BLUE BIRD CORP, 10-K filed on 12/15/2021
Annual Report
v3.21.2
Cover Page - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Dec. 10, 2021
Cover [Abstract]    
Document Type 10-K  
Document Annual Report true  
Document Period End Date Oct. 02, 2021  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity File Number 001-36267  
Entity Registrant Name BLUE BIRD CORPORATION  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --10-02  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2021  
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY  
Amendment Flag false  
Entity Central Index Key 0001589526  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE  
Entity Tax Identification Number 46-3891989  
Entity Address, Address Line One 3920 Arkwright Road  
Entity Address, Address Line Two 2nd Floor  
Entity Address, City or Town Macon  
Entity Address, State or Province GA  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 31210  
City Area Code 478  
Local Phone Number 822-2801  
Title of 12(b) Security Common stock, $0.0001 par value  
Trading Symbol BLBD  
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ  
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No  
Entity Voluntary Filers No  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business true  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag true  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Public Float $ 461.2  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   27,280,400
Documents Incorporated by Reference Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be delivered to stockholders in connection with the Registrant’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in response to Part III of this report.  
v3.21.2
Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,709 $ 44,507
Accounts receivable, net 9,967 7,623
Inventories 125,206 56,523
Other current assets 9,191 8,243
Total current assets 156,073 116,896
Property, plant and equipment, net 105,482 103,372
Goodwill 18,825 18,825
Intangible assets, net 49,443 51,632
Equity investment in affiliate 14,817 14,320
Deferred tax assets 4,413 4,365
Finance lease right-of-use assets 5,486 6,983
Other assets 1,481 1,022
Total assets 356,020 317,415
Current liabilities    
Accounts payable 72,270 57,602
Warranty 7,385 8,336
Accrued expenses 12,267 15,773
Deferred warranty income 7,832 8,540
Finance lease obligations 1,327 1,280
Other current liabilities 8,851 10,217
Current portion of long-term debt 14,850 9,900
Total current liabilities 124,782 111,648
Long-term liabilities    
Revolving credit facility 45,000 0
Long-term debt 149,573 164,204
Warranty 11,165 13,038
Deferred warranty income 12,312 14,048
Deferred tax liabilities 3,673 254
Finance lease obligations 4,538 5,879
Other liabilities 14,882 14,315
Pension 22,751 47,259
Total long-term liabilities 263,894 258,997
Guarantees, commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Stockholders' deficit    
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 0 issued with liquidation preference of $0 at October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020 0 0
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 27,205,269 and 27,048,404 shares outstanding at October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020, respectively 3 3
Additional paid-in capital 96,170 88,910
Accumulated deficit (33,753) (33,464)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (44,794) (58,397)
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,782,568 shares at October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020 (50,282) (50,282)
Total stockholders' deficit (32,656) (53,230)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit $ 356,020 $ 317,415
v3.21.2
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]    
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) 10,000,000 10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) 0 0
Preferred stock, liquidation preference $ 0 $ 0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) 100,000,000 100,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 27,205,269 27,048,404
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares) 1,782,568 1,782,568
v3.21.2
Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]      
Net sales $ 683,995 $ 879,221 $ 1,018,874
Cost of goods sold 611,854 783,021 885,400
Gross profit 72,141 96,200 133,474
Operating expenses      
Selling, general and administrative expenses 65,619 74,206 89,642
Operating profit 6,522 21,994 43,832
Interest expense (9,682) (12,252) (12,879)
Interest income 4 11 9
Other income (expense), net 1,776 738 (1,331)
Loss on debt modification (598) 0 0
(Loss) income before income taxes (1,978) 10,491 29,631
Income tax benefit (expense) 1,191 (1,519) (7,573)
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliate 498 3,213 2,242
Net (loss) income $ (289) $ 12,185 $ 24,300
(Loss) earnings per share:      
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares) 27,139,054 26,850,999 26,455,436
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares) 27,139,054 27,086,555 27,043,814
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share) $ (0.01) $ 0.45 $ 0.92
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share) $ (0.01) $ 0.45 $ 0.90
v3.21.2
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]      
Net (loss) income $ (289) $ 12,185 $ 24,300
Net change in defined benefit pension plan 13,603 (2,243) (17,727)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 13,603 (2,243) (17,727)
Comprehensive income $ 13,314 $ 9,942 $ 6,573
v3.21.2
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities      
Net (loss) income $ (289) $ 12,185 $ 24,300
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization 13,446 14,400 10,383
Non-cash interest expense 2,754 3,651 3,822
Share-based compensation 5,938 4,141 4,273
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliate (498) (3,213) (2,242)
(Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets (679) (76) 5
Deferred taxes (925) 29 6,632
Amortization of deferred actuarial pension losses 1,861 1,720 2,758
Loss on debt modification 598 0 0
Foreign currency hedges 0 0 109
Changes in assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable (2,345) 2,914 13,530
Inventories (68,684) 22,308 (21,497)
Other assets (409) 5,068 (4,651)
Accounts payable 14,081 (40,258) 6,318
Accrued expenses, pension and other liabilities (19,090) (19,410) 9,707
Dividend from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliate 0 0 2,259
Total adjustments (53,952) (8,726) 31,406
Total cash (used in) provided by operating activities (54,241) 3,459 55,706
Cash flows from investing activities      
Cash paid for fixed assets (12,212) (18,968) (35,514)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets 903 165 47
Total cash used in investing activities (11,309) (18,803) (35,467)
Cash flows from financing activities      
Net borrowings under the revolving credit facility 45,000 0 0
Borrowings under the term loan 0 0 50,000
Repayments of the term loan (9,900) (9,900) (9,900)
Principal payments on finance leases (1,294) (945) (133)
Cash paid for debt costs (2,476) (935) 0
Net cash received (paid) for exercises and employee taxes on vested restricted shares and stock option exercises 1,422 (3,568) (636)
Proceeds from exercises of warrants 0 4,240 1,499
Tender offer repurchase of common stock and preferred stock 0 0 (50,370)
Total cash provided by (used in) financing activities 32,752 (11,108) (9,540)
Change in cash and cash equivalents (32,798) (26,452) 10,699
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 44,507 70,959 60,260
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year 11,709 44,507 70,959
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information      
Interest paid, net of interest received 11,568 7,591 10,408
Income tax paid (received), net of tax refunds 31 (1,542) 4,586
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:      
Changes in accounts payable for capital additions to property, plant and equipment and other current assets for capitalized intangible assets 587 (5,422) 8,040
Cashless exercise of stock options 2,299 5,246 481
Cashless exercise of warrants 0 0 416
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations 62 0 8,040
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for finance lease obligations 0 3,496 4,770
Conversion of preferred stock into common stock $ 0 $ 0 $ 9,264
v3.21.2
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Deficit - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Total
Common Stock
Additional Paid-In-Capital
Convertible Preferred Stock
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Deficit
Treasury Stock
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Sep. 29, 2018   27,259,262   93,000     0  
Beginning Balance at Sep. 29, 2018 $ (28,336) $ 3 $ 70,023 $ 9,300 $ (38,427) $ (69,235) $ 0 $ (714)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                
Tender offer share repurchases (in shares)   (1,782,568)   (364)     1,782,568  
Tender offer share repurchases (50,370)   (52) $ (36)     $ (50,282)  
Preferred stock conversion (in shares)   799,615   (92,636)        
Preferred stock conversion 0   9,264 $ (9,264)        
Share-based compensation expense 4,173   4,173          
Exercise of stock warrants (in shares)   144,996            
Exercise of stock warrants 1,499 $ 0 1,499          
Restricted stock activity (in shares)   51,195            
Restricted stock activity (596)   (596)          
Exercise of stock options, cashless (in shares)   3,836            
Stock option activity (40)   (40)          
Net (loss) income 24,300         24,300    
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (17,727)       (17,727)      
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 28, 2019   26,476,336   0     1,782,568  
Ending Balance at Sep. 28, 2019 (67,811) $ 3 84,271 $ 0 (56,154) (45,649) $ (50,282)  
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                
Share-based compensation expense 3,967   3,967          
Exercise of stock warrants (in shares)   368,712            
Exercise of stock warrants 4,240   4,240          
Restricted stock activity (in shares)   94,724            
Restricted stock activity (1,623)   (1,623)          
Exercise of stock options, cashless (in shares)   108,632            
Stock option activity (1,945)   (1,945)          
Net (loss) income 12,185         12,185    
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (2,243)       (2,243)      
Ending Balance (in shares) at Oct. 03, 2020   27,048,404   0     1,782,568  
Ending Balance at Oct. 03, 2020 (53,230) $ 3 88,910 $ 0 (58,397) (33,464) $ (50,282)  
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                
Share-based compensation expense 5,838   5,838          
Restricted stock activity (in shares)   36,404            
Restricted stock activity $ (517)   (517)          
Exercise of stock options, cashless (in shares) 120,461 120,461            
Stock option activity $ 1,939   1,939          
Net (loss) income (289)         (289)    
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax 13,603       13,603      
Ending Balance (in shares) at Oct. 02, 2021   27,205,269   0     1,782,568  
Ending Balance at Oct. 02, 2021 $ (32,656) $ 3 $ 96,170 $ 0 $ (44,794) $ (33,753) $ (50,282)  
v3.21.2
Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation
1. Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Business

Blue Bird Body Company ("BBBC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Bird Corporation, was incorporated in 1958 and has manufactured, assembled and sold school buses to a variety of municipal, federal and commercial customers since 1927. The majority of BBBC’s sales are made to an independent distributor network, which in turn sells buses to ultimate end users. References in these notes to financial statements to “Blue Bird,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer to Blue Bird Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless the context specifically indicates otherwise. We are headquartered in Macon, Georgia.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to September 30 with its quarters consisting of thirteen weeks in most years. The fiscal years ended October 2, 2021, October 3, 2020 and September 28, 2019 are referred to herein as “fiscal 2021,” “fiscal 2020” and “fiscal 2019,” respectively. There were 52 weeks in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2019, and there were 53 weeks in fiscal 2020.

COVID-19

Beginning at the end of our second quarter of fiscal 2020 and continuing throughout fiscal 2021, the novel coronavirus known as "COVID-19" spread throughout the world, resulting in a global pandemic. The pandemic significantly impacted our financial results for the second half of fiscal 2020, which continued throughout fiscal 2021, causing, among other matters, lower customer orders for both buses and bus parts, major supply chain disruptions, particularly in the second half of fiscal 2021, higher rates of absenteeism among our hourly production workforce and several temporary shutdowns of our manufacturing facilities during fiscal 2021 as we could not secure an adequate supply of critical components to allow us to initiate or complete, as applicable, the production process to fulfill sales orders. The continuing development and fluidity of the pandemic and its trailing impact precludes any prediction as to the ultimate severity of the adverse impacts on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity.
v3.21.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S.") (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions. At the date of the financial statements, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and during the reporting period, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. For example, significant management judgments are required in determining excess, obsolete, or unsalable inventory, allowance for doubtful accounts, potential impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets, the accounting for self-insurance reserves, warranty reserves, pension obligations, income taxes, environmental liabilities and contingencies. Future events, including the extent and duration of the COVID-19 related economic impacts, and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty, and, accordingly, the Company’s accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. The Company evaluates and updates its assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and may employ outside experts to assist in the Company’s evaluations. Actual results could differ from the estimates that the Company has used.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable consist of amounts owed to the Company by customers. The Company monitors collections and payments from customers, and generally does not require collateral. Accounts receivable are generally due within 30 to 90 days. The Company provides for the possible inability to collect accounts receivable by recording an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company reserves for an account when it is considered potentially uncollectible. The Company estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical experience, aging of accounts receivable and information regarding the creditworthiness of its customers. To date, losses have been within the range of management’s expectations. The Company writes off accounts receivable if it determines that the account is uncollectible.

Revenue Recognition

The Company records revenue when the following five steps have been completed:

1.Identification of the contract(s) with a customer;
2.Identification of the performance obligation(s) in the contract;
3.Determination of the transaction price;
4.Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and
5.Recognition of revenue, when, or as, we satisfy performance obligations.

The Company records revenue when performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control of a promised good or service to the customer. The Company evaluates the transfer of control primarily from the customer’s perspective where the customer has the ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from, that good or service.

Our product revenue includes sales of buses and bus parts, each of which are generally recognized as revenue at a point in time, once all conditions for revenue recognition have been met, as they represent our performance obligations in a sale. For buses, control is generally transferred and the customer has the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of the product when the product is delivered or when the product has been completed, is ready for delivery, has been paid for, its title has transferred and it is awaiting pickup by the customer. For certain bus sale transactions, we may provide incentives including payment of a limited amount of future interest charges our customers may incur related to their purchase and financing of the bus with third party financing companies. We reduce revenue at the recording date by the full amount of potential future interest we may be obligated to pay, which is an application of the "most likely amount" method. For parts sales, control is generally transferred when the customer has the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of the products, which generally coincides with the point in time when the customer has assumed risk of loss and title has passed for the goods sold.

The Company sells extended warranties related to its products. Revenue related to these contracts is recognized based on the stand-alone selling price of the arrangement, on a straight-line basis over the contract period, and costs thereunder are expensed as incurred.

The Company includes shipping and handling revenues, which are costs billed to customers, in net sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Shipping and handling costs incurred are included in cost of goods sold.

See Note 12, Revenue, for further revenue information. See Note 3, Supplemental Financial Information, for further information on warranties.

Self-Insurance

The Company is self-insured for the majority of its workers’ compensation and medical claims. The expected ultimate cost for claims incurred as of the balance sheet date is not discounted and is recognized as a liability. Self-insurance losses for claims filed and claims incurred but not reported are accrued based upon estimates of the aggregate liability for uninsured claims, using loss development factors and actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry and historical loss development experience. See Note 3, Supplemental Financial Information, and Note 16, Benefit Plans, for further information.

Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable, revolving credit facility and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and accounts payable approximate their fair values because of the short-term maturity and highly liquid nature of these instruments. The carrying value of the Company’s revolving credit facility and long-term debt approximates fair value due to the variable interest rate. See Note 8, Debt, for further discussion.
Derivative Instruments

In limited circumstances, we may utilize derivative instruments to manage certain exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates relating to variable rate debt. The fair values of all derivative instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities at the balance sheet date. Changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments are recognized in our operating results or included in other comprehensive income (loss), depending on whether the derivative instrument qualifies, and is appropriately designated, for hedge accounting treatment and if so, whether it represents a fair value or cash flow hedge. Gains and losses on derivative instruments are recognized in the operating results line item that reflects the underlying exposure that was mitigated either via a formal hedge accounting relationship or economically. The exchange of cash, if any, associated with derivative transactions is classified in the same category as the cash flows from the underlying items giving rise to the foreign currency or interest rate exposures.

Inventories

The Company values inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The Company uses a standard costing methodology, which approximates cost on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. The Company reviews the standard costs of raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods inventory on a periodic basis to ensure that its inventories approximate current actual costs. Manufacturing cost includes raw materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead. Obsolete inventory amounts are based on historical usage and assumptions about future demand.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis using the following periods, which represent the estimated useful lives of the assets:
Years
Buildings15 - 33
Machinery and equipment5 - 10
Office furniture, equipment and other3 - 10
Computer equipment and software3 - 7

Costs, including capitalized interest and certain design, construction and installation costs related to assets that are under construction and are in the process of being readied for their intended use, are recorded as construction in progress and are not depreciated until such time as the subject asset is placed in service. Repairs and maintenance that do not extend the useful life of the asset are expensed as incurred. Upon sale, retirement, or other disposition of these assets, the costs and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any gain or loss on the disposition is included on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Leases

We determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. The Company enters into lease arrangements primarily for office space, warehouse space, or a combination of both. We elected to account for leases with initial terms of 12 months or less as straight-line expense and not record assets or liabilities. For a lease with an initial term greater than 12 months, the Company recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and lease liability on the 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.

We determine whether the lease is an operating or finance lease at inception based on the information and expectations for the lease at that time. Operating lease ROU assets are included in property, plant and equipment and the lease liabilities are included in other current liabilities and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance lease ROU assets are included in finance lease right-of-use assets and the lease liabilities are included in finance lease obligations (current) and finance lease obligations (long-term) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the leases recorded do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Operating lease ROU assets also include any base rental or lease payments made and exclude lease incentives.
The two components of operating lease expense, amortization and interest, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as a single expense element within selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Under the finance lease model, interest on the lease liability is recognized in interest expense and amortization of ROU assets is recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Operations based on the underlying use of the assets.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If we are required to analyze recoverability based on a triggering event, undiscounted future cash flows over the estimated remaining life of the asset, or asset group, are projected. If these projected cash flows are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent the fair value of the asset less any costs of disposition is less than the carrying amount of the asset. Judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on market and operational performance. Evaluating potential impairment also requires estimates of future operating results and cash flows. No impairment charge was recognized in any of the periods presented.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the fair value of the assets acquired less liabilities assumed in connection with such acquisition. In accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification Topic ("ASC") 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives acquired in an acquisition are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently should an event occur or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. Such events or circumstances may include a significant change in business climate, economic and industry trends, legal factors, negative operating performance indicators, significant competition, changes in strategy or disposition of a reporting unit or a portion thereof.

We have two reporting units for which we test goodwill for impairment: Bus and Parts. In the evaluation of goodwill for impairment, we have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary or to perform a quantitative assessment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. Under the qualitative assessment, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. If, under the quantitative assessment, the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the amount of the impairment loss, if any, must be measured under step two of the impairment analysis. In step two of the analysis, we would record an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill over its implied fair value, should such a circumstance arise.

Fair value of the reporting units is estimated primarily using the income approach, which incorporates the use of discounted cash flow ("DCF") analysis. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the DCF model to forecast operating cash flows, including markets and market shares, sales volumes and prices, costs to produce, tax rates, capital spending, discount rate and working capital changes. The cash flow forecasts are based on approved strategic operating plans and long-term forecasts.

