Clearfield, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2005 December (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
x
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934
|
SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the
quarterly period ended December 31, 2005
o
|
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934
|
Commission
File Number 0-16106
APA
Enterprises, Inc.
(Exact
name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Minnesota
|
41-1347235
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)
|
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
|
2950
N.E. 84th
Lane, Blaine, Minnesota 55449
(Address
of principal executive offices and zip code)
(763)
784-4995
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirement for
the past 90 days.
Yes
|
x
|
|
No
|
o
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, and
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the
Exchange Act).
Large
accelerated filer
|
o
|
Accelerated
filer
|
o
|
Non-acclerated
filer
|
x
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
|
o
|
No
|
x
|
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common
stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Class:
|
Outstanding
at February 2, 2006
|
Common
stock, par value $.01
|
11,872,331
|
FORM
10-Q
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
3
|
|
3
|
|
3
|
|
4
|
|
5
|
|
9
|
|
22
|
|
22
|
|
23
|
|
23
|
|
23
|
|
23
|
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
|
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
December
31,
2005
|
March
31,
2005
|
||||||
Assets
|
|||||||
Current
assets:
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
7,928,759
|
$
|
10,813,492
|
|||
Accounts
receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $89,266
at
December 31, 2005 and $57,107 at March 31, 2005
|
1,686,945
|
1,446,248
|
|||||
Inventories
|
1,662,518
|
1,270,653
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses and other
|
320,377
|
395,920
|
|||||
Total
current assets
|
11,598,599
|
13,926,313
|
|||||
Property,
plant and equipment, net
|
3,418,366
|
3,946,998
|
|||||
Other
assets:
|
|||||||
Bond
reserve funds
|
341,396
|
337,091
|
|||||
Goodwill
|
3,422,511
|
3,422,511
|
|||||
Other
|
324,327
|
441,101
|
|||||
4,088,234
|
4,200,703
|
||||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
19,105,199
|
$
|
22,074,014
|
|||
Liabilities
and shareholders’ equity
|
|||||||
Current
liabilities:
|
|||||||
Current
portion of long-term debt
|
$
|
1,352,704
|
$
|
1,471,036
|
|||
Accounts
payable
|
953,116
|
814,005
|
|||||
Accrued
compensation
|
652,393
|
568,950
|
|||||
Accrued
expenses
|
419,500
|
190,062
|
|||||
Total
current liabilities
|
3,377,713
|
3,044,053
|
|||||
Long-term
debt, net of current maturities
|
22,160
|
107,800
|
|||||
Shareholders’
equity:
|
|||||||
Undesignated
shares, 4,999,500 authorized shares; no shares issued and
outstanding
|
-
|
-
|
|||||
Preferred
stock, $.01 par value; 500 authorized shares; no shares issued and
outstanding
|
-
|
-
|
|||||
Common
stock, $.01 par value; 50,000,000 authorized shares; 11,872,331 shares
issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005 and March 31,
2005
|
118,723
|
118,723
|
|||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
51,973,669
|
51,960,084
|
|||||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(36,387,066
|
)
|
(33,156,646
|
)
|
|||
Total
shareholders’ equity
|
15,705,326
|
18,922,161
|
|||||
Total
liabilities and shareholders’ equity
|
$
|
19,105,199
|
$
|
22,074,014
|
SEE
ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three
Months Ended
December
31,
|
Nine
Months Ended
December
31,
|
||||||||||||
2005
|
2004
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
4,379,192
|
$
|
3,305,299
|
$
|
11,961,122
|
$
|
10,661,085
|
|||||
Cost
of sales
|
3,354,859
|
2,704,159
|
9,307,609
|
8,676,806
|
|||||||||
Gross
profit
|
1,024,333
|
601,140
|
2,653,513
|
1,984,279
|
|||||||||
Operating
expenses
|
|||||||||||||
Research
and development
|
313,127
|
314,151
|
980,097
|
725,954
|
|||||||||
Selling,
general and administrative
|
2,035,215
|
1,268,958
|
5,185,989
|
4,094,073
|
|||||||||
2,348,342
|
1,583,109
|
6,166,086
|
4,820,027
|
||||||||||
Loss
from operations
|
(1,324,009
|
)
|
(981,969
|
)
|
(3,512,573
|
)
|
(2,835,748
|
)
|
|||||
Other
income
|
106,302
|
84,952
|
387,461
|
405,779
|
|||||||||
Other
expense
|
(57,329
|
)
|
(30,612
|
)
|
(102,858
|
)
|
(80,843
|
)
|
|||||
48,973
|
54,340
|
284,603
|
324,936
|
||||||||||
Loss
before income taxes
|
(1,275,036
|
)
|
(927,629
|
)
|
(3,227,970
|
)
|
(2,510,812
|
)
|
|||||
Income
taxes
|
750
|
881
|
2,450
|
3,581
|
|||||||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(1,275,786
|
)
|
$
|
(928,510
|
)
|
$
|
(3,230,420
|
)
|
$
|
(2,514,393
|
)
|
|
Net
loss per share:
|
|||||||||||||
Basic
and diluted
|
($0.11
|
)
|
($0.08
|
)
|
($0.27
|
)
|
($0.
21
|
)
|
|||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding:
|
|||||||||||||
Basic
and diluted
|
11,872,331
|
11,872,331
|
11,872,331
|
11,872,331
|
SEE
ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Nine
Months Ended
December
31,
|
|||||||
2005
|
2004
|
||||||
Cash
Flow from operating activities
|
|||||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(3,230,420
|
)
|
$
|
(2,514,393
|
)
|
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities, net
of
acquisition:
|
|||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
806,266
|
734,563
|
|||||
Gain
on sale of assets
|
(93,126
|
)
|
(208,314
|
)
|
|||
Other
|
13,585
|
(21,409
|
)
|
||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|||||||
Accounts
receivable, net
|
(240,697
|
)
|
557,343
|
||||
Inventories
|
(391,865
|
)
|
234,176
|
||||
Prepaid
expenses and other
|
35,444
|
(14,437
|
)
|
||||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
451,992
|
(284,205
|
)
|
||||
Net
cash used in operating activities
|
(2,648,821
|
)
|
(1,516,676
|
)
|
|||
Cash
flow from investing activities
|
|||||||
Purchases
of property and equipment
|
(307,009
|
)
|
(299,373
|
)
|
|||
Proceeds
from sale of assets
|
111,680
|
220,000
|
|||||
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(195,329
|
)
|
(79,373
|
)
|
|||
Cash
flow from financing activities
|
|||||||
Repayment
of long-term debt
|
(128,085
|
)
|
(219,632
|
)
|
|||
Proceeds
from long term debt
|
44,113
|
-
|
|||||
Decrease
in bond reserve funds
|
43,389
|
43,620
|
|||||
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
(40,583
|
)
|
(176,012
|
)
|
|||
Decrease
in cash and cash equivalents
|
(2,884,733
|
)
|
(1,772,061
|
)
|
|||
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
10,813,492
|
13,544,910
|
|||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of period
|
$
|
7,928,759
|
$
|
11,772,849
|
|||
Noncash
investing and financing activities
|
|||||||
Capital
expenditure included in accounts payable
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(225,000
|
)
|
SEE
ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note
1.
|
Basis
of Presentation
|
The
accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required
by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
for
complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the financial
statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form
10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005.
