ENERGY FOCUS, INC/DE - Quarter Report: 2007 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
DC 20549
Form
10-Q
(Mark
one)
x
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
ACT
OF 1934
|
For
the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007
OR
o
|
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934
|
For
the transition period
from to
Commission
file number 0-24230
ENERGY
FOCUS, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
|
94-3021850
|
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
|
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
|
|
32000
Aurora Rd., Solon, OH
(Address
of principal executive offices)
|
||
44139
(Zip
Code)
|
||
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code): (440)
715-1300
|
||
FIBERSTARS,
INC.
|
||
(Former
Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, If Changed Since Last
Report)
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days. Yes x
No o
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. (Check
One)
Large Accelerated Filer o
Accelerated Filer x
Non-Accelerated Filer o
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
The
number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.0001 par
value, as of October 31, 2007
was
11,590,125.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Part
I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|
|||||
|
|||||
Item
1
|
Financial
Statements:
|
||||
a.
|
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2007 (unaudited) and
December
31, 2006
|
3
|
|||
b.
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months and
Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited)
|
4
|
|||
c.
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the
Three
Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited)
|
5
|
|||
d.
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended
September
30, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited)
|
6
|
|||
e.
|
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
|
7
|
|||
Item
2
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
14
|
|||
Item
3
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
|
19
|
|||
Item
4
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
19
|
|||
Part
II - OTHER INFORMATION
|
|||||
Item
1
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
20
|
|||
Item
1A
|
Risk
Factors
|
20
|
|||
Item
5
|
Other
Information
|
28
|
|||
Item
6
|
Exhibits
|
28
|
|||
Signatures
|
29
|
||||
Exhibit
Index
|
30
|
Item
1. Financial
Statements
ENERGY
FOCUS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts
in thousands)
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
(unaudited)
|
|
||||||
ASSETS
|
|
|
|||||
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
3,681
|
$
|
3,705
|
|||
Short-term
investments
|
6,855
|
12,263
|
|||||
Accounts
receivable trade, net
|
3,801
|
6,185
|
|||||
Inventories,
net
|
7,954
|
7,708
|
|||||
Prepaid
and other current assets
|
367
|
324
|
|||||
Total
current assets
|
22,658
|
30,185
|
|||||
|
|
|
|||||
Fixed
assets, net
|
5,325
|
5,978
|
|||||
Goodwill,
net
|
4,328
|
4,247
|
|||||
Other
assets
|
193
|
182
|
|||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
32,504
|
$
|
40,592
|
|||
|
|||||||
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|||||
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
2,002
|
$
|
4,202
|
|||
Accrued
liabilities
|
2,012
|
1,671
|
|||||
Credit
line borrowings
|
1,149
|
1,124
|
|||||
Current
portion of long-term bank borrowings
|
821
|
778
|
|||||
Total
current liabilities
|
5,984
|
7,775
|
|||||
Deferred
tax liabilities
|
195
|
75
|
|||||
Long-term
bank borrowings
|
1,454
|
1,862
|
|||||
Total
liabilities
|
7,633
|
9,712
|
|||||
|
|
|
|||||
SHAREHOLDERS’
EQUITY
|
|
|
|||||
Common
stock
|
1
|
1
|
|||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
55,168
|
53,841
|
|||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
916
|
601
|
|||||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(31,214
|
)
|
(23,563
|
)
|
|||
Total
shareholders’ equity
|
24,871
|
30,880
|
|||||
Total
liabilities and shareholders’ equity
|
$
|
32,504
|
$
|
40,592
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
3
ENERGY
FOCUS, INC.
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(amounts
in thousands except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Three
months
|
Nine
months
|
||||||||||||
ended
September 30,
|
ended
September 30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Net
sales
|
$
|
5,745
|
$
|
6,808
|
$
|
17,458
|
$
|
19,845
|
|||||
Cost
of sales
|
3,757
|
4,772
|
11,720
|
13,879
|
|||||||||
Gross
profit
|
1,988
|
2,036
|
5,738
|
5,966
|
|||||||||
Operating
expenses:
|
|||||||||||||
Research
and development
|
805
|
630
|
1,963
|
1,521
|
|||||||||
Sales
and marketing
|
2,390
|
2,280
|
7,338
|
7,132
|
|||||||||
General
and administrative
|
1,668
|
1,303
|
3,813
|
3,918
|
|||||||||
Restructure
expense
|
308
|
98
|
397
|
734
|
|||||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
5,171
|
4,311
|
13,511
|
13,305
|
|||||||||
Loss
from operations
|
(3,183
|
)
|
(2,275
|
)
|
(7,773
|
)
|
(7,339
|
)
|
|||||
Other
income (expense):
|
|||||||||||||
Other
income/(expense)
|
35
|
12
|
77
|
39
|
|||||||||
Interest
income/ (expense)
|
51
|
171
|
190
|
331
|
|||||||||
Loss
before income taxes
|
(3,097
|
)
|
(2,092
|
)
|
(7,506
|
)
|
(6,969
|
)
|
|||||
Benefit
from (provision for) income taxes
|
(78
|
)
|
(33
|
)
|
(145
|
)
|
103
|
||||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(3,175
|
)
|
$
|
(2,125
|
)
|
$
|
(7,651
|
)
|
$
|
(6,866
|
)
|
|
Net
loss per share - basic and diluted
|
$
|
(0.28
|
)
|
$
|
(0.19
|
)
|
$
|
(0.67
|
)
|
$
|
(0.60
|
)
|
|
Shares
used in computing net loss per share - basic and diluted
|
11,501
|
11,371
|
11,467
|
11,362
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
4
ENERGY
FOCUS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(LOSS)
(amounts
in thousands)
(unaudited)
Three
months
|
Nine
months
|
||||||||||||
ended
September 30,
|
ended
September 30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(3,175
|
)
|
$
|
(2,125
|
)
|
$
|
(7,651
|
)
|
$
|
(6,866
|
)
|
|
Other
comprehensive income (loss)
|
|||||||||||||
Foreign
currency translation adjustments
|
223
|
41
|
325
|
217
|
|||||||||
Net
unrealized gain (loss) on securities
|
(1
|
)
|
(67
|
)
|
(10
|
)
|
79
|
||||||
Comprehensive
loss
|
$
|
(2,953
|
)
|
$
|
(2,151
|
)
|
$
|
(7,336
|
)
|
$
|
(6,570
|
)
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
5
ENERGY
FOCUS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(amounts
in thousands)
(unaudited)
Nine
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(7,651
|
)
|
$
|
(6,866
|
)
|
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
activities:
|
|
|
|||||
Depreciation
|
932
|
782
|
|||||
Stock-based
compensation
|
697
|
752
|
|||||
Unrealized
gain (loss) from marketable securities
|
(10
|
)
|
79
|
||||
Provision
for doubtful accounts receivable
|
369
|
175
|
|||||
Deferred
taxes
|
120
|
–
|
|||||
Changes
in assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|||||
Accounts
receivable
|
2,091
|
894
|
|||||
Inventories
|
(127
|
)
|
109
|
||||
Prepaid
and other current assets
|
(40
|
)
|
248
|
||||
Other
assets
|
(3
|
)
|
56
|
||||
Accounts
payable
|
(2,221
|
)
|
201
|
||||
Accrued
liabilities
|
184
|
(2,066
|
)
|
||||
Total
adjustments
|
1,992
|
1,230
|
|||||
Net
cash used in operating activities
|
(5,659
|
)
|
(5,636
|
)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||||
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|||||
Purchase
of short-term investments
|
(37,090
|
)
|
(91,506
|
)
|
|||
Sale
of short-term investments
|
42,626
|
94,933
|
|||||
Acquisition
of fixed assets
|
(244
|
)
|
(3,222
|
)
|
|||
Net
cash provided by investing activities
|
5,292
|
205
|
|||||
|
|
|
|||||
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|||||
Cash
proceeds from exercise of stock options
|
630
|
565
|
|||||
Proceeds
from credit line borrowings
|
76
|
1,222
|
|||||
Proceeds
from long-term bank borrowings
|
160
|
1,653
|
|||||
Payments
of credit line borrowings
|
(61
|
)
|
(54
|
)
|
|||
Payments
of long-term bank borrowings
|
(554
|
)
|
(271
|
)
|
|||
Collection
of loan made to shareholder
|
–
|
62
|
|||||
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
251
|
3,177
|
|||||
|
|
|
|||||
Effect
of exchange rate changes on cash
|
92
|
19
|
|||||
|
|
|
|||||
Net
decrease in cash and cash equivalents
|
(24
|
)
|
(2,235
|
)
|
|||
Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
3,705
|
5,554
|
|||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, end of period
|
$
|
3,681
|
$
|
3,319
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
6
ENERGY
FOCUS, INC.
September
30, 2007
(Unaudited)
1.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Interim
Financial Statements (unaudited)
Although
unaudited, the interim financial statements in this report reflect all
adjustments, consisting only of all normal recurring adjustments, which are,
in
the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of financial position,
results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods covered and of
the
financial condition of Energy Focus, Inc. (the “Company”) at the interim balance
sheet date. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are
not
necessarily indicative of the results expected for the entire year.
Year-end
Balance Sheet
The
year-end balance sheet information was derived from audited financial statements
but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting
principles. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended
December 31, 2006, contained in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form
10-K.
Short-term
Investments
The
Company’s short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale, which are
stated at estimated fair value. The Company has determined its short-term
investments are available to support current operations and, accordingly, has
classified such short-term investments as current assets without regard for
contractual maturities. These short-term investments are invested through a
major financial institution. The unrealized gains or losses on these short-term
investments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate
component of shareholders’ equity until realized.
