DATA I/O CORP - Quarter Report: 2007 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 10-Q

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(Mark One)

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

For the quarter ended September 30, 2007

OR

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

Or the transition period from to

Commission File No. 0-10394

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DATA I/O CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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6464 185^th Ave NE, Suite 101, Redmond, Washington, 98052

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(425) 881-6444

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X  No___

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes___  NoX

8,694,672 shares of no par value of the Registrant’s Common Stock were issued and outstanding as of November 8, 2007.

 

 

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DATA I/O CORPORATION

 

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2007

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part II - Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

DATA I/O CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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DATA I/O CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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DATA I/O CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 

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DATA I/O CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION

 

Data I/O prepared the financial statements as of September 30, 2007 and 2006, according to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals) necessary to present fairly the results for the periods presented. The balance sheet at December 31, 2006 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date. We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America according to such SEC rules and regulations. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2007. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements and the accompanying notes included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Sales of Data I/O’s semiconductor programming equipment products requiring installation by us that is other than perfunctory were previously recorded when installation was complete, or at the later of customer acceptance or installation, if an acceptance clause is specified in the sales terms. Beginning in the third quarter of 2005, Data I/O began recognizing revenue for these products at the time of shipment. We began recognizing revenue at the time of shipment after we determined that our programming equipment have reached a point of maturity and stability such that product acceptance can be assured by testing at the factory prior to shipment and that the installation meets the criteria to be considered a separate element. When arrangements include multiple elements, we use objective evidence of fair value to allocate revenue to the elements pursuant to EITF 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables,” and recognize revenue when the criteria for revenue recognition have been met for each element according to SAB 104, “Revenue Recognition.” The amount of revenue recognized is affected by our judgments as to the collectibility of the transaction or whether an arrangement includes multiple elements and if so, whether specific objective evidence of fair value exists for those elements.

 

Installation that is considered perfunctory includes any installation that can be performed by other parties, such as distributors, other vendors, or in most cases the customers themselves. This takes into account the complexity, skill, and training needed as well as customer expectations regarding installation. The revenue related to products requiring installation that is perfunctory is recognized at the time of shipment provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, shipment has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. We measure the standalone fair value of the product versus the service installation value component by the amount paid to independent representative service groups or the amount of additional discount given to independent distributors to provide the service installation.

 

We record revenue from the sale of service and update contracts as deferred revenue and we recognize it on a straight-line basis over the contractual period, which is typically one year. We establish a reserve for sales returns based on historical trends in product returns and estimates for new items. We have a stated return policy that customers can return standard products for any reason within 30 days after delivery, provided that the returned product is received in its original condition, including all packaging materials, for a refund of the price paid less a restocking charge of 30% of the total amount invoiced for the product returned, unless such restocking charge is waived in writing by Data I/O.

 

Data I/O’s software products are not normally sold separately from sales of programming systems. However, on those occasions where we sell software separately, we recognize revenue when a sales agreement exists, when delivery has occurred, when the fee is fixed or determinable, and when collection is probable.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS 123(R)”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulleting No. 107 (“SAB 107”) requiring the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards, including employee stock options, stock awards, and employee stock purchases, based on estimated fair values on the grant dates. The Company adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective method, which required the application of the accounting standard as of January 1, 2006. Total

 

 

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share-based compensation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $63,000 and $216,000, respectively. Total share-based compensation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $88,000 and $283,000, respectively.

 

Income Tax

 

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting and disclosure for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. It also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting for interim periods, disclosure and transition, and clearly scopes income taxes out of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 had no impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

Historically, the Company has not incurred any interest or penalties associated with tax matters and no interest or penalties were recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2007. However, the Company has adopted a policy whereby amounts related to interest and penalties associated with tax matters are classified as general and administrative expense when incurred.

 

The Company has incurred net operating losses. The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance for the full amount of the net deferred tax asset balance associated with its net operating losses as sufficient uncertainty exists regarding its ability to realize such tax assets in the future. There was $58,000 of unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions as of January 1, and September 30, 2007. The Company expects the amount of the net deferred tax asset balance and full valuation allowance to increase in future periods if it incurs future net operating losses.

 

Tax years that remain open for examination include 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 in the United States of America. In addition, tax years from 1999 to 2002 may be subject to examination in the event that the Company utilizes the NOL’s or other carry forwards from those years in its current or future year tax return.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This Statement permits entities to elect to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value through earnings. The fair value option may be applied on an instrument by instrument basis, is irrevocable and is applied only to entire instruments. SFAS 159 requires additional financial statement presentation and disclosure requirements for those entities that elect to adopt the standard and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We have not yet evaluated the impact of the adoption of SFAS 159.