In
the
opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals)
considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Certain
reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform
that
presentation to the current period presentation.
Note
2.
|
Net
Loss Per Share
|
The
following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per
share:
Three
Months Ended
December
31,
|
Nine
Months Ended
December
31,
|
||||||||||||
2005
|
2004
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||
Numerator
for basic and diluted net loss per share
|
$
|
(1,275,786
|
)
|
$
|
(928,510
|
)
|
$
|
(3,230,420
|
)
|
$
|
(2,514,393
|
)
|
|
Denominator
for basic and diluted net loss per share - weighted average shares
outstanding
|
11,872,331
|
11,872,331
|
11,872,331
|
11,872,331
|
|||||||||
Basic
and diluted net loss per share
|
($0.11
|
)
|
($0.08
|
)
|
($0.27
|
)
|
($0.21
|
)
|
Common
stock options and warrants to purchase 642,195 and 879,327 shares of common
stock with a weighted average exercise price of $2.94 and $6.62 were outstanding
at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, but were excluded from calculating
diluted net loss per share because they were antidilutive.
Note
3.
|
Segment
Reporting
|
The
Company has identified two reportable segments based on its internal
organizational structure, management of operations, and performance evaluation.
These segments are (1) Optronics and (2) Cables and Networks
(APACN). Optronics’
revenue is generated in the design, manufacture and marketing of ultraviolet
(UV) detection and measurement devices and optical components. Cables &
Network’s revenue is derived primarily from standard and custom fiber optic
cable assemblies, copper cable assemblies, value added fiber optics frames,
panels and modules. Expenses are allocated between the two segments based on
detailed information contained in invoices. In addition, overhead costs,
including management’s time and other expenses, are allocated to each segment as
appropriate.
Segment
detail is summarized as follows (unaudited, in thousands):
Optronics
|
Cables
&
Networks
|
Eliminations
|
Consolidated
|
||||||||||
Three
months ended December 31, 2005
|
|||||||||||||
External
sales
|
$
|
124
|
$
|
4,342
|
$
|
(87
|
)
|
$
|
4,379
|
||||
Gross
profit (loss)
|
(152
|
)
|
1,178
|
(2
|
)
|
1,024
|
|||||||
Operating
income (loss)
|
(1,346
|
)
|
22
|
-
|
(1,324
|
)
|
|||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
195
|
68
|
-
|
263
|
|||||||||
Capital
expenditures
|
62
|
11
|
-
|
73
|
|||||||||
Assets
|
19,270
|
7,470
|
(7,635
|
)
|
19,105
|
||||||||
Three
months ended December 31, 2004
|
|||||||||||||
External
sales
|
$
|
97
|
$
|
3,301
|
$
|
(93
|
)
|
$
|
3,305
|
||||
Gross
profit (loss)
|
(242
|
)
|
843
|
-
|
601
|
||||||||
Operating
income (loss)
|
(996
|
)
|
14
|
-
|
(982
|
)
|
|||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
198
|
60
|
-
|
258
|
|||||||||
Capital
expenditures
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
|||||||||
Assets
|
23,092
|
7,106
|
(7,379
|
)
|
22,819
|
||||||||
Nine
months ended December 31, 2005
|
|||||||||||||
External
sales
|
$
|
336
|
$
|
11,908
|
$
|
(283
|
)
|
$
|
11,961
|
||||
Gross
profit (loss)
|
(529
|
)
|
3,188
|
(5
|
)
|
2,654
|
|||||||
Operating
loss
|
(3,474
|
)
|
(39
|
)
|
-
|
(3,513
|
)
|
||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
612
|
194
|
-
|
806
|
|||||||||
Capital
expenditures
|
191
|
116
|
-
|
307
|
|||||||||
Assets
|
19,270
|
7,470
|
(7,635
|
)
|
19,105
|
||||||||
Nine
months ended December 31, 2004
|
|||||||||||||
External
sales
|
$
|
389
|
$
|
10,595
|
$
|
(323
|
)
|
$
|
10,661
|
||||
Gross
profit (loss)
|
(911
|
)
|
2,895
|
-
|
1,984
|
||||||||
Operating
income (loss)
|
(3,058
|
)
|
222
|
-
|
(2,836
|
)
|
|||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
563
|
172
|
-
|
735
|
|||||||||
Capital
expenditures
|
241
|
58
|
-
|
299
|
|||||||||
Assets
|
23,092
|
7,106
|
(7,379
|
)
|
22,819
|
Note
4.
|
Sale
of Optics Manufacturing
Operations
|
In
January 2004 the Company announced the cessation of optics manufacturing at
its
Blaine, Minnesota facility. The closure was the result of aggressive off-shore
pricing and continued lower demand for this product line. This resulted in
a
charge of $171,000 taken in the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2004. The Company
sold its optics manufacturing operations on April 14, 2004 for $220,000. The
terms of the sale required the Company to restructure a loan with the Aberdeen
Development Corporation, which included an upfront loan payment of $89,305
and
payment of the remaining $140,000 loan amount in seven annual installments
of
$20,000 each beginning June 30, 2004. This loan was prepaid in full in June
2005. See Note 5, below. The Company recorded a gain of approximately $208,000
on the sale in the first quarter of fiscal 2005.
Note
5.
|
Sale
of Land
|
In
June
2005 the Company sold approximately 2 acres of its land in Aberdeen, South
Dakota to the Aberdeen Development Corporation (ADC) in exchange for the
retirement of its remaining $120,000 debt on its loan with ADC. The land was
granted to APA in conjunction with building a facility in Aberdeen and was
part
of a single parcel of approximately 12 acres on which the Company constructed
and operates its manufacturing facility. The Company recognized a gain of
approximately $109,000 on the sale of the land in the first quarter of fiscal
2006.
Note
6.
|
Stock
Based Compensation
|
The
Company has various incentive and non-qualified stock option plans which are
used as an incentive for directors, officers, and other employees. The Company
uses the intrinsic value method to value stock options issued to employees.
Under this method, compensation expense is recognized for the amount by which
the market price of the common stock on the date of grant exceeds the exercise
price. The Company’s stock based compensation expense also reflects the benefit
of the cancellation of previously unvested expensed options. The Company
rec-ognized compensation income of $10,895 and expense of $13,585 for the three
and nine months ended December 31, 2005, respectively, versus recognizing
compensation expense of $6,843 and income of $22,065 for the three and nine
months ended December 31, 2004, respectively. For those stock options where
the
exercise price is equal to the market value of the underlying common stock
on
the date of grant, no stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in
the
net loss. If we had applied the fair value method, our compensation expense
would have been different.
The
following table illustrates the effect on net loss and net loss per share if
the
Company had applied the fair value method,
to
stock-based employee compensation for the three and nine month periods set
forth
below:
Three
Months Ended
December
31,
|
Nine
Months Ended
December
31,
|
||||||||||||
2005
|
2004
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||
Net
loss to common shareholders - as reported
|
$
|
(1,275,786
|
)
|
$
|
(928,510
|
)
|
$
|
(3,230,420
|
)
|
$
|
(2,514,393
|
)
|
|
Less:
Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under
fair
value based method for all awards, net of no related tax
effects
|
(27,861
|
)
|
(38,539
|
)
|
(89,387
|
)
|
(124,861
|
)
|
|||||
Net
loss - pro forma
|
$
|
(1,303,647
|
)
|
$
|
(967,049
|
)
|
$
|
(3,319,807
|
)
|
$
|
(2,639,254
|
)
|
|
Basic
and diluted net loss per common share - as reported
|
($0.11
|
)
|
($0.08
|
)
|
($0.27
|
)
|
($0.21
|
)
|
|||||
Basic
and diluted net loss per common share - pro forma
|
($0.11
|
)
|
($0.08
|
)
|
($0.28
|
)
|
($0.22
|
)
|
Note
7.
|
Adoption
of New Accounting
Pronouncements
|
In
December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB
Statement No. 123 (revised 2004) (SFAS 123R), Share-Based
Payment.
