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FARO TECHNOLOGIES INC - Quarter Report: 2004 October (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended Oct. 2, 2004

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: 0-23081

FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


Florida
59-3157093
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
          
125 Technology Park Drive, Lake Mary, Florida
32746
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including area code:     407-333-9911

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 an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  x   No  o

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of November 10, 2004 was 13,942,346.

  
  1  

 

FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended October 2, 2004

INDEX

 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Page Number
   
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
   
a) Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
            As of October 2, 2004 and December 31, 2003
3
   
b) Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
 
            For the Three and Nine Months Ended October 2, 2004 and September 27, 2003
4
   
c) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
 
            For the Three and Nine Months Ended October 2, 2004 and September 27, 2003
5
   
d) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
6-10
   
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
 
 and Results of Operations
11-19
   
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 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
20
   
SIGNATURES
21
   
CERTIFICATIONS
21-25


  
  2  

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Financial Statements


FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
   
October 2,
 
December 31,
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
ASSETS
 
 
     
Current Assets:
         
   Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
12,174,371
 
$
17,424,901
 
   Short-term investments
   
23,085,848
   
16,037,208
 
   Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful receivables of
             
      $770,219 and $254,915, respectively.
   
17,821,846
   
16,312,978
 
   Inventories, net
   
21,529,078
   
14,771,792
 
   Deferred tax asset - current
   
319,994
   
564,841
 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
2,330,781
   
1,465,690
 
      Total current assets
   
77,261,918
   
66,577,410
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
             
   Machinery and equipment
   
3,885,004
   
5,612,391
 
   Furniture and fixtures
   
2,161,988
   
2,552,766
 
   Leasehold improvements
   
763,164
   
626,858
 
      Property and equipment at cost
   
6,810,156
   
8,792,015
 
   Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
   
(3,143,904
)
 
(6,038,658
)
      Property and equipment, net
   
3,666,252
   
2,753,357
 
   Goodwill
   
11,522,271
   
11,522,271
 
   Intangible assets-other
   
13,521,101
   
13,608,413
 
      Total intangible assets
   
25,043,372
   
25,130,684
 
   Less: accumulated amortization
   
(13,667,478
)
 
(13,691,309
)
      Intangible assets, net
   
11,375,894
   
11,439,375
 
   Deferred tax asset - long-term
   
2,181,457
   
1,143,746
 
Total Assets
 
$
94,485,521
 
$
81,913,888
 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
Current Liabilities:
             
   Current portion of long-term debt
 
$
48,877
 
$
42,584
 
   Accounts payable
   
4,105,818
   
4,713,512
 
   Accrued liabilities
   
5,114,052
   
4,776,778
 
   Income taxes payable
   
6,219
   
605,456
 
   Current portion of unearned service revenues
   
1,876,754
   
2,206,167
 
   Customer deposits
   
143,413
   
363,346
 
      Total current liabilities
   
11,295,133
   
12,707,843
 
Unearned service revenues - less current portion
   
1,149,757
   
220,296
 
Deferred tax liability
   
14,550
   
 
Long-term debt - less current portion
   
78,957
   
64,650
 
Total Liabilities
   
12,538,397
   
12,992,789
 
Shareholders' Equity:
             
   Common stock - par value $.001, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 13,977,754 
   and 13,518,998 issued; 13,937,754 and 13,478,998 outstanding, respectively
   
13,977
   
13,519
 
   Additional paid-in-capital
   
78,319,475
   
75,133,219
 
   Unearned compensation
   
(7,380
)
 
(226,954
)
   Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
   
4,162,481
   
(5,853,929
)
   Other comprehensive (loss) income
   
(390,804
)
 
5,869
 
   Common stock in treasury, at cost - 40,000 shares
   
(150,625
)
 
(150,625
)
Total shareholders' equity
   
81,947,124
   
68,921,099
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
$
94,485,521
 
$
81,913,888
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 


  
  3  

 


FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
                   
                   
   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
October 2,
 
September 27,
 
October 2,
 
September 27,
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
2004
 
2003
 
                   
SALES
 
$
23,375,534
 
$
19,183,956
 
$
68,477,573
 
$
48,831,690
 
                           
COST OF SALES
   
8,618,268
   
8,153,080
   
25,028,540
   
20,235,693
 
                           
Gross profit
   
14,757,266
   
11,030,876
   
43,449,033
   
28,595,997
 
                           
OPERATING EXPENSES:
                         
   Selling
   
5,803,462
   
4,331,615
   
17,599,453
   
12,603,913
 
   General and administrative
   
3,216,588
   
2,380,333
   
8,416,165
   
6,577,951
 
   Depreciation and amortization
   
566,610
   
471,789
   
1,661,305
   
1,599,434
 
   Research and development
   
1,335,896
   
1,135,452
   
3,983,645
   
3,079,075
 
                           
   Total operating expenses
   
10,922,556
   
8,319,189
   
31,660,568
   
23,860,373
 
                           
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
   
3,834,710
   
2,711,687
   
11,788,465
   
4,735,624
 
                           
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
                         
   Interest income
   
85,847
   
14,541
   
233,826
   
50,695
 
   Other income (expense), net
   
(163,687
)
 
1,109,155
   
215,471
   
1,443,625
 
   Interest expense
   
(1,283
)
 
(13,345
)
 
(6,006
)
 
(47,903
)
                           
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX
   
3,755,587
   
3,822,038
   
12,231,756
   
6,182,041
 
                           
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
   
690,176
   
488,150
   
2,215,346
   
800,738
 
                           
NET INCOME
 
$
3,065,411
 
$
3,333,888
 
$
10,016,410
 
$
5,381,303
 
                           
NET INCOME PER SHARE - BASIC
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.28
 
$
0.73
 
$
0.45
 
                           
NET INCOME PER SHARE - DILUTED
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.26
 
