total assets	110,610	96,834
Current Liabilities:
Line of credit	23,013	19,709
Accounts payable - trade	32,000	25,447
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	7,489	6,337
Dividends payable	2,271	2,029
Current portion of earnout	1,262	592
Current portion of long-term debt	1,276	715
Current portion of subordinated promissory note-related party	$ 1,628	$ 1,988
Notes Payable, Current, Related Party, Type [Extensible Enumeration]	Related Party [Member]	Related Party [Member]
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	$ 2,419	$ 2,020
Total current liabilities	71,358	58,837
Other Liabilities:
Long-term debt	3,028	5,784
Long-term portion of earnout	2,119	1,738
Subordinated promissory notes-related party	$ 3,445	$ 3,424
Notes Payable, Noncurrent, Related Party, Type [Extensible Enumeration]	Related Party [Member]	Related Party [Member]
Mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest	$ 1,529	$ 565
Deferred income taxes	2,514	1,341
Long-term operating lease liabilities	6,585	5,689
Other liabilities	531	483
Total other liabilities	19,751	19,024
Total liabilities	91,109	77,861
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 4,500,000 shares authorized, 1,206,354 issued and 1,186,354 outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively	1	1
Paid-in capital	17,084	17,107
Common treasury stock, at cost, 20,000 shares	(240)	(240)
Accumulated earnings	2,656	2,105
Total stockholders' equity	19,501	18,973
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	110,610	96,834
Series C [Member]
Current Liabilities:
Dividends payable	2,271	2,029
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock	$ 0	$ 0

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000	100,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	4,500,000	4,500,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,206,354	1,206,354
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	1,186,354	1,186,354
Treasury Stock, at cost (in shares)	20,000	20,000
Series C [Member]
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	30,000	30,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued (in shares)	11,368	11,368
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	11,368	11,368
Preferred stock, liquidation value	$ 7,957	$ 7,713

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Revenues:
Total Revenues	$ 183,184	$ 186,449
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues:
Total forwarding expenses and cost of revenues	124,800	130,777
Gross profit	58,384	55,672
Operating Expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	52,327	50,975
Amortization of intangible assets	2,299	2,098
Total Operating Expenses	54,626	53,073
Income from Operations	3,758	2,599
Other Items:
Interest expense	(2,318)	(1,998)
Other Expense	(346)	(76)
Income Before Income Taxes	1,094	525
Income tax benefit (expense)	(543)	198
Net Income	551	723
Preferred stock dividends	(328)	(284)
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 223	$ 439
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.61
Diluted (in dollars per share)	0.45	0.6
Net income per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	0.19	0.37
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.36
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	1,186,400	1,186,400
Diluted (in shares)	1,206,200	1,206,200
Logistics [Member]
Revenues:
Total Revenues	$ 159,958	$ 166,052
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues:
Total forwarding expenses and cost of revenues	117,501	123,938
Life Sciences and Manufacturing [Member]
Revenues:
Total Revenues	23,226	20,397
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues:
Total forwarding expenses and cost of revenues	$ 7,299	$ 6,839

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-in Capital [Member]	Common Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Earning (Deficit) [Member]	Total
Balance at Sep. 30, 2022	$ 0	$ 1	$ 17,184	$ (240)	$ 1,382	$ 18,327
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2022	11,368	1,206,354		20,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	$ 0	$ 0	0	$ 0	723	723
Dividends to preferred stockholders	0	0			0	(284)
Dividends to preferred stockholders			(284)
Stock based compensation	$ 0	$ 0	207		0	207
Stock based compensation (in shares)	0	0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2023	$ 0	$ 1	17,107	$ (240)	2,105	18,973
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2023	11,368	1,206,354		20,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	$ 0	$ 0	0	$ 0	551	551
Dividends to preferred stockholders	0	0			0	(328)
Dividends to preferred stockholders			(328)
Stock based compensation	$ 0	$ 0	305		0	305
Stock based compensation (in shares)	0	0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2024	$ 0	$ 1	$ 17,084	$ (240)	$ 2,656	$ 19,501
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2024	11,368	1,206,354		20,000

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Income	$ 551	$ 723
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Recovery of uncollectible accounts	(37)	(100)
Depreciation	551	508
Deferred income tax provision	196	(1,200)
Amortization of intangible assets	2,299	2,098
Amortization of acquired inventory valuation	342	425
Amortization of loan costs	81	89
Stock based compensation	321	231
Unrealized loss on marketable securities	41	798
Change in fair value of earnout	774	(857)
Change in fair value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	964	135
Gain on extinguishment	(21)	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(4,515)	29,799
Inventory	39	34
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(250)	(1,036)
Security deposits and other long-term assets	19	(48)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	5,296	(20,396)
Other liabilities	181	185
Net cash provided by operating activities	6,832	11,388
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment, net of disposals	(1,003)	(360)
Investment in marketable securities (net of dividends)	(42)	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(3,851)	(4,447)
Earnout payment	(740)	(1,693)
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,636)	(6,500)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to preferred stockholders	(84)	0
Repayments of term loan	(2,277)	(1,748)
Line of credit borrowings (payments)	3,304	(6,687)
Repayment of subordinated promissory note-related party	(1,517)	(583)
Net cash used in financing activities	(574)	(9,018)
Net (decrease) increase in cash	621	(4,130)
Cash at beginning of the period	2,461	6,591
Cash and restricted cash at end of period	3,082	2,461
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	1,999	1,862
Income taxes	585	1,393
Non-cash operating activities:
Contingent earnout acquisition	64	300
Due to former owner	740	455
Non-cash investing activities:
Airschott subordinated promissory note	1,200	0
Airschott contingent deferred consideration	952	0
Non-cash financing activities:
Dividends declared to preferred stockholders	$ 328	$ 284

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1. SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business description

Janel is a holding company with subsidiaries in three business segments: Logistics, Life Sciences and Manufacturing. The Company strives to create shareholder value primarily through three strategic priorities: supporting its businesses’ efforts to make investments and to build long-term profits; allocating Janel’s capital at high risk-adjusted rates of return; and attracting and retaining exceptional talent.

Management at the holding company focuses on significant capital allocation decisions, corporate governance and supporting Janel’s subsidiaries where appropriate. Janel expects to grow through its subsidiaries’ organic growth and by completing acquisitions. We plan to either acquire businesses within our existing segments or expand our portfolio into new strategic segments. Our acquisition strategy focuses on reasonably priced companies with strong and capable management teams, attractive existing business economics and stable and predictable earnings power.

Logistics

The Company’s Logistics segment is comprised of several wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Logistics segment is a non-asset based, full-service provider of cargo transportation logistics management services, including freight forwarding via air, ocean and land-based carriers; customs brokerage services; warehousing and distribution services; trucking and other value-added logistics services. In addition to these revenue streams, the Company earns accessorial revenues in connection with its core services. Accessorial revenues include, but are not limited to, fuel service charges, wait time fees, hazardous cargo fees, labor charges, handling, cartage, bonding and additional labor charges.

On June 5, 2024, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired a majority ownership position in Airschott, a non-asset-based freight forwarder and customs broker.  At closing, the Company purchased 80% of the outstanding stock of Airschott.  The Company also agreed to purchase the remaining 20% of Airschott stock in three years subject to certain closing conditions.

Life Sciences

The Company’s Life Sciences segment is comprised of several wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company’s Life Sciences segment manufactures and distributes antibodies as well as  research and diagnostic reagents for, and provides custom services to, academic, non-profit and commercial customers.

On November 1, 2022, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of ImmunoBioScience Corporation, which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

On March 2, 2023, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of Stephen Hall, PhD Ltd., which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

On May 22, 2023, the Company acquired all the rights, title and interests to a royalty agreement for certain antibody products, which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

On February 1, 2024, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all the outstanding stock of ViraQuest Inc., which we include in our Life Sciences segment.

Manufacturing

The Company’s manufacturing segment is comprised of Indco, Inc. (“Indco”), a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company that manufactures and distributes mixing equipment and apparatuses for specific applications within various industries. Indco’s customer base is comprised of small- to mid-sized businesses as well as other larger customers for which Indco fulfills repetitive production orders.

Investment in Marketable Securities - Rubicon

As of each of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2024, the Company owned 1,108,000 shares, or approximately 46.6%, of the common stock of Rubicon. Rubicon is an advanced materials provider specializing in monocrystalline sapphire for applications in optical and industrial systems. The purpose of our investment in Rubicon was for Janel to acquire a significant ownership interest in Rubicon, together with representation on Rubicon’s Board, in an attempt to (i) restructure the Rubicon business to achieve profitability and (ii) assist Rubicon in utilizing its net operating loss carry-forward assets.

Basis of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as Indco, of which Janel owns 90.2%, with a non-controlling interest held by existing Indco management. The Indco non-controlling interest is mandatorily redeemable and is recorded as a liability. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Uses of estimates in the preparation of financial statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most critical estimates made by the Company are those relating to accounts receivables valuation, the useful lives of long-term assets, accrual of cost related to ancillary services the Company provides, accrual of tax expense on an interim basis and potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, long-lived assets impairment.

Cash

The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions. Accounts at each institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250. The Company’s accounts at these institutions may, at times, exceed the federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Restricted Cash

Commencing in the second half of 2024, the Company insures certain risks through a newly formed wholly-owned captive insurance company, Gainesville Insurance Company, Inc. (“Gainesville”). In addition, we also maintain some of our normal, historical insurance policies with third-party insurers. Restricted cash represents deposits held by Gainesville that are required by state insurance regulations to remain in the captive insurance company as cash or cash equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at the contractual amount. The Company records its allowance for doubtful accounts based upon its assessment of various factors. The Company considers historical collection experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, credit quality of the Company’s customers, any specific customer collection issues that have been identified, current economic conditions and other factors that may affect the customers’ ability to pay. The Company writes off accounts receivable balances that have aged significantly once all collection efforts have been exhausted and the receivables are no longer deemed collectible from the customer. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $582 and $1,255, respectively.

Inventory

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost (using the first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. The Company maintains an inventory valuation reserve to provide for slow moving and obsolete inventory, inventory not meeting quality control standards and inventory subject to expiration for its Life Sciences business. The products of the Life Sciences business require the initial manufacture of multiple batches to determine if quality standards can consistently be met. In addition, the Company will produce larger batches of established products than current sales requirements due to economies of scale. The manufacturing process for these products, therefore, has and will continue to produce quantities in excess of forecasted usage. The Company values acquired manufactured antibody inventory based on a three-year forecast. Inventory quantities in excess of the forecast are not valued due to uncertainty over salability.

Property and equipment and depreciation policy

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Property and equipment acquired in business combinations are initially recorded at fair value. Depreciation is provided for in amounts sufficient to amortize the costs of the related assets over their estimated useful lives on the straight-line and accelerated methods for both financial reporting and income tax purposes. Maintenance and repairs are recorded as expenses when incurred.

Goodwill

The Company records as goodwill the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Under current authoritative guidance, goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually as well as when an event or change in circumstance indicates impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is tested for impairment by comparing the fair value of the Company’s individual reporting units to their carrying amount to determine if there is potential goodwill impairment. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of the goodwill of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If there is a material change in economic conditions, or other circumstances influencing the estimate of future cash flows or significantly affecting the fair value of our reporting units, the Company could be required to recognize impairment charges in the future.

The fair value of our reporting units were in excess of carrying value and goodwill was not deemed to be impaired as of September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Intangibles and long-lived assets

Long-lived assets, including fixed assets and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In reviewing for impairment, the carrying value of such assets is compared to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition.

If such cash flows are not sufficient to support the asset’s recorded value, an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the carrying value of the long-lived asset to its estimated fair value.

The determination of future cash flows, as well as the estimated fair value of long-lived assets, involves significant estimates on the part of management. If there is a material change in economic conditions, or other circumstances influencing the estimate of future cash flows or fair value, the Company could be required to recognize impairment charges in the future.

The Company concluded that the fair value of intangibles and long-lived assets were not deemed to be impaired as of September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Equity-Method Investments

The Company has determined that its investment in Rubicon is subject to the equity method of accounting, and the Company has elected the fair value option under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 825-10, Financial Instruments (“ASC 825-10”) to account for the equity method investment. In accordance with ASC 825-10, the Company will present its equity method investment in Rubicon at fair value each reporting period with changes in fair value and dividends received from Rubicon recorded to income from investment in unconsolidated affiliate on the Company’s statements of operations.

See Notes 16 and 17 for further information about the Company’s investment in Rubicon’s equity securities accounted for under the fair value option.

Business segment information

The Company operates in three reportable segments: Logistics, Life Sciences and Manufacturing. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer regularly reviews financial information at the reporting segment level in order to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segments and to assess their performance.

Revenues and revenue recognition

Logistics

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services to customers. With respect to its Logistics segment, the Company has determined that in general each shipment transaction or service order constitutes a separate contract with the customer. When the Company provides multiple services to a customer, different contracts may be present for different services.

The Company typically satisfies its performance obligations as services are rendered at a point in time. A typical shipment would include services rendered at origin, such as pick-up and delivery to port, freight services from origin to destination port and destination services, such as customs clearance and final delivery. The Company measures the performance of its obligations as services are completed at a point in time during the life of a shipment, including services at origin, freight and destination. The Company fulfills nearly all of its performance obligations within a one to two-month period.

The Company evaluates whether amounts billed to customers should be reported as gross or net revenues. Generally, revenues are recorded on a gross basis when the Company is acting as principal and is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the services, when it has discretion in setting the prices for the services to the customers, and the Company has the ability to direct the use of the services provided by the third party. Revenues is recognized on a net basis when the Company is acting as agent and we do not have latitude in carrier selection or establish rates with the carrier.