This
statement requires the compensation cost relating to share-based payment
transactions to be recognized in a company’s financial statements. That cost
will be measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments
issued. Statement 123(R) covers a wide range of share-based compensation
arrangements including share options, restricted share plans, performance-based
awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans. The
Company is required to apply Statement 123(R) effective April 1, 2006.
Management has not yet determined the impact of this adoption.
In
November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs” (“SFAS 151”). The
provisions of this statement become effective for the Company April
1,
2006. SFAS 151 amends the existing guidance on the recognition of inventory
costs to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle expense, freight,
handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). Existing rules indicate that
under some circumstances, items such as idle facility expense, excessive
spoilage, double freight, and rehandling costs may be so abnormal as to require
treatment as current period charges. SFAS 151 requires that those items be
recognized as current period charges regardless of whether they meet the
criterion of “so abnormal.” In addition, SFAS 151 requires that allocation
of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal
capacity of the production facilities. The adoption of this Statement is not
expected to have a material impact on the valuation of inventory or operating
results.
Note
8.
|
Major
Customer Concentration
|
As
of
December 31, 2005, one customer comprised approximately 14% of total sales
for
the third quarter ended December 31, 2005 and 24% of accounts receivable as
of
the quarter end. No one customer provided greater than 10% of sales for all
other periods presented.
Note
9.
|
Commitments
and Contingencies
|
Electronic
Instrumentation and Technology, Inc. ("EIT") filed suit against APA on May
25,
2005 (see information in Part II, Item I of this Report.) The suit alleged
that
APA had committed various fraudulent acts in conjunction with preliminary
business discussions between EIT and APA which preceded APA's introduction
of
its Profiler M product. APA denied EIT's claims of wrongful conduct and
the case went to trial in December 2005. The jury found in favor of EIT on
one
claim and awarded EIT $35,000. EIT has filed a post-trial motion for an
injunction or, alternatively, for judgment as a matter of law, which motion
APA
will oppose. It is unknown whether EIT will appeal the verdict.
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
|
Statements
in this Report about future sales prospects and other matters to occur in the
future are forward looking statements and are subject to uncertainties due
to
many factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include,
but
are not limited to, the continued development of our products, acceptance of
those products by potential customers, our ability to sell such products at
a
profitable price, and our ability to fund our operations. For further discussion
regarding these factors, see “Factors That May Influence Future
Results.”
OVERVIEW
APA
Enterprises, Inc., (formerly known as APA Optics, Inc.) consists of the
Optronics group and the Cables & Networks group (APACN or Cables &
Networks). Optronics is active in the development, design, manufacture and
marketing of ultraviolet (UV) measurement instruments for consumers and
industrial customers, and gallium nitride (GaN) based transistors for power
amplifiers and other commercial applications. APACN designs, manufactures and
markets a variety of fiber optic and copper components for the data
communication and telecommunication industries. Both groups also source
components and devices from third parties for direct and value-added sales
to
our customers in all these technology areas.
APACN
provides broadband service providers a complete line of high-performance
components and connectivity solutions that enable customers to implement
reliable networks that extend from the central office through the outside plant
including the APACN Fiber Scalability Center (FSC), a modular line of outside
plant cabinets, for the Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) market. The Company began
shipping FSCs in fiscal 2005.
In
addition, APACN supplies custom products and value-added services to Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and commercial data networks.
In
January 2004 Optronics terminated its optics manufacturing in Blaine, Minnesota
as described in Note 4.
Additionally in January 2004 Optronics consolidated its fiber optics product
line operations within Blaine. Optronics plans to continue to market and sell
fiber optic products using mainly APACN’s sales team and channels. We outsource
several components from third parties including passive optical splitters,
arrayed waveguides (AWGs) and wavelength division multiplexers (WDMs) based
on
Thin Film Filter (TFF) technology, which we combine with our internally
manufactured products to create value added components for our customers. The
majority of our outsourced product providers are located offshore.
Plastic
and metal models of the consumer Personal UV Monitor (PUVM) offered by Optronics
continue in production, and the focus remains on sales for the spring/summer
2006 season. We have developed an attractive new clip-on hybrid plastic/metal
model that can be manufactured to our quality standards by the supplier and
have
received the first group of production units for sampling and initial sales.
We
have also developed a new product called the SunUVStationTM
and plan
to provide samples to retail channels in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.
Final assembly and packaging of this product will be performed in our APA
facility in India and the production line there is now being qualified. This
product, which is similar in size to an outdoor temperature gauge, measures
the
UV Index and is targeted to consumers and institutions for use in backyards,
patios, swimming pool areas, and other public places where people need to be
reminded about UV intensity. The SunUVStationTM
complements the PUVM and retailers are interested in offering both.
Optronics’
4-band Profiler
M
radiometer, which serves the printing and coating industries that use UV curing,
is in production. This instrument measures the intensity and distribution of
four UV bands to help set up and monitor the curing process. Two domestic
distributors offer the product, and discussions and evaluation tests with
additional domestic and international distributors are underway. We plan to
sell
the instrument through equipment and supplies manufacturers in addition to
general distributors. Optronics will be exhibiting the Profiler
M
at a
major trade show for UV curing technology in April 2006.
Optronics
continues to offer epitaxial foundry services for GaN/AlGaN transistors to
third
parties. We also use our foundry for internal research and development, to
advance our development of power amplifiers used primarily for cellular
infrastructure applications. Manufacturing reliable transistors is difficult
and
costly due to the challenge of developing long-lived, stable transistors and
the
necessary large investment in capital equipment. While the Optronics R&D
division routinely processes epitaxial layers to ensure suitability for power
transistors, we have, in the past, relied on contractual services and support
from other sources to process, package, and test the transistors needed to
develop these power amplifiers. As others in the industry work to demonstrate
and manufacture reliable transistors, the Optronics R&D group will now
procure such transistors while concentrating on the development and manufacture
of power amplifiers. If we are successful in establishing procurement of such
transistors from outside parties, our reliance on our foundry services will
decrease. We continue to seek licensing of our intellectual property and
establish strategic business alignments.
Our
wholly owned subsidiary, APA Optronics, Pvt. Ltd, India, established in fiscal
year 2005, is now operational. The subsidiary, with its prime focus on low
cost
manufacturing of our products and components, has already started supplying
samples for our Gallium Nitride and fiber optic products with expectations
for
products to be sold in the near future. Additionally, APA India recently
completed the manufacture of first batch of components for APA Cable &
Networks. The subsidiary is also providing software development for our Profiler
M product. Phase II of the software for the Profiler has now been completed,
with the exception of few minor fixes, and will be incorporated into the
Profiler. The subsidiary provides marketing and sales support for our products
both in the U.S. and India. In particular, they have now started the marketing
of patch cords and associated equipment for fiber optic communications. The
subsidiary, currently located in a leased facility, is in the process of
constructing a larger facility in India to accommodate its future requirements.