$
0.72
 
$
0.42
 
                           
Weighted average shares - Basic
   
13,932,463
   
12,036,348
   
13,677,119
   
11,938,627
 
                           
Weighted average shares - Diluted
   
14,064,767
   
12,946,088
   
13,831,998
   
12,666,995
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

  
  4  

 


FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
           
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
October 2,
 
September 27,
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
CASH FLOWS FROM:
         
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
         
   Net income
 
$
10,016,410
 
$
5,381,303
 
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
             
      provided by operating activities:
             
      Depreciation and amortization
   
1,661,305
   
1,599,434
 
      Settlement of SMX arbitration received in stock
   
   
(1,155,973
)
      Provision for bad debts
   
550,328
   
142,309
 
      Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options
   
2,237,237
   
 
      Provision for inventory obsolescence
   
478,839
   
462,765
 
      Deferred income tax benefit
   
538,000
   
 
      Employee stock option expense
   
47,036
   
141,119
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
             
   Decrease (increase) in:
             
      Accounts receivable
   
(2,222,633
)
 
(2,528,067
)
      Inventories
   
(7,343,856
)
 
(2,712,776
)
      Deferred tax asset
   
(1,126,000
)
 
 
      Prepaid expenses and other assets
   
(874,504
)
 
173,642
 
   Increase (decrease) in:
             
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
(215,037
)
 
(11,774
)
      Income taxes payable
   
(793,901
)
 
618,322
 
      Customer deposits
   
(218,860
)
 
(12,523
)
      Unearned service revenues
   
624,683
   
359,462
 
               
         Net cash provided by operating activities
   
3,359,047
   
2,457,243
 
               
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
             
   Purchases of property and equipment
   
(1,969,193
)
 
(1,126,709
)
   Intangibles expenditures
   
(583,774
)
 
(481,396
)
   Proceeds from repayment of notes receivable
   
   
1,240,210
 
   (Purchases) proceeds of investments, net
   
(7,048,640
)
 
1,438,200
 
               
         Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
   
(9,601,607
)
 
1,070,305
 
               
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
             
   Proceeds (Payments) of long-term debt, net
   
24,239
   
(1,487,204
)
   Proceeds from issuance of stock, net
   
1,122,015
   
769,637
 
               
         Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities
   
1,146,254
   
(717,567
)
               
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
   
(154,224
)
 
(1,349,578
)
               
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
   
(5,250,530
)
 
1,460,403
 
               
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
   
17,424,901
   
4,023,614
 
               
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
 
$
12,174,371
 
$
5,484,017
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


  
  5  

 


FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the nine months ended October 2, 2004 and September 27, 2003
(Unaudited)

NOTE A - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

FARO Technologies, Inc. and subsidiaries develop, manufacture, market and support computer-based manufacturing measurement and inspection equipment and related software.
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FARO Technologies, Inc. and all wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rates in effect at each balance sheet date, for assets and liabilities, and the average exchange rates during each reporting period, for results of operations. Adjustments resulting from translation of the financial statements are reflected as a separate component of comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.

NOTE B - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and related interim consolidated statements of operations, and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Actual results and outcomes may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

The consolidated results of operations for the nine months ended October 2, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004. The information included in this Form 10-Q (including the interim consolidated financial statements and notes that accompany these financial statements) should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements reported as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and for each of the three years included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified on the consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year classifications.

In prior filings we represented the cost of employee stock options as a separate line item in our consolidated statements of operations. In accordance with SEC Regulation S-X, beginning with this Form 10-Q we have eliminated the separate line item for all periods presented, and have included the cost of employee stock options in the appropriate expense category, according to each employee’s function. Virtually all of the employees who had stock options that gave rise to an expense were in administration.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 ("FIN 46"), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities." FIN 46 clarifies the application of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, "Consolidated Financial Statements," to certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN 46 applies immediately to variable interest entities ("VIE's") created after January 31, 2003, and to VIE's in which an enterprise obtains an interest after that date. It applies in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after June 15, 2003 to VIE's in which an enterprise holds a variable interest that it acquired before February 1, 2003. FIN 46 applies to public enterprises as of the beginning of the applicable interim or annual period. We currently have no interest in any VIE.


 
  6  

 


In November 2002, the EITF reached a consensus on Issue 00-21, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements ("EITF 00-21"). EITF 00-21 addresses how to account for arrangements that may involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services, and/or rights to use assets. The consensus mandates how to identify whether goods or services or both that are to be delivered separately in a bundled sales arrangement should be accounted for separately because they are "separate units of accounting." The guidance can affect the timing of revenue recognition for such arrangements, even though it does not change rules governing the timing or pattern of revenue recognition of individual items accounted for separately. The final consensus is applicable to agreements entered into in fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2003. EITF 00-21 has not had a material impact on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations because we sell integrated systems only, not multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets.

In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure (FAS 148). FAS 148 amends an earlier standard on accounting for stock-based compensation, FAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (FAS 123), to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, FAS 148 amends the disclosure requirements of FAS 123 to require more prominent disclosure about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The additional disclosure requirements of FAS 148 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002.

We continue to follow the intrinsic value method of accounting as prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, to account for employee stock options issued.

The following table illustrates the effects on net income and earnings per share if we had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FAS 123 to stock-based employee compensation.

