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AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. - Quarter Report: 2013 September (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

or

 

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 001-16391

 

 

TASER International, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   86-0741227

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

17800 North 85th Street,

Scottsdale, Arizona

  85255
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(480) 991-0797

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

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  ¨

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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

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.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

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

There were 51,863,702 shares of the issuer’s common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, outstanding as of October 25, 2013.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2012

     3   

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

     4   

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September  30, 2013 and 2012

     5   

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     6   

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     21   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     34   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     34   

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     34   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     34   

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     35   

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     35   

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

     35   

Item 5. Other Information

     35   

Item 6. Exhibits

     35   

SIGNATURES

     36   

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

     37   

 

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Table of Contents

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
ASSETS     

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 35,005,494      $ 36,126,791   

Short-term investments

     8,751,409        1,680,958   

Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance of $200,000 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012

     20,093,295        18,101,240   

Inventory, net

     12,289,360        10,993,209   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     4,859,631        2,754,331   

Deferred income tax assets, net

     9,450,523        9,395,987   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     90,449,712        79,052,516   

Property and equipment, net

     19,347,416        21,952,201   

Deferred income tax assets, net

     10,397,208        11,605,812   

Intangible assets, net

     3,360,355        3,317,169   

Long-term investments

     4,580,049        —     

Other assets

     357,512        308,553   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 128,492,252      $ 116,236,251   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 5,112,997      $ 6,222,904   

Accrued liabilities

     8,180,852        7,065,085   

Current portion of deferred revenue

     6,317,899        4,287,305   

Customer deposits

     1,077,622        500,018   

Current portion of capital lease payable

     35,545        33,947   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     20,724,915        18,109,259   

Deferred revenue, net of current portion

     12,302,510        7,835,767   

Liability for unrecorded tax benefits

     3,074,447        2,902,896   

Other long-term liabilities

     169,116        —     

Long-term portion of capital lease payable

     76,423        103,283   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     36,347,411        28,951,205   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

    

Stockholders’ Equity

    

Preferred stock, $0.00001 par value per share; 25 million shares authorized; no shares at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012

     —          —     

Common stock, $0.00001 par value per share; 200 million shares authorized; 51,838,855 and 52,770,392 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively

     683        661   

Additional paid-in capital

     128,623,101        111,661,393   

Treasury stock at cost, 16,412,755 and 13,363,789 shares at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively

     (92,202,810     (67,203,043

Retained earnings

     55,752,014        42,883,067   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (28,147     (57,032
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     92,144,841        87,285,046   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 128,492,252      $ 116,236,251   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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Table of Contents

TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2013      2012      2013      2012  

Net sales

   $ 35,196,822       $ 28,772,956       $ 97,806,271       $ 82,636,791   

Cost of products sold and services delivered

     13,100,817         11,969,944         37,516,899         34,090,148   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

gross margin

     22,096,005         16,803,012         60,289,372         48,546,643   

Sales, general and administrative expenses

     12,775,980         9,539,996         34,898,005         26,798,629   

Research and development expenses

     2,439,812         1,985,701         6,444,432         6,156,751   

Litigation judgment recovery

     —           —           —           (2,200,000
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from operations

     6,880,213         5,277,315         18,946,935         17,791,263   

Interest and other income (expense), net

     34,891         11,418         30,807         25,545   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     6,915,104         5,288,733         18,977,742         17,816,808   

Provision for income taxes

     1,801,512         1,611,861         6,108,795         6,893,872   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 5,113,592       $ 3,676,872       $ 12,868,947       $ 10,922,936   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income per common and common equivalent shares

           

Basic

   $ 0.10       $ 0.07       $ 0.25       $ 0.19   

Diluted

   $ 0.10       $ 0.07       $ 0.24       $ 0.19   

Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding

           

Basic

     51,341,785         52,509,068         51,727,197         57,997,341   

Diluted

     53,320,918         53,106,325         53,643,803         58,482,833   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME   

Net income

   $ 5,113,592       $ 3,676,872       $ 12,868,947       $ 10,922,936   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     92,306         25,863         28,885         5,316   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 5,205,898       $ 3,702,735       $ 12,897,832       $ 10,928,252   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

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Table of Contents

TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net income

   $ 12,868,947      $ 10,922,936   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     4,036,337        5,113,989   

(Gain) loss on write down / disposal of property and equipment, net

     (29,160     179,533   

Loss on disposal of intangibles

     112,980        125,605   

Bond premium amortization

     174,255        27,977   

Provision (recovery) for doubtful accounts

     1,711        (124,519

Provision for excess and obsolete inventory

     279,184        236,819   

Provision for warranty

     643,674        265,140   

Stock-based compensation expense

     2,905,635        2,197,050   

Litigation judgment recovery

     —          (2,200,000

Deferred income taxes

     5,211,841        2,886,003   

Provision for unrecognized tax benefits

     171,551        224,152   

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     (4,057,773     —     

Change in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts and notes receivable

     (1,993,766     (2,646,621

Inventory

     (1,575,335     817,110   

Prepaids and other assets

     (2,242,234     (217,426

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (496,274     2,942,577   

Deferred revenue

     6,497,337        2,593,512   

Customer deposits

     577,604        (85,674
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     23,086,514        23,258,163   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    

Purchases of investments

     (18,449,755     (6,235,399

Proceeds from call / maturity of investments

     6,625,000        8,137,561   

Purchases of property and equipment

     (1,174,420     (887,609

Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets

     33,909        —     

Purchases of intangible assets

     (271,144     (337,863
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (13,236,410     676,690   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    

Repurchase of common stock

     (24,999,767     (19,995,950

Proceeds from options exercised

     10,219,289        730,473   

Payroll tax payments for net-settled stock awards

     (220,967     —     

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     4,057,773        —     

Payments on capital lease obligation

     (25,262     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (10,968,934     (19,265,477
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents

     (2,467     (4,398

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (1,121,297     4,664,978   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     36,126,791        21,300,733   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 35,005,494      $ 25,965,711   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure:

    

Cash paid for income taxes—net

   $ 2,426,978      $ 864,461   

Non-Cash Transactions:

    

Property and equipment purchases in accounts payable

   $ 58,928      $ 34,168   

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

 

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Table of Contents

TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

TASER International, Inc. (“TASER” or the “Company”) is a developer and manufacturer of advanced conducted electrical weapons (“CEWs”) and other electronic weapons designed for use in law enforcement, federal, military, corrections, private security and personal defense. In addition, the Company has developed full technology solutions for the capture, storage, management, sharing and analysis of video/audio evidence as well as other tactical capabilities for use in law enforcement. The Company sells its products worldwide through its direct sales force, distribution partners, online store and third-party resellers. The Company was incorporated in Arizona in September 1993, and reincorporated in Delaware in January 2001. The Company’s corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Company’s software development division facilities are located in Santa Barbara, California and Bellevue, Washington.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, and its wholly owned subsidiary, TASER International Europe SE (“TASER Europe”). TASER Europe was established in 2009 to facilitate sales and provide customer service to our customers in the European region. All material intercompany accounts, transactions, and profits have been eliminated.

a. Basis of presentation, preparation and use of estimates

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information related to the Company’s organization, significant accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) has been condensed or omitted. The accounting policies followed in the preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those followed in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012, as filed on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented and the presentations and disclosures herein are adequate when read in conjunction with the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year (or any other period). Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.

The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates in these consolidated financial statements include allowances for doubtful accounts receivable, inventory valuation reserves, product warranty reserves, valuations of long-lived assets, deferred income taxes and uncertain tax positions, stock-based compensation, contingencies and accrued litigation expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

b. Segment information

The Company is comprised of two reportable segments: the sale of CEWs, accessories and other products and services (the “TASER Weapons segment”); and the Video business which includes the TASER Cam, AXON Video products and EVIDENCE.com (the “EVIDENCE.com & Video segment”). Reportable segments are determined based on discrete financial information reviewed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer who is the chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”) for the Company. The Company organizes and reviews operations based on products and services, and currently there are no operating business segments that are aggregated. The Company performs an annual analysis of its reportable segments. Additional information related to the Company’s segments is summarized in Note 12.

 

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Table of Contents

TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

c. Geographic information and major customers

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, net sales by geographic area were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

United States

   $ 31,483         89   $ 23,335         81   $ 86,036         88   $ 68,341         83

Other Countries

     3,714         11        5,438         19        11,770         12        14,296         17   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 35,197         100   $ 28,773         100   $ 97,806         100   $ 82,637         100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sales to customers outside of the United States are typically denominated in U.S. dollars and are attributed to each country based on the shipping address of the distributor or customer. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, no individual country outside of the United States represented greater than 10% of total net sales. Sales in the international market generally are larger and occur more intermittently than in the domestic market due to the profile of the customer.

For the three months ended September 30, 2013, one distributor represented approximately 12.2% of total net sales. In the three months ended September 30, 2012, one distributor represented approximately 10.6% of total net sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, one distributor represented approximately 12.1% of total net sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, one distributor represented approximately 14.3% of total net sales. At September 30, 2013, the Company had receivables from four customers comprising approximately 16.5%, 13.9%, 10.9% and 10.4% of its aggregate accounts receivable balance, respectively. At December 31, 2012, the Company had a trade note receivable from one unaffiliated customer comprising 17.2% of the aggregate accounts receivable balance.

d. Income per common share

Basic income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted income per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period plus the dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units using the treasury stock method. The calculation of the weighted average number of shares outstanding and income per share are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013      2012      2013      2012  

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:

           

Net income

   $ 5,113,592       $ 3,676,872       $ 12,868,947       $ 10,922,936   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

           

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic

     51,341,785         52,509,068         51,727,197         57,997,341   

Dilutive effect of stock-based awards

     1,979,133         597,257         1,916,606         485,492   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     53,320,918         53,106,325         53,643,803         58,482,833   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Anti-dilutive stock-based awards excluded

     565,099         4,732,366         898,230         5,261,887   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per common share:

           

Basic

   $ 0.10       $ 0.07       $ 0.25       $ 0.19   

Diluted

   $ 0.10       $ 0.07       $ 0.24       $ 0.19   

e. Revenue recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, title has transferred, the price is fixed and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are divided into separate units and revenue is allocated using the relative selling price method based upon vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price or third-party evidence of the selling prices if vendor-specific objective evidence of selling prices does not exist. If neither vendor-specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence exists, management uses its best estimate of selling price.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

The Company sells its EVIDENCE.com & Video segment products separately, but in most instances the Company’s AXON equipment and EVIDENCE.com software-as-a-service are sold together. In these instances, customers typically purchase and pay for the AXON equipment and EVIDENCE.com services in advance, with the AXON equipment representing a deliverable that is provided to the customer at the time of sale, and EVIDENCE.com services provided over a specified service term, which has typically ranged from one to five years. The Company recognizes revenue for the AXON equipment at the time of the sale consistent with the discussion of multiple deliverable arrangements above. Revenue for EVIDENCE.com service is deferred at the time of the sale and recognized over the service period. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, approximately $3.7 million and $1.3 million of EVIDENCE.com revenue was deferred, respectively, and are being recognized over the applicable service terms.