In the evaluation of indefinite lived assets for impairment, we have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary, or to perform a quantitative assessment by comparing the fair value of an asset to its carrying amount. The Company’s intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is the "Blue Bird" trade name. Under the qualitative assessment, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of the asset unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. If a qualitative assessment is not performed or if a quantitative assessment is otherwise required, then the entity compares the fair value of an asset to its carrying amount and the amount of the impairment loss, if any, is the difference between fair value and carrying value. The fair value of our trade name is derived by using the relief from royalty method, which discounts the estimated cash savings we realized by owning the name instead of otherwise having to license or lease it.

Our intangible assets with a definite useful life are amortized over their estimated useful lives, 2, 7, or 20 years, using the straight-line method. The useful lives of our intangible assets are reassessed annually and they are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.

Debt Issue Costs

Amounts paid directly to lenders or as an original issue discount and amounts classified as issuance costs are recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the debt, for which the Company had deferred financing costs totaling $2.0 million and $2.2 million at October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020, respectively, incurred in connection with its debt facilities and related amendments.
All deferred financing costs are amortized to interest expense. The effective interest method is used for debt discounts related to the term loan. The Company’s amortization of these costs was $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $0.9 million for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively, and is reflected as a component of interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 8, Debt, for a discussion of the Company’s indebtedness.

Pensions

The Company accounts for its pension benefit obligations using actuarial models. The measurement of plan obligations and assets was made at September 30, 2021. Effective January 1, 2006, the benefit plan was frozen to all participants. No accrual of future benefits is earned or calculated beyond this date. Accordingly, our obligation estimate is based on benefits earned at that time discounted using an estimate of the single equivalent discount rate determined by matching the plan’s future expected cash flows to spot rates from a yield curve comprised of high-quality corporate bond rates of various durations. The Company recognizes the funded status of its pension plan obligations on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and records in other comprehensive income (loss) certain gains and losses that arise during the period, but are deferred under pension accounting rules. Pension expense is recognized as a component of other income (expense), net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Product Warranty Costs

The Company’s products are generally warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year to five years. A provision for estimated warranty costs is recorded at the time a unit is sold. The methodology to determine the warranty reserve calculates the average expected warranty claims using warranty claims by body type, by month, over the life of the bus, which is then multiplied by remaining months under warranty, by warranty type. Management believes the methodology provides an accurate reserve estimate. Actual claims incurred could differ from the original estimates, requiring future adjustments.

The Bus segment also sells extended warranties related to its products. Revenue related to these contracts is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period and costs thereunder are expensed as incurred. All warranty expenses are recorded in the cost of goods sold line on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The current methodology to determine short-term extended warranty income reserve is based on twelve months of the remaining warranty value for each effective extended warranty at the balance sheet date. See Note 3, Supplemental Financial Information, for further information.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. For fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, the Company expensed $5.2 million, $6.4 million and $11.5 million, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred income taxes represent the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company evaluates its ability, based on the weight of evidence available, to realize future tax benefits from deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance to reduce a deferred tax asset to a level which, more likely than not, will be realized in future years.

The Company recognizes uncertain tax positions based on a cumulative probability assessment if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by an appropriate tax authority with full knowledge of all information. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Amounts recorded for uncertain tax positions are periodically assessed, including the evaluation of new facts and circumstances, to ensure sustainability of the positions. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

The Company's policy for releasing income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is to use a specific identification approach.

Environmental Liabilities

The Company records reserves for environmental liabilities on a discounted basis when environmental investigation and remediation obligations are probable and related costs are reasonably estimable. See Note 10, Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies, for further information.
Segment Reporting

Operating segments are components of an entity that engage in business activities with discrete financial information available that is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in order to assess performance and allocate resources. The Company’s CODM is its President and Chief Executive Officer. As discussed further in Note 11, Segment Information, the Company determined its operating and reportable segments to be Bus and Parts. The Bus segment includes the manufacturing and assembly of school buses to be sold to a variety of customers across the U.S., Canada and in international markets. The Parts segment consists primarily of the purchase of parts from third parties to be sold to dealers within the Company’s network.

Statement of Cash Flows

We classify distributions received from our equity method investment using the nature of distribution approach, such that distributions received are classified based on the nature of the activity of the investee that generated the distribution. Returns on investment are classified within operating activities, while returns of investment are classified within investing activities.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

ASU 2016-13 In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires that credit losses on most financial instruments measured at amortized cost and certain other financial instruments be measured using an expected credit loss model. Under this model, entities are required to estimate credit losses over the entire contractual term of the financial instrument from the date of initial recognition of the instrument. As required, the Company adopted this guidance on October 4, 2020, the first day of the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2021. While a number of financial instruments are subject to the scope of ASU 2016-13, its provisions applied only to the Company’s accounts receivable. Given that the Company extends credit with short contractual terms on only a small percentage of its sales, the adoption of the expected credit loss model did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

ASU 2020-04 On March 12, 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, providing temporary guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform primarily resulting from the discontinuation of LIBOR (defined below), which was initially expected to occur on December 31, 2021. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 are elective and apply to all entities that have contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued.

ASU 2021-01 On January 7, 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope, which refines the scope of ASC 848, Reference Rate Reform, and clarifies some of its guidance as part of the FASB’s ongoing monitoring of global reference rate reform activities. The ASU permits entities to elect certain optional expedients and exceptions when accounting for derivative contracts and certain hedging relationships affected by changes in the interest rates used for discounting cash flows, computing variation margin settlements, and calculating price alignment interest in connection with reference rate reform activities under way in global financial markets.

The above amendments are effective for all entities from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. An entity may elect to apply the amendments to contract modifications on a (i) full retrospective basis as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 or (ii) prospective basis from any date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 through the date that the interim financial statements are issued or available to be issued.

On March 5, 2021, the Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. ("ICE") Benchmark Administration ("IBA"), the administrator of the U.S. Dollar London Interbank Offering Rate ("LIBOR"), issued a statement, following the completion of a formal consultation process, reaffirming the preliminary announcement it made on November 30, 2020, to cease publication of (i) 1 week and 2 month LIBOR subsequent to December 31, 2021 and (ii) the overnight and 1, 3, 6 and 12 month LIBOR tenors subsequent to June 30, 2023. The IBA’s statement regarding such cessation dates primarily resulted from a majority of LIBOR panel banks communicating to the IBA that they would be unwilling to continue contributing to the relevant LIBOR settings after such dates. As a result, the IBA determined that it would be unable to publish the relevant LIBOR settings on a representative basis after such dates. The United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), which regulates the IBA, confirmed that, based on information it received from LIBOR panel banks, it does not expect that any LIBOR settings will become unrepresentative before the announced cessation dates summarized above.
Currently, the Company’s interest rate collar, which is not designated in a hedge accounting relationship, and Amended Credit Agreement (defined below) are the only contracts that reference an interest rate index (i.e., 3 month LIBOR) that is subject to the reference rate reform guidance included in the above amendments. While the termination date of the interest rate collar, September 30, 2022, occurs prior to the July 1, 2023 date on which the IBA will no longer publish 3 month LIBOR, the Amended Credit Agreement matures on September 13, 2023, approximately 2.5 months subsequent to such cessation date. However, as management does not currently forecast that the Company will have sufficient cash to fund the term loan borrowings that are expected to be outstanding under the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement upon maturity, it is expecting to refinance such borrowings prior to maturity, with such refinancing likely to occur before the July 1, 2023 LIBOR cessation date. Therefore, it is highly likely that neither the interest rate collar nor Amended Credit Agreement will be modified to reflect the discontinuation of 3 month LIBOR effective July 1, 2023 and accordingly, the Company will not be required to decide whether or not to elect to adopt such amendments prior to or on December 31, 2022 (i.e., the last effective date for adopting the amendments). However, to the extent that either or both of the contracts are modified prior to December 31, 2022, the Company plans to adopt the amendments on a prospective basis by adjusting the derivative fair value and/or debt effective interest rate, as applicable, neither of which is expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
v3.21.2
Supplemental Financial Information
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]  
Supplemental Financial Information
3. Supplemental Financial Information

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)
October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Accounts receivable$10,067 $7,723 
Allowance for doubtful accounts(100)(100)
Accounts receivable, net $9,967 $7,623 

Product Warranties

The following table reflects activity in accrued warranty cost (current and long-term portion combined) for the fiscal years presented:
(in thousands)202120202019
Balance at beginning of period$21,374 $22,343 $22,646 
Add: current period accruals6,920 8,980 10,869 
Less: current period reductions of accrual(9,744)(9,949)(11,172)
Balance at end of period$18,550 $21,374 $22,343 

Extended Warranties

The following table reflects activity in deferred warranty income (current and long-term portions combined), for the sale of extended warranties of two years to five years, for the fiscal years presented:
(in thousands)202120202019
Balance at beginning of period$22,588 $24,045 $23,191 
   Add: current period deferred income6,192 7,298 9,238 
   Less: current period recognition of income(8,636)(8,755)(8,384)
Balance at end of period$20,144 $22,588 $24,045 

The outstanding balance of deferred warranty income in the table above is considered a "contract liability," and represents a performance obligation of the Company that we satisfy over the term of the arrangement but for which we have been paid in full at the time the warranty was sold. We expect to recognize $7.8 million of the outstanding contract liability in fiscal 2022, and the remaining balance thereafter.
Self-Insurance

The following table reflects the total accrued self-insurance liability, comprised of workers' compensation and health insurance related claims, at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Current portion$2,781 $2,993 
Long-term portion1,732 1,962 
Total accrued self-insurance$4,513 $4,955 

The current and long-term portions of the accrued self-insurance liability are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively, on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Shipping and Handling

Shipping and handling revenues recognized were $13.4 million, $16.9 million and $19.4 million for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively. The related cost of goods sold were $11.7 million, $14.5 million and $17.0 million for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively.

Derivative Instruments

We are charged variable rates of interest on our indebtedness outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement (defined in Note 8) which exposes us to fluctuations in interest rates. On October 24, 2018, the Company entered into a four year interest rate collar with a $150.0 million notional value with an effective date of November 30, 2018. The collar was entered into in order to partially mitigate our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on our variable rate debt. The collar establishes a range where we will pay the counterparty if the three month LIBOR rate falls below the established floor rate of 1.5%, and the counterparty will pay us if the three month LIBOR rate exceeds the ceiling rate of 3.3%. The collar settles quarterly through the termination date of September 30, 2022. No payments or receipts are exchanged on the interest rate collar contracts unless interest rates rise above or fall below the contracted ceiling or floor rates. Throughout the fiscal year ended October 2, 2021, the three month LIBOR rate fell below the established floor, which required us to make $2.0 million in total cash payments to the counterparty.

Changes in the interest rate collar fair value are recorded in interest expense as the collar does not qualify for hedge accounting. At October 2, 2021, the fair value of the interest rate collar contract was $2.0 million and is included in "other current liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of the interest rate collar is a Level 2 fair value measurement, based on quoted prices of similar items in active markets.
v3.21.2
Inventories
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]  
Inventories
4. Inventories

The following table presents components of inventories at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Raw materials$74,862 $43,272 
Work in process41,257 8,989 
Finished goods9,087 4,262 
Total inventories$125,206 $56,523 
v3.21.2
Property, Plant and Equipment
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Property, Plant and Equipment
5. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment, net, consisted of the following at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Land$2,504 $2,164 
Buildings47,307 46,509 
Machinery and equipment101,836 100,112 
Office furniture, equipment and other2,185 2,184 
Computer equipment and software19,233 17,443 
Construction in process25,555 18,028 
Property, plant and equipment, gross198,620 186,440 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(98,290)(88,925)
Operating lease right-of-use assets (1)5,152 5,857 
Property, plant and equipment, net$105,482 $103,372 
(1) Further information is included in Note 10, Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies.

Depreciation and amortization expense for property, plant and equipment was $9.8 million, $10.1 million, and $7.3 million for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, respectively.

We capitalized $0.8 million of interest expense in fiscal 2021 related to the construction of plant manufacturing assets.
v3.21.2
Goodwill
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Goodwill
6. Goodwill

The carrying amounts of goodwill by reporting unit are as follows at the dates indicated: 
(in thousands)Gross
Goodwill
Accumulated
Impairments
Net Goodwill
October 2, 2021
Bus$15,139 $— $15,139 
Parts3,686 — 3,686 
Total$18,825 $— $18,825 
October 3, 2020
Bus$15,139 $— $15,139 
Parts3,686 — 3,686 
Total$18,825 $— $18,825 

In the fourth quarters of fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, we performed our annual impairment assessment of goodwill that did not indicate that an impairment existed; therefore, no impairments of goodwill have been recorded.
v3.21.2
Intangible Assets
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Intangible Assets
7. Intangible Assets

The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of intangible assets are as follows at the dates indicated: 
 October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
(in thousands)Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
TotalGross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Total
Finite lived: Engineering designs$3,156 $2,876 $280 $3,156 $2,556 $600 
Finite lived: Customer relationships37,425 28,078 9,347 37,425 26,209 11,216 
Total amortized intangible assets40,581 30,954 9,627 40,581 28,765 11,816 
Indefinite lived: Trade name39,816 — 39,816 39,816 — 39,816 
Total intangible assets$80,397 $30,954 $49,443 $80,397 $28,765 $51,632 
Management considers the "Blue Bird" trade name to have an indefinite useful life and, accordingly, it is not subject to amortization. Management reached this conclusion principally due to the longevity of the Blue Bird name and because management considers renewal upon reaching the legal limit of the trademarks related to the trade name as perfunctory. The Company expects to maintain usage of the trade name on existing products and introduce new products in the future that will also display the trade name. During the fourth quarters of fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, we performed our annual impairment assessment of our trade name, which did not indicate that an impairment existed; therefore, no impairment of our indefinite lived intangible has been recorded.

Customer relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated life of 20 years. Engineering designs are amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated life of 2 or 7 years. Total amortization expense for intangible assets was $2.2 million, $3.1 million, and $2.9 million for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, respectively.

Amortization expense for finite lived intangible assets for the next five years is expected to be as follows:
(in thousands)
Fiscal Years EndingAmortization Expense
2022$2,010 
20232,010 
20241,869 
20251,869 
20261,869 
Thereafter— 
Total amortization expense$9,627 
v3.21.2
Debt
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Debt
8. Debt

Original Credit Agreement

On December 12, 2016, BBBC ("Borrower"), executed a $235.0 million five-year credit agreement with Bank of Montreal, which acts as the administrative agent and an issuing bank, Fifth Third Bank, as co-syndication agent and an issuing bank, and Regions Bank, as co-syndication agent, together with other lenders ("Credit Agreement").

The credit facilities provided for under the Credit Agreement consisted of a term loan facility in an aggregate initial principal amount of $160.0 million (the “Term Loan Facility”) and a revolving credit facility with aggregate commitments of $75.0 million. The revolving credit facility included a $15.0 million letter of credit sub-facility and a $5.0 million swing-line sub-facility (“Revolving Credit Facility,” and together with the Term Loan Facility, each a “Credit Facility” and collectively, the “Credit Facilities”). The obligations under the Credit Agreement and the related loan documents (including without limitation, the borrowings under the Credit Facilities and obligations in respect of certain cash management and hedging obligations owing to the agents, the lenders or their affiliates), are, in each case, secured by a lien on and security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries including the Borrower, with certain exclusions as set forth in a collateral agreement entered into on the closing date.

First Amendment to the Credit Agreement

On September 13, 2018, the Company entered into a first amendment to the Credit Agreement ("First Amended Credit Agreement"). The First Amended Credit Agreement provided for additional funding of $50.0 million and was funded in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Substantially all of the proceeds were used to complete a tender offer to purchase shares of our common and preferred stock.

The First Amended Credit Agreement also increased the revolving credit facility to $100.0 million from $75.0 million, a $25.0 million increase. The amendment extended the maturity date to September 13, 2023, five years from the effective date of the first amendment. The first amendment also amended the interest rate pricing matrix (as follows) as well as the principal payment schedule (as disclosed at the end of this footnote). In connection with the First Amended Credit Agreement, we incurred $2.0 million of debt discount and issuance costs, which were recorded as contra-debt and are being amortized over the life of the First Amended Credit Agreement using the effective interest method.

The interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was (i) from the first amendment effective date until the first quarter ended on or about September 30, 2018, LIBOR plus 2.25%, and (ii) commencing with the fiscal quarter ended on or about September 30, 2018 and
thereafter, dependent on the Total Net Leverage Ratio ("TNLR") of the Company, an election of either base rate or LIBOR pursuant to the table below:
LevelTotal Net Leverage RatioABR LoansEurodollar Loans
ILess than 2.00x0.75%1.75%
IIGreater than or equal to 2.00x and less than 2.50x1.00%2.00%
IIIGreater than or equal to 2.50x and less than 3.00x1.25%2.25%
IVGreater than or equal to 3.00x and less than 3.25x1.50%2.50%
VGreater than or equal to 3.25x and less than 3.50x1.75%2.75%
VIGreater than 3.50x2.00%3.00%

Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement

On May 7, 2020, the Company entered into a second amendment to the Credit Agreement and First Amended Credit Agreement (“Second Amended Credit Agreement”). The Second Amended Credit Agreement provided $41.9 million in additional revolving commitments bringing the total revolving commitments to $141.9 million. The revolving commitments under the Second Amended Credit Agreement mature on September 13, 2023, which is the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the First Amended Credit Agreement. The interest rate pricing grid remained unchanged, but the LIBOR floor was amended from 0% to 0.75%. We incurred $0.9 million in fees related to the amendment. The fees were capitalized to other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are being amortized on a straight-line basis to interest expense until maturity of the agreement.

Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement

On December 4, 2020, the Company executed a third amendment to the Credit Agreement, First Amended Credit Agreement and Second Amended Credit Agreement ("Third Amended Credit Agreement" and collectively, the "Amended Credit Agreement"). The Third Amended Credit Agreement, among other things, provides for certain temporary amendments to the Credit Agreement from the third amendment effective date through and including the first date on which (a)(i) a compliance certificate is timely delivered with respect to a fiscal quarter ending on or after March 31, 2022 demonstrating compliance with certain financial performance covenants for such fiscal quarter (the “Limited Availability Period”), or (ii) the Borrower elects to terminate the Limited Availability Period; and (b) the absence of a default or event of default.