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
Oct 2, 2004
 
Sep 27, 2003
 
Oct 2, 2004
 
Sep 27, 2003
 
                   
Net income, as reported
 
$
3,065,411
 
$
3,333,888
 
$
10,016,410
 
$
5,381,303
 
                           
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense
included in reported net income, net of related tax effects
 
$
(1,137
)
 
142,617
   
29,633
   
252,946
 
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation
expense determined under fair value based method for all
awards, net of related tax effects
 
$
(461,443
)
 
(4,790
)
 
(757,281
)
 
(136,315
)
Pro forma net income
 
$
2,602,831
 
$
3,471,715
 
$
9,288,762
 
$
5,497,934
 
Earnings Per share:
                         
        Basic - as reported
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.28
 
$
0.73
 
$
0.45
 
                           
        Basic - Pro forma
 
$
0.19
 
$
0.29
 
$
0.68
 
$
0.46
 
                           
        Diluted - as reported
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.26
 
$
0.72
 
$
0.42
 
                           
        Diluted - Pro forma
 
$
0.19
 
$
0.27
 
$
0.67
 
$
0.43
 



 
  7  

 
 
NOTE C - CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS

Cash and cash equivalents - The Company considers cash on hand and amounts on deposit with financial institutions which have original maturities of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. 
 
All short-term investments in debt securities which have maturities of three months or less are classified as cash and equivalents, which are carried at market value based upon the quoted market prices of those investments at each respective balance sheet date.

Investments - Short-term investments ordinarily consist of short-term debt securities acquired with cash not immediately needed in operations. Such amounts have maturities not exceeding one year. Investments ordinarily consist of debt securities acquired with cash not immediately needed in operations.

Short-term investments consisted of the following:

   
As of
 
As of
 
   
Oct 2, 2004
 
Dec 31, 2003
 
           
Corporate bonds
 
$
 
$
432,153
 
Variable Rate Municipal Bonds
   
23,085,848
   
15,605,055
 
   
$
23,085,848
 
$
16,037,208
 

The Variable Rate Municipal Bonds earn a variable rate of interest, which is reset on a weekly basis, and contain the right to put (sell) the bonds back to the placement agent at par, at any time, with seven days notice.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Selected cash payments and non-cash activities were as follows:

   
Nine Months Ended 
 
   
Oct 2, 2004
 
Sep 27, 2003
 
           
Cash paid for interest
 
$
6,006
 
$
42,215
 
               
Retirement of fully depreciated property and equipment
 
$
4,016,184
 
$
 
 
NOTE D - INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following:
         
   
As of Oct 2, 2004
 
As of Dec 31, 2003
 
Raw materials
 
$
8,409,522
 
$
5,624,061
 
Work-in-process
   
494,888
   
352,104
 
Finished goods
   
3,055,867
   
1,589,759
 
Allowance for inventory obsolesence
   
(631,067
)
 
(154,647
)
Operating Inventory
   
11,329,210
   
7,411,277
 
               
Sales, Demo, and Service Inventory
   
10,199,868
   
7,360,515
 
               
   
$
21,529,078
 
$
14,771,792
 



 
  8  

 
 
NOTE E - EARNINGS PER SHARE

A reconciliation of the number of common shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) is presented below:

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
Oct 2, 2004
 
Sep 27, 2003
 
Oct 2, 2004
 
Sep 27, 2003
 
       
Per-Share
     
Per-Share
     
Per-Share
     
Per-Share
 
   
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
                                   
Basic EPS
   
13,932,463
 
$
0.22
   
12,036,348
 
$
0.28
   
13,677,119
 
$
0.73
   
11,938,627
 
$
0.45
 
                                                   
Effect of dilutive securities
   
132,304
 
$
   
909,740
 
$
(0.02
)
 
154,879
 
$
(0.01
)
 
728,368
 
$
(0.03
)
                                                   
Diluted EPS
   
14,064,767
 
$
0.22
   
12,946,088
 
$
0.26
   
13,831,998
 
$
0.72
   
12,666,995
 
$
0.42
 
 
NOTE F - PRODUCT WARRANTY LIABILITY

The company establishes a liability for included twelve-month warranties by the creation of a warranty reserve, which is an estimate of the repair expenses likely to be incurred for the remaining period of warranty measured in installation-months in each major product group. Warranty reserve is included within the balance shown for accrued liabilities on the balance sheet. The warranty expense is estimated by determining the total repair expenses for each product group in the period and determining a rate of repair-expense per installation-month. The rate is multiplied by the number of machine-months of warranty for each product group sold during the period to determine the provision for warranty expenses for the period.  The Company re-determines its exposure to warranty costs at the end of each period using the estimated expense per installation-month for each major product group, the number of machines remaining under warranty, and the remaining number of months each machine will be under warranty.  The amount for warranty expired approximates the warranty expense incurred during the period.
 
Balance as of 12/31/2003
 
$
400,667
 
Provision for warranty expense
   
249,235
 
Warranty expired in 2004
   
(344,473
)
Balance as of Oct 2, 2004
 
$
305,429
 
 
NOTE G - INCOME TAX EXPENSE

The tax provision for the nine months ended October 2, 2004 differs from the tax provision for the nine months ended September 27, 2003, principally due to increases in earnings.  The effective tax rate for the three months and nine months ended October 2, 2004 of 18% is lower than current federal statutory corporate rates primarily due to the use of previously reserved net operating loss carry-forwards in Europe.

 At October 2, 2004, the company has deferred income tax assets of approximately $5.1 million (including $2.5 million related to the U.S. operations and $2.6 million related to the foreign operations), which are partially offset by a valuation allowance of approximately $2.6 million related to the foreign operations. These deferred income tax assets are primarily attributable to domestic and foreign net operating loss (NOL) carry-forwards and intangible assets for which future income tax benefits may be realized. The NOL carry-forwards primarily relate to the U.S. and German operations. The U.S. NOL expires in 20 years, while the German NOL does not expire.


 
  9  

 
 
NOTE H - GEOGRAPHIC DATA

We develop, manufacture, market and support computer-based manufacturing measurement and inspection equipment and related software. This one line of business represents more than 98% of consolidated sales and is our only segment. We operate through sales teams established by geographic regions, each team is equipped to deliver the entire line of our products to customers within its geographic area.

