UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended July 3, 2010
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________________________________ to ________________________________
Commission File Number 1-9789
TECH/OPS SEVCON, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
Delaware
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04-2985631
|
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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155 Northboro Road, Southborough, Massachusetts 01772
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(508) 281-5510
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer o
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer o
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Smaller reporting company x
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
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Class
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Outstanding at August 11, 2010
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Common stock, par value $.10
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3,340,322
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TECH/OPS SEVCON, INC.
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JULY 3, 2010
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- 2 -
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries
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(in thousands of dollars except per share data)
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||||||||
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July 3,
2010
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September 30,
2009
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|||||||
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(unaudited)
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(derived from audited statements)
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|||||||
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ASSETS
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||||||||
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Current assets:
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||||||||
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$ | 983 | $ | 632 | ||||
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Receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $42 at July 3, 2010
and $92 at September 30, 2009
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4,537 | 3,383 | ||||||
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Inventories
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4,648 | 4,723 | ||||||
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets
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915 | 1,398 | ||||||
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Total current assets
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11,083 | 10,136 | ||||||
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Property, plant and equipment:
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||||||||
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At cost
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10,702 | 10,745 | ||||||
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Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
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7,804 | 7,874 | ||||||
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Net property, plant and equipment
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2,898 | 2,871 | ||||||
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Long-term deferred tax asset
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2,277 | 2,357 | ||||||
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Goodwill
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1,435 | 1,435 | ||||||
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Other long-term assets
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14 | 11 | ||||||
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Total assets
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$ | 17,707 | $ | 16,810 | ||||
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
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||||||||
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Current liabilities:
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||||||||
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Accounts payable
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$ | 2,816 | $ | 1,730 | ||||
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Accrued expenses
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1,387 | 1,611 | ||||||
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Accrued and deferred taxes on income
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47 | - | ||||||
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Total current liabilities
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4,250 | 3,341 | ||||||
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Liability for pension benefits
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7,022 | 7,166 | ||||||
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Other long term liabilities
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203 | 48 | ||||||
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Total liabilities
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11,475 | 10,555 | ||||||
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Stockholders’ equity:
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||||||||
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Preferred stock, par value $.10 per share - authorized - 1,000,000 shares;
outstanding – none
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- | - | ||||||
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Common stock, par value $.10 per share - authorized - 8,000,000 shares;
Outstanding 3,340,322 shares at July 3, 2010 and 3,326,322 shares at
September 30, 2009
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334 | 333 | ||||||
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Premium paid in on common stock
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5,118 | 5,033 | ||||||
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Retained earnings
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7,194 | 6,889 | ||||||
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss
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(6,414 | ) | (6,000 | ) | ||||
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Total stockholders’ equity
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6,232 | 6,255 | ||||||
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Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
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$ | 17,707 | $ | 16,810 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
(Unaudited)
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries
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(in thousands of dollars except per share data)
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||||||||||||||||
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Three months ended
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Nine months ended
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|||||||||||||||
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July 3,
2010
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June 27,
2009
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July 3,
2010
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June 27,
2009
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||||||||||||
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Net sales
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$ | 6,490 | $ | 4,060 | $ | 19,022 | $ | 15,770 | ||||||||
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Cost of sales
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4,230 | 2,579 | 12,157 | 9,946 | ||||||||||||
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Gross Profit
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2,260 | 1,481 | 6,865 | 5,824 | ||||||||||||
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Selling, research and administrative expenses
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2,322 | 2,055 | 6,703 | 6,496 | ||||||||||||
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Restructuring charge
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- | (5 | ) | - | 298 | |||||||||||
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Operating (loss) income
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(62 | ) | (569 | ) | 162 | (970 | ) | |||||||||
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Interest expense
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(6 | ) | (6 | ) | (16 | ) | (21 | ) | ||||||||
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Interest income
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- | - | 26 | 4 | ||||||||||||
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Foreign currency gain (loss)
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205 | 79 | 252 | (137 | ) | |||||||||||
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Income (loss) before income taxes
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137 | (496 | ) | 424 | (1,124 | ) | ||||||||||
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Income tax (provision) benefit
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(18 | ) | 196 | (119 | ) | 390 | ||||||||||
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Net income (loss)
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$ | 119 | $ | (300 | ) | $ | 305 | $ | (734 | ) | ||||||
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Basic income (loss) per share
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$ | .03 | $ | (.09 | ) | $ | .09 | $ | (.23 | ) | ||||||
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Fully diluted income (loss) per share
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$ | .03 | $ | (.09 | ) | $ | .09 | $ | (.23 | ) | ||||||
(Unaudited)
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries
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(in thousands of dollars)
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||||||||||||||||
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Three months ended
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Nine months ended
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|||||||||||||||
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July 3,
2010
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June 27,
2009
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July 3,
2010
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June 27,
2009
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|||||||||||||
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Net income (loss)
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$ | 119 | $ | (300 | ) | $ | 305 | $ | (734 | ) | ||||||
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Foreign currency translation adjustment
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(190 | ) | 934 | (439 | ) | (528 | ) | |||||||||
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Amortization of pension transition items to income
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8 | 8 | 25 | 24 | ||||||||||||
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Comprehensive (loss) income
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$ | (63 | ) | $ | 642 | $ | (109 | ) | $ | (1,238 | ) | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
(Unaudited)
Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. and Subsidiaries
|
(in thousands of dollars)
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||||||||
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Nine months ended
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||||||||
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July 3,
2010
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June 27,
2009
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|||||||
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Cash flow from operating activities:
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||||||||
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Net income (loss)
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$ | 305 | $ | (734 | ) | |||
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Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from (used by) operating activities:
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||||||||
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Depreciation