Amendments to the financial performance covenants provide that during the Limited Availability Period, a higher maximum TNLR is permitted, and requires the Company to maintain liquidity (in the form of undrawn availability under the Revolving Credit Facility and unrestricted cash and cash equivalents) of at least $15.0 million. For the duration between the fiscal quarter ended on or around December 31, 2020 and the fiscal quarter ended on or around September 30, 2021 that fell within the Limited Availability Period, a quarterly minimum consolidated EBITDA covenant applies instead of a maximum TNLR.

The pricing grid in the First Amended Credit Agreement, which is based on the ratio of the Company’s consolidated net debt to consolidated EBITDA, remains unchanged.  However, during the Limited Availability Period, an additional margin of 0.50% applies.

During the Limited Availability Period, the Amended Credit Agreement requires that Borrower prepay existing revolving loans and, if undrawn and unreimbursed letters of credit exceed $7.0 million, cash collateralize letters of credit if unrestricted cash and cash equivalents exceed $20.0 million, as determined on a semimonthly basis.  Any issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension of credit during the Limited Availability Period may not cause unrestricted cash and cash equivalents to exceed $20.0 million, or cause the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Facility principal to exceed $100.0 million. The Third Amended Credit Agreement also implements a cap on permissible investments, restricted payments, certain payments of indebtedness and the fair market value of all assets subject to permitted dispositions during the Limited Availability Period.

For the duration of the Limited Availability Period, the Amended Credit Agreement sets forth additional monthly reporting requirements, and requires subordination agreements and intercreditor arrangements for certain other indebtedness and liens subject to administrative agent approval.

The Company incurred approximately $2.5 million in lender fees and other issuance costs relating to the third amendment. Of such total, approximately $1.1 million and $0.9 million was capitalized within other assets and long-term debt (as a contra-balance), respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are being amortized as an adjustment to interest expense on a straight-line basis and utilizing the effective interest method, respectively, until maturity of the Amended Credit Agreement. The remaining approximate $0.5 million was recorded to loss on debt modification on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
In conjunction with executing the third amendment, previously capitalized lender fees and other issuance costs incurred in prior periods totaling approximately $0.1 million were expensed to loss on debt modification on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Additional Disclosures

Debt consisted of the following at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
2023 term loans, net of deferred financing costs of $2,027 and $2,246, respectively
$164,423 $174,104 
Less: Current portion of long-term debt14,850 9,900 
Long-term debt, net of current portion$149,573 $164,204 

Term loans are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the unpaid principal balance, and are not subject to fair value measurement; however, given the variable rates on the loans, the Company estimates the unpaid principal balance to approximate fair value. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, the term loans would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. At October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020, $166.5 million and $176.4 million, respectively, were outstanding on the term loans.

At October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020, the stated interest rates on the term loans were 4.0% and 3.5%, respectively. At October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020, the weighted-average annual effective interest rates for the term loans were 6.0% and 4.1%, respectively, which included amortization of the deferred debt issuance costs and interest payments relating to the interest rate collar, as applicable.

There were $45.0 million in borrowings outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility at October 2, 2021. Additionally, there were $6.3 million of Letters of Credit outstanding on October 2, 2021, providing the Company the ability to borrow $48.7 million on the revolving line of credit.

Interest expense on all indebtedness for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 was $9.7 million, $12.3 million, and $12.9 million, respectively.

The schedule of remaining principal maturities for the term loans is as follows:
(in thousands)
YearPrincipal Payments
2022$14,850 
2023151,600 
Total remaining principal payments$166,450 
v3.21.2
Income Taxes
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes 9. Income Taxes
The components of income tax benefit (expense) were as follows for the fiscal years presented: 
(in thousands)202120202019
Current tax provision:
Federal$348 $(1,425)$156 
State(82)(65)(985)
Foreign— — (112)
Total current tax benefit (expense)$266 $(1,490)$(941)
Deferred tax provision:
Federal$604 $(715)$(5,844)
State321 686 (788)
Total deferred tax benefit (expense)925 (29)(6,632)
Income tax benefit (expense)$1,191 $(1,519)$(7,573)

At October 2, 2021, the Company had $8.9 million in state tax credit carryforwards and $0.5 million federal tax credit carryforwards. The Company maintains a partial valuation allowance on the state tax credit carryforwards. Of this balance, the Company estimates approximately $3.6 million of state tax credit carryforwards will expire unused between 2028 and 2031.
At October 2, 2021, the Company had $16.5 million in state net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards and $1.0 million Federal NOL carryforwards. Of this balance, the Company estimates approximately $10.9 million of state NOL carryforwards will expire unused between 2028 and 2033.

The effective tax rates for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 were 60.2%, 14.5% and 25.6%, respectively.

The effective tax rate for fiscal 2021 differed from the statutory Federal income tax rate of 21.0%. There were several items that increased the effective tax rate to 60.2%, including the impacts of tax credits, return to accrual adjustments, and state taxes on the Federal rate. These increases were partially offset by a change in uncertain tax positions.

The effective tax rate for fiscal 2020 differed from the statutory Federal income tax rate of 21%. There were minor items that lowered the effective tax rate to 14.5%, primarily the impacts of tax credits and state taxes on the Federal rate. These decreases were offset to a lesser degree by the recording of a partial valuation allowance for state taxes and minor return to accrual adjustments.

The effective tax rate for fiscal 2019 differed from the statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, mainly due to the unfavorable impact of valuation allowances, share-based and other compensation limitations, and state taxes, which included the application of tax credits claimed as offsets against our payroll tax liabilities. The valuation allowance increased mainly due to the accrual of income tax credits that were greater than our ability to utilize before expiration. These items were partially offset by benefits from Federal and state tax credits.

A reconciliation between the reported income tax benefit (expense) and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate is as follows: 
(in thousands)202120202019
Federal tax benefit (expense) at statutory rate$415 $(2,203)$(6,223)
(Increase) reduction in income tax expense resulting from:
State taxes, net552 1,508 (611)
Change in uncertain tax positions(635)— — 
Share-based compensation(135)188 (320)
Permanent items(20)(33)(59)
Valuation allowance— (977)(1,043)
Tax credits450 390 470 
Return to accrual adjustments476 (260)115 
Investor tax on non-consolidated affiliate income(28)(185)14 
Tax rate adjustments— — (32)
Other116 53 116 
Income tax benefit (expense)$1,191 $(1,519)$(7,573)

The guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes requires that a determination be made regarding whether a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, which is the threshold required for recognition of the tax position in the financial statements. During fiscal 2021, management obtained additional information that resulted in a conclusion that certain tax positions previously recognized in specific prior year financial statements may be subject to adjustment in conjunction with an examination. Accordingly, such determination resulted in the derecognition of these tax positions during fiscal 2021. The Company's liability arising from uncertain tax positions ("UTPs"), including accrued interest and penalties, is recorded in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
(in thousands)202120202019
Balance, beginning of year$— $— $— 
Additions for tax positions of prior years370 — — 
Balance, end of year$370 $— $— 

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were accrued interest and penalties of $0.3 million at October 2, 2021 and none at October 3, 2020.

The Company is subject to taxation mostly in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions. At October 2, 2021, tax years prior to 2015 and 2018 are generally no longer subject to examination by Federal and most state tax authorities, respectively.
 
The following table sets forth the sources of and differences between the financial accounting and tax bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities which give rise to the net deferred tax assets at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Deferred tax liabilities
Property, plant and equipment$(10,475)$(11,029)
Other intangible assets(12,060)(11,807)
Investor tax on non-consolidated affiliate income(692)(668)
Other assets(105)(135)
Total deferred tax liabilities$(23,332)$(23,639)
Deferred tax assets
NOL carryforward$1,126 $600 
Accrued expenses6,941 8,419 
Compensation6,691 11,416 
Interest limitation carryforward1,071 — 
Inventories760 1,017 
Unearned income3,488 3,444 
Tax credits7,448 6,307 
Total deferred tax assets$27,525 $31,203 
Less: valuation allowance(3,453)(3,453)
Deferred tax assets less valuation allowance$24,072 $27,750 
Net deferred tax assets$740 $4,111 
v3.21.2
Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies
10. Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

At October 2, 2021, the Company had a number of product liability and other cases pending. Management believes that, considering the Company’s insurance coverage and its intention to vigorously defend its positions, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Environmental

The Company is subject to a variety of environmental regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous materials used in its manufacturing processes. Failure by the Company to comply with present and future regulations could subject it to future liabilities. In addition, such regulations could require the Company to acquire costly equipment or to incur other significant expenses to comply with environmental regulations. The Company is currently not involved in any material environmental proceedings and therefore management believes that the resolution of environmental matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Our environmental liability using a discount rate of 9.3%, included in current accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $0.2 million and $0.2 million at October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020, respectively. The estimated aggregate undiscounted amount that will be incurred over the next six years is $0.5 million. At October 2, 2021, the estimated payments for each of the next five years are $0.1 million per year and the aggregate amount thereafter is $0.1 million. Future expenditures may exceed the amounts accrued and estimated.
Guarantees
In the ordinary course of business, we may provide guarantees for certain transactions entered into by our dealers. At October 2, 2021, we had a $3.0 million guarantee outstanding that relates to a guarantee of indebtedness for a term loan with a remaining maturity up to 1.3 years. The $3.0 million represents the estimated maximum amount we would be required to pay upon default of all guaranteed indebtedness, and we believe the likelihood of required performance to be remote. At October 2, 2021, $0.2 million was included in other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for the estimated fair value of the guarantee.
Lease Commitments
We have operating and finance leases for office space, warehouse space, or a combination of both. Our leases have remaining lease terms ranging from 1 year to 6.2 years with the option to extend leases for up to 5.0 years.
The components of lease costs included on the Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows:
(in thousands)Fiscal Years Ended
Lease costClassification20212020
Operating leasesSelling, general and administrative expenses$1,149 $1,440 
Finance leases
Amortization of lease assetsCost of goods sold1,497 1,168 
Interest on lease liabilitiesInterest expense241 238 
Short-term leases (1)Cost of goods sold or selling, general and administrative expenses487 1,390 
Total lease cost$3,374 $4,236 
(1) Short-term lease cost includes both leases and rentals with initial terms of one year or less. Classification depends on the purpose of the underlying lease.

The following table summarizes the lease amounts included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:
(in thousands)Balance Sheet LocationOctober 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Assets
Operating Property, plant and equipment$5,152 $5,857 
Finance (1)Finance lease right-of-use5,486 6,983 
Total lease assets$10,638 $12,840 
Liabilities
Current
OperatingOther current liabilities$1,158 $1,060 
FinanceFinance lease obligations1,327 1,280 
Long-term
OperatingOther liabilities5,529 6,651 
FinanceFinance lease obligations4,538 5,879 
Total lease liabilities$12,552 $14,870 
(1) Net of accumulated amortization of $2.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
The operating leases recorded do not assume renewal based on our analysis of those leases and their contractual terms. One of our finance leases assumes renewal based on our expectations with regard to the lease and the contractual terms.

Lease liability maturities are presented in the following table:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021
Fiscal Years EndedOperatingFinanceTotal
2022$1,437 $1,530 $2,967 
20231,427 1,530 2,957 
20241,444 1,530 2,974 
20251,456 1,742 3,198 
20261,097 — 1,097 
Thereafter685 — 685 
Total future minimum lease payments7,546 6,332 13,878 
Less: imputed interest859 467 1,326 
Total lease liabilities$6,687 $5,865 $12,552 
Lease terms and discount rates are presented in the following table:
October 2, 2021
OperatingFinance
Weighted average remaining lease term5.3 years3.6 years
Weighted average discount rate4.6 %3.8 %

Supplemental cash flow information is presented in the following table:
Fiscal Years Ended
(in thousands)20212020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows - operating leases$1,394 $1,711 
Operating cash flows - finance leases241 238 
Financing cash flows - finance leases1,294 945 
Right-of-use assets exchanged for lease liabilities
Operating leases$62 $— 
Finance leases— 3,496 

Purchase Commitments

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into short-term contractual purchase orders for manufacturing inventory and capital assets. The amount of these commitments is expected to be as follows:
(in thousands)
Fiscal Years EndedAmount
2022$58,579 
202369 
Total purchase commitments$58,648 
v3.21.2
Segment Information
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Segment Information
11. Segment Information

We manage our business in two operating segments: (i) the Bus segment, which includes the manufacture and assembly of buses to be sold to a variety of customers across the U.S., Canada, and in international markets; and (ii) the Parts segment, which consists primarily of the purchase of parts from third parties to be sold to dealers within the Company’s network. The tables below present segment net sales and gross profit for the periods presented:

Net sales
(in thousands)202120202019
Bus (1)$625,198 $822,616 $952,242 
Parts (1)58,797 56,605 66,632 
Segment net sales$683,995 $879,221 $1,018,874 
(1) Parts segment revenue includes $3.8 million, $4.1 million, and $3.5 million for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively, related to inter-segment sales of parts that was eliminated by the Bus segment upon consolidation.
 
Gross profit
(in thousands)202120202019
Bus$50,394 $76,059 $110,015 
Parts21,747 20,141 23,459 
Segment gross profit$72,141 $96,200 $133,474 
The following table is a reconciliation of segment gross profit to consolidated income before income taxes for the fiscal years presented:
(in thousands)202120202019
Segment gross profit$72,141 $96,200 $133,474 
Adjustments:
Selling, general and administrative expenses(65,619)(74,206)(89,642)
Interest expense(9,682)(12,252)(12,879)
Interest income11 
Other income (expense), net1,776 738 (1,331)
Loss on debt modification(598)— — 
(Loss) income before income taxes$(1,978)$10,491 $29,631 

Sales are attributable to geographic areas based on customer location and were as follows for the fiscal years presented:
(in thousands)202120202019
United States$601,751 $795,207 929,523 
Canada75,644 79,442 80,056 
Rest of world6,600 4,572 9,295 
Total net sales$683,995 $879,221 1,018,874 
v3.21.2
Revenue
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Revenue
12. Revenue

The following table disaggregates revenue by product category for the periods presented:
Fiscal Years Ended
(in thousands)202120202019
Diesel buses$291,203 $397,567 $476,909 
Alternative powered buses (1)300,706 381,555 426,508 
Other (2)34,875 45,191 50,906 
Parts57,211 54,908 64,551 
Net sales$683,995 $879,221 $1,018,874 
(1) Includes buses sold with any power source other than diesel (e.g., gasoline, propane, CNG, electric).
(2) Includes shipping and handling revenue, extended warranty income, surcharges, chassis, and bus shell sales.
v3.21.2
Stockholders' Deficit
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Equity [Abstract]  
Stockholders' Deficit
13. Stockholders’ Deficit

Repurchase of Convertible Preferred Stock

On November 13, 2018, the Company converted all remaining outstanding shares of its Series A Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock, and issued 799,615 shares of common stock. There were no dividends paid with the conversion.

Tender Offer

On October 15, 2018, the Company received $50.0 million in funding from the First Amended Credit Agreement (refer to Note 8, Debt, for more information). In conjunction with the debt funding, we conducted a tender offer and accepted for purchase:

(i) 1,782,568 shares of our common stock at a price of $28.00 per share, which we hold as treasury stock; and
(ii) 364 shares of our Series A Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock at a price of $241.69 per share.

The total aggregate cost was approximately $50.3 million, which includes fees and expenses related to the tender offer.
v3.21.2
Earnings Per Share
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Earnings Per Share
14. (Loss) Earnings Per Share

The following table presents the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for the fiscal years presented:
(in thousands except share data)202120202019
Numerator:
Net (loss) income $(289)$12,185 $24,300 
Basic (loss) earnings per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding27,139,054 26,850,999 26,455,436 
Basic (loss) earnings per share$(0.01)$0.45 $0.92 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (1):
Weighted average common shares outstanding27,139,054 26,850,999 26,455,436 
Weighted average dilutive securities, convertible preferred stock— — 98,984 
Weighted average dilutive securities, restricted stock— 188,791 180,032 
Weighted average dilutive securities, warrants— — 179,105 
Weighted average dilutive securities, stock options— 46,765 130,257 
Weighted average shares and dilutive potential common shares27,139,054 27,086,555 27,043,814 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share$(0.01)$0.45 $0.90 
(1) Potentially dilutive securities representing 0.9 million and 0.4 million shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
v3.21.2
Share-Based Compensation
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Share-Based Compensation
15. Share-Based Compensation
 
In fiscal 2015, we adopted the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan ("Plan") and in fiscal 2020, amended and restated it. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors and the Committee may grant awards for the issuance of up to an aggregate of 5,200,000 shares of common stock in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights (collectively, “SARs,” and each individually, a “SAR”), restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, incentive bonus awards, other cash-based awards and other stock-based awards. The exercise price of a share subject to a stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of the Company's common stock with respect to the grant date of such stock option. No portion of the options vest and become exercisable after the date on which the optionee’s service with the Company and its subsidiaries terminates. The vesting of all unvested shares of common stock subject to an option will automatically be accelerated in connection with a “Change in Control,” as defined in the Plan.

New shares of the Company's common stock are issued upon stock option exercises, or at the time of vesting for restricted stock. We have granted performance awards as part of our overall compensation plans. The vesting of these awards is primarily based upon the attainment of certain performance metrics established under our annual Management Incentive Plan ("MIP"), with the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors maintaining final discretion over vesting amounts. Stock-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units ("RSU"), are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair value. The fair value of each stock option award on the grant date is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: expected dividend yield, expected stock price volatility, weighted-average risk-free interest rate and weighted average expected term of the options. For fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, the volatility assumption used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model was based on peer group volatility because we did not have a sufficient trading history as a stand-alone public company. Because we do not have sufficient history with respect to stock option activity and post-vesting cancellations, the expected term assumption is based on the simplified method under U.S. GAAP, which is based on the vesting period and contractual term for each vesting tranche of awards. The mid-point between the vesting date and the expiration date is used as the expected term under this method. The risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes model is based on the implied yield curve available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues at the date of grant with a remaining term equal to the Company’s expected term assumption. The Company has never declared or paid a cash dividend on its common stock. Restricted stock and RSUs are valued based on the intrinsic value of the difference between the exercise price, if any, of the award and the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. We expense any award with graded-vesting features using a straight-line attribution method and account for forfeitures in recording share-based compensation expense as they occur.
Restricted Stock Awards

The following table summarizes the Company's restricted stock and RSU activity for the fiscal year presented:
2021
Restricted Stock ActivityNumber of SharesWeighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance, beginning of year171,470 $18.64 
Granted183,291 18.82 
Vested(68,191)19.93 
Forfeited(37,725)18.35 
Balance, end of year248,845 18.50 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock awards granted in fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 was $18.64 and $17.30, respectively.