In the Logistics segment, the Company disaggregates its revenues by its four primary service categories: trucking, ocean freight, air freight, customs brokerage and other. A summary of the Company’s revenues disaggregated by major service lines for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

	Year Ended September 30,
Service Type	2024		2023
Trucking	$	73,193	$	80,364
Ocean		40,567		42,047
Air		26,753		23,095
Customs Brokerage and Other		19,445		20,546
Total	$	159,958	$	166,052

Life Sciences and Manufacturing

Revenues from the Life Sciences segment are derived from the sale of high-quality monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, diagnostic reagents and diagnostic kits and other immunoreagents for biomedical research and antibody manufacturing. Revenues from the Company’s Manufacturing segment, which is comprised of Indco, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company that manufactures and distributes mixing equipment and apparatus for specific applications within various industries, are derived from the engineering, manufacture and delivery of specialty mixing equipment and accessories. Revenues for Life Sciences and Manufacturing are recognized when products are shipped, and risk of loss is transferred to the carrier(s) used.

Income (loss) per common share

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, excluding unvested restricted stock, during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects the additional dilution from potential issuances of common stock, such as stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options. The treasury stock method is used to calculate the potential dilutive effect of these common stock equivalents. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share when their effect is anti-dilutive.

Equity classified share-based awards

The Company recognizes compensation expense for stock-based payments granted based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation- Stock Compensation.” For employee stock-based awards, we calculate the fair value of the award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes method for stock options and the quoted price of our common stock for restricted shares; the expense is recognized over the service period for awards expected to vest.

Stock-based compensation to non-employees

Liability classified share-based awards

The Company maintains other share unit compensation grants for shares of Indco, which vest over a period of up to three years following their grant. The shares contain certain put features where the Company is either required or expects to settle vested awards on a cash basis.

These awards are classified as liability awards, measured at fair value at the date of grant and re-measured at fair value at each reporting date up to and including the settlement date. The determination of the fair value of the share units under these plans is described in Note 10. The fair value of the awards is expensed over the respective vesting period of the individual awards with recognition of a corresponding liability. Changes in fair value after vesting are recognized through compensation expense. Compensation expense reflects estimates of the number of instruments expected to vest. The impact of forfeitures and fair value revisions, if any, are recognized in earnings such that the cumulative expense reflects the revisions, with a corresponding adjustment to the settlement liability. Liability-classified share unit liabilities due within 12 months of the reporting date are presented in trade and other payables while settlements due beyond 12 months of the reporting date are presented in non-current liabilities.

Non-employee share-based awards

The Company grants restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options to certain directors, officers and employees. The Company accounts for share-based compensation as equity awards such that compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is expensed ratably over the vesting period. The fair value of restricted stock is the market price as of the grant date, and the fair value of each stock option grant is estimated as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment about, among other things, stock volatility, the expected life of the award and other inputs. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

The Company issues new shares of common stock to satisfy exercises and vesting of awards granted under its stock plans. Share-based compensation expense is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as part of selling general and administrative expenses.

Mandatorily Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests

The non-controlling interests that are reflected as mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests in the consolidated financial statements consist of non-controlling interests related to the Indco acquisition whose owners have certain redemption rights that allow them to require the Company to purchase the non-controlling interests of those owners upon certain events outside the control of the Company, including upon the death of the holders. The Company is required to purchase 20% per year of the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest at the option of the holders beginning on the third anniversary of the date of the Indco acquisition, which was March 21, 2019. As of September 30, 2024, the holders had not exercised their redemption rights.

On December 13, 2021, two minority owners of Indco exercised 7,000 and 3,372 options to purchase Indco’s common stock at an exercise price of $6.48 and $12.07 for an aggregate purchase price of $45 and $41, respectively. Indco issued related party promissory notes in the amount of $45 and $41, respectively, which bear interest at 1% per annum; both interest and principal are payable on the maturity date of December 31, 2024. On November 30, 2020, a minority owner of Indco exercised 7,000 options to purchase Indco’s common stock at an exercise price of $6.48 for an aggregate purchase price of $45. Indco issued a related party promissory note in the amount of $45, which bears interest at 1% per annum; both interest and principal were payable on the maturity date of December 31, 2023. These notes are included in security deposits and other long-term assets. The fair value of the shares issued of Indco’s common stock was recorded as an increase in mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest. As a result of the exercise of options to purchase Indco’s stock, the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest percentage was 9.8% as of  each of September 30, 2024 and 2023.

On the date the Company acquired the controlling interest in a business combination, the fair value of the non-controlling interest is recorded in the long-term liabilities section of the consolidated balance sheet under the caption “Mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest.” The mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest is adjusted each reporting period, if required, to its then current redemption value, based on the predetermined formula defined in the respective agreement. The Company reflects any adjustment in the redemption value and any earnings attributable to the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest in its consolidated statements of operations by recording the adjustments and earnings to other income and expense in the caption “Other expense.”

Income taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of: (i) taxes payable or refundable for the current year and (ii) deferred tax consequences of temporary differences resulting from matters that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the period in which related temporary differences become deductible. The benefit of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the Company’s income tax returns are recognized in the consolidated financial statements if such positions are more likely than not of being sustained.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Assets and obligations related to operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets; current portion of operating lease liability; and operating lease liability, net of current portion in our consolidated balance sheets. Assets and obligations related to finance leases are included in property, technology and equipment, net; current portion of finance lease liability; and finance lease liability, net of current portion in our consolidated balance sheets.

ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date is used in determining the present value of lease payments. We use the implicit rate when readily determinable. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option.

The Company’s agreements with lease and non-lease components are all each accounted for as a single lease component.

For leases with an initial term of twelve months or less, the Company elected the exemption from recording right of use assets and lease liabilities for all leases that qualify and records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Expenses for these short-term leases for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 amounted to $348 and 372, respectively.

Contingent Earnout Liabilities

The Company accounts for contingent consideration relating to business combinations as a contingent earnout liability and a decrease (increase) to goodwill at the date of the acquisition and continually remeasures the asset or liability at each balance sheet date by recording changes in the fair value through change in fair value of contingent consideration in the consolidated statements of operations. The ultimate settlement of contingent earnout liabilities relating to business combinations may be for amounts that are materially different from the amounts initially recorded and may cause volatility in the Company’s results of operations.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06 to temporarily ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The standards provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying accounting principles generally accepted in the United States to existing contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The standards apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The standards were effective upon issuance and can generally be applied through December 31, 2024. While there has been no material effect to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows from reference rate reform as of September 30, 2024, we continue to monitor our contracts and transactions for potential application of these ASUs.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which expands disclosures in an entity’s income tax rate reconciliation table and regarding cash taxes paid both in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. The update will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 (fiscal 2026). We are assessing the effect of this update on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS [Abstract]

ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS

2. ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS

Fiscal 2024 Acquisitions

Logistics

On June 5, 2024, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired a majority ownership position in Airschott, Inc. (“Airschott”), a non-asset-based freight forwarder and customs broker, for an aggregate purchase price of $5,810.  At closing, the Company purchased 80% of the outstanding stock of Airschott for $3,600 in cash, a $1,200 floating-rate seller’s note, and net liabilities assumed of $170.  The Company also agreed to purchase the remaining 20% of Airschott stock in three years for deferred consideration of the greater of 20% of 1.25 times the trailing twelve months gross profit of Airschott and $1,200.  The acquisition was funded by our existing acquisition draw facility with First Merchants Bank (“First Merchants”) and through our existing asset-backed facility with Santander Bank, N.A. (“Santander”). In connection with the combination, the Company recorded an aggregate of $1,661 in goodwill and $4,320 in other identifiable intangibles. Subsequently, the Company recorded a deferred tax liability related to the acquisition of $977 and increased the goodwill related to the acquisition by the same amount. Supplemental pro forma information has not been provided as the acquisition did not have a significant impact on Janel’s consolidated results of operations, individually or in aggregate. Airschott was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Dulles, Virginia. The acquisition of Airschott was completed to expand our service offerings in our Logistics segment.

Life Sciences

On February 1, 2024, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all the outstanding stock of ViraQuest, Inc. (“ViraQuest”), for an aggregate purchase price of $635, net of $29 cash received. At closing, $600 was paid in cash and $64 was recorded as a preliminary earnout consideration. The acquisition was funded with cash provided by operating activities, and the results of operations of ViraQuest are included in Janel’s consolidated results of operations since the date of the acquisition. In connection with the combination, the Company recorded an aggregate of $74 in goodwill and $412 in other identifiable intangibles. Supplemental pro forma information has not been provided as the acquisition did not have a significant impact on Janel’s consolidated results of operations, individually or in aggregate. ViraQuest is a biotechnology custom service provider specializing in adenovirus production services. ViraQuest was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in North Liberty, Iowa. The acquisition of ViraQuest was completed to expand our service offerings in our Life Sciences segment.

Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions

Life Sciences

On November 1, 2022, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of ImmunoBioScience Corporation (“IBSC”), for an aggregate purchase price of $3,602, net of $153 cash received.  At closing, $3,000 was paid in cash, $250 was due to the former stockholder of IBSC as a deferred acquisition payment upon integration, $300 was recorded as a preliminary earnout consideration (not to exceed $750) and $205 was recorded as a preliminary working capital adjustment. The acquisition was funded with cash provided by normal operations, and the results of operations of IBSC are included in Janel’s consolidated results of operations since the date of the acquisition. In connection with the combination, the Company recorded an aggregate of $1,468 in goodwill and $1,680 in other identifiable intangibles. Supplemental pro forma information has not been provided as the acquisition did not have a significant impact on Janel’s consolidated results of operations, individually or in aggregate. IBSC is a developer and manufacturer of high-quality reagents used by research and diagnostic customers. IBSC was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Mukilteo, Washington. The acquisition of IBSC was completed to expand our product offerings in our Life Sciences segment.

On March 2, 2023, the Company completed a business combination whereby it acquired all of the outstanding stock of Stephen Hall PhD, Ltd. (“SH”) for an aggregate purchase price of $600. At closing, $500 was paid in cash and $100 was due to the former stockholder of SH as a deferred acquisition payment upon integration. The acquisition was funded with cash provided by normal operations, and the results of operations of SH are included in Janel’s consolidated results of operations since the date of the acquisition. In connection with the combination, the Company recorded an aggregate of $181 in goodwill and $202 in other identifiable intangibles. SH is a developer and manufacturer of antibodies and cell culture media for research and diagnostic uses. SH was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana. The acquisition of SH was completed to expand our product offerings in our Life Sciences segment.

On May 22, 2023, the Company acquired all the rights, title and interests to a royalty agreement for certain antibody products for a purchase price of $500. The Company recorded this acquisition as a royalty asset, which is included in intangible assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet (reclassed from Security deposits and other long-term assets in fiscal year 2024) and will be amortized over the estimated life of ten years.

Investment in Marketable Securities - Rubicon

As of each of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2024, the Company owned 1,108,000 shares, or approximately 46.6%, of the common stock of Rubicon. Rubicon is an advanced materials provider specializing in monocrystalline sapphire for applications in optical and industrial systems. The purpose of our investment in Rubicon was for Janel to acquire a significant ownership interest in Rubicon, together with representation on Rubicon’s Board, in an attempt to (i) restructure the Rubicon business to achieve profitability and (ii) assist Rubicon in utilizing its net operating loss carry-forward assets.

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INVENTORY

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

INVENTORY [Abstract]

INVENTORY

3. INVENTORY

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

	Year End September 30,
	2024			2023
Finished goods	$	1,860		$	2,095
Work-in-process		768			969
Raw materials		1,884			1,811
Gross inventory		4,512			4,875
Less – reserve for inventory valuation		(34	)		(25	)
Inventory net	$	4,478		$	4,850

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PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

A summary of property and equipment and the estimated lives used in the computation of depreciation and amortization is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023			Life
Building and improvements	$	3,083		$	3,064		12-30 years
Land and improvements		1,387			1,385		Indefinite
Furniture and Fixture		561			373		3-7 years
Computer Equipment		854			988		3-5 years
Machinery & Equipment		1,984			1,454		3-15 years
Leasehold Improvements		906			270		3-5 years
		8,775			7,534
Less Accumulated Depreciation		(3,283	)		(2,612	)
	$	5,492		$	4,922

Depreciation expense for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $551 and $508, respectively.

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INTANGIBLE ASSETS

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

A summary of intangible assets and the estimated useful lives used in the computation of amortization is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023			Life
Customer relationships	$	29,790		$	25,238		10-24 Years
Trademarks/names		4,661			4,559		1-20 Years
Trademarks/names		521			521		Indefinite
Other		2,007			1,929		2-22 Years
		36,979			32,247
Less: Accumulated Amortization		(11,862	)		(9,564	)
	$	25,117		$	22,683

The composition of the intangible assets balance at September 30, 2024 and 2023 is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023
Logistics	$	22,494		$	18,174
Life Sciences		6,785			6,373
Manufacturing		7,700			7,700
		36,979			32,247
Less: Accumulated Amortization		(11,862	)		(9,564	)
	$	25,117		$	22,683

Amortization expense of intangible assets for the year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $2,299 and $2,098, respectively.

The future amortization of these intangible assets is expected to be as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year 2025	$	2,566
Fiscal Year 2026		2,566
Fiscal Year 2027		2,535
Fiscal Year 2028		2,513
Fiscal Year 2029		2,487
Thereafter		11,929
	$	24,596

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GOODWILL

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

GOODWILL [Abstract]

GOODWILL

6. GOODWILL

The Company’s goodwill carrying amounts relate to the acquisitions in the Logistics, Life Sciences and Manufacturing businesses.