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425 | 412 | ||||||
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Loss on disposal of fixed assets
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6 | - | ||||||
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Stock-based compensation
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87 | 124 | ||||||
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Pension contributions less than (greater than) pension expense
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222 | (6 | ) | |||||
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Deferred tax provision
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- | 19 | ||||||
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Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities:
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||||||||
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Receivables
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(1,358 | ) | 3,062 | |||||
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Inventories
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(102 | ) | (642 | ) | ||||
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets
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(68 | ) | (139 | ) | ||||
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Accounts payable
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1,189 | (1,766 | ) | |||||
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Accrued expenses
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(135 | ) | (532 | ) | ||||
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Accrued and deferred taxes on income
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526 | (615 | ) | |||||
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Net cash generated from (used by) operating activities
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1,097 | (817 | ) | |||||
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Cash flow used by investing activities:
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||||||||
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Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
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(608 | ) | (194 | ) | ||||
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Net cash used by investing activities
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(608 | ) | (194 | ) | ||||
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Cash flow generated from (used by) financing activities:
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||||||||
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Dividends paid
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- | (98 | ) | |||||
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Proceeds of long-term debt
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161 | - | ||||||
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Net cash generated from (used by) financing activities
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161 | (98 | ) | |||||
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Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
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(299 | ) | (328 | ) | ||||
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Net increase (decrease) in cash
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351 | (1,437 | ) | |||||
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Beginning balance - cash and cash equivalents
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632 | 1,630 | ||||||
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Ending balance - cash and cash equivalents
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$ | 983 | $ | 193 | ||||
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Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
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||||||||
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Cash paid for income taxes
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$ | - | $ | 235 | ||||
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Cash paid for interest
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$ | 13 | $ | 21 | ||||
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Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activity:
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||||||||
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Dividend declared
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$ | - | $ | - | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – July 3, 2010
(Unaudited)
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(1)
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Basis of presentation
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Tech/Ops Sevcon, Inc. (“Tech/Ops”) is a Delaware corporation organized on December 22, 1987 to carry on the electronic controls business previously performed by Tech/Ops, Inc. Through wholly-owned subsidiaries located in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, South Korea and Japan, the Company designs and sells, under the Sevcon name, microprocessor based controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles. The controls are used to vary the speed and movement of vehicles, to integrate specialized functions and to prolong the shift life of vehicles’ power source. The Company’s customers are manufacturers of on-road, off-road and industrial vehicles including automobiles, buses, fork lift trucks, aerial lifts, mining vehicles, airport ground support vehicles, utility vehicles, sweepers and other electrically powered vehicles
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normally recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Tech/Ops as of July 3, 2010 and the results of operations and cash flows for the nine months ended July 3, 2010. These unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2009 annual consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the 2009 Tech/Ops Annual Report filed on Form 10-K (the “2009 10-K”). Unless otherwise indicated, each reference to a year means the Company’s fiscal year, which ends on September 30.
The significant accounting policies followed by Tech/Ops are set forth in Note 1 to the financial statements in the 2009 10-K. Other than as set forth in Item 2, there have been no changes since the end of fiscal 2009 to the significant accounting policies followed by Tech/Ops.
The results of operations for the nine month period ended July 3, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
(2) New accounting pronouncements
In December 2008 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance regarding disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets. The new guidance requires employers of public and nonpublic companies to disclose more information about how investment allocation decisions are made, more information about major categories of plan assets, including concentration of risk and fair-value measurements, and the fair-value techniques and inputs used to measure plan assets. The disclosure requirements are effective for annual financial statements for years ending after December 15, 2009. The disclosure requirements will be adopted for our annual financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2010, on a prospective basis.
(3) Stock-based compensation plans
Under the Company’s 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) there were 258,000 shares reserved and available for grant at July 3, 2010. Recipients of grants must execute a standard form of non-competition agreement. The plan provides for the grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Options, and Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”). SARs may be awarded either separately, or in relation to options granted, and for the grant of bonus shares. Options granted are exercisable at a price not less than fair market value on the date of grant.
The fair value of each grant is measured on the date of grant and is recognized over the period during which the recipient is required to provide service in connection with the grant. The fair value of stock grants is determined using the market price of our common stock on the date of grant, while the value of option grants is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. There were no option grants in the first nine months of 2010 or in fiscal 2009 and therefore no assumptions were made as to risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield, expected life or expected volatility in 2010 or 2009. When options are exercised the Company normally issues new shares.
A summary of option activity for all plans for the nine months ended July 3, 2010 is as follows:
|
Options
No. of shares
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Weighted
average
Exercise Price
|
Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life (years)
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
|
|||||||||||||
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Outstanding at September 30, 2009
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63,500 | $ | 7.03 |
2.0 years
|
$ | - | ||||||||||
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Granted
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- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
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Exercised
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- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
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Cancelled
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(17,500 | ) | 10.75 | - | - | |||||||||||
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Outstanding and expected to vest
at July 3, 2010
|
46,000 | $ | 5.62 |
2.3 years
|
$ | 22,600 | ||||||||||
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Exercisable at July 3, 2010
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36,000 | $ | 5.62 |
2.5 years
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$ | 18,300 | ||||||||||
The aggregate intrinsic value included in the table above represents the difference between the exercise price of the options and the market price of the Company’s common stock for the options that had exercise prices that were lower than the $5.10 closing market price of the Company’s common stock at July 3, 2010.
In January 2010, the Company granted 12,000 shares of restricted stock to six non-employee directors and in May 2010, the Company granted 2,000 shares of restricted stock to one non-employee director. These shares will all vest on the day before the 2011 annual meeting provided that the grantee remains a director of the Company, or as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee. The fair value of the stock measured on the date of grant was $27,000 for those granted in January 2010 and $10,000 for those granted in May 2010, based on the fair market value of the stock on date of grant. This unearned compensation is being charged to income on a straight line basis over the period during which the forfeiture conditions lapse. The charge to income for these restricted stock grants in the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was $12,000 and the subsequent charge will be approximately $10,000 on a quarterly basis.
During the restriction period, ownership of unvested shares cannot be transferred. Restricted stock has the same cash dividend and voting rights as other common stock and is considered to be currently issued and outstanding. However, for the purposes of calculating average issued shares for earnings per share, these shares are only considered to be outstanding when the forfeiture conditions lapse and the shares vest.
Restricted stock activity for the nine months ended July 3, 2010 was as follows:
|
Number of shares of Restricted Stock
|
Weighted Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
|
|||||||
|
Non-vested balance as of September 30, 2009
|
79,000 | $ | 3.62 | |||||
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Granted
|
14,000 | $ | 2.60 | |||||
|
Vested
|
(33,000 | ) | $ | 3.94 | ||||
|
Forfeited
|
- | $ | - | |||||
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Non-vested balance as of July 3, 2010
|
60,000 | $ | 3.20 | |||||
Total stock based compensation recognized on stock options and restricted stock for the three and nine month periods ended July 3, 2010 was $24,000 and $87,000, respectively, and for the three and nine month periods ended June 27, 2009 was $36,000 and $124,000, respectively. At July 3, 2010, there was $154,000 of unrecognized compensation expense related to share options and restricted stock granted under the Plan. The Company expects to recognize that cost over a weighted average period of 2.4 years.