The following table presents sales information by the geographic region of the customer:


   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
Oct 2, 2004
 
Sep 27, 2003
 
Oct 2, 2004
 
Sep 27, 2003
 
SALES
                 
    Americas Region
 
$
9,905,269
 
$
10,448,402
 
$
28,727,489
 
$
24,133,844
 
    Europe/Africa Region
   
9,927,656
   
6,570,543
   
30,818,271
   
19,418,305
 
    Asia Pacific Region
   
3,542,609
   
2,165,011
   
8,931,813
   
5,279,541
 
                           
TOTAL
 
$
23,375,534
 
$
19,183,956
 
$
68,477,573
 
$
48,831,690
 
 
NOTE I - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income includes the effect of currency translation adjustments on the investments in (capitalization of) foreign subsidiaries combined with the earnings from operations.


   
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
October 2,
September 27,
October 2,
September 27,
2004
2003
2004
2003
 
                   
NET INCOME
 
$
3,065,411
 
$
3,333,888
 
$
10,016,410
 
$
5,381,303
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
                         
    Currency translation adjustments
   
205,259
   
1,609,921
   
(396,673
)
 
725,489
 
                           
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
$
3,270,670
 
$
4,943,809
 
$
9,619,737
 
$
6,106,792
 
 
NOTE J - OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Other income (expense) consists of the following:

   
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Oct 2, 2004
Sep 27, 2003
Oct 2, 2004
Sep 27, 2003
 
Foreign exchange
 
$
(16,096
)
$
(52,425
)
$
131,150
 
$
263,847
 
Litigation settlement
   
   
1,155,973
   
   
1,155,973
 
Other
 
 
(147,591
)
 
5,607
 
 
84,321
 
 
23,805
 
Total Other Income (Expense)
 
$
(163,687
)
$
1,109,155
 
$
215,471
 
$
1,443,625
 

NOTE K - CREDIT FACILITY

On September 17, 2003, we established a $5 million revolving credit facility with SunTrust Bank. This agreement was renewed and will mature on September 17, 2005. The facility bears an interest rate, at the borrower’s option, of either the bank’s prime lending rate or the adjusted LIBOR rate, plus 1.75%. As of October 2, 2004, there were no borrowings under this line of credit.

 
  10  

 
 
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations

The following information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report, Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2003.

This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, about our plans, beliefs, goals, intentions, objectives, projections, expectations, assumptions, strategies, and future events are forward-looking statements. Words such as “may,” “will,” “believe,” “plan,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “goal,” “objective” and similar words, or discussions of strategy or other intentions identify forward-looking statements. Other written or oral statements, which constitute forward-looking statements, also may be made by the Company from time to time. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Consequently, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Important factors that could cause a material difference in the actual results from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements include among others the following:

·   our inability to maintain historical sales growth rates;
·   our inability to maintain or reduce operating expenses or maintain our historical gross margin;
·   difficulties in ramping up production in our new manufacturing facility in Switzerland and completing the opening and staffing of our sales offices in India and Korea;
·   our inability to further penetrate our customer base;
·   development by others of new or improved products, processes or technologies that make our products obsolete or less competitive;
·   our inability to maintain our technological advantage by developing new products and enhancing our existing products;
·   the cyclical nature of the industries of our customers and the financial condition of our customers;
·   the inability to protect our patents and other proprietary rights in the United States and foreign countries and the assertion of infringement claims against us;
·   fluctuations in our annual and quarterly operating results as a result of (i) the size and timing of customer orders, (ii) the amount of time that it takes to fulfill orders and ship our products, (iii) the length of our sales cycle to new customers and the time and expense incurred in further penetrating our existing customer base, (iv) increases in operating expenses required for product development and new product marketing, (v) costs associated with new product introductions, such as assembly line start-up costs and low introductory period production volumes, (vi) the timing and market acceptance of new products and product enhancements, (vii) customer order deferrals in anticipation of new products and product enhancements, (viii) our success in expanding our sales and marketing programs, (ix) start-up costs associated with opening new sales offices outside of the United States, (x) fluctuations in revenue without proportionate adjustments in fixed costs, (xi) the efficiencies achieved in managing inventories and fixed assets; and (xii) adverse changes in the manufacturing industry and general economic conditions;
·   the inability of our products displacing traditional measurement devices and attaining broad market acceptance;
·   the impact of competitive products and pricing in the CAM2 market and the broad market for measurement and inspection devices;
·   risks associated with expanding international operations, such as fluctuations in currency exchange rates, difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations, political and economic instability, and the burdens of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and labor practices;
 

 
  11  

 

·   the loss of our Chief Executive Officer or our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer or other key personnel;
·   our inability to identify, consummate, or achieve expected benefits from acquisitions;
·   the failure to effectively manage our growth;
·   the loss of a key supplier and the inability to find a sufficient alternative supplier in a reasonable period or on commercially reasonable terms, and
·   other risks detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FARO Technologies, Inc. and all wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated. The financial statements of the foreign subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates in effect at each balance sheet date, for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during each reporting period for results of operations. Adjustments resulting from translation of financial statements are reflected as a separate component of accumulated comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.

Overview

We design, develop, market and support portable, software-driven, 3-D measurement systems that are used in a broad range of manufacturing and industrial applications. Our principal products are the Faro Arm and Faro Gage articulated arm measuring devices, the Faro Laser Tracker, a laser-based measuring device and their companion CAM2 software, which provide for CAD-based inspection and factory-level statistical process control. In the first half of 2004, we introduced a new non-contact laser probe option for the Faro Arm. When sold together this combination of the Faro Arm and its laser probe option is called the Scan Arm. Together, all of these products integrate the measurement and quality inspection function with CAD software to improve productivity, enhance product quality and decrease rework and scrap in the manufacturing process. Our products bring precision measurement, quality inspection and specification conformance capabilities, integrated with leading CAD software, to the factory floor. We are a pioneer in the development and marketing of 3-D measurement technology in manufacturing and industrial applications and currently hold 33 patents. Our products have been purchased by more than 3,500 customers worldwide, ranging from small machine shops to such large manufacturing and industrial companies as Audi, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, British Aerospace, Caterpillar, Daimler Chrysler, General Electric, General Motors, Honda, Johnson Controls, Komatsu Dresser, Lockheed Martin, Siemens and Volkswagen among many others.