The Company offers customers the right to purchase extended warranties that include additional services and coverage beyond the limited warranty for certain products. Revenue for extended warranty purchases is deferred at the time of sale and recognized over the warranty period commencing on the date of sale. Extended warranties range from one to five years. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, approximately $14.5 million and $10.8 million were deferred under this program, respectively.

Certain of the Company’s customers are charged shipping fees, which are recorded as a component of net sales. Sales tax collected on sales is netted against government remittances and thus, recorded on a net basis, with no income statement impact. Training revenue is recorded as the training is provided.

f. Warranty costs

The Company warrants its CEWs, StrikeLight, AXON cameras and Evidence Transfer Manager (“ETM”) from manufacturing defects on a limited basis for a period of one year after purchase and thereafter, will replace any defective unit for a fee. Estimated costs for the standard warranty are charged to cost of products sold and services delivered when revenue is recorded for the related product. Future warranty costs are estimated based on historical data related to returns and warranty costs on a quarterly basis and this rate is applied to current product sales. Historically, reserve amounts have been increased if management becomes aware of a component failure that could result in larger than anticipated returns from customers. The accrued warranty liability expense is reviewed quarterly to verify that it sufficiently reflects the remaining warranty obligations based on the anticipated expenditures over the balance of the warranty obligation period, and adjustments are made when actual warranty claim experience differs from estimates. Costs related to extended warranties are charged to cost of products sold and services delivered when incurred.

The reserve for warranty returns is included in accrued liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The nine months ended September 30, 2013, includes additional expense due to a change in estimate for the AXON flex on-officer camera based on the analysis of return data for their first year of sales in addition to warranty expense relating to the launch of the X26P in the first quarter of 2013. Additional expense was also incurred due to the launch of the AXON body camera in the third quarter of 2013. The warranty expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, is net of a recovery due to a change in estimate for the X2 CEW warranty reserves based on the analysis of return data for their first year of sales. Changes in the Company’s estimated product warranty liabilities are as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  

Balance, January 1,

   $ 483,721      $ 427,459   

Utilization of accrual

     (419,351     (312,570

Warranty expense

     643,674        265,140   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, September 30,

   $ 708,044      $ 380,029   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

g. Fair value of financial instruments

The Company uses the fair value framework, that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques, for measuring financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis and for non-financial assets and liabilities when these items are remeasured. Under fair value measurement U.S. GAAP accounting standards, fair value is considered to be the exchange price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell an asset or transfer a liability at the measurement date. The hierarchy below lists three levels of fair value based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. The Company categorizes each of its fair value measurements in one of these three levels based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are:

 

    Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

    Level 2 – Quoted prices from active markets for assets or liabilities that are similar to the assets or liabilities being measured and/or quoted prices for assets or liabilities that are identical or similar to the assets or liabilities being measured from markets that are not active.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

    Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

At September 30, 2013, the Company held cash, cash equivalents, and investments, which are typically comprised of money market mutual funds, certificates of deposit and high quality municipal and corporate bonds. Money market mutual funds are recorded at market value and are valued using Level 1 valuation techniques. All other instruments are recorded at amortized cost on the balance sheet based on management’s ability and intent to hold these instruments to maturity. The Company’s financial instruments also include accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Due to the short-term nature of these instruments, their fair values approximate their carrying values on the balance sheet.

h. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Management evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining estimated useful life of long-lived assets and identifiable intangible assets may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of these assets may not be recoverable. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to, a change in the product mix, a change in the way products are created, produced or delivered, or a significant change in the way products are branded and marketed. In performing the review for recoverability, management estimates the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. The amount of the impairment loss, if impairment exists, is calculated based on the excess of the carrying amounts of the assets over their estimated fair value computed using discounted cash flows. No impairment losses were recorded in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

i. Recently issued accounting guidance

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard update (“ASU”) to standardize the balance sheet presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. This Update applies to all entities that have unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and early adoption is allowed. The adoption of this guidance will result in an immaterial reclassification on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard update (“ASU”) requiring entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated OCI by the respective line items of net income, but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The new guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. The amendments do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or OCI in financial statements. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2013. The adoption did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued an ASU to simplify the impairment testing for indefinite-lived intangibles by allowing an entity to first assess qualitative factors, considering the totality of events and circumstances, to determine that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of a reporting unit is less than its fair value. If it is not, then the entity is not required to take further action. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test. The new guidance was effective for annual and interim impairment tests for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2013. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

2. Cash, cash equivalents, and investments

Cash and cash equivalents include funds on hand and highly liquid investments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less. Short-term investments include securities with an expected maturity date within one year of the balance sheet date that do not meet the definition of cash equivalent, and long-term investments are securities with an expected maturity date greater than one year. The Company typically invests in municipal and corporate bonds, as well as certificates of deposits, which, based on management’s intent and ability, are classified as held to maturity investments and are recorded at amortized cost. As of September 30, 2013, the Company believes that the gross unrealized losses on its investments are due to interest rate fluctuations. These investments are expected to be redeemed at par value, and because the Company will hold these investments to maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other than temporarily impaired at September 30, 2013.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

The following is a summary of cash, cash equivalents and held-to-maturity investments by type at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

     September 30, 2013      December 31, 2012  
            Gross      Gross                   Gross      Gross        
     Amortized      Unrealized      Unrealized            Amortized      Unrealized      Unrealized        
     Cost      Gains      Losses     Fair Value      Cost      Gains      Losses     Fair Value  

Cash and money market funds

   $ 34,905,493       $ —         $ —        $ 34,905,493       $ 36,126,791       $ —         $ —        $ 36,126,791   

State and municipal obligations

     8,587,008         7,784         (9     8,594,783         —           —           —          —     

Corporate bonds

     2,962,150         —           (8,557     2,953,593         958         —           —          958   

Certificates of deposit

     1,882,301         —           (40     1,882,261         1,680,000         —           (1,488     1,678,512   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash, cash equivalents and investments

   $ 48,336,952       $ 7,784       $ (8,606   $ 48,336,130       $ 37,807,749       $ —         $ (1,488   $ 37,806,261   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the classification of cash, cash equivalents and investments in the accompanying balance sheet:

 

     September 30,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  

Cash

   $ 32,051,501       $ 19,811,735   

Cash equivalents

     2,953,993         16,315,056   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

     35,005,494         36,126,791   

Short-term investments

     8,751,409         1,680,958   

Long-term investments

     4,580,049         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash, cash equivalents and investments

   $ 48,336,952       $ 37,807,749   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value of the short-term and long-term investments held by the Company at September 30, 2013 by contractual maturity:

 

     Amortized Cost      Fair Value  

Due in less than one year

   $ 8,751,409       $ 8,756,782   

Due after one year, through two years

     4,580,049         4,573,855   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total short-term and long-term investments

   $ 13,331,458       $ 13,330,637   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

3. Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost of raw materials, which approximates the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, and includes allocations of manufacturing labor and overhead. Provisions are made to reduce potentially excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventories to their net realizable value. The reserve for excess and obsolete inventory decreased to $0.7 million at September 30, 2013, compared to $2.3 million at December 31, 2012. This decrease is attributable primarily to the disposal of the majority of the X3 CEW inventory that had been previously reserved. Inventories as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, consisted of the following:

 

     September 30,     December 31,  
     2013     2012  

Raw materials

   $ 9,257,735      $ 9,689,172   

Work-in-process

     46,348        131,492   

Finished goods

     3,681,059        3,492,167   

Reserve for excess and obsolete inventory

     (695,782     (2,319,622
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total inventory

   $ 12,289,360      $ 10,993,209   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

4. Intangible assets

Intangible assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

            September 30, 2013      December 31, 2012  
            Gross            Net                      
            Carrying      Accumulated     Carrying      Gross Carrying      Accumulated     Net Carrying  
     Useful Life      Amount      Amortization     Amount      Amount      Amortization     Amount  

Amortized:

                  

Domain names

     5 Years       $ 139,431       $ (112,763   $ 26,668       $ 139,431       $ (103,840   $ 35,591   

Issued patents

     4 to 15 Years         1,559,484         (429,165     1,130,319         1,528,955         (362,032     1,166,923   

Issued trademarks

     9 to 11 Years         421,789         (134,719     287,070         362,106         (101,561     260,545   
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total amortized

        2,120,704         (676,647     1,444,057         2,030,492         (567,433     1,463,059   
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Not amortized:

                  

TASER trademark

        900,000           900,000         900,000           900,000   

Patents and trademarks pending

        1,016,298           1,016,298         954,110           954,110   
     

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total not amortized

        1,916,298           1,916,298         1,854,110           1,854,110   
     

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total intangible assets

      $ 4,037,002       $ (676,647   $ 3,360,355       $ 3,884,602       $ (567,433   $ 3,317,169   
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization expense relative to intangible assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was approximately $39,000 and $115,000, respectively. Amortization expense relative to intangible assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was approximately $36,000 and $104,000, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for the remaining three months of 2013, the next five years ended December 31, and thereafter is as follows:

 

2013 (remaining three months)

   $ 39,434   

2014

     156,818   

2015

     148,068   

2016

     140,997   

2017

     137,424   

2018

     127,828   

Thereafter

     693,488   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,444,057   
  

 

 

 

5. Accrued liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

     September 30,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  

Accrued salaries and benefits

   $ 1,836,857       $ 2,416,268   

Accrued judgments and reserves

     3,050,000         2,090,000   

Accrued warranty expense

     708,044         483,721   

Accrued income and other taxes

     115,832         295,595   

Other accrued expenses

     2,470,119         1,779,501   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accrued liabilities

   $ 8,180,852       $ 7,065,085   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

6. Income taxes

Deferred Tax Assets

The net deferred income tax assets at September 30, 2013, include capitalized research and development costs, research and development tax credits, non-qualified stock-based compensation expense, deferred warranty revenue, warranty and inventory reserves, accrued vacation, and other items, partially offset by accelerated depreciation expense. The Company’s total current and long-term net deferred tax assets at September 30, 2013 are $19.8 million.

In preparing the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, management assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be realized from future taxable income. In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover its deferred income tax assets, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including its operating results, ongoing tax planning and forecasts of future taxable income on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. A valuation allowance is established if it is determined that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management exercises significant judgment in determining its provisions for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities, and its future taxable income for purposes of assessing its ability to utilize any future tax benefit from its deferred tax assets. Although management believes that its tax estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax determination involves significant judgments that could become subject to audit by tax authorities in the ordinary course of business, as well as the generation of sufficient future taxable income. Management has determined that it is more likely than not that future sales and profitability will allow for the utilization of the deferred tax assets. However, the deferred tax asset could be reduced or a valuation allowance could be recorded in the near-term if estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period change.