Short-term
investments at September 30, 2007 were as follows
(in
thousands):
Net
|
Estimated
|
|||||||||
unrealized
|
Fair
|
|||||||||
Cost
|
gain
|
Value
|
||||||||
Money
Market Fund
|
$
|
5,157
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
5,157
|
||||
Commercial
Paper
|
1,639
|
59
|
1,698
|
|||||||
Total
|
$
|
6,796
|
$
|
59
|
$
|
6,855
|
The
short-term investments maturing over the next year total $6,855,000.
The
increase in net unrealized holding losses on securities available for sale
in
the amount of $1,000 has been charged to other comprehensive income for the
quarter ended September 30, 2007. The cost of securities sold is based on the
specific identification method.
Proceeds
from the sale of available securities during 2007 were $42,626,000. Gross gains
of $156,000 were realized on the sales of available-for-sale securities during
2007. These gains on interest bearing securities are included as part of
interest income/ (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of
Operations.
Foreign
Currency Translation
The
Company’s international subsidiaries use their local currency as their
functional currency. For those subsidiaries, assets and liabilities are
translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and income
and
expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates during the year.
Resulting translation adjustments are recorded to a separate component of
shareholders’ equity.
7
Earnings
per Share
Basic
earnings per share (“EPS”) are computed by dividing income available to
shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for
the
period. Diluted EPS is computed by giving effect to all dilutive potential
common shares that were outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential common
shares consist of incremental shares upon exercise of stock options and
warrants.
A
reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted EPS is
provided as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Three
months
|
Nine
months
|
||||||||||||
ended
September 30,
|
ended
September 30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Numerator
- net loss
|
$
|
(3,175
|
)
|
$
|
(2,125
|
)
|
$
|
(7,651
|
)
|
$
|
(6,866
|
)
|
|
Denominator
- basic and diluted weighted
|
|||||||||||||
average
shares outstanding
|
11,501
|
11,371
|
11,467
|
11,362
|
|||||||||
Basic
and diluted net loss per share
|
$
|
(0.28
|
)
|
$
|
(0.19
|
)
|
$
|
(0.67
|
)
|
$
|
(0.60
|
)
|
At
September 30, 2007, options and warrants to purchase 1,629,000 shares of common
stock were outstanding, but were not included in the calculation of diluted
EPS
because their inclusion would have been antidilutive. Options and warrants
to
purchase 1,495,000 shares of common stock were outstanding at September 30,
2006, but were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS because their
inclusion would have been antidilutive.
Stock-
Based Compensation
The
Company’s stock-based compensation plans are described in detail in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
For
the
three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, the Company
recorded stock based compensation expense of $202,000 and $697,000,
respectively, compared to $238,000 and $752,000 for same periods ended September
30, 2006. Total unearned compensation of $1,592,000 remains at September 30,
2007 compared to $1,959,000 at December 31, 2006. These costs will be charged
to
expense and amortized on a straight line basis in future periods through 2011.
The remaining weighted average life of the outstanding options is approximately
1.2 years.
The
fair
value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model. Estimates utilized in the calculation
include the expected life of option, risk-free interest rate, and volatility
and
are further comparatively detailed below. During the quarter ended September
30,
2007 the Company granted additional stock options in the normal course of
business to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$6.05
per share vesting over four years with a contractual life of ten years. The
fair
value of these options is $2.852. The future unearned compensation is $68,000.
The fair value of all stock options outstanding was determined using the
following weighted average assumptions:
Nine
months
|
|||||||
ended
September 30,
|
|||||||
2007
|
|
2006
|
|||||
Expected
life of option
|
4.00
|
years |
4.00
|
years | |||
Risk
free interest rate
|
4.3
|
%
|
5.2
|
%
|
|||
Expected
volatility
|
68.5
|
%
|
60.3
|
%
|
8
Product
Warranties
The
Company warrants finished goods against defects in material and workmanship
under normal use and service for periods of one to three years for illuminators
and fiber. Settlement costs consist of actual amounts expensed for warranty
services which are largely a result of third party service calls, and the costs
of replacement products. A liability for the estimated future costs under
product warranties is maintained for products outstanding under warranty (in
thousands):
Three
months
|
Nine
months
|
||||||||||||
ended
September 30,
|
ended
September 30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Balance
at the beginning of the period
|
$
|
212
|
$
|
320
|
$
|
230
|
$
|
393
|
|||||
Accruals
for warranties issued during the period
|
112
|
124
|
281
|
219
|
|||||||||
Settlements
made during the period (in cash or in kind)
|
(112
|
)
|
(124
|
)
|
(299
|
)
|
(292
|
)
|
|||||
Balance
at the end of the period
|
$
|
212
|
$
|
320
|
$
|
212
|
$
|
320
|
Reclassifications
Certain
prior year information has been reclassified to conform to the current year
presentation.
2.
Inventories
Inventories
are stated at the lower of standard cost (which approximates actual cost
determined using the first-in, first-out cost method) or market and consist
of
the following (in thousands):
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Raw
materials
|
$
|
6,538
|
$
|
6,354
|
|||
Inventory
reserve
|
(369
|
)
|
(899
|
)
|
|||
Finished
goods
|
1,785
|
2,253
|
|||||
$
|
7,954
|
$
|
7,708
|
3.
Bank Borrowings
The
Company’s bank line of credit in the United States is based on an agreement with
Silicon Valley Bank dated August 15, 2005. It was amended on September 25,
2006,
August 15, 2007 and again on October 31, 2007. This most recent amendment is
retroactive to September 30, 2007 and has extended the credit agreement through
December 31, 2007. This credit facility is for $5,000,000. The interest rate
was
8.25% at September 30, 2007 and 8.75% at December 31, 2006. The rate is the
same
for both the term-loan and line of credit in both periods and has a minimum
tangible net worth covenant which the Company must meet going forward. On
December 31, 2005 this agreement was amended and restated to include an
additional $3,000,000 term-loan line of credit for equipment purchases. This
agreement calls for repayment of principal
in
equal
amounts over 4 years from the date of purchase of the equipment and has an
interest rate of prime plus 0.5% if the quick ratio is greater than 1.5 and
prime plus 1.5% if the quick ratio is at or below 1.5. Borrowings under the
Silicon Valley Agreement are collateralized by the Company’s assets and
intellectual property. Specific borrowings under the revolver are tied to
accounts receivable and inventory balances, and the Company is required to
comply with certain covenants with respect to effective net worth and financial
ratios. The Company had borrowings under the revolving line of
credit
of $1,000,000 at September 30, 2007 and at December 31, 2006.
The
$1,000,000 revolving line of credit is a current liability. The Company had
total borrowings of $1,904,000 under the term-loan portion of the agreement
as
of September 30, 2007, and $2,261,000 as of December 31, 2006. The Company
pays
an unused line fee of 0.25% against any unused daily balance during the year.
9
On
October 15, 2007, it was determined that both Silicon Valley Bank and the
Company had incorrectly calculated the tangible net worth covenant for 2007.
Upon recalculating the tangible net worth covenant, it was determined that
the
Company had failed to satisfy the tangible net worth covenant for the months
of
April, 2007 through August, 2007. However, the Company has entered into a fourth
amendment to the agreement which waives all non-compliance with the covenant,
amends and re-states the covenant, and extends the maturity date of the line
of
credit through December 31, 2007. As of September 30, 2007 the Company was
in
compliance with the revised tangible net worth covenant.
Through
a
U.K. subsidiary, the Company maintains a bank overdraft facility of
$510,000
(in
UK
pounds sterling, based on the exchange rate at September 30, 2007) under an
agreement with Lloyds Bank Plc. There were no borrowings against this facility
as of September 30, 2007 or December 31, 2006. The facility is renewed annually
on January 1. The rate on the facility was 8.00% at September 30, 2007 and
7.25%
at December 31, 2006.
Through
a
German subsidiary, the Company maintains a credit facility under an agreement
with Sparkasse Neumarkt Bank. This credit facility was put in place to finance
the building of new offices in Berching, Germany, which are owned and occupied
by the Company’s German subsidiary. As of September 30, 2007 the Company had
borrowings of
$371,000
(in
Euros, based on the exchange rate at September 30, 2007) and $379,000 as of
December 31, 2006 (in Euros, based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2006)
against this credit facility. The interest rate was 5.35% at September 30,
2007
and December 31, 2006. In addition, the Company’s German subsidiary has a
revolving line of credit for $213,000 (in
Euros, based on the exchange rate at September 30, 2007) with Sparkasse Neumarkt
Bank. As of September 30, 2007 there were borrowings against this facility
of
$149,000 compared to $124,000 at December 31, 2006. The revolving facility
is
renewed annually on January 1. Interest rates on this line of credit were 10.50%
at September 30, 2007 and 9.75% at December 31, 2006. The $149,000 revolving
line of credit is a current liability.
Future
maturities of remaining borrowings are (in thousands):
Through
September 30,
|
U.S.A.
|
|
Germany
|
|
Total
|
|||||
2008
|
$
|
769
|
$
|
52
|
$
|
821
|
||||
2009
|
716
|
55
|
771
|
|||||||
2010
|
392
|
58
|
450
|
|||||||
2011
|
27
|
61
|
88
|
|||||||
2012
|
—
|
64
|
64
|
|||||||
2013
and Thereafter
|
—
|
81
|
81
|
|||||||
Total
Commitment
|
$
|
1,904
|
$
|
371
|
$
|
2,275
|
4.
Comprehensive Operations
Comprehensive
income (loss) is defined as net income (loss) plus sales, expenses, gains and
losses that, under generally accepted accounting principles, are included in
comprehensive income (loss) but excluded from net income (loss). A separate
statement of comprehensive income (loss) has been presented with this
report.