We continue to pursue international markets. We established sales offices in France and Germany in 1996, Great Britain in 1997, Japan and Spain in 2000, Italy in 2001, and China in 2003. We expect to open sales offices in South Korea and India in the fourth quarter of 2004. International sales represented 47.3%, 57.0%, and 59.1% of sales in 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. We expect higher percentage sales growth in the Asia Pacific region than other regions in 2004 and 2005 as a result of opening sales offices in China, India and South Korea, and the addition of sales personnel and the opening of a service center in our Japan office.

We derive revenues primarily from the sale of our Faro Arm, Scan Arm, Faro Gage and Faro Laser Tracker 3-D measurement equipment, and its related multi-faceted CAM2 software. Revenue related to these products is recognized upon shipment. In addition, we sell one and three-year extended warranties and training and technology consulting services relating to our products. We recognize the revenue from extended warranties proportionately, in the same manner as costs are incurred for such revenues. We also receive royalties from licensing agreements for our historical medical technology and recognize the revenue from these royalties as licensees report use of the technology. In the first nine months of 2004 royalties from licensing agreements were $656,000, or 1.0% of total sales.


 
  12  

 

In 2003, we began to manufacture our Faro Arm products in Switzerland for customer orders from Europe and Asia. We began to manufacture our Faro Gage product, and parts of our Faro Laser Tracker product in our Swiss plant in the third quarter of 2004. We expect to begin complete production of the Faro Laser Tracker product in our Swiss plant by the end of 2004. The production of these products for customer orders from the Americas will be done in our manufacturing facilities located in Florida and Pennsylvania. We expect all our existing plants to have the production capacity necessary to support our growth, at least through 2005.

Cost of sales consists primarily of material, production overhead and labor. Since our IPO in 1997, gross margin has been in the range 54-64%. We expect to maintain gross margin at or near 60% going forward. Selling expenses consist primarily of salaries and commissions to sales and marketing personnel, and promotion, advertising, travel and telecommunications. Selling expenses as a percentage of sales was slightly lower in the first nine months of 2004 compared to the same period in 2003, to 25.7% from 25.8%. The addition of new sales personnel in Asia has resulted in selling expenses as a percentage of sales above 25% in the first nine months of 2004 while the additional sales people become fully trained and productive. Having selling expenses as a percentage of sales at 25% or less will be our long-term goal.

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries for administrative personnel, rent, utilities and professional and legal expenses. We expect general and legal expenses to be higher in the second half of 2004 particularly due to professional and legal expenses related to our compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley section 404 regarding internal controls and procedures, and professional and legal expenses related to our expansion in the Asia/Pacific region. Beyond that, we expect general and administrative expenses to drop as a percentage of sales as higher sales should not require a proportionate increase in these expenses. Research and development expenses represent salaries, equipment and third-party services. We have a commitment to support ongoing research and development and intend to continue to fund these efforts at the level of 5-7% of sales going forward.

In 2003 and 2004 we have been able to use previously reserved net operating loss carry-forwards, which have reduced our effective tax rate to below 20%. We have also received a favorable permanent income tax rate commitment from the Swiss government as an incentive to establish a manufacturing plant in Switzerland. As a result we expect the blended (consolidated) tax rate to be approximately 20% of consolidated taxable income in 2004, and in a range between 25% and 30% of consolidated taxable income for 2005.

Accounting for wholly owned foreign subsidiaries is maintained in the currency of the respective foreign jurisdiction and, therefore, fluctuations in exchange rates may have an impact on inter-company accounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements. We are aware of the availability of off-balance sheet financial instruments to hedge exposure to foreign currency exchange rates, including cross-currency swaps, forward contracts, and foreign currency options (see Foreign Exchange Exposure below). However we do not regularly use such instruments.

During fiscal years 2002 and 2001, our sales growth was adversely affected by the economic slowdown, which began in 2001 in the United States and Europe. This effect, however, was offset by sales growth resulting from the acquisition in January 2002 of SpatialMetrix Corporation (SMX), which manufactured the predecessor to the Faro Laser Tracker, and the introduction in September and October 2002 of the latest generation of our traditional Faro Arm product. In 2003 sales growth resulted primarily from strong customer response to the new Faro Arm and Laser Tracker products, and an increase in worldwide sales and marketing activities, including an increase in sales and marketing headcount from 106 in 2002 to 120 at the end of 2003. In the first nine months of 2004 sales growth resulted from demand for the new Faro Gage and Scan Arm products, and from a further increase in Faro Arm and Laser Tracker product sales as a result of an increase in the sales and marketing staff. Sales and marketing headcount was 158 at October 2, 2004.

In the third quarter of 2003 the Company recorded approximately $1.1 million in other income as a result of receiving approximately 100,000 shares of Company stock related to a positive arbitration settlement between the Company and the former SMX shareholders.


 
  13  

 

On November 12, 2003, we sold 1,158,000 shares of common stock to certain institutional investors in a private placement. The shares were sold for $21.50 per share, resulting in total proceeds before placement agent fees and other offering expenses of $24.9 million. This transaction significantly increased our cash available for a variety of potential uses including working capital, acquisitions, capital expenditures, and our ongoing international expansion. See also “Liquidity and Capital Resources”.
 
