CRAWFORD UNITED Corp - Annual Report: 2001 (Form 10-K)

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Current assets of $8,025,010 at September 30, 2001 were 6.8 times current liabilities and the total of cash and receivables was 3.2 times current liabilities. These ratios compare to 5.0 and 1.7 respectively at the end of fiscal 2000. Total current assets were down approximately $1,870,000 from the previous year end due primarily to a reduction in inventory of approximately $1,866,000. The decrease in inventory was due to a significant order completed during the period and a management emphasis on inventory reductions throughout product categories.

Working capital at September 30, 2001 was $6,842,604 as compared to $7,923,233 a year ago. The decrease was due primarily to a decrease in inventory of approximately $1,866,000, a reduction in current deferred income taxes and refundable income taxes totaling approximately $451,000, offset by an increase in cash of $263,000 and a reduction of short-term borrowing of $668,000.

During the fiscal year the Company's business may require an increase in inventory of work-in-process and finished goods in order to meet anticipated delivery schedules. Whenever there may be a requirement to increase inventory in fiscal 2002 there will be a negative but temporary impact on liquidity. The Company believes that internally generated funds and a $3,000,000 revolving line of credit will provide sufficient liquidity to meet ongoing working capital requirements.

Internally generated funds in fiscal 2001 were $1,083,049 and were adequate to fund the Company's primary non-operating cash requirements consisting of capital expenditures of $131,289 and debt payments of $702,699. The primary reason for the positive cash flow from operations was the reduction in inventory. In fiscal 2000 internally generated funds were $220,557 and were not adequate to fund the Company's primary non-operating cash requirements consisting of capital expenditures and long-term debt payments of $405,703 and $466,936 respectively. The primary reason for the negative cash flow in fiscal 2000 was the net loss of $410,604 and a $281,144 reduction in accounts payable. In fiscal 1999 internally generated funds were a negative $370,925 and were not adequate to fund the Company's prime non-operating cash requirement consisting of capital expenditures and long-term debt payments of $460,954 and $160,693 respectively. The primary reason for the negative cash flow from operations was a $679,279 increase in accounts receivable. The Company expects internally generated funds in fiscal 2002 from operating activities, primarily net income, to be adequate to fund approximately $280,000 of capital expenditures and $40,000 due on the current portion of long-term debt. Most of the capital expenditures will be made to upgrade engineering and manufacturing equipment.

In February, 2001 the Company amended an existing credit agreement with its financial lender. The agreement expires in February, 2002 and provides for a secured revolving credit facility of $5,000,000 with interest at the prime commercial rate with a LIBOR option. At September 30, 2001, the Company had no outstanding balance under this loan facility. Effective April 2001, the agreement was secured by the Company's accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and general intangibles. Also in April, the credit agreement was amended to reduce the working capital covenant from $7,000,000 to $6,000,000 until December 31, 2001 at which time it reverts back to $7,000,000. Management believes it can obtain a waiver if the covenant is violated in the future. In addition, management has determined a revolving credit facility is important to the Company and is currently in negotiation with its financial lender regarding renewal of the facility. The Company is confident a facility can be negotiated at acceptable terms.

Impact of Inflation

In recent years, inflation has had a minimal effect on the Company because of low rates of inflation and the Company's policy prohibiting the acceptance of long-term fixed rate contracts without provisions permitting adjustment for inflation.

Forward-Looking Statements

The foregoing discussion includes forward-looking statements relating to the business of the Company. These forward-looking statements, or other statements made by the Company, are made based on management's expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and are subject to uncertainties and factors (including, but not limited to, those specified below) which are difficult to predict and, in many instances, are beyond the control of the Company. As a result, actual results of the Company could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any such forward-looking statements. These uncertainties and factors include (a) the Company's dependence upon a limited number of customers, including Ford and General Motors, (b) the highly competitive industry in which the company operates, which includes several competitors with greater financial resources and larger sales organizations, and (c) the acceptance in the marketplace of new products and/or services developed or under development by the Company including automotive diagnostic products, fastening systems products and indicating instrument products, and (d) the ability of the Company to effectively make the transition from primarily serving OEM customers to serving smaller customers in the automotive aftermarket.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
(Table of Contents)

The Company is exposed to certain market risks from transactions that are entered into during the normal course of business. The Company has not entered into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company's primary market risk exposure relates to interest rate risk. The Company's only debt subject to interest rate risk is its revolving credit facility. The Company has a balance of $-0- on its revolving credit facility at September 30, 2001, which is subject to a variable rate of interest based on the prime commercial rate with a LIBOR option. As a result, the Company believes that the market risk relating to interest rate movements is minimal.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
(Table of Contents)

The following pages contain the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data as specified for Item 8 or Part II of Annual Report on Form 10-K.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
(Table of Contents)

SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
HICKOK INCORPORATED
CLEVELAND, OHIO

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of HICKOK INCORPORATED as of September 30, 2001 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2001. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Hickok Incorporated as of September 30, 2001 and 2000, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2001 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

/s/ Meaden & Moore, Ltd.
MEADEN & MOORE, Ltd.
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

NOVEMBER 21, 2001
CLEVELAND, OHIO

F-1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
HICKOK INCORPORATED
SEPTEMBER 30

ASSETS

See accompanying summary of accounting policies and notes to financial statements
F-2

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

F-3

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
HICKOK INCORPORATED
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30

See accompanying summary of accounting policies and notes to financial statements

F-4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
HICKOK INCORPORATED
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001, 2000, AND 1999

See accompanying summary of accounting policies and notes to financial statements

F-5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
HICKOK INCORPORATED
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30

F-6

NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

During 1999, non-cash compensation included $52,571 for equipment transferred to a former employee.