The Company has completed research and development tax credit studies which identified approximately $7.8 million in tax credits for federal, Arizona and California income tax purposes related to the 2003 through 2013 tax years, net of the federal benefit on the Arizona and California R&D tax credits. Management has made the determination that it is more likely than not that the full benefit of the R&D tax credit will not be sustained on examination and recorded a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $2.9 million as of September 30, 2013. In addition, management has accrued approximately $0.2 million for estimated uncertain tax positions related to certain state income tax liabilities. As of September 30, 2013, management does not expect the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit liability to increase or decrease significantly within the next 12 months. Should the unrecognized tax benefit of $3.1 million be recognized, the Company’s effective tax rate would be favorably impacted.

Effective Tax Rate

The Company’s overall effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 32.2%, which is below the federal statutory rate due to deductions related to disqualifying dispositions of Incentive Stock Options (“ISOs”) during the year, a credit for domestic production activities deduction, and a favorable 2012 return to provision adjustment taken in the third quarter of 2013. When an employee exercises ISOs and sells the related stock prior to the mandatory holding period, the associated expense becomes a reduction to the Company’s taxable income and represents a permanent benefit in the tax rate. The effect of these items on the federal tax rate was partially offset by the impact of state taxes and non-deductible expenses for items such as ISO book expense, meals and entertainment expense and lobbying fees. The Company’s estimated effective tax rate before discrete adjustments for the full year of 2013 is approximately 38.2%.

7. Stockholders’ equity

Stock Option Activity

At September 30, 2013, the Company had five stock-based compensation plans, four of which are described more fully in the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. On May 23, 2013, the Company’s stockholders approved a new stock incentive plan authorizing an additional 1.6 million shares for issuance under the Company’s Plans. There are approximately 2.3 million shares available for grant under the plans as of September 30, 2013.

Performance-based stock awards

The Company has issued performance-based stock options and performance-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”), the vesting of which is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance criteria related to the operating performance of the Company as well as successful and timely development and market acceptance of future product introductions. In addition, certain of the performance RSUs have additional service requirements subsequent to the achievement of the performance criteria. Compensation expense is recognized over the implicit service period (the longer of the period the performance condition is expected to be achieved or the required service period) based on management’s estimate of the probability of the performance criteria being satisfied, adjusted at each balance sheet date.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

 

           Weighted         
           Average
Grant-
        
     Number of     Date Fair      Aggregate  
     Units     Value      Intrinsic Value  

Units outstanding, beginning of period

     582,212      $ 5.42      

Granted

     736,479        8.98      

Released

     (158,700     5.39      

Forfeited

     (44,814     7.24      
  

 

 

      

Units outstanding, end of period

     1,115,177        7.71       $ 16,593,834   
  

 

 

      

Aggregate intrinsic value represents the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the period, which was $14.88 per share, multiplied by the number of RSUs. As of September 30, 2013, there was $5.4 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs granted under our stock plans. We expect to recognize this cost over a weighted average period of 29 months. RSUs are released when vesting requirements are met.

In 2013, the Company granted approximately 149,000 performance-based RSUs (included in the table above). Of the approximately 227,000 performance-based RSUs outstanding as of September 30, 2013, the performance criteria have been met for approximately 85,000 units which will vest upon the completion of service requirements.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

 

                  Average         
           Weighted      Remaining         
     Number of     Average      Contractual      Aggregate  
     options     Exercise Price      Life (years)      Intrinsic Value  

Options outstanding, beginning of period

     6,321,076      $ 6.05         

Granted

     —             

Exercised

     (1,985,596     5.14         

Expired / forfeited

     (132,288     5.72         
  

 

 

         

Options outstanding,end of period

     4,203,192        6.49         4.51       $ 35,702,302   
  

 

 

         

Exercisable at September 30, 2013

     3,754,714        6.71         4.31         31,097,408   
  

 

 

         

Expected to vest after September 30, 2013

     380,339        4.60         6.19         3,908,919   
  

 

 

         

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price of the underlying stock option awards and the closing market price of the Company’s common stock of $14.88 on September 30, 2013. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was approximately $5.3 million and $9.1 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was approximately $0.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options was approximately $0.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average period of approximately 9 months. Options expected to vest are presented net of expected forfeitures.

Included in the table above is approximately 0.4 million of performance-based options, including approximately 0.1 million for which performance conditions have been met. At September 30, 2013, there are approximately 0.3 million performance-based options outstanding for which the performance criteria have yet to be met. There is approximately $47,000 of remaining expense to be recognized relative to these performance based options as of September 30, 2013.

Share-Based Compensation Expense

The fair value of RSUs is estimated as the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. When granted, the Company calculates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing valuation model, which incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected life and risk-free interest rates. No options were awarded during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 or September 30, 2012. The estimated fair value of stock-based compensation awards is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the service periods. As stock-based compensation expense recognized is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it is reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company’s forfeiture rate was calculated based on its historical experience of awards which ultimately vested.

Share-based compensation was classified as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013      2012      2013      2012  

Cost of products sold

   $ 49,632       $ 38,085       $ 133,500       $ 133,977   

Sales, general and administrative expenses

     735,433         657,870         2,292,672         1,631,234   

Research and development expenses

     177,929         153,433         479,463         431,839   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total share-based compensation

   $ 962,994       $ 849,388       $ 2,905,635       $ 2,197,050   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total share-based compensation expense recognized in the statements of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, included approximately $22,000 and $98,000, respectively, related to incentive stock options for which no tax benefit is recognized. Total share-based compensation expense recognized in the statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, included approximately $85,000 and $0.3 million, respectively, related to incentive stock options for which no tax benefit is recognized.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In February 2013, the Company announced that TASER’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $25.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock subject to stock market conditions and corporate considerations. Under this program, which was completed in the second quarter of 2013, the Company purchased 3,048,966 common shares under this program for a total cost of approximately $25.0 million, or a weighted average cost of $8.20 per share. The weighted average cost includes the average price paid per share of $8.17, plus any applicable administrative costs for the transaction. The Company completed this buyback in the second quarter of 2013 and does not currently have an open stock repurchase program.

8. Line of credit

The Company has a $10.0 million revolving line of credit with a domestic bank. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had letters of credit outstanding of $0.6 million under the facility and available borrowing of $9.4 million. The line is secured by the Company’s accounts receivable and inventory, and bears interest at varying rates (currently LIBOR plus 1.5% to prime). The line of credit matures on June 30, 2015, and requires monthly payments of interest only. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no borrowings under the line. The Company’s agreement with the bank requires it to comply with certain financial and other covenants including maintenance of minimum tangible net worth and a fixed charge coverage ratio. The ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth can be no greater than 1:1, and the fixed charge coverage ratio can be no less than 1.25:1, based upon a trailing twelve-month period. At September 30, 2013, the Company’s tangible net worth ratio was 0.41:1 and its fixed charge coverage ratio was 3.77:1. Accordingly, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

9. Commitments and contingencies

Product Litigation

The Company is currently named as a defendant in 22 lawsuits in which the plaintiffs allege either wrongful death or personal injury in situations in which a TASER CEW was used (or present) by law enforcement officers in connection with arrests or during training exercises. In addition, three other product litigation matters in which the Company is involved are currently on appeal. While the facts vary from case to case, the product liability claims are typically based on an alleged product defect resulting in injury or death, usually involving a failure to warn, and the plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages. The Company is defending each of these lawsuits vigorously and does not expect these lawsuits to individually, or in the aggregate, materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. Primarily as the result of one significant product liability judgment against the Company (the Turner case, see below), the Company has exhausted its insurance coverage for the 2008 insurance policy year. If the Company is unsuccessful on its appeal of the Turner case and there are material judgments, settlements or costs relating to other cases in the 2008 policy year, the Company will not have insurance coverage to offset any such payments. The information throughout this Note is current through the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Turner (NC) lawsuit

The Turner (NC) lawsuit was tried in July 2011 and resulted in a jury verdict of $10.0 million against the Company. The Company filed post-trial motions seeking judgment as a matter of law notwithstanding the verdict and in the alternative, a new trial or alternatively, a remittitur of the jury award. Based on this verdict, the Company recorded litigation judgment expense of $3.3 million in 2011. During March 2012, the Federal District Court for the Western District of North Carolina granted the Company’s motion for remittitur and ordered the reduction of the original jury award from $10.0 million to approximately $4.4 million after offsets. On April 20, 2012, the court issued an order which adjusted the award to $5.5 million. On May 4, 2012, the court issued another order which entered judgment in the amount of $5.5 million plus costs and post-judgment interest. Based on this action by the court, the Company reversed a portion of the previously accrued litigation judgment during the year ended December 31, 2012, which resulted in a benefit of $2.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and leaving a reserve of $1.1 million as of September 30, 2012. The Company has appealed this verdict. The appeal is fully briefed and oral argument was held on September 19, 2013. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the reserve related to this case remained at $1.1 million.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

With respect to each of the pending lawsuits, the following table lists the name of plaintiff, the date the Company was served with process, the jurisdiction in which the case is pending, the type of claim and the status of the matter.