The composition of the goodwill balance at September 30, 2024 and 2023 is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024		2023
Logistics	$	11,813	$	9,175
Life Sciences		6,171		6,096
Manufacturing		5,046		5,046
Total	$	23,030	$	20,317

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NOTES PAYABLE - BANKS

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

NOTES PAYABLE - BANKS [Abstract]

NOTES PAYABLE - BANKS

7. NOTES PAYABLE - BANKS

(A) Santander Bank Facility

The wholly-owned subsidiaries that comprise the Company’s Logistics segment (collectively, the “Janel Group Borrowers”), with the Company as a guarantor, have a Loan and Security Agreement (as amended, the “Santander Loan Agreement”) with Santander with respect to a revolving line of credit facility (the “Santander Facility”).

On January 30, 2023, the Santander Loan Agreement was further amended by the Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Third Santander Amendment”). As amended by the terms of the Third Santander Amendment, the percentage of the Borrowers’ eligible accounts receivable used to calculate the borrowing base under the Santander Loan Agreement was increased from 85% to 90% for Domestic Insured Accounts (as defined in the Third Santander Amendment), subject to adjustments set forth in the Santander Loan Agreement.

On April 25, 2023, in connection with an amendment to the Credit Agreement entered into with First Merchants as described further below, we entered into the Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Fourth Santander Amendment”).  The Fourth Santander Amendment (i) included modifications to address the amendments made to the First Merchants Credit Facilities (as defined below) and the consolidation of the debt thereunder and (ii) terminated the subordination agreement relating to the Company’s guarantee of the First Merchants Credit Facilities (as defined below).

On August 22, 2023, we entered into the Fifth Amendment to the Santander Loan Agreement (the “Fifth Santander Amendment”).  The Fifth Santander Amendment permitted certain unsecured guaranties by the Company in the ordinary course of business guarantying obligations of subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $4,000 and related modifications to certain negative covenants.

On December 1, 2023, in connection with an amendment (the “Purchase Agreement Amendment”) to that certain Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated as of September 21, 2021 (the “Purchase Agreement”) among Janel Group, Inc. (“Janel Group”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC (“ELFS”) and former shareholders of ELFS (the “ELFS Sellers”), (i) the Janel Group Borrowers and Santander entered into an Acknowledgment and Consent Agreement pursuant to which Santander consented to the Purchase Agreement Amendment and the effect of the modifications thereunder on the Santander Loan Agreement and (ii) the ELFS Sellers and Santander entered into an Acknowledgment and Consent Agreement pursuant to which Santander consented to the Purchase Agreement Amendment and the effect of the modifications thereunder on the Subordination Agreement (as defined in the Santander Loan Agreement) between Santander and the ELFS Sellers.

On December 21, 2023, we entered into the Sixth Amendment to the Santander Loan Agreement (the “Sixth Santander Amendment”). The Sixth Santander Amendment modified the reporting due date of the monthly borrowing base calculation from the fifth day to the fifteenth day of each month.

On June 5, 2024, we entered into the Seventh Amendment to the Santander Loan Agreement (the “Seventh Santander Amendment”).  The Seventh Santander Amendment added Airschott as a loan party obligor and borrower.

The Santander Loan Agreement matures on September 21, 2026.  Interest accrues on the Santander Facility at an annual rate equal to the one-month SOFR plus 2.75%. The Janel Group Borrowers’ obligations under the Santander Facility are secured by all of the assets of the Janel Group Borrowers, while the Santander Loan Agreement contains customary terms and covenants. As a result of its terms, the Santander Facility is classified as a current liability on the consolidated balance sheet.

At September 30, 2024, outstanding borrowings under the Santander Facility were $19,313, representing 55.2% of the $35,000 available subject to limitations thereunder, and interest was accruing at an effective interest rate of 7.65%.

At September 30, 2023, outstanding borrowings under the Santander Facility were $18,759, representing 53.6% of the $35,000 available thereunder, and interest was accruing at an effective interest rate of 7.60%.

The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants defined in the Santander Loan Agreement at both September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

(B) First Merchants Bank Credit Facility

On February 29, 2016, Indco entered into a Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Prior First Merchants Credit Agreement”) with First Merchants.

On April 25, 2023, Indco and certain other Subsidiaries of the Company that are part of the Life Sciences and Manufacturing segments (together with Indco, the “Borrowers” and each, a “Borrower”), entered into a Credit Agreement (the “First Merchants Credit Agreement”) with First Merchants.  The First Merchants Credit Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of  the Prior First Merchants Credit Agreement.  The credit facilities provided under the First Merchants Credit Agreement (the “First Merchants Credit Facilities”) consist of a $3,000 revolving loan (limited to the borrowing base and reserves), a $5,000 acquisition loan, a $6,905 Term A loan and a $620 Term B loan as a continuation of the mortgage loan under the Prior First Merchants Credit Agreement.  Interest accrues on the outstanding revolving loan, Term A loan and acquisition loan at an annual rate equal to one-month adjusted term SOFR plus either (i) 2.75% (if the Borrowers’ total funded debt to EBITDA ratio is less or equal to 1.75:1.00) or (ii) 3.50% (if the Borrowers’ total funded debt to EBITDA ratio is greater than to 1.75:1.00).  Interest accrues on the Term B loan at an annual rate of 4.19%.  The Borrowers’ obligations under the First Merchants Credit Facilities are secured by all of the Borrowers’ real property and other assets, and are guaranteed by the Company, and the Company’s guarantee of the Borrowers’ obligations is secured by a pledge of the Company’s equity interests in certain of the Borrowers.  The revolving loan portion will expire on August 1, 2027, the Term A loan portion will mature on April 25, 2033, and the Term B loan portion will mature on July 1, 2025. The acquisition loan will permit multiple draws until October 25, 2024, at which point the outstanding principal amount will amortize, with all remaining amounts of the acquisition loan due at maturity on April 25, 2029.

On January 10, 2024, the First Merchants Credit Facilities were amended to provide for, among other changes, permitted affiliate loans provided availability on its revolving loan both before and after giving effect to any such loan, is not less than $1,000 and maturity of such permitted affiliate loans are not to exceed fourteen days from disbursement.

As of September 30, 2024, there were $3,700 of outstanding borrowings under the acquisition loan, $4,028 of outstanding borrowings under the Term A loan and $585 of outstanding borrowings under the Term B loan, with interest accruing on the acquisition loan and revolving loan at an effective interest rate of 7.82% each, and on the Term A loan and Term B loan at an effective interest rate of 7.82% and 4.19%, respectively.

As of September 30, 2023, there were $500 of outstanding borrowings under the acquisition loan, $450 of outstanding borrowings under the revolving loan, $6,235 of outstanding borrowings under the Term A loan and $610 of outstanding borrowings under the Term B loan, with interest accruing on the acquisition loan and revolving loan at an effective interest rate of 8.18% and on the Term A loan and Term B loan at an effective interest rate of 8.18% and 4.19%, respectively.

The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants defined in the First Merchants Credit Agreement at each of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

The table below sets forth the total long-term debt, net of capitalized loan fees of $309 for the First Merchants Credit Agreement (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023
Total Debt	$	4,304		$	6,499
Less Current Portion		(1,276	)		(715	)
Long-term Portion	$	3,028		$	5,784

These obligations mature as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year 2025	$	1,276
Fiscal Year 2026		691
Fiscal Year 2027		691
Fiscal Year 2028		691
Fiscal Year 2029		691
Thereafter		264
	$	4,304

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SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTES - RELATED PARTY

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTES - RELATED PARTY [Abstract]

SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTES - RELATED PARTY

8. SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTES – RELATED PARTY

(A)    ICT Subordinated Promissory Note

Aves Labs, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is the obligor on a fixed 0.5% subordinated promissory note in the amount of $1,850 (the “ICT Subordinated Promissory Note”) issued to the former owner of ImmunoChemistry Technologies, LLC (“ICT”), in connection with a business combination whereby the Company acquired all of the membership interests of ICT. The ICT Subordinated Promissory Note is payable in sixteen scheduled quarterly installments of principal and interest beginning March 4, 2021, matures on December 4, 2024, and may be prepaid, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty. 

The ICT Subordinated Promissory Note is subordinate to and junior in right of payment for principal interest premiums and other amounts payable to Santander and First Merchants.

As of September 30, 2024, the amount outstanding under the ICT Subordinated Promissory Note was $55, all of which is included in the current portion of subordinated promissory notes.

As of September 30, 2023, the amount outstanding under the ICT Subordinated Promissory Note was $312, of which $288 is included in the current portion of subordinated promissory notes and $24 is included in the long-term portion of subordinated promissory notes.

(B)    ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes

Janel Group is the obligor on four fixed 4% subordinated promissory notes totaling $6,000 in the aggregate (together, the “ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes”), payable to certain former shareholders of ELFS, in connection with the Company’s business combination whereby it acquired all the membership interest of ELFS and its related subsidiaries.  All of the ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes are guaranteed by the Company and are subordinate to and junior in right of payment for principal, interest, premiums and other amounts payable to the Santander Facility and the First Merchants Credit Facility. The ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes are payable in twelve equal consecutive quarterly installments of principal together with accrued interest.  Beginning October 15, 2021 and on the same day of the next eight consecutive calendar quarters, thereafter payment of accrued interest and unpaid interest is due to the former shareholders.  Beginning October 15, 2023, and on the same day of the next twelve consecutive calendar quarters thereafter payment of principal together with accrued interest and unpaid interest is due to the former shareholders. In June 2022, the principal amount of the ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes was adjusted to $5,100 due to a revised working capital adjustment of $900.

On December 1, 2023, in connection with the Purchase Agreement Amendment among Janel Group and the ELFS Sellers, the Company extended the ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes maturity by two years and restored the working capital adjustment (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) by $900 which increased the principal amount of the ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes to $6,000. The Company evaluated the accounting treatment related to the amendment and determined the agreements are substantially different and extinguished the original subordinated promissory notes and recorded the amended subordinated promissory notes at fair value of $4,654. As a result, the Company recorded a debt discount of approximately $921 and a $21 gain on extinguishment.

As of September 30, 2024, the amount outstanding under the ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes was $3,918, of which $1,173 is included in the current portion of subordinated promissory notes and $2,745 was included in the long-term portion of subordinated promissory notes.

As of September 30, 2023, the amount outstanding under the ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes was $5,100, of which $1,700 was included in the current portion of subordinated promissory notes and $3,400 was included in the long-term portion of subordinated promissory notes.

(C)    Airschott Subordinated Promissory Note

Janel Group is the obligor on a floating rate (Prime Rate plus 2%) subordinated promissory note (the “Airschott Subordinated Promissory Note”) in the amount of $1,200 issued, to a former owner of Airschott, in connection with the business combination whereby Janel Group acquired Airschott.  The note is payable in twelve consecutive quarterly payments, which commenced in July 2024, of $100 together with accrued interest on the outstanding principal balance.

As of September 30, 2024, the amount outstanding under the Airschott Subordinated Promissory Note was $1,100, of which $400 was included in the current portion of subordinated promissory notes and $700 was included in the long-term portion of subordinated promissory notes.

	September 30,
	2024			2023
	(in thousands)
Total Subordinated Promissory Notes	$	5,073		$	5,412
Less Current Portion of Subordinated Promissory Notes		(1,628	)		(1,988	)
Long Term Portion of Subordinated Promissory Notes	$	3,445		$	3,424

These obligations mature as follows (in thousands):

	Total
2025	$	1,628
2026		1,315
2027		1,215
2028		915
Total	$	5,073

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share per share data)

Janel is authorized to issue 4,500,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001. In addition, the Company is authorized to issue 100,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001. The preferred stock is issuable in series with such voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and other rights and such qualifications, limitations and restrictions as may be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof, without stockholder approval. The Board of Directors may fix the number of shares constituting each series and increase or decrease the number of shares of any series.

(A) Preferred Stock

Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock

Shares of the Company’s Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series C Stock”) were initially entitled to receive annual dividends at a rate of 7% per annum of the original issuance price of $500, when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, with such rate to increase by 2% annually beginning on the third anniversary of issuance of such Series C Stock to a maximum rate of 13%. By the filing of the Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation on March 31, 2022, the annual dividend rate decreased to 5% per annum of the original issuance price, when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, and increased by 1% on January 1, 2024. Such rate is to increase on each January 1 thereafter for four years to a maximum rate of 9%. The dividend rate of the Series C Stock as of September 30, 2024 and 2023 was 6% and 5%, respectively . In the event of liquidation, holders of Series C Stock shall be paid an amount equal to the original issuance price, plus any accrued dividends thereon. Shares of Series C Stock may be redeemed by the Company at any time upon notice and payment of the original issuance price, plus any accrued dividends thereon. The liquidation value of Series C Stock was $7,957 and $7,713 as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company declared dividends on Series C Stock of $328 and $284, respectively. At September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had accrued dividends of $2,271 and $2,029, respectively.

(B) Equity Incentive Plan

On May 12, 2017, the Company adopted the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”) pursuant to which (i) incentive stock options, (ii) non-statutory stock options, (iii) restricted stock awards and (iv) stock appreciation rights with respect to shares of the Company’s common stock may be granted to directors, officers, employees of and consultants to the Company. On September 21, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Amended and Restated 2017 Janel Corporation Equity Incentive Plan (the “Amended Plan”) pursuant to which non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), may be granted to employees, directors and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries.

The Amended Plan increases the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Amended Plan from 100,000 to 200,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company and adopts certain other non-substantive amendments.

Participants and all terms of any grant under the Amended Plan are in the discretion of the Company’s Compensation Committee.