 

NOTE 2 - RECLASSIFICATIONS

 

Certain prior period balances may have been reclassified to conform to the presentation used in the current period.

 

NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consisted of the following components (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 4 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property and equipment consisted of the following components (in thousands):

 

 

 

NOTE 5 – BUSINESS RESTRUCTURING

 

During the second half of 2006, as part of our additional effort to reduce expenses, we incurred restructuring charges of approximately $152,000 in the third quarter of 2006 and $39,000 in the fourth quarter of 2006. The restructuring charges are primarily related to severance charges incurred at our Redmond, Germany and China offices. In view of our declining margins and operating results during the first and second quarters of 2006, actions were taken to reduce expenses and improve margins.

 

We continued our restructuring activities in view of the declining revenues and gross margins during the first and second quarters of 2007, to further improve our operating results and to improve the effectiveness of our sales and marketing organization and sales channels. During the first quarter of 2007, we recorded restructuring charges of approximately $200,000 primarily related to severance charges. During the second quarter of 2007, we recorded an additional $632,000 of restructuring charges. During the third quarter of 2007, we recorded a net expense reversal of $107,000 comprised of $54.000 of additional expense, primarily relating to facilities, and a reversal of $161,000 of previously accrued severance primarily due to certain employees who had been scheduled for termination had their termination notice rescinded. At September 30, 2007, $150,000 remains accrued and is expected to be paid out during mostly in the fourth quarter of 2007 with the balance in 2008.

 

An analysis of the restructuring is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

NOTE 6 – OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following components (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

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The changes in Data I/O’s product warranty liability are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

NOTE 7 – LONG-TERM DEBT

 

In 2006, the Company entered into a five year capital lease agreement in the amount of $591,145. The lease was used to fund new equipment and installation associated with our move to the new facility in 2006. The interest rate is 7.69%.

 

Scheduled maturities of the capital lease obligation for the years ending December 31 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

NOTE 8 – EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated based on these same weighted average shares outstanding plus the effect of potential shares issuable upon assumed exercise of stock options based on the treasury stock method. Potential shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share to the extent their effect would be antidilutive.

 

 

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The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

The computation for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 excludes 471,236 and 665,341 options, respectively, to purchase common stock as their effect is anitdilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, 1,038,029 and 1,155,261 options, respectively, were antidilutive.

 

NOTE 9 – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The impact on our results of operations of recording share-based compensation for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

The fair value of share-based awards for employee stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The volatility and expected life of the option used in calculating the fair value of share-based awards excludes certain periods of historical data that we considered atypical and not likely or rare to occur in future periods.

 

NOTE 10 – COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

During the third quarter of 2007 and 2006 total comprehensive income (loss) was comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 11 – FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND DERIVATIVES

 

Data I/O translates assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. We translate revenues, costs and expenses of foreign subsidiaries at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. We charge our credit translation adjustments resulting from this process to other comprehensive income (a component of stockholders’ equity), net of taxes. Realized and unrealized gains and losses resulting from the effects of changes in exchange rates on assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are included in non-operating expense as foreign currency transaction gains and losses.

 

Data I/O accounts for its hedging activities in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging Activities. This statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and requires recognition of derivatives as assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measurement of those instruments at fair value.

 

Data I/O utilizes forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce the impact of foreign currency exchange rate risks where natural hedging strategies cannot be effectively employed. All hedging instruments held by us are fair value hedges. Generally, these contracts have maturities less than one year and require us to exchange foreign currencies for U.S. dollars at maturity. At September 30, 2007, we had a notional value of approximately $716,387 in four foreign exchange contracts outstanding. We recorded the estimated loss in fair value as a non-operating expense and a liability of approximately $16,000. The Euro rates range from 1.3450 to 1.4156, all scheduled to be due within the next quarter and the value at that date of $716,921.

 

Data I/O does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The purpose of our hedging activities is to reduce the risk that the valuation of the underlying assets, liabilities and firm commitments will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. Our derivative activities do not create foreign currency exchange rate risk because fluctuations in the value of the instruments used for hedging purposes are offset by fluctuations in the value of the underlying exposures being hedged.