Results of Operations

Three Months Ended October 2, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended September 27, 2003

Sales increased by $4.2 million or 21.9%, from $19.2 million for the three months ended September 27, 2003 to $23.4 million for the three months ended October 2, 2004. This increase resulted primarily from higher unit sales of the Faro Arm, Scan Arm, Faro Gage and Laser Tracker products in the Europe/Africa and Asia/Pacific regions, offset by slightly lower sales in the Americas region. The reduction in sales in the Americas region of $500,000 was mainly due to a comparison to the third quarter of 2003 which included the delivery of $1.3 million in backlog from previous quarters. Sales in the Europe/Africa region increased $3.3 million, to $9.9 million for the three months ended October 2, 2004 from $6.6 million in the three months ended September 27, 2003, resulting in large part from the successful deployment of 20 new sales people from 49 at September 27, 2003 to 69 at October 2, 2004. Sales in the Asia/Pacific region increased $1.4 million, or 66.7% to $3.5 million for the three months ended October 2, 2004 from $2.1 million in the three months ended September 27, 2003 primarily due to sales in China of $1.0 million.

Gross profit increased by $3.7 million or 33.6%, from $11.0 million for the three months ended September 27, 2003 to $14.8 million for the three months ended October 2, 2004. Gross margin percentage increased to 63.1% for the three months ended October 2, 2004 from 57.5% for the three months ended September 27, 2003. Gross margin increased primarily from lower service costs as a result of improved reliability of the Faro Arm and Laser Tracker products, the effect of higher sales volume on fixed overhead and smaller price discounts.

Selling expenses increased by $1.5 million or 34.9%, from $4.3 million for three months ended September 27, 2003 to $5.8 million for the three months ended October 2, 2004. This increase was primarily due to higher commissions of $502,000, salaries and bonuses of $361,000, sales demonstration costs of $475,000 and marketing costs of $133,000. As a percentage of sales, selling expenses increased to 24.8% of sales in the three months ended October 2, 2004 from 22.6% in the three months ended September 27, 2003.

In prior filings we represented the cost of employee stock options as a separate line item in our consolidated statements of operations. In accordance with SEC Regulation S-X, beginning with this Form 10-Q we have eliminated the separate line item for all periods presented, and have included the cost of employee stock options in the appropriate expense category, according to each employee’s function. Virtually all of the employees who had stock options that gave rise to an expense were in administration. These amounts are disclosed below under the discussion of general and administrative expenses.

General and administrative expenses increased by $836,000 or 34.8%, from $2.4 million for the three months ended September 27, 2003 to $3.2 million for the three months ended October 2, 2004. The increase was due to higher salaries and bonuses of $512,000, professional and legal fees of $336,000, facilities and rent expense of $111,000, bad debt expense of $130,000, insurance expense of $35,000, and investor relations expense of $28,000; partially offset by lower employee stock option expense of $221,000, permits and fees of $51,000, computer network costs of $27,000 and travel costs of $17,000. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales increased to 13.8% for the three months ended October 2, 2004 from 12.4% for the three months ended September 27, 2003.

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $100,000 from $470,000 for the three months ended September 27, 2003 to $570,000 for the three months ended October 2, 2004 as a result of higher amounts of computer equipment and intangible assets from patents and R&D foreign language software for the U.S in the current year.


 
  14  

 

Research and development expenses increased by $200,000 or 18.2%, from $1.1 million for the three months ended September 27, 2003 to $1.3 million for the three months ended October 2, 2004. The increase was primarily due to higher outside consulting and other services of $100,000. Research and development expenses as a percentage of sales decreased slightly to 5.7% for the three months ended October 2, 2004 from 5.9% for the three months ended September 27, 2003.

Interest income increased by $71,000 from $15,000 for the three months ended September 27, 2003, to $86,000 for the three months ended October 2, 2004. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $22.7 million in interest earning investments from $400,000 at September 27, 2003 to $23.1 million at October 2, 2004. Interest expense decreased by $12,000 from $13,000 for the three months ended September 27, 2003, to $1,000 for the three months ended October 2, 2004 due to lower interest bearing debt.

Other income (expense) decreased by $1.3 million to an expense of $164,000 for the three months ended October 2, 2004 from income of $1.1 million for the three months ended September 27, 2003 primarily due to our receipt of a $1.1 million settlement from litigation in the third quarter of 2003.

Income tax expense increased by $202,000 from $488,000 for the three months ended September 27, 2003 to $690,000 for the three months ended October 2, 2004. This increase is primarily due to significant increases in taxable income in the United States, partially offset by the utilization of net operating losses in Europe, for which an allowance had previously been recorded.

Net income decreased by $269,000 from $3.3 million for the three months ended September 27, 2003 to $3.1 million for the three months ended October 2, 2004 as a result of the factors described above.
 
Nine Months Ended October 2, 2004 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 27, 2003

Sales increased by $19.7 million or 40.4%, from $48.8 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2003 to $68.5 million for the nine months ended October 2, 2004. The increase resulted from higher unit sales of the new Faro Gage and Scan Arm products, and increased unit sales of the Faro Arm and Laser Tracker products in all regions. In the Americas Region sales increased $4.6 million, or 19.1% from $24.1 million in the nine months ended September 27, 2003 to $28.7 million in the nine months ended October 2, 2004, primarily due to an increase in the number of sales people from 36 at the beginning of 2003 to 48 at October 2, 2004. In the Europe/Africa Region sales increased $11.4 million, or 58.7% from $19.4 million in the nine months ended September 27, 2003 to $30.8 million in the nine months ended October 2, 2004, resulting in large part from the successful deployment of 27 new sales people from 42 at the beginning of 2003 to 69 at October 2, 2004. In the Asia Pacific Region sales increased $3.6 million, or 67.9% from $5.3 million in the nine months ended September 27, 2003 to $8.9 million in the nine months ended October 2, 2004, primarily due to sales in China, where we opened a sales office in late 2003.