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION [Abstract]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

(in thousands, except share per share data)

On October 30, 2013, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Company’s 2013 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “2013 Option Plan”) providing for options to purchase up to 100,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance to directors, officers, employees of and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries.

On September 21, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Amended and Restated 2017 Janel Corporation Equity Incentive Plan (the “Amended and Restated Plan”), which amended and restated the prior 2017 plan, as previously amended, and pursuant to which non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights with respect to up to 200,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock may be granted to directors, officers, employees of and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries. The Amended and Restated Plan increased the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated Plan from 100,000 to 200,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company and adopts certain other non-substantive amendments. Participants and all terms of any grant under the Amended and Restated Plan are in the discretion of the Company’s Compensation Committee.

Total stock-based compensation for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 amounted to $321 and $231, respectively, and was included in selling, general and administrative expense in the Company’s statements of operations.

Stock Options

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of our share-based awards. In applying this model, we use the following assumptions:

• Risk-free interest rate - We determine the risk-free interest rate by using a weighted average assumption equivalent to the expected term based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate.

• Expected term - We estimate the expected term of our options on the average of the vesting date and term of the option.

• Expected volatility - We estimate expected volatility using daily historical trading data of our common stock.

• Dividend yield - We have never paid dividends on our common stock and currently have no plans to do so; therefore, no dividend yield is applied.

The fair values of our employee option awards were estimated using the assumptions below, which yielded the following weighted average grant date fair values for the periods presented:

	2024			2023
Risk-free interest rate		4.63	%		3.98	%
Expected option term in years		4.5 - 6.0			5.5 - 6.5
Expected volatility		58.2	%		93.6	%
Dividend yield		—	%		—	%
Weighted average grant date fair value		9.83 - 16.63			30.06 - 41.24

Options for Employees

	Number of Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding balance at September 30, 2023		40,993		$	22.53		6.6	$	862.16
Granted		12,500		$	28.25		9.3	$	153.13
Expired		(3,500	)	$	3.25		—	$	—
Outstanding balance at September 30, 2024		49,993		$	25.31		6.9	$	884.91
Exercisable at September 30, 2024		24,162		$	12.63		5.3	$	673.48

The aggregate intrinsic value in the above table was calculated as the difference between the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock at September 30, 2024 of $40.50 per share and the exercise price of the stock options that had strike prices below such closing price.

As of September 30, 2024, there was approximately $241 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested employee stock options which is expected to be recognized over the next year.

Liability classified share-based awards

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, there were no options granted and no options were exercised with respect to Indco’s common stock.

	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding Balance at September 30, 2023		35,607	$	12.22		5.8	$	375.02
Outstanding Balance at September 30, 2024		35,607	$	12.22		4.8	$	375.02
Exercisable on September 30, 2024		33,269	$	11.87		4.6		361.95

The aggregate intrinsic value in the above table was calculated as the difference between the valuation price of Indco’s common stock at September 30, 2024 of $22.75 per share and the exercise price of the stock options that had strike prices below such closing price.

The liability classified awards were measured at fair value at each reporting date until the final measurement date, which was the date of completion of services required to earn the option. The accrued compensation cost related to these options was approximately $350 and $334 as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, and is included in other liabilities in the consolidated financial statement.The compensation cost related to these options was approximately $16 and $23 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, and is included in other liabilities in the consolidated financial statement.The cost associated with the options issued on each grant date is being recognized ratably over the period of service required to earn each tranche of options.

Upon vesting, the options continue to be accounted for as a liability in accordance with ASC 480-10-25-8 and are measured in accordance with ASC 480-10-35 at every reporting period until the options are settled.

As a result of previous option exercise and stock repurchase activity, the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest percentage was 9.8% as of each of September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Changes in the fair value of the vested options are recognized in earnings in the consolidated financial statements.

The options are classified as liabilities, and the underlying shares of Indco’s common stock also contain put options which result in their classification as a mandatorily redeemable security. While their redemption does not occur on a fixed date, there is an unconditional obligation for the Company to repurchase the shares upon death.

As of September 30, 2024, there was no unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested Indco stock options.

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INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

INCOME PER COMMON SHARE [Abstract]

INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

11. INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

The following table provides a reconciliation of the basic and diluted income (loss) per share (“EPS”) computations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands, except share and per share data):

	Year Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
Income:
Net income	$	551		$	723
Preferred stock dividends		(328	)		(284	)
Non-controlling interest dividends		—			—
Net income available to common stockholders	$	223		$	439
Common Shares:
Basic - weighted average common shares		1,186			1,186
Effect of dilutive stock options		20			20
Diluted - weighted average common stock		1,206			1,206
Income per Common Share:
Basic -
Net income	$	0.46		$	0.61
Preferred stock dividends		(0.27	)		(0.24	)
Non-controlling interest dividends		—			—
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	0.19		$	0.37
Diluted -
Net income	$	0.45		$	0.60
Preferred stock dividends		(0.27	)		(0.24	)
Non-controlling interest dividends		—			—
Net income available to common stockholders	$	0.18		$	0.36

The computation for the diluted number of shares excludes unexercised stock options that are anti-dilutive. There were 10,000 anti-dilutive shares for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 10,000 anti-dilutive shares for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023.

Potentially diluted securities as of September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

	September 30,
	2024		2023
Employee stock options (Note 10)		49,993		40,993
		49,993		40,993

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INCOME TAXES

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

INCOME TAXES [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

12. INCOME TAXES

The reconciliation of income tax computed at the Federal statutory rate to the provision for income taxes from operations is as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended September 30,
	2024		2023
Federal taxes at statutory rates	$	230	$	110
Permanent differences		109		250
State and local taxes, net of Federal benefit		155		(273	)
Other		49		(285	)
Total	$	543	$	(198	)

 The provisions of income taxes are summarized as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended September 30,
	2024		2023
Current	$	347	$	1,048
Deferred		196		(1,246	)
Total	$	543	$	(198	)

The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):

	2024			2023
Deferred tax assets - net operating loss carryforwards	$	48		$	52
Lease liability		2,115			1,814
Other		744			768
Stock based compensation		445			374
Total deferred tax assets		3,352			3,008
Valuation allowance		—			—
Total deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance		3,352			3,008
Deferred tax liabilities - depreciation and amortization		3,604			2,564
Prepaid expenses		237			30
Right of use assets		2,025			1,755
Total deferred tax liabilities		5,866			4,349
Net deferred tax liability	$	(2,514	)	$	(1,341	)

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions and no amounts have been recognized in the Company’s statement of operations. Income tax returns for tax years from 2019 through 2023 remain subject to examination by the taxing jurisdictions.

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PROFIT SHARING AND 401(K) PLANS

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

PROFIT SHARING AND 401(K) PLANS [Abstract]

PROFIT SHARING AND 401(K) PLANS

13. PROFIT SHARING AND 401(K) PLANS

The Company maintains a qualified retirement plan commonly referred to as a 401(k) Plan covering substantially all full-time employees under each segment.

The Janel Corporation 401(k) allows for employee salary deferrals including Roth 401(k) deferrals, employer matching contributions, employer profit sharing contributions and employee rollovers. The Janel Corporation 401(k) plan provides for participant contributions of up to 50% of annual compensation (not to exceed the IRS limit), as defined by the plan. The Company contributes an amount equal to 50% of the participant’s first 6% of contributions.

The combined expenses charged to operations for contributions made to the plans for the benefit of the employees for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were $549 and $535, respectively.

The administrative expense charged to operations for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 aggregated $76 and $65, respectively.

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BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

14. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

As discussed above in Note 1, the Company operates in three reportable segments: Logistics, Life Sciences and Manufacturing.

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer regularly reviews financial information at the reporting segment level in order to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segments and to assess their performance.

The following tables presents selected financial information about the Company’s reportable segments and Corporate for the purpose of reconciling to the consolidated totals for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

For the year ended September 30, 2024 (in thousands)	Consolidated		Logistics		Life Sciences		Manufacturing		Corporate
Revenues	$	183,184	$	159,958	$	13,154	$	10,072	$	—
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues		124,800		117,501		2,638		4,661		—
Gross profit		58,384		42,457		10,516		5,411		—
Selling, general and administrative		52,327		37,057		7,216		3,129		4,925
Amortization of intangible assets		2,299		—		—		—		2,299
Income (loss) from operations		3,758		5,400		3,300		2,282		(7,224	)
Interest expense		2,318		1,667		367		284		—
Identifiable assets		110,610		42,495		11,230		4,162		52,723
Capital expenditures, net of disposals	$	1,003	$	84	$	911	$	8	$	—

For the year ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands)	Consolidated		Logistics		Life Sciences		Manufacturing		Corporate
Revenues	$	186,449	$	166,052	$	11,059	$	9,338	$	—
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues		130,777		123,938		2,376		4,463		—
Gross profit		55,672		42,114		8,683		4,875		—
Selling, general and administrative		50,975		37,310		6,149		2,978		4,538
Amortization of intangible assets		2,098		—		—		—		2,098
Income (loss) from operations		2,599		4,804		2,534		1,897		(6,636	)
Interest expense		1,998		1,357		248		393		—
Identifiable assets		96,834		34,823		11,932		4,202		45,877
Capital expenditures, net of disposals	$	360	$	271	$	87	$	2	$	—

Goodwill and intangible assets are recorded at the Corporate level and are included in identifiable assets.

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LEASES

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

LEASES [Abstract]

LEASES

15. LEASES

The Company has operating leases for office and warehouse space in all districts where it conducts business. As of September 30, 2024, the remaining terms of the Company’s operating leases were between one and 126 months and certain lease agreements contain provisions for future rent increases. Payments due under the lease contracts include the minimum lease payments that the Company is obligated to make under the non-cancelable initial terms of the leases as the renewal terms are at the Company’s option and the Company is not reasonably certain to exercise those renewal options at lease commencement.

The components of lease cost for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

	2024		2023
Operating lease cost	$	2,522	$	2,102
Short-term lease cost		348		372
Total lease cost	$	2,870	$	2,474

Rent expense for the year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $2,870 and $2,474, respectively.

Operating lease right of use assets, current portion of operating lease liabilities and long-term operating lease liabilities reported in the consolidated balance sheets for operating leases as of September 30, 2024 were $8,621, $2,419 and $6,585, respectively.

Operating lease right of use assets, current portion of operating lease liabilities and long-term operating lease liabilities reported in the consolidated balance sheets for operating leases as of September 30, 2023 were $7,460, $2,020 and $5,689, respectively.

During the twelve months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company entered into new operating leases and recorded an additional $313 and $ 1,759, respectively in operating lease right of use assets and corresponding lease liabilities.

As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, the weighted-average remaining lease term and the weighted-average discount rate related to the Company’s operating leases were 5.3 years and 5.72% and 5.9 years and  4.01% respectively.

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease obligations were $2,395 and $2,012 for the twelve months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of September 30, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):

	Year End September 30, 2024
2025	$	2,883
2026		2,432
2027		1,726
2028		1,515
2029		505
Thereafter		1,559
Total undiscounted loan payments		10,620
Less imputed interest		(1,616	)
Total lease obligation	$	9,004

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RUBICON INVESTMENT

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

RUBICON INVESTMENT [Abstract]

RUBICON INVESTMENT

16. RUBICON INVESTMENT

(in thousands, except per share data)

As of each of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2024, the Company owned 1,108,000 shares, or approximately 46.6%, of the common stock of Rubicon. Rubicon is an advanced materials provider specializing in monocrystalline sapphire for applications in optical and industrial systems. The purpose of our investment in Rubicon was for Janel to acquire a significant ownership interest in Rubicon, together with representation on Rubicon’s Board, in an attempt to (i) restructure the Rubicon business to achieve profitability and (ii) assist Rubicon in utilizing its net operating loss carry-forward assets.

The Company revalued the investment in Rubicon’s securities on September 30, 2024 and 2023 and recorded a loss of $55 and $798, respectively within other income (loss), net of dividends on the Company’s consolidated. Below is reconciliation for the changes to the investment in Rubicon for the year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

	September 30,			September 30,
	2024			2023
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,573		$	2,371
Fair value adjustments to Rubicon investment		(55	)		(798	)
Total	$	1,518		$	1,573

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

17. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Topic 820 established a framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under Topic 820 are described below:

Level 1: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

Level 2: Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted market prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level 3: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on the three-level valuation hierarchy (in thousands):

	Total fair value at September 30, 2024		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investment in Rubicon at fair value	$	1,518	$	1,518	$	—	$	—
Investment in other marketable securities		56		56		—		—
	$	1,574	$	1,574	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liabilities	$	3,381	$	2,100	$	—	$	1,281
	$	3,381	$	2,100	$	—	$	1,281

The contingent earnout liability for ELFS was classified as Level 3 as of September 30, 2023. On December 1, 2023, in connection with the Purchase Agreement Amendment among Janel Group and the ELFS Sellers described above, the parties agreed to certain modifications fixing the amount of the remaining earnout payments to ELFS in earnout years three and four to $1,078 each year. As a result, the measurement of the earnout liability became a Level 1 fair value measurement based on the present value of the negotiated payments.

Inputs to the valuation approach for contingent earnout liabilities for Airschott include the Company’s forecasted gross profit for each of the next 3 fiscal years from the acquisition date, estimated volatility measure of 20%, expected term of 3 years, an underlying metric discount rate of 8.9%, and a discount rate on the earnout payments of 8.25%.