F-7

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
HICKOK INCORPORATED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001, 2000 AND 1999

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Hickok Incorporated and its wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries ("Company") develop and manufacture products used by companies in the transportation industry. Among the products are indicators and gauges sold to companies in aircraft and locomotive markets. On a much larger scale, the Company manufactures diagnostic equipment used by automotive technicians to test the various electronic systems in automobiles. Also within the automotive segment,the Company manufactures equipment to control the nut running process in an assembly plant. The Company serves the automotive, locomotive and general aviation markets predominately in North America. Sales in the Company's principal product classes, as a percent of consolidated sales, are as follows:

Product Classes	2001			2000		1999
Automotive Test Equipment			68.3	%	73.8	%	73.2	%
Fastening Systems	13.9			10.7			11.0
Indicating Instruments	14.7			14.1			13.6
Other Product Classes	3.1			1.4			2.2
Total		100.0		%	100.0	%	100.0		%

Current operating properties consist of a manufacturing plant in Greenwood, Mississippi, and a corporate headquarters, marketing and product development facility in Cleveland, Ohio.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation:
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hickok Incorporated and its wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries since date of acquisition. Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the financial statements.

Concentration of Credit Risk:
The Company sells its products and services primarily to customers in the United States and to a lesser extent overseas. All sales are made in United States dollars. The Company extends normal credit terms to its customers. Customers in the automotive industry(primarily original equipment manufacturers) comprise 65% of outstanding receivables at September 30, 2001 (58% in 2000). Sales to two customers, each of which were in excess of 10% of total sales, approximated $5,100,000 and $1,900,000 (2001),$6,300,000 and $1,700,000 (2000), $6,100,000 and $2,400,000 (1999). The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingencies at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition:
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements," in December 1999. The SAB summarizes certain of the SEC staff's views in applying generally accepted accounting principles to revenue recognition in financial statements. During the fourth quarter of the current year, the Company performed a review of its revenue recognition policies and determined that they are in compliance with SAB 101.

The Company records sales as manufactured items are shipped to customers. Revenue from development contracts represent agreements to provide training related programs to technicians and engineers and are recorded as service revenue. Revenue from these contracts is recognized as agreed upon milestones are achieved. The customer does not have a right to return merchandise unless defective or warranty related and there are no formal customer acceptance provisions. The Company warrants certain products against defects for periods ranging primarily from 12 to 36 months. Charges against income for warranty expense and sales returns and allowances were immaterial during each of the three years in the period ending September 30, 2001.

Product Development Costs:
Product development costs, which include engineering production support, are expensed as incurred. Research and development performed for customers represents no more than 1% of sales in each year. The arrangements do not include a repayment obligation by the Company.

Inventories :
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market and consist of:

The above amounts are net of reserve for obsolete inventory in the amount of $92,000 and $254,510 for the periods ended September 30, 2001 and September 30, 2000 respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Additions and betterments are capitalized.

The depreciation policy of the Company is generally as follows:

Class	Method	Estimated Useful Lives
Buildings	Straight-line	10 to 40 years
Machinery and equipment	Straight-line	3 to 10 years
Tools and dies	Straight-line	3 years

Depreciation, including depreciation on capitalized leases, amounted to $437,955 (2001), $515,151 (2000), and $593,314 (1999).

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets:
Long-lived assets such as property, plant and equipment, goodwill, patents and software are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate tht the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the total of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset.

Intangible Assets :
Deferred charges represent patents and software implementation costs and are being amortized over 3 years. Software implementation costs were incurred to support and enhance internal information systems. Goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 15 to 20 years. Amortization of intangibles amounted to $123,444 (2001), $136,719 (2000) and $153,605(1999).

Advertising Costs :
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes :
The Company records income taxes under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."

Income per Common Share:
Income per common share information is computed on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period as disclosed in note 8.

Cash and Equivalents :
For purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. From time to time the Company maintains cash balances in excess of the FDIC limits. The cash balance at September 30, 2001 amounted to $601,616.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:
Effective October 1, 2001, the Company will adopt SFAS No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" as amended by SFAS No. 138. As amended, SFAS 133 requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet, measure those instruments at fair value and recognize changes in the fair value of derivatives in earnings in the period of change unless the derivative qualifies as an effective hedge that offsets certain exposures. The Company had no derivatives as of September 30, 2001, and therefore, no resulting transition adjustments.

In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, and SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. SFAS No. 141 requires that the purchase method be used for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 as well as all purchase method business combinations completed after June 30, 2001. SFAS No. 142 will require that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead be tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142. The Company is required to adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 141 immediately, and SFAS No. 142 effective October 1, 2002.

As of the date of adoption, the Company expects to have unamortized goodwill in the amount of approximately $1,575,000, which will be subject to the transition provisions of SFAS No. 141 and 142. Amortization expense related to goodwill was $112,892 for the year ended September 30, 2001. Because of the extensive effort needed to comply with adopting the new rules, it is not practical to reasonably estimate the impact of adopting these statements on the Company's financial statements at the date of this report, including whether any transitional impairment losses will be required to be recognized as the effect of a change in accounting principle.

In August 2001, The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. This statement supersedes FASB Statement No. 121. The Company is required to adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 144 effective October 1, 2002.