The new facility is expected to be completed in the 4th
quarter
of fiscal 2006 or in the first quarter of fiscal year 2007.
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
THREE
MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005 VS. THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
2004
Consolidated
revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2005 increased $1,073,893,
or
32%, to $4,379,192 from $3,305,299 in 2004.
Revenues
at Cables & Networks were $4,342,415, compared to $3,300,965 reported in the
same quarter a year ago, an increase of 32%. The overall increase in revenue
reflects continued growth in new customers and product acceptance in both the
broadband and OEM markets. Sales for the current quarter to broadband service
providers and commercial data networks were approximately $2,690,000 versus
$2,186,000 in the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher
revenues from customers in the Fiber-to-the-Premise market. Sales to OEM’s were
approximately $1,652,000 versus $1,115,000 in the year ago period. The increase
is due to additional orders provided under a new supply contract to a customer
serving the test equipment market. We expect that future sales of Cables &
Networks products will continue to account for a substantial portion of our
revenue. Historically, Cables & Networks has experienced a downturn in sales
during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to the seasonal nature of
some
of the industries it serves. However, with the introduction of a broader product
offering in both segments, coupled with the expansion of the sales team into
additional markets, we anticipate that fourth quarter revenues at Cables &
Networks will be comparable with the revenue of the third quarter of fiscal
2006.
Gross
revenues at Optronics increased 27% to $123,645 from $97,031 in the same quarter
a year ago. Gross revenues for the third quarter ended December 31, 2005 reflect
$86,868 of sales to Cables & Networks for fiber optics products and
subcontracted labor versus $92,697 in the comparable period last year. These
sales are eliminated as intercompany sales in the consolidated financials.
GROSS
PROFIT AND COST OF SALES
Cables
& Network’s gross profit increased $335,443, or 40%, to $1,178,636 from
$843,193. The increase in gross profit was mainly from higher sales in the
current quarter. The Company has successfully lowered product costs over the
past year and continues to pursue component and labor cost reductions to respond
to ongoing market pressures in order to maintain its gross margins.
Gross
cost of sales at Optronics decreased $63,523, or 19%, to $275,561 from $339,084.
Gross cost of sales reflects $84,481 related to cost of sales to Cables &
Networks for fiber optics products and subcontracted labor versus $92,697 in
the
last year period. These costs are eliminated as intercompany cost of sales
in
the consolidated financials in each quarter. Cost of sales expenses for the
current period for all Optronics product lines consists of approximately
$137,000 in personnel costs, $54,000 in depreciation and $85,000 in materials,
overhead and other product expenses. This compares to prior year personnel
expenses of approximately $126,000, depreciation of $68,000, and materials,
allocated overhead and other expenses of $145,000. The overall decrease of
$63,523 in cost of sales expenses is due to lower product development expenses
between years within the GaN area.
We
anticipate comparable gross margins for Cables & Networks and cost of sales
for Optronics for the fourth quarter.
RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
Research
and development expenses consist of the research and development expense at
Optronics. There have been no significant research and development expenses
at
Cables & Networks. Expenses decreased $1,024 to $313,127, from $314,151 in
the prior year period. The change reflects an increase in personnel costs and
depreciation expenses of $28,884, offset by decreases in materials and outside
services associated with the semiconductor operations over the prior year.
SELLING,
GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE
Consolidated
selling, general, and administrative (S, G, & A) expenses increased
$766,257, or 60%, to $2,035,215 from $1,268,958 in 2004.
S,
G,
& A expenses at Cables & Networks increased $328,150, or 40%, to
$1,156,959 from $828,809. The majority of the increase is attributable to
additional sales personnel and related selling costs as a part of our plan
to
grow our revenue and customer base. We expect fourth quarter expenses to remain
at levels seen in the third quarter.
S,
G,
& A expenses at Optronics increased $440,494, or 100%, to $880,643 from
$440,149. The increase is due mainly to higher legal expenses for defense of
the
lawsuit by EIT as mentioned in Item 1 of Part II of this report, and
approximately $71,000 in costs associated with operations in India. We expect
fourth quarter expenses to decrease significantly, mainly due to reduced legal
fees with the completion of the EIT trial in the 3rd
quarter
of fiscal 2006.
INCOME
(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
Consolidated
losses from operations increased $342,040, or 35%, to $1,324,009 from $981,969
in 2004.
The
income from operations at Cables & Networks was $21,677 versus income of
$14,384 in the fiscal 2004 quarter. The
increased income in the quarter was mainly due to increased revenues, offset
by
higher selling expenses absorbed as part of Cables & Networks planned
investment in revenue growth. We expect fourth quarter operating income to
not
vary significantly from the third quarter level.
The
loss
from operations at Optronics increased $349,333, or 35%, to $1,345,686, from
a
loss of $996,353 in the year ago period. The increase in the loss is related
to
additional legal expenses and expenses related to the start up of the India
operations. We expect to incur losses at Optronics until we realize significant
revenues from the sales of our PUVM and GaN related products.
OTHER
INCOME AND EXPENSE
Consolidated
other income and expense decreased $5,367 to $48,973 from $54,340 in 2004.
Other
expense at Cables & Networks increased $21,328 due to an increase in
interest expense, primarily due to a higher interest rate in the current period.
Other
income at Optronics increased $49,729 to $205,785. This resulted from an
increase in interest income due to a higher rate of interest earned on
investments over the quarter ending December 31, 2004. Other expense increased
$33,768 to $56,598, from $22,830 in the period ending December 31, 2004,
primarily due to a small adverse judgment in the EIT lawsuit.
NET
LOSS
Consolidated
net loss for the quarter increased $347,276, or 37%, to $1,275,786, or $.11
cents per share, from $928,510, or $.08 cents per share in the year ago
period.
Cables
& Networks had a net loss of $79,037 in the quarter, compared to a loss of
$65,133 in the year ago quarter. The decrease was due to increased interest
expense incurred as a result of higher interest rates in fiscal year 2006 versus
the prior year period, and a slightly larger outstanding debt balance. S, G,
& A expenses of $328,150 and higher interest expense of $21,328, offset by
an increase of $335,443 in gross margin associated with higher revenue.
Optronics
recorded a net loss of $1,196,749, an increase of $333,372 from a loss of
$863,377 from the same period of fiscal 2005. The increased loss was mainly
due
to legal fees for defense of the EIT lawsuit that went to trial in December
2005, resulting in a $35,000 adverse judgment. The fiscal 2006 quarter also
reflects reduced cost of sales from the prior year period due to cost reductions
implemented, offset by increased expenses related to the start up of India
operations. Achieving profitability in the future will strongly depend upon
Optronic’s ability to successfully manufacture and market gallium-nitride
products.
NINE
MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005 VS. NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
2004
Consolidated
revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2005 increased $1,300,037,
or
12%, to $11,961,122 from $10,661,085 in 2004.