	Total fair value at September 30, 2023		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investment in Rubicon at fair value	$	1,573	$	1,573	$	—	$	—
	$	1,573	$	1,573	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liabilities	$	2,330	$	—	$	—	$	2,330
	$	2,330	$	—	$	—	$	2,330

Investment in Rubicon at fair value

As of each of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the Company held 46.6% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Rubicon and reported its investment under the fair value method pursuant to ASC 320. Management determined that it was appropriate to carry its investment in Rubicon at fair value because the investment was traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange through January 2, 2023, began trading on the OTCQB Capital Market on January 3, 2023 and had daily trading activity, the combination of which provide a better indicator of value. The investment in Rubicon is re-measured at the end of each quarter based on the trading price and any change in the value is reported on the income statement as an unrealized gain or loss on marketable securities in other income (expense). Refer to Note 16 to Consolidated Financial Statements for reconciliation of changes to the investment in Rubicon for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Contingent earnout liabilities

For the period ending September 30, 2024, these liabilities relate to the estimated fair value of earnout payments to former IBSC,ELFS,ViraQuest and Airschott owners. For the period ending September 30, 2023, these liabilities relate to the estimated fair value of earnout payments to former IBSC and ELFS owners. The current and non-current portions of the fair value of the contingent earnout liability at September 30, 2024 were $1,262 and $2,119, respectively. The current and non-current portions of the fair value of the contingent earnout liability at September 30, 2023 were $592 and $1,738, respectively.

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Company’s contingent earnout liabilities, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis utilizing Level 1 and Level 3 assumptions in their valuation (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023
Balance at beginning of year	$	2,330		$	4,580
Fair value of contingent consideration recorded in connection with business combinations		1,017			300
Earnout payment		(740	)		(1,693	)
Fair value adjustment of contingent earnout liabilities		774			(857	)
Total	$	3,381		$	2,330

The Company determined the fair value of the Level 3 contingent earnout liability using forecasted results through the expected earnout periods. The principal inputs to the approach include expectations of the specific business’s revenues in fiscal years 2024 through 2025 using an appropriate discount rate. Given the use of significant inputs that are not observable in the market, the contingent earnout liability is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Employment Agreements

The Company has various employment agreements, including employment agreements with the previous owners of ELFS and Airschott.

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RISK AND UNCERTAINTIES

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

RISK AND UNCERTAINTIES [Abstract]

RISK AND UNCERTAINTIES

19. RISK AND UNCERTAINTIES

(A) Currency Risks

The nature of Janel’s operations requires it to deal with currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. As a result, the Company is exposed to the inherent risks of international currency markets and governmental interference. A number of countries where Janel maintains agent relationships have currency control regulations. The Company attempts to compensate for these exposures by accelerating international currency settlements among those agents.

(B) Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company’s assets that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and receivables from customers. The Company places its cash with financial institutions that have high credit ratings. The receivables from clients are spread over many customers. The Company maintains an allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable based on expected collectability and performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition. We have continued to experience heightened customer credit risk as a result of the negative impact to customers’ financial condition, employment levels and consumer confidence arising from economic disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we expect that our risk in this area will remain high as long as the disruptions persist.

(C) Legal Proceedings

Janel is occasionally subject to claims and lawsuits which typically arise in the normal course of business. While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

(D) Concentration of Customers

No customer accounts for 10% or more of consolidated sales for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. No customer accounted for 10% or more of consolidated accounts receivable at September 30, 2024 and 2023.

(E) Auto Insurance

In the ordinary course of our Logistics business, we are a defendant in several legal proceedings arising out of the conduct of our Logistics business. These proceedings include third party claims for property damage or bodily injury incurred in connection with our services. Although there can be no assurance as to the ultimate disposition of these proceedings, we do not believe, based upon the information available at this time, that these property damage or bodily injury claims, in the aggregate, will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Within our Logistics segment, ELFS maintains auto liability for commercial trucking claims of up to $6,000 per occurrence, and general liability with of up to $6,000 per occurrence. 

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SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS [Abstract]

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

20. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On November 22, 2024, Antibodies Incorporated, Aves Labs, Inc., Indco, Inc., and their wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into the Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Joinder Agreement dated as of April 25, 2023 and first amended as of January 10, 2024. The Second Amendment increased the borrowing capacity by $6,700.

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Insider Trading Arrangements	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024
Insider Trading Arrangements [Line Items]
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

Investment in Marketable Securities - Rubicon

Investment in Marketable Securities - Rubicon

As of each of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2024, the Company owned 1,108,000 shares, or approximately 46.6%, of the common stock of Rubicon. Rubicon is an advanced materials provider specializing in monocrystalline sapphire for applications in optical and industrial systems. The purpose of our investment in Rubicon was for Janel to acquire a significant ownership interest in Rubicon, together with representation on Rubicon’s Board, in an attempt to (i) restructure the Rubicon business to achieve profitability and (ii) assist Rubicon in utilizing its net operating loss carry-forward assets.

Basis of consolidation

Basis of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as Indco, of which Janel owns 90.2%, with a non-controlling interest held by existing Indco management. The Indco non-controlling interest is mandatorily redeemable and is recorded as a liability. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Uses of estimates in the preparation of financial statements

Uses of estimates in the preparation of financial statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most critical estimates made by the Company are those relating to accounts receivables valuation, the useful lives of long-term assets, accrual of cost related to ancillary services the Company provides, accrual of tax expense on an interim basis and potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, long-lived assets impairment.

Cash

Cash

The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions. Accounts at each institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250. The Company’s accounts at these institutions may, at times, exceed the federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash

Commencing in the second half of 2024, the Company insures certain risks through a newly formed wholly-owned captive insurance company, Gainesville Insurance Company, Inc. (“Gainesville”). In addition, we also maintain some of our normal, historical insurance policies with third-party insurers. Restricted cash represents deposits held by Gainesville that are required by state insurance regulations to remain in the captive insurance company as cash or cash equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at the contractual amount. The Company records its allowance for doubtful accounts based upon its assessment of various factors. The Company considers historical collection experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, credit quality of the Company’s customers, any specific customer collection issues that have been identified, current economic conditions and other factors that may affect the customers’ ability to pay. The Company writes off accounts receivable balances that have aged significantly once all collection efforts have been exhausted and the receivables are no longer deemed collectible from the customer. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $582 and $1,255, respectively.

Inventory

Inventory

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost (using the first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. The Company maintains an inventory valuation reserve to provide for slow moving and obsolete inventory, inventory not meeting quality control standards and inventory subject to expiration for its Life Sciences business. The products of the Life Sciences business require the initial manufacture of multiple batches to determine if quality standards can consistently be met. In addition, the Company will produce larger batches of established products than current sales requirements due to economies of scale. The manufacturing process for these products, therefore, has and will continue to produce quantities in excess of forecasted usage. The Company values acquired manufactured antibody inventory based on a three-year forecast. Inventory quantities in excess of the forecast are not valued due to uncertainty over salability.

Property and equipment and depreciation policy

Property and equipment and depreciation policy

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Property and equipment acquired in business combinations are initially recorded at fair value. Depreciation is provided for in amounts sufficient to amortize the costs of the related assets over their estimated useful lives on the straight-line and accelerated methods for both financial reporting and income tax purposes. Maintenance and repairs are recorded as expenses when incurred.

Goodwill

Goodwill

The Company records as goodwill the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Under current authoritative guidance, goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually as well as when an event or change in circumstance indicates impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is tested for impairment by comparing the fair value of the Company’s individual reporting units to their carrying amount to determine if there is potential goodwill impairment. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of the goodwill of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If there is a material change in economic conditions, or other circumstances influencing the estimate of future cash flows or significantly affecting the fair value of our reporting units, the Company could be required to recognize impairment charges in the future.

The fair value of our reporting units were in excess of carrying value and goodwill was not deemed to be impaired as of September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Intangibles and long-lived assets

Intangibles and long-lived assets

Long-lived assets, including fixed assets and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In reviewing for impairment, the carrying value of such assets is compared to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition.

If such cash flows are not sufficient to support the asset’s recorded value, an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the carrying value of the long-lived asset to its estimated fair value.

The determination of future cash flows, as well as the estimated fair value of long-lived assets, involves significant estimates on the part of management. If there is a material change in economic conditions, or other circumstances influencing the estimate of future cash flows or fair value, the Company could be required to recognize impairment charges in the future.

The Company concluded that the fair value of intangibles and long-lived assets were not deemed to be impaired as of September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Equity-Method Investments

Equity-Method Investments

The Company has determined that its investment in Rubicon is subject to the equity method of accounting, and the Company has elected the fair value option under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 825-10, Financial Instruments (“ASC 825-10”) to account for the equity method investment. In accordance with ASC 825-10, the Company will present its equity method investment in Rubicon at fair value each reporting period with changes in fair value and dividends received from Rubicon recorded to income from investment in unconsolidated affiliate on the Company’s statements of operations.

See Notes 16 and 17 for further information about the Company’s investment in Rubicon’s equity securities accounted for under the fair value option.

Business segment information

Business segment information

The Company operates in three reportable segments: Logistics, Life Sciences and Manufacturing. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer regularly reviews financial information at the reporting segment level in order to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segments and to assess their performance

Revenue and revenue recognition

Revenues and revenue recognition

Logistics

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services to customers. With respect to its Logistics segment, the Company has determined that in general each shipment transaction or service order constitutes a separate contract with the customer. When the Company provides multiple services to a customer, different contracts may be present for different services.

The Company typically satisfies its performance obligations as services are rendered at a point in time. A typical shipment would include services rendered at origin, such as pick-up and delivery to port, freight services from origin to destination port and destination services, such as customs clearance and final delivery. The Company measures the performance of its obligations as services are completed at a point in time during the life of a shipment, including services at origin, freight and destination. The Company fulfills nearly all of its performance obligations within a one to two-month period.

The Company evaluates whether amounts billed to customers should be reported as gross or net revenues. Generally, revenues are recorded on a gross basis when the Company is acting as principal and is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the services, when it has discretion in setting the prices for the services to the customers, and the Company has the ability to direct the use of the services provided by the third party. Revenues is recognized on a net basis when the Company is acting as agent and we do not have latitude in carrier selection or establish rates with the carrier.

In the Logistics segment, the Company disaggregates its revenues by its four primary service categories: trucking, ocean freight, air freight, customs brokerage and other. A summary of the Company’s revenues disaggregated by major service lines for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

	Year Ended September 30,
Service Type	2024		2023
Trucking	$	73,193	$	80,364
Ocean		40,567		42,047
Air		26,753		23,095
Customs Brokerage and Other		19,445		20,546
Total	$	159,958	$	166,052

Life Sciences and Manufacturing

Revenues from the Life Sciences segment are derived from the sale of high-quality monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, diagnostic reagents and diagnostic kits and other immunoreagents for biomedical research and antibody manufacturing. Revenues from the Company’s Manufacturing segment, which is comprised of Indco, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company that manufactures and distributes mixing equipment and apparatus for specific applications within various industries, are derived from the engineering, manufacture and delivery of specialty mixing equipment and accessories. Revenues for Life Sciences and Manufacturing are recognized when products are shipped, and risk of loss is transferred to the carrier(s) used.

Income (loss) per common share

Income (loss) per common share

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, excluding unvested restricted stock, during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects the additional dilution from potential issuances of common stock, such as stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options. The treasury stock method is used to calculate the potential dilutive effect of these common stock equivalents. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share when their effect is anti-dilutive.

Equity classified share-based awards

Equity classified share-based awards

The Company recognizes compensation expense for stock-based payments granted based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation- Stock Compensation.” For employee stock-based awards, we calculate the fair value of the award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes method for stock options and the quoted price of our common stock for restricted shares; the expense is recognized over the service period for awards expected to vest.

Stock-based compensation to non-employees

Liability classified share-based awards

The Company maintains other share unit compensation grants for shares of Indco, which vest over a period of up to three years following their grant. The shares contain certain put features where the Company is either required or expects to settle vested awards on a cash basis.

These awards are classified as liability awards, measured at fair value at the date of grant and re-measured at fair value at each reporting date up to and including the settlement date. The determination of the fair value of the share units under these plans is described in Note 10. The fair value of the awards is expensed over the respective vesting period of the individual awards with recognition of a corresponding liability. Changes in fair value after vesting are recognized through compensation expense. Compensation expense reflects estimates of the number of instruments expected to vest. The impact of forfeitures and fair value revisions, if any, are recognized in earnings such that the cumulative expense reflects the revisions, with a corresponding adjustment to the settlement liability. Liability-classified share unit liabilities due within 12 months of the reporting date are presented in trade and other payables while settlements due beyond 12 months of the reporting date are presented in non-current liabilities.

Non-employee share-based awards

The Company grants restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options to certain directors, officers and employees. The Company accounts for share-based compensation as equity awards such that compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is expensed ratably over the vesting period. The fair value of restricted stock is the market price as of the grant date, and the fair value of each stock option grant is estimated as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment about, among other things, stock volatility, the expected life of the award and other inputs. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

The Company issues new shares of common stock to satisfy exercises and vesting of awards granted under its stock plans. Share-based compensation expense is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as part of selling general and administrative expenses.

Mandatorily Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests

Mandatorily Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests

The non-controlling interests that are reflected as mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests in the consolidated financial statements consist of non-controlling interests related to the Indco acquisition whose owners have certain redemption rights that allow them to require the Company to purchase the non-controlling interests of those owners upon certain events outside the control of the Company, including upon the death of the holders. The Company is required to purchase 20% per year of the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest at the option of the holders beginning on the third anniversary of the date of the Indco acquisition, which was March 21, 2019. As of September 30, 2024, the holders had not exercised their redemption rights.