Gross profit increased by $14.9 million or 52.1%, from $28.6 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2003 to $43.5 million for the nine months ended October 2, 2004 due to higher sales. Gross margin increased to 63.5% for the nine months ended October 2, 2004 compared to 58.6% for the nine months ended September 27, 2003. Gross margin increased primarily from lower service costs, the effect of higher sales volume on fixed overhead and smaller price discounts.

Selling expenses increased by $5.0 million or 39.7%, from $12.6 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2003 to $17.6 million for the nine months ended October 2, 2004. The increase was primarily due to higher commissions of $1.9 million, sales demonstration costs of $1.4 million, salaries and bonuses of $1.1 million, and marketing costs of $595,000. As a percentage of sales, selling expenses decreased slightly to 25.7% of sales for the nine months ended October 2, 2004 from 25.8% of sales for the nine months ended September 27, 2003.


 
  15  

 

In prior filings we represented the cost of employee stock options as a separate line item in our consolidated statements of operations. In accordance with SEC Regulation S-X, beginning with this Form 10-Q we have eliminated the separate line item for all periods presented, and have included the cost of employee stock options in the appropriate expense category, according to each employee’s function. Virtually all of the employees who had stock options that gave rise to an expense were in administration. These amounts are disclosed below under the discussion of general and administrative expenses.

General and administrative expenses increased $1.8 million or 27.3%, from $6.6 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2003 to $8.4 million for the nine months ended October 2, 2004. The increase was primarily due to higher salaries and bonuses of $1.4 million, professional and legal fees of $492,000, facility expense of $311,000, investor relations expense of $104,000, bad debt expense of $53,000, insurance expense of $39,000, and travel expense of $34,000, partially offset by lower employee stock option expense of $286,000, permits and fees of $147,000, and computer network costs of $62,000. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased to 12.3% for the nine months ended October 2, 2004, from 13.5% for the nine months ended September 27, 2003.

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $62,000 or 3.9% from $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2003 to $1.7 million for the nine months ended October 2, 2004 primarily due to additions in the current year of computer equipment and intangible assets comprised of patents and R&D foreign language software.

Research and development expenses increased by $900,000 or 29.0%, from $3.1 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2003 to $4.0 million for the nine months ended October 2, 2004. The increase was primarily due to higher salaries and bonuses of $550,000, and higher consulting fees of $330,000. Research and development expenses as a percentage of sales decreased to 5.8% for the nine months ended October 2, 2004, from 6.3% for the nine months ended September 27, 2003.

Interest income increased by $183,000 from $51,000 for the nine months ended September 27, 2003, to $234,000 for the nine months ended October 2, 2004. The variance was primarily attributable to an increase of $22.7 million in interest earning investments from $400,000 at September 27, 2003 to $23.1 million at October 2, 2004. Interest expense decreased by $42,000 from $48,000 for the nine months ended September 27, 2003, to $6,000 for the nine months ended October 2, 2004 mainly due to lower interest bearing debt.
 
Other income (expense) decreased by $1.2 million from $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2003 to $215,000 for the nine months ended October 2, 2004 due to our receipt of a $1.1 million settlement from litigation in the third quarter of 2003. Other income (expense) for the nine months ended October 2, 2004 consisted primarily of gains from foreign currency of $131,000.    

Income tax expense increased by $1.4 million from $801,000 for the nine months ended September 27, 2003, to $2.2 million for the nine months ended October 2, 2004. This increase is primarily due to the significant increase in US earnings in 2004, partially offset by the utilization of net operating losses in Europe, for which an allowance had previously been recorded.

Net income increased by $4.6 million from $5.4 million for the nine months ended September 27, 2003 to $10.0 million for the nine months ended October 2, 2004 as a result of the factors described above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On November 12, 2003, we sold 1,158,000 shares of common stock to certain institutional investors in a private placement. The shares were sold for $21.50 per share, resulting in total proceeds before placement agent fees and other offering expenses of $24.9 million. Total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were approximately $35.3 million at October 2, 2004 compared with approximately $33.5 million on December 31, 2003.


 
  16  

 

On September 17, 2003, we established a $5 million revolving credit facility with SunTrust Bank. This agreement was renewed and is due to mature on September 17, 2005. The facility bears an interest rate, at the borrower’s option, of either the bank’s Base rate or the adjusted LIBOR rate, plus 1.75%. No amounts were outstanding under this line of credit on October 2, 2004.

Cash provided by operating activities was approximately $3.4 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of approximately $1.0 million from the first nine months of the prior year. The $1.0 million increase reflects strong growth in sales and operating income, partially offset by increases in accounts receivable and inventories.

Cash used in investing activities was approximately $9.6 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of approximately $9.7 million from the first nine months of the prior year, primarily reflecting deployment of cash balances to short-term investments of approximately $7.0 million, the purchase of capital equipment of $1.9 million, and our expenditures for intangible assets of $580,000.

Cash provided by financing activities was approximately $1.1 million in the first nine months of 2004, reflecting proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

Principal commitments at October 2, 2004 consisted of leases on our offices and manufacturing facilities, and purchase orders for goods related to manufacturing. There were no material commitments for capital expenditures as of that date.
 
We have no material long-term debt. We believe our cash, investments, available borrowings and cash flows from operations should be sufficient to satisfy our working capital and capital expenditure needs for the foreseeable future.

Critical Accounting Policies

In response to the SEC’s financial reporting release, FR-60, Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies, we have selected our most subjective accounting estimation processes for purposes of explaining the methodology used in calculating the estimate in addition to any inherent uncertainties pertaining to the estimate and the possible effects on our financial condition. The estimation processes discussed below are our processes of recognizing revenue, research and development expenditures, the allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventory, the allowance for doubtful accounts, and the reserve for warranties. These estimation processes affect current assets and operating results and are therefore critical in assessing our financial and operating status. These estimates involve certain assumptions that if incorrect, could create an adverse impact on our operations and financial position.