Revenues
at Cables & Networks increased $1,313,031, or 12% to $11,908,543 from
$10,595,512. Sales to broadband service providers and commercial data networks
were $8,122,000 or 68% of revenue, compared to sales of $7,147,000, or 67%
of
revenue, in the period ending December 31, 2004. Sales to OEM’s were $3,786,000,
or 32% of revenue, compared to sales of $3,449,000, or 33% of revenue, in the
year ago period. The increase in the broadband segment is due to additional
customers and product acceptance, mainly in the Fiber-to-the-Premise market,
while the increase in the OEM market is due to an increase in third quarter
revenue generated from a new supply agreement to an existing customer serving
the test equipment market.
Gross
revenues at Optronics decreased $52,299, or 13%, to $336,420 from $388,719
in
the same period a year ago. Gross revenues reflect $283,841 of sales to Cables
& Networks for fiber optics products and subcontracted labor versus $323,146
last year. These sales are eliminated as intercompany sales in the consolidated
financials.
COST
OF SALES AND GROSS PROFIT
Cables
& Network’s gross profit increased $293,005, or 10%, to $3,187,821 from
$2,894,816. The increase is due mainly to increased revenue for the period.
Gross margins as a percent of revenues were 27%, unchanged between periods.
Gross
cost of sales at Optronics decreased $433,183, or 33%, to $866,073 from
$1,299,256. Gross cost of sales reflects $279,186 related to cost of sales
to
Cables & Networks for fiber optics products and subcontracted labor versus
$323,146 last year. These costs are eliminated as intercompany cost of sales
in
the consolidated financials. Cost of sales expenses for the nine month period
for all Optronics product lines consists of approximately $420,000 in personnel
costs, $202,000 in depreciation and amortization, and $244,000 in materials
and
overhead. This compares to prior year personnel expenses of approximately
$669,000, depreciation and amortization of $229,000 and materials and overhead
of $401,000. The overall net decrease in cost of sales is due mainly to lower
personnel and material costs associated with production outsourcing efforts
in
the GaN area implemented in the prior year.
RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
Research
and development expenses consist of the research and development expense at
Optronics. There have been no research and development expenses at Cables &
Networks. Expenses increased $254,143 to $980,097 from $725,954 in the prior
period. The increase in the expense is due mainly to increased personnel and
operating costs associated with the semiconductor machine which was installed
and placed in operation in November 2004.
SELLING,
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
Consolidated
S, G & A expenses increased $1,091,916, or 27%, to $5,185,989 from
$4,094,073 in 2004.
S,
G
& A expenses at Cables & Networks increased $553,595, or 21%, to
$3,226,691 from $2,673,096. The majority of the increase is attributable to
increased personnel expenses within the sales area generated as a part of the
plan to expand sales presence and grow revenue.
S,
G,
& A expenses at Optronics increased $542,976, or 38%, to $1,963,953 from
$1,420,977. The increase is due to additional expense related to the India
operations which were acquired in March, 2005, along with higher legal fees
for
defense of the EIT lawsuit.
INCOME
(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
Consolidated
losses from operations increased $676,825, or 24%, to $3,512,573 from $2,835,748
in 2004.
The
loss
from operations at Cables & Networks was $38,870 versus income of $221,720
in the year ago period. The
loss
was mainly the result of higher selling and personnel expenses related to Cables
& Networks’ planned investment in revenue growth.
The
loss
from operations at Optronics increased $416,235, or 14%, to $3,473,703, from
$3,057,468. The increase is mainly due to the expenses related to the start
up
of the India operations and higher legal fees for defense of the EIT
lawsuit.
OTHER
INCOME AND EXPENSE
Consolidated
other income and expense decreased $40,333 to $284,603 from $324,936 in fiscal
2005.
Other
expense increased at Cables & Networks by $57,537 to $279,457 for the nine
month period ended December 31, 2005, versus an expense of $221,920 in the
year
ago period, due to a higher rate of interest paid in the current nine month
period.
Other
income at Optronics increased $54,284, or 9%, to $661,375 from $607,091. The
sale of land at our Aberdeen facility and loss on disposal of other assets
resulted in a gain of $93,126 in fiscal 2006. Additionally, interest income
increased $151,655 in the current period due to a higher outstanding receivable
due from Cables & Networks and a higher rate of interest earned on
investments versus last year. Rental income for part of our Blaine facility
which is leased to the buyer of our optics operations increased approximately
$13,000 in fiscal 2006 over the prior year. The sale of the optics manufacturing
operations in April 2004 accounted for approximately $208,000 in other income
in
fiscal 2005. Other expense increased $31,303, or 46%, to $99,795 from $68,492.
The increase is due mainly to a $35,000 adverse judgment in the EIT lawsuit
which occurred in the third quarter of fiscal 2006.
NET
INCOME (LOSS)
Consolidated
net loss increased $716,027, or 28%, to $3,230,420, or $.27 cents per share,
from $2,514,393, or $.21 cents per share in the year ago period.
Cables
& Networks had a net loss of $317,547 versus net income of $5,226 in the
year ago period. The loss reflects increased margins generated from higher
sales, offset by increased S, G, & A expenses attributable to revenue growth
plans.
Optronics
recorded a net loss of $2,912,873, an increase of $393,254, or 16%, from the
loss of $2,519,619 reported in the same period of fiscal 2005. The increase
is
due mainly to start up costs of the India operations and higher legal
fees.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The
Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds,
U.S. Government instruments and other government instruments with original
maturities of less than three months.
Cash
used
in operating activities was $2,648,821 for the nine month period ended December
31, 2005 compared to $1,516,676 used in the same period in fiscal 2005. The
increase in the cash used in the current period reflects the impact of working
capital changes from the prior year in the amount of $638,003. This is primarily
attributable to growth in APACN’s accounts receivable and inventory associated
with its revenue expansion, and an overall increase in loss from operations.
Loss from operations includes $253,773 in start up expenses related to our
India
operations in fiscal 2006.
We
used
net cash of $195,329 in investing activities for the nine months ended December
31, 2005 compared to $79,373 used in the same period of the preceding fiscal
year. The higher net use of cash in the current year includes capital
expenditures in the amount of $307,009, an increase in the amount of $7,636
from
$299,373 in the prior period. Proceeds from the sale of assets decreased
$108,320 to $111,680 in the current period, versus $220,000 in the prior period.
We anticipate approximately $300,000 to $500,000 in capital expenditures in
fiscal 2006, including the building of a new facility in India.
Net
cash
used in financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2005 totaled
$40,583. We used $83,972 for reduction of debt and generated $43,389 from the
reduction of bond reserve funds. During the same period in fiscal 2005 we used
$176,012 in financing activities, of which $219,632 was used for the scheduled
reduction of debt and $43,620 was generated from the reduction of bond reserve
funds.
We
believe we have sufficient funds for operations for at least the next twelve
months.