5. Segments
and Geographic Information
The
Company operates in a single industry segment that manufactures, markets, and
sells energy efficient lighting products. The Company has two primary product
lines: the pool and spa lighting product line and the commercial lighting
product line, each of which markets and sells fiber optic lighting products.
The
Company markets its products for worldwide distribution primarily through
independent sales representatives, distributors and swimming pool builders
in
North America, Europe and the Far East.
10
A
summary
of sales by geographic area is as follows (in thousands):
Three
months
|
Nine
months
|
||||||||||||
ended
September 30,
|
ended
September 30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
U.S.
Domestic
|
$
|
3,336
|
$
|
4,487
|
$
|
11,115
|
$
|
13,862
|
|||||
Other
Countries
|
2,409
|
2,321
|
6,343
|
5,983
|
|||||||||
$
|
5,745
|
$
|
6,808
|
$
|
17,458
|
$
|
19,845
|
Geographic
sales are categorized based on the location of the customer to whom the sales
are made. A summary of sales by product line is as follows (in
thousands):
Three
months
|
Nine
months
|
||||||||||||
ended
September 30,
|
ended
September 30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Pool
and Spa Lighting
|
$
|
2,519
|
$
|
2,847
|
$
|
8,621
|
$
|
10,006
|
|||||
Commercial
Lighting
|
3,226
|
3,961
|
8,837
|
9,839
|
|||||||||
$
|
5,745
|
$
|
6,808
|
$
|
17,458
|
$
|
19,845
|
A
summary
of long-lived geographic assets (fixed assets and goodwill) is as follows (in
thousands):
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
United
States Domestic
|
$
|
7,768
|
$
|
8,406
|
|||
Germany
|
1,748
|
1,674
|
|||||
Other
Countries
|
137
|
145
|
|||||
$
|
9,653
|
$
|
10,225
|
6.
Recent pronouncements
In
September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS
No.
157, “Fair Value Measurements”. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a
framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value
measurements. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption
of
the standard on its financial position and results of operations.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities” ("SFAS No. 159"). SFAS No. 159 permits
entities to choose to measure many financial assets and financial liabilities
at
fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option
has been elected are reported in earnings. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating
the
impact of SFAS No. 159 on its consolidated financial position and results of
operations.
7.
Recently adopted standards:
In
July,
2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in
Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), an interpretation of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” ("SFAS 109") regarding
accounting for income tax uncertainties effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2006. FIN 48 applies to all tax positions related to income
taxes subject to SFAS 109 on Accounting for Income Taxes. The impact of adopting
the positions of this interpretation did not have a material impact on the
Company’s overall financial position or results of operations.
11
8.
Goodwill
Goodwill
represents the excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of tangible and
identified intangible net assets of the businesses acquired. The Company has
$4,328,000 in goodwill on its consolidated balance sheet as of September 30,
2007 and $4,247,000 at December 31, 2006. Goodwill
is not amortized, but is subjected to an annual impairment test. When events
or
changes in circumstances indicate that assets may be impaired, an evaluation
is
performed comparing the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated
with
the asset to the asset’s carrying amount to determine if a write-down to market
value or discounted cash flow is required. During
the period ending September 30, 2007, no instances or events required any
valuation or update.
9.
Income Taxes
A
full
valuation allowance is recorded against the Company’s U.S. and German deferred
tax assets as management cannot conclude, based on available objective evidence,
when the gross value of its deferred tax assets will be realized. The Company
accrues foreign tax expenses or benefits as these are incurred. Deferred tax
liabilities were $195,000 at September 30, 2007 and $75,000 at December 31,
2006
relating to differences in the timing of the recording of expenses for book
and
tax purposes.
10.
Commitments
and Contingencies
On
February 21, 2007, a lawsuit was filed in The United States District Court,
Eastern District of Missouri alleging that laminar flow products in the
Company’s pool and spa line have infringed upon certain United States patents
owned by Robert L. Kuykendal, Ronald S. Deichmann, and David R. Usher and
licensed to Splash Technologies, Incorporated. The lawsuit sought to halt such
alleged infringement and an accounting related to products sold. The plaintiffs
never served their complaint on the Company, as required by the federal court
rules of procedure, even after the Court ordered them to do so. As a result,
the
Court dismissed their complaint against the Company on July 25,
2007.
11.
Related Party Transactions
The
Company entered into a consulting agreement with Jeffrey H. Brite, a member
of
its Board of Directors, effective November 1, 2004. This agreement ended upon
the effective date of Jeffrey H. Brite’s resignation as a member of the Board of
Directors effective March 7, 2007. As a consultant under this agreement, Mr.
Brite assisted the Company’s President and Vice President of Sales in
identifying, contacting and making introductions to key building project
personnel in a position to facilitate the purchase of the Company’s products. In
return, the Company compensated Mr. Brite with the award of an option for the
acquisition of up to 40,000 shares of its common stock at a per share exercise
price of $7.23 and with annual aggregate cash payments of $50,000 paid in
quarterly installments during each of the years 2005, 2006 and 2007. There were
no payments in the third quarter of 2007 to Mr. Brite. Payments total $13,960
for the nine months ending September 30, 2007. Payments in the third quarter
of
2006 and for the nine months ending September 30, 2006 totaled $15,500 and
$46,500, respectively.
Gensler
Architecture, Design & Planning, P.C., a New York Professional Corporation
(“Gensler”) provides contract services to the Company in the areas of fixture
design and marketing targeted at expanding the
market
for the Company’s EFO™ products.
Mr. Jeffrey Brite, an employee of Gensler, was a member of the Company’s Board
of Directors through March 7, 2007. The Company entered into a three year
consulting agreement with Gensler effective December 15, 2004. Gensler has
agreed to assist the Company’s marketing group with matters of structure,
procedure and practices as they relate to the design, real estate and
procurement communities, and to advise the Company on strategies to enhance
its
visibility and image within the design and construction community as a
manufacturer of preferred technology. In return, the Company compensated Gensler
with a one-time cash payment in 2005 of $60,750 for services delivered in
advance of the completion of the negotiation of the Consulting Agreement. A
$50,000 annual cash payment was to be paid in quarterly installments of $12,500
in arrears for each of the calendar years 2005, 2006 and 2007, and a one-time
option award to acquire up to 75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a
per share exercise price of $6.57. Although there were no payments in the third
quarter of 2007 to Gensler, the Company accrued expense of $12,500. Payments
total $25,000 for the nine months ending September 30, 2007. Payments in the
third quarter of 2006 and for the nine months ending September 30, 2006 totaled
$12,500 and $37,500, respectively.
12
Effective
February 3, 2006 the Company entered into a consulting agreement with David
Ruckert, a member of its Board of Directors, which provided for nine months
of
assistance with marketing of the Company’s EFO Products, at a cost of $10,000
per month. In addition, Mr. Ruckert was to be granted options to purchase 32,000
shares of the Company’s common stock, if an amendment to the 2004 Plan,
authorizing additional shares, was approved by shareholders at the 2006 annual
meeting. Such shares were granted following the shareholder approval of the
amendment of the 2004 Plan. On November 30, 2006, the Company entered into
an
amendment of the consulting agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the amendment,
the term was extended for a period of up to an additional 12 months, at the
same
monthly compensation. The agreement may be terminated by the Company upon 30
days notice. Under this agreement the Company paid Mr. Ruckert $13,000 and
$79,000 in the quarter and the nine months ending September 30, 2007,
respectively. Payments in 2006 to Mr. Ruckert were $13,000 and $82,000 in the
quarter and nine months ending September 30, 2006,
respectively.
12.
Restructuring
In
June
2005, the Company announced its plans to close its Fremont office and
consolidate most of its operations in Solon, Ohio, where the Company already
had
a local sales office and a manufacturing facility. The Company recognized
restructuring charges of $98,000 in the third quarter of 2006 and $734,000
for
the nine months ending September 30, 2006, respectively. During the second
quarter of 2007, the Company initiated further restructuring efforts designed
to
consolidate manufacturing operations and streamline sales operations and
administration for improved efficiency. The Company charged $308,000 and
$397,000 to restructuring in the three months and nine months ended September
30, 2007, respectively.
13.
Reorganization
On
May 8,
2007, Energy Focus, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fiberstars, Inc. was
merged into Fiberstars, Inc. As a result of this merger, the name of Fiberstars,
Inc. was changed to Energy Focus, Inc.
13
Item
2. Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition
The
following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of
operations should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report and
the
section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2006.
When
used in this discussion, the words "expects," "anticipates," "estimates,"
“plan,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. These statements, which include statements as to our expected sales
and gross profit margins, expected operating expenses and capital expenditure
levels, our sales and marketing expenses, our general and administrative
expenses, the adequacy of capital resources and necessity to raise additional
funds, our critical accounting policies, expected restructuring costs related
to
our consolidation in Solon, Ohio, expected benefits from our consolidation
and
statements regarding pending litigation are subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.
These
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those risks discussed
below under “Risk Factors” and those discussed in our Annual Report on Form
10-K, as well as our ability to manage expenses, our ability to reduce
manufacturing overhead and general and administrative expenses as a percentage
of sales, our ability to collect on doubtful accounts receivable, our ability
to
increase cash balances in future quarters, the cost of enforcing or defending
intellectual property, unforeseen adverse competitive, economic or other factors
that may impact our cash position, risks associated with raising additional
funds, and risks associated with our pending litigation. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date hereof. We expressly disclaim any
obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any
forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our
expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based.