(4) Cash dividends
While the Company has paid regular quarterly dividends in the past, due to the continuing uncertain economic outlook, the Board of Directors continues to suspend the payment of dividends and will consider whether to resume paying dividends on a quarter by quarter basis.
(5) Calculation of earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding
Basic and fully diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows:
|
(in thousands except per share data)
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months ended
|
Nine Months ended
|
|||||||||||||||
|
July 3,
2010
|
June 27,
2009
|
July 3,
2010
|
June 27,
2009
|
|||||||||||||
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Net income (loss)
|
$ | 119 | $ | (300 | ) | $ | 305 | $ | (734 | ) | ||||||
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Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
|
3,280 | 3,247 | 3,270 | 3,239 | ||||||||||||
|
Basic income (loss) per share
|
$ | .03 | $ | (.09 | ) | $ | .09 | $ | (.23 | ) | ||||||
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Common stock equivalents
|
30 | - | 19 | - | ||||||||||||
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Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
|
3,310 | 3,247 | 3,289 | 3,239 | ||||||||||||
|
Diluted income (loss) per share
|
$ | .03 | $ | (.09 | ) | $ | .09 | $ | (.23 | ) | ||||||
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No. of options that are anti-dilutive excluded from calculation of common stock equivalents
|
15 | 64 | 46 | 64 | ||||||||||||
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No. of shares of non-vested restricted stock that are anti-dilutive excluded from calculation of common stock equivalents
|
- | 79 | - | 79 | ||||||||||||
(6) Segment information
The Company has two reportable segments: electronic controls and capacitors. The electronic controls segment produces microprocessor based control systems for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles. The capacitors segment produces metalized film capacitors for sale to electronic equipment manufacturers. Each segment has its own management team and sales force and the capacitors segment has its own manufacturing facility.
The significant accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 to the 2009
10-K. Inter-segment revenues are accounted for at current market prices. The Company evaluates the performance of each segment principally based on operating income. The Company does not allocate income taxes, interest income and expense or foreign currency translation gains and losses to segments. Information concerning operations of these businesses is as follows:
|
(in thousands of dollars)
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Three months ended July 3, 2010
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Controls
|
Capacitors
|
Corporate
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
|
Sales to external customers
|
$ | 6,044 | $ | 446 | $ | - | $ | 6,490 | ||||||||
|
Inter-segment revenues
|
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
|
Operating (loss) income
|
(27 | ) | 30 | (65 | ) | (62 | ) | |||||||||
|
Identifiable assets
|
16,351 | 1,131 | 225 | 17,707 | ||||||||||||
|
Three months ended June 27, 2009
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Controls
|
Capacitors
|
Corporate
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
|
Sales to external customers
|
$ | 3,665 | $ | 395 | $ | - | $ | 4,060 | ||||||||
|
Inter-segment revenues
|
- | 6 | - | 6 | ||||||||||||
|
Operating (loss) income
|
(461 | ) | 7 | (115 | ) | (569 | ) | |||||||||
|
Identifiable assets
|
14,056 | 791 | 611 | 15,458 | ||||||||||||
|
Nine months ended July 3, 2010
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Controls
|
Capacitors
|
Corporate
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
|
Sales to external customers
|
$ | 17,811 | $ | 1,211 | $ | - | $ | 19,022 | ||||||||
|
Inter-segment revenues
|
- | 14 | - | 14 | ||||||||||||
|
Operating income (loss)
|
293 | 67 | (198 | ) | 162 | |||||||||||
|
Depreciation
|
397 | 33 | 1 | 431 | ||||||||||||
|
Identifiable assets
|
16,351 | 1,131 | 225 | 17,707 | ||||||||||||
|
Capital expenditures
|
337 | 271 | - | 608 | ||||||||||||
|
Nine months ended June 27, 2009
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Controls
|
Capacitors
|
Corporate
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
|
Sales to external customers
|
$ | 14,531 | $ | 1,239 | $ | - | $ | 15,770 | ||||||||
|
Inter-segment revenues
|
- | 31 | - | 31 | ||||||||||||
|
Operating (loss) income
|
(773 | ) | 77 | (274 | ) | (970 | ) | |||||||||
|
Depreciation
|
386 | 24 | 2 | 412 | ||||||||||||
|
Identifiable assets
|
14,056 | 791 | 611 | 15,458 | ||||||||||||
|
Capital expenditures
|
187 | 7 | - | 194 | ||||||||||||
In the electronic controls segment, the revenues were derived from the following products and services:
|
(in thousands of dollars)
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months ended
|
Nine Months ended
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
July 3,
2010
|
June 27,
2009
|
July 3,
2010
|
June 27,
2009
|
||||||||||||
|
Electronic controls for zero emission electric vehicles
|
$ | 3,151 | $ | 1,811 | $ | 10,333 | $ | 8,259 | ||||||||
|
Accessory and aftermarket products and services
|
2,893 | 1,854 | 7,478 | 6,272 | ||||||||||||
|
Total controls segment revenues
|
$ | 6,044 | $ | 3,665 | $ | 17,811 | $ | 14,531 | ||||||||
(7) Research and development
The cost of research and development programs is charged against income as incurred and was as follows:
|
(in thousands of dollars)
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months ended
|
Nine Months ended
|
|||||||||||||||
|
July 3,
2010
|
June 27,
2009
|
July 3,
2010
|
June 27,
2009
|
|||||||||||||
|
Research and Development expense
|
$ | 747 | $ | 621 | $ | 2,242 | $ | 2,057 | ||||||||
|
Percentage of sales
|
11.5% | 15.3% | 11.8% | 13.0% | ||||||||||||
(8) Employee benefit plans
Tech/Ops has defined benefit plans covering the majority of its U.S. and U.K. employees. There is also a small defined contribution plan. The following table sets forth the components of the net pension cost:
|
(in thousands of dollars)
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months ended
|
Nine Months ended
|
|||||||||||||||
|
July 3,
2010
|
June 27,
2009
|
July 3,
2010
|
June 27,
2009
|
|||||||||||||
|
Service cost
|
$ | 78 | $ | 88 | $ | 242 | $ | 254 | ||||||||
|
Interest cost
|
287 | 288 | 892 | 830 | ||||||||||||
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
(220 | ) | (277 | ) | (685 | ) | (797 | ) | ||||||||
|
Amortization of net loss
|
55 | - | 173 | - | ||||||||||||
|
Amortization of prior service cost
|
11 | 12 | 35 | 34 | ||||||||||||
|
Net periodic benefit cost
|
211 | 111 | 657 | 321 | ||||||||||||
|
Net cost of defined contribution plans
|
$ | 6 | $ | 6 | $ | 19 | $ | 23 | ||||||||
The following table sets forth the movement in the liability for pension benefits in the nine months ended July 3, 2010 and June 27, 2009:
|
(in thousands of dollars)
|
||||||||
|
Nine Months ended
|
||||||||
|
July 3,
2010
|
June 27,
2009
|
|||||||
|
Liability for pension benefits at beginning of period
|
$ | 7,166 | $ | 378 | ||||
|
Net periodic benefit cost
|
657 | 321 | ||||||
|
Plan contributions
|
(435 | ) | (305 | ) | ||||
|
Amortization of prior service cost
|
(35 | ) | - | |||||
|
Effect of exchange rate changes
|
(331 | ) | (111 | ) | ||||
|
Balance at end of period
|
$ | 7,022 | $ | 283 | ||||
Tech/Ops contributed $109,000 to its U.S. pension plan in the nine months ended July 3, 2010; it presently anticipates contributing an additional $100,000 to fund its U.S. plan in the remainder of 2010. In addition, employer contributions to the U.K. defined benefit plan were $326,000 in the first nine months and are estimated to total $375,000 in 2010.