 

     Month                 

Plaintiff

   Served     

Jurisdiction

  

Claim Type

  

Status

Grable      Aug-08       6th Judicial Circuit Court, Pinellas County, FL    Training Injury    Discovery Phase
Koon      Dec-08       17th Judicial Circuit Court, Broward County, FL    Training Injury    Discovery Phase
Peppler      Apr-09       5th Judicial Circuit Court, Sumter City, FL    Training Injury    Discovery Phase
Derbyshire      Nov-09       Ontario, Canada Superior Court of Justice    Officer Injury    Discovery Phase
Rich      Feb-10       US District Court, NV    Wrongful Death    Trial scheduled December 2013
Thompson      Mar-10       11th Judicial Circuit Court, Miami-Dade County, FL    Suspect Injury During Arrest    Discovery Phase
Doan      Apr-10       The Queens Bench Alberta, Red Deer Judicial Dist.    Wrongful Death    Discovery Phase
Shymko      Dec-10       The Queens Bench, Winnipeg Centre, Manitoba    Wrongful Death    Pleading Phase
Juran      Dec-10       Hennepin County District Court, 4th Judicial District    Officer Injury    Discovery Phase
Wilson      May-11       US District Court, ED MO    Wrongful Death    Discovery Phase
Ramsey      Jan-12       17th Judicial Circuit Court, Broward County Circuit Court, FL    Wrongful Death    Discovery Phase
Duensing      Feb-12       US District Court, NV    Suspect Injury During Arrest    Motion Phase
Mitchell      Apr-12       US District Court, ED MI    Wrongful Death    Discovery Phase, trial scheduled June 2014
Firman      Apr-12       Ontario, Canada Superior Court of Justice    Wrongful Death    Pleading Phase
Ricks      May-12       US District Court, WD LA    Wrongful Death    Motion Phase
Wingard      Oct-12       US District Court, WD PA    Wrongful Death    Discovery Phase
Manjares      Nov-12       US District Court, ED WA    Suspect Injury During Arrest    Discovery Phase; trial scheduled July 2014
Miller      Jan-13       New Castle County Superior Court, DE    Wrongful Death    Discovery Phase
Salgado      Feb-13       US District Court, SD FL    Wrongful Death    Stayed
Armstrong      Apr-13       General Court of Justice, Superior Div, Moore County, NC    Wrongful Death    Discovery Phase
Barnes      Apr-13       US District Court, WD PA    Wrongful Death    Discovery Phase
Athetis      May-09       Maricopa County Superior Court, AZ    Wrongful Death    Dismissal Pending

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

In addition, other product litigation matters in which the Company is involved that are currently on appeal are listed below:

 

     Month               

Plaintiff

   Served   

Jurisdiction

  

Claim Type

  

Status

Turner    Feb-10    US District Court, ED NC    Wrongful death    Appeal fully briefed; Oral argument held on September 19, 2013
Bachtel    Aug-11    14th Judicial District Circuit Court, Randolph County, MO    Wrongful Death    Appeal fully briefed; date for Oral Argument has not been set
Glowczenski    Oct-04    US District Court, ED NY    Wrongful death    Notice of Appeal filed Septemebr 2013; opening brief is due January 2014

Cases that were dismissed or judgment entered during the third quarter of 2013 and through the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are listed in the table below. Cases that were dismissed or judgment entered in prior fiscal quarters are not included in this table.

 

     Month               

Plaintiff

   Served   

Jurisdiction

  

Claim Type

  

Status

Glowczenski    Oct-04    US Disrict Court, ED NY    Wrongful Death    Court granted Motion for Summary Judgment in favor of TASER
McCarthy    Dec-12    US District Court, WD NC    Wrongful Death    Voluntary Dismissal
Piskura    May-10    US District Court, OH    Wrongful Death    Voluntary Dismissal

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

The claims, and in some instances the defense, of each of these lawsuits have been submitted to the Company’s insurance carriers that maintained insurance coverage during the applicable periods. The Company continues to maintain product liability insurance coverage with varying limits and deductibles. The following table provides information regarding the Company’s product liability insurance. Remaining insurance coverage is based on information received from the Company’s insurance provider.

 

                                 Defense      Remaining       
     Policy Start      Policy End      Insurance      Deductible      Costs      Insurance      Active Cases and Cases on

Policy Year

   Date      Date      Coverage      Amount      Covered      Coverage     

Appeal

2004

     12/01/03         12/01/04       $ 2.0       $ 0.1         N       $ 2.0       Glowczenski

2005

     12/01/04         12/01/05         10.0         0.3         Y         7.0       n/a

2006

     12/01/05         12/01/06         10.0         0.3         Y         3.7       n/a

2007

     12/01/06         12/01/07         10.0         0.3         Y         8.0       n/a

2008

     12/01/07         12/15/08         10.0         0.5         Y         —         Grable, Koon, Peppler, Rich, Turner

2009

     12/15/08         12/15/09         10.0         1.0         N         10.0       Athetis, Derbyshire

2010

     12/15/09         12/15/10         10.0         1.0         N         10.0       Thompson, Shymko, Doan, Juran

2011

     12/15/10         12/15/11         10.0         1.0         N         10.0       Wilson, Bachtel

Jan - Jun 2012

     12/15/11         06/25/12         7.0         1.0         N         7.0       Ramsey, Duensing, Mitchell, Firman, Ricks

Jul - Dec 2012

     06/25/12         12/15/12         12.0         1.0         N         12.0       Wingard, Manjares

2013

     12/15/12         12/15/13         12.0         1.0         N         12.0       Miller, Salgado, Barnes, Armstrong

The amount of the remaining insurance coverage for the 2008 policy year is shown based on what has actually been paid out on cases in that policy year or held for the appellate bond in Turner (NC). If the Company is not successful in its appeal related to the Turner (NC) lawsuit, the policy will be fully exhausted for that policy year and as a result, the Company will have no remaining insurance coverage for other cases relating to the 2008 policy year. See additional information related to the Turner (NC) lawsuit discussed above in this Note.

Other Litigation

In January 2011, the Company was served with a complaint in the matter of GEOTAG, Inc. v. TASER International, et. al. that was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, which alleges that a dealer geographical locator feature on TASER’s website infringes upon plaintiff’s US Patent No. 5,930,474. The complaint seeks a judgment of infringement, a permanent injunction against infringement, an award for damages, costs, expenses and prejudgment and post-judgment interest, and an award for enhanced damages and attorneys’ fees. TASER licensed this locator feature from a third party and has denied liability for infringement. This lawsuit is at the discovery phase and no trial date has been set.

In July 2011, the Company filed a complaint against Karbon Arms, LLC for infringement of TASER’s U.S. Patent Nos. 7,800,885 and 7,782,592 in US District Court for the District of Delaware seeking damages, injunctive relief and an award of attorneys’ fees. Karbon Arms filed a counterclaim on July 18, 2011, alleging invalidity and non-infringement of four of TASER’s patents, tortuous interference with prospective contractual relations and for false advertising under the Lanham Act. TASER thereafter filed counter-counterclaims for infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,602,597 and 6,999,295. This lawsuit is in the motion phase, a Markman hearing was held, and a trial date has been set for January 2014.

In February 2012, the Company was served with a complaint in the matter of AA & Saba Consultants, Inc. v. TASER International, Inc. that was filed in the Superior Court for the County of Maricopa, Arizona, which alleges that the Company breached a contract by unilaterally terminating a distributor agreement between the Company and plaintiff without good cause. The complaint seeks an award for damages, costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees. TASER filed a counterclaim for breach of contract and fraud. This lawsuit is at the discovery phase and motions for summary judgment have been filed, with a trial date set for February 2014. The Company has made a settlement offer of $0.8 million to AA & SABA Consultants, Inc. which offer was not accepted and the offer was withdrawn. The Company has recorded the amount of the offer as an estimated liability.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

General

From time to time, the Company is notified that it may be a party to a lawsuit or that a claim is being made against it. It is the Company’s policy to not disclose the specifics of any claim or threatened lawsuit until the summons and complaint are actually served on the Company. After carefully assessing the claim, and assuming we determine that we are not at fault or we disagree with the damages or relief demanded, we vigorously defend and pursue any lawsuit filed against or by the Company. Although we do not expect the outcome in any pending individual case to be material, the outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain and there can be no assurance that any expense, liability or damages that may ultimately result from the resolution of these matters will be covered by our insurance or will not be in excess of amounts provided by insurance coverage and will not have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. The Company may settle a lawsuit in situations where a settlement can be obtained for nuisance value and for an amount that is expected to be less than the cost of defending a lawsuit. A small number of police officer training injury lawsuits have been settled by the Company for significantly less than the cost of litigation. As a general rule, it is the Company’s policy not to settle suspect injury or death cases. Rare exceptions have been made where the settlement economics are beneficial to the Company. On occasion, the Company’s insurance company has settled such lawsuits over the Company’s objection where the risk is over the Company’s liability insurance deductibles. Due to the confidentiality of our litigation strategy and the confidentiality agreements that are executed in the event of a settlement, the Company does not identify or comment on which specific lawsuits have been settled or the amount of any settlement.

10. Related party transactions

Consulting Services

The Company engages Mark Kroll, a member of the Board of Directors, to provide consulting services. Expenses relating to these services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 were approximately $59,000 and $125,000, respectively. Expenses relating to these services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 were approximately $39,000 and $141,000, respectively. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had accrued liabilities for these services of approximately $37,000 and $6,000, respectively.

11. Employee benefit plans

The Company has a defined contribution profit sharing 401(k) plan for eligible employees, which is qualified under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Employees are entitled to make tax-deferred contributions of up to the maximum allowed by law of their eligible compensation. In addition, during the third quarter of 2013, the Company implemented a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain executives, key employees and non-employee directors through which participants may elect to postpone the receipt and taxation of a portion of their compensation, including stock-based compensation, received from the Company.

Contributions to the plans are made by both the employee and the Company. Company contributions are based on the level of employee contributions and are immediately vested. The Company’s matching contributions to the 401(k) plan for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, were approximately $188,000 and $520,000, respectively. The Company’s matching contributions to the to the 401(k) plan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, were approximately $131,000 and $392,000, respectively. The Company expects to make matching contributions to the non-qualified deferred compensation plan related to the three month period ended September 30, 2013, of approximately $6,000. Future matching or profit sharing contributions to the plans are at the Company’s sole discretion.

12. Segment data

The Company’s operations are comprised of two reportable segments: the sale of CEWs, accessories and other products and services, the TASER Weapons segment; and the EVIDENCE.com & Video segment, which includes the TASER Cam, AXON video products and EVIDENCE.com. The Company includes only revenues and costs directly attributable to the EVIDENCE.com & Video business in that segment. Direct costs included in EVIDENCE.com & Video segment costs are: cost of sales for both products and services, overhead allocation based on direct labor, selling expense for the segment sales team, segment product management expenses, segment trade shows and related expenses, and research and development for products included in the segment. All other costs are included in the TASER Weapons segment.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

Information relative to the Company’s reportable segments is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2013      Three Months Ended September 30, 2012  
     TASER      EVIDENCE.com            TASER     EVIDENCE.com        
     Weapons      & Video     Total      Weapons     & Video     Total  

Product sales

   $ 31,626,484       $ 3,103,781      $ 34,730,265       $ 27,085,180      $ 1,528,347      $ 28,613,527   

Service revenue

     —           466,557        466,557         —          159,429        159,429   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net sales

     31,626,484         3,570,338        35,196,822         27,085,180        1,687,776        28,772,956   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of products sold

     10,906,999         1,896,691        12,803,690         9,673,370        1,181,906        10,855,276   

Cost of services delivered

     —           297,127        297,127         —          1,114,668        1,114,668   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     20,719,485         1,376,520        22,096,005         17,411,810        (608,798     16,803,012   

Sales, general & administrative

     11,130,971         1,645,009        12,775,980         8,618,250        921,746        9,539,996   

Research & development

     1,160,400         1,279,412        2,439,812         1,043,607        942,094        1,985,701   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 8,428,114       $ (1,547,901   $ 6,880,213       $ 7,749,953      $ (2,472,638   $ 5,277,315   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

   $ 229,965       $ 105,460      $ 335,425       $ 217,092      $ 68,215      $ 285,307   