Our
contractual obligations and commitments are summarized in the table below (in
000’s):
Total
|
Less
than
1
Year
|
1-3
years
|
4-5
years
|
After
5
years
|
||||||||||||
Long-term
debt (1)
|
$
|
1,376
|
$
|
1,354
|
$
|
22
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||||
Leases
|
859
|
359
|
359
|
116
|
25
|
|||||||||||
Total
Contractual Cash Obligations
|
$
|
2,235
|
$
|
1,713
|
$
|
381
|
$
|
116
|
$
|
25
|
(1)
|
Includes
fixed interest from 0.62 to 10.62%
|
APPLICATION
OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
In
preparing our consolidated financial statements, we make estimates, assumptions
and judgments that can have a significant impact on our revenues, loss from
operations and net loss, as well as on the value of certain assets and
liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. We believe that there are several
accounting policies that are critical to an understanding of our historical
and
future performance, as these policies affect the reported amounts of revenues,
expenses and significant estimates and judgments applied by management. While
there are a number of accounting policies, methods and estimates affecting
our
consolidated financial statements, areas that are particularly significant
include:
·
|
Accounting
for income taxes; and
|
·
|
Valuation
and evaluating impairment of long-lived assets and
goodwill
|
·
|
Revenue
recognition
|
Accounting
for Income Taxes
As
part
of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are
required to estimate our income tax liability in each of the jurisdictions
in
which we do business. This process involves estimating our actual current tax
expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing
treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result
in
deferred tax assets and liabilities. We must then assess the likelihood that
these deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and,
to
the extent we believe that recovery is not more likely than not or unknown,
we
must establish a valuation allowance.
Significant
management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes,
our deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded
against our deferred tax assets. At March 31, 2005, we recorded a full
valuation allowance of $12,167,207 against our deferred tax assets, due to
uncertainties related to our ability to utilize our deferred tax assets,
consisting principally of certain net operating losses carried forward. The
valuation allowance is based on our estimates of taxable income by jurisdiction
and the period over which our deferred tax assets will be recoverable. The
Company has U.S. net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards of approximately
$31,531,000 which expire in fiscal years 2006 to 2025.
Realization
of the NOL carryforwards and other deferred tax temporary differences are
contingent on future taxable earnings. The deferred tax asset was reviewed
for
expected utilization using a “more likely than not” approach by assessing the
available positive and negative evidence surrounding its recoverability. We
will
continue to assess and evaluate strategies that will enable the deferred tax
asset, or portion thereof, to be utilized, and will reduce the valuation
allowance appropriately at such time when it is determined that the “more likely
than not” approach is satisfied.
We
will
continue to assess and evaluate strategies that will enable the deferred tax
asset, or portion thereof, to be utilized, and will reduce the valuation
allowance appropriately at such time when it is determined that the “more likely
than not” approach is satisfied.
Valuation
and evaluating impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill
Goodwill
represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets
acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but reviewed for impairment at the fiscal
year end or whenever conditions exist that indicate an impairment could exist.
The
Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets in accordance
with
SFAS 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”
SFAS 144 requires recognition of impairment of long-lived assets in the
event that events or circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred
and
when the net book value of such assets exceeds the future undiscounted cash
flows attributed to such assets. We assess the impairment of long-lived assets
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value
may
not be recoverable. No impairment of long-lived assets has occurred in fiscal
2006 through the nine months ended December 31, 2005.
Revenue
Recognition
Revenue
is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the product
has
been delivered, the fee is fixed and determinable, acceptance by the customer
is
reasonably certain and collection is probable. Our warranties exist for all
products sold to all customers and are generally covered for a period of one
year. We record provisions against our revenue for estimated product returns
in
the period the related revenue is recorded. We estimate the costs to service
our
warranty obligations and record them within cost of sales. These estimates
are
based on historical sales returns, repair activity, and expectation of future
market conditions. If our actual product returns and allowances exceed our
estimates, additional reductions to our recorded revenue would result.
FACTORS
THAT MAY INFLUENCE FUTURE RESULTS
The
statements contained in this Report on Form 10-Q that are not purely historical
are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without
limitations, statements regarding the Company’s expectations, hopes, beliefs,
anticipations, commitments, intentions and strategies regarding the future.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements contained
in “Item 1. Business” and “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended March 31, 2005. Actual results could differ from those projected
in any forward-looking statements for the reasons, among others, detailed below.
We believe that many of the risks detailed here are part of doing business
in
the industry in which we compete and will likely be present in all periods
reported. The fact that certain risks are characteristic to the industry does
not lessen the significance of the risk. The forward-looking statements are
made
as of the date of this Report as Form 10-Q and we assume no obligation to update
the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results
could
differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
Our
Results of Operations
Unless
we generate significant revenue growth, our expenses and negative cash flow
will
significantly harm our financial position.
We
have
not been profitable since fiscal 1990. As of December 31, 2005, we had an
accumulated deficit of $36.4 million. We may incur operating losses for the
foreseeable future, and these losses may be substantial. Further, we may
continue to incur negative operating cash flow in the future. We have funded
our
operations primarily through the sale of equity securities and borrowings.
We
have significant fixed expenses and we expect to continue to incur significant
and increasing manufacturing, sales and marketing, product development and
administrative expenses. As a result, we will need to generate significantly
higher revenues while containing costs and operating expenses if we are to
achieve profitability.
Acquisitions
or investments could have an adverse affect on our business.
In
March
2003, we completed the acquisition of the assets of Computer System Products
(CSP) as part of our strategy to expand our product offerings, develop internal
sources of components and materials, and acquire new technologies. We acquired
the assets of Americable in June 2003 and integrated them with the assets of
CSP. We acquired assets in India in March 2005 as part of a strategy to take
advantage of lower manufacturing costs in India. We intend to continue reviewing
acquisition and investment prospects. There are inherent risks associated with
making acquisitions and investments including but not limited to:
·
|
Challenges
associated with integrating the operations, personnel, etc., of an
acquired company;
|
·
|
Potentially
dilutive issuances of equity
securities;
|
·
|
Reduced
cash balances and or increased debt and debt service
costs;
|
·
|
Large
one-time write-offs of intangible
assets;
|
·
|
Risks
associated with geographic or business markets different than those
we are
familiar with; and
|
·
|
Diversion
of management attention from current
responsibilities.
|
Our
Products and Introduction of New Products
We
must introduce new products and product enhancements to increase
revenue.
The
successful operation of our business depends on our ability to anticipate market
needs and develop and introduce new products and product enhancements that
respond to technological changes or evolving industry standards on a timely
and
cost-effective basis. Our products are complex, and new products may take longer
to develop than originally anticipated. These products may contain defects
or
have unacceptable manufacturing yields when first introduced or as new versions
are released. Our products could quickly become obsolete as new technologies
are
introduced or as other firms introduce lower cost alternatives. We must continue
to develop leading-edge products and introduce them to the commercial market
quickly in order to be successful. Our failure to produce technologically
competitive products in a cost-effective manner and on a timely basis will
seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Our
products may infringe on the intellectual property rights of
others.
Our
products are sophisticated and rely on complicated manufacturing processes.
We
have received multiple patents on aspects of our design and manufacturing
processes and we have applied for several more. Third parties may still assert
claims that our products or processes infringe upon their intellectual property.
Defending our interests against these claims, even if they lack merit, may
be
time consuming, result in expensive litigation and divert management attention
from operational matters. If such a claim were successful, we could be prevented
from manufacturing or selling our current products, be forced to redesign our
products, or be forced to license the relevant intellectual property at a
significant cost. Any of these actions could harm our business, financial
condition or results of operations.
We
may make additional strategic changes in our product portfolio, but our
strategic changes and restructuring programs may not yield the benefits that
we
expect.
In
connection with the downturn in the communications industry we have divested
or
closed product lines and businesses that either were not profitable or did
not
match our new strategic focus. As necessary, we may make further divestitures
or
closures of product lines and businesses. We may also make strategic
acquisitions.