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Net
sales
decreased 16% to $5,745,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, as
compared to the same quarter a year ago. The decrease was primarily a result
of
zero government EFO sales made during the third quarter of 2007 versus
$670,000 made during the same quarter of the prior year. Additionally,
commercial lighting sales decreased $735,000 compared to the third quarter
of
2006. Further, pool
sales declined $328,000 due to the ongoing slowdown in housing starts.
Finally, sales from Europe were down slightly versus the same quarter of
last year. EFO sales were $2,035,000 in the third quarter of 2007 compared
to
$1,346,000 in the third quarter of 2006. Through September 30, 2007 adjusted
EFO
sales were $4,932,000 compared to $2,547,000 through September 30, 2006. EFO
sales in 2007 include sales from EFO fiber optic lighting, EFO LED, EFO
Controls, and EFO Government products, whereas sales in 2006 include EFO fiber
optic only. Year-to-date EFO sales were corrected to properly reflect first
quarter 2007 Controls sales not previously classified as EFO sales. We expect
overall sales to be flat for fiscal 2007 with higher EFO sales offsetting lower
sales in the traditional fiber optic lines, pool lighting and traditional
commercial. However, the market for our products is highly dependent upon
general economic conditions.
On
March
31, 2006, we announced that we had received funding from the U. S. Defense
Advanced Research Project Agency (“DARPA”) for $2,100,000 to develop and install
our high efficiency distributed lighting systems as a “commercial” product on
three US Navy ships. This project resulted in revenue being recognized on a
percentage-of-completion basis as milestones are completed between 2006 and
2007. No revenue was recognized in the third quarter of 2007, compared to
$850,000 being recognized in the same period in 2006. Revenue of $105,000 has
been recognized in the first nine months of 2007 for the completion of
milestones compared to $1,399,000 being recognized in the same period in
2006.
During
the first quarter of 2007, $234,000 of revenue was recognized on a
percentage-of-completion basis for milestones completed as a subcontractor
to
the University of Delaware for continuing research on Very High Efficiency
Solar
Cells. There was no revenue recognized in the second or third quarters of
2007.
Gross
profit was $1,988,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2007, a 2% decrease
compared to the same period in the prior year. The gross profit margin as a
percentage of sales increased from 30% for the third quarter of fiscal 2006
to
35% for the third quarter of 2007. We expect gross profit margins for the full
2007 year to continue to improve compared to 2006, assuming general economic
conditions remain consistent.
Research
and development expenses were $805,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2007,
an
increase of $175,000 compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2006. Gross
expenses for research and development in the third quarter of 2007 increased
by
21% due to increased salaries and wages, increased project related expense
and
increased legal fees related to intellectual property. Our research and
development expenses are reduced by payment reimbursements received from the
government for achieving milestones under a development contract with the
Department of Energy (“DOE”) that was signed in 2005 for a total of $1,500,000.
Through September 30, 2007 net research and development expenses are $1,963,000
compared to $1,521,000 through September 30, 2006. The gross and net research
and development spending along with credits from government contracts is shown
in the following table:
Three
months
|
Nine
months
|
||||||||||||
ended
September 30,
|
ended
September 30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Gross
expenses for research and development
|
$
|
997
|
$
|
827
|
$
|
2,531
|
$
|
2,658
|
|||||
Deduct:
credits from DARPA & DOE contracts
|
(192
|
)
|
(197
|
)
|
(568
|
)
|
(1,137
|
)
|
|||||
Net
research and development expense
|
$
|
805
|
$
|
630
|
$
|
1,963
|
$
|
1,521
|
We
expect
research and development expense to increase for the full year 2007 compared
to
2006 as a result of reduced payment reimbursements.
14
Sales
and
marketing expenses increased by 5% to $2,390,000 in the third quarter of fiscal
2007 as compared to $2,280,000 for the same period in fiscal 2006. Sales and
marketing expenses increased by 3% to $7,338,000 in the first nine months of
2007 as compared to the same period in 2006. This was due to increased sales
and
marketing efforts associated with the EFO product line. We expect sales and
marketing expenses to be comparable to 2006 spending for the full
year.
General
and administrative expenses were $1,668,000 in the third quarter of fiscal
2007,
an increase of $365,000 or 28% from 2006. Expenses increased in the third
quarter of 2007 compared to the same quarter in the prior year as a result
of
additional provision for uncollectible accounts receivable. We recorded $342,000
in provision for uncollectible accounts receivable in the third quarter of
2007
compared to $130,000 in the third quarter of 2006. General and administrative
expenses were $3,813,000 for the first nine months of 2007 compared to
$3,918,000 for the same period in 2006. The decrease was due to the impact
of
expenses recognized in 2006 for implementation of FAS123R and Sarbanes Oxley.
We
expect general and administrative expenses to decrease in 2007 as compared
to
2006.
We
recorded a net loss of $3,175,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 as
compared to a net loss of $2,125,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The
increased loss in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in
2006
was due to the lower pool and Europe sales, reductions in research and
development credits, increased sales and marketing expense, increased provision
for uncollectible accounts receivable and restructuring charges. Net losses
for
the nine months ending September 30, 2007 were $7,651,000 compared to losses
of
$6,866,000 for the first nine months of 2006. The net losses in the nine months
ending September 30, 2007 increased compared to the losses for the same period
in 2006 due to lower pool and Europe sales and reduced research and development
credits.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash
and cash equivalents
At
September 30, 2007, our cash and cash equivalents were $3,681,000 as compared
to
$3,705,000 at December 31, 2006, a net cash decrease of $24,000 during the
first
nine months of 2007. This compares to a net cash decrease of $2,235,000 for
the
same period in 2006. We also had $6,855,000 of short-term securities at
September 30, 2007 as compared to $12,263,000 in short-term securities at
December 31, 2006, a decrease of $5,408,000.
Due
to
seasonality in the sales of our pool lighting products, our cash balances tend
to decrease in the first half of the year and increase in the second half of
the
year. Cash provided through accounts receivable was $2,091,000 in the first
nine
months of 2007 due largely to the seasonal nature of collections in the sales
and payment of Pool and Spa Lighting products and our efforts to accelerate
collection of accounts receivable. This is subject to the condition that the
market for our products is highly dependent upon general economic
conditions.
Cash
was
used in the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 to pay accounts payable
and fund inventory additions.
15
Cash
provided by or used in Investing Activities
Investing
activities provided cash of $5,292,000 during the first nine months of 2007,
compared to $205,000 for the same period of 2006. During both periods, cash
was
used for the acquisition of fixed assets. Fixed asset purchases from Advanced
Lighting Technologies, Inc. were $1,325,000 in the first nine months of 2006
due
to additional fixed assets required in order to move forward with EFO products
and future research and development efforts. The sale of short-term securities
in 2007 provided cash to fund fixed asset purchases and operations.
Cash
Provided by Financing Activities
Financing
activities contributed $251,000 to cash during the first nine months of 2007.
This net contribution was due primarily to the exercise of warrants and employee
stock options for $630,000. For the same period in 2006, financing activities
from the exercise of warrants and employee stock options were $565,000. $615,000
of cash was used to pay short and long-term borrowings in the nine month period
ended September 30, 2007.
Our
bank
line of credit in the United States is based on an agreement with Silicon Valley
Bank dated August 15, 2005. It was amended on September 25, 2006, August 15,
2007 and again on October 31, 2007. This most recent amendment is retroactive
to
September 30, 2007 and has extended the credit agreement through December 31,
2007. This credit facility is for $5,000,000. The interest rate was 8.25% at
September 30, 2007 and 8.75% at December 31, 2006. The rate is the same for
both
the term-loan and line of credit in both periods and has a minimum tangible
net
worth covenant which we must meet going forward. On December 31, 2005 this
agreement was amended and restated to include an additional $3,000,000 term-loan
line of credit for equipment purchases. This agreement calls for repayment
of
principal
in
equal
amounts over 4 years from the date of purchase of the equipment and has an
interest rate of prime plus 0.5% if the quick ratio is greater than 1.5 and
prime plus 1.5% if the quick ratio is at or below 1.5. Borrowings under the
Silicon Valley Agreement are collateralized by our assets and intellectual
property. Specific borrowings under the revolver are tied to accounts receivable
and inventory balances, and we are required to comply with certain covenants
with respect to effective net worth and financial ratios. We had borrowings
under the revolving line of
credit
of $1,000,000 at September 30, 2007 and at December 31, 2006.
The
$1,000,000 revolving line of credit is a current liability. We had total
borrowings of $1,904,000 under the term-loan portion of the agreement as of
September 30, 2007, and $2,261,000 as of December 31, 2006. We pay an unused
line fee of 0.25% against any unused daily balance during the year.
On
October 15, 2007, it was determined that both Silicon Valley Bank and the
Company had incorrectly calculated the tangible net worth covenant for 2007.
Upon recalculating the tangible net worth covenant, it was determined that
we
had failed to satisfy the tangible net worth covenant for the months of April,
2007 through August, 2007. However, we have entered into a fourth amendment
to
the agreement which waives all non-compliance with the covenant, amends and
re-states the covenant, and extends the maturity date of the line of credit
through December 31, 2007. As of September 30, 2007 we were in compliance with
the revised tangible net worth covenant.
Through
our U.K. subsidiary we maintain a bank overdraft facility of
$510,000
(in
UK
pounds sterling, based on the exchange rate at September 30, 2007) under an
agreement with Lloyds Bank Plc. There were no borrowings against this facility
as of September 30, 2007 or December 31, 2006. The facility is renewed annually
on January 1. The interest rate on the facility was 8.00% at September 30,
2007
and 7.25% at December 31, 2006.