(9) Inventories
Inventories were comprised of:
|
(in thousands of dollars)
|
||||||||
|
July 3,
2010
|
September 30,
2009
|
|||||||
|
Raw materials
|
$ | 715 | $ | 676 | ||||
|
Work-in-process
|
59 | 141 | ||||||
|
Finished goods
|
3,874 | 3,906 | ||||||
| $ | 4,648 | $ | 4,723 | |||||
(10) Fair value of financial instruments
The Company's financial instruments consist mainly of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The carrying amount of these financial instruments as of July 3, 2010 and September 30, 2009 approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. At July 3, 2010 the Company had no financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
(11) Accrued expenses
Set out below is an analysis of other accrued expenses at July 3, 2010 and September 30, 2009, which shows separately any items in excess of 5% of total current liabilities:
|
(in thousands of dollars)
|
||||||||
|
July 3,
2010
|
September 30,
2009
|
|||||||
|
Accrued compensation and related costs
|
$ | 859 | $ | 497 | ||||
|
Warranty reserves
|
225 | 217 | ||||||
|
Other accrued expenses
|
303 | 897 | ||||||
| $ | 1,387 | $ | 1,611 | |||||
(12) Warranty reserves
The movement in warranty reserves was as follows:
|
(in thousands of dollars)
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months ended
|
Nine Months ended
|
|||||||||||||||
|
July 3,
2010
|
June 27,
2009
|
July 3,
2010
|
June 27,
2009
|
|||||||||||||
|
Warranty reserves at beginning of period
|
$ | 211 | $ | 193 | $ | 217 | $ | 362 | ||||||||
|
Decrease in beginning balance for warranty obligations settled during the period
|
(36 | ) | (7 | ) | (92 | ) | (243 | ) | ||||||||
|
Other changes to pre-existing warranties
|
- | (7 | ) | 16 | 86 | |||||||||||
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
(3 | ) | 20 | (10 | ) | (29 | ) | |||||||||
|
Net increase in warranty reserves for products sold during the period
|
53 | 8 | 94 | 31 | ||||||||||||
|
Warranty reserves at end of period
|
$ | 225 | $ | 207 | $ | 225 | $ | 207 | ||||||||
(13) Subsequent events
In preparing these interim consolidated financial statements, the Company has evaluated, for the potential recognition or disclosure, events or transactions subsequent to the end of the most recent quarterly period and through the date these financial statements were available to be issued. No material subsequent events were identified that require recognition or disclosure in these financial statements.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this discussion and analysis about the Company’s anticipated financial results and growth, as well as those about the development of its products and markets, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These include the risks referred to and described under “Risk Factors” below and others discussed in this report.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
As of July 3, 2010, there have been no material changes to the critical accounting estimates described in the Company’s 2009 10-K. However, the relatively slow worldwide recovery from the economic troubles experienced in 2008 and 2009 may continue to have a negative effect on our business and estimates used in future periods may vary materially from those included in the Company’s previous disclosures.
For example:
|
(i)
|
if the financial condition of any of the Company's customers deteriorates as a result of business declines, the Company may be required to increase its estimated allowance for bad debts;
|
|
(ii)
|
if actual future demand declines or does not recover as previously projected, inventory write-downs may be required;
|
|
(iii)
|
as a consequence of the worldwide recession, some suppliers of certain key components significantly reduced their manufacturing capacity; should the future manufacture and availability of these components not increase in line with actual demand for the Company’s products from customers, this could have a material adverse effect on our growth rate, future income and cash flows; or
|
|
(iv)
|
significant negative industry or economic trends that adversely affect our future revenues and profits, or a reduction of our market capitalization relative to net book value, among other factors, may change the estimated future cash flows or other factors that we use to determine whether or not goodwill has been impaired and lead us to conclude that an impairment charge is required.
|
All of these factors, and others resulting from the current economic situation, may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results.