On December 13, 2021, two minority owners of Indco exercised 7,000 and 3,372 options to purchase Indco’s common stock at an exercise price of $6.48 and $12.07 for an aggregate purchase price of $45 and $41, respectively. Indco issued related party promissory notes in the amount of $45 and $41, respectively, which bear interest at 1% per annum; both interest and principal are payable on the maturity date of December 31, 2024. On November 30, 2020, a minority owner of Indco exercised 7,000 options to purchase Indco’s common stock at an exercise price of $6.48 for an aggregate purchase price of $45. Indco issued a related party promissory note in the amount of $45, which bears interest at 1% per annum; both interest and principal were payable on the maturity date of December 31, 2023. These notes are included in security deposits and other long-term assets. The fair value of the shares issued of Indco’s common stock was recorded as an increase in mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest. As a result of the exercise of options to purchase Indco’s stock, the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest percentage was 9.8% as of  each of September 30, 2024 and 2023.

On the date the Company acquired the controlling interest in a business combination, the fair value of the non-controlling interest is recorded in the long-term liabilities section of the consolidated balance sheet under the caption “Mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest.” The mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest is adjusted each reporting period, if required, to its then current redemption value, based on the predetermined formula defined in the respective agreement. The Company reflects any adjustment in the redemption value and any earnings attributable to the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest in its consolidated statements of operations by recording the adjustments and earnings to other income and expense in the caption “Other expense.”

Income taxes

Income taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of: (i) taxes payable or refundable for the current year and (ii) deferred tax consequences of temporary differences resulting from matters that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the period in which related temporary differences become deductible. The benefit of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the Company’s income tax returns are recognized in the consolidated financial statements if such positions are more likely than not of being sustained.

Leases

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Assets and obligations related to operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets; current portion of operating lease liability; and operating lease liability, net of current portion in our consolidated balance sheets. Assets and obligations related to finance leases are included in property, technology and equipment, net; current portion of finance lease liability; and finance lease liability, net of current portion in our consolidated balance sheets.

ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date is used in determining the present value of lease payments. We use the implicit rate when readily determinable. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option.

The Company’s agreements with lease and non-lease components are all each accounted for as a single lease component.

For leases with an initial term of twelve months or less, the Company elected the exemption from recording right of use assets and lease liabilities for all leases that qualify and records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Expenses for these short-term leases for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 amounted to $348 and 372, respectively.

Contingent Earnout Liabilities

Contingent Earnout Liabilities

The Company accounts for contingent consideration relating to business combinations as a contingent earnout liability and a decrease (increase) to goodwill at the date of the acquisition and continually remeasures the asset or liability at each balance sheet date by recording changes in the fair value through change in fair value of contingent consideration in the consolidated statements of operations. The ultimate settlement of contingent earnout liabilities relating to business combinations may be for amounts that are materially different from the amounts initially recorded and may cause volatility in the Company’s results of operations.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Recent accounting pronouncements

Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06 to temporarily ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The standards provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying accounting principles generally accepted in the United States to existing contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The standards apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The standards were effective upon issuance and can generally be applied through December 31, 2024. While there has been no material effect to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows from reference rate reform as of September 30, 2024, we continue to monitor our contracts and transactions for potential application of these ASUs.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which expands disclosures in an entity’s income tax rate reconciliation table and regarding cash taxes paid both in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. The update will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 (fiscal 2026). We are assessing the effect of this update on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

A summary of the Company’s revenues disaggregated by major service lines for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

	Year Ended September 30,
Service Type	2024		2023
Trucking	$	73,193	$	80,364
Ocean		40,567		42,047
Air		26,753		23,095
Customs Brokerage and Other		19,445		20,546
Total	$	159,958	$	166,052

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INVENTORY (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

INVENTORY [Abstract]

Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

	Year End September 30,
	2024			2023
Finished goods	$	1,860		$	2,095
Work-in-process		768			969
Raw materials		1,884			1,811
Gross inventory		4,512			4,875
Less – reserve for inventory valuation		(34	)		(25	)
Inventory net	$	4,478		$	4,850

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PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]

Property and Equipment and Estimated Lives Used in Computation of Depreciation and Amortization

A summary of property and equipment and the estimated lives used in the computation of depreciation and amortization is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023			Life
Building and improvements	$	3,083		$	3,064		12-30 years
Land and improvements		1,387			1,385		Indefinite
Furniture and Fixture		561			373		3-7 years
Computer Equipment		854			988		3-5 years
Machinery & Equipment		1,984			1,454		3-15 years
Leasehold Improvements		906			270		3-5 years
		8,775			7,534
Less Accumulated Depreciation		(3,283	)		(2,612	)
	$	5,492		$	4,922

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INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]

Intangible Assets and Estimated Useful Lives used in Computation of Amortization

A summary of intangible assets and the estimated useful lives used in the computation of amortization is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023			Life
Customer relationships	$	29,790		$	25,238		10-24 Years
Trademarks/names		4,661			4,559		1-20 Years
Trademarks/names		521			521		Indefinite
Other		2,007			1,929		2-22 Years
		36,979			32,247
Less: Accumulated Amortization		(11,862	)		(9,564	)
	$	25,117		$	22,683

The composition of the intangible assets balance at September 30, 2024 and 2023 is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023
Logistics	$	22,494		$	18,174
Life Sciences		6,785			6,373
Manufacturing		7,700			7,700
		36,979			32,247
Less: Accumulated Amortization		(11,862	)		(9,564	)
	$	25,117		$	22,683

Future Amortization of Intangible Assets

The future amortization of these intangible assets is expected to be as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year 2025	$	2,566
Fiscal Year 2026		2,566
Fiscal Year 2027		2,535
Fiscal Year 2028		2,513
Fiscal Year 2029		2,487
Thereafter		11,929
	$	24,596

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GOODWILL (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

GOODWILL [Abstract]

Composition of Goodwill

The composition of the goodwill balance at September 30, 2024 and 2023 is as follows (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024		2023
Logistics	$	11,813	$	9,175
Life Sciences		6,171		6,096
Manufacturing		5,046		5,046
Total	$	23,030	$	20,317

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NOTES PAYABLE - BANKS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

NOTES PAYABLE - BANKS [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt

The table below sets forth the total long-term debt, net of capitalized loan fees of $309 for the First Merchants Credit Agreement (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023
Total Debt	$	4,304		$	6,499
Less Current Portion		(1,276	)		(715	)
Long-term Portion	$	3,028		$	5,784

Maturities of Long-term Debt

These obligations mature as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year 2025	$	1,276
Fiscal Year 2026		691
Fiscal Year 2027		691
Fiscal Year 2028		691
Fiscal Year 2029		691
Thereafter		264
	$	4,304

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SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTES - RELATED PARTY (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTES - RELATED PARTY [Abstract]

Amounts Outstanding

As of September 30, 2024, the amount outstanding under the Airschott Subordinated Promissory Note was $1,100, of which $400 was included in the current portion of subordinated promissory notes and $700 was included in the long-term portion of subordinated promissory notes.

	September 30,
	2024			2023
	(in thousands)
Total Subordinated Promissory Notes	$	5,073		$	5,412
Less Current Portion of Subordinated Promissory Notes		(1,628	)		(1,988	)
Long Term Portion of Subordinated Promissory Notes	$	3,445		$	3,424

Maturities of Subordinated Promissory Notes

These obligations mature as follows (in thousands):

	Total
2025	$	1,628
2026		1,315
2027		1,215
2028		915
Total	$	5,073

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Employee Option Awards [Member]

Stock Based Compensation [Abstract]

Fair Value Assumptions

The fair values of our employee option awards were estimated using the assumptions below, which yielded the following weighted average grant date fair values for the periods presented:

	2024			2023
Risk-free interest rate		4.63	%		3.98	%
Expected option term in years		4.5 - 6.0			5.5 - 6.5
Expected volatility		58.2	%		93.6	%
Dividend yield		—	%		—	%
Weighted average grant date fair value		9.83 - 16.63			30.06 - 41.24

Activity of Stock Options

	Number of Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding balance at September 30, 2023		40,993		$	22.53		6.6	$	862.16
Granted		12,500		$	28.25		9.3	$	153.13
Expired		(3,500	)	$	3.25		—	$	—
Outstanding balance at September 30, 2024		49,993		$	25.31		6.9	$	884.91
Exercisable at September 30, 2024		24,162		$	12.63		5.3	$	673.48

Indco [Member]

Stock Based Compensation [Abstract]

Activity of Stock Options

	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding Balance at September 30, 2023		35,607	$	12.22		5.8	$	375.02
Outstanding Balance at September 30, 2024		35,607	$	12.22		4.8	$	375.02
Exercisable on September 30, 2024		33,269	$	11.87		4.6		361.95

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INCOME PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

INCOME PER COMMON SHARE [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

The following table provides a reconciliation of the basic and diluted income (loss) per share (“EPS”) computations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands, except share and per share data):

	Year Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
Income:
Net income	$	551		$	723
Preferred stock dividends		(328	)		(284	)
Non-controlling interest dividends		—			—
Net income available to common stockholders	$	223		$	439
Common Shares:
Basic - weighted average common shares		1,186			1,186
Effect of dilutive stock options		20			20
Diluted - weighted average common stock		1,206			1,206
Income per Common Share:
Basic -
Net income	$	0.46		$	0.61
Preferred stock dividends		(0.27	)		(0.24	)
Non-controlling interest dividends		—			—
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	0.19		$	0.37
Diluted -
Net income	$	0.45		$	0.60
Preferred stock dividends		(0.27	)		(0.24	)
Non-controlling interest dividends		—			—
Net income available to common stockholders	$	0.18		$	0.36

Potentially Diluted Securities

Potentially diluted securities as of September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

	September 30,
	2024		2023
Employee stock options (Note 10)		49,993		40,993
		49,993		40,993

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INCOME TAXES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

INCOME TAXES [Abstract]

Income Tax Reconciliation

The reconciliation of income tax computed at the Federal statutory rate to the provision for income taxes from operations is as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended September 30,
	2024		2023
Federal taxes at statutory rates	$	230	$	110
Permanent differences		109		250
State and local taxes, net of Federal benefit		155		(273	)
Other		49		(285	)
Total	$	543	$	(198	)

Provisions for Income Taxes

The provisions of income taxes are summarized as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended September 30,
	2024		2023
Current	$	347	$	1,048
Deferred		196		(1,246	)
Total	$	543	$	(198	)

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):

	2024			2023
Deferred tax assets - net operating loss carryforwards	$	48		$	52
Lease liability		2,115			1,814
Other		744			768
Stock based compensation		445			374
Total deferred tax assets		3,352			3,008
Valuation allowance		—			—
Total deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance		3,352			3,008
Deferred tax liabilities - depreciation and amortization		3,604			2,564
Prepaid expenses		237			30
Right of use assets		2,025			1,755
Total deferred tax liabilities		5,866			4,349
Net deferred tax liability	$	(2,514	)	$	(1,341	)

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BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Information by Segment

The following tables presents selected financial information about the Company’s reportable segments and Corporate for the purpose of reconciling to the consolidated totals for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

For the year ended September 30, 2024 (in thousands)	Consolidated		Logistics		Life Sciences		Manufacturing		Corporate
Revenues	$	183,184	$	159,958	$	13,154	$	10,072	$	—
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues		124,800		117,501		2,638		4,661		—
Gross profit		58,384		42,457		10,516		5,411		—
Selling, general and administrative		52,327		37,057		7,216		3,129		4,925
Amortization of intangible assets		2,299		—		—		—		2,299
Income (loss) from operations		3,758		5,400		3,300		2,282		(7,224	)
Interest expense		2,318		1,667		367		284		—
Identifiable assets		110,610		42,495		11,230		4,162		52,723
Capital expenditures, net of disposals	$	1,003	$	84	$	911	$	8	$	—

For the year ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands)	Consolidated		Logistics		Life Sciences		Manufacturing		Corporate
Revenues	$	186,449	$	166,052	$	11,059	$	9,338	$	—
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues		130,777		123,938		2,376		4,463		—
Gross profit		55,672		42,114		8,683		4,875		—
Selling, general and administrative		50,975		37,310		6,149		2,978		4,538
Amortization of intangible assets		2,098		—		—		—		2,098
Income (loss) from operations		2,599		4,804		2,534		1,897		(6,636	)
Interest expense		1,998		1,357		248		393		—
Identifiable assets		96,834		34,823		11,932		4,202		45,877
Capital expenditures, net of disposals	$	360	$	271	$	87	$	2	$	—

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LEASES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

LEASES [Abstract]

Components of Lease Cost

The components of lease cost for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

	2024		2023
Operating lease cost	$	2,522	$	2,102
Short-term lease cost		348		372
Total lease cost	$	2,870	$	2,474

Future Minimum Lease Payments for Operating Leases

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of September 30, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):

	Year End September 30, 2024
2025	$	2,883
2026		2,432
2027		1,726
2028		1,515
2029		505
Thereafter		1,559
Total undiscounted loan payments		10,620
Less imputed interest		(1,616	)
Total lease obligation	$	9,004

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RUBICON INVESTMENT (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

RUBICON INVESTMENT [Abstract]

Changes in Equity Method Investments

The Company revalued the investment in Rubicon’s securities on September 30, 2024 and 2023 and recorded a loss of $55 and $798, respectively within other income (loss), net of dividends on the Company’s consolidated. Below is reconciliation for the changes to the investment in Rubicon for the year ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

	September 30,			September 30,
	2024			2023
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,573		$	2,371
Fair value adjustments to Rubicon investment		(55	)		(798	)
Total	$	1,518		$	1,573

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on the three-level valuation hierarchy (in thousands):