Purchases of intangible assets

     66,844         2,107        68,951         76,148        9,728        85,876   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,025,164         62,907        1,088,071         1,054,239        664,307        1,718,546   
     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013      Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012  
     TASER      EVIDENCE.com            TASER     EVIDENCE.com        
     Weapons      & Video     Total      Weapons     & Video     Total  

Product sales

   $ 89,901,959       $ 6,853,388      $ 96,755,347       $ 78,774,581      $ 3,464,606      $ 82,239,187   

Service revenue

     —           1,050,924        1,050,924         —          397,604        397,604   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net sales

     89,901,959         7,904,312        97,806,271         78,774,581        3,862,210        82,636,791   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of products sold

     31,534,576         4,440,236        35,974,812         28,068,676        2,712,678        30,781,354   

Cost of services delivered

     —           1,542,087        1,542,087         —          3,308,794        3,308,794   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     58,367,383         1,921,989        60,289,372         50,705,905        (2,159,262     48,546,643   

Sales, general & administrative

     30,622,109         4,275,896        34,898,005         24,373,401        2,425,228        26,798,629   

Research & development

     3,126,589         3,317,843        6,444,432         2,806,043        3,350,708        6,156,751   

Litigation judgment recovery

     —           —          —           (2,200,000     —          (2,200,000
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 24,618,685       $ (5,671,750   $ 18,946,935       $ 25,726,461      $ (7,935,198   $ 17,791,263   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

   $ 827,896       $ 346,524      $ 1,174,420       $ 530,383      $ 357,226      $ 887,609   

Purchases of intangible assets

     260,431         10,713        271,144         322,337        15,526        337,863   

Depreciation and amortization

     2,997,848         1,038,489        4,036,337         3,336,403        1,777,586        5,113,989   

The CODM does not review assets by segment as part of the financial information provided; therefore, no asset information is provided in the above table.

13. Subsequent event

On October 7, 2013, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Familiar, Inc. (“Familiar”) for $1.3 million in cash and 107,749 shares of common stock. The number of common shares issued as part of the acquisition was determined by dividing $1.4 million by a value of $13.33 per share. Familiar’s employees include application designers and engineers experienced in digital video management. The Familiar employees will conduct research and development initiatives for mobility technologies in law enforcement, focused specifically on new revenue opportunities within the EVIDENCE.com & Video segment. The Company will not continue to develop or market products and services previously provided by Familiar.

 

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Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following is a discussion of the Company’s financial condition as of September 30, 2013, and results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. The following discussion may be understood more fully by reference to the consolidated financial statements, notes to the consolidated financial statements, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The tables in the MD&A sections below are derived from exact numbers and may have immaterial rounding differences.

Certain statements contained in this report may be deemed to be forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and the Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor created thereby. Such forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things: the impact of recently issued and adopted accounting standards and guidance; estimated amortization charges in future years and our projected effective tax rate for 2013; our anticipation that government contracts will be completed; that fixed costs in our EVIDENCE.com & Video segment will remain constant; that product and commercial defense costs will trend downward; that R&D expenses will increase in 2014; our expectations about unrecognized tax benefits and deferred income taxes; assumptions about the future vesting of outstanding stock options and the amortization of costs relating thereto; our litigation strategy; future changes to our accounting estimates; the outcome of pending litigation against us; the sufficiency of our valuation reserves, including warranty, accounts receivable, deferred taxes and inventory reserves; the sufficiency of our capital resources and the availability of financing to the Company and our strategy with respect to hedging activities. We caution that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements herein. Such factors include, but are not limited to: market acceptance of our products; our dependence on sales of our TASER X26, X26P and X2 CEWs; the acceptance of our EVIDENCE.com software model; our ability to design, introduce and sell new products; delays in development schedules; rapid technological change and competition; product defects; breach of our security measures resulting in unauthorized access to customer data; outages and disruptions relating to our EVIDENCE.com service; budgetary and political constraints of prospects and customers; the length of our sales cycle and our ability to realize benefits from our marketing and selling efforts; litigation risks resulting from alleged product-related injuries and media publicity concerning allegations of deaths occurring after use of the TASER device and the negative impact this publicity could have on sales; the outcome of pending or future litigation; our ability to protect our intellectual property; intellectual property infringement claims and relating litigation costs; competition in foreign countries relating to foreign patents; our successful identification of existing intellectual property rights that might infringe on our developments; risks of governmental regulations, including regulations of our products by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, regulation of our products as a “crime control” product by the Federal government, state and local government regulation and foreign regulation; the adverse effects that could result from our products being classified as firearms by the United States Bureau of Alcohol and Firearms; our compliance with regulations governing the environment, including but not limited to, regulations within the European Union; new regulations relating to conflict minerals; our dependence on third party suppliers for key components of our products; component shortages, including our dependence on foreign suppliers for key components; rising costs of raw materials and transportation relating to petroleum prices; our ability to manage our growth; our ability to increase manufacturing production to meet demand; establishment and expansion of our direct and indirect distribution channels; our ability to pursue sales directly with customers; risks relating to acquisitions and joint ventures; catastrophic events; fluctuations in quarterly operating results; foreign currency fluctuations; counterparty risks relating to cash balances held in excess of FDIC insurance limits; employee retention risks and other factors identified in documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in our Form 10-K.

Overview

TASER International, Inc.’s (the “Company” or “TASER” or “we” or “our”) core mission is to protect life and to protect truth through technologies that make communities safer. We are the market leader in the development, manufacture and sale of conducted electrical weapons (“CEWs”) and other electronic weapons designed for use in law enforcement, military, corrections, private security and personal defense. To address challenges faced by law enforcement officers subsequent to post-incident, we have developed a fully integrated hardware and software solution to provide our law enforcement customers the capabilities to capture, store, manage, share and analyze video and other digital evidence.

 

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Table of Contents

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our unaudited consolidated statements of operations as well as the percentage relationship to total net sales of items included in our consolidated statements of operations (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Increase /
(Decrease)
 
     2013     2012     $      %  

Net sales

   $ 35,197         100.0   $ 28,773         100.0   $ 6,424         22.3

Cost of products sold and services delivered

     13,101         37.2        11,970         41.6        1,131         9.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Gross margin

     22,096         62.8        16,803         58.4        5,293         31.5   

Sales, general and administrative expenses

     12,776         36.3        9,540         33.2        3,236         33.9   

Research and development expenses

     2,440         6.9        1,986         6.9        454         22.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Income from operations

     6,880         19.5        5,277         18.3        1,603         30.4   

Interest and other (expense) income, net

     35         *        11         *        23         205.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Income before provision for income taxes

     6,915         19.6        5,289         18.4        1,626         30.8   

Provision for income taxes

     1,802         5.1        1,612         5.6        190         11.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Net income

   $ 5,114         14.5   $ 3,677         12.8   $ 1,437         39.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

* Not meaningful

Net Sales

Net sales by product line were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Dollar     Percent  
     2013     2012     Change     Change  

TASER Weapons segment:

              

TASER X26

   $ 7,229         20.5   $ 7,434         25.8   $ (205     (2.8 )% 

TASER X2

     7,645         21.7        6,326         22.0        1,319        20.9   

TASER X26P

     5,557         15.8        —           *        5,557        100.0   

TASER C2

     452         1.3        721         2.5        (269     (37.3

M26

     160         0.5        620         2.2        (460     (74.2

Single Cartridges

     8,227         23.4        9,729         33.8        (1,502     (15.4

StrikeLight

     142         0.4        —           *        142        100.0   

Extended Warranties

     1,196         3.4        914         3.2        282        30.9   

Other

     1,019         2.9        1,341         4.7        (322     (24.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

TASER Weapons segment

     31,627         89.9        27,085         94.1        4,542        16.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

EVIDENCE.com & Video segment:

              

AXON/EVIDENCE.com

     1,688         4.8        878         3.1        810        92.3   

TASER Cam

     1,784         5.1        740         2.6        1,044        141.1   

Other

     98         0.3        70         0.2        28        40.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

EVIDENCE.com & Video segment

     3,570         10.1        1,688         5.9        1,882        111.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total net sales

   $ 35,197         100.0   $ 28,773         100.0   $ 6,424        22.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

* Not meaningful

 

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Net unit sales for the TASER Weapons handles and other products and EVIDENCE.com & Video segment products are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
                   Unit     Percent  
     2013      2012      Change     Change  

X26

     7,195         8,312         (1,117     -13.4

X26P

     7,327         —           7,327        100.0   

X2

     8,469         7,290         1,179        16.2   

M26

     502         1,617         (1,115     -69.0   

X3

     —           36         (36     -100.0   

C2

     1,544         2,832         (1,288     -45.5   

TASER Cam

     3,343         1,957         1,386        70.8   

Cartridges

     375,363         434,167         (58,804     -13.5   

AXON Flex

     1,217         1,263         (46     -3.6   

AXON Body

     774         —           774        100.0   

StrikeLight

     1,322         —           1,322        100.0   

Net sales to the United States and other countries are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2013     2012  

United States

   $ 31,483         89   $ 23,335         81

Other Countries

     3,714         11        5,438         19   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 35,197         100   $ 28,773         100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net sales were $35.2 million and $28.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, an increase of $6.4 million, or 22.3%. The increase in net sales for the third quarter of 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily driven by the continued adoption of the TASER X26P and X2 CEWs, which contributed $5.6 million and $7.6 million of sales for the third quarter of 2013, respectively. In addition, during the current-year period, the Company offered lower trade-in credit values, for customers upgrading previously purchased CEWs. Sales of the TASER X26 CEW decreased $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2013 when compared to the same period in the previous year as a result of customers embracing the SMART Weapon platform of the X2 and X26P CEWs. Cartridge sales also decreased in the third quarter of 2013 in comparison to the same period in the prior year as a result of the timing of sales promotions.

Revenue relative to our EVIDENCE.com & Video segment increased $1.9 million to $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, due to additional revenue recognized related to higher sales of TASER Cams, our AXON on-officer cameras and our EVIDENCE.com software-as-a-service. AXON body was launched in the third quarter of 2013 and AXON flex was launched in 2012. Revenue related to EVIDENCE.com is recognized over the requisite service period of one to five years.

To gain more immediate feedback regarding activity for AXON flex, AXON body and EVIDENCE.com we also review bookings for these products. We consider bookings to be a statistical measure defined as the sales price of orders (not invoiced sales) placed in the relevant time period, regardless of when the products or services ultimately will be provided. Some bookings will be invoiced in subsequent years. Due to municipal government funding rules, certain of the future year amounts included in bookings are subject to budget appropriation. Although TASER has entered into contracts for the delivery of products and services in the future and anticipates the contracts will be completed, if agencies do not appropriate money in future year budgets, revenue associated with these bookings will not ultimately be recognized, resulting in a future reduction to bookings. Bookings related to EVIDENCE.com and AXON flex increased to $5.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $1.3 million in the same quarter in the prior year. We continue to generate traction with a number of new agencies adopting the platform.