OVERVIEW OF THIRD QUARTER AND FIRST NINE MONTHS
Results of Operations
Three months ended July 3, 2010 and June 27, 2009
The following table compares the results by segment for the three months ended July 3, 2010 with the same period in the prior year. The table shows the effect of currency and volume changes in percentage terms:
|
Three months ended
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
(in thousands of dollars)
|
Favorable (unfavorable) % change due to:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
July 3, 2010
|
June 27, 2009
|
Total
|
Currency
|
Volume
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Sales:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Controls - to external customers
|
$ | 6,044 | $ | 3,665 | 65 | (3 | ) | 68 | ||||||||||||
|
Capacitors - to external customers
|
446 | 395 | 13 | (3 | ) | 16 | ||||||||||||||
|
Capacitors - inter-segment
|
- | 6 | (100 | ) | (5 | ) | (95 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
Capacitors - total
|
446 | 401 | 11 | (3 | ) | (14 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
Total sales to external customers
|
6,490 | 4,060 | 60 | (3 | ) | 63 | ||||||||||||||
|
Gross Profit:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Controls
|
2,053 | 1,306 | 57 | 5 | 52 | |||||||||||||||
|
Capacitors
|
207 | 175 | 18 | (3 | ) | 21 | ||||||||||||||
|
Total
|
2,260 | 1,481 | 53 | 4 | 49 | |||||||||||||||
|
Selling research and administrative expenses and restructuring charge:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Controls
|
2,080 | 1,767 | (18 | ) | 3 | (21 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
Capacitors
|
177 | 168 | (5 | ) | 2 | (7 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
Unallocated corporate expense
|
65 | 115 | 44 | 0 | 44 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total
|
2,322 | 2,050 | (13 | ) | 3 | (16 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
Operating (loss) income:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Controls
|
(27 | ) | (461 | ) | 94 | 26 | 68 | |||||||||||||
|
Capacitors
|
30 | 7 | 329 | (10 | ) | 339 | ||||||||||||||
|
Unallocated corporate expense
|
(65 | ) | (115 | ) | 44 | 0 | 44 | |||||||||||||
|
Total
|
(62 | ) | (569 | ) | 89 | 21 | 68 | |||||||||||||
|
Other income and expense
|
199 | 73 | 173 | 178 | (5 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
137 | (496 | ) | 128 | 50 | 78 | ||||||||||||||
|
Income taxes
|
(18 | ) | 196 | (109 | ) | (33 | ) | (76 | ) | |||||||||||
|
Net income (loss)
|
$ | 119 | $ | (300 | ) | 140 | 62 | 78 | ||||||||||||
Sales in the third quarter ended July 3, 2010 increased by $2,430,000, or 60%, to $6,490,000 compared to $4,060,000 in the same quarter last year. Volumes shipped were 63% higher and foreign currency fluctuations reduced sales by $117,000, or 3%, mainly due to a stronger U.S. Dollar against both the British Pound and the Euro in this period compared to the same period last year. Shipment volumes were $2,547,000 higher than in the same quarter last year despite shortages of some key electrical components which continue to be in short supply globally. The main reason for the increase in volumes shipped was greater demand from new customers and shipments into new applications. Demand within the Company’s traditional industrial markets also improved slightly overall.
In the controls business segment, sales were higher in all regions in which the Company operates. In the Far East, sales were $1,324,000 compared to $262,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, an increase of $1,062,000, or 405%. Of the increase of $1,062,000, one third arose from increased demand in the Company’s traditional industrial market and two thirds arose from demand for the Company’s new range of electric vehicle products. In North America, sales were $3,260,000 compared to $2,310,000, an increase of 41%, and in Europe, sales increased 34% from $1,093,000 in 2009 to $1,460,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The Company believes its traditional markets have stabilized at the lower sales levels seen during the worldwide recession of late 2008 and calendar 2009. The improvement in demand for the Company’s products compared to the same period last year has been driven by new markets for the Company’s products. Continued new product introduction has led to customer gains in both on-road and off-road vehicle applications since the beginning of the third quarter of fiscal 2009; however, there cannot yet be any assurance that these gains will continue to translate into increased sales.
In the capacitor business, reported sales to external customers were $51,000, or 13%, higher than in the third quarter last year. The higher recorded sales to external customers was due to an increase in demand from a range of industrial customers, with no one sector experiencing significant change. Currency changes decreased reported sales to external customers in the capacitor business by $13,000, or 3%, compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2009. This was due to the U.S. Dollar being stronger against the British Pound in the quarter than in the same period last year.
Gross profit of $2,260,000 was 34.8% of sales in the third quarter compared to $1,481,000 or 36.5% of sales in the same quarter last year. Higher volumes shipped increased reported gross profit, although this was offset by increases in raw material costs associated with the short supply of some components and higher start up costs with certain new customers. The net increase in reported gross profit from higher shipment volume offset by the lower gross profit margin was $722,000. Foreign currency fluctuations increased reported gross profit by $57,000 compared to the same period last year.
Management anticipates that shortages of raw materials and components will continue into fiscal 2011 as suppliers ramp up production at manufacturing plants that was reduced due to the steep drop in global economic activity during the last two years. These shortages have affected, and are expected to continue to affect, the Company's ability to meet its customers' demands. They have also increased, and will continue to increase, the Company's costs. These shortages vary across types of component depending on many fluctuating factors, including competition for these components between us and other original equipment manufacturers, so the impact on the Company cannot be predicted with any certainty but may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.
Selling, research and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2010 were $2,322,000, an increase of $272,000, or 13%. Foreign currency fluctuations reduced reported operating expense by $61,000 or 3%, compared with the same quarter last year. Excluding the favorable effect of foreign currency fluctuations, selling, research and administrative expenses were $333,000, or 16%, higher in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. The increase in expense was due largely to higher pension expense, additional employment costs associated with the reversal of a voluntary 10% salary sacrifice last year, higher numbers of engineers, particularly in research and development, and prototype costs following the significant increase in demand from new customers and applications as compared with the same period last year. In the third quarter, an amount of $91,000 of U.K. governmental grant was offset against new product development costs.
There was an increase of $112,000 in employment costs arising from higher pension expense compared to the same period last year. This was due to higher pension expense in the Company’s U.K. business arising from the deterioration in the funded status of the Company’s U.K. defined benefit pension plan in fiscal 2009.
There was an operating loss in the third quarter of $62,000, which was an improvement of $507,000 compared with the reported operating loss of $569,000 in the same period last year. The reduction in the operating loss was due to a combination of significantly higher demand for the Company’s products offset by a modest increase in operating expense, which together contributed to a $388,000 reduction in the operating loss compared to the prior year period. In addition, favorable foreign currency fluctuations further reduced the reported operating loss by $119,000. In the capacitor business segment, there was an operating profit of $30,000 compared to an operating profit of $7,000 in the third quarter last year, the increase being due to the 16% increase in sales volume compared to the prior year’s third quarter.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2010 there was a foreign currency gain of $205,000 compared to a gain of $79,000 in the same period last year.
For the three month period ended July 3, 2010 the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $18,000 which represented an effective tax rate of 13% compared to an income tax benefit of $196,000, or an effective tax rate of 40%, in the same period last year. The lower effective tax rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to the prior year primarily resulted from the recognition of additional U.K. tax credits in respect of research and development expense incurred in the Company’s U.K. business.