 

 

General

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This Act provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information about themselves as long as they identify these statements as forward-looking and provide meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ from the projected results. All statements other than statements of historical fact made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking. In particular, statements herein regarding industry prospects or trends; expected revenues; expected level of expense; future results of operations, restructuring implications; breakeven point, or financial position; changes in gross margin; integration of acquired products and operations; market acceptance of our newly introduced or upgraded products; development, introduction and shipment of new products; and any other guidance on future periods are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Although Data I/O believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, achievements, or other future events. Moreover, neither Data I/O nor anyone else assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these forward-looking statements. Data I/O is under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this report. The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The discussions above and in the section in Item 1A. Risk Factors “Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results” in the Company’s Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 describe some, but not all, of the factors that could cause these differences.

 

OVERVIEW

 

Our primary goal is to manage the business to achieve profitable operations, while developing and enhancing products to drive revenue and earnings growth. Our challenge continues to be operating in a seasonal, cyclical, and challenging industry environment, while positioning Data I/O to take advantage of any growth in capital spending. We saw a downturn in capital spending during the first six months of 2007, but have seen in the third quarter and expect to see a continued recovery in capital spending during the fourth quarter of 2007.

 

 

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Following our losses during the first two quarters of 2006, we launched an initiative during the third quarter of 2006 to lower the quarterly revenue breakeven point to below $7 million, as it had increased to a calculated $7.6 million during the second quarter of 2006. During the first six months of 2007 as we experienced declining revenues and gross margins, we decided to take additional expense reductions to lower our expected quarterly revenue breakeven point to below $5.3 million when fully implemented this year.

 

We are continuing our efforts to balance increasing costs and strategic investments in our business with the level of demand and mix of business we expect. We are focusing our research and development efforts in our strategic growth markets, namely new programming technology, and automated programming systems for the manufacturing environment, particularly the new FLX500 desktop automated programming system, and extending the capabilities and support for our FlashCORE architecture and the ProLINE-RoadRunner and PS families. We have also introduced our new applications innovation strategy. This strategy provides complete solutions to target customer’s business problems. These solutions will expand beyond what we have considered as products in the past. These solutions will have a larger software element, may involve third-party components, and in many cases, will be developed to address a specific customer’s requirements. We believe by adding these features to our strategic product platforms, we will be able to set ourselves apart from other product suppliers and elevate our relationships with our customers to a partner level.

 

Our customer focus has been on strategic high volume manufacturers in key market segments like wireless, automotive, industrial controls and programming centers and supporting NAND Flash and microcontrollers on our newer products to gain new accounts and to break into new markets, such as microcontrollers for the automotive market. We continue to address the effectiveness of our sales and marketing organization and sales channels. With the sales decline we experienced in the first half of 2007 in China, we recognized the need to diversify our customer base there and are taking steps to broaden our channels of distribution in China to reach a greater number of customers. This decision, made at the end of the first quarter, includes the elimination of some China direct selling expenses and increased the use of agents that have established relationships with the desired customers. We have also added additional Asian sales channel management to drive Asia sales and manage this important region. We believe this decision should help us more rapidly grow our business in China and convert some of our fixed selling expenses to variable. During the first quarter of 2007, we repositioned and made changes that are expected to result in more effectively supporting our customer centric application strategy for targeted segments. We continue our efforts to partner with the semiconductor manufacturers to better serve our mutual customers and members of Preferred Partnership Program. The Preferred Partnership Program formalizes our mutual support relationship and is designed to increase collaboration between the semi conductor vendor and Data I/O to better serve customers.

 

BUSINESS RESTRUCTURING

 

During the second half of 2006, as part of our additional effort to reduce expenses, we incurred restructuring charges of approximately $152,000 in the third quarter of 2006 and $39,000 in the fourth quarter of 2006. The restructuring charges are primarily related to severance charges incurred at our Redmond, Germany and China offices. In view of our declining margins and operating results during the first and second quarters of 2006, actions were taken to reduce expenses and improve margins.