Compensation expense for restricted stock awards, recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, was $3.9 million, $2.7 million, and $2.6 million for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, respectively, with associated tax benefits of $1.0 million, $0.7 million, and $0.7 million, respectively. At October 2, 2021, unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards totaled $1.3 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of nine months.

Stock Option Awards

The following table summarizes the Company's stock option activity for the fiscal year presented:
2021
Number of OptionsWeighted Average Exercise Price per Share ($)
Outstanding options, beginning of year532,298 $17.62 
Granted331,200 16.84 
Exercised (1)(120,461)16.08 
Expired(64,308)17.39 
Forfeited(52,562)16.42 
Outstanding options, end of year (2)626,167 $17.93 
Fully vested and exercisable options, end of year (3)267,779 $17.85 
(1) Stock options exercised during the fiscal year had an aggregate intrinsic value totaling $1.1 million.
(2) Stock options outstanding at the end of the fiscal year had $2.1 million intrinsic value.
(3) Fully vested and exercisable options at the end of the fiscal year had $0.9 million intrinsic value.

The total aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 was $4.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Compensation expense for stock option awards, recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, was $1.9 million, $1.4 million, and $1.5 million for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, respectively, with associated tax benefits of $0.5 million, $0.4 million, and $0.4 million, respectively. At October 2, 2021, unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option awards totaled $0.8 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of nine months.
The fair value of each option award at grant date was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions made and resulting grant-date fair values during the fiscal years presented:
202120202019
Expected volatility41 %32 %31 %
Expected dividend yield%%%
Risk-free interest rate0.49 %1.61 %2.75 %
Expected term (in years)2.7 - 6.04.5 - 6.04.5 - 5.5
Weighted-average grant-date fair value$6.58 $6.91 $5.58 
v3.21.2
Benefit Plans
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Benefit Plans
16. Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Pension Plan

The Company has a defined benefit pension plan (“Defined Benefit Plan”) covering U.S. hourly and salaried personnel. On May 13, 2002, the Defined Benefit Plan was amended to freeze new participation as of May 15, 2002, and therefore, any new employees who started on or after May 15, 2002 were not permitted to participate in the Defined Benefit Plan. Effective January 1, 2006, the benefit plan was frozen to all participants. No accrual of future benefits is calculated beyond this date.

The Company contributed $4.9 million and $0.5 million to the Defined Benefit Plan during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. For fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, benefits paid were $7.3 million and $8.2 million, respectively. The projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) for the Defined Benefit Plan was $160.1 million and $169.7 million at October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020, respectively.

The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the PBO for the Defined Benefit Plan for the fiscal years indicated is presented in the following table:
Benefit Obligation
(in thousands)20212020
Projected benefit obligation balance, beginning of year$169,741 $163,572 
Interest cost4,227 4,947 
Assumption changes (1)(6,580)9,750 
Actuarial gain(47)(315)
Benefits paid(7,253)(8,213)
Projected benefit obligations balance, end of year$160,088 $169,741 
(1) The assumption changes referenced in the table above result from (i) changes in the utilized discount rate to value the future obligations, and (ii) updates to the mortality table projections used in the calculation of the benefit obligations.

Plan Assets: The summary and reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the fair value of the Defined Benefit Plan assets are as follows:
Plan Assets
(in thousands)20212020
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year$122,482 $118,048 
Actual return on plan assets17,188 12,147 
Employer contribution4,920 500 
Benefits paid(7,253)(8,213)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year$137,337 $122,482 
Funded Status: The following table reconciles the benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status and net liability information of the Defined Benefit Plan at the dates indicated. The net pension liability is reflected in long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Funded Status
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Benefit obligation$160,088 $169,741 
Fair value of plan assets137,337 122,482 
Funded status(22,751)(47,259)
Net pension liability recognized$(22,751)$(47,259)
Fair Value of Plan Assets: The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments in accordance with the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the ASC. Fair value represents the price to hypothetically sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly manner in the principal market for that asset or liability. This topic provides a hierarchy that gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. This topic requires that financial assets and liabilities are classified into one of the following three categories: 
Level 1  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability
Level 3  Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability

The Company evaluates fair value measurement inputs on an ongoing basis in order to determine if there is a change of sufficient significance to warrant a transfer between levels. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized on the actual date of the event or circumstances that caused the transfer, which generally coincides with the Company's valuation process.

The Defined Benefit Plan assets are comprised of various investment funds, which are valued based upon their quoted market prices. The invested pension plan assets of the Defined Benefit Plan are all Level 2 assets under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”). During fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, there were no transfers between levels. There are no sources of significant concentration risk in the invested assets at September 30, 2021.

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, a summary of the Defined Benefit Plan’s investments measured at fair value:
(in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
October 2, 2021
Assets:
Equity securities$— $87,827 $— $87,827 
Debt securities— 49,510 — 49,510 
Total assets at fair value$— $137,337 $— $137,337 
October 3, 2020
Assets:
Equity securities$— $60,016 $— $60,016 
Debt securities— 62,466 — 62,466 
Total assets at fair value$— $122,482 $— $122,482 
The following table represents net periodic benefit (income) expense and changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss, before tax effect, for the fiscal years presented:
(in thousands)202120202019
Interest cost$4,227 $4,947 $6,047 
Expected return on plan assets(7,777)(7,384)(7,619)
Amortization of net loss1,861 1,720 2,758 
Net periodic benefit (income) expense$(1,689)$(717)$1,186 
Net (gain) loss$(16,038)$4,671 $26,083 
Amortization of net loss(1,861)(1,720)(2,758)
Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss$(17,899)$2,951 $23,325 
Total recognized in net periodic pension benefit (income) expense and other comprehensive (income) loss$(19,588)$2,234 $24,511 

The estimated net loss for the Defined Benefit Plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year is $1.2 million. The unrecognized gain or loss is amortized as follows: the total unrecognized gain or loss, less the larger of 10% of the liability or 10% of the assets, is divided by the average future working lifetime of active plan participants.

The following actuarial assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations at the dates indicated:
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Discount rate2.80 %2.55 %
Rate of compensation increaseN/AN/A
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Discount rate2.55 %3.10 %
Expected long-term return on plan assets6.37 %6.37 %
Rate of compensation increaseN/AN/A

The benchmark for the discount rates is an estimate of the single equivalent discount rate determined by matching the Defined Benefit Plan’s future expected cash flows to spot rates from a yield curve comprised of high-quality corporate bond rates of various durations.

The Defined Benefit Plan asset allocations at the dates indicated are as follows: 
October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Equity securities64 %49 %
Debt securities36 %51 %
Total securities100 %100 %

There was no Company common stock included in equity securities. Assets of the Defined Benefit Plan are invested primarily in funds that further invest in equity or debt securities. Assets are valued using quoted prices in active markets.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets reflects the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested, or to be invested, to provide for the benefits included in the PBO. In estimating that rate, appropriate consideration is given to the returns being earned by the plan assets in the fund and rates of return expected to be available for reinvestment and a building block method. The expected rate of return on each asset class is broken down into three components: (1) inflation, (2) the real risk-free rate of return (i.e., the long-term estimate of future returns on default free U.S. government securities), and (3) the risk premium for each asset class (i.e., the expected return in excess of the risk-free rate).

The investment strategy for pension plan assets is to limit risk through asset allocation, diversification, selection and timing. Assets are managed on a total return basis, with dividends and interest reinvested in the account.
The Company expects to contribute $0 to its Defined Benefit Plan in fiscal 2022 in accordance with required IRS minimums. The following benefit payments are expected to be paid out of the Company's pension assets to the plan participants in the fiscal years indicated:
(in thousands)Expected Payments
2022$8,249 
20238,438 
20248,592 
20258,766 
20268,870 
2027 - 203144,253 
Total expected future benefit payments$87,168 

Defined Contribution Plan

The Company offers a defined contribution 401(k) plan covering substantially all U.S. employees and a defined contribution plan for Canadian employees. During fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, the Company offered a 50% match on the first 6% of the employee’s contributions. However, due to the impacts of COVID-19, the Company temporarily paused this match from October 2020 through July 2021. The plans also provide for an additional discretionary match depending on Company performance. Compensation expense related to defined contribution plans totaled $0.5 million, $2.2 million and $2.2 million for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, respectively.

Health Benefits

The Company provides and is predominantly self-insured for medical, dental, and accident and sickness benefits. A liability related to this obligation is recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as accrued expenses. Total expense related to this plan recorded for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, was $13.8 million, $14.9 million, and $12.1 million, respectively.

Employee Compensation Plans

The MIP compensates certain key salaried management employees and is derived based upon the "Adjusted EBITDA" (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, as adjusted) and "Free Cash Flow" metrics. There were no MIP bonus liabilities included in accrued expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020, respectively.
v3.21.2
Equity Investment in Affiliate
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]  
Equity Investment in Affiliate
17. Equity Investment in Affiliate

On October 14, 2009, Blue Bird and Girardin MiniBus JV Inc. entered into a joint venture, Micro Bird Holdings, Inc. (“Micro Bird”), to combine the complementary expertise of the two separate manufacturers. Blue Bird Micro Bird by Girardin Type A buses are produced in Drummondville, Quebec by Micro Bird.

The Company holds a 50% equity interest in Micro Bird, utilizing the equity method of accounting as the Company does not have control to direct the activities that most significantly impact Micro Bird’s financial performance based on the shared powers of the venture partners. The carrying amount of the equity method investment is adjusted for the Company’s proportionate share of net earnings or losses and any dividends received. At October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020, the carrying value of the Company's investment was $14.8 million and $14.3 million, respectively. During fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, Micro Bird did not pay any dividends to the venture partners.

In recognizing the Company’s 50% portion of Micro Bird net income, the Company recorded $0.5 million, $3.2 million, and $2.2 million in equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliate for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, respectively.
v3.21.2
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Equity [Abstract]  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
18. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table provides information on changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) for the periods presented:
(in thousands)Defined Benefit Pension PlanTotal AOCL
Balance, September 29, 2018$(38,427)$(38,427)
Other comprehensive loss, gross(26,083)(26,083)
Amounts reclassified and included in earnings2,758 2,758 
Total before taxes(23,325)(23,325)
Income taxes5,598 5,598 
Balance, September 28, 2019$(56,154)$(56,154)
Other comprehensive loss, gross(4,671)(4,671)
Amounts reclassified and included in earnings1,720 1,720 
Total before taxes(2,951)(2,951)
Income taxes708 708 
Balance, October 3, 2020$(58,397)$(58,397)
Other comprehensive income, gross16,038 16,038 
Amounts reclassified and included in earnings1,861 1,861 
Total before taxes17,899 17,899 
Income taxes(4,296)(4,296)
Balance, October 2, 2021$(44,794)$(44,794)
v3.21.2
Subsequent Events
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Subsequent Events [Abstract]  
Subsequent Events
19. Subsequent Events

Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement

On November 24, 2021, the Company executed a fourth amendment to the Credit Agreement, First Amended Credit Agreement, Second Amended Credit Agreement and Third Amended Credit Agreement (the "Fourth Amended Credit Agreement"). The Fourth Amended Credit Agreement, among other things, provides for certain temporary amendments to the Credit Agreement from the third amendment effective date through and including (a) April 1, 2023 (the “Amended Limited Availability Period”), or (b) the first date on which Borrower elects to terminate the Amended Limited Availability Period, in each case, subject to (x) the absence of a default or event of default and (y) pro forma compliance with the financial covenant performance covenants under the Fourth Amended Credit Agreement.

With respect to the financial performance covenants, during the Amended Limited Availability Period for the fiscal quarters ending January 1, 2022 through October 1, 2022, the TNLR requirement is not applicable, although it continues to impact the interest rate that is charged on outstanding borrowings as discussed below. Instead, the minimum consolidated EBITDA that the Company is required to maintain during the Amended Limited Availability Period has been updated to include fiscal 2022 as set forth in the table below (in millions):

PeriodMinimum Consolidated EBITDA
Fiscal quarter ending January 1, 2022$14.5
Fiscal quarter ending April 2, 2022$(4.5)
Fiscal quarter ending July 2, 2022$(6.8)
Fiscal quarter ending October 1, 2022$20.0

However, in the event that Borrower elects to terminate the Amended Limited Availability Period in fiscal 2022, the maximum TNLR permitted is 3.50x.
The minimum liquidity (in the form of undrawn availability under the Revolving Credit Facility and unrestricted cash and cash equivalents) that the Company must maintain during the Amended Limited Availability Period has been amended as set forth in the table below (in millions):

PeriodMinimum Liquidity
Fourth amendment effective date through January 1, 2022$10.0
January 2, 2022 through April 2, 2022$5.0
April 3, 2022 through July 2, 2022$15.0
Thereafter$20.0

Additionally, a new financial performance covenant was added in the Fourth Amended Credit Agreement, requiring that school bus units manufactured by the Company (“Units”) not fall below the pre-set thresholds set forth in the table below on a three month trailing basis (“Units Covenant”). The Units Covenant is triggered only if the Company’s liquidity for the most-recently ended fiscal month is less than $50 million during the Amended Limited Availability Period:

PeriodMinimum Units Manufactured
Three month period ending November 27, 20211,128
Three month period ending January 1, 2022776
Three month period ending January 29, 2022748
Three month period ending February 26, 2022727
Three month period ending April 2, 2022763
Three month period ending April 30, 20221,111
Three month period ending May 28, 20221,525
Three month period ending July 2, 20222,053
Three month period ending July30, 20222,072
Three month period ending August 27, 20222,199
Three month period ending October 1, 20212,306

If the Units during any three fiscal month period set forth above is less than the minimum required by the Units Covenant, Borrower may elect to carry forward up to 50% of certain applicable excess Units to satisfy the Units Covenant requirement. However, Borrower may not make such election in two consecutive three fiscal month periods.

The pricing grid in the Fourth Amended Credit Agreement, which is based on the TNLR, is determined in accordance with the amended pricing matrix set forth below:

LevelTotal Net Leverage RatioABR LoansEurodollar Loans
ILess than 2.00x0.75%1.75%
IIGreater than or equal to 2.00x and less than 2.50x1.00%2.00%
IIIGreater than or equal to 2.50x and less than 3.00x1.25%2.25%
IVGreater than or equal to 3.00x and less than 3.25x1.50%2.50%
VGreater than or equal to 3.25x and less than 3.50x1.75%2.75%
VIGreater than or equal to 3.50x and less than 4.50x2.00%3.00%
VIIGreater than or equal to 4.50x and less than 5.00x3.25%4.25%
VIIIGreater than 5.00x4.25%5.25%

During the Amended Limited Availability Period (notwithstanding the pricing grid set forth above), the applicable rate shall be (a) solely to the extent that the aggregate revolving exposures exceed $100.0 million, 5.75% with respect to such excess and (b) with respect to all other revolving exposures, the sum of the rate determined by the administrative agent in accordance with the pricing grid set forth above, plus 0.50%.

Additional allowances have been made in the Fourth Amended Credit Agreement for the Company to issue or incur up to $100.0 million of qualified equity interests issued by the Company, unsecured subordinated indebtedness or unsecured convertible indebtedness (collectively, “Junior Capital”). Upon the issuance or incurrence of any Junior Capital, the Company is required to
prepay the outstanding revolving loans (with no permanent reduction in the revolving commitments) in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) 100% of the net proceeds from such Junior Capital and (b) the aggregate of revolving exposures then outstanding. Prior to the initial issuance or incurrence of any Junior Capital, any issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension of credit during the Amended Limited Availability Period may not cause the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Facility principal to exceed $110.0 million (“Availability Cap”). Following any issuance or incurrence of Junior Capital, the Availability Cap is permanently reduced to $100.0 million.

For the duration of the Amended Limited Availability Period, the Fourth Amended Credit Agreement sets forth additional monthly reporting requirements in connection with the manufactured school bus units required by the financial performance covenants, when applicable.

Sale of Common Stock

On December 15, 2021, the Company issued and sold through a private placement an aggregate 4,687,500 shares of its common stock at $16.00 per share (“Private Placement”) to Coliseum Capital Partners and Blackwell Partners LLC (collectively, “Coliseum”). Subsequent to the sale, Coliseum will own an approximate 15% equity interest in the Company. In connection with the purchase of the shares, Coliseum receives customary registration rights and the Company will add Adam Gray of Coliseum as a Class II director. The Company intends to use the net proceeds ($75.0 million) from the Private Placement for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions, investments in technologies or businesses, operating expenses and capital expenditures.
v3.21.2
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]  
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
SCHEDULE II- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(in thousands)Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Fiscal Year EndedBeginning BalanceCharges to Expense/(Income)Doubtful Accounts Written Off, NetEnding Balance
September 28, 2019$100 $— $— $100 
October 3, 2020100 — — 100 
October 2, 2021100 — — 100 
(in thousands)Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance
Fiscal Year EndedBeginning BalanceCharges to Expense/(Income)Charges utilized/Write offsEnding Balance
September 28, 2019$1,432 $1,203 $(159)$2,476 
October 3, 20202,476 999 (22)3,453 
October 2, 20213,453 — — 3,453 
v3.21.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to September 30 with its quarters consisting of thirteen weeks in most years. The fiscal years ended October 2, 2021, October 3, 2020 and September 28, 2019 are referred to herein as “fiscal 2021,” “fiscal 2020” and “fiscal 2019,” respectively. There were 52 weeks in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2019, and there were 53 weeks in fiscal 2020.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions Use of Estimates and Assumptions The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S.") (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions. At the date of the financial statements, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and during the reporting period, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. For example, significant management judgments are required in determining excess, obsolete, or unsalable inventory, allowance for doubtful accounts, potential impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets, the accounting for self-insurance reserves, warranty reserves, pension obligations, income taxes, environmental liabilities and contingencies. Future events, including the extent and duration of the COVID-19 related economic impacts, and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty, and, accordingly, the Company’s accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. The Company evaluates and updates its assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and may employ outside experts to assist in the Company’s evaluations. Actual results could differ from the estimates that the Company has used.
Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash EquivalentsThe Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable consist of amounts owed to the Company by customers. The Company monitors collections and payments from customers, and generally does not require collateral. Accounts receivable are generally due within 30 to 90 days. The Company provides for the possible inability to collect accounts receivable by recording an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company reserves for an account when it is considered potentially uncollectible. The Company estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical experience, aging of accounts receivable and information regarding the creditworthiness of its customers. To date, losses have been within the range of management’s expectations. The Company writes off accounts receivable if it determines that the account is uncollectible.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition

The Company records revenue when the following five steps have been completed:

1.Identification of the contract(s) with a customer;
2.Identification of the performance obligation(s) in the contract;
3.Determination of the transaction price;
4.Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and
5.Recognition of revenue, when, or as, we satisfy performance obligations.