The Company recorded a profit before income taxes of $137,000 in the quarter compared to a loss before income taxes of $496,000 in the same period last year. There was a net profit for the quarter of $119,000 or $.03 per share compared to a net loss of $300,000 or a loss of $.09 per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.
Nine months ended July 3, 2010 and June 27, 2009
The following table compares the results by segment for the nine months ended July 3, 2010 with the same period in the prior year. The table shows the effect of currency and volume changes in percentage terms:
|
Nine months ended
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
(in thousands of dollars)
|
Favorable (unfavorable) % change due to:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
July 3,
2010
|
June 27, 2009
|
Total
|
Currency
|
Volume
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Sales:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Controls - to external customers
|
$ | 17,811 | $ | 14,531 | 23 | 2 | 21 | |||||||||||||
|
Capacitors - to external customers
|
1,211 | 1,239 | (2 | ) | 4 | (6 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
Capacitors - inter-segment
|
14 | 31 | (55 | ) | 2 | (57 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
Capacitors – total
|
1,225 | 1,270 | (4 | ) | 4 | (8 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
Total sales to external customers
|
19,022 | 15,770 | 21 | 3 | 18 | |||||||||||||||
|
Gross Profit:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Controls
|
6,311 | 5,262 | 20 | 2 | 18 | |||||||||||||||
|
Capacitors
|
554 | 562 | (1 | ) | 5 | (6 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
Total
|
6,865 | 5,824 | 18 | 2 | 16 | |||||||||||||||
|
Selling research and administrative expenses and restructuring charge:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Controls
|
6,018 | 6,035 | 0 | 3 | (3 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
Capacitors
|
487 | 485 | 0 | 4 | (4 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
Unallocated corporate expense
|
198 | 274 | 28 | 0 | 28 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total
|
6,703 | 6,794 | 1 | (3 | ) | 4 | ||||||||||||||
|
Operating income (loss):
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Controls
|
293 | (773 | ) | 138 | (12 | ) | 150 | |||||||||||||
|
Capacitors
|
67 | 77 | (13 | ) | 5 | (18 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
Unallocated corporate expense
|
(198 | ) | (274 | ) | 28 | 0 | 28 | |||||||||||||
|
Total
|
162 | (970 | ) | 117 | (9 | ) | 126 | |||||||||||||
|
Other income and expense
|
262 | (154 | ) | 270 | 256 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
424 | (1,124 | ) | 138 | 28 | 110 | ||||||||||||||
|
Income taxes
|
(119 | ) | 390 | (130 | ) | (22 | ) | (108 | ) | |||||||||||
|
Net income (loss)
|
$ | 305 | $ | (734 | ) | 142 | 31 | 111 | ||||||||||||
Sales in the nine months ended July 3, 2010 were $19,022,000, an increase of $3,252,000, or 21%, compared to the same period last year when sales were $15,770,000. Foreign currency fluctuations accounted for an increase in reported sales of $378,000, or 3%. Excluding the favorable currency impact, there was an increase in volumes shipped of $2,874,000, or 18% compared to the same period last year.
The higher shipment volumes were due to a modest improvement in the Company’s traditional markets and sales of new products to new customers and for new applications. In the controls business segment, Far East sales were $3,302,000 compared to $1,597,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2009, an increase of $1,705,000, or 107%. Of the increase of $1,705,000, one third arose from increased demand in the Company’s traditional industrial market and two thirds arose from demand for the Company’s new range of electric vehicle products. In North America, sales were $10,083,000 compared to $8,436,000, an increase of 20%, and in Europe, sales were largely flat at $4,426,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2010, compared to $4,498,000 in the prior year period. In the capacitor business, reported sales to external customers decreased by $28,000, or 2%, from $1,239,000 in fiscal 2009, compared to $1,211,000 in fiscal 2010. This decrease was largely due to lower demand from the railway signaling sector offset by increased demand from industrial customers. Capacitor volumes shipped in the first nine months were lower by $79,000, or 6%; foreign currency fluctuations accounted for a $51,000, or 4%, increase in the reported sales of capacitors.
Gross profit of $6,865,000 was 36.1% of sales in this period compared to $5,824,000 or 36.9% in the comparable period in fiscal 2009.Shipment volumes increased gross profit by $936,000, or 16%, and foreign currency fluctuations increased reported gross profit by $105,000 as compared with the same period last year. The increase in gross profit was mainly due to the higher volumes shipped in the period, although this was offset by increases in raw material costs associated with the short supply of some components and higher start up costs with certain new customers. In the controller segment, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, gross profit increased by $970,000, or 18%, compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2009 due also to increased volumes shipped. In the capacitor business, gross profit decreased by $34,000, or 6%, due to lower demand in the railway signaling sector in the first nine months compared to the prior year.
Selling, research and administrative expenses were $6,703,000, a decrease of $91,000, or 1%, compared to the same period last year when the Company took a $298,000 restructuring charge. Foreign currency fluctuations increased reported selling, research and administrative expenses by $191,000, or 3%, due to a weaker U.S. Dollar compared to both the British Pound and the Euro in the first nine months of this fiscal year than in the prior year period. Excluding the restructuring charge and the adverse effect of currency fluctuations, selling, research and administrative expenses in the first nine months of the year were flat compared to the prior year at $6,512,000 compared to $6,496,000 for the same period in fiscal 2009. In the first nine months, an amount of $91,000 of U.K. governmental grant was offset against new product development costs.
There was an increase of $335,000 in employment costs arising from higher pension expense compared to the same period last year. This was due to higher pension expense in the Company’s U.K. business arising from the deterioration in the funded status of the Company’s U.K. defined benefit pension plan in fiscal 2009.
Operating income in the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was $162,000 compared with an operating loss of $970,000 last year, an increase of $1,132,000. Foreign currency fluctuations resulted in a decrease of $86,000 in reported operating income for the Company. Excluding the adverse currency impact, operating income was $1,218,000 higher than last year due to significantly higher demand for the Company’s products compared to the same period last year.
In the first nine months of fiscal 2010 there was a foreign currency gain of $252,000 compared to a loss of $137,000 in the same period last year. This improvement was mainly due to a weaker U.S. Dollar in the first nine months of fiscal 2010 compared to both the British Pound and the Euro than in the first nine months of fiscal 2009.