Through
our German subsidiary, we maintain a credit facility under an agreement with
Sparkasse Neumarkt Bank. This credit facility was put in place to finance the
building of new offices in Berching, Germany, which are owned and occupied
by
our German subsidiary. As of September 30, 2007 we had borrowings of
$371,000
(in
Euros, based on the exchange rate at September 30, 2007) and $379,000 as of
December 31, 2006 (in Euros, based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2006)
against this credit facility. The interest rate was 5.35% at September 30,
2007
and December 31, 2006. In addition, our German subsidiary has a revolving line
of credit for $213,000 (in
Euros, based on the exchange rate at September 30, 2007) with Sparkasse Neumarkt
Bank. As of September 30, 2007 there were borrowings against this facility
of
$149,000 compared to $124,000 at December 31, 2006. The revolving facility
is
renewed annually on January 1. Interest rates on this line of credit were 10.50%
at September 30, 2007 and 9.75% at December 31, 2006. The $149,000 revolving
line of credit is a current liability.
16
Future
maturities of remaining borrowings are (in thousands):
Through
September 30,
|
U.S.A.
|
|
Germany
|
|
Total
|
|||||
2008
|
$
|
769
|
$
|
52
|
$
|
821
|
||||
2009
|
716
|
55
|
771
|
|||||||
2010
|
392
|
58
|
450
|
|||||||
2011
|
27
|
61
|
88
|
|||||||
2012
|
—
|
64
|
64
|
|||||||
2013
and Thereafter
|
—
|
81
|
81
|
|||||||
Total
Commitment
|
$
|
1,904
|
$
|
371
|
$
|
2,275
|
We
believe that our existing cash balances and funds available to us through our
bank lines of credit, together with funds that we anticipate to generate from
our operations, should be sufficient to finance our currently anticipated
working capital requirements and capital expenditure requirements. However,
this
statement is strongly linked to the success of on-going operational, working
capital and cost-cutting initiatives underway at our Company. Further, sudden
increases in product demand requiring a significant increase in manufacturing
capability, on-going poor revenue performance, and/or unforeseen other adverse
competitive, economic or political factors would further negatively impact
our
cash position, and would thereby affect our ability to maintain on-going
operations without additional funding. We may, therefore, be required to
raise additional funds through public or private financing, strategic
relationships or other arrangements. There can be no assurance that such
funding, if needed, will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at
all. Furthermore, any additional equity financing may be dilutive to
shareholders, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive
covenants. Strategic arrangements, if necessary to raise additional funds,
may
require that we relinquish rights to certain of our technologies or
products. Failure to generate sufficient revenues or to raise capital when
needed could have an adverse impact on our business, operating results and
financial condition, as well as our ability to achieve intended business
objectives.
CRITICAL
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The
preparation of our financial statements requires that we make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the
disclosure of contingencies and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses
in
the financial statements. Material differences may result in the amount and
timing of revenue and expenses if different judgments or different estimates
were utilized. Critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates which
we
believe have the most significant impact on our financial statements include
allowances for doubtful accounts, returns, warranties, valuation of inventories,
and stock based compensation. For the detailed discussion of the application
of
policies critical to our business operations, see our Annual Report on Form
10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006.
RECENTLY
ADOPTED STANDARDS
In
July,
2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in
Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), an interpretation of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” ("SFAS 109") regarding
accounting for income tax uncertainties effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2006. FIN 48 applies to all tax positions related to income
taxes subject to SFAS 109 on Accounting for Income Taxes. The impact of adopting
the positions of this interpretation did not have a material impact on the
Company’s overall financial position or results of operations.
RECENT
PRONOUNCEMENTS
In
September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS
No.
157, “Fair Value Measurements”. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a
framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value
measurements. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption
of
the standard on its financial position and results of operations.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities” ("SFAS No. 159"). SFAS No. 159 permits
entities to choose to measure many financial assets and financial liabilities
at
fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option
has been elected are reported in earnings. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating
the
impact of SFAS No. 159 on its consolidated financial position and results of
operations.
17
RESTRUCTURING
In
June
2005, the Company announced its plans to close its Fremont office and
consolidate most of its operations in Solon, Ohio, where we already had a local
sales office and a manufacturing facility. We recognized restructuring charges
of $98,000 in the third quarter of 2006 and $734,000 for the nine months ending
September 30, 2006, respectively. During the second quarter of 2007, we
initiated further restructuring efforts designed to consolidate manufacturing
operations and streamline sales operations and administration for improved
efficiency. This restructuring includes product line rationalizations, workforce
reductions, and organizational realignments. We charged $308,000 and $397,000
to
restructuring in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007,
respectively.
18
Item
3. Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
As
of
September 30, 2007, we had $843,000 in cash held in foreign currencies based
on
the exchange rates at September 30, 2007. The balances for cash held overseas
in
foreign currencies are subject to exchange rate risk. We have a policy of
maintaining cash balances in local currencies unless an amount of cash is
occasionally transferred in order to repay inter-company debts.
As
of
September 30, 2007, we had borrowings of $149,000 (in Euros, based on the
exchange rate at September 30, 2007) against a credit facility secured by real
property owned by our German subsidiary. As of December 31, 2006, we had
$124,000 (in Euros, based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2006) borrowed
against this credit facility.
Item
4. Controls
and Procedures
(a) Evaluation
of disclosure controls and procedures.
We
maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule
13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that
are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in
reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed,
summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated
and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and
procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures,
no
matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not
absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and
procedures are met. Our disclosure controls and procedures have been designed
to
meet, and management believes they meet, reasonable assurance standards.
Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management
necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit
relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. Any design of
disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain
assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance
that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential
future conditions.
Based
on
their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report
on
Form 10-Q, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have
concluded that, subject to the limitations noted above, our disclosure controls
and procedures were effective to ensure that material information relating
to
us, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to them by others
within those entities, particularly during the period in which this Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q was being prepared.
(b)
Changes in internal control over financial reporting.
There
were significant changes made to the financial organization during the third
quarter with the consolidation of the Chief Financial Officer and Controller
positions into one position held by the current Chief Financial Officer. Even
though internal controls have not been materially affected by this
consolidation, we are carefully reviewing our internal control environment
as a
result of this change. While nominal issues may exist within the segregation
of
duties arena, we expect no material deficiencies in our internal control
environment over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the
Exchange Act) as a result of this consolidation.
19
PART
II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1. Legal
Proceedings
On
February 21, 2007, a lawsuit was filed in The United States District Court,
Eastern District of Missouri alleging that laminar flow products in the
Company’s pool and spa line have infringed upon certain United States patents
owned by Robert L. Kuykendal, Ronald S. Deichmann, and David R. Usher and
licensed to Splash Technologies, Incorporated. The lawsuit sought to halt such
alleged infringement and an accounting related to products sold. The plaintiffs
never served their complaint on the Company, as required by the federal court
rules of procedure, even after the Court ordered them to do so. As a result,
the
Court dismissed their complaint against the Company on July 25,
2007.
Item
1A. Risk Factors
The
U.S. housing market has been in decline in 2007 which may lead to a general
economic decline and reduced sales of our products.
It
has
been reported that housing permits continue to be down in many of our key
markets. In the past this has been a key indicator of swimming pool sales as
many of our sales in this market are to new home buyers. This could cause a
steeper decline in pool lighting sales than previously anticipated. In addition,
the declining housing market could cause a general economic downturn which
would
lead to slower purchases of our other products, leading to continued pool sales
declining for the remainder of 2007.
We
have recently changed our name and the focus of our business and may be
unsuccessful or experience difficulties in implementing this change. If this
occurs, we may not be able to achieve operating
profitability.
In
connection with the reorganization and restructuring of Fiberstars, we changed
our name to Energy Focus Inc. and we intend to shift the primary focus of our
business from our pool lighting and traditional commercial products to products
using our EFO technology. While we intend to continue designing and
manufacturing pool and spa products, we plan to allocate significant resources
to the development, marketing and distribution of our EFO system in the accent
lighting market. We have a limited operating history in this market, and our
shift in focus may affect our ability to accurately forecast sales, establish
adequate reserves, estimate amounts of warranty and returns and other similar
expenses. Our ability to achieve and maintain profitability depends on our
ability to successfully implement our new business strategy.
Our
operating results are subject to fluctuations caused by many factors that could
result in decreased revenue and a decline in the price of our common
stock.
Our
quarterly operating results can vary significantly depending upon a number
of
factors which may include, but are not limited to the lighting market’s
acceptance of, and demand for, our products; the level and seasonality of orders
and the delivery of new products; the continued availability of our current
manufacturing channels and raw material suppliers; the continued availability
of
our distributors or the availability of replacement distribution channels;
fluctuations in our sales volumes and mix of low and high margin products;
product development and marketing expenditures, which are made well in advance
of potential resulting revenue; increased expenses in research and development
if we are not able to meet certain milestones in our Defense Advanced Research
Project Agency, or DARPA, contracts; the seasonality of the construction
industry, which results in a substantial portion of our historical quarterly
sales in the last month of each of the third and fourth quarters of the year;
the inability to make any significant adjustment in our operating expenses
if
sales fall below our expectations since a significant portion of our expenses
are relatively fixed; and the impact of natural disasters, terrorist acts and
other unforeseeable catastrophic events.
Although
we attempt to control our expense levels, these levels are based, in part,
on
anticipated revenue. Therefore, we may not be able to control spending in a
timely manner to compensate for any unexpected revenue shortfall.
Period-to-period
comparisons of our operating results should not be relied upon as an indication
of future performance. The results may be below the expectations of market
analysts or investors, which would likely cause our share price to
decline.
20
Our
future success is highly dependent on the successful adoption of EFO systems
by
the lighting market, which is traditionally slow in adopting new
technologies.