Revenue

Approximately 93% of our revenues result from the sale of a Faro Arm, Scan Arm, Faro Laser Tracker, or Faro Gage “System”. A system is an integrated combination of a measurement device, a computer, and software loaded on the computer and the measurement device. None of the systems are customized and none of the components are sold separately, only as systems. Scheduled classes for training exist, and it is the customer’s responsibility to register and attend these classes. The revenue from these system sales is recognized upon shipment.

Approximately three percent of our revenues result from service and consulting. These revenues are recognized when the service or consulting is completed.

Approximately two percent of our revenues result from the sale of extended warranties. We recognize the revenue from extended warranties proportionately, in the same manner as costs are incurred for such revenues. Costs related to extended maintenance plans are recognized as incurred. The products come with a warranty for the first twelve months and then the separately purchased extended warranty begins. A provision for estimated future costs relating to expenses under the included warranty are recorded when products are shipped.


 
  17  

 

Approximately one percent of our revenues result from the sale of customized software. The revenue is recognized when no further significant production, modification, or customization is required, and where the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of a sales agreement exists, delivery has occurred, and the sales price is fixed or determinable and deemed collectible.

Approximately one percent of our revenues result from our receipt of royalties from the license of intellectual property. These revenues are recognized as licensees of the intellectual property report usage.

In May 2003, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the Financial Accounting Standards Board finalized a new accounting rule that affects how revenues are recognized on certain types of long-term service contracts, where the timing of billings is not consistent with the timing of the costs. We are following EITF 00-21 and it is not affecting our transactions because we sell integrated systems whose components are not sold separately, and our revenues from the sale of extended warranties are recognized over the warranty period.

Research And Development

Costs are incurred in the discovery of new knowledge and the resulting translation of this new knowledge into plans and designs for new products. Prior to the attainment of the related products’ technological feasibility, these costs are recorded as expenses in the period incurred. Product design costs incurred in the development of products after technological feasibility is attained are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated economic lives of the related products, not to exceed three years. We consider technological feasibility to be established when we have completed all planning, designing, coding and testing activities that are necessary to establish design specifications including function, features and technical performance requirements. Capitalization of product design costs ceases and amortization of such costs begins when the product is available for general release to customers. We periodically assess the value of capitalized product design costs and record a reserve for obsolescence or impairment when, in the circumstances (including the discontinuance or probable discontinuance of the related products from the market), we deem the asset to be obsolete or impaired.

The Reserve For Obsolete And Slow-Moving Inventory

Since the amount of inventoriable cost that we will truly recoup through sales cannot be known with exact certainty, we rely upon both past sales experience and future sales forecasts. Inventory is considered obsolete if we have withdrawn those products from the market or if we had no sales of the product for the past 12 months, and have no sales forecasted for the next 12 months. Accordingly, an allowance in an amount equal to 100% of the average cost of such inventory is recorded. We classify as “slow-moving”, inventory with on-hand quantities greater than the amounts sold in the past 12 months or which have been forecasted to sell in the next 12 months, and reserve such an amount adequate to reduce the carrying value to net realizable value.

The Reserve For Doubtful Accounts

We perform ongoing evaluations of our customers and adjust their credit ratings accordingly. We continuously monitor collections and payments from our customers and maintain a provision for un-collectible amounts based on its historical experience and any other issues it has identified. While such credit losses have historically been within its expectations, we cannot guarantee this will continue in the future.

The Reserve For Warranties
 
We rely upon our service data to determine the adequacy of our included warranty reserve. We use the service frequencies and history to evaluate the future service requirements. We continuously monitor this data to ensure that the reserve is sufficient. While such expenses have historically been within its expectations, we cannot guarantee this will continue in the future.


 
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Transactions with Related and Other Parties

We lease our headquarters from Xenon Research, Inc. (“Xenon”), all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of which is owned by Simon Raab, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Diana Raab, his spouse. The term of the lease expires on February 28, 2006, with two five-year renewal options. The base rent during renewal periods will reflect changes in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers.
 
Inflation
 
We believe inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations in recent years and do not expect inflation to have a material impact on our operations in 2004.

Foreign Exchange Exposure

We conduct a significant portion of our business outside the United States. At present, approximately 50% of our revenues are invoiced, and a significant portion of our operating expenses paid, in foreign currencies. Fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and such foreign currencies may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and could specifically result in foreign exchange gains and losses. The impact of future exchange rate fluctuations on the results of our operations cannot be accurately predicted. To the extent that the percentage of our non-U.S. dollar revenues derived from international sales increases (or decreases) in the future, our exposure to risks associated with fluctuations in foreign exchange rates may increase (or decrease).

Item 3. - Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference herein from the section of this Report in Part I, Item 2, under the captions “Inflation” and “Foreign Exchange Exposure”, above.

Item 4. - Controls And Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company required to be included in our periodic SEC reports. 

  
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. - Legal Proceedings

We are not involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that the results of such litigation, even if the outcome were unfavorable to us, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Item 6. - Exhibits And Reports On Form 8-K

  a.) Exhibits:

  31(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31(b) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32(b) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


  b.) Reports on Form 8-K

On August 4, 2004, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with a press release announcing our results of operations for the quarter ended July 3, 2004.

On October 15, 2004, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with a press release announcing our sales and new orders results for the quarter ended October 2, 2004.

On October 29, 2004, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with a press release announcing the appointment of Jay Freeland as President and Chief Operating Officer, effective November 15, 2004.

On November 5, 2004, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with a press release announcing our results of operations for the quarter ended October 2, 2004.


  
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
     
  FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
  
Date: November 10, 2004 By:   /S/ 
 
Gregory A. Fraser
  Executive Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

 

 
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