International sales for the third quarter of 2013 and 2012 represented approximately $3.7 million, or 10.6%, and $5.4 million, or 18.9%, of total net sales, respectively. Sales in the international market generally are larger and occur more intermittently than in the domestic market due to the profile of the customers.

 

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Cost of Products Sold and Services Delivered

Cost of products sold and services delivered were $13.1 million and $12.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, an increase of $1.1 million, or 9.4%. As a percentage of net sales, cost of products sold and services delivered decreased to 37.2% in the third quarter of 2013 compared to 41.6% in the third quarter of 2012. Cost of products sold for our TASER Weapons segment were $10.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, or 34.5% of TASER Weapons segment sales, compared to $9.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, or 35.7% of TASER Weapons segment sales. The decrease as a percentage of net sales is primarily derived from increased leverage due to higher sales and a higher average selling price.

Cost of products sold and services delivered for the EVIDENCE.com & Video segment were $2.2 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Increased product costs related to the EVIDENCE.com & Video segment related to growing sales in this segment were more than offset by decreased service costs, resulting in a slight overall decrease for the third quarter as compared to the prior-year quarter. The decrease in service costs is comprised of cost savings due to efficiencies gained by moving to a third party cloud storage from a data center, as well as the full depreciation of the capitalized EVIDENCE.com software development costs. The decrease in overall cost of products sold and services delivered as a percentage of sales was driven by higher sales and by improvements to our EVIDENCE.com & Video segment margins. There are a number of fixed costs for the EVIDENCE.com & Video segment which, as we generate traction in the business, we expect to remain stable and should allow for lower cost of products sold as a percentage of revenue. As a percentage of revenue, cost of products sold and services delivered were 61.4% and 136.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Gross Margin

Gross margin was $22.1 million and $16.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, an increase of $5.3 million, or 31.5%. Our gross margin as a percent of sales increased to 62.8% for the third quarter of 2013 compared to 58.4% for the third quarter of 2012, a result of the factors discussed above under costs of products sold and services delivered as well as leverage in overhead expense from increased sales, increased sales prices and lower trade-in credit values.

Sales, General and Administrative Expenses

For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, sales, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were comprised of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
                 $     %  
     2013     2012     Change     Change  

Salaries, benefits and bonus

   $ 3,556      $ 2,919      $ 637        21.8

Professional, accounting and legal fees and litigation expenses

     3,529        1,312        2,217        169.0   

Travel and meals

     866        718        148        20.6   

Stock-based compensation

     735        658        77        11.8   

Consulting and lobbying

     483        490        (7     (1.4

Depreciation and amortization

     296        384        (88     (22.9

Sales and marketing

     1,555        1,133        422        37.2   

Liability insurance

     503        510        (7     (1.4

Other

     1,253        1,416        (163     (11.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   $ 12,776      $ 9,540      $ 3,236        33.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Sales, general and administrative as a % of net sales

     36.3     33.2    

 

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Table of Contents

SG&A expenses were $12.8 million and $9.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, an increase of $3.2 million, or 33.9%. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased to 36.3% for the third quarter of 2013 compared to 33.2% for the third quarter of 2012. Compared to the third quarter of 2012, salaries, benefits and stock compensation expense increased $0.7 million as a result of strategic hires that were made over the last year, primarily in customer facing roles such as telesales, customer service, account management and field services, but also in incremental administrative functions. Professional, accounting and legal fees and litigation expenses increased $2.2 million compared to the prior year primarily due to expenses relating to the defense of product and commercial litigation. The Company expects expenses relating to the defense of product and commercial litigation to trend downward in the second half of 2014. The increase in sales and marketing expense is comprised partially of increases in commissions of approximately $0.4 million for our direct sales team due to higher sales and the fact that a greater percentage of our sales were conducted directly with end users. Increases were also seen in account promotions, e-Commerce marketing and marketing development as we look to expand our initiatives internationally and in the video market. These increases were partially offset by decreases in trade shows due to the timing of the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference which will occur in the fourth quarter of 2013, but was included in the third quarter of 2012. Other increases in SG&A during the third quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2012 relate to general business operations and sales efforts

Of the $3.2 million increase in SG&A in the current quarter as compared to the same quarter in the prior year, $2.5 million is within the TASER Weapons segment and as a percentage of net sales, TASER Weapons segment SG&A increased to 35.2% from 31.8%. Within the EVIDENCE.com & Video segment, SG&A increased $0.7 million compared to the third quarter of 2012. We continue to invest in the EVIDENCE.com & Video business to strengthen our sales force and infrastructure, including customer facing roles, to execute our strategy and drive growth.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses were $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 an increase of $0.5 million or 22.9% over the same period in the prior year. Research and development expense increased primarily due to additional personnel expense related to EVIDENCE.com & Video segment development initiatives. The Company expects to continue to see increased expenses in R&D through 2014 as EVIDENCE.com expands into adjacent technologies in law enforcement.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and our effective tax rate was 26.1%. The effective tax rate is below our estimated full year effective tax rate, before discrete items, of 38.2% primarily due to tax deductions related to disqualifying dispositions of Incentive Stock Options (“ISOs”), domestic production activities deduction, and a favorable 2012 return to provision adjustment. When an employee exercises ISOs and sells the related stock prior to the mandatory holding period, the associated expense becomes a reduction to the Company’s taxable income and represents a permanent benefit in the tax rate.

Net Income

Our net income increased to $5.1 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2013 compared to net income of $3.7 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2012.

Nine months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to the Nine months Ended September 30, 2012

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our unaudited consolidated statements of operations as well as the percentage relationship to total net sales of items included in our consolidated statements of operations (dollars in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,     Increase /
(Decrease)
 
     2013     2012     $     %  

Net sales

   $ 97,806         100.0   $ 82,637        100.0   $ 15,169        18.4

Cost of products sold and services delivered

     37,517         38.4        34,090        41.3        3,427        10.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gross margin

     60,289         61.6        48,547        58.7        11,743        24.2   

Sales, general and administrative expenses

     34,898         35.7        26,799        32.4        8,099        30.2   

Research and development expenses

     6,444         6.6        6,157        7.5        288        4.7   

Litigation judgment recovery

     —           —          (2,200     -2.7        2,200        -100.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income from operations

     18,947         19.4        17,791        21.5        1,156        6.5   

Interest and other income (expenses), net

     31         *        26        *        5        20.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income before provision for income taxes

     18,978         19.4        17,817        21.6        1,161        6.5   

Provision for income taxes

     6,109         6.2        6,894        8.3        (785     (11.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income

   $ 12,869         13.2   $ 10,923        13.2   $ 1,946        17.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

* Not meaningful

 

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Table of Contents

Net Sales

Net sales by product line were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,     Dollar     Percent  
     2013     2012     Change     Change  

TASER Weapons segment:

              

TASER X26

   $ 22,258         22.8   $ 26,774         32.4   $ (4,516     (16.9 )% 

TASER X2

     18,822         19.2        16,602         20.1        2,220        13.4   

TASER X26P

     13,574         13.9        —           *        13,574        100.0   

TASER C2

     1,809         1.8        2,270         2.7        (461     (20.3

M26

     567         0.6        1,081         1.3        (514     (47.5

Single Cartridges

     26,088         26.7        24,754         30.0        1,334        5.4   

StrikeLight

     131         0.1        —           *        131        100.0   

Extended Warranties

     3,320         3.4        2,632         3.2        688        26.1   

Other

     3,333         3.4        4,662         5.6        (1,329     (28.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

TASER Weapons segment

     89,902         91.9        78,775         95.3        11,127        14.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

EVIDENCE.com & Video segment:

              

AXON/EVIDENCE.com

     3,780         3.9        1,506         1.8        2,274        151.0   

TASER Cam

     3,707         3.8        2,156         2.6        1,551        71.9   

Other

     417         0.4        200         0.2        217        108.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

EVIDENCE.com & Video segment

     7,904         8.1        3,862         4.7        4,042        104.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total net sales

   $ 97,806         100.0   $ 82,637         100.0   $ 15,169        18.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

* Not meaningful

Net unit sales for the TASER Weapons handles and other products and EVIDENCE.com & Video segment products are as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
                   Unit     Percent  
     2013      2012      Change     Change  

X26

     24,296         31,951         (7,655     -24.0

X26P

     17,663         —           17,663        100.0   

X2

     20,431         19,406         1,025        5.3   

M26

     1,638         3,258         (1,620     -49.7   

X3

     271         69         202        292.8   

C2

     5,869         8,594         (2,725     -31.7   

TASER Cam

     8,349         5,446         2,903        53.3   

Cartridges

     1,153,825         1,167,253         (13,428     -1.2   

AXON flex

     3,580         2,018         1,562        77.4   

AXON body

     774         —           774        100.0   

StrikeLight

     1,322         —           1,322        100.0   

 

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Net sales to the United States and other countries are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2013     2012  

United States

   $ 86,036         88   $ 68,341         83

Other Countries

     11,770         12        14,296         17   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 97,806         100   $ 82,637         100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net sales were $97.8 million and $82.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, an increase of $15.2 million, or 18.4%. The increase in net sales for the first nine months of 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily driven by the continued adoption of the new TASER X26P, which contributed $13.6 million of sales for the first nine months of 2013. TASER X2 CEW sales also increased compared to the prior year as part of the upgrade cycle, selling $18.8 million in the first nine months of 2013 compared to $16.6 million in 2012. In addition, during the current-year period, the Company offered lower trade-in credit values, for customers upgrading previously purchased CEWs. Sales of our X26 CEWs decreased $4.5 million for the first nine months of 2013 when compared to the same period in the previous year as a result of customers embracing the SMART Weapon platform of the X2 and X26P CEWs.

Revenue relative to our EVIDENCE.com & Video segment increased $4.0 million to $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to additional revenue recognized related to our AXON on-officer cameras, and our EVIDENCE.com software-as-a-service. AXON body was launched in the third quarter of 2013 and the AXON Flex was launched in 2012. Sales of TASER Cam increased $1.6 million in the current nine month period as compared to the same period in the prior year which also contributed to the year over year increase. Revenue related to EVIDENCE.com is recognized over the requisite service period of one to five years.

To gain more immediate feedback regarding activity for AXON flex, AXON body and EVIDENCE.com we also review bookings for these products. We consider bookings to be a statistical measure defined as the sales price of orders (not invoiced sales) placed in the relevant time period, regardless of when the products or services ultimately will be provided. Some bookings will be invoiced in subsequent years. Due to municipal government funding rules, certain of the future year amounts included in bookings are subject to budget appropriation. Although TASER has entered into contracts for the delivery of products and services in the future and anticipates the contracts will be completed, if agencies do not appropriate money in future year budgets, revenue associated with these bookings will not ultimately be recognized, resulting in a future reduction to bookings. Bookings related to EVIDENCE.com and AXON Flex in the first nine months of 2013 increased to $9.3 million, compared to $2.1 million in the same period in the prior year. We continue to generate traction with a number of new agencies adopting the platform.