The Company records revenue when performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control of a promised good or service to the customer. The Company evaluates the transfer of control primarily from the customer’s perspective where the customer has the ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from, that good or service.

Our product revenue includes sales of buses and bus parts, each of which are generally recognized as revenue at a point in time, once all conditions for revenue recognition have been met, as they represent our performance obligations in a sale. For buses, control is generally transferred and the customer has the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of the product when the product is delivered or when the product has been completed, is ready for delivery, has been paid for, its title has transferred and it is awaiting pickup by the customer. For certain bus sale transactions, we may provide incentives including payment of a limited amount of future interest charges our customers may incur related to their purchase and financing of the bus with third party financing companies. We reduce revenue at the recording date by the full amount of potential future interest we may be obligated to pay, which is an application of the "most likely amount" method. For parts sales, control is generally transferred when the customer has the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of the products, which generally coincides with the point in time when the customer has assumed risk of loss and title has passed for the goods sold.

The Company sells extended warranties related to its products. Revenue related to these contracts is recognized based on the stand-alone selling price of the arrangement, on a straight-line basis over the contract period, and costs thereunder are expensed as incurred.
The Company includes shipping and handling revenues, which are costs billed to customers, in net sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Shipping and handling costs incurred are included in cost of goods sold.
Self-Insurance Self-InsuranceThe Company is self-insured for the majority of its workers’ compensation and medical claims. The expected ultimate cost for claims incurred as of the balance sheet date is not discounted and is recognized as a liability. Self-insurance losses for claims filed and claims incurred but not reported are accrued based upon estimates of the aggregate liability for uninsured claims, using loss development factors and actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry and historical loss development experience.
Financial Instruments Financial InstrumentsThe Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable, revolving credit facility and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and accounts payable approximate their fair values because of the short-term maturity and highly liquid nature of these instruments. The carrying value of the Company’s revolving credit facility and long-term debt approximates fair value due to the variable interest rate.
Derivative Instruments
Derivative Instruments

In limited circumstances, we may utilize derivative instruments to manage certain exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates relating to variable rate debt. The fair values of all derivative instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities at the balance sheet date. Changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments are recognized in our operating results or included in other comprehensive income (loss), depending on whether the derivative instrument qualifies, and is appropriately designated, for hedge accounting treatment and if so, whether it represents a fair value or cash flow hedge. Gains and losses on derivative instruments are recognized in the operating results line item that reflects the underlying exposure that was mitigated either via a formal hedge accounting relationship or economically. The exchange of cash, if any, associated with derivative transactions is classified in the same category as the cash flows from the underlying items giving rise to the foreign currency or interest rate exposures.
Inventories
Inventories

The Company values inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The Company uses a standard costing methodology, which approximates cost on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. The Company reviews the standard costs of raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods inventory on a periodic basis to ensure that its inventories approximate current actual costs. Manufacturing cost includes raw materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead. Obsolete inventory amounts are based on historical usage and assumptions about future demand.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis using the following periods, which represent the estimated useful lives of the assets:
Years
Buildings15 - 33
Machinery and equipment5 - 10
Office furniture, equipment and other3 - 10
Computer equipment and software3 - 7

Costs, including capitalized interest and certain design, construction and installation costs related to assets that are under construction and are in the process of being readied for their intended use, are recorded as construction in progress and are not depreciated until such time as the subject asset is placed in service. Repairs and maintenance that do not extend the useful life of the asset are expensed as incurred. Upon sale, retirement, or other disposition of these assets, the costs and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any gain or loss on the disposition is included on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Leases
Leases

We determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. The Company enters into lease arrangements primarily for office space, warehouse space, or a combination of both. We elected to account for leases with initial terms of 12 months or less as straight-line expense and not record assets or liabilities. For a lease with an initial term greater than 12 months, the Company recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and lease liability on the 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.

We determine whether the lease is an operating or finance lease at inception based on the information and expectations for the lease at that time. Operating lease ROU assets are included in property, plant and equipment and the lease liabilities are included in other current liabilities and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance lease ROU assets are included in finance lease right-of-use assets and the lease liabilities are included in finance lease obligations (current) and finance lease obligations (long-term) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the leases recorded do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Operating lease ROU assets also include any base rental or lease payments made and exclude lease incentives.
The two components of operating lease expense, amortization and interest, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as a single expense element within selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Under the finance lease model, interest on the lease liability is recognized in interest expense and amortization of ROU assets is recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Operations based on the underlying use of the assets.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If we are required to analyze recoverability based on a triggering event, undiscounted future cash flows over the estimated remaining life of the asset, or asset group, are projected. If these projected cash flows are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent the fair value of the asset less any costs of disposition is less than the carrying amount of the asset. Judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on market and operational performance. Evaluating potential impairment also requires estimates of future operating results and cash flows. No impairment charge was recognized in any of the periods presented.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the fair value of the assets acquired less liabilities assumed in connection with such acquisition. In accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification Topic ("ASC") 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives acquired in an acquisition are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently should an event occur or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. Such events or circumstances may include a significant change in business climate, economic and industry trends, legal factors, negative operating performance indicators, significant competition, changes in strategy or disposition of a reporting unit or a portion thereof.

We have two reporting units for which we test goodwill for impairment: Bus and Parts. In the evaluation of goodwill for impairment, we have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary or to perform a quantitative assessment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. Under the qualitative assessment, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. If, under the quantitative assessment, the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the amount of the impairment loss, if any, must be measured under step two of the impairment analysis. In step two of the analysis, we would record an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill over its implied fair value, should such a circumstance arise.

Fair value of the reporting units is estimated primarily using the income approach, which incorporates the use of discounted cash flow ("DCF") analysis. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the DCF model to forecast operating cash flows, including markets and market shares, sales volumes and prices, costs to produce, tax rates, capital spending, discount rate and working capital changes. The cash flow forecasts are based on approved strategic operating plans and long-term forecasts.

In the evaluation of indefinite lived assets for impairment, we have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary, or to perform a quantitative assessment by comparing the fair value of an asset to its carrying amount. The Company’s intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is the "Blue Bird" trade name. Under the qualitative assessment, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of the asset unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. If a qualitative assessment is not performed or if a quantitative assessment is otherwise required, then the entity compares the fair value of an asset to its carrying amount and the amount of the impairment loss, if any, is the difference between fair value and carrying value. The fair value of our trade name is derived by using the relief from royalty method, which discounts the estimated cash savings we realized by owning the name instead of otherwise having to license or lease it.

Our intangible assets with a definite useful life are amortized over their estimated useful lives, 2, 7, or 20 years, using the straight-line method. The useful lives of our intangible assets are reassessed annually and they are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.
Debt Issue Costs
Debt Issue Costs

Amounts paid directly to lenders or as an original issue discount and amounts classified as issuance costs are recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the debt, for which the Company had deferred financing costs totaling $2.0 million and $2.2 million at October 2, 2021 and October 3, 2020, respectively, incurred in connection with its debt facilities and related amendments.
All deferred financing costs are amortized to interest expense. The effective interest method is used for debt discounts related to the term loan. The Company’s amortization of these costs was $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $0.9 million for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively, and is reflected as a component of interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Pensions PensionsThe Company accounts for its pension benefit obligations using actuarial models. The measurement of plan obligations and assets was made at September 30, 2021. Effective January 1, 2006, the benefit plan was frozen to all participants. No accrual of future benefits is earned or calculated beyond this date. Accordingly, our obligation estimate is based on benefits earned at that time discounted using an estimate of the single equivalent discount rate determined by matching the plan’s future expected cash flows to spot rates from a yield curve comprised of high-quality corporate bond rates of various durations. The Company recognizes the funded status of its pension plan obligations on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and records in other comprehensive income (loss) certain gains and losses that arise during the period, but are deferred under pension accounting rules.
Product Warranty Costs
Product Warranty Costs

The Company’s products are generally warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year to five years. A provision for estimated warranty costs is recorded at the time a unit is sold. The methodology to determine the warranty reserve calculates the average expected warranty claims using warranty claims by body type, by month, over the life of the bus, which is then multiplied by remaining months under warranty, by warranty type. Management believes the methodology provides an accurate reserve estimate. Actual claims incurred could differ from the original estimates, requiring future adjustments.
Extended Product Warranty Costs The Bus segment also sells extended warranties related to its products. Revenue related to these contracts is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period and costs thereunder are expensed as incurred. All warranty expenses are recorded in the cost of goods sold line on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The current methodology to determine short-term extended warranty income reserve is based on twelve months of the remaining warranty value for each effective extended warranty at the balance sheet date.
Research and Development Research and DevelopmentResearch and development costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred income taxes represent the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company evaluates its ability, based on the weight of evidence available, to realize future tax benefits from deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance to reduce a deferred tax asset to a level which, more likely than not, will be realized in future years.

The Company recognizes uncertain tax positions based on a cumulative probability assessment if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by an appropriate tax authority with full knowledge of all information. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Amounts recorded for uncertain tax positions are periodically assessed, including the evaluation of new facts and circumstances, to ensure sustainability of the positions. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

The Company's policy for releasing income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is to use a specific identification approach.
Environmental Expenditures Environmental LiabilitiesThe Company records reserves for environmental liabilities on a discounted basis when environmental investigation and remediation obligations are probable and related costs are reasonably estimable.
Segment Reporting
Segment Reporting

Operating segments are components of an entity that engage in business activities with discrete financial information available that is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in order to assess performance and allocate resources. The Company’s CODM is its President and Chief Executive Officer. As discussed further in Note 11, Segment Information, the Company determined its operating and reportable segments to be Bus and Parts. The Bus segment includes the manufacturing and assembly of school buses to be sold to a variety of customers across the U.S., Canada and in international markets. The Parts segment consists primarily of the purchase of parts from third parties to be sold to dealers within the Company’s network.
Statement of Cash Flows
Statement of Cash Flows

We classify distributions received from our equity method investment using the nature of distribution approach, such that distributions received are classified based on the nature of the activity of the investee that generated the distribution. Returns on investment are classified within operating activities, while returns of investment are classified within investing activities.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Standards
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

ASU 2016-13 In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires that credit losses on most financial instruments measured at amortized cost and certain other financial instruments be measured using an expected credit loss model. Under this model, entities are required to estimate credit losses over the entire contractual term of the financial instrument from the date of initial recognition of the instrument. As required, the Company adopted this guidance on October 4, 2020, the first day of the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2021. While a number of financial instruments are subject to the scope of ASU 2016-13, its provisions applied only to the Company’s accounts receivable. Given that the Company extends credit with short contractual terms on only a small percentage of its sales, the adoption of the expected credit loss model did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

ASU 2020-04 On March 12, 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, providing temporary guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform primarily resulting from the discontinuation of LIBOR (defined below), which was initially expected to occur on December 31, 2021. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 are elective and apply to all entities that have contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued.

ASU 2021-01 On January 7, 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope, which refines the scope of ASC 848, Reference Rate Reform, and clarifies some of its guidance as part of the FASB’s ongoing monitoring of global reference rate reform activities. The ASU permits entities to elect certain optional expedients and exceptions when accounting for derivative contracts and certain hedging relationships affected by changes in the interest rates used for discounting cash flows, computing variation margin settlements, and calculating price alignment interest in connection with reference rate reform activities under way in global financial markets.

The above amendments are effective for all entities from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. An entity may elect to apply the amendments to contract modifications on a (i) full retrospective basis as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 or (ii) prospective basis from any date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 through the date that the interim financial statements are issued or available to be issued.

On March 5, 2021, the Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. ("ICE") Benchmark Administration ("IBA"), the administrator of the U.S. Dollar London Interbank Offering Rate ("LIBOR"), issued a statement, following the completion of a formal consultation process, reaffirming the preliminary announcement it made on November 30, 2020, to cease publication of (i) 1 week and 2 month LIBOR subsequent to December 31, 2021 and (ii) the overnight and 1, 3, 6 and 12 month LIBOR tenors subsequent to June 30, 2023. The IBA’s statement regarding such cessation dates primarily resulted from a majority of LIBOR panel banks communicating to the IBA that they would be unwilling to continue contributing to the relevant LIBOR settings after such dates. As a result, the IBA determined that it would be unable to publish the relevant LIBOR settings on a representative basis after such dates. The United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), which regulates the IBA, confirmed that, based on information it received from LIBOR panel banks, it does not expect that any LIBOR settings will become unrepresentative before the announced cessation dates summarized above.
Currently, the Company’s interest rate collar, which is not designated in a hedge accounting relationship, and Amended Credit Agreement (defined below) are the only contracts that reference an interest rate index (i.e., 3 month LIBOR) that is subject to the reference rate reform guidance included in the above amendments. While the termination date of the interest rate collar, September 30, 2022, occurs prior to the July 1, 2023 date on which the IBA will no longer publish 3 month LIBOR, the Amended Credit Agreement matures on September 13, 2023, approximately 2.5 months subsequent to such cessation date. However, as management does not currently forecast that the Company will have sufficient cash to fund the term loan borrowings that are expected to be outstanding under the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement upon maturity, it is expecting to refinance such borrowings prior to maturity, with such refinancing likely to occur before the July 1, 2023 LIBOR cessation date. Therefore, it is highly likely that neither the interest rate collar nor Amended Credit Agreement will be modified to reflect the discontinuation of 3 month LIBOR effective July 1, 2023 and accordingly, the Company will not be required to decide whether or not to elect to adopt such amendments prior to or on December 31, 2022 (i.e., the last effective date for adopting the amendments). However, to the extent that either or both of the contracts are modified prior to December 31, 2022, the Company plans to adopt the amendments on a prospective basis by adjusting the derivative fair value and/or debt effective interest rate, as applicable, neither of which is expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
v3.21.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Property, Plant and Equipment Depreciation and amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis using the following periods, which represent the estimated useful lives of the assets:
Years
Buildings15 - 33
Machinery and equipment5 - 10
Office furniture, equipment and other3 - 10
Computer equipment and software3 - 7
Property, plant and equipment, net, consisted of the following at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Land$2,504 $2,164 
Buildings47,307 46,509 
Machinery and equipment101,836 100,112 
Office furniture, equipment and other2,185 2,184 
Computer equipment and software19,233 17,443 
Construction in process25,555 18,028 
Property, plant and equipment, gross198,620 186,440 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(98,290)(88,925)
Operating lease right-of-use assets (1)5,152 5,857 
Property, plant and equipment, net$105,482 $103,372 
(1) Further information is included in Note 10, Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies.
v3.21.2
Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]  
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)
October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Accounts receivable$10,067 $7,723 
Allowance for doubtful accounts(100)(100)
Accounts receivable, net $9,967 $7,623 
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability
The following table reflects activity in accrued warranty cost (current and long-term portion combined) for the fiscal years presented:
(in thousands)202120202019
Balance at beginning of period$21,374 $22,343 $22,646 
Add: current period accruals6,920 8,980 10,869 
Less: current period reductions of accrual(9,744)(9,949)(11,172)
Balance at end of period$18,550 $21,374 $22,343 
The following table reflects activity in deferred warranty income (current and long-term portions combined), for the sale of extended warranties of two years to five years, for the fiscal years presented:
(in thousands)202120202019
Balance at beginning of period$22,588 $24,045 $23,191 
   Add: current period deferred income6,192 7,298 9,238 
   Less: current period recognition of income(8,636)(8,755)(8,384)
Balance at end of period$20,144 $22,588 $24,045 
Schedule of Self Insurance Reserve
The following table reflects the total accrued self-insurance liability, comprised of workers' compensation and health insurance related claims, at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Current portion$2,781 $2,993 
Long-term portion1,732 1,962 
Total accrued self-insurance$4,513 $4,955 
v3.21.2
Inventories (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Inventories, Current
The following table presents components of inventories at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Raw materials$74,862 $43,272 
Work in process41,257 8,989 
Finished goods9,087 4,262 
Total inventories$125,206 $56,523 
v3.21.2
Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Property, Plant and Equipment Depreciation and amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis using the following periods, which represent the estimated useful lives of the assets:
Years
Buildings15 - 33
Machinery and equipment5 - 10
Office furniture, equipment and other3 - 10
Computer equipment and software3 - 7
Property, plant and equipment, net, consisted of the following at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Land$2,504 $2,164 
Buildings47,307 46,509 
Machinery and equipment101,836 100,112 
Office furniture, equipment and other2,185 2,184 
Computer equipment and software19,233 17,443 
Construction in process25,555 18,028 
Property, plant and equipment, gross198,620 186,440 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(98,290)(88,925)
Operating lease right-of-use assets (1)5,152 5,857 
Property, plant and equipment, net$105,482 $103,372 
(1) Further information is included in Note 10, Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies.
v3.21.2
Goodwill (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Goodwill
The carrying amounts of goodwill by reporting unit are as follows at the dates indicated: 
(in thousands)Gross
Goodwill
Accumulated
Impairments
Net Goodwill
October 2, 2021
Bus$15,139 $— $15,139 
Parts3,686 — 3,686 
Total$18,825 $— $18,825 
October 3, 2020
Bus$15,139 $— $15,139 
Parts3,686 — 3,686 
Total$18,825 $— $18,825 
v3.21.2
Intangible Assets (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of intangible assets are as follows at the dates indicated: 
 October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
(in thousands)Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
TotalGross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Total
Finite lived: Engineering designs$3,156 $2,876 $280 $3,156 $2,556 $600 
Finite lived: Customer relationships37,425 28,078 9,347 37,425 26,209 11,216 
Total amortized intangible assets40,581 30,954 9,627 40,581 28,765 11,816 
Indefinite lived: Trade name39,816 — 39,816 39,816 — 39,816 
Total intangible assets$80,397 $30,954 $49,443 $80,397 $28,765 $51,632 
Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of intangible assets are as follows at the dates indicated: 
 October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
(in thousands)Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
TotalGross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Total
Finite lived: Engineering designs$3,156 $2,876 $280 $3,156 $2,556 $600 
Finite lived: Customer relationships37,425 28,078 9,347 37,425 26,209 11,216 
Total amortized intangible assets40,581 30,954 9,627 40,581 28,765 11,816 
Indefinite lived: Trade name39,816 — 39,816 39,816 — 39,816 
Total intangible assets$80,397 $30,954 $49,443 $80,397 $28,765 $51,632 
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense
Amortization expense for finite lived intangible assets for the next five years is expected to be as follows:
(in thousands)
Fiscal Years EndingAmortization Expense
2022$2,010 
20232,010 
20241,869 
20251,869 
20261,869 
Thereafter— 
Total amortization expense$9,627 
v3.21.2
Debt (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments The interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was (i) from the first amendment effective date until the first quarter ended on or about September 30, 2018, LIBOR plus 2.25%, and (ii) commencing with the fiscal quarter ended on or about September 30, 2018 and
thereafter, dependent on the Total Net Leverage Ratio ("TNLR") of the Company, an election of either base rate or LIBOR pursuant to the table below:
LevelTotal Net Leverage RatioABR LoansEurodollar Loans
ILess than 2.00x0.75%1.75%
IIGreater than or equal to 2.00x and less than 2.50x1.00%2.00%
IIIGreater than or equal to 2.50x and less than 3.00x1.25%2.25%
IVGreater than or equal to 3.00x and less than 3.25x1.50%2.50%
VGreater than or equal to 3.25x and less than 3.50x1.75%2.75%
VIGreater than 3.50x2.00%3.00%
Debt consisted of the following at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
2023 term loans, net of deferred financing costs of $2,027 and $2,246, respectively
$164,423 $174,104 
Less: Current portion of long-term debt14,850 9,900 
Long-term debt, net of current portion$149,573 $164,204 
With respect to the financial performance covenants, during the Amended Limited Availability Period for the fiscal quarters ending January 1, 2022 through October 1, 2022, the TNLR requirement is not applicable, although it continues to impact the interest rate that is charged on outstanding borrowings as discussed below. Instead, the minimum consolidated EBITDA that the Company is required to maintain during the Amended Limited Availability Period has been updated to include fiscal 2022 as set forth in the table below (in millions):