	Total fair value at September 30, 2024		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investment in Rubicon at fair value	$	1,518	$	1,518	$	—	$	—
Investment in other marketable securities		56		56		—		—
	$	1,574	$	1,574	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liabilities	$	3,381	$	2,100	$	—	$	1,281
	$	3,381	$	2,100	$	—	$	1,281

	Total fair value at September 30, 2023		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investment in Rubicon at fair value	$	1,573	$	1,573	$	—	$	—
	$	1,573	$	1,573	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liabilities	$	2,330	$	—	$	—	$	2,330
	$	2,330	$	—	$	—	$	2,330

Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Earnout Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Utilizing Level 3 Assumptions

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Company’s contingent earnout liabilities, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis utilizing Level 1 and Level 3 assumptions in their valuation (in thousands):

	September 30,
	2024			2023
Balance at beginning of year	$	2,330		$	4,580
Fair value of contingent consideration recorded in connection with business combinations		1,017			300
Earnout payment		(740	)		(1,693	)
Fair value adjustment of contingent earnout liabilities		774			(857	)
Total	$	3,381		$	2,330

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Business Description (Details) - Segment	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Jun. 05, 2024
Business Description [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3
Airschott [Member]
Business Description [Abstract]
Percentage of outstanding stock purchased at closing		80.00%
Remaining percentage agreed to purchase		20.00%
Period agreed for acquiring remaining percentage of acquiree	3 years

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Investment in Marketable Securities - Rubicon (Details) - Rubicon Technology, Inc. [Member] - shares	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Recent Investment [Abstract]
Common stock shares acquired (in shares)	1,108,000	1,108,000
Percentage of ownership by parent	46.60%	46.60%

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Basis of Consolidation (Details)	Sep. 30, 2024
Indco [Member]
Basis of consolidation [Abstract]
Ownership percentage by parent	90.20%

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Cash (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($)
Cash [Abstract]
Cash balances insured by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation	$ 250

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts receivable [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 582	$ 1,255

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Inventory (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024
Inventory [Abstract]
Forecast period	3 years

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Business Segment Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024 Segment
Business segment information [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Revenue and Revenue Recognition (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($) Category	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)
Revenue and revenue recognition [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 183,184	$ 186,449
Logistics [Member]
Revenue and revenue recognition [Abstract]
Number of primary service categories | Category	4
Revenue	$ 159,958	166,052
Logistics [Member] | Trucking [Member]
Revenue and revenue recognition [Abstract]
Revenue	73,193	80,364
Logistics [Member] | Ocean Freight [Member]
Revenue and revenue recognition [Abstract]
Revenue	40,567	42,047
Logistics [Member] | Air Freight [Member]
Revenue and revenue recognition [Abstract]
Revenue	26,753	23,095
Logistics [Member] | Custom Brokerage and Other [Member]
Revenue and revenue recognition [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 19,445	$ 20,546

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Liability Classified Share-based Awards (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024
Indco [Member]
Liability classified share-based awards [Abstract]
Vesting period of grant	3 years

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Mandatorily Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 13, 2021 USD ($) Owner $ / shares shares	Nov. 30, 2020 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023
Indco [Member]
Mandatorily Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests [Abstract]
Percentage of mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests to be purchased			20.00%
Number of minority owners exercised options to purchase common stock | Owner	2
Minority interest			9.80%		9.80%
Indco [Member] | Related Party [Member]
Mandatorily Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests [Abstract]
Number of options exercised to purchase common stock (in shares) | shares		7,000
Exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 6.48
Aggregate purchase price		$ 45
Promissory note				$ 45
Interest rate percentage				1.00%
Maturity date			Dec. 31, 2023
Minority Owner [Member] | Related Party [Member]
Mandatorily Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests [Abstract]
Number of options exercised to purchase common stock (in shares) | shares	7,000
Exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 6.48
Aggregate purchase price	$ 45
Promissory note	$ 45
Interest rate percentage	1.00%
Maturity date			Dec. 31, 2024
Minority Owner [Member] | Related Party [Member]
Mandatorily Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests [Abstract]
Number of options exercised to purchase common stock (in shares) | shares	3,372
Exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 12.07
Aggregate purchase price	$ 41
Promissory note	$ 41
Interest rate percentage	1.00%
Maturity date			Dec. 31, 2024

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SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Leases [Abstract]
Short-term lease cost	$ 348	$ 372

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ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS, Fiscal 2024 Acquisition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 05, 2024	Feb. 01, 2024	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred [Abstract]
Goodwill			$ 23,030	$ 20,317
Deferred tax liability			$ 2,514	$ 1,341
Airschott [Member]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred [Abstract]
Aggregate purchase price	$ 5,810
Percentage of outstanding stock purchased at closing	80.00%
Consideration paid in cash	$ 3,600
Floating rate sellers note	1,200
Net liabilities assumed	$ 170
Remaining percentage agreed to purchase	20.00%
Period agreed for acquiring remaining percentage of acquiree			3 years
Maximum threshold percentage agreed to paid as deferred consideration	20.00%
Gross profit rate for determining deferred compensation	1.25
Gross profit trailing period for deferred consideration			12 months
Deferred consideration	$ 1,200
Goodwill	1,661
Identifiable intangibles	4,320
Deferred tax liability	$ 977
ViraQuest [Member]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred [Abstract]
Aggregate purchase price		$ 635
Consideration paid in cash		600
Consideration transferred, cash received		29
Preliminary earnout consideration		64
Goodwill		74
Identifiable intangibles		$ 412

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ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS, Fiscal 2023 Acquisition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands				12 Months Ended
	May 22, 2023	Mar. 02, 2023	Nov. 01, 2022	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred [Abstract]
Goodwill				$ 23,030	$ 20,317
Royalty Agreement Asset [Member]
Asset Acquisition [Abstract]
Purchase price	$ 500
Estimated life				10 years
IBSC [Member]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred [Abstract]
Aggregate purchase price			$ 3,602
Consideration transferred, cash received			153
Consideration paid in cash			3,000
Deferred consideration			250
Preliminary earnout consideration			300
Preliminary working capital adjustment			205
Goodwill			1,468
Identifiable intangibles			1,680
IBSC [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred [Abstract]
Preliminary earnout consideration			$ 750
SH [Member]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred [Abstract]
Aggregate purchase price		$ 600
Consideration paid in cash		500
Deferred consideration		100
Goodwill		181
Identifiable intangibles		$ 202

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ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS, Investment in Marketable Securities - Rubicon (Details) - Rubicon Technology, Inc. [Member] - shares	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Investment in Marketable Securities - Rubicon [Abstract]
Number of shares of common stock owned (in shares)	1,108,000	1,108,000
Percentage of ownership by parent	46.60%	46.60%

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INVENTORY (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
INVENTORY [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 1,860	$ 2,095
Work-in-process	768	969
Raw materials	1,884	1,811
Gross inventory	4,512	4,875
Less - reserve for inventory valuation	(34)	(25)
Inventory net	$ 4,478	$ 4,850

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PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property and Equipment, gross	$ 8,775	$ 7,534
Less Accumulated Depreciation	(3,283)	(2,612)
Property and equipment, net	5,492	4,922
Depreciation	551	508
Building and Improvements [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property and Equipment, gross	$ 3,083	3,064
Building and Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Life	12 years
Building and Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Life	30 years
Land and Improvements [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property and Equipment, gross	$ 1,387	1,385
Furniture and Fixture [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property and Equipment, gross	$ 561	373
Furniture and Fixture [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Life	3 years
Furniture and Fixture [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Life	7 years
Computer Equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property and Equipment, gross	$ 854	988
Computer Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Life	3 years
Computer Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Life	5 years
Machinery & Equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property and Equipment, gross	$ 1,984	1,454
Machinery & Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Life	3 years
Machinery & Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Life	15 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property and Equipment, gross	$ 906	$ 270
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Life	3 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Life	5 years

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INTANGIBLE ASSETS, Summary of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Intangible assets, gross	$ 36,979	$ 32,247
Less: Accumulated Amortization	(11,862)	(9,564)
Intangible assets, net	25,117	22,683
Amortization expense	2,299	2,098
Logistics [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Intangible assets, gross	22,494	18,174
Life Sciences [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Intangible assets, gross	6,785	6,373
Manufacturing [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Intangible assets, gross	7,700	7,700
Customer Relationships [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite lived intangible assets, gross	$ 29,790	25,238
Customer Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Life	10 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Life	24 years
Trademarks/Names [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite lived intangible assets, gross	$ 4,661	4,559
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, gross	$ 521	521
Trademarks/Names [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Life	1 year
Trademarks/Names [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Life	20 years
Other [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite lived intangible assets, gross	$ 2,007	$ 1,929
Other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Life	2 years
Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Life	22 years

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INTANGIBLE ASSETS, Future Amortization of Intangible assets (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($)
Future Amortization of Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Fiscal Year 2025	$ 2,566
Fiscal Year 2026	2,566
Fiscal Year 2027	2,535
Fiscal Year 2028	2,513
Fiscal Year 2029	2,487
Thereafter	11,929
Intangible assets, net	$ 24,596

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GOODWILL (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Composition of Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 23,030	$ 20,317
Logistics [Member]
Composition of Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill	11,813	9,175
Life Sciences [Member]
Composition of Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill	6,171	6,096
Manufacturing [Member]
Composition of Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 5,046	$ 5,046

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NOTES PAYABLE - BANKS, Santander Bank Facility (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Aug. 22, 2023	Jan. 30, 2023	Jan. 29, 2023
Revolving Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Outstanding borrowings	$ 23,013	$ 19,709
Santander Bank Facility [Member]
Revolving Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 35,000	35,000
Percentage of accounts receivable				90.00%	85.00%
Maturity date of facility	Sep. 21, 2026
Variable rate term	one-month
Debt Instrument, Variable Interest Rate, Type [Extensible Enumeration]	us-gaap:SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember
Basis spread on variable rate	2.75%
Outstanding borrowings	$ 19,313	$ 18,759
Percentage of outstanding borrowings	55.20%	53.60%
Effective interest rate	7.65%	7.60%
Santander Bank Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Revolving Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Face amount of debt			$ 4,000

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NOTES PAYABLE - BANKS, First Merchants Bank Credit Facility (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Jan. 10, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Apr. 25, 2023
Note Payable - Bank [Abstract]
Less Current Portion	$ (1,276)		$ (715)
Long-term Portion	$ 3,028		5,784
First Merchants Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Variable Interest Rate, Type [Extensible Enumeration]	us-gaap:SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember
Maturity term of facility	14 days
Note Payable - Bank [Abstract]
Capitalized loan fees	$ 309
Total Debt	4,304		6,499
Less Current Portion	(1,276)		(715)
Long-term Portion	3,028		5,784
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Fiscal Year 2025	1,276
Fiscal Year 2026	691
Fiscal Year 2027	691
Fiscal Year 2028	691
Fiscal Year 2029	691
Thereafter	264
Long-term Debt	$ 4,304
First Merchants Bank Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
Base amount		$ 1,000
Revolving Loan [Member]
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
Variable rate term	one-month
EBITDA ratio	1.75
Maturity date of facility	Aug. 01, 2027
Outstanding borrowings			$ 450
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 3,000
Effective interest rate	7.82%		8.18%
Revolving Loan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.75%
Revolving Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.50%
Acquisition Loan [Member]
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
Face amount of debt				5,000
Variable rate term	one-month
EBITDA ratio	1.75
Maturity date of facility	Apr. 25, 2029
Outstanding borrowings	$ 3,700		$ 500
Effective interest rate	7.82%		8.18%
Acquisition Loan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.75%
Acquisition Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.50%
Term Loan A [Member]
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
Face amount of debt				6,905
Variable rate term	one-month
EBITDA ratio	1.75
Maturity date of facility	Apr. 25, 2033
Outstanding borrowings	$ 4,028		$ 6,235
Effective interest rate	7.82%		8.18%
Term Loan A [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.75%
Term Loan A [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.50%
Term Loan B [Member]
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
Face amount of debt				$ 620
Interest rate percentage				4.19%
Maturity date of facility	Jul. 01, 2025
Outstanding borrowings	$ 585		$ 610
Effective interest rate	4.19%		4.19%

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SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTES - RELATED PARTY, Summary (Details) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 01, 2023 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($) Installment qtr Note	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities [Abstract]
Current portion of subordinated promissory notes			$ 1,628	$ 1,988
Long-term portion of subordinated promissory notes			3,445	3,424
Gain on extinguishment of debt			$ 21	0
Aves Labs, Inc. [Member] | ICT Subordinated Promissory Note [Member]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities [Abstract]
Annual fixed interest rate percentage			0.50%
Face amount of debt			$ 1,850
Number of consecutive installments | Installment			16
Frequency of periodic payment			quarterly
Debt instrument maturity date			Dec. 04, 2024
Outstanding amount			$ 312
Current portion of subordinated promissory notes			288
Long-term portion of subordinated promissory notes			$ 55	24
Janel Group, Inc. [Member] | ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes [Member]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities [Abstract]
Number of subordinated promissory notes | Note			4
Annual fixed interest rate percentage			4.00%
Face amount of debt			$ 6,000
Number of consecutive installments | Installment			12
Frequency of periodic payment			quarterly
Number of consecutive calendar quarters of payment from October 15, 2021 | qtr			8
Number of consecutive calendar quarters of payment from October 15, 2023 | qtr			12
Outstanding amount			$ 3,918	5,100
Current portion of subordinated promissory notes			1,173	1,700
Long-term portion of subordinated promissory notes		$ 5,100	2,745	$ 3,400
Working capital adjustment	$ 900	$ (900)
Debt maturity extension	2 years
Increase in working capital adjustment	$ 6,000
Subordinated net outstanding amount	4,654
Unamortized debt discount	921
Gain on extinguishment of debt	$ 21
Janel Group, Inc. [Member] | Airschott Subordinated Promissory Note [Member]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities [Abstract]
Face amount of debt			$ 1,200
Number of consecutive installments | Installment			12
Frequency of periodic payment			quarterly
Outstanding amount			$ 1,100
Current portion of subordinated promissory notes			400
Long-term portion of subordinated promissory notes			$ 700
Basis spread on variable rate			2.00%
Outstanding borrowings			$ 100