For the nine month period ended July 3, 2010 the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $119,000 which represented an effective tax rate of 28% compared to an income tax benefit of $390,000, or an effective tax rate of 35%, in the same period last year. The lower effective tax rate in the first nine months of fiscal 2010 compared to the prior year period primarily resulted from the recognition of additional U.K. tax credits in respect of research and development expense incurred in the Company’s U.K. business.
The Company recorded a profit before income taxes of $424,000 compared to a loss before income taxes of $1,124,000 in the same period last year, an increase of $1,548,000. Foreign currency fluctuations increased pretax income by $309,000.
There was a net profit for the first nine months of fiscal 2010 of $305,000 or $.09 per share compared to a net loss of $734,000 or a loss of $.23 per share in the same period in fiscal 2009.
Financial Condition
Cash balances at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2010 were $983,000, compared to $632,000 on September 30, 2009, an increase in cash of $351,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2010.
In the first nine months of fiscal 2010, there was a net profit of $305,000 and operating activities generated $1,097,000 of cash. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, receivables increased by $1,358,000, which reduced cash during the period; however, payables increased by $1,189,000, which generated cash during the period. The number of days sales in receivables decreased in the first nine months of 2010 from 67 days at September 30, 2009 to 63 days at July 3, 2010. Adjusted for the effects of currency, there was a decrease in cash of $102,000 in the period due to the impact of an increase in inventories in the first nine months of fiscal 2010. Capital expenditures in the first nine months were $608,000. Exchange rate changes decreased reported cash by $299,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2010 due to the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar compared to both the British Pound and the Euro during the period.
The Company has accepted two offers of U.K. governmental grants which will be used to help defray new product development costs. One grant of $375,000 is payable over the next nine months and the other grant of $110,000 is payable over the period ending September 30, 2012. Of the total grant amount of $485,000, $91,000 has been recognised as a reduction of new product development costs in the first nine months of fiscal 2010.
The reserve for doubtful accounts reduced from $92,000 at September 30, 2009 to $42,000 at July 3, 2010 due to the write off of an uncollectable account of $51,000 in the Company’s French subsidiary which had previously been fully reserved.
At July 3, 2010, the Company had long-term debt of $203,000 represented by a bank loan in the U.K. of $157,000 secured by its U.K. manufacturing plant and a U.K. real estate security deposit of $46,000. In addition, the Company had an overdraft facility of approximately $625,000 in the U.K. At the end of the third quarter of 2010, the Company had no borrowings against this overdraft facility. The U.K. overdraft facility is secured by U.K. real estate property owned by the Company. In line with normal practice in Europe, the facility can be withdrawn on demand by the bank. Accordingly, management does not rely on its availability in projecting the adequacy of the Company’s capital resources.
At July 3, 2010, the Company had a long term liability for pension benefits of $7,022,000 which reduced from $7,166,000 at September 30, 2009. The reduction in the liability of $144,000 was largely due to foreign currency exchange rate changes of $331,000 which more than offset the increase in the liability of $222,000 arising from pension contributions being less than pension expense in the nine month period to July 3, 2010. The funded status of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans has increased significantly recently from a deficit of $378,000 at September 30, 2008 to $7,022,000 at July 3, 2010. The increase in this liability was due to several factors, including, a reduction in the weighted average discount rate from 6.89% at September 30, 2008 to 5.65% at September 30, 2009 and, in addition, a reduction in the value of pension plan assets due to the deterioration in the economic climate in late 2008 and 2009. The Company makes a number of assumptions relating to its pension plans in order to measure the financial position of the plans and the net periodic benefit cost. The most significant assumptions relate to the discount rate, the expected long term return on plan assets and the rate of future compensation increase. If these assumptions prove to be incorrect then the Company may need to record additional expense or liabilities relating to the pension plans, which could have a material effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The Company’s pension plans are significant relative to the size of the Company. At September 30, 2009, pension plan assets were $14,375,000, plan liabilities were $21,541,000, and the total assets of the Company were $16,810,000. In accordance with FASB guidance, changes in the funded status of the pension plans (plan assets less plan liabilities) are recorded in the Company’s balance sheet and could have a material effect on the Company’s financial position.
There were no significant capital expenditure commitments at July 3, 2010. It is estimated that the Company will make contributions to its U.K. and U.S. defined benefit pension plans of approximately $584,000 in fiscal 2010; should the Company suffer a material reduction in revenues during the remainder of fiscal 2010 this commitment could adversely impact the Company’s financial position. In the opinion of management, the Company’s requirements for working capital to meet projected operational and capital spending in both the short and long term can be met by a combination of existing cash resources, future earnings and existing borrowing facilities in Europe. However, the outlook remains uncertain, given the slow worldwide recovery from the recession experienced in late 2008 and in 2009. Any material reduction in revenues will have a materially adverse impact on the Company’s financial position, which would be exacerbated if the Company’s lender withdraws or reduces available credit. If the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash from operations or if the bank overdraft facility is withdrawn, the Company would need to raise additional debt or equity capital from other sources to avoid significantly curtailing its business, which would materially adversely affect its results.
Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
Foreign currency risk
The Company sells to customers throughout the industrialized world. The majority of the Company’s products are manufactured in, or sourced from, the United Kingdom. In the first nine months of 2010, approximately 60% of the Company’s sales were made in U.S. Dollars, 21% were made in British Pounds and 19% were made in Euros. Over 65% of the Company’s cost of sales was incurred in British Pounds and Euros. This resulted in the Company’s sales and margins being exposed to fluctuations due to the change in the exchange rates of the U.S. Dollar, the British Pound and the Euro. The Company has trade accounts receivable and accounts payable denominated in both British Pounds and Euros that are exposed to exchange fluctuations.
