Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis contains certain "forward-looking statements" which are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events to differ materially from those discussed herein. Factors which may cause such differences in events include those disclosed under the section captioned “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in other fillings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors include, among other things: risk related to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, conditions in the domestic and international automotive industry, upon which we rely for sales revenue, the intense competition in our markets, the concentration of our sales with major customers, risks related to export sales, including the imposition of tariffs, the price and availability of raw materials, supply chain disruptions, labor relations issues and rising costs, losses related to product liability, warranty and recall claims, costs relating to compliance with environmental laws and regulations, information systems disruptions and the threat of cyber attacks, the loss of the services of our key employees, our indebtedness which could affect our financial flexibility, financial condition and competitive position, and our internal control over financial reporting where a material weakness was identified. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events unless required under the federal securities laws.
 
Results of Operations
Sales for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were $7,245,635 compared to $7,853,181 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $607,546 or 7.7%. Sales for both the fastener and assembly equipment segments decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2025 by $564,883 or 8.4%, and $42,663 or 3.8%, respectively, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. Although overall sales were down, gross margins improved year-over-year by $612,530 in the fastener segment, and $300,649, in the assembly equipment segment. The improvement in gross margins was driven by the continued implementation of a revised pricing structure started in 2024, reduction in certain operating costs, and increased efficiency following the consolidation of the Albia operations into the Tyrone manufacturing facility, which lowered production costs through enhanced economies of scale. In addition to the improvement in gross margins, year-over-year selling and administrative expenses were lower by $60,298 reflecting efforts at continued cost discipline and operational efficiency. Other income was also higher by $322,738 primarily driven by the sale of the Albia manufacturing facility which resulted in the recording of a one-time gain of $339,520. These factors collectively contributed to a net income of $401,022 or $0.42 per share in the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to a net loss of $698,004 or $0.72 per share in the three months ended March 31, 2024
Fastener segment sales were $6,158,971 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $6,723,854 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decline of $564,883 or 8.4%. The automotive sector is the primary market for our fastener segment products, and sales to automotive customers were $3,798,658 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $4,629,190 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $830,532, or 17.9% primarily due to a slowdown in North American vehicle production and continued volatility across the Midwest automotive manufacturing sector. Industry-wide production fell sharply in January 2025, leading to reduced order volumes from key original equipment manufacturers. In addition, elevated interest rates and ongoing economic uncertainty contributed to softer consumer demand, prompting inventory adjustments and cautious procurement behavior among our automotive customers. In contrast, fastener segment sales to non-automotive customers, including those in the construction and electronics industries, were $2,360,313 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $2,094,564 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $265,749 or 12.7% reflecting the successful execution of a strategic pivot by our sales team. In response to softening demand in the automotive sector, the sales team proactively expanded outreach to customers in industrial, construction, and consumer goods markets, which are segments that have historically demonstrated more stable demand profiles amid broader economic headwinds.
Assembly equipment segment sales were $1,086,664 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $1,129,327 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $42,663, or 3.8%. Both automotive and non-automotive assembly equipment sales decreased in this segment by $6,554 and $36,109, respectively, year-over-year. These modest declines reflect timing-related factors in customer purchasing cycles as well as project delays stemming from cautious capital investment trends across multiple industries. Although sales declined year-over-year, the assembly equipment gross margin increased by $300,649 during the period. This margin expansion reflects the Company’s ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and reduce its cost structure, with the consolidation of the Albia operations into