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SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTES - RELATED PARTY, Amounts Outstanding (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Subordinated Promissory Notes [Abstract]
Less Current Portion of Subordinated Promissory Notes	$ (1,628)	$ (1,988)
Long Term Portion of Subordinated Promissory Notes	3,445	3,424
Subsidiary of Common Parent [Member] | ICT and ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes [Member]
Subordinated Promissory Notes [Abstract]
Total Subordinated Promissory Notes	5,073	5,412
Less Current Portion of Subordinated Promissory Notes	(1,628)	(1,988)
Long Term Portion of Subordinated Promissory Notes	$ 3,445	$ 3,424

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SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTES - RELATED PARTY, Obligation Maturity (Details) - Subsidiary of Common Parent [Member] - Subordinated Debt [Member] $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($)
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2025	$ 1,628
2026	1,315
2027	1,215
2028	915
Long-term Debt	$ 5,073

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY, Shares Authorized and Par Value (Details) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	4,500,000	4,500,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY, Preferred Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Oct. 17, 2017	Oct. 16, 2017	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock [Abstract]
Accrued dividends			$ 2,271	$ 2,029
Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]
Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock [Abstract]
Preferred stock, dividend rate	5.00%	7.00%	6.00%	5.00%
Share price (in dollars per share)		$ 500
Annual increase in dividend rate		2.00%	1.00%
Period of increase in dividend rate			4 years
Preferred stock, liquidation preference, value			$ 7,957	$ 7,713
Dividends declared			328	284
Accrued dividends			$ 2,271	$ 2,029
Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock [Abstract]
Preferred stock, dividend rate		13.00%	9.00%

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY, Equity Incentive Plan (Details) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 21, 2021	May 12, 2017
Equity Incentive Plan [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
2017 Plan [Member]
Equity Incentive Plan [Abstract]
Number of shares to be issued under equity incentive plan (in shares)				100,000
Amended 2017 Plan [Member]
Equity Incentive Plan [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)			$ 0.001
Number of shares to be issued under equity incentive plan (in shares)			200,000

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION, Expense and Authorized (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 21, 2021	Sep. 20, 2021	Oct. 30, 2013
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation	$ 321	$ 231
2013 Option Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Options to purchase common stock for issuance (in shares)					100,000
2017 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Options to purchase common stock for issuance (in shares)				100,000
Amended 2017 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Options to purchase common stock for issuance (in shares)			200,000

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION, Employee Stock Options (Details) - Stock Options [Member] - Employee [Member] - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate	4.63%	3.98%
Expected volatility	58.20%	93.60%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Number of Options [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	40,993
Granted (in shares)	12,500
Expired (in shares)	(3,500)
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	49,993	40,993
Exercisable, ending balance (in shares)	24,162
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 22.53
Granted (in dollars per share)	28.25
Expired (in dollars per share)	3.25
Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share)	25.31	$ 22.53
Exercisable, ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 12.63
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term [Abstract]
Outstanding	6 years 10 months 24 days	6 years 7 months 6 days
Granted	9 years 3 months 18 days
Exercisable	5 years 3 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning balance	$ 862,160
Granted	153,130
Expired	0
Outstanding, ending balance	884,910	$ 862,160
Exercisable, ending balance	$ 673,480
Share price (in dollars per share)	$ 40.5
Total unrecognized compensation expense	$ 241,000
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions [Abstract]
Expected option term in years	4 years 6 months	5 years 6 months
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 9.83	$ 30.06
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions [Abstract]
Expected option term in years	6 years	6 years 6 months
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 16.63	$ 41.24

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION, Liability Classified Share-based Awards (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Indco [Member]
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]
Mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest percentage	9.80%	9.80%
Indco [Member]
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]
Share price (in dollars per share)	$ 22.75
Stock-based compensation	$ 16,000	$ 23,000
Total unrecognized compensation expense	0
Indco [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]
Accrued compensation cost	$ 350,000	$ 334,000
Stock Options [Member] | Indco [Member]
Number of Options [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	35,607
Granted (in shares)	0	0
Exercised (in shares)	0	0
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	35,607	35,607
Exercisable, ending balance (in shares)	33,269
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 12.22
Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share)	12.22	$ 12.22
Exercisable, ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 11.87
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term [Abstract]
Outstanding	4 years 9 months 18 days	5 years 9 months 18 days
Exercisable	4 years 7 months 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning balance	$ 375,020.00
Outstanding, ending balance	375,020.00	$ 375,020.00
Exercisable, ending balance	$ 361,950

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INCOME PER COMMON SHARE, Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted EPS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
INCOME PER COMMON SHARE [Abstract]
Net income	$ 551	$ 723
Preferred stock dividends	(328)	(284)
Non-controlling interest dividends	0	0
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 223	$ 439
Common Shares [Abstract]
Basic - weighted average common shares (in shares)	1,186,400	1,186,400
Effect of dilutive stock options (in shares)	20,000	20,000
Diluted - weighted average common stock (in shares)	1,206,200	1,206,200
Income per Common Share - Basic [Abstract]
Net income	$ 0.46	$ 0.61
Preferred stock dividends (in dollars per share)	(0.27)	(0.24)
Non-controlling interest dividends (in dollars per share)	0	0
Net income attributable to common stockholders	0.19	0.37
Income per Common Share - Diluted [Abstract]
Net income	0.45	0.6
Preferred stock dividends (in dollars per share)	(0.27)	(0.24)
Non-controlling interest dividends (in dollars per share)	0	0
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 0.18	$ 0.36
Number of dilutive securities (in shares)	10,000	10,000

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INCOME PER COMMON SHARE, Potentially Diluted Securities (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Potentially Diluted Securities [Abstract]
Potentially diluted securities (in shares)	49,993	40,993
Employee Stock Options [Member]
Potentially Diluted Securities [Abstract]
Potentially diluted securities (in shares)	49,993	40,993

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INCOME TAXES, Reconciliation of Income Tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Reconciliation of Income Tax [Abstract]
Federal taxes at statutory rates	$ 230	$ 110
Permanent differences	109	250
State and local taxes, net of Federal benefit	155	(273)
Other	49	(285)
Total	$ 543	$ (198)

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INCOME TAXES, Provisions for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Current	$ 347	$ 1,048
Deferred	196	(1,246)
Total	$ 543	$ (198)

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INCOME TAXES, Components of Net Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred tax assets - net operating loss carryforwards	$ 48	$ 52
Lease liability	2,115	1,814
Other	744	768
Stock based compensation	445	374
Total deferred tax assets	3,352	3,008
Valuation allowance	0	0
Total deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance	3,352	3,008
Deferred tax liabilities - depreciation and amortization	3,604	2,564
Prepaid expenses	237	30
Right of use assets	2,025	1,755
Total deferred tax liabilities	5,866	4,349
Net deferred tax liability	$ (2,514)	$ (1,341)

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INCOME TAXES, Net Operating Loss Carryforwards (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($)
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Accrued interest or penalties	$ 0
Unrecognized interest or penalties recognized	$ 0
Open tax years	2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

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PROFIT SHARING AND 401(K) PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Defined Contribution Plan [Abstract]
Percentage of participant contributions	50.00%
Percentage of employer contributions	50.00%
Percentage of contributions supported by employer	6.00%
Expense charged to operations	$ 549	$ 535
Defined contribution plan, administrative expense	$ 76	$ 65

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BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($) Segment	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | Segment	3
Revenues	$ 183,184	$ 186,449
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues	124,800	130,777
Gross profit	58,384	55,672
Selling, general and administrative	52,327	50,975
Amortization of intangible assets	2,299	2,098
Income from Operations	3,758	2,599
Interest expense	2,318	1,998
Identifiable assets	110,610	96,834
Capital expenditures, net of disposals	1,003	360
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenues	0	0
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues	0	0
Gross profit	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	4,925	4,538
Amortization of intangible assets	2,299	2,098
Income from Operations	(7,224)	(6,636)
Interest expense	0	0
Identifiable assets	52,723	45,877
Capital expenditures, net of disposals	0	0
Logistics [Member] | Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenues	159,958	166,052
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues	117,501	123,938
Gross profit	42,457	42,114
Selling, general and administrative	37,057	37,310
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0
Income from Operations	5,400	4,804
Interest expense	1,667	1,357
Identifiable assets	42,495	34,823
Capital expenditures, net of disposals	84	271
Life Sciences [Member] | Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenues	13,154	11,059
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues	2,638	2,376
Gross profit	10,516	8,683
Selling, general and administrative	7,216	6,149
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0
Income from Operations	3,300	2,534
Interest expense	367	248
Identifiable assets	11,230	11,932
Capital expenditures, net of disposals	911	87
Manufacturing [Member] | Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenues	10,072	9,338
Forwarding expenses and cost of revenues	4,661	4,463
Gross profit	5,411	4,875
Selling, general and administrative	3,129	2,978
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0
Income from Operations	2,282	1,897
Interest expense	284	393
Identifiable assets	4,162	4,202
Capital expenditures, net of disposals	$ 8	$ 2

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LEASES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Lease Cost [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 2,522	$ 2,102
Short-term lease cost	348	372
Total lease cost	2,870	2,474
Rent expense	2,870	2,474
Right of use assets	8,621	7,460
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	2,419	2,020
Long-term lease liabilities	6,585	5,689
Increase in operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 313	$ 1,759
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases	5 years 3 months 18 days	5 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases	5.72%	4.01%
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease obligations	$ 2,395	$ 2,012
Future Minimum Lease Commitments under Non-cancellable Operating Leases [Abstract]
2025	2,883
2026	2,432
2027	1,726
2028	1,515
2029	505
Thereafter	1,559
Total undiscounted loan payments	10,620
Less imputed interest	(1,616)
Total lease obligation	$ 9,004
Minimum [Member]
Operating lease [Abstract]
Operating lease term	1 month
Maximum [Member]
Operating lease [Abstract]
Operating lease term	126 months

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RUBICON INVESTMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Revalued Investments [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 1,573
Investment in Rubicon at fair value	$ 1,574	$ 1,573
Rubicon Technology, Inc. [Member]
Investment Owned, Balance [Abstract]
Number of shares of common stock owned (in shares)	1,108,000	1,108,000
Percentage of ownership by parent	46.60%	46.60%
Revalued Investments [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 1,573	$ 2,371
Fair value adjustments to Rubicon investment	(55)	(798)
Investment in Rubicon at fair value	$ 1,518	$ 1,573

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2024	Dec. 01, 2023	Sep. 30, 2023
Fair Value Measurement Inputs [Abstract]
Contingent earnout liability, current	$ 1,262		$ 592
Contingent earnout liability, noncurrent	$ 2,119		$ 1,738
Airschott [Member] | Estimated Volatility [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs [Abstract]
Valuation approach, contingent earnout liability, measurement input	0.20
Airschott [Member] | Expected Term [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs [Abstract]
Expected term	3 years
Airschott [Member] | Underlying Metric Discount Rate [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs [Abstract]
Valuation approach, contingent earnout liability, measurement input	0.089
Airschott [Member] | Discount Rate on Earnout Payments [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs [Abstract]
Valuation approach, contingent earnout liability, measurement input	0.0825
Janel Group, Inc. [Member] | ELFS Subordinated Promissory Notes [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Fixed earnout payments		$ 1,078
Rubicon Technology, Inc. [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs [Abstract]
Percentage of issued and outstanding shares of Rubicon	46.60%		46.60%
Recurring Basis [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Investment in Rubicon at fair value	$ 1,518		$ 1,573
Investment in other marketable securities	56
Assets	1,574		1,573
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contingent earnout liabilities	3,381		2,330
Liabilities	3,381		2,330
Recurring Basis [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Investment in Rubicon at fair value	1,518		1,573
Investment in other marketable securities	56
Assets	1,574		1,573
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contingent earnout liabilities	2,100		0
Liabilities	2,100		0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Investment in Rubicon at fair value	0		0
Investment in other marketable securities	0
Assets	0		0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contingent earnout liabilities	0		0
Liabilities	0		0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Investment in Rubicon at fair value	0		0
Investment in other marketable securities	0
Assets	0		0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Contingent earnout liabilities	1,281		2,330
Liabilities	$ 1,281		$ 2,330

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Earnout Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Utilizing Level 3 Assumptions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Change in contingent consideration measured at fair value recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 1 and Level 3) [Roll Forward]
Earnout payment	$ (740)	$ (1,693)
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Contingent Earnout Liabilities [Member]
Change in contingent consideration measured at fair value recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 1 and Level 3) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	2,330	4,580
Fair value of contingent consideration recorded in connection with business combinations	1,017	300
Earnout payment	(740)	(1,693)
Fair value adjustment of contingent earnout liabilities	774	(857)
Total	$ 3,381	$ 2,330

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RISK AND UNCERTAINTIES (Details) - Logistics [Member] - Expedited Logistics and Freight Services, LLC [Member] $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($)
Commercial Trucking [Member]
Auto Insurance [Abstract]
Auto liability insurance	$ 6,000
General Liability [Member]
Auto Insurance [Abstract]
Auto liability insurance	$ 6,000

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SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) $ in Thousands	Nov. 22, 2024 USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Member] | First Merchants Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Increase in borrowing capacity	$ 6,700