 

We continued our restructuring activities in view of the declining revenues and gross margins during the first and second quarters of 2007, to further improve our operating results and our effectiveness of the sales and marketing organization and sales channels. During the first quarter of 2007, we recorded restructuring charges of approximately $200,000 primarily related to severance charges. During the second quarter of 2007, we recorded an additional $632,000 of restructuring charges. These actions included reengineering some internal processes, integration of some activities, transferring some activities to our lower cost base of operations in China, reducing resources applied to declining legacy products, moving some engineering positions to production, reducing the number of taxable entities, outsourcing some functions such as payroll, combining some positions, eliminating some functions, and shifting some responsibilities and resources to our channels. During the third quarter of 2007, we recorded a net expense reversal of $107,000 comprised of $54,000 of additional expense, primarily relating to facilities, and a reversal of $161,000 of previously accrued severance primarily due to certain employees who had been scheduled for termination had their termination notice rescinded. At September 30, 2007, $150,000 remains accrued and is expected to be paid out during mostly in the fourth quarter of 2007 with the balance in 2008.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICY JUDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES

 

The Company’s critical accounting policies are disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and have not materially changed as of September 30, 2007.

 

 

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Results of Operations

 

NET SALES

 

 

 

The revenue increase for the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006 relates primarily to higher sales in substantially all three areas including automated systems, non-automated systems, and aftermarket adapters. In particular, during the third quarter of 2007, sales of our ProLINE-RoadRunner increased by 196% over the third quarter of 2006. During the third quarter of 2006, we had strong sales to wireless handset manufactures and automotive electronics manufacturers. During the quarter we added a new automotive customer who purchased over $1 million of ProLINE-RoadRunner products. Additionally, sales were favorably impacted by a higher percentage of sales that were taken as direct sales versus indirect sales that include certain channel discounts. Orders booked during the third quarter of 2007 increased approximately 5.9% over the orders booked during the third quarter of 2006.

 

During the third quarter of 2007, sales in the United States decreased approximately 19% compared to the same period in 2006, reflecting what we believe to be a continued shift to international markets of manufacturing capacity related demand. International sales for the third quarter of 2007 increased by 12% compared to the same period in 2006, including an approximate increase of 46% in the Americas (excluding United States), increase of approximately 18% in Europe, offset in part by a 45% decrease in Asia, especially in China. During the first half of 2007, we eliminated some China direct selling expenses and increased the use of agents that have established relationships with the desired customers. We have added additional Asian sales channel management to drive Asia sales and manage this important region. We believe this decision should help us more rapidly grow our business in China. These actions have also converted some of our formerly fixed selling expenses to variable expenses in the second half of 2007.

 

During 2007, our development team delivered many additional FLX500 features and enhancements, as well as sales tools to help our sales force grow our business. During the third quarter of 2007, we shipped a new solution for duplicating Flash media using our FLX500 platform to the world’s largest handset manufacturer. We expect our new products to increase our revenues; however, partially offsetting this expected increase is the continued trend of declining sales of our older non-automated product lines.

 

For the first nine months of 2007 compared to the same period of 2006, total sales decreased by 6.5% reflecting a decrease in all areas except ProLINE-RoadRunner and FLX500 sales. Sales in Asia decreased by 41%, while sales in Europe and the Americas (including United States) increased 20% and 4%, respectively. The decrease in Asia, especially in China, relates to the decrease in sales to our wireless customer group for the first half of 2007.

 

 

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GROSS MARGIN

 

 

Gross margins during the third quarter of 2007 increased in both dollars and as a percentage of sales compared to the third quarter of 2006. The overall gross margin increase in dollars and as a percentage of sales was primarily due to the favorable product mix and the channel mix (higher selling prices received in our direct sales business) of approximately $964,000. In addition, we also had favorable manufacturing variances, in particular for labor and overhead, resulting from the volume of product builds and restructure related cost savings of approximately $131,000 during the third quarter of 2007. These favorable variances were offset by other less favorable or negative operations variances compared to the third quarter of 2006 of approximately $142,000.

 

For the nine months ended September 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006, the lower gross margin dollars relates to the lower year-to-date volume of revenue, however, the increase in year-to-date gross margin as a percentage of sales is due to the increase in average selling price and channel mix as mentioned above. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, there were favorable manufacturing variances of approximately $543,000 offset by other less favorable or negative operations variances of approximately $471,000.

 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

 

 

Research and development (“R&D”) spending for the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006 decreased by approximately $390,000 due to the decreased spending associated with the development of the FLX500 which launched in 2006. R&D also decreased due to the restructure and the re-engineering of internal processes. R&D as a percentage of net sales decreased due to the increase in sales for the third quarter of 2007. We expect that the spending in R&D should moderate as a percentage of sales with expected increases in revenues as the development of new platforms, such as the FLX500, are completed and the engineering focus moves from significant platform development to product and application enhancements and extensions as part of our application innovation focus.

 

R&D spending for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 also decreased by approximately $552,000 due primarily to the same factors as those described for the third quarter of 2007.