PeriodMinimum Consolidated EBITDA
Fiscal quarter ending January 1, 2022$14.5
Fiscal quarter ending April 2, 2022$(4.5)
Fiscal quarter ending July 2, 2022$(6.8)
Fiscal quarter ending October 1, 2022$20.0
The minimum liquidity (in the form of undrawn availability under the Revolving Credit Facility and unrestricted cash and cash equivalents) that the Company must maintain during the Amended Limited Availability Period has been amended as set forth in the table below (in millions):

PeriodMinimum Liquidity
Fourth amendment effective date through January 1, 2022$10.0
January 2, 2022 through April 2, 2022$5.0
April 3, 2022 through July 2, 2022$15.0
Thereafter$20.0

Additionally, a new financial performance covenant was added in the Fourth Amended Credit Agreement, requiring that school bus units manufactured by the Company (“Units”) not fall below the pre-set thresholds set forth in the table below on a three month trailing basis (“Units Covenant”). The Units Covenant is triggered only if the Company’s liquidity for the most-recently ended fiscal month is less than $50 million during the Amended Limited Availability Period:

PeriodMinimum Units Manufactured
Three month period ending November 27, 20211,128
Three month period ending January 1, 2022776
Three month period ending January 29, 2022748
Three month period ending February 26, 2022727
Three month period ending April 2, 2022763
Three month period ending April 30, 20221,111
Three month period ending May 28, 20221,525
Three month period ending July 2, 20222,053
Three month period ending July30, 20222,072
Three month period ending August 27, 20222,199
Three month period ending October 1, 20212,306
The pricing grid in the Fourth Amended Credit Agreement, which is based on the TNLR, is determined in accordance with the amended pricing matrix set forth below:

LevelTotal Net Leverage RatioABR LoansEurodollar Loans
ILess than 2.00x0.75%1.75%
IIGreater than or equal to 2.00x and less than 2.50x1.00%2.00%
IIIGreater than or equal to 2.50x and less than 3.00x1.25%2.25%
IVGreater than or equal to 3.00x and less than 3.25x1.50%2.50%
VGreater than or equal to 3.25x and less than 3.50x1.75%2.75%
VIGreater than or equal to 3.50x and less than 4.50x2.00%3.00%
VIIGreater than or equal to 4.50x and less than 5.00x3.25%4.25%
VIIIGreater than 5.00x4.25%5.25%
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt
The schedule of remaining principal maturities for the term loans is as follows:
(in thousands)
YearPrincipal Payments
2022$14,850 
2023151,600 
Total remaining principal payments$166,450 
v3.21.2
Income Taxes (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Components of Income Tax (Benefit) Expense
The components of income tax benefit (expense) were as follows for the fiscal years presented: 
(in thousands)202120202019
Current tax provision:
Federal$348 $(1,425)$156 
State(82)(65)(985)
Foreign— — (112)
Total current tax benefit (expense)$266 $(1,490)$(941)
Deferred tax provision:
Federal$604 $(715)$(5,844)
State321 686 (788)
Total deferred tax benefit (expense)925 (29)(6,632)
Income tax benefit (expense)$1,191 $(1,519)$(7,573)
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation
A reconciliation between the reported income tax benefit (expense) and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate is as follows: 
(in thousands)202120202019
Federal tax benefit (expense) at statutory rate$415 $(2,203)$(6,223)
(Increase) reduction in income tax expense resulting from:
State taxes, net552 1,508 (611)
Change in uncertain tax positions(635)— — 
Share-based compensation(135)188 (320)
Permanent items(20)(33)(59)
Valuation allowance— (977)(1,043)
Tax credits450 390 470 
Return to accrual adjustments476 (260)115 
Investor tax on non-consolidated affiliate income(28)(185)14 
Tax rate adjustments— — (32)
Other116 53 116 
Income tax benefit (expense)$1,191 $(1,519)$(7,573)
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
(in thousands)202120202019
Balance, beginning of year$— $— $— 
Additions for tax positions of prior years370 — — 
Balance, end of year$370 $— $— 
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
The following table sets forth the sources of and differences between the financial accounting and tax bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities which give rise to the net deferred tax assets at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Deferred tax liabilities
Property, plant and equipment$(10,475)$(11,029)
Other intangible assets(12,060)(11,807)
Investor tax on non-consolidated affiliate income(692)(668)
Other assets(105)(135)
Total deferred tax liabilities$(23,332)$(23,639)
Deferred tax assets
NOL carryforward$1,126 $600 
Accrued expenses6,941 8,419 
Compensation6,691 11,416 
Interest limitation carryforward1,071 — 
Inventories760 1,017 
Unearned income3,488 3,444 
Tax credits7,448 6,307 
Total deferred tax assets$27,525 $31,203 
Less: valuation allowance(3,453)(3,453)
Deferred tax assets less valuation allowance$24,072 $27,750 
Net deferred tax assets$740 $4,111 
v3.21.2
Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The components of lease costs included on the Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows:
(in thousands)Fiscal Years Ended
Lease costClassification20212020
Operating leasesSelling, general and administrative expenses$1,149 $1,440 
Finance leases
Amortization of lease assetsCost of goods sold1,497 1,168 
Interest on lease liabilitiesInterest expense241 238 
Short-term leases (1)Cost of goods sold or selling, general and administrative expenses487 1,390 
Total lease cost$3,374 $4,236 
(1) Short-term lease cost includes both leases and rentals with initial terms of one year or less. Classification depends on the purpose of the underlying lease.
Supplemental cash flow information is presented in the following table:
Fiscal Years Ended
(in thousands)20212020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows - operating leases$1,394 $1,711 
Operating cash flows - finance leases241 238 
Financing cash flows - finance leases1,294 945 
Right-of-use assets exchanged for lease liabilities
Operating leases$62 $— 
Finance leases— 3,496 
Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information
The following table summarizes the lease amounts included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:
(in thousands)Balance Sheet LocationOctober 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Assets
Operating Property, plant and equipment$5,152 $5,857 
Finance (1)Finance lease right-of-use5,486 6,983 
Total lease assets$10,638 $12,840 
Liabilities
Current
OperatingOther current liabilities$1,158 $1,060 
FinanceFinance lease obligations1,327 1,280 
Long-term
OperatingOther liabilities5,529 6,651 
FinanceFinance lease obligations4,538 5,879 
Total lease liabilities$12,552 $14,870 
(1) Net of accumulated amortization of $2.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
Lease terms and discount rates are presented in the following table:
October 2, 2021
OperatingFinance
Weighted average remaining lease term5.3 years3.6 years
Weighted average discount rate4.6 %3.8 %
Schedule of Operating Lease Liability Maturities Lease liability maturities are presented in the following table:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021
Fiscal Years EndedOperatingFinanceTotal
2022$1,437 $1,530 $2,967 
20231,427 1,530 2,957 
20241,444 1,530 2,974 
20251,456 1,742 3,198 
20261,097 — 1,097 
Thereafter685 — 685 
Total future minimum lease payments7,546 6,332 13,878 
Less: imputed interest859 467 1,326 
Total lease liabilities$6,687 $5,865 $12,552 
Schedule of Finance Lease Liability Maturities Lease liability maturities are presented in the following table:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021
Fiscal Years EndedOperatingFinanceTotal
2022$1,437 $1,530 $2,967 
20231,427 1,530 2,957 
20241,444 1,530 2,974 
20251,456 1,742 3,198 
20261,097 — 1,097 
Thereafter685 — 685 
Total future minimum lease payments7,546 6,332 13,878 
Less: imputed interest859 467 1,326 
Total lease liabilities$6,687 $5,865 $12,552 
Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into short-term contractual purchase orders for manufacturing inventory and capital assets. The amount of these commitments is expected to be as follows:
(in thousands)
Fiscal Years EndedAmount
2022$58,579 
202369 
Total purchase commitments$58,648 
v3.21.2
Segment Information (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment
Net sales
(in thousands)202120202019
Bus (1)$625,198 $822,616 $952,242 
Parts (1)58,797 56,605 66,632 
Segment net sales$683,995 $879,221 $1,018,874 
(1) Parts segment revenue includes $3.8 million, $4.1 million, and $3.5 million for fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively, related to inter-segment sales of parts that was eliminated by the Bus segment upon consolidation.
 
Gross profit
(in thousands)202120202019
Bus$50,394 $76,059 $110,015 
Parts21,747 20,141 23,459 
Segment gross profit$72,141 $96,200 $133,474 
Reconciliation of Operating Profit from Segments to Consolidated
The following table is a reconciliation of segment gross profit to consolidated income before income taxes for the fiscal years presented:
(in thousands)202120202019
Segment gross profit$72,141 $96,200 $133,474 
Adjustments:
Selling, general and administrative expenses(65,619)(74,206)(89,642)
Interest expense(9,682)(12,252)(12,879)
Interest income11 
Other income (expense), net1,776 738 (1,331)
Loss on debt modification(598)— — 
(Loss) income before income taxes$(1,978)$10,491 $29,631 
Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Areas
Sales are attributable to geographic areas based on customer location and were as follows for the fiscal years presented:
(in thousands)202120202019
United States$601,751 $795,207 929,523 
Canada75,644 79,442 80,056 
Rest of world6,600 4,572 9,295 
Total net sales$683,995 $879,221 1,018,874 
v3.21.2
Revenue (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table disaggregates revenue by product category for the periods presented:
Fiscal Years Ended
(in thousands)202120202019
Diesel buses$291,203 $397,567 $476,909 
Alternative powered buses (1)300,706 381,555 426,508 
Other (2)34,875 45,191 50,906 
Parts57,211 54,908 64,551 
Net sales$683,995 $879,221 $1,018,874 
(1) Includes buses sold with any power source other than diesel (e.g., gasoline, propane, CNG, electric).
(2) Includes shipping and handling revenue, extended warranty income, surcharges, chassis, and bus shell sales.
v3.21.2
Earnings Per Share (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted
The following table presents the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for the fiscal years presented:
(in thousands except share data)202120202019
Numerator:
Net (loss) income $(289)$12,185 $24,300 
Basic (loss) earnings per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding27,139,054 26,850,999 26,455,436 
Basic (loss) earnings per share$(0.01)$0.45 $0.92 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (1):
Weighted average common shares outstanding27,139,054 26,850,999 26,455,436 
Weighted average dilutive securities, convertible preferred stock— — 98,984 
Weighted average dilutive securities, restricted stock— 188,791 180,032 
Weighted average dilutive securities, warrants— — 179,105 
Weighted average dilutive securities, stock options— 46,765 130,257 
Weighted average shares and dilutive potential common shares27,139,054 27,086,555 27,043,814 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share$(0.01)$0.45 $0.90 
(1) Potentially dilutive securities representing 0.9 million and 0.4 million shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
v3.21.2
Share-Based Compensation (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity
The following table summarizes the Company's restricted stock and RSU activity for the fiscal year presented:
2021
Restricted Stock ActivityNumber of SharesWeighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance, beginning of year171,470 $18.64 
Granted183,291 18.82 
Vested(68,191)19.93 
Forfeited(37,725)18.35 
Balance, end of year248,845 18.50 
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity
The following table summarizes the Company's stock option activity for the fiscal year presented:
2021
Number of OptionsWeighted Average Exercise Price per Share ($)
Outstanding options, beginning of year532,298 $17.62 
Granted331,200 16.84 
Exercised (1)(120,461)16.08 
Expired(64,308)17.39 
Forfeited(52,562)16.42 
Outstanding options, end of year (2)626,167 $17.93 
Fully vested and exercisable options, end of year (3)267,779 $17.85 
(1) Stock options exercised during the fiscal year had an aggregate intrinsic value totaling $1.1 million.
(2) Stock options outstanding at the end of the fiscal year had $2.1 million intrinsic value.
(3) Fully vested and exercisable options at the end of the fiscal year had $0.9 million intrinsic value.
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions
The fair value of each option award at grant date was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions made and resulting grant-date fair values during the fiscal years presented:
202120202019
Expected volatility41 %32 %31 %
Expected dividend yield%%%
Risk-free interest rate0.49 %1.61 %2.75 %
Expected term (in years)2.7 - 6.04.5 - 6.04.5 - 5.5
Weighted-average grant-date fair value$6.58 $6.91 $5.58 
v3.21.2
Benefit Plans (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations
The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the PBO for the Defined Benefit Plan for the fiscal years indicated is presented in the following table:
Benefit Obligation
(in thousands)20212020
Projected benefit obligation balance, beginning of year$169,741 $163,572 
Interest cost4,227 4,947 
Assumption changes (1)(6,580)9,750 
Actuarial gain(47)(315)
Benefits paid(7,253)(8,213)
Projected benefit obligations balance, end of year$160,088 $169,741 
(1) The assumption changes referenced in the table above result from (i) changes in the utilized discount rate to value the future obligations, and (ii) updates to the mortality table projections used in the calculation of the benefit obligations.
Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets The summary and reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the fair value of the Defined Benefit Plan assets are as follows:
Plan Assets
(in thousands)20212020
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year$122,482 $118,048 
Actual return on plan assets17,188 12,147 
Employer contribution4,920 500 
Benefits paid(7,253)(8,213)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year$137,337 $122,482 
Schedule of Net Funded Status The net pension liability is reflected in long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Funded Status
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Benefit obligation$160,088 $169,741 
Fair value of plan assets137,337 122,482 
Funded status(22,751)(47,259)
Net pension liability recognized$(22,751)$(47,259)
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets
The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, a summary of the Defined Benefit Plan’s investments measured at fair value:
(in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
October 2, 2021
Assets:
Equity securities$— $87,827 $— $87,827 
Debt securities— 49,510 — 49,510 
Total assets at fair value$— $137,337 $— $137,337 
October 3, 2020
Assets:
Equity securities$— $60,016 $— $60,016 
Debt securities— 62,466 — 62,466 
Total assets at fair value$— $122,482 $— $122,482 
The Defined Benefit Plan asset allocations at the dates indicated are as follows: 
October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Equity securities64 %49 %
Debt securities36 %51 %
Total securities100 %100 %
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plan Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table represents net periodic benefit (income) expense and changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss, before tax effect, for the fiscal years presented:
(in thousands)202120202019
Interest cost$4,227 $4,947 $6,047 
Expected return on plan assets(7,777)(7,384)(7,619)
Amortization of net loss1,861 1,720 2,758 
Net periodic benefit (income) expense$(1,689)$(717)$1,186 
Net (gain) loss$(16,038)$4,671 $26,083 
Amortization of net loss(1,861)(1,720)(2,758)
Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss$(17,899)$2,951 $23,325 
Total recognized in net periodic pension benefit (income) expense and other comprehensive (income) loss$(19,588)$2,234 $24,511 
Schedule of Assumptions Used
The following actuarial assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations at the dates indicated:
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Discount rate2.80 %2.55 %
Rate of compensation increaseN/AN/A
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
Discount rate2.55 %3.10 %
Expected long-term return on plan assets6.37 %6.37 %
Rate of compensation increaseN/AN/A
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments The following benefit payments are expected to be paid out of the Company's pension assets to the plan participants in the fiscal years indicated:
(in thousands)Expected Payments
2022$8,249 
20238,438 
20248,592 
20258,766 
20268,870 
2027 - 203144,253 
Total expected future benefit payments$87,168 
v3.21.2
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Equity [Abstract]  
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table provides information on changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) for the periods presented:
(in thousands)Defined Benefit Pension PlanTotal AOCL
Balance, September 29, 2018$(38,427)$(38,427)
Other comprehensive loss, gross(26,083)(26,083)
Amounts reclassified and included in earnings2,758 2,758 
Total before taxes(23,325)(23,325)
Income taxes5,598 5,598 
Balance, September 28, 2019$(56,154)$(56,154)
Other comprehensive loss, gross(4,671)(4,671)
Amounts reclassified and included in earnings1,720 1,720 
Total before taxes(2,951)(2,951)
Income taxes708 708 
Balance, October 3, 2020$(58,397)$(58,397)
Other comprehensive income, gross16,038 16,038 
Amounts reclassified and included in earnings1,861 1,861 
Total before taxes17,899 17,899 
Income taxes(4,296)(4,296)
Balance, October 2, 2021$(44,794)$(44,794)
v3.21.2
Subsequent Events (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Subsequent Events [Abstract]  
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments The interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was (i) from the first amendment effective date until the first quarter ended on or about September 30, 2018, LIBOR plus 2.25%, and (ii) commencing with the fiscal quarter ended on or about September 30, 2018 and
thereafter, dependent on the Total Net Leverage Ratio ("TNLR") of the Company, an election of either base rate or LIBOR pursuant to the table below:
LevelTotal Net Leverage RatioABR LoansEurodollar Loans
ILess than 2.00x0.75%1.75%
IIGreater than or equal to 2.00x and less than 2.50x1.00%2.00%
IIIGreater than or equal to 2.50x and less than 3.00x1.25%2.25%
IVGreater than or equal to 3.00x and less than 3.25x1.50%2.50%
VGreater than or equal to 3.25x and less than 3.50x1.75%2.75%
VIGreater than 3.50x2.00%3.00%
Debt consisted of the following at the dates indicated:
(in thousands)October 2, 2021October 3, 2020
2023 term loans, net of deferred financing costs of $2,027 and $2,246, respectively
$164,423 $174,104 
Less: Current portion of long-term debt14,850 9,900 
Long-term debt, net of current portion$149,573 $164,204 
With respect to the financial performance covenants, during the Amended Limited Availability Period for the fiscal quarters ending January 1, 2022 through October 1, 2022, the TNLR requirement is not applicable, although it continues to impact the interest rate that is charged on outstanding borrowings as discussed below. Instead, the minimum consolidated EBITDA that the Company is required to maintain during the Amended Limited Availability Period has been updated to include fiscal 2022 as set forth in the table below (in millions):