In addition, the translation of the sales and income of foreign subsidiaries into U.S. Dollars is also subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
The following table provides information about the Company’s foreign currency accounts receivable, accounts payable and firmly committed sales contracts outstanding as of July 3, 2010. The information is provided in U.S. Dollar amounts, as presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The table presents the amounts at which the Company’s foreign currency accounts receivable, accounts payable and firmly committed sales contracts as of July 3, 2010 are expected to mature based on the exchange rate of the relevant foreign currency to U.S. Dollars at July 3, 2010:
|
(in thousands of dollars)
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Expected maturity or transaction date
|
||||||||||||||||
|
FY2010
|
FY2011
|
Total
|
Fair Value
|
|||||||||||||
|
On balance sheet financial instruments:
|
||||||||||||||||
|
In $ U.S. Functional Currency
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Accounts receivable in British Pounds
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894 | - | 894 | 894 | ||||||||||||
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Accounts receivable in Euros
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1,140 | - | 1,140 | 1,140 | ||||||||||||
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Accounts payable in British Pounds
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723 | - | 723 | 723 | ||||||||||||
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Accounts payable in Euros
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1,339 | - | 1,339 | 1,339 | ||||||||||||
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Anticipated Transactions
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In $ U.S. Functional Currency
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Firmly committed sales contracts
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In British Pounds
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705 | 15 | 720 | 720 | ||||||||||||
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In Euros
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788 | - | 788 | 788 | ||||||||||||
Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s policy is to invest surplus funds in instruments with maturities of less than 12 months at both fixed and floating interest rates. This investment portfolio is generally subject to general credit, liquidity, counterparty, market and interest rate risks that may be exacerbated by the current global economic instability. If the banking system or the fixed income or credit markets deteriorate further or remain volatile, the values and liquidity of these investments could be adversely affected. The Company did not have any surplus funds invested as of July 3, 2010.
The Company incurs short-term borrowings from time-to-time on its overdraft facilities in Europe at variable interest rates.
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(e)), have concluded that, as of July 3, 2010, these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have identified no change in the Company’s “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(f)) that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
In addition to the market risk factors set forth in Part 1A of our 2009 10-K and those relating to foreign currency and interest rate risk set out in Part I, Item 3 above, the Company believes that the following represent the most significant risk factors for the Company:
Capital markets are cyclical and weakness in the United States and international economies may harm our business
The Company’s traditional customers are mainly manufacturers of capital goods such as fork lift trucks, aerial lifts and railway signaling equipment. These markets are cyclical and depend heavily on worldwide transportation, shipping and other economic activity. They experienced a significant decline in demand during the recent global recession. Further, as our business has expanded globally, we have become increasingly subject to the risks arising from adverse changes in global economic conditions. The recent recession caused a general tightening in the credit markets, lower levels of liquidity, increases in the rates of default and bankruptcy, and extreme volatility in credit and equity markets worldwide. While market conditions appear to be improving generally, economic instability remains. As a result:
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·
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Current or potential customers may be unable to fund purchases or manufacturing of products, which could cause them to delay, decrease or cancel purchases of our products or not to pay the Company or to delay paying for previously purchased products.
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·
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The effect of continuing economic uncertainty on the Company’s and other banks may cause the Company to lose its current overdraft facilities and be unable otherwise to obtain financing for operations as needed.
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Due to the recent global recession, some of our suppliers of raw materials and key components suspended manufacturing operations due to reduced demand. As economic conditions have improved, some of these manufacturers have not yet resumed production at levels that allow us to meet our customers’ demands for our products. The resulting shortages vary across types of raw materials and components depending on many fluctuating factors. They have led to increased costs as we have competed with others for the limited supply. We cannot predict with certainty how quickly any of our suppliers will be able to increase their production to meet our demands. If we are unable to compete successfully for our needs, or identify alternative suppliers, we may be unable to meet our customers’ demands for our products. We expect that these shortages will continue to affect our operations for at least the next three quarters. The impact cannot be predicted with any certainty but may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.
These developments have already had an adverse impact on the Company’s business and may materially negatively affect the Company’s business, its ability to grow revenues, operating results or financial condition in a number of additional ways.
The Company relies on a small number of key customers for a substantial portion of its revenues.
Ten customers accounted for 51% of the Company’s revenues in the first nine months of 2010 and the largest customer accounted for 8% of revenues. Although we have had business relationships with these customers for many years, there are no long-term contractual supply agreements in place. Accordingly our performance could be adversely affected by the loss of one or more of these key customers.
The Company has substantial sales and operations outside the United States that could be adversely affected by changes in international markets.
A significant portion of our operations is located, and a significant portion of our business comes from, outside the United States. Accordingly, our performance could be adversely affected by economic downturns in Europe or the Far East as well as in the United States. A consequence of significant international business is that a large percentage of our revenues and expenses are denominated in foreign currencies that fluctuate in value versus the U.S. Dollar. Significant fluctuations in foreign exchange rates can and do have a material impact on our financial results, which are reported in U.S. Dollars. Other risks associated with international business include: changing regulatory practices and tariffs; staffing and managing international operations, including complying with local employment laws; longer collection cycles in certain areas; and changes in tax and other laws.
Single source materials and sub-contractors may not meet the Company’s needs.
The Company relies on certain key component suppliers and sub-contractors for its requirements for most components, sub-assemblies and finished products. In the event that such component suppliers and sub-contractors are unable or unwilling to continue supplying the Company, or to meet the Company’s volume, cost and quality targets or needs for timely delivery, there is no certainty that the Company would be able to establish alternative sources of supply in time to meet customer demand.
Demand for on-road electric vehicles incorporating our products may not materialize.
In fiscal 2009, we became increasingly involved in developing products for the on-road electric vehicle (“EV”) market. We have relationships with several customers who incorporate our products into their EV products. Our competitors and others are also developing products for the EV market, with similar and competing technologies. If our customers’ products or technology are not successful commercially, or if widespread demand for EVs fails to materialize, the demand for our products in the EV market may diminish, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Damage to the Company’s or sub-contractors’ buildings would hurt results.
In the electronic controls segment, the majority of the Company’s finished product is produced in three separate plants in Poland, Mexico and China; these plants are owned by sub-contractors. The capacitor business is located in a single plant in Wales. In the event that any of these plants was to be damaged or destroyed, there is no certainty that the Company would be able to establish alternative facilities in time to meet customer demand. The Company does carry property damage and business interruption insurance but this may not cover certain lost business due to the long-term nature of the relationships with many customers.
Product liability claims may have a material adverse effect
The Company’s products are technically complex and are installed and used by third parties. Defects in their design, installation, use or manufacturing may result in product liability claims against the Company. Such claims may result in significant damage awards, and the cost of any such litigation could be material.
None.
None.
None.
Item 6 Exhibits
See Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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TECH/OPS SEVCON, INC.
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Date: August 11, 2010
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By: /s/ Paul N. Farquhar
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Paul N. Farquhar
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Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
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Exhibit
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Description
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3.1
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Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(a) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 3, 2004).
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3.2
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By-laws of the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 19, 2008).
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31.1
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Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
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31.2
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Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
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32.1
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Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
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