EFO
is a
relatively new and unproven type of lighting that may not achieve acceptance
by
lighting designers or other consumers of lighting products. Our potential retail
customers are widespread and independent, and their decisions are influenced
by
a variety of factors which are often unique to each customer. These customers
have multiple choices in lighting designs and products, including incandescent
and fluorescent technologies, and may be averse to adopting new technology
or
incurring the costs of utilizing new technologies. In addition, these
alternative lighting products are manufactured by large, established companies
with significantly greater resources than us for developing energy efficient
lighting. As a result, even if potential customers choose to adopt new lighting
technologies, our products still may not be utilized. Even if some customers
utilize our products on a limited basis, there is no guarantee that they will
expand their use of or continue to utilize our products.
One
of
our significant markets is large-scale new construction, including retail and
grocery stores. Effective lighting by these customers is a critical element
in
showcasing merchandise and promoting sales. As a result, these customers are
reluctant to change current lighting products for fear of losing sales. In
order
to penetrate these markets, we must persuade this customer base that the
adoption of our EFO systems will not negatively impact their business. This
process is slow, time-consuming and expensive. If our EFO system is not adopted
by this customer base, we may not generate sufficient revenue to offset the
cost
of bringing our EFO technology into these target markets.
Finally,
successful penetration in certain markets or geographic regions does not
guarantee that we will be able to achieve successful penetration into the accent
lighting market or that our acceptance will be geographically
widespread.
Our
color spectrum lamp is untested by the retail market and may not be accepted
without technological changes, if at all.
Our
EFO
system offers a new full spectrum lamp for use in retail stores. If our new
full
color spectrum lamp is not as effective as we anticipate or does not meet the
specific needs of this target customer base, we may need to expend additional
resources to make technological changes to the spectrum. If our new full color
spectrum is not accepted or if we are unable to make the changes necessary
for
customer acceptance, this could negatively impact sales of our EFO
system.
We
plan on allocating a significant amount of resources to the research and
development of our EFO lighting technology. If our EFO lighting system is not
accepted in our target markets, we may not recoup these
expenses.
We
plan
on devoting a substantial portion of our research and development resources
to
developing new products using our EFO lighting technology and marketing it
in
our target markets. Because our EFO lighting system is a relatively new product,
we do not know if we will be successful in penetrating our target markets.
As a
result, we may not generate a sufficient amount of revenue from the sales of
our
EFO lighting systems to offset the costs necessary to bring our EFO lighting
systems to market. Our gross margins and operating results will suffer if our
EFO lighting systems are not accepted in our target markets.
Our
large core fiber manufacturing is centralized in a single facility, which may
affect our ability to sufficiently meet product demand in a cost effective
or
timely manner.
We
manufacture our large core fiber through a unique proprietary process and
currently have one machine that manufactures this fiber, located at the facility
we lease in Solon, Ohio. This large core fiber is used in a majority of our
EFO
systems. As a result, we are subject to manufacturing delays due to facility
shutdown, power loss or labor difficulties. If our facility were to experience
temporary shutdown, or be unable to function at predicted capacity, we may
be
unable to meet our demand in a cost efficient manner, if at all. Furthermore,
our ability to modify our production output for custom orders is limited by
our
having one machine at a single facility. In addition, our alternative method
is
not cost effective. In 2005 and 2006 we entered into agreements with Advanced
Lighting Technologies, Inc. (“ADLT”) to purchase two coating machines and the
supply of certain coatings which will be operated and maintained by a third
party. If this machine is not operated or maintained properly we may experience
delays in our manufacturing process.
21
Two
of our coating machines are operated by a third party. If the third party does
not operate and/or maintain the machines properly, we may experience
manufacturing delays.
In
2005
and 2006 we entered into agreements with ADLT to purchase two coating machines
and the supply of certain coatings which will be operated and maintained by
a
third party. If this machine is not operated or maintained properly we may
experience delays in our manufacturing process.
If
electricity costs decline or if regulatory requirements for energy efficient
lighting are repealed, demand for our products may
decline.
The
principal advantage of our EFO technology over competing lighting technologies
is energy efficiency. Factors compelling our target customers to utilize more
energy efficient lighting technologies include increasing energy costs and
federal and state government regulations requiring lower wattage per square
foot
such as ASHRAE-IESNA Standard 90.1, which limits electricity consumption for
lighting per square foot to 1.9 watts for both new construction and renovations
requiring building permits for retail buildings in the United States. If the
need for increasingly energy efficient lighting technologies by our target
customer base declines, the attractiveness of our technology would also
decline.
We
depend on a limited number of suppliers from whom we do not have guarantees
of
adequate supplies, thus increasing the risk that loss of or problems with a
single supplier could result in impaired margins, reduced production volumes,
strained customer relations and loss of business.
Mitsubishi
is the sole supplier of our small diameter stranded fiber, which is used
extensively in our fiber pool and spa lighting products, and to a lesser extent,
in our EFO systems. We also rely on a third party to operate and maintain our
arctube machines to produce EFO lamps. The loss of Mitsubishi as a supplier
or
ADLT as a third party operator could result in delays in the shipment of
products, additional expense associated with redesigning products, impaired
margins, reduced production volumes, strained customer relations and loss of
business or could otherwise harm our results of operations.
We
depend on ADLT for a number of components used in our products as well as future
development of new components and also rely on ADLT to operate and maintain
our
coating machine and provide certain related services.
ADLT
supplies us with certain components used in our products. While ADLT has been
financially viable, there can be no assurances that this will continue. In
addition, ADLT can terminate for convenience its obligations to supply us with
components and related services for the coating machine purchased from them
upon
nine months notice to us. As a result, we have identified alternative suppliers
for these components, but there could be an interruption of supply and increased
costs if a transition to a new supplier were required. We could lose current
or
prospective customers as a result of supply interruptions. Increased costs
and
delays would negatively impact our gross margins and results of
operations.
We
have experienced negative cash flow from operations and may continue to do
so in
the future. We may need to raise additional capital in the future, but our
ability to do so may be limited.
While
we
have historically been able to fund cash needs from operations, bank lines
of
credit or from capital markets transactions, due to competitive, economic or
other factors there can be no assurance that we will continue to be able to
do
so. If our capital resources are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity
requirements and overall business objectives, we may seek to sell additional
equity securities or obtain debt financing. Adverse business conditions due
to a
weak economic environment or a weak market for our products have led to and
may
lead to continued negative cash flow from operations, which may require us
to
raise additional financing, including equity financing. Any equity financing
may
be dilutive to shareholders, and debt financing, if available, will increase
expenses and may involve restrictive covenants. We may be required to raise
additional capital at times and in amounts which are uncertain, especially
under
the current capital market conditions. Under these circumstances, if we are
unable to acquire additional capital or are required to raise it on terms that
are less satisfactory than desired, it may harm our financial condition, which
could require us to curtail our operations significantly, sell significant
assets, seek arrangements with strategic partners or other parties that may
require us to relinquish significant rights to products, technologies or
markets, or explore other strategic alternatives including a merger or sale
of
our company.
22
We
sell products into a marketplace where our competitors often have lower initial
product pricing. If we are unable to provide customers with long term cost
savings, we may not be able to successfully penetrate our target markets, which
could harm our revenue and gross profits.
Customers
in our target markets currently use conventional lighting technologies,
including incandescent, halogen and fluorescent lighting. The initial cost
of
using these traditional lighting technologies is relatively low. Historically,
we have not been able to price our EFO lighting system to compete with these
traditional lighting products. As a result, in order to gain market share,
our
EFO lighting system must provide our target customers with longer life cycles.
This is achieved through reduced maintenance costs, reduced energy costs and
providing customers with the desired lighting effect without resulting in damage
to or loss of goods. If we are not able to persuade potential customers of
the long-term cost savings in using our EFO lighting system, we may not be
able
to successfully compete in our target markets. Our financial results will suffer
if we are not able to penetrate these target markets and gain market share.
Additionally, MR-16 halogen lamp pricing is declining, and in order to remain
competitive and broaden our market targets to include compact fluorescent lamps
and other lamp types, we believe we must continue to reduce EFO costs and
pricing.
We
operate in markets that are intensely and increasingly competitive. To be
successful, we must provide energy saving solutions that offer compelling
competitive advantages over conventional lighting
technologies.
Competition
is increasing in the commercial decorative and accent lighting and pool lighting
markets, as well as in the energy efficient lighting markets. A number of
companies offer directly competitive products, including color halogen lighting
for swimming pools and incandescent and fluorescent lighting for commercial
decorative and accent lighting. For example, General Electric recently announced
it has developed a more energy-efficient incandescent lamp. We also compete
with
LED products in water lighting and in neon and other lighted signs. In addition,
many of our competitors in the pool and spa market bundle their lighting
products with other pool and spa related products, which many customers find
to
be an attractive alternative. Our competitors include large and well-established
companies such as General Electric, Sylvania, Philips, Schott, 3M, Bridgestone,
Pentair, Mitsubishi and OSRAM/Siemens.
Many
of
our competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing
resources than we do. We may not be able to adequately respond to technological
developments or fluctuations in competitive pricing. We anticipate that any
future growth in fiber optic lighting will be accompanied by continuing
increases in competition, which could adversely affect our operating results
if
we cannot compete effectively. To stay competitive we must continue to allocate
our resources to research and development, which could negatively impact our
gross margins. If we are unable to provide more efficient lighting technology
than our competitors, our operating results will be adversely
affected.
We
rely on intellectual property and other proprietary information that may not
be
protected and that may be expensive to protect.