International sales for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012 represented approximately $11.8 million, or 12.0%, and $14.3 million, or 17.3%, of total net sales, respectively. Sales in the international market generally are larger and occur more intermittently than in the domestic market due to the profile of the customers.

Cost of Products Sold and Services Delivered

Cost of products sold and services delivered were $37.5 million and $34.1 million for the first nine months of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, an increase of $3.4 million, or 10.1%. As a percentage of net sales, cost of products sold and services delivered decreased to 38.4% in the first nine months of 2013 compared to 41.3% in the first nine months of 2012. Cost of products sold for our TASER Weapons segment were $31.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, or 35.1% of TASER Weapons segment sales, compared to $28.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, or 35.6% of TASER Weapons segment sales.

Cost of products sold and services delivered for the EVIDENCE.com & Video segment were $6.0 million for each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. As a percentage of revenue, cost of products sold and services delivered were 75.7% and 155.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Increased product costs related to the EVIDENCE.com & Video segment related to growing sales in this segment were more than offset by decreased service costs, resulting in a slight overall decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the prior-year period. The decrease in service costs is comprised of cost savings due to efficiencies gained by moving to a third party cloud storage from a data center, as well as the full depreciation of the capitalized EVIDENCE.com software development costs. There are a number of fixed costs for the EVIDENCE.com & Video segment which, as we generate traction in the business, we expect to remain stable, which should allow for lower cost of products sold as a percentage of revenue.

 

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Table of Contents

Gross Margin

Gross margin was $60.3 million and $48.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, an increase of $11.7 million, or 24.2%. Our gross margin as a percent of sales increased to 61.6% for the first nine months of 2013 compared to 58.7% for the first nine months of 2012, as a result of the factors discussed above under cost of products sold and services delivered as well as leverage in overhead expense from increased sales, increased sales prices and lower trade-in credit values.

Sales, General and Administrative Expenses

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, SG&A expenses were comprised of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
                 $     %  
     2013     2012     Change     Change  

Salaries, benefits and bonus

   $ 10,674      $ 8,231      $ 2,443        29.7

Professional, accounting and legal fees and litigation expenses

     8,119        4,495        3,624        80.6   

Travel and meals

     2,480        2,162        318        14.7   

Stock-based compensation

     2,293        1,614        679        42.1   

Consulting and lobbying

     1,608        1,859        (251     (13.5

Depreciation and amortization

     930        1,175        (245     (20.9

Sales and marketing

     3,657        2,589        1,068        41.3   

Liability insurance

     1,490        1,293        197        15.2   

Other

     3,647        3,381        266        7.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   $ 34,898      $ 26,799      $ 8,099        30.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Sales, general and administrative as a % of net sales

     35.7     32.4    

SG&A expenses were $34.9 million and $26.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, an increase of $8.1 million, or 30.2%. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased to 35.7% for the first nine months of 2013 compared to 32.4% for the first nine months of 2012. Compared to the same period in 2012, salaries, benefits and stock compensation expense increased $3.1 million as a result of strategic hires that were made over the last year, primarily in customer facing roles such as telesales, customer service, account management and field services, but also incrementally in administrative functions. Professional, accounting and legal fees and litigation expenses increased $3.6 million compared to the prior year primarily due to expenses relating to the defense of product and commercial litigation. The Company expects expenses relating to the defense of product and commercial litigation to trend downward in the second half of 2014. Sales and marketing expenses increased year over year primarily as a result of higher commissions paid of approximately $0.8 million on the higher sales for the year. In addition, e-commerce marketing initiatives, strategic account promotion expense and trade show expenses increased compared to the prior year in order to support the business’ growth objectives. Other increases in SG&A during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012 relate to general business operations and sales efforts.

Of the $8.1 million increase in SG&A in the current nine month period as compared to the same period in the prior year, $6.2 million is within the TASER Weapons segment and as a percentage of net sales, TASER Weapons segment SG&A increased to 34.1% from 30.9%. Within the EVIDENCE.com & Video segment SG&A increased $1.9 million compared to the first nine months of 2012. We continue to invest in the video business to strengthen our sales force and infrastructure, including customer facing roles, to execute our strategy and drive growth.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses were $6.4 million and $6.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the year, research and development expense benefited from the receipt of an Arizona use tax credit of approximately $0.3 million and a decline in consulting fees of approximately $0.2 million. These were more than offset by increases in travel and personnel expenses. The Company expects to continue to see increased expenses in R&D through 2014 as EVIDENCE.com expands into adjacent technologies in law enforcement.

 

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Table of Contents

Litigation Judgments Recovery

During the second quarter of 2011, the Company recorded a $3.3 million litigation judgment expense, which represented a charge for an adverse jury verdict received in the Turner case and costs associated with post-trial motions. This charge represented management’s best estimate of the Company’s uninsured portion of the judgment after consideration of available insurance coverage. During 2011, management estimated the range of loss in the Turner case to be nil to $3.8 million. During March 2012, the Federal District Court for the Western District of North Carolina granted the Company’s motion for remittitur and ordered the reduction of the original jury award from $10.0 million to approximately $4.4 million after offsets. On April 20, 2012, the court issued another order, which adjusted the award to $5.5 million. Based on this action by the court, the Company reversed a portion of the previously accrued litigation judgment expense during the three months ended March 31, 2012, which resulted in a benefit of $2.2 million and a reserve of $1.1 million at such time. The appeal is fully briefed and oral argument was held on September 19, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, the reserve related to this case remained at $1.1 million.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was $6.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and our effective tax rate was 32.2%. The effective tax rate is below our estimated full year effective tax rate, before discrete items, of 38.2% primarily due to tax deductions related to disqualifying dispositions of ISOs, a domestic production activities deduction, and a favorable 2012 return to provision adjustment. When an employee exercises ISOs and sells the related stock prior to the mandatory holding period, the associated expense becomes a reduction to the Company’s taxable income and represents a permanent benefit in the tax rate.

Net Income

Our net income increased to $12.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2013 compared to net income of $10.9 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2012.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Summary

As of September 30, 2013, we had $35.0 million in cash, a decrease of $1.1 million from the end of 2012. The cash generated by operating activities of $23.1 million was more than offset by the combination of increased investment purchases and the execution in the first half of 2013 of our $25 million stock buy-back program that was authorized in February 2013.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  

Operating activities

   $ 23,087      $ 23,258   

Investing activities

     (13,236     677   

Financing activities

     (10,969     (19,265

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (2     (4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (1,121   $ 4,665   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2013 of $23.1 million was primarily driven by $12.9 million of net income for the period, adjusted for the net add-back of non-cash expenses of $9.5 million, including depreciation and amortization expense of $4.0 million, deferred income taxes of $5.2 million and stock-based compensation expense of $2.9 million, offset by a $4.1 million reduction related to excess tax benefit from stock-based activities. Cash from operating activities reflects a net increase of $0.8 million related to the net change in assets and liabilities. Increases in notes and accounts receivables, prepaid and other assets and inventory resulted in reductions to operating cash flows of $2.0 million, $2.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively. The increase in accounts receivable is due to increased invoiced sales, and the prepaid and other assets increase is largely due to a $1.6 million increase in prepaid taxes. The increase in inventory is due to normal timing fluctuations and anticipated sales. Offsetting these reductions to operating cash inflows was an increase to operating cash flow of $6.5 million resulting from an increased balance of deferred revenue. Of the increase in deferred revenue approximately $3.7 million resulted from growing warranty sales and $2.5 million resulted from increased EVIDENCE.com sales.

 

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Net cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2012 of $23.3 million consists of $10.9 million in net income, the add-back of non-cash income statement items totaling $8.9 million and a $3.4 million net change in operating assets (net of operating liabilities). Included in the non-cash items are $5.1 million in depreciation expense, $2.9 million in deferred income tax expense and $2.2 million in stock-based compensation expense. These additions were partially offset by a reduction to operating cash flows of $2.2 million for the reversal of the litigation judgment expense. The most significant changes in operating assets and liabilities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012 include an increase of $2.9 million and $2.6 million related to increases in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities and deferred revenue, respectively. These impacts were partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $2.6 million. These fluctuations in operating assets and liabilities were primarily driven by increased sales.

Investing activities

Net cash used by investing activities in the first nine months of 2013 was $13.2 million. During the second quarter of 2013 we changed investment managers which, combined with the $23.1 million of operating cash generated during the period and $10.2 million of proceeds from option exercises, enabled higher than previous year investment activity. During the nine month period, we purchased $18.4 million of investments while receiving proceeds from the call/maturity of investments of $6.6 million. During the nine month period we purchased $1.4 million of combined property and equipment and intangible assets, which was offset slightly by cash received from the disposal of fixed assets.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $0.7 million in the first nine months of 2012, which consists of a $1.2 million outflow for the acquisition of property, equipment and intangible assets and $1.9 million in net proceeds from the maturity of short-term investments.

Financing activities

During the first nine months of 2013, net cash used by financing activities was $11.0 million primarily attributable to the repurchase of $25.0 million of our common stock, which was purchased for a weighted average cost of $8.20 per share. The weighted average cost includes the average price paid per share of $8.17, plus any applicable administrative costs for the transaction. The repurchase of common stock was made under a stock repurchase program authorized by TASER’s Board of Directors in February 2013.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded $4.1 million for excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation. The tax benefit relates to exercises occurring through 2012 and 2013 which gave rise to tax attribute carry forwards such as net operating losses and tax credits. We were able to recognize this benefit in 2013 due to positive taxable income during the period. Also during the nine month period ended September 30, 2013, we received $10.2 million of proceeds from options exercised.

During the first nine months of 2012, net cash used by financing activities was approximately $19.3 million which consisted of $20.0 million used to repurchase the Company’s common stock offset by $0.7 million in proceeds from stock options exercised.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our most significant sources of liquidity continue to be funds generated by operating activities and available cash and cash equivalents. We believe funds generated from our expected results of operations, as well as available cash and cash equivalents, will be sufficient to finance our operations and strategic initiatives for 2013. In addition, our $10.0 million revolving credit facility is available for additional working capital needs or investment opportunities. Under the terms of the line of credit, available borrowings are reduced by outstanding letters of credit. The line is secured by our accounts receivable and inventory, and bears interest at varying rates currently LIBOR plus 1.5% to prime. As of September 30, 2013, we had letters of credit outstanding of $0.6 million, leaving the net amount available for borrowing of $9.4 million. The facility matures on June 30, 2015. There can be no assurance that we will continue to generate cash flows at or above current levels or that we will be able to maintain our ability to borrow under our revolving credit facility. At September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, there were no borrowings under the line.