The
impact of potential changes to our product portfolio and the effect of such
changes on our business, operating results and financial condition, are unknown
at this time. If we acquire other businesses in our areas of strategic focus,
we
may have difficulty assimilating these businesses and their products, services,
technologies and personnel into our operations. These difficulties could disrupt
our ongoing business, distract our management and workforce, increase our
expenses and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
In
addition to these integration risks, if we acquire new businesses, we may not
realize all of the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions, and we may not
be
able to retain key management, technical and sales personnel after an
acquisition. Divestitures or elimination of existing businesses or product
lines
could also have disruptive effects and may cause us to incur material
expenses.
Manufacturing
and Operations
Our
dependence on outside manufacturers may result in product delivery
delays.
We
purchase components and labor that are incorporated into our products from
outside vendors. In the case of the SunUV®
Personal
UV Monitor, we supply components to an outside assembler who delivers the
completed product. If these vendors fail to supply us with components or
completed assemblies on a timely basis, or if the quality of the supplied
components or completed assemblies is not acceptable, we could experience
significant delays in shipping our products. Any significant interruption in
the
supply or support of any components or completed assemblies could seriously
harm
our sales and our relationships with our customers. In addition, we have
increased our reliance on the use of contract manufacturers to make our
products. If these contract manufacturers do not fulfill their obligations
or if
we do not properly manage these relationships, our existing customer
relationships may suffer.
We
may be required to rapidly increase our manufacturing capacity to deliver our
products to our customers in a timely manner.
Manufacturing
of our products is a complex and precise process. We have limited experience
in
rapidly increasing our manufacturing capacity or in manufacturing products
at
high volumes. If demand for our products increases, we will be required to
hire,
train and manage additional manufacturing personnel and improve our production
processes in order to increase our production capacity. There are numerous
risks
associated with rapidly increasing capacity, including:
·
|
Difficulties
in achieving adequate yields from new manufacturing
lines,
|
·
|
Difficulty
maintaining the precise manufacturing processes required by our products
while increasing capacity,
|
·
|
The
inability to timely procure and install the necessary equipment,
and
|
·
|
Lack
of availability of qualified manufacturing
personnel.
|
If
we
apply our capital resources to expanding our manufacturing capacity in
anticipation of increased customer orders, we run the risk that the projected
increase in orders will not be realized. If anticipated levels of customer
orders are not received, we will not be able to generate positive gross margins
and profitability.
We
are dependent upon skilled employees; if we lose the services of our key
personnel our ability to execute our operating plan, and our operating results,
may suffer.
Our
future performance depends in part upon the continued service and contributions
of key management, engineering, sales and marketing personnel, many of whom
would be difficult to replace quickly. If we lose any of these key personnel,
our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially
adversely affected or delay the development or marketing of existing or future
products. Competition for these personnel is intense and we may not be able
to
retain or attract such personnel. Our success will depend in part upon our
ability to attract and retain additional personnel with the highly specialized
expertise necessary to generate revenue and to engineer, design and support
our
products and services.
Markets
and Market Conditions
Demand
for our products is subject to significant fluctuation. Adverse market
conditions in the communications equipment industry and any slowdown in the
United States economy may harm our financial condition.
Demand
for our products is dependent on several factors, including capital expenditures
in the communications industry. Capital expenditures can be cyclical in nature
and result in protracted periods of reduced demand for component parts.
Similarly, periods of slow economic expansion or recession can result in periods
of reduced demand for our products. Such periods of reduced demand will harm
our
business, financial condition and results of operations. Changes to the
regulatory requirements of the telecommunications industry could also affect
market conditions, which could also reduce demand for our products.
Our
industry is highly competitive and subject to pricing pressure.
Competition
in the communications equipment market is intense. We have experienced and
anticipate experiencing increasing pricing pressures from current and future
competitors as well as general pricing pressure from our customers as part
of
their cost containment efforts. Many of our competitors have more extensive
engineering, manufacturing, marketing, financial and personnel resources than
we
do. As a result, these competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new
or
emerging technologies and changes.
Declining
average selling prices for our fiber optic products will require us to reduce
production costs to effectively compete and market these
products.
Since
the
time we first introduced our fiber optic components to the marketplace we have
seen the average selling price of fiber optic components decline. We expect
this
trend to continue. To achieve profitability in this environment we must
continually decrease our costs of production. In order to reduce our production
costs, we will continue to pursue one or more of the following:
·
|
Seek
lower cost suppliers of raw materials or
components.
|
·
|
Work
to further automate our assembly
process.
|
·
|
Develop
value-added components based on integrated
optics.
|
·
|
Seek
offshore sources for manufacturing and assembly
services.
|
We
will
also seek to form strategic alliances with companies that can supply these
services. Decreases in average selling prices also require that we increase
unit
sales to maintain or increase our revenue. There can be no guarantee that we
will achieve these objectives. Our inability to decrease production costs or
increase our unit sales could seriously harm our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
Our
markets are characterized by rapid technological changes and evolving
standards.
The
markets we serve are characterized by rapid technological change, frequent
new
product introductions, changes in customer requirements and evolving industry
standards. In developing our products, we have made, and will continue to make,
assumptions with respect to which standards will be adopted within our industry.
If the standards that are actually adopted are different from those that we
have
chosen to support, our products may not achieve significant market
acceptance.
Conditions
in global markets could affect our operations.
We
have
acquired facilities in India which will support design and production of our
products. We also source products and labor from off shore suppliers. We expect
that our foreign operations and reliance on off shore sourcing will increase
in
the future. As such we are subject to the risks of conducting business
internationally. Those risks include but are not limited to:
·
|
local
economic and market conditions;
|
·
|
political
and economic instability;
|
·
|
fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates;
|
·
|
tariffs
and other barriers and
restrictions;
|
·
|
geopolitical
and environmental risks; and
|
·
|
changes
in diplomatic or trade relationships and natural
disasters.
|
We
cannot
predict whether our business operations and reliance in these markets will
be
affected adversely by these conditions.
Our
Customers
Our
sales could be negatively impacted if one or more of our key customers
substantially reduce orders for our products.
If
we
lose a significant customer, our sales and gross margins would be negatively
impacted. In addition, the loss of sales may require us to record impairment,
restructuring charges or exit a particular business or product line. As of
December 31, 2005, one customer comprised approximately 14% of total sales
for
the third quarter ended December 31, 2005 and 24% of accounts receivable as
of
the quarter end. No one customer provided greater than 10% of sales for all
other periods presented.
Consolidation
among our customers could result in our losing a customer or experiencing a
slowdown as integration takes place.
It
is
likely that there will be increased consolidation among our customers in order
for them to increase market share and achieve greater economies of scale.
Consolidation is likely to impact our business as our customers focus on
integrating their operations and choosing their equipment vendors. After a
consolidation occurs, there can be no assurance that we will continue to supply
the surviving entity.
Customer
payment defaults could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations.
As
a
result of competitive conditions in the telecommunications market, some of
our
customers may experience financial difficulties. It is possible that customers
from whom we expect to derive substantial revenue will default or that the
level
of defaults will increase. Any material payment defaults by our customers would
have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial
condition.
Performance
Requirements and Performance of our Products
Our
products may have defects that are not detected before delivery to our
customers.