We
currently hold 49 patents in the United States, and three corresponding patents
in Japan and one corresponding patent in Australia. We also have 43 patents
pending in the United States. There can be no assurance, however, that our
issued patents are valid or that any patents applied for will be issued. We
have
a policy of seeking to protect our key intellectual property through, among
other things, the prosecution of patents with respect to certain of our
technologies. There are many issued patents and pending patent applications
in
the field of fiber optic technology, and some of our competitors hold and have
applied for patents related to fiber optic and non-fiber optic lighting. We
have
in the past received communications from third parties asserting rights in
our
patents or that our technology infringes intellectual property rights held
by
such third parties. For example, in 2005 we were involved in patent litigation
with Pentair with respect to our FX Pool Light product, which was subsequently
settled. Litigation to determine the validity of any third-party claims or
claims by us against such third party, whether or not determined in our favor,
could result in significant expense and divert the efforts of our technical
and
management personnel, regardless of the outcome of such litigation. In addition,
we do not know whether our competitors will in the future apply for and obtain
patents that will prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use,
sell or import our products. Although we may seek to resolve any potential
future claims or actions, we may not be able to do so on reasonable terms,
or at
all. If, following a successful third-party action for infringement, we cannot
obtain a license or redesign our products, we may have to stop manufacturing
and
marketing our products and our business would suffer as a result.
23
Sales
of our EFO systems depend on acceptance by multiple decision makers, resulting
in lengthy sales cycles. As a result, the flow of EFO revenue is not
predictable.
One
of
our significant markets is large-scale new construction and the length of our
sales cycle in this market can be anywhere from nine months to as long as three
years. Decisions about lighting products utilized in large-scale new
construction are made at multiple levels by our current and potential customers,
including merchandising and purchasing personnel, the chief
financial officer and the chief executive officer. These decisions are
influenced by a number of factors including cost, reliability of the product
and
reliability of its source. In addition, some of these customers function
autonomously and decisions with respect to construction, including lighting,
are
made by each store, even if part of a large chain. As a result, with respect
to
such customers, we often must meet with all the decision makers at each store
where we want to install our EFO systems. Furthermore, such decisions are made
significantly in advance of the utilization of the actual product. As a result,
if we are unable to access the multiple decision makers or convince them to
adopt our products and utilize them on a widespread basis, we may be unable
to
successfully penetrate these markets. We may also be required to invest
significant time and resources into marketing to these customers before we
are
able to determine if we will be able to sell such customers our
products.
We
depend on key employees in a competitive market for skilled personnel, and
the
loss of the services of any of our key employees could materially affect our
business.
Our
future success will depend to a large extent on the continued contributions
of
certain employees, such as our current chief executive officer, chief financial
officer, chief operations officer and chief technical officer. These and other
key employees would be difficult to replace. Our future success will also depend
on our ability to attract and retain qualified technical, sales, marketing
and
management personnel, for whom competition is intense. The loss of or failure
to
attract, hire and retain any such persons could delay product development
cycles, disrupt our operations or otherwise harm our business or results of
operations. In addition, we plan to build a new internal sales force, which
may
not generate the anticipated net sales and may incur unanticipated
expenses.
We
are dependent on foreign sources of supply for many of our components and in
some cases complete assemblies, which due to distance or political events,
may
result in untimely deliveries.
In
order
to control costs, we are continually seeking offshore supply of components
and
assemblies. We currently import supplies from, or have products assembled in,
Mexico, India, China, Taiwan, Japan and some European countries. This results
in
longer lead times for deliveries, which can mean less responsiveness to sudden
changes in market demand for the products involved. Some of the countries where
components are sourced may be less stable politically than the United States
or
may be subject to natural disasters or diseases, and this could lead to an
interruption in the delivery of key components. Delays in the delivery of key
components could result in delays in product shipments, additional expenses
associated with locating alternative component sources or redesigning
products, impaired margins, reduced production volumes, strained customer
relations and loss of customers, any of which could harm our results of
operations. Furthermore, we bear the risk of theft or damage to our products
with certain of our offshore partners, particularly with regard to our assembly
facilities in Mexico.
If
we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be
able
to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result,
current and potential shareholders could lose confidence in our financial
reporting which could harm our business and the trading price of our common
stock.
Effective
internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports
and
effectively prevent fraud. We have in the past discovered, and may in the future
discover, areas of our internal controls that need improvement. Section 404
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires us to evaluate and report on our
internal controls over financial reporting each year. We have prepared for
compliance with Section 404 by strengthening, assessing and testing our
system of internal controls to provide the basis for our report. However, the
continuous process of strengthening our internal controls and complying with
Section 404 is expensive and time consuming, and requires significant
management attention. We cannot be certain that these measures will ensure
that
we will maintain adequate control over our financial processes and reporting.
If
we or our independent registered public accounting firm discover a material
weakness, the disclosure of that fact, even if quickly remedied, could reduce
the market’s confidence in our financial statements and harm our stock price. In
addition, future non-compliance with Section 404 could subject us to a
variety of administrative sanctions, including the suspension or delisting
of
our common stock from The NASDAQ National Market and the inability of registered
broker-dealers to make a market in our common stock, which would further reduce
our stock price. Estimates of our annual costs, independent of additional audit
fees, required to comply with Section 404 after 2006 on an on-going basis
are $300,000 or higher. While we expect these costs to impact our operating
expenses, we cannot predict or estimate the amount of future additional costs
we
may incur or the timing of such costs.
24
Our
components are difficult to manufacture and procure in large quantities and
supply may be limited in the short term.
The
EFO
system includes components that are difficult to manufacture and procure in
large quantities in the short term. These components include lamps and optical
and electronic components. Furthermore, if these components are in limited
supply, our suppliers may allocate their supply to larger customers. If an
increase in demand outpaces the projected expansion of our manufacturing
capabilities, or if larger quantities are needed in a shorter time frame than
anticipated, we may not be able to meet customers’ requirements and our ability
to market our EFO system may be adversely affected. Our inability to meet
customers’ requirements may also negatively affect our ability to gain market
share and acceptance among lighting designers and other repeat customers of
lighting products.
We
have historically relied on government funding for our research and
development.
Historically,
approximately 54% of our EFO research and development efforts have been
supported directly by government funding. In 2006, approximately 35% of our
EFO
research and development funding came from government sources and is contracted
for short periods, usually one to two years. If government funding were to
continue to be reduced or eliminated, there is no guarantee we would be able
to
continue to fund our research and development efforts in EFO technology and
products at their current levels, if at all. If we are unable to support our
EFO
research and development efforts, there is no guarantee we would be able to
develop enhancements to our current products or develop new
products.
Changes
to financial accounting standards may affect our results of operations and
cause
us to change our business practices.
We
prepare our financial statements to conform with generally accepted accounting
principles, or GAAP, in the United States. Those accounting principles are
subject to interpretation by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants, the Securities and Exchange Commission and various bodies formed
to
interpret and create appropriate accounting policies. A change in those policies
can have a significant effect on our reported results and may affect our
reporting of transactions completed before a change is announced. Changes to
those rules or the questioning of current practices may adversely affect
our reported financial results or the way we conduct our business. For example,
accounting policies affecting many aspects of our business, including
rules relating to tax expense, have recently been revised or are under
review. The Financial Accounting Standards Board and other agencies have
finalized changes to GAAP that required us, starting in our first quarter of
2007, to evaluate our tax provision. We may have significant and ongoing
accounting charges resulting from this evaluation, which could increase tax
expense.
We
currently rely on lighting representatives for a significant portion of our
decorative and special effects lighting systems sales, and terms and conditions
of sales are subject to change with very little notice.
Most
of
our decorative and special effects lighting systems are sold through lighting
representatives, and we do not have long-term contracts with our distributors.
If these distributors significantly change their terms with us or change their
historical pattern of ordering products from us, there could be a significant
adverse impact on our net sales and operating results.
Our
sales are dependent upon new construction levels and are subject to seasonal
and
general economic trends.
Construction
levels are affected by general economic conditions, real estate markets,
interest rates and the weather. Sales of commercial lighting products depend
significantly upon the level of new building construction and renovation. Sales
of our pool and spa lighting products, which currently are available only with
newly constructed pools and spas, depend substantially upon the level of new
construction of pools. Because of the seasonality of construction, our sales
of
swimming pool and commercial lighting products, and thus our overall revenues
and income, have tended to be significantly lower in the first and the third
quarters of each year. Various economic and other trends may alter these
seasonal trends from year to year, and we cannot predict the extent to which
these seasonal trends will continue.
25
If
we are not able to timely and successfully develop, manufacture, market and
sell
our new products, our operating results will decline.
We
expect
to introduce new products each year in the pool and spa lighting market and
the
commercial lighting market. We depend on various components and raw materials
for use in the manufacturing of our products from sole and foreign suppliers.
We
may not be able to successfully manage price fluctuations due to market demand
or shortages. Significant increases in the costs or sustained interruptions
in
our receipt of adequate amounts, of necessary components and raw materials
could
harm our margins, result in manufacturing halts, harm our reputation and
relationship with our customers and negatively impact our results of operations.
In addition, we could have difficulties manufacturing these new products as
a
result of our inexperience with them or the costs could be higher than expected
and delivery of these products may cause us to incur additional unexpected
research and development expenses. Furthermore, in order to competitively price
our products and achieve broader market acceptance, we may need to redesign
our
manufacturing process to produce our products in higher volume and at a reduced
cost. Furthermore, any delays in the introduction of these new products could
result in lost sales, loss of customer confidence and loss of market share.
Also, it is difficult to predict whether the market will accept these new
products. If any of these new products fails to meet expectations, our operating
results will be adversely affected.
We
rely on the largest pool distributor in the United States for a significant
portion of our pool and spa lighting products sales.