Our agreement with the bank requires us to comply with certain financial and other covenants including maintenance of minimum tangible net worth and a fixed charge coverage ratio. The ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth can be no greater than 1:1, and the fixed coverage charge ratio can be no less than 1.25:1, based upon a trailing twelve-month period. At September 30, 2013, the Company’s tangible net worth ratio was 0.41:1 and its fixed charge coverage ratio was 3.77:1. Accordingly, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

 

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Based on our strong balance sheet and the fact that we had only $0.1 million in long-term debt and capital lease obligations at September 30, 2013, we believe financing will be available, both through our existing credit line and possible additional financing. However, there is no assurance that such funding will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

Critical Accounting Estimates

We have identified the following accounting estimates as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. While we don’t believe that a change in these estimates is reasonably likely, there can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ from these estimates. The effect of these policies on our business operations is discussed below.

Product Warranties

The Company warrants its CEWs, StrikeLight, AXON cameras and Evidence Transfer Managers (“ETM”) from manufacturing defects on a limited basis for a period of one year after purchase and, thereafter, will replace any defective unit for a fee. Estimated costs for our standard warranty are charged to cost of products sold and services delivered when revenue is recorded for the related product. We estimate future warranty costs based on historical data related to returns and warranty costs on a quarterly basis and apply this rate to current product anticipated returns from our customers. We have also historically increased our reserve amount if we become aware of a component failure that could result in larger than anticipated returns from our customers. The accrued warranty liability expense is reviewed quarterly to evaluate whether it sufficiently reflects the remaining warranty obligations based on the anticipated expenditures over the balance of the warranty obligation period, and adjustments are made when actual warranty claim experience differs from estimates. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our reserve for warranty costs was $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

Revenue related to separately priced extended warranties is recorded as deferred revenue and subsequently recognized in net sales on a straight-line basis over the delivery period. Costs related to extended warranties are charged to cost of products sold and services delivered when incurred.

Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined using the weighted average cost of raw materials, which approximates the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, and an allocation of manufacturing labor and overhead costs. The allocation of manufacturing labor and overhead costs includes management’s judgments of what constitutes normal capacity of our production facilities and a determination of what costs are considered to be abnormal fixed production costs, which are expensed as current period charges. Provisions are made to reduce potentially excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventories to their net realizable value. These provisions are based on our best estimates after considering historical demand, projected future demand, inventory purchase commitments, industry and market trends and conditions and other factors. Our reserve for excess and obsolete inventory decreased to $0.7 million at September 30, 2013, compared to $2.3 million at December 31, 2012. This decrease is attributable primarily to the disposal of the majority of the X3 CEW inventory that had been previously reserved. In the event that actual excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventories differ from these estimates, changes to inventory reserves may be necessary.

Revenue Recognition and Accounts and Notes Receivable

The Company recognizes revenues when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, title has transferred, the price is fixed and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are divided into separate units and revenue is allocated using the relative selling price method based upon vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price or third-party evidence of the selling prices if vendor-specific objective evidence of selling prices does not exist. If neither vendor-specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence exists, management would use its best estimate of selling price.

Sales are typically made on credit and we generally do not require collateral. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and maintain an allowance for estimated potential losses. Uncollectible accounts are written off when deemed uncollectible, and accounts and notes receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. This allowance represents our best estimate and is based on our judgment after considering a number of factors including third-party credit reports, actual payment history, customer-specific financial information and broader market and economic trends and conditions. Our allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.2 million at both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. In the event that actual uncollectible amounts differ from these estimates, changes in allowances for doubtful accounts might become necessary.

 

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Valuation of Long-lived Assets

We review long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We utilize a two-step approach to testing long-lived assets for impairment. The first step tests for possible impairment indicators. If one or more impairment indicators are present, the second step measures whether the asset is recoverable based on a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Our review requires the use of judgment and estimates. There were no impairments recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. However, future events or circumstances may result in a charge to earnings if we determine that the carrying value of a long-lived asset is not recoverable.

Income Taxes

We recognize federal, state and foreign current tax liabilities or assets based on our estimate of taxes payable or refundable in the current fiscal year by tax jurisdiction. We also recognize federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets or liabilities, as appropriate, for our estimate of future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carry forwards.

We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such positions are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. Management must also assess whether uncertain tax positions as filed could result in the recognition of a liability for possible interest and penalties. We have completed research and development tax credit studies which identified approximately $7.8 million in tax credits for federal, Arizona and California income tax purposes related to the 2003 through 2013 tax years, net of the federal benefit on the Arizona and California research and development tax credits. Management determined that it was more likely than not that the full benefit of the research and development tax credit would not be sustained on examination and accordingly, has established a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $2.9 million as of September 30, 2013. In addition, we established a $0.2 million liability related to uncertain tax positions for certain state income tax liabilities, for a total unrecognized tax benefit at September 30, 2013, of $3.1 million. As of September 30, 2013, management does not expect the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit liability to increase or decrease significantly within the next 12 months. Should the unrecognized tax benefit of $3.1 million be recognized, the Company’s effective tax rate would be favorably impacted. Our estimates are based on the information available to us at the time we prepare the income tax provisions. Our income tax returns are subject to audit by federal, state, and local governments, generally years after the returns are filed. These returns could be subject to material adjustments or differing interpretations of the tax laws.

Our calculation of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on certain estimates and judgments and involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Our estimates of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities may change based, in part, on added certainty or finality to an anticipated outcome, changes in accounting or tax laws in the United States and overseas, or changes in other facts or circumstances. In addition, we recognize liabilities for potential United States tax contingencies based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes may be due. If we determine that payment of these amounts is unnecessary, or if the recorded tax liability is less than our current assessment, we may be required to recognize an income tax benefit, or additional income tax expense, respectively, in our consolidated financial statements.

In preparing the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, management assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be realized from future taxable income. In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover its deferred income tax assets, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including its operating results, ongoing tax planning and forecasts of future taxable income on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. A valuation allowance is established if it is determined that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management exercises significant judgment in determining its provisions for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities and its future taxable income for purposes of assessing its ability to utilize any future tax benefit from its deferred tax assets. Management has determined that it is more likely than not that future sales and profitability will allow for the utilization of the deferred tax assets. However, the deferred tax asset could be reduced or the valuation allowance could be changed in the near-term if estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period change.

 

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Stock-based Compensation

We have historically granted stock-based compensation for various equity owners and key employees as a means of attracting and retaining quality personnel. We have utilized restricted stock units and stock options; however, no stock options were issued during 2012 or the first nine months of 2013. The fair value of restricted stock units is estimated as the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. We estimate the fair value of granted stock options by using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating the length of time employees will retain their stock options before exercising them (expected term), the estimated volatility of our common stock price over the expected term and the number of options that will ultimately not vest (forfeitures). The expense for both restricted stock units and stock options is recorded over the life of the grant, net of forfeitures.

We have granted a total of approximately 1.3 million performance-based awards (options and restricted stock units) of which approximately 0.6 million are outstanding as of September 30, 2013, the vesting of which is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance criteria including the successful development and market acceptance of future product introductions as well as our future sales targets and operating performance. These awards will vest and compensation expense will be recognized based on management’s best estimate of the probability of the performance criteria being satisfied using the most currently available projections of future product adoption and operating performance, adjusted at each balance sheet date. Changes in the subjective and probability-based assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related amount recognized on our statements of operations.

Contingencies and Accrued Litigation Expense

We are subject to the possibility of various loss contingencies including product-related litigation, arising in the ordinary course of business. We consider the likelihood of loss or impairment of an asset or the incurrence of a liability, as well as our ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss in determining loss contingencies. An estimated loss contingency is accrued when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We regularly evaluate current information available to us to determine whether such accruals should be adjusted and whether new accruals are required. Refer to Note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

We typically invest in a limited number of financial instruments, consisting principally of investments in money market accounts, certificates of deposit and corporate and municipal bonds with a typical long-term debt rating of “AA” or better by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, denominated in United States dollars. All of our investments are treated as “held-to-maturity”. Investments in fixed-rate interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk as their market value may be adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates. As a result, we may suffer losses in principal if we sell securities that have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates. However, because we classify our debt securities as “held-to-maturity” based on our intent and ability to hold these instruments to maturity, no gains or losses are recognized due to changes in interest rates. These securities are reported at amortized cost. As of September 30, 2013, we estimate that a 10 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would result in a change in annual interest income of less than $0.1 million.

Additionally, we have access to a line of credit borrowing facility which bears interest at varying rates, currently at LIBOR plus 1.5% to prime. At September 30, 2013, there was no amount outstanding under the line of credit and the available borrowing under the line of credit was $9.4 million. We have not borrowed any funds under the line of credit since its inception; however; should we need to do so in the future, such borrowings could be subject to adverse or favorable changes in the underlying interest rate.

Exchange Rate Risk

Our results of operations and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly changes in the Euro related to transactions by TASER Europe. To date, we have not engaged in any currency hedging activities, although we may do so in the future. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates could harm our business in the future.

The majority of our sales to international customers is transacted in United States dollars and therefore, is not subject to exchange rate fluctuations. However, the cost of our products to our customers increases when the U.S. dollar strengthens against their local currency. In a difficult economy increased costs to our customers could be a potential credit-risk for non-payment.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2013 to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The discussion of legal proceedings in Note 9 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in PART I, ITEM 1 of this Form 10-Q is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, under the heading “Risk Factors,” which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially, adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On October 10, 2013 the Company issued 107,749 shares of common stock in conjunction with a definitive agreement to acquire Familiar, Inc. The TASER shares were issued without registration to the Familiar Stockholders in reliance on Rule 506(b) of Regulation D and will be unregistered shares subject to Rule 144.

On February 26, 2013, the Company announced that TASER’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $25.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock subject to stock market conditions and corporate considerations. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company purchased 3,048,966 common shares under this program for a total cost of approximately $25.0 million, or a weighted average cost of $8.20 per share. The weighted average cost includes the average price paid per share of $8.17, plus any applicable administrative costs for the transaction. The Company has not purchased any additional treasury shares subsequent to June 30, 2013.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

 

10.1    Note Modification Agreement dated as of August 15, 2013, between the Company and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.
31.1    Principal Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2    Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32    Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101    XBRL Instance Document
101    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101    XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101    XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101    XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
101    XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document

 

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SIGNATURES

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.

 

   TASER International, Inc.
Date: November 05, 2013   

/s/ Patrick W. Smith

   Patrick W. Smith
  

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 05, 2013   

/s/ Daniel M. Behrendt

   Daniel M. Behrendt
  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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Index to Exhibits

Exhibits:

 

10.1    Note Modification Agreement dated as of August 15, 2013, between the Company and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.
31.1    Principal Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2    Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32    Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101    XBRL Instance Document
101    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101    XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101    XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101   

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document

 

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