 

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

      

 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses decreased approximately $260,000 for the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006 due primarily to a decrease in net personnel of approximately $438,000 related to the 2006 and 2007 restructures and the increased use of vacation time taken during the third quarter. We also experienced decreased marketing costs of approximately $50,000 primarily associated with the 2006 FLX500 launch, as well as decreased facility costs of approximately $26,000 in connection with the Redmond move to a smaller facility in July 2006. Offsetting these decreased amounts was an increase of approximately $234,000 for channel expenses.

 

 

 

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During the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared with the same period in 2006, SG&A expense decreased approximately $960,000 due to the same factors as those described for the third quarter of 2007.

 

INTEREST

 

 

Interest income increased during the third quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 due to the increase in cash balance and increased amounts invested during the quarter. Interest income decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 due to the lower amounts invested during the first half of the year. Interest expense increased in the third quarter and the nine months of 2007 compared to the same periods in 2006 due to the equipment capital lease associated with the move to a new facility during the third quarter of 2006.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

 

Tax benefit recorded for the third quarter and the expense for the nine months of 2007 resulted from foreign and state taxes. The tax effective rate differed from the statutory tax rate primarily due to the effect of valuation allowances and state taxes. Data I/O has a valuation allowance of $9,523,000 as of September 30, 2007. The beginning balances of our deferred tax assets and valuation allowance were reduced by $58,000 associated with the adoption of FIN 48 accounting for uncertain tax positions.

 

Financial Condition

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

 

At September 30, 2007, Data I/O’s principal sources of liquidity consisted of existing cash and cash equivalents. Our working capital increased by approximately $1.0 million from December 31, 2006 and our current ratio increased from 2.9 at December 31, 2006 to 3.1 at September 30, 2007.

 

Our cash and cash equivalents increased by approximately $1.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 primarily due to the cash received in operating activities totaling approximately $2.6 million. Cash provided by operations primarily included a $1.6 million decrease in accounts receivable as we collected all the past due amounts from a China distributor. At quarter end, accounts receivable still had one international distributor with a significant past due balance. Cash provided by operations also included a decrease of approximately $532,000 in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, offset by a $763,000 increase in inventory.

 

We used approximately $630,000 of cash in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, representing purchases of property, plant and equipment. We expect that we will continue to make capital expenditures to support our business and we anticipate that present working capital will be sufficient to meet our operating requirements throughout at least the next twelve months. Capital expenditures are expected to be funded by existing and internally generated funds or lease financing.

 

As a result of our significant product development, customer support, international expansion and selling and marketing efforts, we have required substantial working capital to fund our operations. Over the last few years, we restructured our operations to lower our costs and operating expenditures in some geographic regions, while investing in other regions, and to lower the level of revenue required for our net income breakeven point, to preserve our cash position and to focus on profitable operations. We believe that we have sufficient working capital available under our operating plan to fund our operations and capital requirements through at least the

 

 

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next one year period. Any substantial inability to achieve our current business plan could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations and may require us to reduce expenditures and/or seek additional financing.

 

LONG-TERM DEBT

 

 

During the third quarter of 2006, the Company entered into a five year capital lease agreement in the amount of $591,145. The lease was used to fund new equipment and installation associated with our move to the new facility in July of 2006. See Note 7, “Long-Term Debt.”

 

Aggregate Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

We have purchase obligations for inventory and production costs as well as other obligations such as capital expenditures, service contracts, marketing, and development agreements. Arrangements are considered purchase obligations if a contract specifies all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, a pricing structure and approximate timing of the transaction. Most arrangements are cancelable without a significant penalty, and with short notice, typically less than 90 days. We have commitments under non-cancelable operating leases and other agreements, primarily for factory and office space, with initial or remaining terms of one year or more as follows:

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

Except as noted above in aggregate contractual obligations and commitments, Data I/O had no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This Statement permits entities to elect to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value through earnings. The fair value option may be applied on an instrument by instrument basis, is irrevocable and is applied only to entire instruments. SFAS 159 requires additional financial statement presentation and disclosure requirements for those entities that elect to adopt the standard and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We have not yet evaluated the impact of the adoption of SFAS 159.

 

 

We are exposed to financial market risks, including fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rates.

 

INTEREST RATE RISK

 

We invest our cash in a variety of short-term financial instruments, including government bonds, commercial paper and money market instruments, which are classified as available-for-sale. Our investments are made in accordance with an investment policy approved by our board of directors. Our portfolio is diversified and consists primarily of investment grade securities to minimize credit risk.