PeriodMinimum Consolidated EBITDA
Fiscal quarter ending January 1, 2022$14.5
Fiscal quarter ending April 2, 2022$(4.5)
Fiscal quarter ending July 2, 2022$(6.8)
Fiscal quarter ending October 1, 2022$20.0
The minimum liquidity (in the form of undrawn availability under the Revolving Credit Facility and unrestricted cash and cash equivalents) that the Company must maintain during the Amended Limited Availability Period has been amended as set forth in the table below (in millions):

PeriodMinimum Liquidity
Fourth amendment effective date through January 1, 2022$10.0
January 2, 2022 through April 2, 2022$5.0
April 3, 2022 through July 2, 2022$15.0
Thereafter$20.0

Additionally, a new financial performance covenant was added in the Fourth Amended Credit Agreement, requiring that school bus units manufactured by the Company (“Units”) not fall below the pre-set thresholds set forth in the table below on a three month trailing basis (“Units Covenant”). The Units Covenant is triggered only if the Company’s liquidity for the most-recently ended fiscal month is less than $50 million during the Amended Limited Availability Period:

PeriodMinimum Units Manufactured
Three month period ending November 27, 20211,128
Three month period ending January 1, 2022776
Three month period ending January 29, 2022748
Three month period ending February 26, 2022727
Three month period ending April 2, 2022763
Three month period ending April 30, 20221,111
Three month period ending May 28, 20221,525
Three month period ending July 2, 20222,053
Three month period ending July30, 20222,072
Three month period ending August 27, 20222,199
Three month period ending October 1, 20212,306
The pricing grid in the Fourth Amended Credit Agreement, which is based on the TNLR, is determined in accordance with the amended pricing matrix set forth below:

LevelTotal Net Leverage RatioABR LoansEurodollar Loans
ILess than 2.00x0.75%1.75%
IIGreater than or equal to 2.00x and less than 2.50x1.00%2.00%
IIIGreater than or equal to 2.50x and less than 3.00x1.25%2.25%
IVGreater than or equal to 3.00x and less than 3.25x1.50%2.50%
VGreater than or equal to 3.25x and less than 3.50x1.75%2.75%
VIGreater than or equal to 3.50x and less than 4.50x2.00%3.00%
VIIGreater than or equal to 4.50x and less than 5.00x3.25%4.25%
VIIIGreater than 5.00x4.25%5.25%
v3.21.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Sep. 13, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Deferred financing fees $ 2.0 $ 2.2   $ 2.0
Debt amortization/ Non-cash interest expense $ 1.1 0.9 $ 0.9  
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]        
Extended product warranty, period 12 months      
Research and development expense $ 5.2 $ 6.4 $ 11.5  
Minimum        
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]        
Standard product warranty, period 1 year      
Extended product warranty, period 2 years      
Maximum        
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]        
Standard product warranty, period 5 years      
Extended product warranty, period 5 years      
Engineering designs | Minimum        
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Estimated life 2 years      
Engineering designs | Maximum        
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Estimated life 7 years      
Customer relationships        
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Estimated life 20 years      
v3.21.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Useful Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Buildings | Minimum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Useful life 15 years
Buildings | Maximum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Useful life 33 years
Machinery and equipment | Minimum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Useful life 5 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Useful life 10 years
Computer equipment and software | Minimum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Useful life 3 years
Computer equipment and software | Maximum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Useful life 7 years
Office furniture and fixtures | Minimum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Useful life 3 years
Office furniture and fixtures | Maximum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Useful life 10 years
v3.21.2
Supplemental Financial Information - Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]    
Accounts receivable $ 10,067 $ 7,723
Allowance for doubtful accounts (100) (100)
Accounts receivable, net $ 9,967 $ 7,623
v3.21.2
Supplemental Financial Information - Product Warranty Rollforward (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]      
Balance at beginning of period $ 21,374 $ 22,343 $ 22,646
Add: current period accruals 6,920 8,980 10,869
Less: current period reductions of accrual (9,744) (9,949) (11,172)
Balance at end of period $ 18,550 $ 21,374 $ 22,343
v3.21.2
Supplemental Financial Information - Extended Warranty Income (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Movement in Extended Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]      
Balance at beginning of period $ 22,588 $ 24,045 $ 23,191
Add: current period deferred income 6,192 7,298 9,238
Less: current period recognition of income (8,636) (8,755) (8,384)
Balance at end of period $ 20,144 $ 22,588 $ 24,045
v3.21.2
Supplemental Financial Information - Remaining Performance Obligation (Details) - Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-10-03
$ in Millions
Oct. 02, 2021
USD ($)
Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]  
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, amount $ 7.8
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]  
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period 12 months
v3.21.2
Supplemental Financial Information - Self Insurance (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]    
Current portion $ 2,781 $ 2,993
Long-term portion 1,732 1,962
Total accrued self-insurance $ 4,513 $ 4,955
v3.21.2
Supplemental Financial Information - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]      
Extended product warranty, period 12 months    
Shipping and handling revenue $ 13.4 $ 16.9 $ 19.4
Shipping and handling costs $ 11.7 $ 14.5 $ 17.0
Minimum      
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]      
Extended product warranty, period 2 years    
Maximum      
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]      
Extended product warranty, period 5 years    
v3.21.2
Supplemental Financial Information - Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2018
Oct. 02, 2021
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]    
Interest rate collar 4 years  
Derivative, notional amount $ 150.0  
Floor interest rate 1.50%  
Ceiling interest rate 3.30%  
Payment for derivative   $ 2.0
Interest Rate Collar    
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]    
Fair value of interest rate contract   $ (2.0)
v3.21.2
Inventories (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]    
Raw materials $ 74,862 $ 43,272
Work in process 41,257 8,989
Finished goods 9,087 4,262
Total inventories $ 125,206 $ 56,523
v3.21.2
Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, gross $ 198,620 $ 186,440  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (98,290) (88,925)  
Operating lease, right-of-use assets 5,152 5,857  
Property, plant and equipment, net 105,482 103,372  
Depreciation 9,800 10,100 $ 7,300
Capitalized interest expense related to construction of plant manufacturing assets 800    
Land      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, gross 2,504 2,164  
Buildings      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, gross 47,307 46,509  
Machinery and equipment      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, gross 101,836 100,112  
Office furniture, equipment and other      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, gross 2,185 2,184  
Computer equipment and software      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, gross 19,233 17,443  
Construction in process      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Property, plant and equipment, gross $ 25,555 $ 18,028  
v3.21.2
Goodwill (Details) - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Gross Goodwill $ 18,825,000 $ 18,825,000
Accumulated Impairments 0 0
Net Goodwill 18,825,000 18,825,000
Goodwill impairment 0 0
Bus    
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Gross Goodwill 15,139,000 15,139,000
Accumulated Impairments 0 0
Net Goodwill 15,139,000 15,139,000
Parts    
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Gross Goodwill 3,686,000 3,686,000
Accumulated Impairments 0 0
Net Goodwill $ 3,686,000 $ 3,686,000
v3.21.2
Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Gross Carrying Amount $ 40,581 $ 40,581
Gross Carrying Amount 80,397 80,397
Accumulated Amortization 30,954 28,765
Total 9,627 11,816
Total 49,443 51,632
Trade names    
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Nonamortized intangible assets 39,816 39,816
Engineering designs    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Gross Carrying Amount 3,156 3,156
Accumulated Amortization 2,876 2,556
Total 280 600
Customer relationships    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Gross Carrying Amount 37,425 37,425
Accumulated Amortization 28,078 26,209
Total $ 9,347 $ 11,216
v3.21.2
Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Indefinite lived intangible asset impairment $ 0 $ 0  
Amortization expense for intangible assets $ 2,200,000 $ 3,100,000 $ 2,900,000
Customer relationships      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Estimated life 20 years    
Minimum | Engineering designs      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Estimated life 2 years    
Maximum | Engineering designs      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Estimated life 7 years    
v3.21.2
Intangible Assets Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]    
2022 $ 2,010  
2023 2,010  
2024 1,869  
2025 1,869  
2026 1,869  
Thereafter 0  
Total $ 9,627 $ 11,816
v3.21.2
Debt - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 04, 2020
May 07, 2020
Oct. 15, 2018
Sep. 13, 2018
Dec. 12, 2016
Oct. 03, 2020
Jan. 04, 2020
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Sep. 14, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Deferred financing fees       $ 2,000,000   $ 2,200,000   $ 2,000,000 $ 2,200,000    
Interest expense               9,700,000 12,300,000 $ 12,900,000  
Credit Agreement                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Face amount         $ 235,000,000            
Debt term       5 years 5 years            
Term Loan | Credit Agreement                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Face amount         $ 160,000,000            
Senior Term Loan | Senior Credit Facility                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Long-term line of credit           $ 176,400,000   $ 166,500,000 $ 176,400,000    
Stated interest rate (as a percent)           3.50%   4.00% 3.50%    
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)           4.10%   6.00% 4.10%    
Revolving Credit Facility | Credit Facility | Credit Agreement                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Maximum borrowing capacity         75,000,000           $ 100,000,000
Increase (decrease) to line of credit facility       $ 25,000,000              
Revolving Credit Facility | Credit Facility | Second Amendment To Credit Agreement                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Maximum borrowing capacity   $ 141,900,000                  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)   0.75%   0.00%              
Increase of line of credit limit   $ 41,900,000                  
Debt instrument fee amount   $ 900,000                  
Revolving Credit Facility | Credit Facility | Second Amendment To Credit Agreement | Loss on Debt Modification                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Lender fees and other issuance costs $ 100,000                    
Revolving Credit Facility | Credit Facility | Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 0.50%                    
Minimum liquidity required $ 15,000,000                    
Maximum liquidity allowed 20,000,000                    
Lender fees and other issuance costs 2,500,000                    
Long-term line of credit 100,000,000                    
Revolving Credit Facility | Credit Facility | Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement | Loss on Debt Modification                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Lender fees and other issuance costs 500,000                    
Revolving Credit Facility | Credit Facility | Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement | Other Assets                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Lender fees and other issuance costs 1,100,000                    
Revolving Credit Facility | Credit Facility | Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement | Long-term Debt                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Lender fees and other issuance costs 900,000                    
Revolving Credit Facility | Credit Facility | Senior Revolving Credit Facility                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Long-term debt               $ 45,000,000      
Letters of Credit | Credit Facility | Credit Agreement                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Maximum borrowing capacity       $ 75,000,000 15,000,000            
Proceeds from lines of credit     $ 50,000,000       $ 50,000,000        
Letters of Credit | Credit Facility | Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Remaining borrowing capacity $ 7,000,000                    
Letters of Credit | Credit Facility | Senior Revolving Credit Facility                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Line of credit, amount outstanding               6,300,000      
Remaining borrowing capacity               $ 48,700,000      
Swingline Credit Facility | Credit Facility | Credit Agreement                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Maximum borrowing capacity         $ 5,000,000            
LIBOR | Term Loan | Credit Agreement                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)           2.25%          
v3.21.2
Debt - Covenants (Details) - Term Loan - Credit Agreement
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Less than 2.00x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 0.75%
Less than 2.00x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 1.75%
Greater than or equal to 2.00x and less than 2.50x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 1.00%
Greater than or equal to 2.00x and less than 2.50x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 2.00%
Greater than or equal to 2.50x and less than 3.00x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 1.25%
Greater than or equal to 2.50x and less than 3.00x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 2.25%
Greater than or equal to 3.00x and less than 3.25x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 1.50%
Greater than or equal to 3.00x and less than 3.25x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 2.50%
Greater than or equal to 3.25x and less than 3.50x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 1.75%
Greater than or equal to 3.25x and less than 3.50x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 2.75%
Greater than 3.50x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 2.00%
Greater than 3.50x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 3.00%
v3.21.2
Debt - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Less: Current portion of long-term debt $ 14,850 $ 9,900
Long-term debt, net of current portion 149,573 164,204
Senior Term Loan | Term Loan Facility    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt 164,423 174,104
Deferred financing costs $ 2,027 $ 2,246
v3.21.2
Debt - Maturity Schedule (Details)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
USD ($)
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity  
2022 $ 14,850
2023 151,600
Total remaining principal payments $ 166,450
v3.21.2
Income Taxes - Income Tax (Benefit) Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Current tax provision:      
Federal $ 348 $ (1,425) $ 156
State (82) (65) (985)
Foreign 0 0 (112)
Total current tax benefit (expense) 266 (1,490) (941)
Deferred tax provision:      
Federal 604 (715) (5,844)
State 321 686 (788)
Total deferred tax benefit (expense) 925 (29) (6,632)
Income tax benefit (expense) $ 1,191 $ (1,519) $ (7,573)
v3.21.2
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]      
Effective tax rate (as a percent) 60.20% 14.50% 25.60%
Statutory Federal income tax rate (as a percent) 21.00% 21.00% 21.00%
Accrued interest and penalties $ 300,000 $ 0  
Domestic Tax Authority      
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]      
Federal tax credit carryforward 500,000    
Operating loss carryforwards 1,000,000    
State and Local Jurisdiction      
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]      
Federal tax credit carryforward 8,900,000    
Tax credit carryforwards subject to expiration 3,600,000    
Operating loss carryforwards 16,500,000    
Operating loss carryforwards subject to expiration $ 10,900,000    
v3.21.2
Income Taxes - Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]      
Federal tax benefit (expense) at statutory rate $ 415 $ (2,203) $ (6,223)
State taxes, net 552 1,508 (611)
Change in uncertain tax positions (635) 0 0
Share-based compensation (135) 188 (320)
Permanent items (20) (33) (59)
Valuation allowance 0 (977) (1,043)
Tax credits 450 390 470
Return to accrual adjustments 476 (260) 115
Investor tax on non-consolidated affiliate income (28) (185) 14
Tax rate adjustments 0 0 (32)
Other 116 53 116
Income tax benefit (expense) $ 1,191 $ (1,519) $ (7,573)
v3.21.2
Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]      
Balance, beginning of year $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Additions for tax positions of prior years 370 0 0
Balance, end of year $ 370 $ 0 $ 0
v3.21.2
Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Deferred tax liabilities    
Property, plant and equipment $ (10,475) $ (11,029)
Other intangible assets (12,060) (11,807)
Investor tax on non-consolidated affiliate income (692) (668)
Other assets (105) (135)
Total deferred tax liabilities (23,332) (23,639)
Deferred tax assets    
NOL carryforward 1,126 600
Accrued expenses 6,941 8,419
Compensation 6,691 11,416
Interest limitation carryforward 1,071 0
Inventories 760 1,017
Unearned income 3,488 3,444
Tax credits 7,448 6,307
Total deferred tax assets 27,525 31,203
Less: valuation allowance (3,453) (3,453)
Deferred tax assets less valuation allowance 24,072 27,750
Net deferred tax assets $ 740 $ 4,111
v3.21.2
Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]    
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies, discount rate (as a percent) 9.30%  
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies $ 0.2 $ 0.2
Period for aggregate undiscounted amount 6 years  
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies, gross $ 0.5  
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]    
2022 0.1  
2023 0.1  
2024 0.1  
2025 0.1  
2026 0.1  
Thereafter 0.1  
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]    
Maximum exposure of guarantor $ 3.0  
Guarantor obligations, term 1.3 years  
Fair value of guarantees $ 0.2  
Renewal term 5 years  
Minimum    
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]    
Lease term 1 year  
Maximum    
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]    
Lease term 6 years 2 months 12 days  
v3.21.2
Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Lease Amounts included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Assets    
Operating $ 5,152 $ 5,857
Finance 5,486 6,983
Total lease assets 10,638 12,840
Current    
Operating 1,158 1,060
Finance 1,327 1,280
Long-term    
Operating 5,529 6,651
Finance 4,538 5,879
Total lease liabilities 12,552 14,870
Finance lease, right-of-use asset, accumulated amortization $ 2,800 $ 1,300
Operating lease, right-of-use asset, statement of financial position Property, plant and equipment, net Property, plant and equipment, net
Operating lease, liability, current, statement of financial position Other current liabilities Other current liabilities
Operating lease, liability, noncurrent, statement of financial position Other liabilities Other liabilities
v3.21.2
Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Lease Costs (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]    
Operating leases $ 1,149 $ 1,440
Amortization of lease assets 1,497 1,168
Interest on lease liabilities 241 238
Short-term leases 487 1,390
Total lease cost $ 3,374 $ 4,236
v3.21.2
Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Lease Liability Maturities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Operating    
2022 $ 1,437  
2023 1,427  
2024 1,444  
2025 1,456  
2026 1,097  
Thereafter 685  
Total future minimum lease payments 7,546  
Less: imputed interest 859  
Total lease liabilities 6,687  
Finance    
2022 1,530  
2023 1,530  
2024 1,530  
2025 1,742  
2026 0  
Thereafter 0  
Total future minimum lease payments 6,332  
Less: imputed interest 467  
Total lease liabilities 5,865  
Total    
2022 2,967  
2023 2,957  
2024 2,974  
2025 3,198  
2026 1,097  
Thereafter 685  
Total future minimum lease payments 13,878  
Less: imputed interest 1,326  
Total lease liabilities $ 12,552 $ 14,870
v3.21.2
Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies - Lease Terms and Discount Rates (Details)
Oct. 02, 2021
Operating  
Weighted average remaining lease term 5 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted average discount rate 4.60%
Finance  
Weighted average remaining lease term 3 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted average discount rate 3.80%
v3.21.2
Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities      
Financing cash flows - finance leases $ 1,294 $ 945 $ 133
Operating cash flows - operating leases 1,394 1,711  
Financing cash flows - finance leases 241 238  
Right-of-use assets exchanged for lease liabilities      
Operating leases 62 0 8,040
Finance leases $ 0 $ 3,496 $ 4,770
v3.21.2
Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies - Purchase Commitments (Details)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
2022 $ 58,579
2023 69
Total purchase commitments $ 58,648
v3.21.2
Segment Information (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
USD ($)
segment
Oct. 03, 2020
USD ($)
Sep. 28, 2019
USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Number of operating segments | segment 2    
Net sales $ 683,995 $ 879,221 $ 1,018,874
Net sales 683,995 879,221 1,018,874
Segment gross profit 72,141 96,200 133,474
United States      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Net sales 601,751 795,207 929,523
Canada      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Net sales 75,644 79,442 80,056
Rest of world      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Net sales 6,600 4,572 9,295
Intersegment Eliminations | Parts      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Net sales 3,800 4,100 3,500
Operating Segments      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Net sales 683,995 879,221 1,018,874
Segment gross profit 72,141 96,200 133,474
Operating Segments | Bus      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Net sales 625,198 822,616 952,242
Segment gross profit 50,394 76,059 110,015
Operating Segments | Parts      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Net sales 58,797 56,605 66,632
Segment gross profit $ 21,747 $ 20,141 $ 23,459
v3.21.2
Segment Information - Reconciliation of Segment Gross Profit (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]      
Segment gross profit $ 72,141 $ 96,200 $ 133,474
Selling, general and administrative expenses (65,619) (74,206) (89,642)
Interest expense (9,682) (12,252) (12,879)
Interest income 4 11 9
Other income (expense), net 1,776 738 (1,331)
Loss on debt modification (598) 0 0
(Loss) income before income taxes (1,978) 10,491 29,631
Operating Segments      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]      
Segment gross profit 72,141 96,200 133,474
Segment Reconciling Items      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]      
Selling, general and administrative expenses (65,619) (74,206) (89,642)
Interest expense (9,682) (12,252) (12,879)
Interest income 4 11 9
Other income (expense), net 1,776 738 (1,331)
Loss on debt modification $ (598) $ 0 $ 0
v3.21.2
Revenue (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net sales $ 683,995 $ 879,221 $ 1,018,874
Diesel buses      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net sales 291,203 397,567 476,909
Alternative fuel buses      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net sales 300,706 381,555 426,508
Other      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net sales 34,875 45,191 50,906
Parts      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net sales $ 57,211 $ 54,908 $ 64,551
v3.21.2
Stockholders' Deficit - (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Oct. 15, 2018
Jan. 04, 2020
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Nov. 13, 2018
Class of Stock [Line Items]            
Convertible preferred stock, shares issued upon conversion (in shares)           799,615
Tender offer, repurchase of common stock, held as treasury stock (in shares) 1,782,568          
Tender offer, repurchase of common stock, held as treasury stock, cost per share (in dollars per share) $ 28.00          
Aggregate cost of tender offer repurchase of common stock and preferred stock, including fees and expenses $ 50,300   $ 0 $ 0 $ 50,370  
Convertible Preferred Stock            
Class of Stock [Line Items]            
Tender offer, repurchase of preferred stock (in shares) 364       364  
Tender offer, repurchase of preferred stock (in dollars per share) $ 241.69          
Letters of Credit | Credit Facility | Credit Agreement            
Class of Stock [Line Items]            
Funding received $ 50,000 $ 50,000        
v3.21.2
Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Including Dilutive Securities [Line Items]      
Net (loss) income $ (289) $ 12,185 $ 24,300
Basic earnings per share      
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares) 27,139,054 26,850,999 26,455,436
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share) $ (0.01) $ 0.45 $ 0.92
Diluted earnings per share      
Convertible Preferred Stock - if converted (in shares) 0 0 98,984
Warrants (in shares) 0 0 179,105
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares) 27,139,054 27,086,555 27,043,814
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share) $ (0.01) $ 0.45 $ 0.90
Restricted stock      
Diluted earnings per share      
Dilutive securities related to share based compensation (in shares) 0 188,791 180,032
Non-qualified stock options      
Diluted earnings per share      
Dilutive securities related to share based compensation (in shares) 0 46,765 130,257
Common Stock      
Diluted earnings per share      
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares) 900,000 400,000  
v3.21.2
Share-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Shares authorized to be granted under Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (in shares) 5,200,000    
Exercise price as a percentage of fair value 100.00%    
Stock-based compensation $ 1.9 $ 1.4 $ 1.5
Tax benefit from compensation expense $ 0.5 0.4 0.4
Unrecognized compensation expense, period for recognition 9 months    
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during period $ 1.1 $ 4.3 $ 0.1
Unrecognized compensation costs $ 0.8    
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock awards (in dollars per share) $ 18.82 $ 18.64 $ 17.30
Stock-based compensation $ 3.9 $ 2.7 $ 2.6
Tax benefit from compensation expense 1.0 $ 0.7 $ 0.7
Unrecognized compensation expense $ 1.3    
Unrecognized compensation expense, period for recognition 9 months    
v3.21.2
Share-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock and Unit Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) - $ / shares
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Number of Shares      
Unvested shares, beginning of year (in shares) 171,470    
Granted (in shares) 183,291    
Vested (in shares) (68,191)    
Forfeited (in shares) (37,725)    
Unvested shares, end of year (in shares) 248,845 171,470  
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value      
Unvested shares, beginning of year (in dollars per share) $ 18.64    
Granted (in dollars per share) 18.82 $ 18.64 $ 17.30
Vested (in dollars per share) 19.93    
Forfeited (in dollars per share) 18.35    
Unvested shares, end of year (in dollars per share) $ 18.50 $ 18.64  
v3.21.2
Share-Based Compensation - Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Number of Options      
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) 532,298    
Granted (in shares) 331,200    
Exercised (in shares) (120,461)    
Forfeited (in shares) (52,562)    
Outstanding at end of period (in shares) 626,167 532,298  
Fully vested and expected to vest (in shares) 267,779    
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share ($)      
Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 17.62    
Granted (in dollars per share) 16.84    
Exercised (in dollars per share) 16.08    
Forfeited (in dollars per share) 16.42    
Outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share) 17.93 $ 17.62  
Fully vested and expected to vest (in dollars per share) $ 17.85    
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during period $ 1.1 $ 4.3 $ 0.1
Aggregate intrinsic value 2.1    
Aggregate intrinsic value of options vested and exercisable $ 0.9    
v3.21.2
Share-Based Compensation - Fair Value Assumptions (Details) - Options - $ / shares
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Expected volatility 41.00% 32.00% 31.00%
Expected dividend yield 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Risk-free interest rate 0.49% 1.61% 2.75%
Weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 6.58 $ 6.91 $ 5.58
Minimum      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Expected term (in years) 2 years 8 months 12 days 4 years 6 months 4 years 6 months
Maximum      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Expected term (in years) 6 years 6 years 5 years 6 months
v3.21.2
Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Employer matching contribution, percent of employees' contribution 50.00%    
Employer matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay 6.00%    
Employer discretionary contribution amount $ 500,000 $ 2,200,000 $ 2,200,000
Medical, dental and accident and sickness benefit expense 13,800,000 14,900,000 12,100,000
Bonus liabilities 0    
Pension Plan      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Employer contribution 4,920,000 500,000  
Benefits paid 7,253,000 8,213,000  
Benefit obligation 160,088,000 $ 169,741,000 $ 163,572,000
Estimated net loss to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss over next fiscal year 1,200,000    
Estimated future employer contributions in next fiscal year $ 0    
v3.21.2
Benefit Plans - Projected Benefit Obligation (Details) - Pension Plan - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Change in benefit obligation      
Projected benefit obligation balance, beginning of year $ 169,741 $ 163,572  
Interest cost 4,227 4,947 $ 6,047
Assumption changes (6,580) 9,750  
Actuarial gain (47) (315)  
Benefits paid (7,253) (8,213)  
Projected benefit obligations balance, end of year $ 160,088 $ 169,741 $ 163,572
v3.21.2
Benefit Plans - Change in Plan Assets (Details) - Pension Plan - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Change in plan assets    
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year $ 122,482 $ 118,048
Actual return on plan assets 17,188 12,147
Employer contribution 4,920 500
Benefits paid (7,253) (8,213)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year $ 137,337 $ 122,482
v3.21.2
Benefit Plans - Net Funded Status (Details) - Pension Plan - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Benefit obligation $ 160,088 $ 169,741 $ 163,572
Fair value of plan assets 137,337 122,482 $ 118,048
Funded status (22,751) (47,259)  
Net pension liability recognized $ (22,751) $ (47,259)  
v3.21.2
Benefit Plans - Fair Value of Plan Assets (Details) - Pension Plan - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets $ 137,337 $ 122,482 $ 118,048
Level 1      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 0 0  
Level 2      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 137,337 122,482  
Level 3      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 0 0  
Equity securities      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 87,827 60,016  
Equity securities | Level 1      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 0 0  
Equity securities | Level 2      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 87,827 60,016  
Equity securities | Level 3      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 0 0  
Debt securities      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 49,510 62,466  
Debt securities | Level 1      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 0 0  
Debt securities | Level 2      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets 49,510 62,466  
Debt securities | Level 3      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Fair value of plan assets $ 0 $ 0  
v3.21.2
Benefit Plans - Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Net (gain) loss $ 289 $ (12,185) $ (24,300)
Pension Plan      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Interest cost 4,227 4,947 6,047
Expected return on plan assets (7,777) (7,384) (7,619)
Amortization of net loss 1,861 1,720 2,758
Net periodic benefit (income) expense (1,689) (717) 1,186
Net (gain) loss (16,038) 4,671 26,083
Amortization of net loss (1,861) (1,720) (2,758)
Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss (17,899) 2,951 23,325
Total recognized in net periodic pension benefit (income) expense and other comprehensive (income) loss $ (19,588) $ 2,234 $ 24,511
v3.21.2
Benefit Plans - Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations (Details)
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Pension Plan    
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]    
Discount rate 2.80% 2.55%
v3.21.2
Benefit Plans - Assumptions Used to Determine Net Benefit Cost (Details) - Pension Plan
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]    
Discount rate 2.55% 3.10%
Expected long-term return on plan assets 6.37% 6.37%
v3.21.2
Benefit Plans - Weighted Average Asset Allocations (Details) - Pension Plan
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]    
Weighted average allocations of plan assets 100.00% 100.00%
Equity securities    
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]    
Weighted average allocations of plan assets 64.00% 49.00%
Debt securities    
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]    
Weighted average allocations of plan assets 36.00% 51.00%
v3.21.2
Benefit Plans - Expected Benefit Payments (Details)
$ in Thousands
Oct. 02, 2021
USD ($)
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
2022 $ 8,249
2023 8,438
2024 8,592
2025 8,766
2026 8,870
2027 - 2031 44,253
Total expected future benefit payments $ 87,168
v3.21.2
Equity Investment in Affiliate - Narrative (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
USD ($)
Oct. 03, 2020
USD ($)
Sep. 28, 2019
USD ($)
Oct. 14, 2009
manufacturer
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]        
Number of manufacturers before venture | manufacturer       2
Equity investment in affiliate $ 14,817 $ 14,320    
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliate $ 498 3,213 $ 2,242  
Micro Bird Holdings, Inc.        
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]        
Equity interest in equity method investment (as a percent) 50.00%      
Equity investment in affiliate $ 14,800 14,300    
Equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliate $ 500 $ 3,200 $ 2,200  
v3.21.2
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]      
Balance, beginning period $ (53,230)    
Balance, ending period (32,656) $ (53,230)  
Total AOCL      
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]      
Balance, beginning period (58,397) (56,154) $ (38,427)
Other comprehensive income (loss), gross 16,038 (4,671) (26,083)
Amounts reclassified and included in earnings 1,861 1,720 2,758
Total before taxes 17,899 (2,951) (23,325)
Income taxes (4,296) 708 5,598
Balance, ending period (44,794) (58,397) (56,154)
Defined Benefit Pension Plan      
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]      
Balance, beginning period (58,397) (56,154) (38,427)
Other comprehensive income (loss), gross 16,038 (4,671) (26,083)
Amounts reclassified and included in earnings 1,861 1,720 2,758
Total before taxes 17,899 (2,951) (23,325)
Income taxes (4,296) 708 5,598
Balance, ending period $ (44,794) $ (58,397) $ (56,154)
v3.21.2
Subsequent Events - Narrative (Details) - Subsequent Event
Dec. 15, 2021
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
Nov. 24, 2021
USD ($)
Private Placement    
Subsequent Event [Line Items]    
Number of shares sold (in shares) | shares 4,687,500  
Price of shares sold (in USD per share) | $ / shares $ 16.00  
Percentage ownership after shares sold 15.00%  
Proceeds from private placement $ 75,000,000  
Credit Facility | Fourth Admendment to Credit Agreement    
Subsequent Event [Line Items]    
Maximum TNLR ratio   3.50
Minimum liquidity to avoid trigger of manufacturing covenant   $ 50,000,000
Carryforward of minimum units manufactured   50.00%
Maximum borrowing capacity to trigger stated rate   $ 100,000,000
Stated interest rate above maximum borrowing capacity   5.75%
Stated interest rate (as a percent)   0.50%
Maximum equity offering   $ 100,000,000
Equity proceeds used to repay debt   100.00%
Maximum borrowings before equity issuance   $ 110,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity after equity issuance   $ 100,000,000
v3.21.2
Subsequent Events - Minimum EBIT (Details) - Subsequent Event - Credit Facility - Fourth Admendment to Credit Agreement
Nov. 24, 2021
USD ($)
Limited Availability Period One  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Consolidated EBITDA $ 14.5
Limited Availability Period Two  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Consolidated EBITDA (4.5)
Limited Availability Period Three  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Consolidated EBITDA (6.8)
Limited Availability Period Four  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Consolidated EBITDA $ 20.0
v3.21.2
Subsequent Events - Minimum Liquidity (Details) - Credit Facility - Fourth Admendment to Credit Agreement - Subsequent Event
Nov. 24, 2021
USD ($)
Limited Availability Period One  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Liquidity $ 10.0
Limited Availability Period Two  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Liquidity 5.0
Limited Availability Period Three  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Liquidity 15.0
Limited Availability Period Four  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Liquidity $ 20.0
v3.21.2
Subsequent Events - Minimum Units Manufactured (Details) - Fourth Admendment to Credit Agreement - Credit Facility - Subsequent Event
Nov. 24, 2021
school_bus
Limited Availability Period One  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Units Manufactured 1,128
Limited Availability Period Two  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Units Manufactured 776
Limited Availability Period Three  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Units Manufactured 748
Limited Availability Period Four  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Units Manufactured 727
Limited Availability Period Five  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Units Manufactured 763
Limited Availability Period Six  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Units Manufactured 1,111
Limited Availability Period Seven  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Units Manufactured 1,525
Limited Availability Period Eight  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Units Manufactured 2,053
Limited Availability Period Nine  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Units Manufactured 2,072
Limited Availability Period Ten  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Units Manufactured 2,199
Limited Availability Period Eleven  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Minimum Units Manufactured 2,306
v3.21.2
Subsequent Events - Covenants (Details) - Credit Facility - Fourth Admendment to Credit Agreement - Subsequent Event
Nov. 24, 2021
Less than 2.00x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 0.75%
Less than 2.00x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 1.75%
Greater than or equal to 2.00x and less than 2.50x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 1.00%
Greater than or equal to 2.00x and less than 2.50x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 2.00%
Greater than or equal to 2.50x and less than 3.00x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 1.25%
Greater than or equal to 2.50x and less than 3.00x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 2.25%
Greater than or equal to 3.00x and less than 3.25x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 1.50%
Greater than or equal to 3.00x and less than 3.25x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 2.50%
Greater than or equal to 3.25x and less than 3.50x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 1.75%
Greater than or equal to 3.25x and less than 3.50x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 2.75%
Greater than or equal to 3.50x and less than 4.50x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 2.00%
Greater than or equal to 3.50x and less than 4.50x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 3.00%
Greater than or equal to 4.50x and less than 5.00x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 3.25%
Greater than or equal to 4.50x and less than 5.00x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 4.25%
Greater than 5.00x | ABR Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 4.25%
Greater than 5.00x | Eurodollar Loans  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) 5.25%
v3.21.2
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2021
Oct. 03, 2020
Sep. 28, 2019
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts      
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]      
Beginning Balance $ 100 $ 100 $ 100
Charges to Expense/(Income) 0 0 0
Doubtful Accounts Written Off, Net 0 0 0
Ending Balance 100 100 100
Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance      
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]      
Beginning Balance 3,453 2,476 1,432
Charges to Expense/(Income) 0 999 1,203
Doubtful Accounts Written Off, Net 0 (22) (159)
Ending Balance $ 3,453 $ 3,453 $ 2,476
v3.21.2
Label Element Value
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List] us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member