We
sell a
significant portion of our pool and spa lighting products through South Central
Pools, LLC (“SCP”). SCP accounted for approximately 10%, 11% and 11% of our net
sales in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. If SCP ceases to purchase or
substantially decreases its volume of purchases, this could significantly reduce
the availability of our products to end users, which could negatively impact
our
net sales and operating results. Furthermore, because SCP is the largest
distributor in the United States, we may not be able to increase sales to our
other distributors sufficiently to offset the loss resulting from SCP’s
reduction or cessation in sales.
The
loss of a key sales representative could have a negative impact on our net
sales
and operating results.
We
rely
on key sales representatives and outside sales agents for a significant portion
of our sales. These sales representatives and outside sales agents have unique
relationships with our customers and would be difficult to replace. The loss
of
a key sales representative or outside sales agent could interfere with our
ability to maintain customer relationships and result in declines in our net
sales and operating results. In addition, these sales representatives and sales
agents carry multiple product lines, including those of our competitors.
Generally, a sales representative or sales agent will primarily sell products
from one well-established company and supplement these sales with products
from
smaller companies, such as Energy Focus. As a result, if we lost a key sales
representative or sales agent, we may have difficulty replacing the sales
representative or sales agent, if at all, which could negatively impact our
net
sales.
We
use plants in Mexico, India and Taiwan to manufacture and assemble many of
our
pool and spa products. The supply of these finished goods may be impacted by
local political or social conditions as well as the financial strength of the
companies with which we do business.
Although
we continue to consolidate manufacturing in the United States in an attempt
to reduce manufacturing expenses, we are dependent upon offshore companies
for
the manufacturing and final assembly of many of our pool and spa products.
To do
so, we must advance certain raw materials, inventory and production costs to
these off-shore manufacturers. The supply of finished goods from these
companies, and the raw materials, inventory and funds that we advance to them
may be at risk depending upon the varying degrees of stability of the local
political, economic and social environments in which they operate, and the
financial strength of the manufacturing companies themselves.
Because
we depend on a limited number of significant customers for our net sales, the
loss of a significant customer, reduction in order size or the effects of volume
discounts granted to significant customers from time to time could harm our
operating results.
Our
business is currently dependent on a limited number of significant customers,
and we anticipate that we will continue to rely on a limited number of
customers. For example, in 2006, SCP, our largest pool and spa customer,
accounted for approximately 11% of our net sales. We expect these customers
to
continue to represent a significant portion of our net sales in the future.
The
loss of any of these significant customers would harm our net sales and
operating results. Customer purchase deferrals, cancellations, reduced order
volumes or non-renewals from any particular customer could cause our quarterly
operating results to fluctuate or decline and harm our business. In addition,
volume discounts granted to significant customers from time to time could lead
to reduced profit margins, and negatively impact our operating
results.
26
Our
components and products could have defects or design or compatibility issues,
any of which could be costly to correct and could result in the rejection of
our
products and damage to our reputation, as well as lost sales, diverted
development resources and increased warranty reserves and manufacturing
costs.
In
the
past, we have experienced design defects and product failure. For example,
in
our EFO systems, we experienced defects related to the power supply in the
illuminator. In our pool and spa products, we experienced defects with our
circuit sequencing color wheel. We cannot guarantee that we will not experience
defects or compatibility issues in components or products in the future. Errors
or defects in our products may arise in the future, and, if significant or
perceived to be significant, could result in rejection of our products, product
returns or recalls, damage to our reputation, lost revenue, diverted development
resources and increased customer service and support costs and warranty claims.
Errors or defects in our products could also result in product liability claims.
We estimate warranty and other returns and accrue reserves for such costs at
the
time of sale. Any estimates, reserves or accruals may be insufficient to cover
sharp increases in product returns, and such returns may harm our operating
results. In addition, customers may require design changes in our products
in
order to suit their needs. Losses, delays or damage to our reputation due to
design or defect issues would likely harm our business, financial condition
and
results of operations.
If
we are unable to predict market demand for our products and focus our
inventories and development efforts to meet market demand, we could lose sales
opportunities and experience a decline in sales.
In
order
to arrange for the manufacture of sufficient quantities of products and avoid
excess inventory we need to accurately predict market demand for each of our
products. Significant unanticipated fluctuations in demand could cause problems
in our operations. We may not be able to accurately predict market demand in
order to properly allocate our manufacturing and distribution resources among
our products, especially with respect to the manufacturing of our large core
fiber, as we use one machine to manufacture this fiber. As a result, we may
experience declines in sales and lose, or fail to gain, market share.
Conversely, if we overbuild inventories we run the risk of having inventory
write-offs due to obsolescence.
We
depend on collaboration with third parties, who are not subject to material
contractual commitments, to augment our research and development
efforts.
Our
research and development efforts include collaboration with third parties.
Many
of these third parties are not bound by any material contractual commitment
leaving them free to end their collaborative efforts at will. Loss of these
collaborative efforts could adversely affect our research and development
efforts and could have a negative effect on our competitive position in the
market. In addition, arrangements for joint development efforts may require
us
to make royalty payments on sales of resultant products or enter into licensing
agreements for the technology developed which could increase our costs and
negatively impact our results of operations.
The
demand for new construction is affected by general economic
conditions.
The
United States and international economies are cyclical and therefore difficult
to predict. A sustained economic recovery is uncertain. In particular, recent
increases in the cost of oil, increases in energy costs, terrorist acts and
similar events, continued turmoil in the Middle East or war in general could
contribute to a slowdown of the market demand for products that require
significant initial capital expenditures, including new residential and
commercial buildings. In addition, increases in interest rates may increase
financing costs to customers, which in turn may decrease building rates and
associated demand for our products. If the economic recovery slows down as
a
result of the recent economic, political and social turmoil, or if there are
further terrorist attacks in the United States or elsewhere, we may experience
decreases in the demand for our products, which may harm our operating
results.
We
are subject to global economic or political conditions, which may disrupt the
general economy, reducing demand for our products.
We
have
significant international activities and customers, and plan to continue these
efforts, which subject us to additional business risks, including logistical
complexity, political instability and the general economic conditions in those
markets. Sales outside the United States accounted for approximately 33% of
our
net sales in 2004, 33% of our net sales in 2005 and 31% of our net sales in
2006. Because the market for our products tends to be highly dependent upon
general economic conditions, declining general economic conditions would likely
harm our operating results.
27
The
Company faces risks in conducting business internationally including multiple,
conflicting and changing laws and regulations, export and import restrictions,
employment laws, regulatory requirements and other government approvals, permits
and licenses; difficulties and costs in staffing and managing foreign operations
such as our offices in Germany and the United Kingdom; difficulties and costs
in
recruiting and retaining individuals skilled in international business
operations; increased costs associated with maintaining international marketing
efforts; potentially adverse tax consequences; political and economic
instability, including wars, acts of terrorism, political unrest, boycotts,
curtailments of trade and other business restrictions; and currency
fluctuations.
In
addition, in the Asia/Pacific region generally, we face risks associated with
a
recurrence of SARS, spreading of Asian bird flu, tensions between countries
in
that region, such as political tensions between China and Taiwan, the ongoing
discussions with North Korea regarding its nuclear weapons program, potentially
reduced protection for intellectual property rights, government-fixed foreign
exchange rates, relatively uncertain legal products and developing
telecommunications infrastructures. In addition, some countries in this region,
such as China, have adopted laws, regulations and policies which impose
additional restrictions on the ability of foreign companies to conduct business
in that country or otherwise place them at a competitive disadvantage in
relation to domestic companies.
Item
5. Other
Information
On
May 8,
2007, Energy Focus, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fiberstars, Inc., was
merged into Fiberstars, Inc. As a result of this merger, the name of Fiberstars,
Inc. was changed to Energy Focus, Inc. Existing certificates for shares of
the
Company, bearing the name Fiberstars, Inc., will continue to be valid
certificates for Energy Focus, Inc., and no action is required by the
shareholders as a result of the name change.
Item
6. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
|
Description
of Documents
|
|
31.1
|
Rule
13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
|
|
31.2
|
Rule
13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
|
|
32.1**
|
Statement
of Chief Executive Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2003 (18 U.S.C. §1350).
|
|
32.2**
|
Statement
of Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2003 (18 U.S.C.
§1350).
|
** In
accordance with item 601(b) (32) (ii) of Regulation S-K and SEC Release Nos.
33-8238 and 34-47986, Final Rule: Management’s Reports on Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting and Certification of Disclosure in Exchange Act Periodic
Reports, the certifications furnished in Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 hereto are
deemed to accompany this Form 10-Q and will not be deemed "filed" for purposes
of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Such certifications will not be deemed to
be
incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates
them by reference.
28
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.
ENERGY
FOCUS, INC.
|
||
|
|
|
Date:
November 9, 2007
|
By: |
/s/
John M. Davenport
|
John
M. Davenport
|
||
Chief
Executive Officer
|
By: |
/s/
Nicholas G. Berchtold
|
|
Nicholas
G. Berchtold
|
||
Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
29
Exhibit
Index
Exhibit
Number
|
Description
of Documents
|
|
31.1
|
Rule
13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
|
|
31.2
|
Rule
13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
|
|
32.1**
|
Statement
of Chief Executive Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2003 (18 U.S.C. §1350).
|
|
32.2**
|
Statement
of Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2003 (18 U.S.C.
§1350).
|
** In
accordance with item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K and SEC Release Nos.
33-8238 and 34-47986, Final Rule: Management’s Reports on Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting and Certification of Disclosure in Exchange Act Periodic
Reports, the certifications furnished in Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 hereto are
deemed to accompany this Form 10-Q and will not be deemed "filed" for purposes
of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Such certifications will not be deemed
to be
incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates
it by reference.
30