Some
of
the Company’s products are designed to be deployed in large and complex networks
and must be compatible with other components of the system, both current and
future. Our customers may discover errors or defects in our products only after
they have been fully deployed. In addition, our products may not operate as
expected over long periods of time. In the case of the SunUV®
Personal
UV Monitor, a consumer product, customers could encounter a latent defect not
detected in the quality inspection. If we are unable to fix errors or other
problems, we could lose customers, lose revenues, suffer damage to our brand
and
reputation, and lose our ability to attract new customers or achieve market
acceptance. Each of these factors would negatively impact cash flow and would
seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Product
defects could cause us to lose customers and revenue or to incur unexpected
expenses.
If
our
products do not meet our customers’ performance requirements, our customer
relationships may suffer. Also, our products may contain defects. Any failure
or
poor performance of our products could result in:
·
|
delayed
market acceptance of our products;
|
·
|
delays
in product shipments;
|
·
|
unexpected
expenses and diversion of resources to replace defective products
or
identify the source of errors and correct
them;
|
·
|
damage
to our reputation and our customer
relationships;
|
·
|
delayed
recognition of sales or reduced sales;
and
|
·
|
product
liability claims or other claims for damages that may be caused by
any
product defects or performance
failures.
|
Intellectual
Property
If
we
are unable to adequately protect our intellectual property, third parties may
be
able to use our technology, which could adversely affect our ability to compete
in the market.
Our
success will depend in part on our ability to obtain patents and maintain
adequate protection of the intellectual property related to our technologies
and
products. The patent positions of technology companies, including our patent
position, are generally uncertain and involve complex legal and factual
questions. We will be able to protect our intellectual property rights from
unauthorized use by third
parties only to the extent that our technologies are covered by valid and
enforceable patents or are effectively maintained as trade secrets. The laws
of
some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same
extent as the laws of the U.S., and many companies have encountered significant
problems in protecting and defending such rights in foreign jurisdictions.
We
will apply for patents covering our technologies and products as and when we
deem appropriate. However, these applications may be challenged or may fail
to
result in issued patents. Our existing patents and any future patents we obtain
may not be sufficiently broad to prevent others from practicing our technologies
or from developing competing products. Furthermore, others may independently
develop similar or alternative technologies or design around our patents. In
addition, our patents may be challenged, invalidated or fail to provide us
with
any competitive advantages.
We
rely
on trade secret protection for our confidential and proprietary information.
We
have taken security measures to protect our proprietary information and trade
secrets, but these measures may not provide adequate protection. While we seek
to protect our proprietary information by entering into confidentiality
agreements with employees, collaborators and consultants, we cannot assure
you
that our proprietary information will not be disclosed, or that we can
meaningfully protect our trade secrets. In addition, our competitors may
independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information or may
otherwise gain access to our trade secrets.
Our
business will suffer if we are unable to protect our patents or our proprietary
rights.
Our
success depends to a significant degree upon our ability to develop proprietary
products. However, patents may not be granted on any of our pending patent
applications in the United States or in other countries. In addition, the scope
of any of our issued patents may not be sufficiently broad to offer meaningful
protection. Furthermore, our issued patents or patents licensed to us could
potentially be successfully challenged, invalidated or circumvented so that
our
patent rights would not create an effective competitive barrier.
Intellectual
property litigation could harm our business.
It
is
possible that we may have to defend our intellectual property rights in the
future. In the event of an intellectual property dispute, we may be forced
to
litigate or otherwise defend our intellectual property assets. Disputes could
involve litigation or proceedings declared by the United States Patent and
Trademark Office or the International Trade Commission. Intellectual property
litigation can be extremely expensive, and this expense, as well as the
consequences should we not prevail, could seriously harm our
business.
If
a
third party claimed an intellectual property right to technology we use, we
might be forced to discontinue an important product or product line, alter
our
products and processes, pay license fees or cease certain activities. We may
not
be able to obtain a license to such intellectual property on favorable terms,
if
at all.
Litigation
or third party claims of intellectual property infringement could require us
to
spend substantial time and money and adversely affect our ability to develop
and
commercialize products.
Our
commercial success depends in part on our ability to avoid infringing patents
and proprietary rights of third parties, and not breaching any licenses that
we
have entered into with regard to our technologies. Other parties have filed,
and
in the future are likely to file, patent applications covering techniques and
methodologies relating to model systems, products and technologies that we
have
developed or intend to develop. If patents covering technologies required by
our
operations are issued to others, we may have to rely on licenses from third
parties, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at
all.
Third
parties may accuse us of employing their proprietary technology without
authorization. In addition, third parties may obtain patents that relate to
our
technologies and claim that use of such technologies infringes these patents.
Regardless of their merit, such claims could require us to incur substantial
costs, including the diversion of management and technical personnel, in
defending ourselves against any such claims or enforcing our patents. In the
event that a successful claim of infringement is brought against us, we may
be
required to pay damages and obtain one or more licenses from third parties.
We
may not be able to obtain these licenses at a reasonable cost, or at all.
Defense of any lawsuit or failure to obtain any of these licenses could
adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize products.
QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
RISK.
|
Our
exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to
our
investment portfolio. We invest in short-term securities of high credit issuers
with maturities ranging from overnight up to 24 months. The average maturity
of
the portfolio does not exceed 12 months. The portfolio includes only marketable
securities with active secondary or resale markets to ensure liquidity. We
have
no investments denominated in foreign country currencies and, therefore, our
investments are not subject to foreign exchange risk.
CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES.
|
(a)
|
Evaluation
of disclosure controls and procedures.
The Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have
concluded that as of the end of the fiscal period covered by this
report
the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange
Act Rule 13a-14(c)) were effective to ensure that the information
required
to be disclosed by the Company in the report was gathered, analyzed
and
disclosed with adequate timeliness, accuracy and
completeness.
|
(b)
|
Changes
in internal controls.
There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial
reporting during the fiscal period covered by this report that materially
affected, or are likely to materially affect, the Company’s control over
financial reporting.
|
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
|
Electronic
Instrumentation and Technology, Inc. ("EIT") filed suit against APA on May
25,
2005 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Case
Number 1:05 CV 571 (the "EIT litigation"), alleging that APA had committed
fraud
by knowing concealment, fraud in making contract, fraud by intentional
misrepresentation, misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference
with
prospective economic advantage, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract,
unfair competition, and inequitable conduct in conjunction with preliminary
business discussions between EIT and APA which preceded APA's introduction
of
the Profiler M. APA filed an Answer on July 28, 2005, which denied EIT's
claims of wrongful conduct.
The
EIT
litigation was tried to a jury on December 28, 2005. The District Court
dismissed, as a matter of law, six of EIT's nine causes of action either before
or during the trial. Three of EIT's causes of action were submitted to the
jury for determination. The jury found in favor of APA on EIT's claim for
fraud in making contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. The jury found
in favor of EIT on its breach of contract claim and awarded EIT $35,000. EIT
has
filed a post-trial motion for an injunction or, alternatively, for judgment
as a
matter of law, which motion APA will oppose. It is unknown whether EIT will
appeal the verdict.
EXHIBITS
|
Exhibit
31.1 - Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
|
Exhibit
32.1 - Certification required of Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer by Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of
2002
|
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.
APA
ENTERPRISES, INC.
|
|
2/14/06
|
/s/
Anil K. Jain
|
Date
|
Anil
K. Jain
|
President,
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
(Principal
Executive and Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
|
23