 

 

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Cash balances in foreign currencies are operating balances and are invested in demand or short-term deposits of the local operating bank.

 

Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted because of a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates fall. Due in part to these factors, our future investment income may fall short of expectations because of changes in interest rates or we may suffer losses in principal if forced to sell securities that have seen a decline in market value because of changes in interest rates. We do not attempt to reduce or eliminate our exposure to interest rate risk through the use of derivative financial instruments due to the short-term nature of the investments.

 

At September 30, 2007, we have no marketable securities.

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

We have operations in Germany, Canada, China, and Brazil. Therefore, we are subject to risks typical of an international business including, but not limited to, differing economic conditions, changes in political climate, differing tax structures, other regulations and restrictions and foreign exchange rate volatility. Accordingly, our future results could be materially adversely affected by changes in these or other factors.

 

Our sales and corresponding receivables are substantially in U.S. dollars other than sales made in our subsidiaries in Germany, Canada, and China. Through our operations in Germany, Canada, China, and Brazil, we incur certain product costs; research and development; customer service and support costs; selling, general and administrative expenses in local currencies. We are exposed, in the normal course of business, to foreign currency risks on these expenditures and on related foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities. We have evaluated our exposure to these risks and believe that our only significant exposure to foreign currencies at the present time is primarily related to Euro-based receivables. We use forward contracts to hedge and thereby minimize the currency risks associated with certain transactions denominated in Euros.

 

If our actual currency requirement or timing in the period forecasted differs materially from the notional amount of our forward contracts and/or the natural balancing of receivables and payables in foreign currencies during a period of currency volatility or if we do not continue to manage our exposure to foreign currency through forward contracts or other means, we could experience unanticipated foreign currency gains or losses. In addition, our foreign currency risk management policy subjects us to risks relating to the creditworthiness of the commercial banks with which we enter into forward contracts. If one of these banks cannot honor its obligations, we may suffer a loss. We also invest in our international operations, which will likely result in increased future operating expenses denominated in those local currencies. In the future, our exposure to foreign currency risks from these other foreign currencies may increase and if not managed appropriately, we could experience unanticipated foreign currency gains and losses.

 

The purpose of our foreign currency risk management policy is to reduce the effect of exchange rate fluctuation on our results of operations. Therefore, while our foreign currency risk management policy may reduce our exposure to losses resulting from unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates, it also reduces or eliminates our ability to profit from favorable changes in currency exchange rates.

 

At September 30, 2007, we had a notional value of approximately $716,387 in four foreign exchange contracts outstanding. We recorded the estimated loss in fair value as a non-operating expense and a liability of approximately $16,000. The Euro rates range from 1.3450 to 1.4156, all scheduled to be due within the next quarter and the value at that date of $716,921.

 

 

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Data I/O evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Disclosure Controls are controls and procedures designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure Controls are also designed to reasonably assure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

 

 

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There were no changes made in our internal controls during the period covered by this report that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

We have recently acquired and have implemented a new worldwide information system that has and will result in changes to our internal controls. Our corporate office began use of the new system in February 2006 and foreign subsidiaries began use in the third and fourth quarters of 2006. We have included process and internal control improvements as part of the implementation process and continue this as we implement additional system features.

 

Our restructuring actions decreased the number of personnel and reallocated tasks. We did not change our internal controls, however, these restructure actions may have an impact on our internal controls’ operation which we will continue to monitor and evaluate.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

None

 

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, 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. There are no material changes to the Risk Factors described in our Annual Report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following list is a subset of the list of exhibits described below and contains all compensatory plans, contracts or arrangements in which any director or executive officer of Data I/O is a participant, unless the method of allocation of benefits thereunder is the same for management and non-management participants:

 

 

 

 

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10.19 Data I/O Corporation Tax Deferred Retirement Plan, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of Data I/O’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 0-10394)).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 31.1

 

Section 302 Certification

I, Frederick R. Hume, certify that:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 31.2

 

Section 302 Certification

I, Joel S. Hatlen, certify that:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 32.1

 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

As Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

In connection with the quarterly Report of Data I/O Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Frederick R. Hume, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, that pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

 

 

  /s/ Frederick R. Hume  

Frederick R. Hume

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

November 9, 2007

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 32.2

Certification by Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

As Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

In connection with the quarterly Report of Data I/O Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Joel S. Hatlen, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, that pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

 

 

Joel S. Hatlen

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

November 9, 2007